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Abstract

5045"><i>Bohemian Switzerland</i></a>.</p><figure id="e058"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*MGPI9eIVtyZh17fXID_kKQ.jpeg"><figcaption>Between pine trees and blueberry bushes. | Photo credit: <a href="undefined">Anne Bonfert</a></figcaption></figure><p id="2f6b">The top of the mountain wasn’t really a peak but rather a flat mountain pasture. Just to the left of this signboard, the trail did rise a few more meters uphill and then ended in a clearing in the woods.</p><p id="19cd">David spotted a deer escaping the open just as we were talking about where to descend.</p><figure id="56d9"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*X3fzbRrWeik-15UbHBL_9g.jpeg"><figcaption>Just above 1000 meters in altitude. | Photo credit: <a href="undefined">Anne Bonfert</a></figcaption></figure><p id="2349">Finding an old, abandoned trail on the backside of the mountain, we came past a small puddle filled with water and walked through countless blueberry bushes. In a few weeks from now, hikers will have a feast up here.</p><figure id="8e2c"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*hjZKYZgeCZUTTuUlbL5XjQ.jpeg"><figcaption>Heading down again. | Photo credit: <a href="undefined">Anne Bonfert</a></figcaption></figure><p id="2615">The sun had disappeared by now as clouds were rolling in.</p><figure id="0859"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*10QKClJllWpZvAviSH4dOQ.jpeg"><figcaption>Through the forest. | Photo credit: <a href="undefined">Anne Bonfert</a></figcaption></figure><p id="8f73">Back at camp, we sat back in our chairs and enjoyed the fresh mountain air.</p><figure id="179c"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*pa6vuN9CEh3dBL1xAlXsiw.jpeg"><figcaption></figcaption></figure><figure id="c493"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*Wf_4iph4pbn8sa-ZYqxuyQ.jpeg"><figcaption>Back at the campsite.</figcaption></figure><p id="926a">After debating for a while if we should cook our meal or head out for dinner, we decided to treat ourselves.</p><p id="dc37">While we had hoped for some more traditional Czech dishes, we enjoyed our meals regardless. Just the wine selection confused us. If I drink wine, I always order the house wine which is usually the cheapest and also a regional one.</p><p id="409b">Not here. When I asked the waiter about the house wine he nodded and then pointed at the menu where wine per glass was listed with the note "South Africa".</p><p id="a10e">Yes, we know South Africa has some great wines but that is their house wine? Some things you'll never understand.</p><figure id="65ac"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*gycSw_IVAnmOGG2ZDCemKA.jpeg"><figcaption></figcaption></figure><figure id="970c"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*G_CaUntcnZdrU2TqUxTINg.jpeg"><figcaption></figcaption></figure><figure id="6e51"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*DbPVSfEXiu9f8VPJ3oeg-w.jpeg"><figcaption>Dinner. | Photo credit: <a href="undefined">Anne Bonfert</a></figcaption></figure><h2 id="3d1d">See the full video of our road trip and hiking adventure:</h2> <figure id="0f6e"> <div> <div> <img class="ratio" src="http://placehold.it/16x9"> <iframe class="" s

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rc="https://cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fembed%2FzkC7mE-Lha4%3Ffeature%3Doembed&display_name=YouTube&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DzkC7mE-Lha4&image=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FzkC7mE-Lha4%2Fhqdefault.jpg&key=a19fcc184b9711e1b4764040d3dc5c07&type=text%2Fhtml&schema=youtube" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" width="480"> </div> </div> </figure></iframe></div></div></figure><h2 id="22b6">This was day 4 of our short road trip through the Czech Republic:</h2><div id="85a5" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/first-night-in-czechia-9c663be4603c"> <div> <div> <h2>First Night in Czechia</h2> <div><h3>Escaping into nature for a new adventure</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*gfWAsoGlzzuwC3IfLuZ89A.jpeg)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><div id="5fd7" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/when-the-famous-words-i-know-a-shortcut-lead-to-abseiling-down-a-tree-90415fb4f3d1"> <div> <div> <h2>When the Famous Words “I Know a Shortcut” Lead to Abseiling Down a Tree</h2> <div><h3>Because we can’t follow a hiking trail from start to finish</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*Nsw96UZP-vQEBYESNudh4A.jpeg)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><div id="58cd" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/when-life-begins-in-the-valley-of-destruction-587b3dfe5045"> <div> <div> <h2>When Life Begins in the Valley of Destruction</h2> <div><h3>Hiking where wildfires once were raging</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*pxMKMlUvb-2QBf8sYG6XFg.jpeg)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><blockquote id="9554"><p>Join my email list <a href="https://mailchi.mp/9dd74c10ac6b/signup-mydreamofafrica">here</a> if you would like to read more photo essays or sign up for the <a href="https://medium.com/@anne.bonfert/membership">Medium membership</a> to receive unlimited access to my and other writers’ stories out here (I will receive a commission fee in return).</p></blockquote><p id="0b4e"><a href="https://www.shutterstock.com/g/Anne+Bonfert"><i>Shutterstock</i></a><i> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mydreamofafrica/?hl=en">Instagram</a> | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjXOWGPFOVRSXu9-F14313w">YouTube</a> | <a href="https://mailchi.mp/9dd74c10ac6b/signup-mydreamofafrica">Mailchimp</a> | <a href="https://www.amazon.com/-/de/Anne-Bonfert/e/B08PPD2Y41?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1668865050&sr=8-1">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.redbubble.com/people/Bonfi92/shop?asc=u">Redbubble</a></i></p></article></body>

TRAVEL. ROAD TRIP. HIKING.

First Impressions of the Giant Mountains, Czechia

Heading further north on our road trip and hiking adventure

While it was certainly an interesting and different experience hiking in an area where wildfires destroyed the forest, it was enough for one day. We didn't want to continue walking through such devastating land and decided to head further to my next point of interest marked on Googlemaps.

The first hikers came past our camp as we were enjoying breakfast outside. Just before this trip, we bought a new cooking setup with pots, cups and cutlery that all fit into each other making it easy to transport and store.

The new camping equipment. | Photo credit: Anne Bonfert

A bit over 2 hours was our drive north into the Giant Mountains. Arriving at the new campsite we could feel the higher altitude we were at. It was remarkably cooler.

We just parked the car in the camp and headed out on a hike exploring the surrounding mountains.

Hiking in the forest. | Photo credit: Anne Bonfert

We wanted to hike to the top of the mountain not far from our campsite but when we saw all the trails leading to the top were either wide gravel roads or tar roads we quickly turned off into the forest.

If the trail isn't interesting enough we make our own challenges. Following a riverbed up the hill, we had to climb over boulders, walk on thick moss and switch sides a few times.

Small rivers flowing through the forest. | Photo credit: Anne Bonfert

This was more our kind of adventure.

Bouldering across rocks and rivers. | Photo credit: Anne Bonfert

The forest was thick and lush green. It felt and looked great to see such a healthy forest after the walk in the devastated hills of Bohemian Switzerland.

Between pine trees and blueberry bushes. | Photo credit: Anne Bonfert

The top of the mountain wasn’t really a peak but rather a flat mountain pasture. Just to the left of this signboard, the trail did rise a few more meters uphill and then ended in a clearing in the woods.

David spotted a deer escaping the open just as we were talking about where to descend.

Just above 1000 meters in altitude. | Photo credit: Anne Bonfert

Finding an old, abandoned trail on the backside of the mountain, we came past a small puddle filled with water and walked through countless blueberry bushes. In a few weeks from now, hikers will have a feast up here.

Heading down again. | Photo credit: Anne Bonfert

The sun had disappeared by now as clouds were rolling in.

Through the forest. | Photo credit: Anne Bonfert

Back at camp, we sat back in our chairs and enjoyed the fresh mountain air.

After debating for a while if we should cook our meal or head out for dinner, we decided to treat ourselves.

While we had hoped for some more traditional Czech dishes, we enjoyed our meals regardless. Just the wine selection confused us. If I drink wine, I always order the house wine which is usually the cheapest and also a regional one.

Not here. When I asked the waiter about the house wine he nodded and then pointed at the menu where wine per glass was listed with the note "South Africa".

Yes, we know South Africa has some great wines but that is their house wine? Some things you'll never understand.

See the full video of our road trip and hiking adventure:

This was day 4 of our short road trip through the Czech Republic:

First Night in Czechia

Escaping into nature for a new adventure

medium.com

When the Famous Words “I Know a Shortcut” Lead to Abseiling Down a Tree

Because we can’t follow a hiking trail from start to finish

medium.com

When Life Begins in the Valley of Destruction

Hiking where wildfires once were raging

medium.com

Join my email list here if you would like to read more photo essays or sign up for the Medium membership to receive unlimited access to my and other writers’ stories out here (I will receive a commission fee in return).