Vienna woke up cold and threatening rain. So I didn`t open the car bonnet and went towards Salzburg, via Hallstatt in the Salzkammergut region.
It was the first time I traveled with the car closed and the feeling of comfort is enormous given the good soundproofing. So good that, also for the first time, I had to turn on the radio not to fall asleep.
When I left the highway and even with fog and drizzle that annoying, I began to see what was waiting for me and I decided to convert and leave the Alps enter the car. Literally! My friend André Prata told me that this area was an undiscovered gem in the center of Europe. I didn`t think it was so beautiful.
Virgin forest that descends steeply to Traunsee lake, with some sailboats and a train passing right by the water; like a fairy tale setting.
Come to Hallstatt - a small very typical village in another lake - with colorful houses and a church on the water and another on a waterfall side, I was dumbfounded. So beautiful! There i realize better why a friend, a doctor, study German to be able to go work for the South Tyrol. It must be great to live and work in an environment that inspires so much peace. Then in winter, with snow, it must be breathtaking.
In Hallstatt, for a second day, I was drenched and the return has been done with the roof on.
In the carousel curves that followed, with the wet road, I took party from Quattro. How wonderful that fun, pure adrenaline. That feels so good to get in the corners with the car to slip and when accelerate, he goes where pointed, with the back one little loose. There goes the budget for gasoline ... but if it was not for this, added value have rented a Dacia.
After so much emotion, I came to Salzburg. My hotel is the new side of town, so I went on foot, crossed one of the bridges and I began to see the city from the ground up.
In the commercial area, crowded with Asians who roam the camera and all that bags from Vuitton, Hermes, Gucci, Prada, Chanel, I entered the Red Bull World. Among all possible merchandising the Red Bull RB 7 ... from Vettel. Here the athletes are honored because they honored the team and brought titles, even when they go to opposition; sportsman mentality.
Then I saw the cathedral, and the crypt. Salzburg was the ruler and square made, in the light of the sun and moon. Here played Mozart and was obligatory tour of the Emperors and the European Bishopric. What secrets will this city hidden in her stones, making it as important over the centuries ?!
Then it was time to climb to the castle. The funicular demanded 11 euros for the trip. I don´t go to Rainha Gym to pull the physical for when I have to climb a wall, have to pay 11 euros! It was on foot, climbed the stairways all there above; I confess that at the end of the first haul I was already regretting not having paid the 11 euros but was not going to part weak.
Come up there, I won a prize: the right to pay 8 euros to enter the castle. I begged them a plague!
In the castle, in addition to magnificent views, I got to know a little history and the importance of Salzburg over the centuries. Retained a curious date: 1495. At this time the castle had still only been three raises, and many others thereafter. All to defend the hill, a purely warlike perspective.
I thought that at that same time, in Portugal, only thought of building ships and sailors form, based on science, to go discover the world and offer it to Europe. Save Agostinho da Silva.
Yesterday we went to bed very early - from 21:30 there is nothing to do in
Cooinda, don`t listen anybody, just the animals - the dawn was too
early. The day was going to be long, every minute were precious.FRom Cooinda we followed by a road on dirt, over 50 km, to Jim Jim Falls. At the beginning the road is large and fast and can be roll at 100 km / h. But after Garnamarr, it becomes narrower and thus only one car at a
time, with loose sand, and the passage of dry riverbeds, an authentic trial road.Arrived at Jim Jim Falls and, in waiting for us, a walk on huge rocks, as a prelude to paradise.As
we are in the dry season and the high of 70 meters from the cliff
neither falls a drop of water and, therefore, let us running into small
beaches of calm water and white sand, Blue Lagoon style, which where they form once the force of the water is a lot.Jumping
like mountain goats among the various stones, we came to the Cascade
base: a small pond dark due to a projected shadow and 30 meters deep; a beautiful gulf.A local guide, from a group of German and Italians tourist, in trunks, dove into the water. Then a man with more than 70 years.I couldn`t resist: undressed and, with only boxers, I was diving well.Should be 30 ° C out - and was nine in the morning - and were 14ºC in the water. An ice, a huge thermal shock; but not as great as the pleasure of swimming in that place, knowing that most likely will never have the opportunity to do so.With the heat rising, quickly I was dry.Jim Jim Falls followed for another 10 Km of hard rock road, dense vegetation and crossing rivers over 80 cm deep to the Twin Falls.Arrived there, the park guide told us of the dangers of making a 3 km
walk to the top of the waterfall, with the heat that was felt.So we caught a small boat that took us almost to the base of the waterfall; this with water.Unlike
the previous one, as the water flows, there system of communicating
vessels between the various streams and rivers, and the danger to appear
one or more real crocodiles. Here is strictly forbidden to enter the water.The beaches that form are indescribably beautiful, dug many meters deep between rocks and cliffs. The desire to return to swim was huge. I didn`t directly done it otherwise.João told me to put in Cascade basis to take a picture with the water to fall, like a shower.Off I went, dress. Not content with where I was, I decided to hike the base of stones across the falling water main. The moss and mistletoe were quite slippery and what began as a walk,
fairly rapidly turned into a climbing style Spider-Man, not me crashing
on the rocks and in the water.I could, I was all wet but took a picture in one place, bathed in the clear, cold water of Twin Falls.So much emotion in one day!Then it was time to go back to Darwin for the same dirt
road, almost deserted that with the orange cast of the sunset and
the cars abandoned on the roadside due to accidents with animals, gave a Madmax atmosphere.Arrived in Darwin was time to shower in a bathtub, pack up and go around the city.Tomorrow we go to Singapore in a hurry, see the rest of the city.
