Waterfalls of DuPont State Forest

Every time, I return to the US, it is like going to an all-you-can-eat buffet for every mealtime. Since I don't really eat lots of sweet stuff in Japan, I indulged in ice-cream, especially the flavours I can't get in Japan, cookies, cakes and soda. And it is really hard to say no, especially when I believe that I deserve a little treat. And the fact that the portion size of food in the US is waaay more than Japan's is really not helping. After many days of indulgence, I can feel that my dress size went UP. Not in a good way. So, I decided (reluctantly) to take back control of my diet. I am goin to slowly eat smaller portion, cut some sweet calories out and get back on track with my usual active lifestyle. 

So, I decided to go hiking in the DuPont State Forest near Asheville. It is an area blessed with lots of waterfalls with plenty of easy hiking trails. I also heard that this is the film location for the Hunger Games and The Last of the Mohicans so it should be a great place to go. 

After a 3.5hours drive and a lunch stop, I reach the DuPont State Forest slightly after 1:30pm. I parked my car, started my hike from the visitor centre and the parking area in Hooker Falls area. However, I decided to skip the Hooker Falls, and went straight to see the Triple Falls where they filmed the Hunger Games. It was a short walk, less than 2km. 

As soon as I saw the Triple Falls, I can immediately recall the scene where Katniss nearly step on Peeta in the Hunger Games. 

The Triple Falls has lots of flat rock area to walk on or to simply relax on. I can see that it is a really great place to have a picnic. 

I continue my hike for another 1km towards the High Falls. After a few turns and a short, steep hill, I found it. This waterfall has a magnificent drop of 50m. Later, I found that the water level is quite low at the moment and it could have been even more impressive drop. Nonetheless, it is still an amazing sight for me. As I stood around to take some photograph, another hiker with her dog came and stood beside me. We chatted for a bit and she told me that the scene of the Last of the Mohicans was filmed here. Wow, I didn't know that it was already a popular movie location. 

I went down, nearer to the waterfall and I saw lots of people gathering at the base of the waterfall. Some of them just sit under the falling waters. Further down where the water is calmer, people just go swimming in the river. As there were too many people, I just went to take some photographs and continue my walk to the Grassy Creek Falls and Bridal Veil Falls. 

So, my hike took me a trail that leads me to the start of the High Falls. There is a covered bridge that connects the two banks of river of High Falls. This covered bridge somehow reminded me of the creepy covered bridge in the movie, Sleepy Hollow. I bet if it is rainy and misty, this bridge sure fits the bill. I went across the covered bridge and continue for a short distance to the marker that indicates the entrance to the Grassy Creek Falls trail. From there, I found the small trail that snakes through the woods with several short side trails to the falls. I decided to take one of the short side trails and found myself on the top of the Grassy Creek Falls.

This waterfall is secluded, more isolated and definitely quieter. I sat down to enjoy my packed snack and listen to the sound of running water. It is so calm and peaceful. The birds are singing. It reminded me of the piped-in bird singing sound that you can sometimes hear on the train station. I always find it weird to hear them on the train platform while waiting for the train. It feels so unnatural. That sound always makes me look up and see if any bird has set up their home and started to make a mess in the train station. Not a calming thought if that is what they intend the train commuters to feel. I personally feel that if they want to have a piped-in music, why can they choose classical or something soothing other that natural sounds that don't sound natural in the train station. Okay, back to my hike. 

After a quick lunch stop, I continue my hike down to the base of Grassy Creek Falls. However, going to the base was more challenging than I thought. There are lots of rocks that are slippery and some are just too far for the short-legged person like me to make a jump. So I just tried my best to get as near as I can. After a few photographs, I begin to make my way out. 

Still thinking that I will be going to the Bridal Veil Falls after this, but I noticed that the sun began to set and I looked at my wrist watch, found out that it is already 6pm. So, I gave up going to the Bridal Veil Falls for this time. 

I walked back to the covered bridge, and saw lots of other hikers who are also on their way back to the car park. One of the hikers has a dog with them and the dog just came up to me, sniffed at me. I know why he is sniffing me, I have a bit of cheese stuck on my pants (I tried to clean them off unsuccessfully) and he is trying to lick them off me - hahaha. It was a really funny moment. Then, the owner came up to take him away from me. But I am delighted to be able to touch such a friendly dog. I find that dogs in the US are pretty friendly and tall. 

Overall, I really enjoyed my hike and I think I will return again sometime soon to finish the other waterfalls. Now, I am going to drive back to devour a plate of big prawns!

Fluttering

I meant to post these pictures for a long time. I had a long time love affair with nature. These fluttering butterflies at the Penang Butterfly Farm was indescribably beautiful. Seeing them flying around brings wonder and peace to me. These photos are taken last year during my trip back in my old hometown, Penang. But as to now, I have three new adopted countries and one of it is Japan. I miss my old hometown, the place I was born and grew up in. I am glad that it still retains the old town charm I love so much and the Penang Butterfly Farm held a special spot for me, having visited it when I was 12 on my very first school trip. The place didn't change that much. It still have the same waterfall and educational displays. Most importantly, the butterflies are still there, fluttering and sweeping through the air, the same way I remembered it.

The port cities of Slovenia

During the conference, I booked a tour to go to the coastal towns of Potoroz and Piran but unfortunately, there wasn't enough participants and it got cancelled. So I had to rent a car for the day which turns out to be a better decision. To rent a car in Slovenia is relatively easy - you just need an international driving license, your passport and credit card. After comparing prices from a few car rental companies, I decided to rent the car from Avantcar. I love these guys!!! They have fuss-free service, cheaper than many other car rental companies and they have the newest models of cars!!! I regretted now that I didn't take any photos of their cars - some of them are really a beauty! If you go to Slovenia, rent a car from them - http://www.avantcar.si/en

After getting the car, I am on my way to the coastal towns. The highway was excellent and upon exiting the highway, the road leading to the port cities was beside the sea. it was the most beautiful coastal drive (too bad I didn't managed to stop and take pictures- another regret!). Anyway, after reaching Portoroz, I decided that this is not the town that I want to linger too long (lots of big hotels and casinos) so I drive back to Piran. But to get into Piran, you have to pay a fee of 12Euro (if I remembered correctly) to get in for two hours. But there's a trick.There's an easily missed (for non Slovenian speaking/reading foreigner) car park about 10mins walk which only charges 4Euro for the first hour and 1Euro for the subsequent hour (please forgive me if the rates are wrong, my memory don't serve me that well nowadays). It is better to park here than to park inside the town because of the lack of carpark space in the town. As you start approaching Piran on a rather steep downhill road, look out for this large parking lot is on your left between the sea and the cliff you will be driving on and when the road levels off, watch out for the word, 'GARAGE' and make a sharp left turn for the parking.

Piran is definitely a better town to spend your afternoon in. Another good thing to do while you are there is to eat the seafood, freshly caught and lightly grilled.

And beautiful sunset as you drive back to the city.

The cool valley

From Lake Bled, there is another beautiful gem to be discover - the Vintgar Gorge. It was a hot two-hours walk for me to get to Vintgar Gorge but it was sooooo worth it. Look at the pictures and you will agree with me why the two hour walk in the hot sun is worth it.

Blue waters

I have never seen water so blue like in a painting but it is real. There are blue waters and the waters can be found in the beautiful country of Slovenia! I was lucky to be able to visit Slovenia after a conference. I had such a good time meeting people and making new friends!
Slovenia is such a beautiful country with so many natural wonders that it is not doing it justice for just one post. Some of my favourite places in Slovenia is Lake Bled. As everyone knows, there is a beautiful island church in a lake.

The church from far

The view from the top was also awesome! I can't stop taking picture of this little island from different angle but I like this picture the best!

 The church up close

Our boatman

I stayed at this hotel, Villa Preseren which my Slovenian friend informed me that it is currently the hippest hotel in that area. I choose that hotel because it is small and boutique-like therefore I assumed the service will be more personalized and less crowded than some of the bigger hotels in that area. Little that I know that every rich and wanna-be-famous people in Slovenia want to stay in Villa Preseren. Well, I have no complains about the room (I choose the smallest room away from the restaurant) but the service... let's just say they need more staffs and more training to be attentive. Maybe I am asking too much especially being used to Japanese excellent service. 

From the villa, it is a short 15mins walk to the castle Bled. I tried to have dinner there but guess what, they are fully booked for the night so maybe it is best to call ahead and make a reservation. But one thing I must say, the food in Slovenia is so, so fresh!! I was nursing a bad cold during this trip but thanks to the freshness of the food, I was healthy again!