![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/OI000099-1038x576.jpg "Carnival Parade")
After the heat and humidity in Palenque, combined with my cold, I needed a break. So I spent four days in Mérida, including Carnival weekend – not the worst place to spend this time of year. Continue reading Carnival in Mérida
Category Archives: Travel Diary
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/20160203_101359-1038x576.jpg "Palenque")
Ruins in the jungle
Today I finally came across some remains of the Ancient Mayans: the ruins of Palenque. Continue reading Ruins in the jungle
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/OI000003-1038x576.jpg "Agua Azul")
The Wonders of Nature in Chiapas
After three days in the city, it was time to get out into the nature: I visited Sumidero Canyon close to San Cristóbal and Agua Azul as well as Misol-Ha on my way to Palenque, my next destination. Continue reading The Wonders of Nature in Chiapas
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/OI000030-1038x576.jpg "San Juan Chamula")
Coca Cola for the health, or: The modern Mayas
As already mentioned, a lot of indigenous people still live around San Cristóbal zahlreiche Indigene. Despite the christianisation by the Spaniards, a lot of the old Mayan customs remain. Continue reading Coca Cola for the health, or: The modern Mayas
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/OI000034-1038x576.jpg "Cathedral")
The three histories of San Cristóbal
San Cristóbal de las Casas, the first stop on my visit to Mexico, is known for three aspects of its past:
- It is a colonial town.
- In its surroundings, there still live a lot of indigenous people.
- It was a centre for the Zapatistas in the 1990s.
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/20150926_145537-1038x576.jpg "Borjomi")
Borjomi and the Lesser Caucasus
I really enjoyed the Borjomi region with its forested hills. I would have liked to spent more time there, but unfortunately, one day was all I had. So I went hiking in the hills around the town. Continue reading Borjomi and the Lesser Caucasus
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/20150925_131009-1038x576.jpg "Vardzia")
Old caves, new castle
I have finally arrived at the last destination of this year’s stay in Georgia: Borjomi. From there, I went on an excursion to the impressive cave city of Vardzia. I also stopped at some other sights on the route, like the newly rebuilt (and insanely kitschy) Akhaltsikhe Castle. Continue reading Old caves, new castle
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/20150923_110854-1038x576.jpg "Sighnaghi")
Renovation successful, town dead
The centre of Sighnaghi with its brick buildings from the 18th and 19th century is very charming indeed – and very beautifully renovated. At the same time, however, it appears rather dead to me. Continue reading Renovation successful, town dead
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/20150922_115013-1038x576.jpg "Lagodekhi National Park")
AUT + ISL + NZL = Lagodekhi
Take a spoonful of Austria, add a pince of Iceland, and finish with a drop of New Zealand – and you get Lagodekhi National Park. Continue reading AUT + ISL + NZL = Lagodekhi
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/20150921_103759-1038x576.jpg "Alaverdi Cathedral")
More impressive on the outside
Around Telavi, there are numerous churches and monasteries to be visited. You could easily spend a whole day driving from one religious site to the other. However, I decided to limit myself to just a single site: Alaverdi Cathedral. Continue reading More impressive on the outside