Check out the island and the bears in our photo show too.
But when asked specifically, would they take the vacation plane to Antalya or Bodrum? Ultimately, despite the bitterness of such attacks, one thing remains clear: terrorism is now part of our life risk. But the risk of having a car accident on the way to the airport remains significantly higher. And, ultimately, the same applies: Terrorism only works because people are afraid of it. This is exactly where its effect lies.
The Kodiak bears live on the island of Kodiak, off the US state of Alaska. They are among the largest bears in the world. Only polar bears and Kamchatka bears reach their size. Vacationers travel to an untamed, unspoiled and touching world that makes every visitor awesome and infinitely happy. Check out the island and the bears in our photo show too.
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We are sitting on a hill above the Thumb River. The sky is cloudless, a gentle breeze is blowing around us. Actually, the right weather to lie down in the grass with a stalk in your mouth and take a sunbath. But we have more exciting plans. "Over there" our guide Jason whispers and hands me his binoculars. The thick bushes on the opposite bank are in motion. Maybe it’s the same coyote we spotted on the riverbank before? Maybe it’s a moose who can suddenly stand in front of you in Alaska? Or a fox? Or the wind? Then the binoculars almost fall out of my hand: a massive she-bear rises from the bushes in her full size, stretches her snout into the air to smell, tosses her head back and forth. A few seconds later her two boys are with her, crouching against the body of their still standing mother. I hardly dare to breathe, hear my heart pounding with excitement. That sight! This moment! Overwhelming and overwhelming – and yet so touching and enchanting that you can feel tears welling up.
Visit the Kodiak bears
We are at the goal of our dreams. Forgotten are the rigors of the really long journey to Kodiak in the remote southwest of Alaska. With almost 9000 square kilometers, the second largest island in the USA (after the Big Island / Hawaii) is about the size of Corsica. Kodiak’s fame does not come from geographical superlatives, but from its imposing inhabitants – the Kodiak bears. The largest land predators in the world reach a body length of up to three meters, a shoulder height of 1.20 to 1.50 meters and a weight of around 700 kilos. Around 3,000 specimens live on the mountainous, largely inaccessible island, whose hidden bays and fish-rich lakes can best be reached or only by seaplane. Most of the island is the Kodiak National Wildlife Reserve, which is characterized by dense vegetation and large wetlands, several 100 kilometers of coastline, seven rivers, eleven large lakes, salt pans and meadows.
Our seaplane takes off from a lake in Kodiak City overgrown with water lilies and carries us over this lonely, wild natural paradise. After 45 minutes we touch down gently on the deep blue Karluk Lake and chug to the west bank. On the jetty, a bear welcomes us from a man: Ed Ward, manager, maker and engine of the Kodiak Brown Bear Center. He shows us his kingdom. Exactly 311 helicopter loads, each with 2000 kilos of material, were needed to get all the material for the construction of the lodge. The huge material warehouse on the open-air site is regularly inspected by bears and has to be specially secured. The KBBC only has four guest chalets for a maximum of eight people. They are among themselves, do not have to huddle on overcrowded viewing platforms, as is the case in other bear-watching places in Alaska.
Don’t frighten the bears
Take the boat across the lake. The water of Karluk Lake is of the very best drinking quality and is home to a variety of graylings, trout, stealheads and salmon. We imagine we are on a piece of earth that cannot be more unspoilt, purer, more peaceful. Suddenly you believe in the good of the world again. From the jetty we come to a beaten path that leads to the Thumb River. It quickly becomes clear to us that this corridor is not only used by people. Every few hundred meters we climb over a nibbled fish that a bear has left lying around. "We humans are not on the list of the bear’s favorite dishes, ”Vic reassures us. "But a bear that is surprised is unpredictable. Likewise when they have young ones" complete Jason. In any case, it’s comforting that they shouldered a rifle.
After our first moving experience with the she-bear and her two cubs, we spot another family in the distance, this time with three cubs, wading towards us in the river. Mama Bear keeps turning around annoyed to her kids, who romp in the river and with whom there is simply no progress. What a scene, we can hardly get enough of it.
A wonderful gem
We return to the lodge late afternoon full and happy. Chef Natasha has prepared a few appetizers – a foretaste of dinner: grilled salmon, mashed potatoes, green asparagus and afterwards a moist cake based on a recipe by Natasha’s Alutiiq grandmother. Ed is happy that the warm water is working again. He had feared a serious problem. But then he could fix the problem himself. Out here, you can’t just quickly call for a plumber or a plumber. Ed is an all-purpose crafting weapon. One like him is the be all and end all in a place like this. He is trusted by the Alutiiq indigenous people, the owners of the Kodiak Brown Bear Center. They turned down a tempting offer from the State of Alaska and decided to keep the land and use it as they saw fit. The result is a stroke of luck for bear lovers from all over the world, who get access to the Kodiak bears in this gem that couldn’t be more exclusive.
On the terrace with a view of the mirror-like lake, we review the bear encounters. It is not until 10 p.m. that it starts to get dark in mid-August. This silence, this good air, this peace would be enough for a perfect end to the day. But then, surprisingly, the curtain rises again for the large wildlife theater: Two deer paddle across the landing stage and sniff around at the fishing equipment. Next appearance: two foxes are fighting on the lawn in front of the terrace. Old acquaintances, as Ed says. And finally a bear with light brown fur strolls across the area, watching the foxes playing for a while before disappearing again into the bushes. "Nobody believes us at home" Joe whispers to his wife from Boston. We nod, moved. It’s going to be like that. But we don’t care.
Further information:
Photo show: The island of the giant bears Photo show: ” Ice Castles ” in the USA Sleep in an igloo: the top 5 cool ice hotels Exciting ice grottoes: blue wonders on the glacierThe Kodiak Brown Bear Center: www.kodiakbearcenter.com Climate: The warmest month with an average temperature is July. The months May to September are best for a vacation, as it can get quite cold in winter with up to -13 degrees Celsius.
Respect who dares to jump here! After all, just looking at the waterhole makes you feel queasy in your stomach area and you can’t get rid of the feeling that the hole swallows you up forever. An approach that is not entirely out of thin air. After all, that is "Jacob’s Well" also known as the diving cave of death in Wimberley, Texas. In fact, quite a few people left their lives here. Take a look at the spectacular diving cave in our photo show.
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Even if it seems as if the guests are jumping into the abyss: The place is not that deep – just ten meters, but it is tough. Because of the branching underwater cave system, the hole in the ground harbors fatal dangers. Eight people have already died here while diving. For this reason, the local authorities have tried several times to close the area to divers. But in vain. Despite or perhaps because of the danger, the hole has become a popular challenge.
Splash around away from the danger zone
But not all visitors seem to be tired of life. Many come here to cool off in the crystal clear water at the edge of the danger spot or to watch the goings-on from one of the surrounding rocks – because the spot with a diameter of four meters is absolutely picture-bookable.
There are more photos at www.ohwow.de
Photo show: ” Jacob’s Well ” – the diving cave of death Hawaii: Eerie bathing place ” Kipu Falls ”
Fantastic views of the famous scenic road to Hana on the Hawaiian island of Maui. (Photo: imago) When Noe Noe Ua Kea O Hana, daughter of the great half-god Maui, fell in love in Kauiki by the frowned upon troll people of the Menehune, the angry father turned his daughter’s unwanted lover into a mountain near the bay of Hana and Noe Noe even in the fine rain that is about to come down there. This is what the legend says. And the beauty of the dreamy Hawaiian island of Maui is also legendary.
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20 Hawaiian words for rain
A dark rain cloud lies over the road to Hana and covers the sprawling tropical paradise in its cloudy veil. Noe is the name of a light drizzle in Hawaiian, foggy and white. It is currently a rather dark, heavy downpour that accompanies us on the winding road in the Hawaiian Islands. The paradise of all wedding catalogs also seems to be a paradise for meteorologists and linguists. Because the Hawaiian language has more than 20 words for the unpleasant wetness from above, depending on the wind direction and the nature of the precipitation. Language glossary Expressions in HawaiianNew holiday ideas Subscribe to the travel newsletter and win a notebook
Spectacular waterfalls on Maui
The town of Hana, in which, according to legend, Noe Noe was born, literally means work. Not a welcoming name for a resort (almost) at the end of the 109 kilometer long Highway 360 on the east coast of the island of Maui. There isn’t much to work here. The small town consists of a church, a luxury hotel and a grocery store. 650 people live here, if not from tourism, then from agriculture. After a few kilometers behind Hana, you can’t go any further. Lava flows have buried the already bad road on this part of the island. The 120 meter high Waimoku waterfalls are waiting at the end – probably the most spectacular on the whole route.
The famous coastal road "Road to Hana"
The way makes the destination so attractive. Over a million drivers are drawn to the famous coastal road with 617 curves over 59 mostly single-lane bridges every year. Your passengers can enjoy the view over endless sugar cane and pineapple fields, more than 55 waterfalls, rugged black lava coast, golden beaches and evergreen tropical rainforest. When it’s not raining. The probability of this is at least 50 percent.
Maui surfers paradise
Fortunately, the destination of the trip is such that you have to go back again.