jalan jalan dengan pemandangan dunia

You can drive two of the world’s most scenic roads – in two days, in Oregon.
Oregon is a state that has everything California and Washington states have – ocean, rainforests, mountains and flower displays – but feels somehow cozier and more user-friendly, perhaps due to the more laid-back attitude of those who live there.
It takes guts to live under the shadow of the most active volcano in the Pacific Northwest (info) and on top of a dozen wicked earthquake faults (each similar to the one that just terrorized China). But it also takes a certain appreciation and disposition to enjoy the beauty while it lasts – to “smell the roses”, so plentiful in Portland and area.
Last week I had the privilege to drive the Oregon state’s two most beautiful roads – easily among the most beautiful roads in the world, at the best time to visit them: late spring, when the weather (sometimes) is very good, everything blooms and the crowds are non-existent.

“Bridge to Terabithia” screenshot, Walt Disney Pictures, site
Let’s start with:
Columbia Gorge Historic Highway 30
If you’ve seen the movie “Bridge to Terabithia”, you might remember how the magic kingdom of Terabithia looks: a wondrous mountain river gorge, framed by the mighty waterfalls, a river leisurely flowing toward the distant ocean. Well, you might be surprised to discover that a part of Columbia Gorge (from Hood River to Troutdale) almost fits the above description.


If you coming to Portland from the east, you can stay overnight in the Dalles (home of the mysterious Google “server farms” – and hit the north side of the gorge in the morning (passing the quaint windy town of Stevenson, WA – and perhaps even hiking to the top of the Beacon Rock. The hike is surprisingly doable, considering how imposing it looks). The transition from high desert to temperate rainforests is nothing short of epic. Every single mile brings a change in eco-systems and vegetation.

The drive through the Columbia Gorge wine country is relaxing, perhaps too much so (make arrangements to visit some wineries). But don’t allow yourself to get sidetracked – your adventure is only starting.

(image credit: Thad Roan)
The best part of the drive starts at the Bridge of the Gods (interesting enough to be included into our “Hall of Fame” of bridges) – make sure to cross the river to the Oregon side again and continue west on the interstate, until you come to the Historic Highway 30 turnoff.
The Biggest Concentration of Waterfalls
…awaits you on that winding, enchanting piece of road (once considered a pinnacle of road engineering). Every waterfall is unique, imposing and simply serene (no picture can ever give them justice, even though there are plenty of Multnomah Fallspostcards going around). Each waterfall sits in the lush forest amphitheater, surrounded by gigantic cliffs and fanciful eroded stone.

Horsetail Waterfall & Shepperd’s Dell rocks

Note how the spread of lichen on the right also “emulates” waterfall…
Multnomah Falls is the second-tallest waterfall in the nation (Yosemite Falls in California is the tallest) – with undeniable artistic (almost Old World) charm:


Spring is the best time to visit, to avoid crowds and to catch the brilliant-fresh vegetation. Be prepared to be greeted by the “Tunnel of Trees”:

The Historic Columbia River Highway was built in 1913-1922 with multitude of bridges over the dizzying chasms. Over the years it was often called “The King of Roads”:

Shepperd’s Dell falls

The Mitchell’s Point Tunnel and Hercules Pillars, source
A quiet forest walk to the Latourell Falls is the perfect medicine against modern day stress.

Latourell Falls with curious eroded rock formations
Don’t miss the classic “Crown Point” where countless tourists take pictures of the same view over and over again. It is definitely an awesome view, though.
Once you’ve driven the stretch to nice little town of Corbett, you have a choice either to continue on to Portland, or embark on another scenic drive – around Mount Hood (where the famous Timberline Lodge stands – the eternally spooky location of “The Shining” movie fame)
If you come to Portland, be sure to wear some flowers in your hair
It seems Portland (the official dwelling place of book, coffee, craft beer & outdoors fanatics) blooms like there is no tomorrow, in these early days of May. Some of the flower-scapes are from the world-class Japanese Gardens, but others are… just because:

Portland’s Japanese Gardens:



A great way to explore Portland (which has a very compact and walkable downtown core) is to get on the Max Light Rail… but again, don’t let the urban pleasures to swallow you up (it’s awfully hard to tear yourself from this friendly and sophisticated city – though I admit, I did not check out San Francisco yet)
Get going to the Oregon Coast (touristy, but still great Cannon Beach). In less than a couple of hours you will be gazing on the enormous Haystack Rock and wonder how many tentacles anemones have. Again, the middle of May is great time to escape the crowds that descend there during summer.

(on the left is yours truly; on the right is 1940 Oregon Coast Tour)
Don’t leave without checking out the mind-blowing Ecola State Park – and head along Hwy.101 to Tillamook – and the next “Most Beautiful Road in the World”:
Three Capes Scenic Route, Oregon Coast
Here is a comparatively little-known Oregon Coast gem, off the main highway – an area where locals themselves go to unwind and get quality beach time. You can drive the whole loop in a few hours, or you can spend a week there – this is a quintessential Pacific Coast experience.


Ahhh… this is the life: a rare (admit it) sunshine spring day on the Oregon Coast, when after days of mysterious but still pretty annoying fog (or more gracefully “mist”) the mountains and various off-shore rocks are coming into view – and the ocean asserts its magnificent presence.
First off, I have to warn you: the road from Cape Meares village (no services) to the Cape Meares Lighthouse is so full of potholes, that even animals might break a leg there. So drive carefully, it gets much better from there. Here is mile-by-mile infoabout this route.
The Lighthouse is quaint (built in 1890) and a bit on a smallish scale – but worth checking out:

The road will take you to three capes (with three distinct views to enjoy) – Cape Meares, Cape Lookout and Cape Kiwanda:

Ocean is such a huge, non-negotiable presence that any troubles or worries you might have swiftly shrink and run away (I do wonder how any business is done at all at such locations). The forest around the ocean beaches is unbelievably green, lush and soothing:


You will also pass sand dunes (no need to go all the way to Florence, Oregon, for that):

Added Bonus: Drive your car into the ocean
Sometimes called McPhillips beach, this is Cape Kiwanda nirvana+paradise. Happy cars frolic in shallow waters on the sandy beach, happy surfers happily surf – you get the idea. The beach features another “haystack”-kind of huge rock (just for added visual interest)

Continue on along the Oregon Coast – there are endless wonders and fresh vista to delight and astound, literally at every turn. In the next parts of this series we will feature most scenic roads in Canada, Asia, Europe, etc.

10 tempat surfing terbaik didunia

1. Gold Coast, Australia

Tidak ada keraguan bahwa Australia memiliki beberapa pantai terbaik dan ombak terbaik, yang bahan sempurna untuk surfer. Keenam kota terpadat di negara itu, Gold Coast City terletak di sudut tenggara Queensland dan terkenal untuk iklim subtropis cerah, pantai surfing populer dan sistem kanal. Meski mahal, itu objek wisata besar.

Ini adalah 70 km dari pantai dan empat titik istirahat epik (The Spit, Main Beach, Narrowneck, Palm Beach dan pantai Mermaid) yang membuat orang menyebutnya, surga peselancar ‘. tempat besar lainnya untuk memeriksa adalah Snapper Rocks Superbank, Burleigh Kepala, Kirra dan Selatan Pulau Stradbroke (Straddie).

2. Mentawai Islands, Indonesia

Kepulauan Mentawai adalah rantai gelombang kaya dari sekitar tujuh puluh pulau dan pulau lepas pantai barat Sumatera di Indonesia, salah satu tujuan surfing paling konsisten di dunia. Ada empat pulau utama (Siberut, Sipora, Pagi Utara, dan Selatan Pagi) yang paling membengkak dari blok mencapai daratan di Sumatra, yang menjadi tujuan dicatat untuk gelombang-pemburu yang mencari beberapa pengalaman surfing paling sempurna di dunia . Akses dengan laut hanya dengan feri dan kapal charter.

Pergi ke sana dari bulan Maret sampai Oktober, namun perlu diingat bahwa membengkak terbesar yang mungkin terjadi pada bulan Juni – September. Gelombang menghadapi hampir segala arah terutama karena angin adalah variabel, sehingga mudah untuk menemukan istirahat dengan kondisi luar negeri. Top Mentawai gelombang termasuk Bankvaults, Lance Waktu dan Lance’s Right, Macaronis, dan untuk yang kurang berpengalaman Gilligan’s ada. Sebagian besar peselancar menghabiskan setidaknya $ 125 sehari sehingga Anda harus berharap untuk membayar untuk pengalaman seperti itu.

3. Jeffreys Bay, Afrika Selatan

Di provinsi Eastern Cape Afrika Selatan, sekitar barat daya perjalanan satu jam dari Port Elizabeth, Jeffreys Bay adalah salah satu tujuan surfing paling terkenal di dunia. Terutama besar selama musim dingin bulan Juni, Juli, dan Agustus, peselancar datang ke sini untuk naik besar di pantai seperti Super Tabung, Boneyards, Dapur Windows, Magna Tabung, Point dan Albatross.

Selain menjadi tujuan surfing populer, Jeffreys Bay juga terkenal dengan pantai biru bendera dan untuk hosting WCT Billabong Pro surfing tahunan acara di Supertubes selama bulan Juli.

4. Fuerteventura, Spanyol

Bagian dari Kepulauan Canary, dan yang kedua terbesar dari mereka semua dan terletak di Samudra Atlantik di lepas pantai Afrika, Fuerteventura juga dikenal sebagai Mekah dari surfer. Selaras dengan Florida dan Meksiko pada lintang yang sama, suhu di sini jarang turun di bawah 18 ° C atau naik di atas 24 ° C. Peselancar mengunjungi pulau itu harus sangat senang dengan kondisi cuaca, tidak peduli berapa tahun mereka melakukannya. Okt.-Mar. harus musim puncak bagi mereka.

Gelombang paling populer adalah Rocky Point, Harbour Wall, Shooting Gallery, Generosa, bunuh diri, Mejillonas, Majanicho, El Hierro, The Bubble, Jerman Hak, Cotillo dan Esquinzo.

5. El Salvador

Setelah dibaptis oleh conquistador Spanyol sebagai “Provincia De Nuestro Señor Jesucristo El Salvador Del Mundo”, sekarang dikenal sebagai Republik El Salvador. Berbatasan dengan Samudera Pasifik antara Guatemala dan Honduras, negara adalah objek wisata alam yang mendapatkan popularitas lebih dan lebih dengan peselancar mengunjungi tempat-tempat seperti El Zonte, Sunzal, dan La Libertad. Mengapa? Karena mereka tidak terlalu ramai.

Musim membengkak utama, dari bulan Maret sampai Oktober dan bertepatan dengan musim hujan. surfer berpengalaman harus mengharapkan selatan membengkak selama ini, bangun untuk 10ft. Jangan lupa untuk mengambil booties Anda untuk masuk dan keluar pada titik-titik berbatu dan mencoba untuk menemukan tempat yang lebih banyak dan lebih baru di area tersebut.

6. Kosta Rika

Di Amerika Tengah, berbatasan dengan Nikaragua di sebelah utara, Panama di tenggara-timur, Samudra Pasifik di barat dan selatan, dan Laut Karibia di timur, Republik Kosta Rika adalah lokasi surfing legendaris. surfer ‘hardcore’ Sebagian besar datang ke sini terutama karena putaran gelombang tahun konsisten dan juga untuk surfing spot banyak sekali. Kedua garis pantai menghasilkan gelombang besar dengan musim membengkak besar mulai dari bulan April dan berakhir pada bulan Oktober.

Ini bisa jadi perjalanan hidup Anda sehingga lebih mempersiapkan diri untuk “ombak negara terbaik” di Playa Naranjo dan sungai kualitas istirahat mulut kanan titik di Potrero Grande (Ollies Point). Sayang sekali sistem jalan tidak begitu baik.

7. California, Amerika Utara

Jika karena alasan tertentu Anda ingin berselancar di Amerika Utara, pilihan terbaik adalah California. Yang paling bahagia dengan apa California yang ditawarkan, adalah pemburu gelombang besar yang pergi ke tempat-tempat seperti pegunungan Maverick selama musim dingin yang sangat besar membengkak. Jika Anda hanya ingin menikmati gelombang yang baik tetapi Anda tidak menjadi gelombang besar kemudian mengapa tidak memilih tempat antara Santa Cruz dan Half Moon Bay, bagus. Beberapa tempat besar lainnya termasuk Steamer Lane, Malibu dan Rincon jadi jangan lewatkan mereka.

Perlu diketahui bahwa air dingin hampir sepanjang tahun (hanya hits 24 ° C pada bulan Juli dan Agustus) dan bahwa tempat surfing yang paling mungkin akan penuh sesak dengan surfer sangat baik.

8. Bali, Indonesia

Tidak banyak orang yang belum pernah mendengar tentang Bali sekarang. Dalam paling barat dari Kepulauan Sunda Kecil, terletak di antara Jawa ke barat dan Lombok ke timur, Pulau Bali adalah “sebuah tanah tersihir dari aesthetes damai dengan diri mereka sendiri dan sifat” (Colin McPhee). Ini tujuan wisata terbesar di Indonesia.

Namun, sedikit tahu bahwa itu tempat yang bagus untuk surfer, juga. Beberapa tempat terbaik meliputi daerah sekitar Bukit Semenanjung – selatan langsung dari Dempasar, Kuta (Beach), Dreamland, Uluwatu atau Padang Padang. Dengan membengkak yang datang dari Samudra Selatan, Bali melihat gelombang konsisten sampai dengan 12 ft tinggi, dari bulan April sampai November. Kelemahan utama adalah bahwa hal itu cukup padat dan Anda mungkin mendapatkan diganggu (banyak).

9. Santa Catarina, Brasil

Di Brazil selatan, pulau Santa Catarina adalah bahasa sehari-hari disebut sebagai ‘Florianopolis’ (modal) dan merupakan salah satu tempat negara yang paling dikunjungi karena memiliki sejumlah besar resort pantai. Pulau ini umumnya dianggap diberkati dengan yang terbaik Brasil yang ditawarkan untuk surfer, termasuk konsistensi besar dan berbagai macam gelombang, seperti Santinho dan Mocambique.

Joaquina Beach adalah salah satu tempat terbaik untuk liburan Anda surfing, yang memenangkan ketenaran pada tahun 1970-an, ketika peselancar dari seluruh dunia menemukan gelombang tersebut. Lainnya kelas dunia surfing spot di Floripa (dari Florianopolis) adalah Praia Mole, Campeche dan Lagoinha lakukan Leste.

10. Samoa

Negara Independen Samoa adalah bagian dari Kepulauan kepulauan Samoa di Samudra Pasifik Selatan sebelah utara timur Fiji. Ini salah satu tujuan terbaik surfing menawarkan budaya Polinesia kaya, air hangat, surga pulau tropis, dan gelombang kualitas yang paling penting konsisten. Salah satu hal terbaik, adalah bahwa Pasifik Selatan memastikan bahwa ada banyak membengkak dari hampir setiap arah, sepanjang tahun. Waktu terbaik untuk roll dari bulan April sampai Oktober, ketika gelombang diciptakan oleh lows besar di dekat Antartika.

Beberapa tempat surfing terkenal di Samoa, adalah A’ufaga Desa, Salani, Boulders, Kelapa (dibandingkan dengan Hollow Tree di Kepulauan Mentawai), Salamumu dan Tiavea, Laulii, Falea’puna, Fagaloa Bay atau Solosolo.

Take a look a sandy beach of Four Mile Beach. This beach is on the East side of Port Douglas, a small tourist town around 50km (31mi) North of Cairns, Queensland. It is a long sandy beach, lined by tropical coconut trees, that starts near the town centre, extending South for close to the advertised four miles. At the North end there is a picnic area with BBQs, hotels and cafes. Further South behind the beach is a mix of residential houses, hotels and resorts.

The hottest beaches on every continent


Australia - Whitehaven Beach, Queensland



Australia’s world famous Whitehaven Beach is located on North Queensland’s Whitsunday Island. The majestic white sands are actually made up of tiny bits of coral from the Great Barrier Reef, after millions of years of being turned and crushed by the blue, gentle ocean waves. Since it’s located so close to Australia’s coast, the island is a popular day trip and easily accessible.


Africa - Beaches of Mauritius



The African island nation of Mauritius has so many beautiful beaches, it was impossible to pick just one. A coral reef surrounds the islands, making for some amazing snorkeling. You may also recall that the island was the only known home of the famously extinct Dodo bird, which met its demise shortly after European settlers discovered it.


Asia - Sanur Beach, Bali, Indonesia



If Bali is known for anything, it’s the beaches. Lined with resorts and popular with tourists, Sanur Beach has a well deserved reputation of being one of the world’s most beautiful. The surf here is gentler than at other beaches on the island, and the surrounding beach town is mellow, laid back and exactly what you’d expect from paradise. Lounging under a palm tree here will quickly make you forget all your troubles.


North America - Bahias de Huatulco, Oaxaca, Mexico



Located in the largest ecological reserve designated by the Mexican government, is the Bahias de Huatulco, which includes 35km of coastline, 10 bays and 35 beaches. While many of the beaches are secluded, there is also a local infrastructure in place for travelers.. Because so many of the beaches are hard to reach, you’ll be able to cozy in to your own romantic nook far away from the ’spring break’ crowds and noise common in Mexico’s more populous beaches.


South America - Praia do Rosa, Brazil



In a land of beautiful beaches, Praia do Rosa is one of Brazil’s best. Nestled within a crescent-shaped bay, this beach has it all: sand dunes, surfing, beautiful people, charming bungalow getaways, and you can even catch a glimpse here of southern right whales making their seasonal migration, from July to November.


Europe - Navagio Beach, Zakynthos, Greece



Perhaps more famously known as “Shipwreck Beach” or “Smuggler’s Cove”, this breathtaking white-sands spot might symbolize the Greek Islands better than anywhere. The shipwreck is the suspected remains of the smuggler ship Panagiotis, which would be ghostly or ominous if we couldn’t imagine a better place to shipwreck.


Antarctica - Deception Island Beach



We know Antarctica isn’t exactly a continent known for its beaches, but you might be surprised. Most notable is Deception Island, which is actually a half-submerged, active volcano caldera. It may be hard to believe, but thanks to that volcano, it’s actually warm enough to swim in the island’s bay. Yes, even in Antarctica. The island also features several hot springs, like those featured above. Try swimming with the penguins– in a bathing suit!