Author: Merten
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AAC: 4th door
The Living Land Connection The name “alpaca” carries a deeper meaning that offers a fascinating window into how Andean peoples view these animals. In the indigenous Quechua language, “Allpaka” comes from combining two words: “allpa” meaning “land” and “kamay” meaning “to animate.” When we translate this literally, alpacas are “animals of the living land” or…
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AAC: 3rd door
The unique fleece we have discussed yesterday is perfectly adapted to survive in the harsh conditions of the Atacama desert. However, this insulating fleece can also be a challenge in hot weather. Alpacas have a specific “thermal window” – their belly, armpits, and groin areas – where they can shed excess heat. When it gets…
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AAC: 2nd door
Now that we have established that camelids are such amazing animals, let’s dive into what makes them so amazing. And what’s the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about alpacas? Of course, their fleece. And this fleece has some very amazing properties, which is why this is a relatively expensive kind of fibre.…
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AAC: 1st door
The fact to kick this calendar off comes as no surprise to those who have been following this calendar since at least 2020. Back then I had already announced that the United Nations have made the year 2024 (which is this year) the International Year of Camelids. The Year was organised by the Food and…
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Alpaca Advent Calendar 2024
As the year is coming to a close, I will continue a project I had started seven years ago: The alpaca advent calendar. Among my friends I’m known to be a fanatic for everything that has to do with alpacas. Because I wanted to spread this love for alpacas, I invited my friends to a…
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The Matterhorn’s Majesty – A Perfect Finale to Swiss Adventures
Early Morning Ascent to Gornergrat On the last day of my Swiss travel adventures (at least for now), I woke up early in Zermatt, ready for a day devoted entirely to the Matterhorn. The best vantage point for this iconic peak is from Gornergrat, a summit southeast of Zermatt offering a 360-degree view of the…
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Swiss Adventures Finale: The touristic highlights
Setting Out on a Grand Adventure As my Swiss railway pass neared its expiration, I set out to experience some of Switzerland’s most iconic sights. With only two days left, I focused on the marvels of the Swiss Alps – the very essence of what draws tourists to this breathtaking country. My day began before…
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From Olympic Bobsleighs to Nostalgic Trains
While yesterday was filled with breathtaking vistas and challenging hikes, today promised a different flavor of Swiss adventure. My second day in Grisons would take me from historic Olympic sites to refreshing alpine lakes, over mountain passes, and finally, to a journey through time on a nostalgic train. Morning Stroll on an Olympic Track After…
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Conquering Grisons
With just one week left on my Swiss Railway pass, it was time to prioritize my remaining explorations. At the top of my list was the renowned network of the Rhätische Bahn in the canton of Graubünden (Grisons). This vast network of metric gauge railways connects the far reaches of the canton, from Landquart in…
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Swiss Adventure: Exploring Appenzell
Today was all about Appenzell – both Ausserrhoden and Innerrhoden. Before we delve into the travels, let’s first have a brief history lesson as to why these are actually two cantons instead of one. When I first looked at the overview of Swiss cantons, I found it rather funny that these are cantons on their…