After hiking the relatively short but very steep trail to the summit of Mount Tampa, I decided to return with some extra activity.

I discovered that this was the official path used by hikers to reach the summit, rather than crossing through the Nature Reserve

It was much less steep, with dry terrain that provided better grip.

I greeted fellow hikers with a 'good morning' in Romanian as I passed them.

      <sub>Uploaded using 3Speak Mobile App</sub>

In just a short 5-minute, scenic stroll —wear sturdy shoes—, you'll find impressive views over the old town, an ideal spot for watching the sunset.

A professional photographer is available to capture the moment if desired.

The entire area is video-monitored.

      <sub>Uploaded using 3Speak Mobile App</sub>

This is the kind of joy that comes from overcoming obstacles and adversity in your life, achieving your goals on your own merits and without anyone's help, following your own path and your own light —even if it means going against the grain—, taking risks others would never dare to take, losing sometimes and winning other times, dreaming big.

I feel great pity for the majority of today's society who follow 'the path of the loser', the easy way of the mediocre, that one of not making an effort, of not trying to improve yourself in every aspect, of not minding your own business, the one of the hardened conformist, of taking advantage of others and other's trust, the one of committing crime —in general terms—, of transmitting their fear and inability to others, or of those who rejoice in the misfortune of others but never in the good of others, of those who do not step out of line, or who do not have moral values, honor, respect or discipline.

You can win or lose as many times as necessary, because that's what life is about: sometimes you're down and sometimes you're up, but always with your head held high.

Life isn't about not falling, but about how many times you can get up despite all those falls, and rise stronger and smarter.

🎶 'Mira como vuelo' by Miss Caffeina, playing in the background.

      <sub>Uploaded using 3Speak Mobile App</sub>

From here you can see the entire city of Brasov and the Carpathian Mountains.

      <sub>Uploaded using 3Speak Mobile App</sub>

I'm not a bear expert, these are just the most commonly spread general tips:

1.- Carry something with you that makes noise constantly to avoid accidental encounters.

2.- Do not carry food with you and, if you do, it must be vacuum packed in a protective atmosphere and unopened —energy bars, for example—.

3.- Never make a fuss or sudden movements when you meet them, do not run away.

4.- Never shout at them in low tones —they might think you are a bear and fight for their territory—, and never shout at them in high tones —you might trigger their hunting instinct when they identify you as a wounded animal—.

5.- Walk back along the path in the opposite direction to the bear, as quietly as possible, and if you speak to it, do so in a very calm and soothing tone —as if you were talking to a baby—.

6.- If the bear attacks, lie face down on the ground and wait for it to satisfy its curiosity, get bored, or become annoyed at not identifying you as a threat or prey.

7.- If you are face down and the bear continues to attack you, it may be hungry or trying to neutralize you as a threat, so defend yourself with all the strength or means at your disposal and say the Lord's Prayer.

Anyways, remember what the widely known bear safety rhyme advises:

«If it’s black, fight back; if it’s brown, lie down; if it’s white, say goodnight».

      <sub>Uploaded using 3Speak Mobile App</sub>

Three sounds predominate in the short:

• The weight of my footsteps uphill.
• My heavybreathing due to fatigue and high humidity.
• The clinking of my metal water bottle as it hits my backpack.

Its central octagonal dome, crowned with 16 windows, rises 12 meters high, and the roof is adorned with 10 turrets and a belfry containing two bells.

This cemetery is the resting place for notable Romanian figures, including poet Andrei Muresanu, composer Iacob Muresanu and philologist Sextil Puscariu.

Opened since 1894, it is known as the 'Tennis and Skating Place of Brasovians', having hosted international tennis tournaments, including the ATP Challenger.

In winter, they transform it into a beautiful ice skating rink, straight out of a Christmas movie.

Mount San Antón, it's universally known as “El Ratón” (The Mouse), because een from the west (especially from Zarautz), the hill draws the perfect outline of a rodent.

The Getaria Lighthouse (Mount San Antón Lighthouse)

Right on the “head” of the mouse stands the Getaria Lighthouse, one of the prettiest and most photographed along the entire Basque coast.

It was built in 1861 (though records show a warning light existed here as early as the 16th century for whalers),with a small neoclassical cylindrical stone tower.

Its tower heights 9 metres (30 ft) standing at 123 metres (404 ft) above sea level.

Fun fact

It’s one of the few lighthouses on the Cantábrico that still has its original hand-cut crystal lens.

The stone sentry boxes: centuries-old coastal guardians

These 18th–19th-century stone sentry boxes were used to watch for pirates and enemy fleets (mainly British and French) and to spot whales since, between the 13th and 17th centuries Getaria was one of Europe’s most important whaling ports.

When lookouts saw a whale, they lit a bonfire on the summit and blew horns to alert the boats.

From the top you'll have a 360° jaw-dropping view of the Basque coast and on clear days you can even spot Hondarribia and the French coast.

Sunsets are pure magic.

Little-known fun facts

• Mount San Antón is listed as a Cultural Heritage Site.

• Juan Sebastián Elcano, the first man to circumnavigate the globe, was born in Getaria at the foot of the Mouse. His statue in the village gazes straight toward the hill.

• On full-moon nights the lighthouse and sentry boxes create an almost mystical scene.

      <sub>Uploaded using 3Speak Mobile App</sub>