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Today is not only the first day of the rest of our lives, but also the last day for many representantives of nature and culture. Exactly 30 years after its publication I read Douglas Adams’ book Last chance to see and I was touched by the beautiful and funny storytelling… but I was also deeply shocked. The idea was initiated by a radio show. The author travels around the globe together with Mark Carwadine, a British zoologist, to find animals that are nearly extinguished and to see them probably for the last time. I decided to quit my job, to cancel my apartment, to say goodbye to my friends and family and to go out to this world and to take a closer look at it.
Unfortunately, the pandemic of Covid-19 broke my plans of one big world trip, but my travels continue. I will be taking ships, backpacking, hitchhiking and driving. On my way we will collect the Dust of the World. It is my Last chance to see, share my observations of nature and culture with you, before these animals, plants or traditions might be lost tomorrow. Even more, I try to make my contribution to projects, that help to preserve nature, culture and people in need.
Traveling South America with a Toddler
Travel Blog
The sun finally comes out from behind the clouds and it suddenly gets downright hot. While I got wet before, the sun is now drying my bike and me again. It’s lunchtime and I’m hungry. It’s a good thing that the canton capital of Solothurn is right in front of me on my journey!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Read More…๐จ๐ญ Fearless Tiger: Conquering Western Switzerland’s Capricious Weather on My…
The start of the day is already very humble. After a very sunny ride through French Burgundy,!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐จ๐ญ The Captivating Alps and the cool Rain of Lake Geneva
I leave Arbois with a full stomach. Dark clouds are already announcing a tunderstorm in the mountains,!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ซ๐ท France Offroad Love: With the tiger through Burgundy’s vineyards
After a cafรฉ in Luxeuil-le-Bains I finally reach Burgundy. I come through many small villages and!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ซ๐ท Arbois, Pasteur and the Flowers in the Sky
It’s lunchtime and time to eat. I’ve been driving around Burgundy for a while and just left the lovely!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ซ๐ท My Visit to Beaune, the Beauty of Burgundy
After a long day in Burgundy and Dijon, I pitch my tent in a clearing in the forest above the!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ซ๐ท Dijon and the chase for owls in the City of Mustard
There are old, medieval stories in which Burgundy plays a big role. The action also takes place there in!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ซ๐ท The best Cafรฉ-au-lait in Dreamy Franche-Comtรฉ
I leave my idyllic campsite by the lake early in the morning in search of a decent breakfast. The!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ซ๐ท With the Tiger West to France’s East
I’m finally making my dream come true and starting a multi-day motorcycle trip. I live in the Black!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐จ๐พ The Divided Capital: Nicosia’s Turkish Part
For the whole time during my stay in Cyprus I wondered what it would be like on the Turkish side of!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐จ๐พ The divided Capital: Nicosia’s Greek Part
With the intercity bus from Paphos I reach Nicosia in the late afternoon. The terminal is located at!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐จ๐พ The Path of Blossoms: The Stunning Gorge of Avakas
If you come to Cyprus then you definitely have to hike the Avakas Gorge.” That’s what my friends Jacky!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐จ๐พ A Painting of Azure Sea and White Lime: Cyprus’ West Coast
Having already explored the city of Paphos and the mountains of Troodos by motorbike, it’s time for!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐จ๐พ A Motorcycle Road Trip through the Troodos Mountains
My motorcycle rides through the mountains of Troodos continue. After a visit to the beautiful!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐จ๐พ Looking for NeoPhytos, the Recluse
I’m visiting my friends Jacky and Zsolt in Paphos and exploring the city. Zsolt lends me his small!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐จ๐พ The antique Expatriate Paradise of Paphos
From the port city of Larnaca at the eastern end of the Greek part of Cyprus, I take the intercity bus!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐จ๐พ Larnaca, the City with the Smell of Coffee and Sunscreen at Lazarus’ Tomb
Finally a trip alone again. It’s only a few days trip to visit my friends in Paphos but I’m trying to!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐น๐ท Help for Syrian Refugees in Turkey – The TIAFI Classes
The aid organization Avicenna Kultur- und Hilfswerk e.V. supports TIAFI in most areas, be it with money for the!-->!-->!-->…
๐น๐ท The Refugee Center in Need – TIAFI After Covid
After three years full of crises caused by the wave of refugees from Syria, the Covid-19 pandemic, the war in!-->!-->!-->…
๐น๐ท Izmir, The City of Exceptional Towers
Again with an intercity bus I come from Antalya to Izmir. I want to visit my friends from TIAFI!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐น๐ท My Sunrise with Cappadocia’s Hot Air Balloons
The day in the fairytale landscape of Cappadocia was a dream. It’s late now. I’m getting ready. The!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐น๐ท My unusual View on Cappadocia’s Stunning Caves and Canyons
Having arrived in the dark, I haven’t had a chance to eat anything yet. I find a cafรฉ for breakfast,!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐น๐ท The Alleys of Gรถreme: My joyfull Stay in Fairyland
I take a night bus from my accommodation in Antalya to Cappadocia in central Anatolia. The journey takes!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐น๐ท My Solo Trip to Pamukkale, The Cutton Castle
Antalya’s bus station resembles the terminal of a run-down spaceport. With a surprisingly comfortable!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐น๐ท Antalya in February: The Ultimate Winter Travel on Turkey’s Mediterranean…
Our epic South America trip is now over. From Medellรญn we flew to Istanbul via Bogota. There we meet!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ซ๐ท A good day: to the fairytale village of Ribeauvillรฉ in Alsace
For a change, we have fun on the doorstep and satisfy our urge to go on an expedition on the other!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Shadows of the Wars
Our time in Vrnjaฤka Banja is over and we have to make our way back to Belgrade. On the way we!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
The Crowning Place of Serbian Kings
After our natural history lesson and a demonstration of the reproduction of south-eastern European!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
The Hills Have Toads
We take the car, leave Vrnjaฤka Banja and drive to the mountains. It’s still cool there and!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Spring in the Balkans
In December, Uros often told me about the house in the mountains that he and his father were!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Serbia’s Ancient Heritage
We looked at the Golubac fortress, the “pigeon castle”, and strengthened it. Uros has one more!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
The Iron Gate of the Order of the Dragon
Right after my return to Belgrade, we will set off to discover the country at the next!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Belgrade Reunion
It’s nice to meet a friend again. I have one more chance to be sent from work to Serbia to work in the!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Damavand, The Breath of the Mountains
When I decided to travel through Iran again in 2020, I had one goal in mind: to visit and possibly!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
The Alborz Mountains
The mountain range begins directly behind Tehran and offers a colossal backdrop when looking over!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Faces of Tehran
I had planned to explore the capital of the Islamic Republic on my own. But there is still time!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Persian new Year’s Eve with the own Family
Finally I’m back in Iran and it’s already the time of the Persian New Year. Already in 2018 I had!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ต๐น The breaking Waves of Porto Da Cruz
From the end of Madeira we move a little to the north. The waves hit the north side of the island much!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ต๐น The stormy surf of Ponta de Sรฃo Lourenรงo
Behind the village of Caniรงal, the east side of Madeira offers a spectacular peninsula, the ponta de!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ต๐น The epic Hike above the Clouds
Actually, I had planned to start my hike at 9 a.m. early in the morning. Unfortunately, a luxurious!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ต๐น Madeira’s Treasures from South to North
We use a day with our rental car to see a little more of the island. There aren’t really many roads to!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ต๐น The tiny colorful Houses of Santana
I had already seen photos of these special houses in the travel guide, now we want to see the!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ต๐น Madeira’s Rivers of Life: Follow the Levada do Alecrim
In contrast to the nearby Canary Islands, Madeira is very green and little of the island’s volcanic!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ต๐น The Enchanted Gardens of Monte
We are spending a few weeks in Madeira and have already explored some parts of the capital,!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ต๐น The Capital of the Island of Flowers
Traveling with a child? No problem. Even if Leon is only 4 months old – why not? The trip!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
The two Faces of Novi Sad
Serbia has a spontaneous snow front under control as we are on the way from Belgrade to my friend!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
In the Heart of old Yugoslavia
Sometimes you can combine the less pleasant with the pleasant. For example traveling and work. I am!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Bulgaria’s hinterland
Diary Entry 18 We are on our way back because our journey through Bulgaria is coming to an end.!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Sozopol and the Beach-Metal-Bar
Diary Entry 17 We heard from our friends about the city of Sozopol and accepted the invitation,!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Friends of Burgas
Diary Entry 16 Years ago I met a young woman who came from Burgas and who told me a lot about her!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
A Former Capital
Diary Entry 15 We are on the way to the Black Sea, but we can no longer do that today. Looking!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
The UFO on top of the Mountain
Diary Entry 14 The church of Shipka Sometimes there are places in the world that you just!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
The Lavendar Fields
Diary Entry 13 Famous are the pictures of the pretty ladies who pounce on the lavender fields in!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
The Old Plovdiv
Diary Entry 12 We didn’t have this city on our agenda!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Melnik and the Wine Country
Diary Entry 11 Next, we decide to go to where we would have arrived after our crossing of the!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
The Monastery in Rila
Diary Entry 10 I’ve heard of this monastery too, but seeing this colorful wall in the original!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
The cave of the gods
Diary Entry 9 During my research on Bulgaria, pictures of the Prohadna Cave were one of the first!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
On the mighty Danube
Diary Entry 8 We drive through endless sunflower fields to the Danube. We!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
The Sand Towers of Belogradshik
Diary Entry 7 We set out in the morning at sunrise!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Berkovitsa and the Balkans of Vratsa
Diary Entry 6 We are very happy when we leave the big city again and can finally decide for!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
The lakes of Pirin
Diary Entry 5 The next day we decide not to hike with all our luggage to the next hut on the way!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
The Curse of Vihren
Diary Entry 4 The next morning we get up early and, in the light of the first rays of sun, walk!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Banderitsa Mountain Cabin
Diary Entry 3 We start very early!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Bansko, the gate to Pirin
Diary Entry 2 We can’t stay in the city for long, because there isn’t so much to see and we are!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Sofia, the Wise City
Red wine for breakfast? – yeah sure! A wedding to start with Diary Entry 1 !-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ธ๐ช Uppsala and the Return to Civilization
I’m traveling back towards Uppsala. I want to go to Fรคrnebofjรคrdens National Park to hike one last!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ธ๐ช In the far north of Jรคmtland
The next morning I get up at five in the morning and it seems to me that the brightness has not!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ธ๐ช My tent on the Beach in Skutskรคr
After Aland we stay a little longer in Stockholm with Couchsurfer Steve and a few outdoor shops. We!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ฆ๐ฝ Access to the forgotten nation of ร land
It is remarkable. While I left Germany anxiously, where precautionary measures regarding Corona were taken!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ธ๐ช The Island Grรคsรถ in The Swedish archipelago
The next day after I left Christian I follow the street and hope to hitchhike to the city of Gimo, but!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ธ๐ช From Lรคnna over Knutby to Gimo
The next day we go in full and do thirty kilometers on the Ullandsleden from Lรคnna to the small town!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ธ๐ช Starting The Upplandsleden
The way of the next day is very demanding. However, we only start again around noon. Finally the road!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ธ๐ช In the Corona rebel nation Sweden
I reach Arlanda Airport and there is no sign of entry controls due to Corona. Officially, you should only be!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐น๐ท From an informal Refugee Syrian camp
Aid to the refugees in the city is the bulk of Tiafi’s work. Most refugees still stay in wild camps outside!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐น๐ท The TIAFI Refugee Center – Help for Syrians in Izmir
The media are full of reports on the current refugee situation. On March 4, 2020, Turkey’s borders were opened!-->!-->!-->!-->…
The Medieval Hanseatic city of Gdansk
Dear Diary to come across the sea from Sweden to Poland. It is eerie to start out of the port in!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ธ๐ช A New Year in Karlskrona
We have a long train ride behind us, Sara and me. We leave Freiburg im Breisgau immediately after the!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ฉ๐ฐ Night Train to Copenhagen
Dear Diary We leave Freiburg im Breisgau with the family immediately after the Christmas!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Need for Adriatic
Behind the border lies one of the country’s many special tourist attractions,!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
The place where the refugees are stranding
The next day we land in a place that is actually called “Martin Brod”. Here, too,!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Within unknown Republics
In return, Jajce has surprises in store for us in the early morning. The first reveals!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
The Bosniak soul
Our next stop is Visoko. This city is known for being at the foot of a mountain that!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
With the backpack through the mountain villages of the Balkans
The next morning we drive our car far into the mountains to the village of Umoljani.!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
The harmed Sarajevo
I had already given myself a lot of ideas about Sarajevo. Images of the war-torn city!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Konjic and Tito’s Bunker
In Konjic we cannot find our accommodation at first. Instead, we find someone in a bar!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Ivanas’ Guests
Breakfast is plentiful and I talk to the grandmother of the house for a long time while Chris!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
The home of the Dervishes
The Sufis withdrew to this place many centuries ago to have their peace. The Blagaj!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Hiking in mine fields
In the morning we again stroll through the city in search of food. We are looking for!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Mostar risen from the Ruins
In the afternoon we continue to Mostar. We have already seen the most impressive!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Hercegovina’s Waterfalls
Entry into Bosnia and thus out of the EU is very quick and easy. But what will not!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
The Croatian Riviera
We’re a little tired, but we’re looking forward to Chris. We collect it with our rental!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Zadar
I resisted going to Croatia for a long time. Not because this!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ต๐น A Heart for Faro and Portugal
Ultimately, we have to go back to Faro to start our journey home. We hadn’t planned much time for this!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ต๐น The Hacienda in The Land of Cork Oaks
Near the Spanish border and through extensive plantations of cork oaks, we drive south and past!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ต๐น Monsanto – The Village in between the Rocks
After a lovely stay in the magical hinterland of Portugal, we continue traveling through the!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…