Destinations
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๐บ๐ธ ๐จ๐บ ๐ฉ๐ด ๐ช๐จ ๐จ๐ด ๐ต๐ช ๐ง๐ท ๐ง๐ด ๐ต๐พ ๐ฎ๐ธ ๐ฒ๐ฆ ๐ต๐น ๐ฌ๐ง ๐ซ๐ท ๐จ๐ญ ๐ฉ๐ช ๐ฉ๐ฐ ๐ธ๐ช ๐ต๐ฑ ๐ฆ๐ฝ ๐ญ๐ท ๐ง๐ฆ ๐ฒ๐ช ๐ฝ๐ฐ ๐ฆ๐ฑ ๐ท๐ธ ๐ง๐ฌ ๐จ๐พ ๐น๐ท ๐ท๐บ ๐ฌ๐ช ๐ฆ๐ฒ ๐ฎ๐ท ๐ถ๐ฆ ๐น๐ญ ๐ฒ๐พ ๐ธ๐ฌ ๐ต๐ญ ๐ฐ๐ท ๐ฏ๐ต
View here all of the travel diaries chonologically:
Travel Blog
During my motorcycle tour through Italy and the Engadine, I stopped in Flims. My aunt still has my grandmother’s apartment there that I can go to.
In the meantime, Sara and Leon also come over. But then the weather turns unmerciful. It’s getting cold and even snow is falling not far!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐จ๐ญ The last rays of sunshine over Julier and Engadin
I reached the Engadin via the difficult Maloja Pass. The serpentines were tough and I would be happy!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐จ๐ญ The Torture of the Maloja Mountain Pass
The alpine landscape of Italy was picturesque. The same thing continues here. From the Italian border!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
I reach altitude again from Lake Lugano and Lake Como. Picturesque churches sit on mountain peaks and look down on idyllic small towns.
It’s the end of September, but there’s no sign of winter yet. The trees are already turning brownish, but an outside temperature of 25 degrees!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐ฎ๐น Tiger in Italy: The colorful villas and cypress trees by the lake
The walls along Lake Lugano are steep. After leaving Lugano I drive steadily along the slope by the!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐จ๐ญ The Autumn Sun shines on me in Lugano
From the beautiful city of Bellinzona, I continue on to Lake Lugano to see the city of the same name.!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
I drove through the vineyards and chestnut forests of Ticino all morning and enjoyed this route incredibly. Bellinzona is now in front of me.
There is a lot of traffic on the streets. I wind my way into the city center and park the tiger directly under the large Castelgrande!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐จ๐ญ The Smell of Chestnuts: the Tiger in the Beauty of Autumn Ticino
As expected,ย it will be very cold at night. I have taken precautions and have my golden rescue blanket!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐จ๐ญ The wild Night at the Lumanier Pass
From the Oberalp Pass and its bizarre lighthouse, I follow the still delicate Rhine on the winding descent to!-->!-->!-->!-->…
I’m pretty much alone on the street and enjoying the nice weather. And so I continue to fight my way up and soon reach the dam of the Oberalp Pass. The bright red Rhaetian mountain railway offers me a race.
I stop at the Piz Calmut restaurant for photos and rub my eyes when I see the!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐จ๐ญ Light and Shade at the Gotthard Massif
After the spontaneous visit of the national hero William Tell, I leave Altdorf and enter the valley that leads!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐จ๐ญ Greetings to Willhelm Tell, the Hero of Switzerland
I’m on a spontaneous tour with the Tiger through the Alps. The journey to Lucerne was surprisingly dull, but!-->!-->!-->!-->…
I am fortunate to live in a beautiful area, the Black Forest. Whether excursions on foot, by bike, by convertible or of course by motorbike: it is wonderful to drive through the dark forests and up the heights, look into the distance and let the fresh air blow like wind around your!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐จ๐ญ Solothurn, the most beautiful Baroque City in Switzerland
The sun finally comes out from behind the clouds and it suddenly gets downright hot. While I got!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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,!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
I leave Arbois with a full stomach. Dark clouds are already announcing a tunderstorm in the mountains, and that’s exactly where I have to go. After a few curves it’s already so far, I’m coming in rain showers and thunder is coming over my head.
My clothes absorb the water very well!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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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!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
After a long day in Burgundy and Dijon, I pitch my tent in a clearing in the forest above the vineyards and can enjoy nature, a warm, crispy tarte flambรฉe and an excellent Burgundy red wine. It’s not too bad
The next morning I pitch my tent again in the most beautiful sunshine of!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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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!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
I’m finally making my dream come true and starting a multi-day motorcycle trip. I live in the Black Forest and have visited sixty countries around the world, but I haven’t explored my neighborhood yet. It is time. I pack my tiger and start.
What does the neighborhood of my home!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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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!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
If you come to Cyprus then you definitely have to hike the Avakas Gorge.” That’s what my friends Jacky and Zsolt in Paphos tell me. They don’t need to tell me twice. I get back on the motorbike and head north. The entrance to the gorge is not far from the coast and I enjoy being able to!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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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!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
I’m visiting my friends Jacky and Zsolt in Paphos and exploring the city. Zsolt lends me his small motorbike, which I can use to explore more of Cyprus on my own.
Although it is actually very hot on the Mediterranean island at this time, the weather remains very changeable. There are!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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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!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
The aid organization Avicenna Kultur- und Hilfswerk e.V. supports TIAFI in most areas, be it with money for the kitchen, money for the care packages, money for childcare or money for physiotherapy. Two years ago we started a project together with the W.P. Schmitz Foundations that single mothers!-->!-->!-->…
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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!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
The day in the fairytale landscape of Cappadocia was a dream. It’s late now. I’m getting ready. The next morning I want to get up early again and try again to see and photograph balloons over the landscape of Cappadocia. I set my alarm for 5:30 am.
In the dark, I stumble through the!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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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!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Antalya’s bus station resembles the terminal of a run-down spaceport. With a surprisingly comfortable long-distance bus with an entertainment system in every seat, I drive from our whereabouts in Antalya to the big city of Denizli. There I have to get on a minibus that will take me to!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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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!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐จ๐ด Finding Bliss in the Quaint Village of Guatapรฉ
After our stay with the impressive view of the rock of Peรฑol, we go to Guatapรฉ. Guatapรฉ is a small,!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
We return to Medellรญn from the backpacker paradise of Bahรญa Solano and, in addition to the former drug stronghold, explore a place near the city with the help of a less adventurous excursion with a tour group in a heated long-distance bus. It makes me feel very old and decadent, but!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐จ๐ด Communa 13 and Pablo Escobar’s Heritage
We take a taxi through Medellรญn, the city of eternal spring, as the residents affectionately say.!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐จ๐ด Medellรญn, The City of eternal Spring
Traffic in the city of Medellรญn is not as bad as I feared when we came back to civilization from the!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
We live in the beautiful hostel Utria on El Almejal beach. From there it is about a half hour walk to the village. Every now and then we come here to buy something because there are a few vendors here. There is no trace of a real supermarket.
El Valle is a small town in the!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐จ๐ด Being Guest of the Nation of the Embara
In the morning after the night full of spiders, snakes and other poisonous animals, the program!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐จ๐ด The Jungle of Utrรญa and its Creatures of the Night
We settle into the paradise of Bahia Solano. It’s Uwe’s birthday and we start the day calmly. We chill!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Traffic in the city of Medellรญn is not as bad as I feared when we came back to civilization from the Cauca region. I just have to be careful not to accidentally tie up one of the countless motorcyclists around me.
I found a commercial, secured parking lot not far from Olya!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐จ๐ด Overlanding with The Pesky Construction Sites In The Cauca Valley
From the beautiful valley of Quindรญo and the idyllic town of Salento we return to the expressway and!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐จ๐ด Exploring the Valley of the Rio Quindio: An Overlander’s Paradise
The next day we leave the beautiful Salento and cross the idyllic Valle de Quindรญo. A river meanders!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
The tourist heart of coffee in Colombia beats in Salento. The small town is not far from Armenia on a mountain between valleys full of coffee plantations.
The place is a hotspot for tourists, but rightfully so. Angela advised us to visit this place and warned against coming at the!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐จ๐ด The Colombian World of Coffee and Cocoa
Over the pass of Alto de la Lรญnea we finally reach Armenia with a few obstacles. We were referred to!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐จ๐ด The Challenges in the Cordillera
From the beautiful farm we set off for Colombia’s coffee country. We return to the well-developed!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
We leave the desert and the valley of the stars, but it’s still sweltering. And there are so many mosquitoes, fleas and black flies that suck every last drop of blood out of us and leave behind horribly itchy welts.
The landscape alternates between arid plains and tropical jungle.
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๐จ๐ด One with Nature in the Valley of Constellations
Overlooking the Tatacoa Desert as the sun rises, we enjoy freshly brewed espresso and boiled eggs.!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐จ๐ด Tatacoa, A Dream of a Red Desert
After a night in the hell of a tourist paradise, intestinal infections and the morning with a!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
We have crossed the pass over the misty mountains and the weather is improving immediately. In the afternoon we will make a detour to a viewpoint overlooking the town of Pitalito and the surrounding mountains.
A lot of coffee is grown here and we can taste Nakama products directly!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐จ๐ด Over the Misty Mountains of Colombia
Surprisingly, it continues after the end of the world. In the nearby town of Mocoa we have to withdraw!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐จ๐ด The Ritual of Ayahuasca and the End of the World
We cross the fascinating region of Putumayo in southern Colombia and after two days we come to a place!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
It’s finally starting. Crossing the border took a long time, but finally we are in Colombia. We cross the border river and are welcomed into the country by a sign. Only in the afternoon, even though we were there early in the morning.
We change money and buy fresh SIM cards for the!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐ช๐จ Stuck between Ecuador and Colombia
We leave the magic of the jungle behind and face the bitter reality. Close to the Colombian border,!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ช๐จ the Magic of the Jungle
It’s raining in the early morning. In our quarters with a view of the mountains, we had a good first!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
We leave the Andean pass of Papallacta at 4063 and wind down the switchbacks to enter Amazonia. At first we only notice more forest, but then the trees adorn themselves with lianas, ferns and colorful birds. It’s getting warm and muggy.
We see many waterfalls cascading into the!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐ช๐จ Over the Andes pass back to Amazonia
We spend another ten days in Quito until the parts we need finally arrive. In the meantime, my friend!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ช๐จ The Gate to Darwin’s World
On the morning of the first day of 2023, we come to Santa Cruz Island, our terminus in the Galapagos!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Unweit dem Hafen von Puerto Villamil gibt es eine Brรผcke, die tief in die Mangroven fรผhrt. Am Ende erreicht man eine Plattform, von der man in eine Lagune hinabsteigen und dort schnorcheln kann. Es kommt sehr darauf an, ob gerade Ebbe oder Flut ist, denn die Hรถhe des Wassers schwankt!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐ช๐จ The Kingdom of the Giant Turtoises
Previously we rented bikes in Puerto Villamil and rode them to the end of the beach to spend time with!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ช๐จ The Black and White Beaches of Isabela
The small town of Puerto Villamil is pretty much the only settlement on the island apart from a few!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
The Galapagos Islands are very diverse. The day before yesterday I was still climbing through the fog in the black desert in the highlands. The town of Puerto Villamil, on the other hand, looks very tropical with its white beaches and coconut trees. The islands are right on the equator!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐ช๐จ The Black Desert on the Green Island in the Blue sea
All of the Galapagos Islands are volcanoes that rose from the sea long ago and are still active. Two!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ช๐จ The Island of Coconuts and Penguins
It was a challenging trip across the Pacific in the small boat. Everything went well, but with a baby!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
We pack our things and leave San Cristรณbal by ferry. By “ferry” we actually mean a medium-sized, closed ship. What we get is a larger fishing boat and we sit just in front of the engines while the seawater splashes around our ears and we cross the ocean between the islands.
It’s!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐ช๐จ Diving down for the Hammerhead Shark
While the weather was initially very cloudy, it is now sunny and hot. The 360 degree tour takes us!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ช๐จ The Wonders of the Sea – 360 Degrees around the Island
On the island of San Cristobรกl there are ample offers for tours. On a drive across the island we were!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
After the turtles, we head to the last destination of the expedition for today, Playa Chino. It’s not clear what’s Chinese on the beach, but we’re the only people there. Sea lions lie scattered on the beach, lounging.
I find nesting blue-footed boobies for photo models and swim a few!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐ช๐จ The Slow Giants of San Cristobรกl
After tropical temperatures on the coast of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, we are surprised at how cool the!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ช๐จ The Misty Galapagos Highlands
Some days are sunny, it is very hot and the water is turquoise. On other days it is very cloudy.!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
We’ve been in San Cristobรกl for a few days now and every new one comes with a surprise. We visited Playa Mann where the sea lions lay around us and I could swim with them in the water. It’s similar at Playa Punta Carola, only more extreme.
The beach is remote, so you have to climb!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐ช๐จ The Sea Lions in the Beach Bar
The next day we explore the small port town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno and the beaches nearby. The!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ช๐จ San Cristobรกl’s Harbor of Men and Animals
Since we have to wait an indefinite amount of time for our car to be repaired – Christmas and the turn!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Since we have to wait an indefinite amount of time for our car to be repaired – Christmas and the turn of the year don’t make the situation any better – and we don’t feel like staying longer in Quito, we make a decision very quickly. We fly to Galapagos. So. If we’re stuck in the only city with!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐ช๐จ The professional Destruction of our Car
Ich freue mich รผber jede negative Referenz fรผr diese Werkstatt.
We are now in Quito and a few small!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ช๐จ The Center of the World
It’s not a long trip from central Quito to get to the equator. You can tell the taxi driver “to the!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
After the impressive landscape of the volcanoes, the city is a contrast. Unlike most cities, Quito is not laid out in a circle, but sprawls through the valleys of the 4000 meter high mountains. We have found accommodation again and have many things to do here. Leon is to be looked at!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐ช๐จ The risky way of the Volcanoes
From Latacunga we drive towards the volcano, which just erupted this morning and presents a gas cloud!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ช๐จ The Silent Danger from The Smoke of Cotopaxi
We stay one day in Latacunga after driving through the Valle Hermoso. The city lies at the foot of!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
We don’t continue our journey at the Pailรณn del Diablo towards Amazonia, but we turn around and go back to the Andes to go north there. Because there are still spectacular volcanoes to see. We follow the gorge, along the bottom of which the Rio Cutuchi flows and which is called Valle!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐ช๐จ El Pailรณn del Diablo – The Green Hell’s Waterfall
After our visit to the blood god in the tourist hotspot of Baรฑos, we continue to follow the valley!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ช๐จ Baรฑos and The God of Blood in Tourist Heaven
We saw the falls that have faces. From there we head east; since the beginning of our journey on the!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
The weather isn’t as bad as predicted as we leave Riobamba with its Chimborazo and head east into the mountains. On a small track we drive through a narrow valley with high walls next to us along the Rio Pastaza at the foot of the Tunguhuara volcano. There are so many volcanoes in!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐ช๐จ The furthest Point from the Center of the Earth
Staying in the shadow of the Sangay impresses us. In the afternoon we reach Riobamba. It’s rainy and foggy!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ช๐จ The old People In the Shadow of The Sangay Volcano
The next day is still cloudy when we start from Alausi, but around noon we finally have some sun. One!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
We can see Ingaparca again in the sunlight, then we continue. But after a short time the weather changes and we drive through the low clouds. You can not see anything. Not even a car in front of you and an oncoming vehicle only when it is in front of you.
I turn on every light my!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐ช๐จ The Llamas on the Ruins of Ingapirca
After the week in Cuenca we head north again. Dusty’s stay in the workshop and the long overdue!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ช๐จ Cuenca, the Gem of Ecuador
We reach the city of Cuenca after our refreshment with beans and cocoa and the beautiful days in the!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
We drive down the mountain with the closed tequila distillery and we are hungry. By chance we find an exceptional place for lunch. A very modern building offers five cooking zones where cholitas cook different dishes.
A small, wrinkled woman approaches us and offers us a selection of!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐ช๐จ The Tequila Destillery on Top of the Andes
There is said to be an interesting tequila distillery near the bridge where we stayed. I don’t want to!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ช๐จ Joy in the Andes
Vom Bad der Inkas fahren wir noch รผber die Hรถhen der ecuadorianischen Anden mit einer herrlichen Aussicht.!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
As we walk in the pastures of the cows grazing between agaves, I see that there are supposed to be Baรฑos de los Incas here. That sounds exciting. It’s not that far to walk, but there is a steep climb up a slope. I grab the camera over one shoulder, Leon over the other and off we go.
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๐ช๐จ Where the Cows Graze between the Agaves
After our unplanned but well-used stay in Loja, we’re heading north again on the Panamericana. The!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ช๐จ Ecuador’s Castle in Loja
We have found a cheap apartment near the Panamericana on the outskirts of town. Here we take a little!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
We like Ecuador more and more. drive back the route and get goat’s milk for Leon along the way. The road offers incredible views on all sides, both of deep valleys and of gigantic mountains in the distance.
The landscape has become very green. Grass grows near the road, sheep and!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐ช๐จ Hospitality in The Dry Forest
After the unexpectedly long stay in the small border town of Macarรก, we hope that the car will survive!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ช๐จ New Country, new Breakdowns
The joy of the green landscape keeps us in suspense, then we suddenly reach the border. According to!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
We say goodbye to Giancarlo and his lovely family from Piura. We’ll get a lot of helpful advice along the way. The drive to the border runs north through a new desert with bushes, which turns into a desert with bare trees.
The vegetation is slowly becoming greener and the landscape more!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐ต๐ช Peruvian Hospitality – Home of Giancarlo
After the less than spectacular drive over the desolate and littered part of the Panamericana, we reach!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ต๐ช The Garbage of the World – A Desert of Trash
The drive after leaving Huanchaco and Chan Chan is uneventful. We drive through the desert, far from the!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
A bit of rest on the surfer beach was good. In the morning of our departure we visit Chan Chan, the ancient capital of the Chimรบ, who replaced the Moche and fell victim to the Incas themselves. The ruins of the old city cover a vast area between Trujillo and Huanchaco. It is a pity that the!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐ต๐ช Surfers’ Paradise of Huanchaco and Trujillo
We leave the site of the Huacas and head to our lodging in Huanchaco, a small coastal town outside of!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ต๐ช In the Dust of The Huaca de la Luna
We don’t spend the night with the turtles, but drive a little further north. The night at the gas!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
We leave the ugly Panamericana in between and drive to the small town of Tortugas on the beach.
The village name really means “turtles” in Spanish and you’ll see turtle motifs around every corner.
The mountain in the background is reminiscent of a turtle in shape, but maybe!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐ต๐ช The ugly Face of the Pan-americanan Highway
The car stays intact when driving out of Lima, but new problems arise anyway. During one of the!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ต๐ช Driving in Lima: Welcome to Hell
A long stretch of desolation brings us from the absurd tourist oasis near Ica to the city limits of!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
It’s four o’clock in the afternoon, five hours after our breakdown, when we’re back on the road. The romantic road along the coast is a thing of the past. We drive a busy highway through a boring landscape that is only interspersed with industrial plants. It’s similarly desolate as on!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐ต๐ช The Country of the Naszca – Glyphs, Churches and Glitches
We refresh our supplies, I have our air filter cleaned as a precaution, and off we go. We leave Nazca!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ต๐ช The inexplicable Legacy – The Pyramid of the Nazca
When I have solid ground under my feet again after the flight over the Nazca Lines, we go to eat!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
After our visit to the dead, we arrive in the city of Nazca in the afternoon. We stay the night there to visit the famous lines the next morning. We spontaneously decide to accept an offer to fly a plane over the famous Nazca Lines to see them with our own eyes.
The alternatives!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐ต๐ช A Hello from the Dead of Chauchilla
Our bellies are filled with olives. The chapter of our journey changes again. The last time we were alone!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ต๐ช Living ghost towns of the Pan-American Highway
After the eventful day with the ocean, pretty girls and pelicans we continue along the Panamericana. The!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
We leave our dream beach and follow the Panamericana to รtico in the late morning to have lunch and do all kinds of shopping. Again, part of the Panamericana is temporarily closed to traffic due to construction work.
We arrive late at noon and the navigation system guides me across!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐ต๐ช Perfect Vanlife – A Dream of Loneliness
A lot of time has passed in the chance encounter with the whales on the beach. It’s too late to reach!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ต๐ช An impossible Encounter – the Whales on the Beach
We are on the Panamericana and although the landscape is barren, there are always surprises. At!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
In the afternoon we say goodbye to the children in Mollendo and continue up the Panamericana for the remainder of the daylight. On a small beach next to the road we find a couple of fishermen and a pleasant place to stay. Leon has a lot of fun playing in the sand and with the!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐ต๐ช A Heart for Children in Mollendo
We had a lovely first taste of Mollendo, our first stop on the Pacific Coast after months of traveling!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ต๐ช The Pacific Coast Town of Mollendo
As soon as we reach the coast via the sand-covered mountains, we are now on the legendary!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
The landscape around Arequipa is bone dry. We already saw that on the way from the Altiplano and during our stay in Arequipa the city also seemed like an oasis to us. At the foot of one or the other valley you will find a small green world. It goes up dusty mountains and down stony!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐ต๐ช Arequipa, the Pearl in the Shadow of the Vulcanoes
The drive down from the Altiplano to the city of Arequipa is very difficult because, although it is!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ต๐ช The Llamas and The Altiplano
After our impressive stay on one of the floating reed islands of Lake Titicaca, we return to the city of!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
After exploring the city of Puno, we leave the car in a commercial garage and stay for three days on one of the floating islands on Lake Titicaca. There is a large cluster of artificial islands made of reeds called uros. Rubens picks us up in his boat and takes us to the island where!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐ต๐ช Puno, the City of Mountains, Lake and Alpakas
The journey from the border town of Yunguyo leads over the barren high plateau and in parts along the!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ต๐ช Peru’s ongoing Fight For a new Beginning
Bolivian Copacabana is behind us and a bunch of formalities ahead. However, the border crossing is!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
We are happy that we can continue. The continuation of our journey was still hanging by a thread a few hours ago. We also survived the ferry of a soul seller. The road from the bridgehead in San Pablo de Tiquina goes back up and then along the ridge of the mountain that juts into the!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐ง๐ด Our Journey Hanging by a Thread
The sunrise is fantastic at our night camp on the shore of Lake Titicaca where the reeds are growing!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ง๐ด The Origin of The Kon Tiki
We drive north-west across the Altiplano. We finally made the climb to El Alto and left La Paz. The!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
La Paz has a very special mix of modernity and tradition. While on the one hand people in suits are standing in front of new high-rise buildings made of glass, traditionally dressed women are walking by as a matter of course. In the city you can see many women with plump physiques and!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐ง๐ด The colorful City of the Dead
La Paz has many obscure places to visit. One of them is the City of the Dead. An entire neighborhood!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ง๐ด The La Paz Artisan Market
Calle Tarija at Plaza Gastรณn Velasco is just one of many places where you can admire this beautiful!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
As we walk through La Paz, we notice the many beautiful graffiti on the walls of many houses. At train stations, cafรฉs or streets of the old town, huge works of art on the hands rise up again and again, which seem to be taken from life in Bolivia.
On the way to the witches’ market,!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐ง๐ด La Paz – The Mega City above the Clouds
The breakdown on the La Cumbre mountain pass was very unfortunate. The car spends the next two weeks!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ง๐ด The worst possible Breakdown – The End on 4703 Meters
We survived the Death Road and only have one more pass to get to La Paz. Google plans an hour and a!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
I have the bold idea in mind to take the old road “Yungas Road” to La Paz, which is also called “Death Road” because accidents have happened there so often. A few years ago, however, a solid road was built around it, so that there is hardly any traffic on the old road. However, this is!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐ง๐ด Up into the Andes
We pack our things and drive on. The idyll on the small river did us good. I have in my head the bold!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ง๐ด The Idyll Of the Jungle at Rio Quiquibey
We continue the journey, leaving the Jesuit Route and again crossing a great distance, as the air is still!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
We safely crossed the big Rio Mamore, but unfortunately we didn’t see any river dolphins. We stay overnight in San Ignacio de los Moxos on the public beach of nearby Lake Isireri. I walk down the jetty with Leon and meet a couple with two small children. But the people are not very!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐ง๐ด Crossing Bolivia’s Great Rivers
We leave the jungle paradise of Chuchini and continue west. At the gas station in Trinidad we use our!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ง๐ด Chuchini, the Eco-Reserve in the Jungle
We leave Trinidad after a few errands and drive deep into the jungle of the north. The Rio Mamore!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
We are still traumatized by our experience at the site of the freshly destroyed rainforest. There are fires all the way to Trinidad. The light is yellow and the air is scratchy. It’s dry and the soot is sticking up our noses. It is incomprehensible to us how relaxed people are about!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐ง๐ด The Destruction of the tropical Rainforest
We are so excited to finally get to the legendary Amazon rainforest and get to know its nature and!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ง๐ด The Route into the Wild Bolivian Amazon
We head north towards Trinidad. This is where the Bolivian Amazon rainforest can be found. There is!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Normal chaos returns to the streets. Traffic out of Santa Cruz is hectic. We spent two weeks here, but one would have been enough. It’s Monday and that doesn’t bode well in Bolivia either. We pass tollbooths and police checks again. This time we will also be checked.
We leave Santa!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐ง๐ด Santa Cruz, The Rich City in the Poor Country
We drive the highway from San Josรฉ de Chiquitos to Santa Cruz de la Sierra. The landscape quickly!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ง๐ด The Magical Night in the Valley of the Moon
We leave the Devil’s Tooth and still traverse an impressive landscape of jungle and red rocks rising!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
The landscape becomes more exciting. After going very monotonously and straight to the place Roborรฉ, where you got a feeling of Bolivia’s originality, the road now meanders through the dense forest and cliffs made of red rock protrude from the jungle as walls, towers or crests.
At!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐ง๐ด A Road Trip through Bolivia’s Originality
After a few days we leave Aguas Calientes. It’s gotten cold – handy for really appreciating the hot!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ง๐ด Hot Springs in the hot Jungle
It started raining at the border, but the jungle is still burning. It continues to rain and in the!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
The border crossing between Brazilian Corumbรก and Bolivia is getting complicated. As at the border of Foz do Iguaรงu, no Brazilian official has any interest in putting a stamp in our passport. This time we remember to ask and we are shown the office where we can go if we feel like it to!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐ง๐ท Corumbรก – The Charming Border Town in the Bush
The marshes of the Pantanal and its wilderness are now behind us and we are back in civilization. We!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ง๐ท River and Marshes – the adventurous Drive through the Pantanal
The experience was a shock. Most of the Pantanal has already been conquered by the farmers and the!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
I didn’t expect that on a trip with a baby we would see a jaguar in the wild. We didn’t either, but we came very close and I still secretly hope that this is a unique opportunity.
From our spot next to the Jaguar’s camp, we continue north on the gravel road and deeper into the!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐ง๐ท Dangerous Pantanal – The track of the Jaguar
As we leave Miranda and drive down the desolate highway, we don’t completely lose contact with the!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ง๐ท The Conservative Brazil with A Touch of Miranda
With adventure in the wild Pantanal in mind, we reach Miranda at sunset and look for a nice place to!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
After our lovely time at the Aquidauana ranch, we head into the wild. I spotted a small road on the map that goes north from Aquidauana towards the heart of the Pantanal where we hope to see lots of wildlife.
The track leads past farms and very wide grassy landscapes with tropical!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐ง๐ท The Jungle Ranch in Aquidauana
After the wonderful drive through the pampas of the Pantanal, we arrive back in civilization with our!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ง๐ท On the Hunt for the Anteater
We had beautiful days at the Rio Verde. Part of the reason we stayed there and made the detour north!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
After a few days we leave Campo Grande again. We make a detour north because I’ve read reports of a road where you can see a lot of anteaters. We want to see that. The first stop is called Rio Verde de Mato Grosso and from there a track leads south through no man’s land to Aquidauana.!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐ง๐ท Campo Grande – The Big City with Wildlife
We leave Dourados unimpressed and continue through the landscape of cattle farms and soybean and corn!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ง๐ท Pampas and Industry – Welcome to Dourados
We leave the wild beauty of the Rio Paranรก and the happy people we met there. There is a nature!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
It’s already noon when we leave Porto Figueira, so we don’t drive far to get lunch. The town of Porto Camargo is located near a mighty bridge over which we have to cross the Paranรก River.
The place doesn’t look small on the map, but access is via a very hilly dirt road. We reach the!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐ง๐ท The Hospitality in Porto Figueira
With a wonderful sunrise we leave our sleeping place on the pasture land. On the map I see a small!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ง๐ท Sunset over the Brazilian Farmland
We spent a few days in the city of Cascavel and are now back on the road. But not in the direction of!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
We leave the city and the falls of Iguaรงu and take the highway east. Our plan is to drive around Iguaรงu National Park and then head east through Santa Catarina to the beautiful beaches of the Atlantic. After that we want to drive to Argentina and south of Paraguay towards the mountains.!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐ง๐ท At the breathtaking Natural Wonder of Foz do Iguaรงu
A private highway leads to the peninsula with the waterfalls. Men in uniform direct the cars to huge!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ง๐ท Where are the Customs? – The Irritating Immigration to Brazil
The next morning we set off early to cross the border and see the famous Iguaรงu Falls. Every limit is!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Our road trip has finally begun and in the afternoon we reach Ciudad del Este, right on the border with Brazil. In fact, the city is simply called “City of the East”. In addition to the charm of a border and industrial city, Ciudad del Este has a large waterfall to offer, because the!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐ต๐พ The epic Road trip through South America Begins
We’re finally leaving. I don’t feel any excitement. I feel nothing. I only have things on my mind to!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ต๐พ Paraguay’s Artisans in the Village of Areguรก
Everyday life in South America sets in and the stay in Asunciรณn becomes routine. Special features are!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Our journey from Asunciรณn, with a first stop at Cerro Acahay, takes us across the expanse of Paraguayan land to the Yvycuรญ (or Ybycuรญ) area.
The asphalt road ends at a barrier and a border booth full of police officers who look at us in amazement. The barrier that interrupts the asphalt!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐ต๐พ Straight Roads and no Cars – Paraguay Overland
We leave the Cerro Acahay and start our journey towards Yvycuรญ. Although we are not far from!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ต๐พ The Cerros Where the Pomelos grow
Then it starts, but for a weekend. The metal work on the car has to be postponed due to the!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
My first day is eventful. Esteban finally arrives with our long-awaited vehicle and shows it to us in front of our accommodation in Asunciรณn, where we spend the next few weeks until the car is ready to go. We still have to make some decisions about the design of the interior and!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐ต๐พ Asunciรณn and the First step in America
Paraguay is not known to many people in Europe, let alone what is there. At the moment, Paraguay!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Our time in Vrnjaฤka Banja is over and we have to make our way back to Belgrade. On the way we visit a few memorials on the way.
First there is at least time for a mala puna in Kraljevo.
Kraljevo
Not far from Vrnjaฤka Banja there is a place called Popina.!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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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!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
In December, Uros often told me about the house in the mountains that he and his father were renovating. Now I’m back in Serbia and I can’t wait for Uros to take me there and show me the area where he grew up before moving to Novi Sad. It will also be the first visit for Milica.!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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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!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
It’s nice to meet a friend again. I have one more chance to be sent from work to Serbia to work in the office and meet our colleagues there. As on my last visit in winter, Uros also takes me in in spring. And he has grown. He introduces me to his adorable girlfriend Milica. She comes!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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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!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
I had planned to explore the capital of the Islamic Republic on my own. But there is still time and a special event has just occurred. The Persian New Year has begun and I had the pleasure of celebrating the biggest festival in the country with Leon and Sara with their family in!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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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!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Behind the village of Caniรงal, the east side of Madeira offers a spectacular peninsula, the ponta de Sรฃo Lourenรงo. This time I’m traveling with my parents. Unfortunately, we don’t make it early enough and it’s already quite full in the already lush parking lot. It is windy and I quickly!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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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!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
I had already seen photos of these special houses in the travel guide, now we want to see the original. The weather is very changeable.
Leon, Sara and I drive to the other end of the island with my parents. There is also a lot to see on the way and the landscape invites to numerous!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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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,!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Traveling with a child? No problem. Even if Leon is only 4 months old – why not? The trip to Madeira takes a few detours. Since the flight leaves Stuttgart early, we check in with Sara’s friend Jรถrg to take us from the taxi to the airport early in the morning. There, wearing!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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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!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Diary Entry 18
We are on our way back because our journey through Bulgaria is coming to an end. So we explore individual places and cities on the way and stop where it seems nice to us.
Our destination for the night is a lake near the city of Batak. There should be good!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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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!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Diary Entry 15
We are on the way to the Black Sea, but we can no longer do that today. Looking for a place to stay, we come across the unknown town of Veliko Tarnovo. We find a room with a terrace and a beautiful view for a couple who are enthusiastic about motorcycles and who own!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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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!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Diary Entry 12
We didn’t have this city on our agenda and I wasn’t aware of the beauty and history of Plovdiv. Only when Galina, whom we met in our accommodation in Sofia, was invited, did we decide to stay here. We also find a fantastic!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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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!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Diary Entry 9
During my research on Bulgaria, pictures of the Prohadna Cave were one of the first impressions that made my jaw drop in admiration. It is very clear that we have to stop by here on the trip.
Even if the mosquitoes took away some of the romance of camping on the!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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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!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Diary Entry 6
We are very happy when we leave the big city again and can finally decide for ourselves where we are going with a spontaneously rented car. Finally another road trip!
This time we want to go to the north, where there are some of the greatest highlights for me in!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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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!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Diary Entry 3
We start very early because we cannot yet estimate the difficulty of the route and prefer to be on the safe side. Our destination is the first mountain hut on the route, called Banderiza, where we hope to!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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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
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I’m traveling back towards Uppsala. I want to go to Fรคrnebofjรคrdens National Park to hike one last time. I drive back to Gรคvle and get on the bus to Hedesunda. From there I hike the Gรคstikeleden long-distance hiking trail in the direction of the national park, from there to the south to!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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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!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
It is remarkable. While I left Germany anxiously, where precautionary measures regarding Corona were taken everywhere, you seem to have arrived here on another planet. Even if it feels like there is no Corona here, the numbers speak a different language. It’s just being ignored.
We spend!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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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!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
The way of the next day is very demanding. However, we only start again around noon. Finally the road from the Upplandsleden long-distance hiking trail, which we follow, leads away into the forest. There, however, it is an up and down overgrown stones and roots, so I always threaten to!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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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!-->!-->!-->!-->…
The media are full of reports on the current refugee situation. On March 4, 2020, Turkey’s borders were opened to the Syrian refugees remaining in the country hoping to continue their journey to Europe. The political gap between Turkey and the European Union has never been greater.
At the!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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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!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Dear Diary
We leave Freiburg im Breisgau with the family immediately after the Christmas holidays to visit Sara’s friends in the Swedish city of Karlskrona. We’re a little unlucky. Thanks to the chaos at Freiburg Central Station, coupled with a lack of information on the train, we!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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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,!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
In return, Jajce has surprises in store for us in the early morning. The first reveals itself to us in the form of a scorpion that happily crawls through our room.
Our first shock quickly turned into sensational lust and we keep all available cameras on the stray!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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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.!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
I had already given myself a lot of ideas about Sarajevo. Images of the war-torn city always come before my eyes in front of the media.
But it should also be a beautiful city, it was a piece of jewelery a hundred and five years ago when the assassin Gavrilo Prinzp’s!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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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 Sufis withdrew to this place many centuries ago to have their peace. The Blagaj Monastery is located at the foot of a steep mountain by a cave from which a river leads into the open.
But the calm was over when the word โtourismโ made it into the dictionary.
A!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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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!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Entry into Bosnia and thus out of the EU is very quick and easy.
But what will not be easy is the search for ATMs to stock up on the local currency. We curve through a few places until we discover a machine and also refresh our provisions. Then we travel on to the!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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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!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Ultimately, we have to go back to Faro to start our journey home. We hadn’t planned much time for this city, which in retrospect turns out to be justified.
The city is very touristy, but in an artificial way.
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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!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
On the way back to Faro we head back into the mountains. We land in a tiny village called Linhares and spend the night in one of the stone-stacked houses. This village is really unspoilt.
The bright sunshine the next morning promises another fantastic day. There are no tourists in!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐ต๐น Porto – The Origin of Wine and Empire
We reach Porto in time and I have a very interesting conference there. We use some time in between!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ต๐น Estrada de Estrela – The Road of Stars
We continue our journey towards the mountains and drive into the Estrada de Estrela.
Our first!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Not far from Chamusca we find an enchanting castle, which is located on a small island in the middle of the river.
The Castillo de Almourol can be reached by boat.
Castillo de Almourol
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๐ต๐น Portuguese traditions in Chamusca
Unfortunately we cannot stay at the fantastic lake forever, because we are expected. We found!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ต๐น The best Enjoyment in the Heart of Portugal
The way is the destination and we have no place we want to go to directly except postage in a few!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
We fear the worst, but the invasion along the north coast suddenly ends and we have a relaxed coastal road below and sometimes nice hitchhikers with us. Spontaneously we book an Airbnb in the small sleepy fishing village of Porto Covo, where we watch a Hollywood-style sunset with a!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐ต๐น The white Color of the Algarve
How nice it can be if you can bring work and vacation together. A conference takes me to Porto,!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ฏ๐ต Sakura and the Ecstasy of Cherry Blossom Hanami
I’m on a trip to Kishiwada Castle to meet Mayana and Maryia for Hanami again. They have a couple of!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
In the city of Wakayama there are no western tourists and has a very pretty castle to offer.
Sakura now started and the blooming trees decorate the white fortress with the shaped roofs.
It’s also!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐ฏ๐ต Under the spell of Osaka – The Nippon style
My hostel is close to walk from the station where I arrive. Osaka fulfills the expectations of a!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ฏ๐ต The pilgrim’s circle closes in Tanabe
The following day I am entirely calm and in peace with myself and the fact that I’m going alone through the!-->!-->!-->!-->…
The next night I arrive at a Minshuku in Nakahechichล Chikatsuyu. There are a few other guests, but as soon as I’m showered and I sit in the main room at six o’clock expecting dinner I’m the only one there. Just while I’m sitting there and eat from a served bento box, another Japanese!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐ฏ๐ต Around the giant Holy Shrine of Hongu-Taisha
I decide not to return to Kugochi village because of the inconvenient bus connection. Instead, I walk the!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ฏ๐ต Yunomine – The place, where you boil the eggs in the River
In recent years, typhoons have caused extensive damage in this area. The Kodo is also affected and many!-->!-->!-->!-->…
The first day is not as beautiful as the previous days when it was sunny and warm. Instead, it is cold, rainy and stormy. I don’t mind, it just feels more like nature. The day is a holiday. The 21st March is the beginning of spring and for the Japanese people one of the few days!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐ฏ๐ต The hospitable south of the Kii Peninsula
There are a lot of convenient stores like Lawson, 7-11 and FamilyMart in all cities, large or small. These!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ฏ๐ต Nara – the city of polite deer
I didn’t have this city on my list, but since I heard so much it on my way I considered spontaneously to give!-->!-->!-->!-->…
I take the bus to a pavilion in Kinkaku-ji, a former villa of a too-rich man who had the entire building covered in gold. I visit a temple with a Zen garden that was created by someone who had too much time and pebbles.
Afterwards, after getting tired of gold and stones, I visit a bamboo!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐ฏ๐ต Lessons to Japan III – Kyoto and its Geishas at night
We leave again and head for a famous district of Kyoto named Gion. The city hasn’t been destroyed in WWII!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ฏ๐ต Lessons for Japan II – The Mountain of the Red Gates
The first attraction my friends take me to is a shrine called Fushimi-Inari Taisha. The word โTaishaโ!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
This trip is the the first time after long time that I make alone. The reason is a conference that I have to attend to in Osaka. I add some of my vacation to make a little trip through this fascinating country. Japanese are generally quite shy – everyone knows that (and I will be so!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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Moscow and the Red Square
No man’s land and we are ragged and lousy – and then we come straight to the heart of one of the!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Acquaintance with Lena
August 20.-25.
Fortunately, we survive the return flight with one of the antique flying cans!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
August 16.-20.
It continues until we finally reach the street on Sakkyryr, which leads to the village of the same name. But we have a problem lugging all our things to Sakkyryr, which is called Batagay-Alyta in Russia. That is still five kilometers. The moment we are packing, a!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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The relentless Tara Sala
August 15. – 16.
The morning starts very cloudy. However, this is not due to bad weather, but!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Fire and Water
August 13.-14.
We are moving slowly from the hell of the forest, but without significant!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
August 12.
We set up the boat and can paddle and treble the day. We make a route, but the water is tricky.
We capsize on a branch in the water as well as at another point with a high current, where a tree across the river forces us to exit.
Three!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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On horse through the wild east
August 11.
Konstantin reports that he cannot find a car. So we only have the option of!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Nomads & Reindeers
August 8.-10.
We make hiking stages back. We have to carry our luggage in several packages,!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
August 5.-7.
We sleep a long time and make breakfast cereal with Nutella for breakfast. Then we pack all our things waterproof and build our boat with enthusiasm.
Since the waterfall bubbles properly we are hopeful that we can soon paddle with some tributaries from the!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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As a guest with Eweni nomads
We arrive at the reindeer nomads’ camp shortly after sunrise at around six in the morning.
Only a few!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
The way to the mountains
In the morning we wait for Constantine in bright sunshine and worry about the water level of!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
We will be picked up at the airport by Konstantin, our contact here. The connection had been established by an Austrian who had been fishing here with his friends years ago and reported about it on the Internet.
For the night we are still here, we can move into a cozy wooden!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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Call of the wilderness
A little devil’s machine, an Antonov 24, will go north far beyond the Arctic Circle. There was!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Welcome to Sibiria
Siberia โฆ this word means cold and distant. But what do we know about it? Nothing, and yet this country!-->!-->!-->…
My friend Uwe and I are on our way back from our memorable trip through Iran. Since we have to change planes in Istanbul, I suggest that when choosing a flight, we decide to stay in the city for as long as possible. Uwe agrees because he has never seen Istanbul himself.
At the!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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The Legacy of Xerxes
Near to the city, the giant archeological site of legendary Persepolis is excavated and open!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Shiraz, the city of flowers and colors
Our bus takes all night to bring us to Shiraz, our last destination. The transportation is!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
In the night we change our host. Amir Abbas is a great guy, but during the time we waited in the bus station and looked for alternatives we got an interesting offer from a guy called Saeid. โCome to me, and together we will break some rulesโ. That sounded too good to miss.
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The desert city of Kerman
We leave Yazd and take a bus to get to the city of Kerman. We expect our next couchsurfing!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Yazd, city of 1000 and 1 night
Our time in Esfahan is over and we take a bus, including lunch and crazy Persian TV, to get to the city!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
My Persian friend Sina, who lives in Cologne, invites us to his parents in Esfahan, where we are allowed to stay for five days. The city is very crowded and it takes us some time to make it through the traffic to the distant outskirts until we are welcomed in the impressive villa.
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The red clay town of Abyaneh
Back in Kashan, we do not stay long, but make our way south to get to the legendary city of!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Dunes and Camels
We have a good time with Moein and he brings us to many interesting places, like the Holy Shrine!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
They are filling up rose water
We are lucky to findthe city covered in the golden color of sunset. The old town is fantastic; palaces show the wealth of old tradesmen and give the impressions of little!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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Persian New Year’s Eve with the host Family
After a huge breakfast, we say goodbye and the girls take us to the bus station where we get to know,!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
A quick visit to Qazvin
It is sad to leave our friends, but we take the bus to go south. We are again the only!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
We take a little trip to the mountains and luckily two of our friends accompany us. The old village of Kandovan is famous for its sandstone houses. People dug into the stone to cut out their houses. A remarkable number of people still live in Kandovan today;
however, most!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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What happens to the goldfish after Nowruz?
There are seven things โ โhaft sinโ – that are as mandatory to Nowruz like a fir tree on Christmas or!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
The country of hospitality
Iran 2018
We arrive in the North Iranian city of Tabriz in the middle of the night. The!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
With the same caution, we avoid Nagorno-Karabakh and other en- and exclaves. According to Google maps, a large spot that our street passes through is said to be part of Azerbaijan. But nothing of it can be seen and we pass the area without disturbance. We come over another pass and!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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The eerie Breath of Nagorno-Karabakh
The weather suddenly turns bad behind the pass. It’s cold and rainy. We drive along the!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Ararat, The holy Mountain
Next we want to go towards Ararat. The mountain, sacred to Christianity, is already in Turkey, but!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
The sun temple of Garni
We continue to Garni to visit a sun temple there. This was built by a king in the style of ancient Greek architecture and
was surprisingly the biggest tourist magnet in the country. That’s why we don’t stay long.
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The Land of Apricots
The border crossing turns out to be very complicated even after successfully leaving Georgia.!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
The Cave City of Vardsia
We continue to the impressive cave city of Vardzia. Up to 30,000!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
We camp not far away in a good place, to which we have to cross a shallow stream in the dark. We drive to Akhaltsikhe, a city that is succinct for its huge oriental fortress on the mountain in the heart of the city.
We strengthen ourselves with Alchapuli for breakfast and count the!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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The Sovjet Observatory
We heard about an observatory that you can visit. We drive a long time through a mountain range
!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Above The Treetops In Okatse
A long bridge over the Okatse forest is a little more spectacular. There you have attached a!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
The next morning, too, no electricity returned in the city of Kutaisi. We’re heading north because we’ve heard of the beauty of Martvili canyon. This turns out to be actually very beautiful, but also a tourist trap. The gorge is now fenced and can only be reached by passing a ticket!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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Kutaisi and its Forces of Nature
We are on the way to the city of Kutaisi. On the way we stop at a sight, the “Cave of Prometheus”.!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Deep in the Greater Caucasus
The Orthodox Monastery
We have breakfast in a small tourist cafรฉ as soon as it opens. Then we!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Our destination is the mountainous Svaneti. The good Tamona from Tbilisi warned us that winter was already here and that there would be knee-deep snow.
With the window open and only a T-shirt, however, we drive through the most picturesque Alpine landscape – with defense!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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Over the mountains to the Black Sea
We get through a mountain range on an initially paved, then roughly gravel road. Once again the!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
The City of the Dictator
We come to Gori. Another city. The city is best known as the birthplace of Josef Stalin. All!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
On the drive through the Lesser Caucasus, we visit the cave city of Uplistsikhe, which is 4000 years old and was inhabited until a few centuries ago. Rooms and stairs were simply hammered into the sandstone.
Even a canopy was decoratively carved into the outer wall. Now only!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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At the venerable Mount Kazbek
From the valley of Shatili we set off to the valley through which we entered Georgia. I bathe!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Hangover Adventure
I wake up in the tent, in my sleeping bag, on my sleeping mat. I know we set up the tent before!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
We drive into the valley through rain, hail, thunder and lightning. Isolated defense towers rise up eerily between the rain.
We get to a pass up to Chewsureti, while a thunderstorm builds up on the horizon in front of us. You can already see the pillars of rain against the sky.!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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The Switchbacks of Chewsureti
Fortunately, after our drive over the passes of the Greater Caucasus, we made the way unscathed in!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Unexpected Friendships in Tusheti
We spend a great night under the Milky Way on the 3000 meter high pass that leads to the heart of!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Uli convinced me that it is a great idea to drive the elevated road from Kakheti to a place called Omalu. Incidentally, this road is one of the most dangerous roads in the world, if the BBC is to be believed:
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Kakheti – The Lesser and the Greater Caucasus
We pick up our car early the next day. Funnily enough, the messenger has already stalled the!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Tbilisi, The Youth of Georgia
Nevertheless, we reach Tbilisi in one piece (in Georgian worm script แแแแแแกแ) at an incredibly!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
The driver drives us from Vladikavkaz in Russia to Stepansminda, the first place in Georgia across the Russian border. Russians have no problem entering Georgia. You do not have a visa. The reverse is very different.
The small town feels like an!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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BEING GUEST IN the CRISIS AREA of NORTH OSSETIA-ALANIA
Alan picked us up at half past seven and brought us to their apartment on the other side of!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
The heart-warming people of Southern Russia
It should now go to a completely different corner of Russia. Namely on the border with the Caucasus in!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
We’re going to have our next date in town, with Polina. She is also a couch surfer, couldn’t accommodate us due to lack of time, but could meet us in the evening. We went to an Irish pub and learned many things about Russia from the young student. Putin doesn’t have many friends in!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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A dacha in Nowhere-land
On the first day in Saint-Petersburg we wanted to treat ourselves to the biggest highlight of the!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Priviet, Saint Petersburg
At 6 a.m. the alarm clock tells us it’s time to start the adventure. We travel to Munich Airport!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
September 1st, 2017
Now the real adventure should begin, the ride on the antique Soviet UAZ combat minibus. We had planned for a long time, the road trip – better: the shopping tour – to Russia. My friend Uli recently owned a UAZ, which he got his hands on in Slovakia. The car brand!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐ฆ๐ฑ Shkodra and Albania’s Virtues
In the most beautiful evening light we drive back to Albania. This time, the border is quickly!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ฆ๐ฑ Between the Mediterranean Sea and Skadar Lake
Originally there was the idea to go to the beautiful Bay of Kotor and visit the town of the!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Crossing the border back to Albania is a joke this time. We quickly leave Montenegro at a small log cabin and re-enter Albania at an equally tiny log cabin. This bears some resemblance to the stand of an ice cream vendor passing his wares through a window.
We notice!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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Montenegro’s Alpine Villages
After we had officially left Kosovo with a few obstacles, we drive ten kilometers through the!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Swabian Kosovo
As always, our thinking is determined by prejudices. So also about Kosovo. Entry into the!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
On the way, an oncoming car with headlight flasher stops us. Again a driver draws our attention to our rubbing plastic part on the substructure. So nice, these Albanians. We reach the Valbona Valley at midday and immediately realize that we are entering a hidden fairytale realm.!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐ฆ๐ฑ The Crazy Koman Ferry
We fight our way through Albanian traffic again and take the only northbound highway Albania!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ฆ๐ฑ Skanderbeg’s Mighty fortress of Kruja
We head north the next day; we men are among ourselves again. Saying goodbye is still!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
The hotel that we found in the middle of the night is preparing for a wedding and we have breakfast in a restaurant across the street. This is at least as pretty as the hotel. We expect more information about our rental car, but answers and clear statements are still a long time!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐ฆ๐ฑ Trouble on the blue Adriatic
The trip to this village was worth it. It is beautiful on top of a mountain with great views,!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ฆ๐ฑ The Country of the Bektashi – heights and relief
Wir wollen wieder nach Norden. Ganz nach Norden, was bedeutet, dass wir eine ganze Menge!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Between Tepelenรซand Gjirokastรซr we pass a place just off the road where all hell breaks loose. You can tap fresh water in many places in Albania, including here. There are also many traders who take the opportunity to make it clear to the people stopping by that they are also!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐ฆ๐ฑ A spontanous Invitation to an Albanian wedding
We continue strolling through Tepelenรซ in the sweltering heat, as we hear traditional music.!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ฆ๐ฑ City of Legends – Picturesque Gjirokastรซr
It is getting morning in Pรซrmet. I feel rested, but my companions don’t. They have a mighty!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Finally we leave the mountains and get onto a real road with real, modern asphalt. It’s like another world.
The road goes along a turquoise river that meanders picturesquely through the landscape and we have to climb down the big pebbles to get a closer look at this!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐ฆ๐ฑ Underpowered Through The Albanian Mountains
After a princely breakfast, lots of warm hugs and well-intentioned gifts, such as homemade!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ฆ๐ฑ Visiting the Albanian family
Rovena, where are we going today?” – is a question that’s becoming common among us. Often the!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
It’s my birthday and we just took a shower in an ice cold waterfall. We feel highly motivated. We’re on our way to the home village of Rovenas, but we’re not in such a hurry as we were yesterday. Rovena and Gaby realized that there is much more to experience along the way with!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐ฆ๐ฑ A Day of Surprise – At the Bogovรซ waterfall
You’re having an Albanian breakfast – they do that for us VIPs – slurping your rice, goulash!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ฆ๐ฑ The city of 1000 windows
From Pelenรซ (the รซ is found in many words here and is sometimes an รถ or an a) it turns into a!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
The next day we leave for the airport to pick up our car – not a Mercedes, but a Dacia Stepway. The dimensions of the car are a bit smaller than I thought. Based on our good experiences with the Duster in Iceland, I thought the Stepway was comparable. That was a mistake.!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐ฆ๐ฑ Tirana: The best way How to get to know Albania
Albania?!? What do you want there? Isn’t there only mafia and terrorists !? And they still have blood revenge,!-->!-->…
๐ฉ๐ด The Bay of Samanรก
We’ve had eventful days in Las Galeras and we’ve come to terms with our shipwreck reasonably well.
!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Located on one of the easternmost points of the peninsula, Las Galeras is arguably one of the most remote spots in the country. It’s not far from El Limรณn and its enchanting waterfall at the end of the Samana Peninsula.
Despite the remoteness, there are also some forms of tourism!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐ฉ๐ด The Waterfall of El Limรณn
In the Dominican Republic, if you don’t have your own bikes, you basically travel with two means of!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ฉ๐ด Puerto Plata, The City of the Creoles
Where do you go if you want to stay warm in March to try out your new kayak? As far away as possible.!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
We are drawn back to the west coast. A well-known place is Monterey. Even if it is a very small place, it has built up the reputation of a place of longing and, in addition to its romantic charm, is also known for its wildlife watching.
In fact, we also meet large!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐บ๐ธ On the trail of Route 66
Our short road trip leads back towards the coast. We leave the mountains and come through small places!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐บ๐ธ Yosemite in Flames
The city is not everything and one of the most famous national parks in the USA is on the doorstep of!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
A small ferry boat takes you to the small island with a perfect view of the city of San Francisco. One of the punishments that one must certainly endure in this prison was to be confined for decades but to see normal life before oneself.
We walk in the footsteps of some of the!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐บ๐ธ The American Dream in San Francisco
does not give the USA the cities that stand for the American dream? New York. Chicago. And above all:!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
The Savage Island of Palawan
We had a long overland drive from El Nido to Puerto Princesa, the largest city on the island of!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Town is a big magnet for backpackers and individual travelers. The place is small, but is already geared towards tourists. Many fishermen have switched to taking visitors to diving areas or navigating through the picturesque tropical island world. There are!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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The World of the Tao People
It was wonderful to travel through the island world by boat. Every now and then one saw a dolphin!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Snorkeling at the Battlefield
In the morning there was a breakfast made of fruits, mainly papaya, mango, pineapple and pomelo.!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
The trip was called “Expedition” because only the destination was fixed. The exact route was determined relatively spontaneously, depending on the wind and currents. There are several options for accommodation in the archipelago. In some villages there are small huts for tourists as!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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The Bridgehead to the Tropical Sea
We landed in a small propeller plane on the small island of Busuanga. The โairportโ was in the!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
On Top of the the Taal Volcano
It was a disaster that we lost the GoPro. All video footage from the whale sharks, Banaue and!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Our plane landed in Manila again and we took a taxi to the Makati district, where my cousin Nessim lives with his wife Caroline and the children. I knew they lived in a beautiful house, but I didn’t expect the luxury. The taxi turned and suddenly stood at a barrier with security!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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Swimming with the Whale Sharks
Kaum in Manila angekommen taten wir auch nichts anderes als schnell wieder zum Flughafen zu!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
The Rice Terraces of banaue
Gone were the days in clean and orderly Singapore and we continued in the dirty, loud juggernaut!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
I’ve started my journey towards the Philippines and I’m stopping in Singapore for a few days for now. I’m on the way with Janina.
The city holds many associations with itself. On the one hand it is one of the largest transfer airports in the world, on the other hand it is a melting!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐จ๐บ The Mystery of Santeria Voodoo
We use the chance to guide us from Cรฉsar through this part of Havana, in which no other tourist!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐จ๐บ Matanzas at a Glance
We still have a few days, but we have to slowly go back towards Havana. The further we are, the!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
There are few “attractions” in this area of Cuba, only the real Cuba itself. Although the big names of the tourist guides “Varadero” and “Cayo Maria” are not far away, we do not need any Caribbean package tour strongholds. Instead, we decide to visit the small town of Remedios,!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐จ๐บ Santa Clara and Chรฉ Guevara
🇨🇺 Kuba (2015)
Santa Clara has!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐จ๐บ Topes de Collantes and the Cuban wildlife
When we were driven to the center of Havana by a taxi driver on the night of our!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Trinidad is the pearl of Cuba, even if this wonderful city welcomes us with a downpour.
Trinidad is small and the streets are cobblestone. The houses shine in bright colors and a motley church rounds off the trip back to colonial times.
From higher points you can see the!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐จ๐บ Guanaroca – mangroves and flamingos
There are large crocodiles on the south coast, but they are not very expansive and can only be!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐จ๐บ Colonial Cienfuegos And another Change of Drivers
Where…
… is the …
… correct …
… way?
There are very few traffic!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Of course, we always have to stock up on new rum on the way.
Chรฉ is everywhere.
From the wonderful Viรฑales we drive a good distance back, because next we want to see the “Bay of Pigs”. Nobody knows what this Caribbean coast has to do with pigs, but the name was made!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐จ๐บ The Home of Tobacco – The Most fabulous Viรฑales Valley
At night you can’t see the slightest thing in the dark. Street lighting is a foreign word. In the!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐จ๐บ A Cuban Overland trip with obstacles
Our trip shouldn’t go around all of Cuba. There would hardly have been time to really explore the!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
We’re in Cuba, sitting on the beach with cigars and a caramel-brown Havana Club Aรฑejo Especial on ice. While the warm wind from the sea is drying our skin from the salt water, we remember the arduous journey to Germany, which was not so easy for my friend Uwe, my brother Hans-Christian!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐ฎ๐ธ Iceland’s Essence at Europe’s highest Waterfall
We visit a few more waterfalls in the west of the island. The first is the Barnafoss; actually a!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ฎ๐ธ Hiking the desolated Landscape of Snรฆfellsnes
When you hike to Svรถrtuklettar, the trail markings disappear after just a few steps. We don’t let!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Living in a country where the elements prevail in such an intense way as in Iceland does not leave you without a trace. After centuries between volcanoes, glaciers, storms, polar lights and the open ocean, Icelanders have remained particularly superstitious and have adopted some!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐ฎ๐ธ Akureyri and The Trolls and FAiries of Northern Iceland
We leave Hรบsavรญk and come across an impressive waterfall, the Goรฐafoss. It is also particularly!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ฎ๐ธ Whales and Sails in the Fiord of Hรบsavรญk
t outside of Hรบsavรญk we find beautiful accommodation in a farmhouse in the middle of nowhere. At!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
The situation with our increasingly empty tanks makes us increasingly nervous and we decide not to stop until we have reached a gas station. We hope to find them in the small town of Mรฝvatn. We hope the name of the place doesn’t keep what it promises, because it translates as!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐ฎ๐ธ The Dettifoss and the End of the World
Saying goodbye to Hรบsey is not easy. It’s just too idyllic there. But we also want to see further!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ฎ๐ธ On the Backs of The Icelandic Horses from Hรบsey
Hรบsey is a farm far away from civilization and can only be reached via a long gravel road. We read!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
We follow the description of the other travelers in search of the small, remote port called Borgarfjรถrรฐur. It is so small and remote that we seriously doubt that we will find it and that we are on the right track.
The way is the goal and rewards us with an impressive landscape in!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐ฎ๐ธ The Reindeer route over the Lagarfljรณt Pass
We leave our cozy accommodation in Berunes. At least since we left the imposing Seljalandsfoss and!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ฎ๐ธ The Place to Write a Book – The Fiord of Berunes
In the fjords of the east coast we come across the ruins of a Viking village. Only up close does!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Between the huge glacier and the open ocean there is a large glacial lake – the Jรถkulsรกrlรณn. Ice floes break off and collect there. These then drift comfortably into the sea through a narrow drain.
We can explore this lake on old amphibious vehicles, which the Americans!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐ฎ๐ธ Hundafoss – The organ made of Basalt
After our exciting excursion to the foot of the largest glacier in Europe, we move back into the!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ฎ๐ธ MY Foot on the Ice of the Svinafellsjรถkull Glacier
If we are already in the land of ice and fire, we must at least have been on a glacier. And there are!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
We are between the sea and a super volcano – the Katla . Should this active volcano ever erupt, the eruptions of Eyjafjallajรถkull, which in 2010 caused the northern domestic sphere to stand still due to its columns of smoke, would be a children’s birthday party. Good to know that!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐ฎ๐ธ The Black Beach of Reynisfjara
We make another detour to the sea, which is never far away here on the Ringstrasse. We have left!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ฎ๐ธ In the Land of Waterfalls
The campsite at the foot of Seljalandsfoss is terrific. Three waterfalls line up, one more!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Roads not covered in snow. We follow route 32 towards Pjorsardalsvegur and have Hjรกrparfoss to ourselves. Admittedly, it’s not very impressive either, having just seen the mighty Gullfoss.
At the junction with the F26 in the direction of Landmanalaugar we stop at a gas station!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐ฎ๐ธ The old Geysir and the mighty Gullfoss
Of course, every area with geothermal activity also has an impressive geyser. The forefather of!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ฎ๐ธ รingvellir – The Continental Rift of the Kings
We follow the route, which is also called the “Golden Ring”. This is the most popular route for!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
We spurn the touristic Blue Lagoon and hike to our own hot springs. They are a bit smaller and not quite as blue, but still beautiful.
In our travel guide we find a route into Reykjadalur, above Hveragerรฐi, which should lead to a “wild” hot spring.
It’s!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐ฎ๐ธ Sea Birds and the Blue Lagoon – The lava rock in the North Atlantic
After 1200 years of people living in Iceland, not much has changed. There are just as many!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ฎ๐ธ How to get to know Iceland – the arctic Island Between the Continents
So this is Iceland. When you arrive in Kevlavรญk, the first impression is that of a gray,!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Very early in the morning, after Michael, my friend from Berlin, and I finished our trip to South Korea, our plane reaches Doha airport. It’s 6 a.m. and nothing is happening in the building. For 25 US dollars we are allowed to enter the country. We want to get an impression of Qatar!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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Traces of the dynasties
It’s a long drive back to Seoul from the southern tip of Korea, but unfortunately Jun can’t pick!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Korea’s southern Tip
We get to Tongyeong from Busan by bus after a two-hour drive. There is something special to see!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Quelle: https://www.jrbeetle.com/en/about/
Just 110 kilometers from Busan, where we spent the last day, is the island of Tsushima, which belongs to Japan. This closeness is a thorn in the side of South Koreans, which is not surprising given that historically, invading!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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The port Metropolis of Busan
We can tell this country is crazy about technology. Samsung and other brands have transformed!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
As novices in the Martial Arts Monastery
I met Michael when he attended my ninjutsu classes at college. He has a long history of Taekwondo,!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
With the cheap train, kindly sponsored by the South Korean nuclear company, we get to Gyeongju. The depressing atmosphere on the border with North Korea is still heavy on our stomachs.
However, the futuristic train station is far out of town, so we need a taxi. We ask the driver!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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The Border of Enemies and Brothers
Google Maps does not offer a route
Not far from South Korea’s capital is one of the most!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
The old modern Imperial City
After staying the night to then spend the day in Kuala Lumpur, we stayed another night on the!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
We are on our way to South Korea, michael and me. We know each other from our student days in Koblenz and Michi’s interest in East Asia and my thirst for adventure bring us to this goal. The journey is long. There’s a whole world in between. Countries. cultures. We have to change!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐ฌ๐ง Scotland’s Southeast and Our friend Captain Morgan
We have made good progress with our study tour of the!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ฌ๐ง The Speyside Whisky Route
The time has come: I’ve been working on this plan for a long time and waited for the right day. We!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Inverness is just a stone’s throw from an impressive fort nearby. Chris loves forts. After the crushing defeat of Bonnie Prince Charlie at Culloden, English troops built this powerful artillery fort. It is still in almost its original condition and is one of the largest of its kind in!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐ฌ๐ง McBeth in Loch Ness – Where is the Monster?
From our tour of the northern Highlands distilleries we arrive at Scotland’s quintessential cliche!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ฌ๐ง Nothing better than a warming drink At the Cape of Wrath
After a two-hour drive through the lonely valleys of the Northern Highlands, after our hike at the!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
We leave the Cape of Wrath and turn back to the idyllic south. We turn south and this time cover many kilometers at once.
On the way we stop at the “Falls of Shin”, which is said to be famous for its abundance of salmon. We didn’t see a single salmon, but a completely burned down!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐ฌ๐ง Stac Pollaidh – On Top of the Highlands
Stornoway brings us back from the Outer Hebrides to mainland Britain and Ullapool ferry port by ferry.!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ฌ๐ง To the Outer Hebrides on the fringes of civilization
We are drawn even further north. Even further into the rugged solitude of the Outer!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
After visiting the home of Connor Macleod from the Macleod clan we continue to Skye. Before that, we stock up on our most urgent need in a small convenience store: fresh whiskey. A sip on our hikes, before going to bed and of course in betweenโฆ there is not always a pub available here!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐ฌ๐ง The Home of Connor of the Macleod Clan
We continue our journey north from Oban. The weather has now settled and we have to make the best of!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ฌ๐ง The little of Town Oban and its fantastic Whisky
It’s late when we reach Oban after a day of castle ruins and megaliths. At least we can quickly find a!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Released by the spirit of Highlander Rob Roy, we penetrate deeper into the mountains. Every now and then we see a small village and find that this is the ‘town’ marked by name next on the route and with a bit of luck it might just contain a pub. But at least there is a ruined castle. In!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐ฌ๐ง Rob Roy’s non romantic Highlands
The mood in the afternoon is simply fantastic. After Stirling and the haze of Edinburgh,!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ฌ๐ง Mary Stuart and her Coconuts
We continue from the Falkirk Wheel and arrive at our first fort just outside of Edinburgh. Stirling!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
After three nights in Edinburgh and three lovingly packaged gourmet breakfast packages from Travelodge, we leave the city northwards in a rental car. Having lived in New Zealand before, at least I have experience with legal traffic. It’s still nerve wracking.
When crossing the!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐ฌ๐ง Edinburgh, The City of Poets and Sheep Stomachs
Scotland – These are rugged coasts and secluded valleys of intoxicating beauty, a national drink!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ฒ๐ฆ Roses in the snow – The Intransigence of Fate
Unfortunately we are not as lucky with the weather today as we were the days before. Yesterday, in the!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
The whole night we hear the camels bleating and it’s freezing cold. One imagines a night in the Sahara more romantic. At least they gave us a candle so that we can get some light.
In the middle of the night Susanne wakes me up for the sunrise. I struggle out of the nice warm blankets!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐ฒ๐ฆ With the Tuareg across the dunes of the Sahara
At 8 in the morning we meet our driver Mohammad in the lobby of the hotel in the film city of!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ฒ๐ฆ Ouarzazate – The Hollywood City in the Desert
In a side valley of the mountains from which we have just come, you will find the clay fortress!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
We decided to take the bus at 9 a.m. so that we could still have half a day in Oarzazate and have the opportunity to get to know the city. In our hotel in Marrakech we get up early and pack our things. Unfortunately, at half past seven there is no one at the reception, so we go to have!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐ฒ๐ฆ Marrakech – The Berbers’ Royal City of Orange Juice Sellers
We find a cabin with only one other passenger. However, he leaves the compartment after two hours.!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ฒ๐ฆ Fez – The Berbers’ Royal City of Dyers
Once again we can have breakfast at the hotel in Meknes, then we leave early for our train to Fez. The!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
We reach Meknes in the evening around 10:30 p.m. The train from Tangier arrives in the city on time. The streets are quiet and deserted and the train station is out of town, but Meknes is not big. We’re thinking about what to do now. It is important to find a hotel, and as soon as!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐ฒ๐ฆ My gateway to the Arabic World – Storm over Tangier
After less planning and relatively spontaneously, we set off: we start from our ERASMUS semester!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐ฑ๐ฆ Jungle Life on the Mighty Mekong River
I leave Thailand in a small shack with rain dripping through the roof. Ian had already taken care of our visas!-->!-->!-->!-->…
Now I got an interesting foretaste of Asia and got spicy curry in Bangkok, lots of whisky on the night train, terrible life predictions from cheerful monks and wet clothes from the failed bamboo rafting.
The next day, from Chiang Mai, we take the regular bus and tuk-tuks via Chiang!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
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๐น๐ญ Bamboo Rafts & Elephants: The Exciting North of Thailand
It was an exciting stay in Bangkok – my first ever stay in Asia. And the trip on the night train to!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
๐น๐ญ Warm Colors of Chiang Mai: Golden Pagodas and Orange Monks
It was an exciting stay in Bangkok – my first ever stay in Asia. And the trip on the night train to!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…
At the end of our stay in Bangkok we make our way to the train station. Thailand does not have a large rail network, so the train station is not particularly crowded. The beautiful building bears witness to the art of the past century of combining steel and industry with aesthetics.
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๐น๐ญ Curry & Buddha: Bangkok and My first Step in Asia
I am sitting in Chian Khong at this moment as I write these lines. Today we have a very nice!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->!-->…