A few drops of rain and the desert between the bare sandstone ridges of Wadi Rum is full of blossoming flowers, a welcome fodder for camels. An excursion by jeep and by foot to the majestic mountain ridges raging out of the desert sands on the border between Saudi Arabia and Jordan. March 2010.
Just three backpacks. An extraordinarily rewarding, long and hard trek around the Manaslu Himal with crossing of Larkya La as the key of the route. Simply beautiful, the very essence of a Himalayan trek in Nepal. The contrast of joining for the last walking days the overcrowded trail around Annapurnas could not be larger… However, two soothing days in beautiful Bandipur brought us back to the balance. October/November 2009.
Spending a few days around Easter sightseeing and hiking around Lario, better known als Lago di Como. Easter 2009.
An extensive visit for a thorough and lazy study of the ruins of Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Biking was the idea! Added trips to the surrounding sites: Phnom Kulen, Banteay Srei, Banteay Samre, Beng Mealea, Phnom Bakheng and Ta Prohm. February/March 2009.
Based in a farm with a view of San Gimignano, we visited not only the Chianti vineyards by Castellina, Radda, Lamole, Volpaia and Panzano, but also the nearby Toscana sites. San Gimignano, Sant’Anna in Camprena (yes, The English Patient fans, yes!), Pienza, Abbazia di Sant’Antimo, Monte Olivieto, Siena, Florence. October 2008.
Staying in a fancy adult hotel in Cala Mesquida, we made a few road trips and hikes in the surprisingly remote (by contrast to the beaches?) mountains of Mallorca, especially in Serra Tramuntana, but also in some of the coastal hills. June 2008
Following the classical route of the trek around the Jebel Toubkal, finalised with climbing the very top of the mount. In addition a road trip from Marrakech over the Atlas passes to Ait Benhaddou and towards Sahara — and a day and a night in Marrakech. April/May 2008.
Getting rid of the jet lag by hiring a car in Phoenix, Arizona, and driving out via Sedona far north towards Utah. One day in Zion, one night on the way back by the Grand Canyon. December 2007.
A round travel via North Thailand to Laos, started by the train trip to Nong Khai by Vientiane. The highlight was Luang Prabang and its surroundings as well as the two-day boat trip upstream the Mekong River. Closed the loop via Chiang Mai, Sukhotai and Bangkok. September/October 2007.
Learning to cook the Laotian way in Luang Prabang, from the early morning market purchases to the final feast. 1st October 2007.
Yes I admit, it was just an idea of mine… A short trek in the central and then the remote eastern part of Nízke Tatry in Slovakia, unfortunately still affected through large areas of trees broken by a strong hurricane a few years ago. We have managed, but it was partially very disappointing. Closed the loop in Liptovský Ján. June 2007.
Playa de las Américas. The best place for a December visit to Tenerife, but we carried out a number of hikes elsewhere: Guajara, the Cumbres, Paisaje Lunar, Roques de García, and finally climbed the Teide very top. December 2006.