Get to know the world - and yourself along the way!
As I traveled through Cambodia, Laos and Thailand, I was occasionally surprised at how young many of the monks I encountered were. At the time, I imagined that a life of abstinence, discipline and devotion had been chosen for these youths at an early age, …
In the southernmost city of the world, wind and weather transform even the ugliest barracks into something worth admiring. When I returned to civilization with my Israeli companion, Omer, this tiny house was the first sign of human presence after four days of wandering through …
There is something magical about the twilight atmosphere in the Plaza de Armas in Cusco. This is helped by the warm yellow light given off by the plaza lamps, which reflects from the blank slabs producing long shadows from the people strolling by. This yellow …
Just before the Chinese New Year, a large part of China’s population throughout the entire country is usually on the way to their hometowns so they can spend the two most important weeks of the year with their families. At that time, when I was …
Apparently northern Europe was introduced to its love for coffee when the Ottomans laid siege to Vienna in the 17th century. Today, the Western world seems to be returning the favor by bringing its owne coffee culture to Turkey. Much of the Turkish middle class …
I came to appreciate the front gardens of many Southeast Asian homes during my travels, simply because they are so rich in lovingly designed details. Whether decorated with special plantings, handwritten signs, Buddha figurines, spirit houses, or various offerings, regardless of the wealth of the …
The Petronas Towers of Kuala Lumpur were built when there were few skyscrapers over 400m high. I still remember my excitement in the late nineties when these slender 452m tall steel buildings were finally completed, with the impressive bridge connecting the towers 172m up. Sixteen …
The further north you drive up the Brazilian coast, the more uninhabited and wild it becomes. After meeting my friend Mirko from Berlin in Fortaleza, we traveled to the remote beach town of Jericoacoara, which lies in the center of an extensive dune area and …