Tourist in my own backyard: Hiking the Hiwwelweg Neuborn

The Hiwwelweg Neuborn is a hiking trail just outside Wörrstadt, a small town south of Mainz, the regional capital of the state of Rhineland-Palatinate in Germany. It is one of nine “Hiwweltouren” that the Rheinhessen tourist agency established to promote the region1. It also happens to be right in my backyard. The shock and anger…

The 10 realities of island life

I’m currently spending my days in remote Santa Catalina, Panama, known for its exquisite diving and proximity to Coiba National Park. I’m helping out in a dive shop in return for lodging and the occasional dive. Technically I’m not living on an island. But I’m living by the coast, with beach, palm trees and ocean…

How to cross the Costa Rica – Panama border at Sixaola

Crossing the land border between Costa Rica and Panama at Sixaola is neither hard nor complicated as such – as long as you know where you have to go. There are tons of tales of travellers to be found online who either forgot to collect entry stamps and got into trouble with the police after,…

Day 16 – Borderline

From Costa Rica into Panama – Sixaola: A story of four booths. I have to go where now?

Costa Rica – Tour summary

The first country of my trip around the world has been wrapped up. Costa Rica is as green as people are friendly and overall it was a good start. Day 1 – Arrival – San José Usually I wouldn’t count the arrival day as day 1 but the plane landed so early and I was…

Lofoten in January

A sunrise that’s actually a sunset. What is this light? The quietest town.

How to stay digitally safe on the road

These days I cannot imagine traveling without a smartphone or tablet. Everything happens on these small devices: researching the next location, booking flights and hotels, looking up train times, posting pictures to keep my friends’ envy levels high and calling my parents to let them know how I’m doing. That’s not even mentioning the convenience…

Stranded

We disregard a U.N. warning. Blistering heat. Where am I?

Hiking Kungsleden: Abisko to Nikkaluokta

Kungsleden – The King’s Path – is one of Sweden’s most famous long-distance hikes. The roughly 400 km long trail from Abisko in the North to Hemavan in the South can be hiked in whole or in sections, the most popular being the northernmost 105 km long section leading from Abisko to Nikkaluokta, passing by…

Taiwan: Top 5 Secret Sights

When I started planning for my Taiwan trip, I had no idea what one should go and see. What famous landmarks were there, where to visit – other than iconic Taipei 101. And since work had me busy – really busy – until the day of my departure, I didn’t start reading about where to…