Foto-Poet-CALENDARs english - 2011 till 2020 (part 2)

COSTA RICA 2020

In a large SUW (3 adults and 2 teenagers) we crossed the country with the highest density of national parks in the world in the summer of 2019, which invests its income in the education of its citizens in an exemplary manner.

Plants, animals and people were inspired by the two contagious words "Pura Vida" ... Mystical volcanoes, lonely beaches and pure quiet nature allowed us to become part of this way of life for a short time.

Not only did we get very close to large (e.g. whales) and small animals (e.g. ants), but we were also very grateful to be able to observe them in their habitat in peace and quiet ...  

IRELAND 2019

The Wild Atlantic Way - Ireland's spectacular coastal road - kept its promise by name when, in September 2018, I enjoyed the rugged cliffs and lonely beaches on my daily hikes with a rental car for 2 weeks, as well as the refreshing, stormy, not always dry sea breeze.

Walking in the footsteps of Star Wars didn't make me a Jedi yet, but the power of nature and the lush greenery seemed to touch me in a special way too.

And when in the evening I enjoyed the variety of Guinness and the cheerfulness of Irish music with wonderful travel companions, the heart danced and the soul was happy ...

TIBET 2018

After my plan to stand at the foot of the holy mountain Kailash on my 50th birthday was not possible due to the severe earthquake in Nepal, another opportunity revealed itself to me in spring 2017. In a small group of 4 hiking friends with tents and full supplies, we went on a 3-week trekking tour with a demanding hike there and back.

The postponement of the flight, the non-arrival of my luggage and a never-ending gastrointestinal virus infection right at the beginning of the trip (one evil rarely comes alone ;-)) made it impossible for me to circumnavigate it.

And yet: what remains are dreamlike photos of endless space, combined with silence and peace as well as new spiritual insights; won especially during my time at Kopan Monastery in Kathmandu ...

LANZAROTE 2017

Even if it was "only" a two-week package vacation during the Whitsun holidays 2016 as a small family, we were able to explore the island wonderfully by rental car and did not find one thing: mass tourism.

Seldom have I come so close to the origin of life emotionally and informatively. Lonely walks on volcanic soil right by the see - the sun rays already quite strong -, with wonderful light were ideal for taking beautiful photos.

The influence of the artist and activist César Manrique, which can be felt throughout the island, offered additional highlights for the eye and the camera ...

TIME OUT 2016

After the cancellation of my 7-week planned trip in April 2015 to Tibet and Oman, I invented of necessity a no less horizon-expanding alternative in 3 stages, which began with my 50th birthday in Freiburg:

From there I drove to the south of France for a retreat in the Buddhist-influenced monastery of Plum Village (founded by the Vietnamese monk Thich Nhat Hanh). Soulfully inspired, vegetarian and coffee-free, I digested this spiritual practice on the nature-filled Atlantic coast.    Finally, I wandered aimlessly along the Spanish rocky coast on the less popular Camino del Norte, the green Way of St. James, to Llanes.    Satisfied, relaxed and holistically recovered, I have been walking my spiritual path even more consciously and mindfully ever since ...

SICILIA 2015

Although we had to do without our luggage for the first 5 days, we were able - during the Whitsun holidays 2014 - to explore this versatile Mediterranean island excellently as a small family.

Day trips to historical sites and natural phenomena like the Scala dei Turchi or the legendary Etna were predestined for postcard motifs.

When we saw the volcano erupt while the three of us hiked close to it in the snow, this vacation had given us this holiday had given us a very special one of its many unforgettable moments.

The Sicilian hospitality, culinary joie de vivre and child-friendliness did the rest ...

NEW ZEALAND 2014

Aoteaora - land of the great white cloud - is the name of New Zealand among its indigenous people, the Maoris.    As a backpacker, I was mainly using public transport, when I was there for the first time in 1992 for 6 weeks.    Almost exactly 21 years later I came back with my family and caravan - this time for 7 weeks ;-).    Despite the travel hype since the Lord of the Rings trilogy, the diverse nature here has lost none of its magical appeal.    Only the tree in Cooks Cove, on which we hung for the legendary photo "Hanging around in New Zealand" (see slider on the start page), did not exist anymore.    Instead, this time there were many other fascinating adventures to pass and new unknown places during the 5,000 km to discover ...

EGYPT 2013

In September 2011 the plan was: a week to cruise on the longest river in Africa, the Nile, and a week to swim and snorkel at the Red Sea. Plus a day trip to Cairo, if the political situation would allow it …

Nikola, who has been with us since 2007, and therefore almost 6 years old, certainly didn't know one thing during this vacation: boredom. It was the same for us adults: the unlimited variety and visits to monumental buildings were always impressive. And after learning about history, there was enough space and time for everyone to relax on deck or in the bunk.

And anyone who has ever stood in front of the pyramids or snorkeled next to a lionfish knows this one condition: overwhelming speechlessness ...

CHILE / ARGENTINA 2012

This 42-day trip through Chile and Argentina as a nuclear family was hard to beat in terms of scenic contrasts.      Our ecological footprint, on the other hand, was less exemplary: We overcame the size, especially the length of both countries, including a visit to the Easter Islands, with 6 domestic flights.     In the same period, we covered 7,000 km with four different 4WD rental cars, had 4 full plates, stayed in 21 different accommodations, saw 3,000 stars in the night sky of the Atacama Desert as well as 2 smoking and 17 non-smoking, mostly snow-covered volcanoes, bathed in 2 oceans and, despite getting stuck in a river, couldn't stop being amazed.

In one word: pure adventure - but always (almost) without danger to life ...

ANDALUSIA 2011

Before this family holiday - at the end of the summer holiday 2011 - I had not been so aware of the influence of the Moors, especially architecturally, but also culturally on the Iberian peninsula.

Equipped with a rental vehicle we were not only able to explore the impressive cities of Granada, Cordoba, Seville and Cadiz, but finally also relaxed a little on our hotel beaches of Marbella and Tarife.

We then digested the many impressions we had gathered while bathing with pleasure in the pool area or / and with beach walks and delicious tapas ...

And we could all easily do without a visit to a bullfight, but not without the wonderful hospitality of the Andalusians ...