Andi 
Travel has a way of surprising us—sometimes with breathtaking sights, other times with unforgettable encounters. My story from May 1996 is one such memory, a moment that stayed with me long after the plane touched down. The Young Polynesian Girl and Her First Flight It all started at Faa’a Airport in Tahiti. The manager of …
Between 1991 and 1994, I traveled to Sri Lanka three times. When you travel solo, it’s almost inevitable that you’ll meet locals. On my second trip, I somehow found myself promoted to the role of prospective son-in-law. Caught in the Rain—and the Family Web One day, as I was taking a walk, I got caught …
Maybe you have to spend a long time away from home to start thinking differently about travel. I used to live for the dream of ticking destinations off my wishlist—the pre-trip research, the daydreams, the “this time next month I’ll be in…” fantasies. Honestly, sometimes the anticipation is its own kind of happiness. Is it …
Weimar has always held a special place in my heart. Just a quick 45-minute train ride from my family’s home, it was one of those rare towns that felt worlds apart from the everyday. Even as a young man, I found myself drawn to its streets—something was enchanting, almost otherworldly, about the city. Back in …
Ever wonder where my love for traveling started? Honestly, it all traces back to my childhood—those early days when the world felt like an endless playground full of mysteries waiting to be explored. It all began with a small, humble collection of postcards that my grandma kept. I was a curious little boy, and these …
When I was younger, the months—or even years—between trips to somewhere warm, exotic, and tropical felt endless. I’d spend days dreaming of the next escape. That wait could feel like an eternity, especially as winter stretched on in Germany and the only palm trees in sight were the ones in travel brochures. But as any …
If you’ve ever set foot in the Philippines, you might’ve felt a little jolt of culture shock—not for the usual reasons, but because this island nation feels so different from its Southeast Asian neighbors. After living here for more than 13 years, I sometimes have to remind myself that the Philippines is technically part of …
There are many kinds of travel, most of them exciting, filled with anticipation and curiosity. But then, there are journeys you never want to make—the ones you dread, yet have to embark on when you’re living thousands of miles away from family. For expats, this is the hardest part: when you get the call that …
When we first decided to add Cambodia to our Southeast Asia trip, I’ll admit—my knowledge barely extended beyond spotting it on a map and knowing a few scattered facts about its tragic recent history. Angkor Wat, that legendary sprawl of ancient temple ruins, was the main draw. Like so many travelers, we came for the …
After weeks on the road, it’s time to look back and ask: Was it worth it? What stuck with me the most? Our Vietnam and Cambodia trip was full of contrasts—ancient temples, bustling cities, tranquil landscapes, and a few unexpected aches and pains. But if I had to pick a place that left the deepest …