Andi 
In 1997, during my third trip to the enchanting realm of French Polynesia, I stumbled across a brochure that appeared to be crafted in the 1970s. It advertised Tetiaroa, the exclusive private atoll of the late Marlon Brando, located 50 kilometers north of Tahiti. Until then, I had barely heard of this hidden gem, but …
Have you ever stood at the edge of a nudist beach, towel in hand and nerves firing, asking yourself, “Can I really do this?” If so, you’re not alone—I’ve been there too, and let me tell you, it’s a journey that starts with a ton of discomfort and ends with an incredible sense of freedom. …
In 1992, Phi Phi Island was a gem hidden in the Andaman Sea, a sanctuary of natural beauty and tranquility that seemed almost otherworldly. As a young adventurer, I found myself on this idyllic island, a place that bore little resemblance to the bustling tourist hotspot it would later become. Back then, Phi Phi was …
Lately, my experience with insomnia has taken an unexpected turn. Traditionally, sleepless nights meant wrestling with anxieties and pondering the world’s problems. But now, my insomnia has become a canvas for creativity, a brainstorming session where ideas and memories flood my mind. This new form of insomnia is both intriguing and invigorating. Instead of spiraling …
In March 1992, as a young 22-year-old, I embarked on a journey to Hong Kong—a vibrant city that was, at the time, still a jewel of the British Empire. The Hong Kong of 1992 was a place like no other, a bustling metropolis where East met West in a unique blend of cultures, commerce, and …
In September 1991, I embarked on a journey that would mark my first trip to a far-off destination and symbolize a new chapter in my life. At 22 years old, I was ready to explore the world beyond the confines of my familiar surroundings, a world that had just begun to open up after the …
As a child, my imagination often wandered to distant shores, even while sitting in the confines of a classroom. The moment my eyes landed on a world map hanging on the wall, I was transported to far-off lands, leaving behind the teacher’s voice and the mundane reality of my East German upbringing. Each curve of …
In a world where the news often feels like an endless stream of chaos, it’s easy to become overwhelmed. The headlines scream of conflict and uncertainty, and it seems like old men with too much power are constantly playing dangerous games. In times like these, finding a way to divert our attention is not just …
When we think about long-haul flights today, we often take for granted the myriad entertainment options, cozy seats, and in-flight services that make the journey more bearable. But rewind the clock 30 years, and flying was a vastly different experience. Let’s explore how air travel has evolved, mainly focusing on how passengers coped with boredom …
Sri Lanka in September 1991. The country is marked by civil war in the north of the island, at the southern tip near India. The nation is struggling with Tamil separatists who want to declare the north of the island independent. In the area where I stayed, you notice nothing except a few military roadblocks …