Escape From East Germany: A 1989 Journey For Freedom

a border sign on a pole at the former border between west and east germany where many escapes were stopped

When Travel Means More Than Adventure Most people travel for fun, for the thrill of discovering new places, or to reunite with old friends. But when I boarded a train to Poland in late summer of 1989, I wasn’t just another tourist. I was 20 years old, full of restless energy and hope, and I …

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9/11 – A South Pacific Perspective On That Fateful Day

showing the beauty of Motu Rimatuu with its priscine white beaches

There aren’t many dates that everyone remembers exactly where they were or what they were doing. But September 11, 2001? That’s one of those days. This year marks the 24th anniversary of that tragic event, and like everyone else, I have my own memories. No stress, no worries. Well, actually… On 9/11, I was as …

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Bad Vibes at Australia’s Uluru: Day 46 on the Road

a red dirt field with a large rock in the distance with Uluru in the background

From the Archives: Australia 2002 The story below is an excerpt from my handwritten daily diaries, which I scribbled during my first adventure across Australia from October to December 2002. Group tours, outback sunsets, and plenty of drama—some things never change! New Faces, Old Drama It’s day 46 of my Sydney-to-Sydney adventure, and our little …

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A Foreign Son-in-Law Must Be Found – How I Almost Became Someone’s Ticket Out of the Dowry Game in Sri Lanka

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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 …

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Is Travel still worth it? When travel Dreams meet Reality.

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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 …

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Weimar: A Place Where Genius, Beauty, and Shadows Collide

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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 …

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