Grand Escapades
Travel Photography & Travel Experiences of Africa, South America, the Middle-East & Asia
Bet Giyorgis Rock-Hewn Church, Lalibela
Discovering Ethiopia’s great history – Over Easter 2011, we followed what has become known as the “Northern Historical Circuit”. This term subsumes unparalleled highlights: Bahir Dar and the Monasteries of Lake Tana, the Royal Palaces of Gonder, the Stelae in Axum & the Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela – Here you find a selection of 26 pictures from Ethiopia Continue Reading →
Crater of the most active volcano in Africa with a permanent lava lake, Erta Ale, Danakil Depression, Ethiopia
An expedition of 6 days through the hottest spot on this planet – The lava lake of Erta Ale, one of the most active volcanoes on this planet; Dallol, a landscape of multi-colored hot springs and bizarre formations reminding of a coral reef; Endless caravans soundlessly leaving the village of Hamed Ale at the crack of dawn and trotting back late afternoon loaded with salt; The salt mine near Lake Asal and the very harsh working conditions of the Afars and Tigrians; Lake Asal’s vast salt plain with its surrounding rock formation – Here you find a selection of 26 pictures from Ethiopia (Danakil Depression) Continue Reading →
Bull-Jumping Ceremony, Hamer People, near Turmi, Lower Omo Valley
There are not many places like the Lower Omo Valley in Southern Ethiopia on this planet! Where do you find so many different cultures and ethnic groups in a relatively small area who still cling to their traditional way of life? This is absolutely unique, even the “Birr for Photo” business – Here you find a selection of 25 pictures from Ethiopia (Lower Omo Valley) Continue Reading →
Rozhen Monastery, Melnik, wine growing area, south of Bulgaria, Europe
In August 2010, we spent 17 days in Bulgaria. Our main destinations were: Melnik & Rozhen, Rila Monastery, Plovdiv & Bachkovo Monestary, Veliko Tarnovo, Kazanlak & Tryavna, Belogradchik & Vidin, and last but not least Sofia. Continue Reading →
Central American Squirrel Monkey (Saimiri oerstedii), also called Mono Titi, Punta Burica, Golfo de Chiriqui, Panama
I only stayed one week in Panama, and spent most of that time in the remote “Mono Feliz”, a safe heaven for endangered monkeys near the border to Costa Rica. I also had the opportunity to have a glimpse at Panama City and the Panama Canal. Continue Reading →
The Blue Mosque, Istanbul, Turkey
Istanbul definitely deserves more time than just an extended weekend. Of course, the Blue Mosque (Sultanamet Camii), the Aya Sofya (Church of Divine Wisdom), the Topkapi Palace and the Grand Bazaar are high on anybody’s list. These impressive sights could easily be visited in a few days, but there is much more to explore. Continue Reading →
Grand Palace, that had just been restorated, Bangkok, Thailand
We spent the last week of our Round The World Trip in Bangkok, which we both enjoyed and disliked… Continue Reading →
Old Colonial City of Colonia, Uruguay
We spent only a few days in Uruguay, coming for a long week-end from Buenos Aires, Argentina. We truly enjoyed the small Colonial city of Colonia, and where taken by surprise by Montevideo, who left us with mixed feelings… Continue Reading →
Sunset over Los Cuernos del Paine, Torres del Paine National Parc, Chile
We only covered the southern half of Chile: we started in Puerto Varas, then took the Navimag Cruise from Puerto Montt to Puerto Natales, where we went Trekking the “W” in the Parque Nacional Torres del Paine, and finally headed to Punta Arenas before moving to Ushuaia and Argentina on the Tierra del Fuego. Continue Reading →
One of the most famous views in the world – Machu Picchu, with Wayna Picchu in the background, Cusco, Peru
We spent one month in Peru in September & October 2007 and discovered the famous highlights of the south of this country: Nazca (Nazca Lines & Cauchilla Cemetery), Arequipa, the Colca Canyon & Cruz del Condor, Cuzco, the Sacred Valley (Pisac, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo, Saqsaywaman) & of course Machu Picchu, Puno & Lake Titicaca (Sillustani, Uros Floating Islands, & the Javari Project). Continue Reading →