Grand Escapades
Travel Photography & Travel Experiences of Africa, South America, the Middle-East & Asia
Road between the Siemien Mountains & Aksum (November 2015), Ethiopia
I first went to Ethiopia in December 2010 (2 weeks in the Lower Omo Valley & the Danakil Depression), followed by another trip over Easter 2011 (12 days on the Northern Historical Route), at the time when tourism was still in a very early phase, but already showing signs of a quick take off. Continue Reading →
Woman smoking at the 5-Day Market on Inle Lake, Myanmar – The five villages on the shore of Lake Inle take turns, so there is actually a market each day of the week.
No matter where I travel, I immensely enjoy visiting markets. Many of them, especially in Africa & in Asia, but also in the Middle East & in South America, are an assault on your senses: colorful and at times disorientating, aromatic or even intoxicating, vibrant and eventually hectic places… But this is where “the real life” can be found, so different from touristic highlights (though some markets have turned extremely popular in the last years, also amongst tour groups…) Continue Reading →
The Kanaga Masks, the highest in hierarchy of Masks, preparing for the Dance – Dance of the Masks, Dogon Country, Mali, Africa
We spent 17 days in Mali during Christmas 2005 & New Year 2006. Although we had only a bit more than two weeks to visit this huge country, we managed to see most of Mali’s major attractions!
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Fish Eagle Lodge in Nkhotakota, on the shores of Lake Malawi – Paradise found!
In August 2014 we traveled Malawi, named after the Maravi, an old name of the Nyanja people that inhabit the area. We crossed the border coming from the south, from Tete in Mozambique. These are the places we visited: Blantyre, Liwonde Natonal Park, Chongoni Rock Painting Area, Lilongwe, Nkhotakota, Nkhata Bay, Livingstonia and last but not least South Viphya Forest Reserve. Continue Reading →
Malawean Kwachas – Approx. 280 €
This travel in Malawi was a classical two-week trip with pleasant mid-range type of accommodation. On top, we rented a car. Three nights we even stayed in very nice, but pricey lodges. Continue Reading →
In August 2014, we spent 2 weeks (self-)driving through Malawi and covered some of the highlights this country has to offer: crossing from Mozambique, we started in Blantyre, then headed towards Liwonde National Park for a Canoe Safari & a Jeep Safari, Chongoni Rock Art Area & Lilongwe. From there, we focused on Lake Malawi: laid-down Nkhotakota, the backpacker heaven of Nkhata Bay, and finally scenic Livingstonia in the far north, testing our Offroad driving skills. A pleasant stop we made on the way back to Lilongwe in South Viphya Forest Reserve – Here you find a selection of 30 pictures of Malawi Continue Reading →
Whale Shark (Rhincodon Typus), Praia de Tofo, Tofo, Mozambique
In August 2014, we spent 1 week in Mozambique before heading towards Malawi – The main target was Snorkeling with Whale Shark (Rhincodon Typus), at Praia de Tofo, enjoying Tofo, and discovering the capital city, Maputo – Here you find a selection of 16 pictures of Mozambique
Tobacco Auction in Lilongwe
Our true highlight in Lilongwe was a visit to the Tobacco Auction, about 15 kilometers outside of the city center on the road to the airport. No sign points to this place, so we had to ask for directions three times and ended up giving a ride to a street vendor to show us the way. Continue Reading →
Street sellers in Lilongwe
Lilongwe is not pedestrian friendly, at least not from a European perspective. Except the very compact center, called Area 1, the city spreads into vastness. In the center, traffic crawls at snail speed, which made us realize how much wealthier people must be in the city. Private cars in rural areas are indeed basically unknown. Residences of the middle class are usually large properties, with a large garden surrounded by walls. Continue Reading →
Luwawa Forest Lodge, on the way from Livingstonia to Lilongwe
The trip to and back from Livingstonia itself was worth the long hours in the car. Heading north from Nkhata Bay we passed the village of Kandewe with its spectacular suspension bridge made of bamboo and reed (two wire ropes were added lately). Climbing across the wobbly bridge with the river well below was quite an experience and we truly enjoyed the small museum dedicated to the local Phuka culture. Continue Reading →