7 months on the road. On the Transibirean Railroad from Moscow via Mongolia to Beijing in January, being the first time in Asia. Heading south to escape the cold. Time traveling in Northern Laos, it feels like Stone age. Long rest and long party nights in Thailand. Suddenly in Japan...

In February 2009 I was happy to escape the European winter for a trip to a country that is so much unlike anything else I have seen before - India! Slow travelling with a couple of friends, from Kerala via Karnataka towards Goa. Travelling India is something you'd either love or hate, according to an old travellers saying. For me, it was like flowing in the middle of the river of live, even though I wasn't sure I would enjoy travelling in company rather than traveling on my own beforehand. On the trip, everything developed pretty much automatically in the best possible way - an experience that I haven't had that much before and which still keeps me going the right way if I focus on happiness rather than on worries. We met the right people at the right time in the right places, even though (or especially because) we did not even try to plan to much before. Let's just say, it has changed my life in a nice and chanti way. As for some of the less known places we've visited, I hope they can keep their original and friendly spirit and abstain from building up ugly hotels for mass tourism.

Om nama shiva ya :-)

More than 3 months in Japan. Cycling more than 2000 miles up and down in the Land of the Rising Sun on my own, or with Japanese cyclists that I bumped into. And everyday a warm and welcome feeling in this marvelous country.

One month in Africa, in the Land of Serengeti and Kilimanjaro. One month on tour by sailing boat, bus and jeep. Great sceneries, fascinating wild life and weird contrasts! A night in a safari lodge is about same as the monthly income of a local employee.

Those travelling to Tanzania should know that most hotels and loges are often priced in USD rather that the local currency – Schilling. Beside those places, everything is paid in Schilling Personally, I prefer to deal in the local currency, and I could always pay in Schilling, however it is recommended to ask for an appropriate exchange rate. Bargaining usually helps a lot to lower utopist prices for taxi, bus and hotels. To quote my friends statement: It’s a good deal if both parties start to cry upon the negotiated price.