Andean Flamingos (Phoenicopterus Andinus), Laguna Colorada, South West Bolivia, South America
We simply fell in love with Bolivia … We planned to stay four weeks and spent almost seven there, which forced us to completely change the route for the rest of the trip! We visited Copacabana & Lake Titicaca; La Paz; Rurrenabaque, Madidi National Park & La Pampa; Death Road & Coroico; Sucre; Potosi; Tupiza; Uyuni & the Southwest Loop to the Salar de Uyuni.
Trekking the “Camino Real” from Barichara to Guane A quiet hamlet gathered around a plaza dominated by a small church
During our Round The World, we traveled to Venezuela, Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, Chile & Uruguay but bypassed Colombia, since we were not sure about safety traveling overland. We deeply regretted it, when we listened to the first enthusiastic reports from travelers arriving from there. So we used the next possible opportunity to make up for that mistake and traveled Colombia intensively for 45 days in July and August 2009. Our main destinations were: Pereira & Salento – Popayan, Tierradentro & San Agustin – Neiva & the Desierto de Tatacoa – Bogota – Villa de Leyva, San Gil, Barichara & Bucaramanga – Medellin – La Guajira – Santa Marta, Taganga & the Parque Nacional Tayrona – Cartagena. Unfortunately we had no time to go to the Pacific Coast and missed out on scuba diving with baby whales. The Amazon we never intended to go to, since we spent quite some time in Bolivia in the Amazon basin. Continue Reading →
Opera House at Night, Ho Chi Minh City
We visited Vietnam twice: in 2003, we spent 4 weeks there, discovering the main highlights of a country that was already popular but not overrun: Ho Chi Minh City, Cu Chi Tunnels, the Mekong Delta, Nha Trang, Hoi An, Hue, Hanoi, Halong Bay and last but not least SaPa.
In 2015, Gilles spent 5 weeks there alone, and tried to visit, along with the main “highlights”, some lesser known parts of the country: Can Tho, Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, Danang, Hue, Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park, Tam Coc, Halong Bay, Hanoi, Sapa & Bac Ha. Continue Reading →
Angkor Wat, Siem Reap
Our two trips to Cambodia could not have been more different from each other: in July 2008, we crossed the border from Laos on foot and checked out mainly Phnom Penh and of course Siem Reap, where we spent one week exploring many Angkor Temples. We finally crossed the Tonlé Sap to Battambang before heading overland to Thailand. In December 2014, we again spent one week in Siem Reap to see the most famous and the more remote temples of Angkor. We then made a 10 day loop through Northwest Cambodia, where we were mostly the only tourists. We headed then to Phnom Penh, and finally Kampot & Kep on the Coast before heading to Vietnam. Continue Reading →
Pha That Luang, Vientiane, Laos
Our two trips to Laos could not have been more different from each other. In June 2008, during our Round The World Trip, we spent one month in this charming country. We crossed the border from China on foot and started in Luang Nam Tha, where we trekked Luang Nam Tha National Park, then headed for popular Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng & Vientiane. Some of the lesser-known places we visited were Phonsavanh & the Plain of Jars, Kong Lo Cave, Pakse & the Bolaven Plateau and last but not least 4.000 Islands.
In November 2014, Gilles accompanied his father on his “Bucket List Trip” during 10 days in Laos, focusing more on well-trodden paths: Vientiane, Vang Vieng, Phonsavanh and finally Luang Prabang.
Approaching Livingstonia, the shores of Lake Malawi
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
Jamkaran Mosque, Qom
We spent two weeks in Iran in April 2014, and covered the cultural heartland of Iran: Shiraz, Isfahan, Na’In, Yazd, Kashan, Qom & last but not least Teheran. Due to the lack of time, we did not travel the north of the country, nor did we go to the deserts – Here you find a selection of 37 pictures from Iran
Ladakh is a high altitude desert, with once in a while small ribbons of green run down a slope, nourished by small stream running – Here Gangla Village, on the way from Leh to Khardung La, Ladakh, India
Ladakh – A mélange of mystic, ancient monasteries, breathtaking landscapes, remote and still partly untouched villages like Bodgang in Baltistan. The main outdoor attraction is trekking, anything from 1 to 23 day (treks), but also rafting on the Zanskar River. Ladakh has also become increasing popular for motor-bikers Continue Reading →
Nakhal Fort, Nakhal, Sultanat of Oman, Arabic Peninsula
Oman is special. Where else on the Arabic Peninsula has some of the “Sinbad the Sailor” feeling survived? Besides this 1001 Nights flair, we were stunned by lush oases, ancient fortresses, sandy beaches, dramatic mountain scenery, rolling desert dunes, picturesque wadis, deep fjords and overly friendly people. All in one country! – Here you find a selection of 36 pictures from Oman Continue Reading →
