The meaning of "sophistication" has its ancient roots in Greek: sophia = wisdom. In the days of classical beauty, wisdom was inherently linked to aesthetics, defined by rational order and harmonious proportions. This was in stark contrast to later medieval gothics (brought by Barbarians) or modern shard deconstructivism (by another tribe from the East), which has found its extreme … Continue reading Who is a sophisticated traveler?
On the occasion of the 7th ETIC - Extreme Traveler International Congress, an exclusive group of 25 of the world's most extreme travelers flew in, all the way from Japan, Thailand, Russia, the USA and Europe ... ... to meet at The Pier Hotel in Harwich - and to travel onward to one of the … Continue reading ETIC – Principality of Sealand
Welcome ... to the other side ! (Foto taken in Bhutan, the gross happiness dictatorship) - "The average man, who does not know what to do with his life, wants another one which will last forever." Anatole France - Prepare for some really special places ... (Here: Bosaso, the pirate headquarter in Puntland, Somalia, 2017) … Continue reading Welcome to the Danger Zone
We want you to come to Syria - in peace ! Because of the Western sanctions, there are currently only 3 international flights to Damascus (from Baghdad, Moscow and Tehran), so most foreign visitors, journalists or NGO staff enter Syria overland from the Lebanese border, pictured here. After a night drive of 2.5 hours, directly … Continue reading Aleppo (Syria): perfidious ISIS-Battlefield, secret NATO-Bunker, destroyed Grand Bazaar + famous Baron Hotel
I met with Juliane Koepcke (64) at the Bayerische Zoologische Staatssammlung in Munich. Definitely the most amazing life story I ever heard of! Juliane Koepcke, is a German mammalogist. As a teenager in 1971, Koepcke was the lone survivor of the LANSA Flight 508 plane crash, and then survived 11 days alone in the Amazon … Continue reading Meeting: Juliane Koepcke, Sole Survivor LANSA 508 Jungle Crash
... with a shot of Cuba Libre ! A huge painting in the lobby of the Asmara Palace Hotel demonstrates modern Eritreans' long fight for freedom - from Ethiopia - and their affinity with communist Cuba. The EPLF fighters famously wore sandals which even received a 5 meter high monument at Shida (Sandal) Square. Now … Continue reading Frozen Italian Eye Candy in Eritrea
There is a giant Ishtar Gate at the entrance to the Babylon Hotel in Baghdad. The original was built by King Nebukhadnezzar around 575 BC in ancient Babylon. The remains of the original are today at the Pergamon Museum Berlin. Other names for Ishtar are Astarte or Aphrodite or Isis (!). The Babylon Hotel is … Continue reading At the Babylon Hotel in Baghdad
Visit to Mleeta in Lebanon Arrival scene at Beirut Airport The (pre-) Roman temple of Baalbek is Lebanon's most famous attraction Few visitors know about Mleeta - the Hezbollah's stronghold sitting high on a mountaintop in Lebanon's South in defence against Israeli attacks. The mountain dug out was not detected by Israel until after the … Continue reading Mleeta – the Hezbollah Stronghold in Lebanon
Our travel team of 4 German friends was invited to meet Alexander Saldostanov ("Chirurg") and his Night Wolves ... at their famous Bike Show near Sevastopol on Mount Gasforta. Nochni Volki = Night Wolves. - This video shows what we had to expect (in German). This is what the UK Foreign Office travel warning … Continue reading Krim: Night Wolves Bike Show + Donbass: Separatist Café
PG 18: Don't try this at home. You'll miss your flight. - A bit of romantic music? - Oh man The mysterious Mr. Masel Tov called and made the Gentleman Adventurer a generous offer he couldn't resist: a trip to the world's most dangerous country Somalia in private-jet comfort and with professional protection. From Oman … Continue reading The ultimate “Gentleman Adventurer” trip: to all 3 Somalias
