Journeys and destinations...

Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine going on a safari in Africa. My husband had always wanted to, but I found the idea terrifying. The thought of being in an open jeep with wild animals roaming freely was overwhelming. In India, I’m hesitant to even walk past stray dogs — so being around lions, elephants, and other wild animals felt out of the question. But when my cousin and her husband graciously invited us to join their family trip to Kenya, we paused and reconsidered. I agreed mainly for my husband’s sake, thinking it would be the perfect chance for him to experience the safari with fellow enthusiasts while I just tagged along. To my surprise, the reality turned out to be completely different. I found the experience exhilarating, peaceful, and deeply enriching. Along the way, I also learned so much about Kenya and its culture. This trip was full of firsts for me — my first visit to Africa, first safari, first time south of the equator, first hot air balloon ride, first time...

In the summer of 2024, we traveled 375 kilometers west from Germany to reach a charming city called Bray-Dunes in the northwest of France. This region, part of French Flanders, is steeped in history and characterized by its distinctive culture, shaped by its proximity to Belgium and the North Sea. Here are the top highlights of the area: Bray-Dunes This was our base for the short stay. The name "Bray-Dunes" originates from the extensive sand dunes that surround the beach. The beach became bustling when the sun was out but was far quieter on cloudy days. Although the evenings were chilly, we enjoyed sitting on the beach after dinner, watching the seagulls and witnessing sunsets that, for us, were among the most stunning of 2024. Zuydcoote We made a stop here to explore the war ruins, which I had previously marked on Google Maps. The area features remnants of bunkers and a couple of shipwrecks scattered along the beach. The history embedded in these ruins was both fascinating a...

In the autumn of 2023, after exploring Toronto , reconnecting with family and friends, and marveling at the iconic Niagara Falls , we flew to Calgary. The flight from Toronto took about 4.5 hours. Upon arrival, we rented a car from Calgary Airport and began our scenic drive to Lake Louise, which is around two hours away. We were filled with excitement as we anticipated experiencing Canada’s famous national parks. We chose to stay at the Lake Louise Inn, a charming hotel located in the picturesque village of Lake Louise. This spot is perfectly situated as a hub for exploring nearby national parks such as Banff, Yoho, Glacier, and Kootenay. Entry to these parks requires a park pass, which we had purchased in advance and displayed on the car dashboard—a necessity for passing checkpoints. The Drive from Calgary to Lake Louise Leaving Calgary, the expansive prairies slowly transitioned into the towering Rocky Mountains. Along the way, charming mountain towns like Canmore and Banff made for ...