Khon Kaen has everything I like in my city: an attractive body of water alongside which one can stroll or cycle or run, huge forests and mountains close enough to ease the mind of the nature addict during a day trip or a weekend adventure, even a rock-climbing community! On top of that the popular university makes for cozy coffee shops and a vibrant music and art scene. It’s like Mainz in the tropics! Khon Kaen is one of four major cities in the North-East of Thailand. But unlike Udon Thani and Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat), which count for two more of the “big four of Isan” there is rather…

Honestly, this National Park is nothing short of a zoo! A drive-by zoo, where all the inmates are having permission to roam freely in an area of 2,168 km². How many times have I dried the tears of guests coming on my tours in Asia, when there was no wildlife to be seen on days and days of hiking through the jungle? Growing a little bit weary of the latent disappointment I one day purposefully designed a trip with an overnight stay in a hide somewhere in Malaysia. Together with a 77-year old recreational hunter we were sitting on watch all night in front of a beautiful clearing…

Did you know that scorpions perform some kind of dance when they mate? Well, to be precise, the male arthropod places his sperm somewhere safe on the ground and then guides the female over it by grasping her at her claws and then tugging her in the desired direction. Since they don’t go in a straight line during this process, it’s called a dance. I’m happy to learn about this and many other details from the life of a scorpion while our guide Lek places a non-dancing but nonetheless very living blackish green specimen on my hand. I finally made it to Khao Yai National Park and we…

I’m deeply mesmerized by the refinement and warmth of Bali. I have a thing for the rough and raw of Cambodia. And I’m in breathless awe for the humble and sincere practice of the Burmese. But with Thailand and me it is something else. It’s a vibrational thing. It’s my heart expanding the moment the wheels of the airplane touch ground. It’s this upwelling of tears when I cross any land border coming from Laos or Cambodia (no kidding!). It’s crazy. It’s irrational. And it’s unconditional. I smile when they smile their famous smile, but from deep deep within. I do the “khaaa” thing with such a profound…

Banglampoo. Just the blink of an eye and the curtain opens again for the usual play in Thanon Khao San and Soi Rambuttri. What a stark contrast to the all-pervading and all-silencing funeral two weeks ago! The flood of foreigners is back with their GoPros, selfie sticks, short shorts, “Inner Tubing Vang Vieng”-shirts and slight disorientation in their eyes. Where did they crash during the week of the royal festivities, one wonders. And the skinny beer girls are back. And the insect snack dealers (photo 10 baht!). And the frog ladies with the pretentious hill tribe hats. And the “Thai massaaaaaage”. Of course. And the “ping pong” (add…

My heart is deeply touched after these few days in Bangkok joining the events around the cremation of Rama IX. Apart from the incredible splendour of the processions and ceremonies what really moves me is the kindness and care of the Thai people, their dedication and patience throughout this very special season in their history. It reveals the core values of a country, deeply driven by the Buddhist motivation to share, to give, to offer and to serve. Jai dii mak mak. ❤ Everyone, really everyone helps and supports – starting with month-long preparations of sandalwood flowers for the last offering to being available for any kind of…

Best of photos of my best of Southern Thailand tour: Bangkok – Surat -(Khanom) – Khao Sok National Park – Bor Thor – Krabi – Railay – Koh Mook. And on to Malaysia to finish it all off in the rooftop bar of a nice KL skyscraper.