sebbo on tour - around the world

From Amsterdam’s autumn chill to the tropics in less than a day - let the travel commence. A quick stopover in Doha set the tone: a gleaming airport full of indoor trees, luxury cars, and a 20-minute bus ride just to reach our next gate. We lucked out with extra-comfy seats on the midnight flight to Malé, grabbed a few hours of sleep, and arrived fresh to the Maldives. A smooth speedboat transfer - and another nap along the way 😴 - brought us to Dhigurah in the South Ari Atoll. Palms, white sand, and turquoise water as far as the eye could see. We took the obligatory “first day in paradise” photos, had our first local meal, and ended the day watching a dolphin glide past at sunset.  Days quickly fell into rhythm: 6:30 wake-ups, quick breakfasts, and dive boats heading out across the atoll. Manta cleaning stations, coral gardens, the Rhundi wreck -  every site offered something new. Dolphins sometimes joined us on the way back, and afternoons were spent exploring the island...

A weekend of reconnections - starting with my 20-year high school reunion, catching up with old friends and family before flying from Hamburg to Kraków. After a quick reunion with Diana (and a plate of pierogi), we even ran into the first wedding guests of Artur and Kasia. A full day in Kraków meant 22,500 steps through history: a walking tour of Kazimierz, Zapiekanki for lunch, and the old town and Wawel Castle glowing in the sun. The city felt like a blend of Europe’s best - a bit of Ljubljana, Venice, and Vienna all in one. The next morning was a sharp contrast - a visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau. A heavy, sobering experience and an important reminder of what must never be repeated. Onward to Slovakia to meet Robbert and Natalia in the Tatra mountains. Rain reshaped our plans, so we explored Pribylina, strolled around a mountain lake, tried hearty local food, and relaxed at a spa - with some “Iceman training” in the cold pools 🧊. The following day brought clear skies and a beau...

A proper mini grand tour through the Benelux - and, as it turned out, even a bit of France. The trip started with a brief stopover on the way to Maastricht: good coffee, creative street art, and surprisingly green architecture rising from old industrial bones. Then straight into the heart of Maastricht for a guided walking tour full of history and flavour - house marks, the old city wall and Hell’s Gate, a working watermill, and Europe’s most beautiful bookstore set in a former church. Add the best Vlaai in town and a speakeasy cocktail bar, and Maastricht had us hooked from the start. A short drive took us to Valkenburg - small, cute, and definitely on the touristy side. We explored the castle ruins and the velvet caves beneath, strolled through town, and enjoyed a sunny hike along the Geul river - in the rare Dutch “hills” no less.  Next stop: the summit of the Netherlands. At a staggering 322.5 metres, Vaalserberg marks the meeting point of the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germ...

We landed in Nairobi at 6am, bleary-eyed but buzzing with anticipation. After a quick briefing with our tour operator and a much-needed coffee, we were already on the way to the Maasai Mara - the starting point of our safari marathon through Kenya and Tanzania. The first stretch was easy until the tarmac ended and the “African massage” began: hours of bumpy dirt tracks that made naps an extreme sport. The reward? Our first zebras, antelopes, and giraffes - and soon after, a herd of elephants. Just like that, the adventure had begun.  By sunset, we’d already seen four of the Big Five - lions, elephants, rhinos, and buffalo, with only the leopard missing. Hyenas, ostriches, and gazelles filled the gaps, and we learned that “Mara” means “dotted” - referring to the spotted animals and the scattered acacia trees. Lions, we discovered, also enjoy shade from tourist jeeps. After a long day of game drives, we rounded things off with a visit to a Maasai village - interesting, if a bit...