My 2024 Adventure

„The World is a book, the one who never travels only sees one page of it!” - Aurelius Augustinos
After a long time of waiting, it’s finally there :) I will be traveling 4 months in 2024 and it is going to be a blast!
🇯🇵🌸🎎🍜🇦🇺🤿🏄🏼‍♀️🦘🇳🇿 🥾 🚐🍁🧘🏼‍♀️… Read more

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Trip start
March 29, 2024
My 2024 Adventure Traveler
69 days to go - planning my adventure
January 20, 2024 in Germany ⋅ ⛅ -2 °C
Let‘s Go! Well, not yet, but planning is at least as much fun as looking forward to this trip! I’m so excited so much to do but some things I can already check:
- Destinations decided ✅
- Visa where needed ✅
- Flights scheduled and booked ✅
Giving me now time to dive into each countries specialties :) blogs, travel books, documentaries, experience reports from
Friends and colleagues…Read more
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My 2024 Adventure Traveler
Saber Vivir en Barcelona
February 23, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C
Time seems to run - only 30 days to go till my adventure starts.
Yet, I am not spending my time planning and preparing at home but went in a business trip to wonderful Barcelona. Meetings, Mobile World Congress and dinner invites kept me busy until 29th February and now it’s time to relax.
Today: a beautiful sunny day in Barcelona, I spent strolling through this amazing city, slept in the beach und had great Spanish food - äh, not Spanish food ;) and Great Ramen!
So looking forward to trying the real thing in Japan very soon!Read more
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My 2024 Adventure Traveler
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Snow-Fun in Sölden
Mar 9–15, 2024 in Austria ⋅ ☁️ -4 °C
What would life be without some get away now and then… I know, I’ll have a lot of time for get-away very very soon. Still, the annual skiing trip couldn’t be skipped. And what should I say: it was a blast!
Sauna at Aqua dome (definitely not the nicest place I’ve ever been but quite relaxing after all)
Delicious summit dinner at Austria’s highest gourmet restaurant IceQ - amazing
Käsespätzle, Kaspressknödelsuppe, Spinatknödel, Germknödel, Apfelstrudel, Kaiserschmarrn… Hütten-Food all the time!
And quite some km’s on the slopes ♥️ loving it! And the best crowd to have a great time :)Read more
top Wetter - genieß es! [Heike]
3/15/24ReplyTranslate
Traveler♥️ leider schon vorbei
3/15/24ReplyTranslate
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My 2024 Adventure Traveler
From Chaos to Time off
Mar 29–Apr 1, 2024 in Germany ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C
What a week, it seemed like an unsolvable challenge to pack for a trip like this! So what do you pack when you travel for four months, to four countries, in four seasons? Not an easy task and I sure have forgotten stuff but I think it’s not going to be a big issue!
So to start my sabbatical the right way before it really starts, and I head off for far away destinations, I’ll be visiting Hamburg, the Harry Potter Theatre, the Hamburg dome and all the other great places there to celebrate with the girls into this exciting phase that’s now ahead.
I’ll keep you postedRead more
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My 2024 Adventure Traveler
My first day Tokyo Baby
Apr 3–6, 2024 in Japan ⋅ 🌧 14 °C
Tokyo, finally - after a rough first night, we headed off to discover this beautiful city. Starting at the amazing shibuja crossing with the seemingly efficient pedestrian and traffic flow (by the way it doesn’t look half as impressive as on the instagram posts), walked through the little park close by to get a good glimpse of Neiji Shrine, had amazing food, admired the 3D cat board and so much more … wow it’s just an amazing cityRead more
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My 2024 Adventure Traveler
Los Geht’s ✈️
April 4, 2024 in Germany ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C
Finally the day is there - but it still doesn’t feel like I am leaving my Bonn home for four months now :)
I feel like a donkey with all the luggage - and before I leave for the real Japanese cherry blossom 🌸 I get to see some of Bonn’s cherry blossom season 😍🌸
And this cutie is joining me …
Off it goes to Frankfurt. - obviously, as normal in Germany, it starts with a delayed train 😂
And call me a Lucky Cookie: all flight is full but the place next to me is free on my long-haul flight to Seoul! With self-mixed bibimbap on the plane.
And After a two Hour layover on this obviously Asian Airport with its autonomous vehicles and traditional parades, off for the last leg of my trip to Japan ♥️
And finally there ♥️Read more
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My 2024 Adventure Traveler
Tokyo day 2
April 5, 2024 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C
Tokyo is just so exciting to just tell the story in 1 blogpost.
So, on my second day here, Lena and headed for the Tsukiji fish market and
- after stumbling into a traditional Japanese wedding by accident at Tsukiji Honganji (unfortunately no photos allowed - had a little “Sashimi, egg, Kobe and Wagyu beef breakfast and did some souvenir shopping.
Then off to the tea ceremony - we learnt a lot about japanese Sencha, Matcha and Gyokuro. Yam! Temple ceremony, Tokyo Tower and another Round at Shibuya crossing before Sushi Dinner :)Read more
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My 2024 Adventure Traveler
Nett hier…
April 6, 2024 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C
… aber waren Sie schon mal in Baden Württemberg?
They are everywhere. When in Iceland, we found them at every place and I’ll keep the lookout while I’m traveling. Wo this is the Japan section which will grow while I’m traveling ;)Read more
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My 2024 Adventure Traveler
Off to Kyoto - Day 1
April 6, 2024 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C
Today it’s my first ride in the Shinkansen - I’m taking the Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen that brings me to Kyoto, which would be a 6+ hours drive - in just 2:12hrs - right on time! And apparently I’ve booked a seat with Fuji view. Unfortunately it was hidden behind clouds. Maybe I get a chance in the way back.
And I started off sight seeing right away. A little temple for money washing, Nijo castle with its amazing golden wall posters, cherry blossoms 🌸 everywhere - it’s at full blossom here in Kyoto.
Gion - without seeing a geisha by millions of tourists - for some food, and cherry blossom weeping festival in Maruyama Koe
There is so much to see here, I really don’t know where to start. And time’s running 🙈Read more
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My 2024 Adventure Traveler
Go with the flow - Day 2 in Kyoto 🌸
April 7, 2024 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C
After my first night in a capsule hotel - which was surprisingly pleasant :) - I now head off for my second day in Kyoto. And there’s a lot in my list…
Starting off with wandering through the huge compound of wonderful Murasakino Daitokujicho, then visiting the Imamya Shrine and queuing for real Japanese grilled rice cakes at that cute little restaurants for breakfast - I just had to try them!
Next: Takeisao (Kenkun) shrine - also beautifully peaceful with just a handful of locals
And then off the the more lively, touristy Kinkaku-ji Temple & Ryoan-ji Temple with their gardens and cherry blossoms 🌸
Followed by Arashiyama bamboo forest.
And finally diner at a hip fast food place.Read more
TravelerSounds like a great adventure, now I also want to do a travel and time off like this :) do you have pictures of the capsule hotel? Habe fun and a great adventure travel time
4/7/24Reply
TravelerWill take some today ;) haha maybe you get some more weeks and just come join me in Australia or New Zealand 😘😘😘
4/8/24Reply
TravelerIch würde dich so gerne besuchen 😻aber leider sind keine Urlaubstage mehr frei 😘
4/12/24ReplyTranslate
TravelerSchade schade aber vielleicht klappt es ja bald noch mit gemeinsamem Urlaub ;) hab noch mehr als 4 Wochen übrig nach meiner Reise 😅
4/12/24ReplyTranslate
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My 2024 Adventure Traveler
♥️🦌Nara 🦌♥️
April 8, 2024 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C
6:00 the alarm goes off and for a second I hated my life 😂 but then I remembered that it was going to be Nara today - bowing deer 🦌😅, massive temples, shrines…
So off we went!
Starting off with a lot of very polite deer 😅, towards Tōdai-ji Temple, one of the biggest wooden buildings in the world and Daibutsu, the biggest bronze Buddha in the world, on to Kagusa Shrine. And Naragashi for a delicious unagi lunch plus matcha tea 🍵 ceremony afterwards ♥️
And Time Flies, could have spent another day!Read more
TravelerBambi 🦌 🥹
4/26/24Reply
Traveler😍
4/26/24Reply
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My 2024 Adventure Traveler
About the capsule hotel…
April 8, 2024 in Japan ⋅ 🌧 17 °C
… not just bunk beds…
Just for you to get an idea of how to stay in Kyoto ;)
2 square meters of bed to sleep in, free amenities, free drinks in the evening, lockers in one floor, bathrooms on another floor (with a great onsen - thermal pools but cannot take photos of these) and capsules on the third floor :)
But it is actually cozier and quieter than one might think ;)Read more
TravelerSieht eigentlich sehr gemütlich aus :)
4/12/24ReplyTranslate
TravelerHab da. auch richtig gut geschlafen ;)
4/12/24ReplyTranslate
TravelerPlatzangst 😱
4/26/24ReplyTranslate
TravelerAber Privatsphäre ;) und man kann aufrecht sitzen ;)) besser als normale Stockbetten ;)
4/26/24ReplyTranslate
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My 2024 Adventure Traveler
Kyoto again
April 9, 2024 in Japan ⋅ 🌬 13 °C
Starting my last day in Kyoto with beautiful Fushimi Inari. Set, it’s as crowded as it can get. But with an unplanned hike up the mountain behind, I get some space :) and a little dragon fortune.
Then wonderfully quiet Tofuku-Ji, and lunch at lively Nishiki Market.
Wonderful Sakura at Keage rail tracks and … off to the rabbit temple ♥️
Closing the day with philosophers path, a beautiful and not too crowded (at least when I was there) walk along a little creek with heaps of cherry trees and cute little shops. - and a delicious dinner at Ashioto - just around the corner of the hotel, and a high recommendation! YuuumRead more
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My 2024 Adventure Traveler
Ending Kyoto and …
April 10, 2024 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C
… with a visit to big Buddhist Temple Bulkō-ji and Byōdō-Temple for health.
And then it’s just a 45 min. Train ride with the Hankyu Kyoto limited express to Osaka - a really beautiful vintage looking train ♥️
Only 45 minutes per train from amazingly traditional kyoto Kyoto to bustling Osaka ,which seems to be a totally different world!Read more
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My 2024 Adventure Traveler
Off to Osaka
April 10, 2024 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C
Whilst Kyoto is really traditional, Osaka is a bustling, loud, colorful city.
Starting with some culture and tradition at Osaka Castle! Impressive from the outside, rather dull museum from the inside 🙈
And then off to a little piglet therapy ♥️♥️🐷 at mipig cafe ♥️.
Off to the market afterwards and a stroll through crowded Namba district.Read more
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My 2024 Adventure Traveler
Osaka … starting early
April 11, 2024 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C
Today I got up really early to soo wonderful Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine without too many tourists. And my efforts were rewarded. Just a few locals and not other tourists at all 😍 and wonderful Sumiyoshi park with its cherry blossoms, Japanese style garden and huge koi carps in the pond.
Going in to Shitennoji Buddhist temple with a local overground train - what an experience. And the conductor looked just like a Japanese version of “Lukas der Lokomotivführer”.
Then off to crazy colorful and bustling Shinsekai new world for a stroll and up Tsutenkaku observation deck.Read more
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My 2024 Adventure Traveler
🌸Sakura impressions 🌸
April 11, 2024 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C
One big reason why I included Japan in my travels is, that it was Sakura season (cherry blossom) -t the time I started my trip!
And it’s really beautiful to see all those trees blossoming, though, I could do with a little more tourists :)
But the Sakura 🌸 are a magnet for locals and internationals alike.Read more
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My 2024 Adventure Traveler
Hiroshima - great city, great history
April 12, 2024 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C
Starting with the Shinkansen from Osaka to Hiroshima in just 1:25h, a 330km journey which would usually take 4:30hrs.
Arrived and off to beautiful Shukeien garden with blossoming cherries and other trees.
Then the Hiroshima Castle. Just one tower was rebuilt of the once big compound.
…Read more
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My 2024 Adventure Traveler
… Atomic Bomb Memorial
April 12, 2024 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C
After a little Indian lunch, I head to the atomic bomb dome, a former commerce building skeleton after the 1945 atomic bombing. Very impressive. And proceeding to the peace memorial park, with peace memorial monuments, memorial hall, and memorial museum - for some tragic historical backgrounds.
There is life all over the city where the atomic bomb little brother destroyed every glimpse of life on Aug. 6th 1945.Read more
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My 2024 Adventure Traveler
Cat therapy - desperate for furry cutie
April 12, 2024 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C
After this really emotional and saddening side of the day, I long for something relaxing. Cat therapy is the means of choice 🐈 ♥️
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My 2024 Adventure Traveler
Day trip to Miyajima
April 13, 2024 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C
Today I headed off early to Miyajima to skip the masses. First train then little ferry and here I am, with just a handful of other early tourists… or maybe ten hands ;) the island also has some 🦌♥️
And first directly to Itsukushima Shrine to get a good view. Then strolling through the island towards Daishoin Buddhist temple and Henjo Cave.
A little stroll across this part of the city, a lunch off the tourist paths and then an hour of doing nothing at the sea before heading back to Hiroshima.Read more
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My 2024 Adventure Traveler
Leaving Hiroshima
April 14, 2024 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C
What a wonderful city! I am not really sure about what it is, but I really fell to like Hiroshima. The people, the peace park, Miyajima and so on. A great place.
Yet I still have to leave. But before I enter the Shikansen back to Tokyo, I do a short walk off the beaten tourist tracks to Hiroshima Toshogu Shrine, a big Shrine complex with only locals there, at least the time I was there. And then up to Peace Pagoda, a Buddhist Pagoda set up to always warn against entering war again - with its beautiful view over Hiroshima city, to the sea and the islands. It was wonderfully peaceful in the morning. And just before I had to go back to catch the Shinkansen for Tokyo I visited Tsutuhane shrine.Read more
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My 2024 Adventure Traveler
Going back to Tokyo
April 14, 2024 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
The Shikansen back to Tokyo takes only 3:50 for what would be a 10 hour car ride. And it has a great highlight up its sleeve: due to the great weather and my seat by the window, I finally get a perfect view of Fuji-san, Mount Fuji 🗻😍Read more
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My 2024 Adventure Traveler
Early up in Tokyo
April 15, 2024 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C
Today I’m early up and out of the hotel. I want to get an early go to Tsukiji Outer market (fish market) and do some shopping and maybe grab a little snack. But before: walking by wonderful Buddhist temple Tsukiji Honganji.
Just to be prepared for ancient, historical Yanaka district. Starting with Tenoji temple and the big cemetery. And what do you think - there’s still Sakura, but they are already weeping with white flower leaves being everywhere. The whole area of Yanaka is full of temples and graveyards - too many to name them all.
Next I proceed to Ueno Park - are there still Sakura there? And yesss there are - already weeping a lot and fading but there are ♥️
Before I head to Nezu Shrine to check out the Bunkyo Azalea festival
And that was just my morning - as exciting as it can get ♥️Read more
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My 2024 Adventure Traveler
About my last evening in Tokyo
April 15, 2024 in Japan ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C
Not many words needed I think. Japan was great and enjoyed my last evening to the fullest - really delicious sushi made by a great chef at Uogashi Nihon-Ichi Shibuya Dogenzaka. SOOOO Yummi!
And afterwards returning to the cat board once more, and coming by this guy who was playing the flute (rather unharmonious) at this noisy junction by the catboard 😍Read more
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