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Marleen Relling
Marleen Relling

Marleen Relling

traveled in 9 countries Read more🇩🇪Hamburg
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  • Marleen RellingTanzania Coffee FarmTraveler
    Coffee farm romanceThe gang with their certificatesThe gang at Mweka gate

    Day 6: Time for a Test

    September 7, 2019 in Tanzania ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    Today was THE big day for all of us as we had to take a test on coffee farming in the morning 😱

    The goods news is: We have all passed the exam. The funny news is: I scored almost 100% - but right before I handed in my exam I changed one answer because I saw my colleague gave a different answer... and this answer was wrong 😂 my original answer was correct 😂 but anyways, I passed so it’s all good.

    In the afternoon I rewarded myself with a walk up to Mweka gate of Kilimandscharo national park ... a trip down memory lane. Very emotional actually. But I was more than happy that I had the opportunity to come back to this special place again 🙏    Read more

  • Marleen RellingTanzania Coffee FarmTraveler
    1Freezing cold at nightLocal coffee farmCoffee sacksThe gang in MoshiThe gang at the mill

    Day 5: The Coffee Mill & Moshi

    September 6, 2019 in Tanzania ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    Time to leave the farm and visit a coffee mill in Moshi 👌💪. This is the final step for coffee production and we have learned a lot.

    After a morning full of learning about the milling process, we were able to visit Moshi and do a little bit of shopping.Read more

  • Marleen RellingTanzania Coffee FarmTraveler
    Seedlings ready to move into pots
    Hard workRealxing after a long dayOur teacherThe nurseryMe planting seeds

    Day 4: The Coffee Nursery

    September 5, 2019 in Tanzania ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    Another day of working on the farm. Today we visited the nursery where new coffee plants are grown 🌱🌱🌱.

    This was a very fun day as we were able to do all the planting ourselves - from planting small coffee beans in the nursery to planting a fully grown tree out in the field.Read more

  • Marleen RellingTanzania Coffee FarmTraveler
    Cherries
    Our harvesting binsLocal tea produceKilimandscharo view from the farmCoffee sacksLocal farm worker

    Day 3: The Coffee Farm

    September 4, 2019 in Tanzania ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    Today we had the opportunity to learn about how coffee is harvested and processed on the local farm 🌱☕️🌱.

    The best part was that we had the chance to interact with local people on the farm - we teamed up with the farm workers and competed in teams against each other for picking the cherries as well as for sorting the coffee beans.

    And at the end of the day I was lucky to get a little view of Mount Kilimandscharo 💛    Read more

  • Marleen RellingTanzania Coffee FarmTraveler
    Personalized tasting spoons
    Karlsberger KanneDifferent preparation typesDifferent beans / roastsMeet the gang

    Day 2: Coffee Tasting

    September 3, 2019 in Tanzania ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    Today was all about tasting. Tasting the differences of coffee beans as well as preparation types. Well, I’m not really good at it - it’s similar to wine tasting and needs practice - but at least I can tell that differences exist 😉😇

    Surprisingly, it is quite cold in Tanzania 🇹🇿 🥶 I’m really freezing in the morning as well as at night ... I can tell that I’m going to catch a cold soon 🤒 But during the day it is perfect weather. And our hosts are amazing - before going to bed they place a hot-water bottle underneath our blankets 🙏    Read more

  • Marleen RellingTanzania Coffee FarmTraveler

    Day 1: Back in Tanzania

    September 2, 2019 in Tanzania ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    🇹🇿🇹🇿🇹🇿Tanzania🇹🇿🇹🇿🇹🇿Moshi🇹🇿🇹🇿🇹🇿

    I can’t believe that I’m back. Already. After only a few months. I always knew that I would come back some day ... but this is just amazing 🙏

    I’m off to Tanzania to learn about coffee, from farming to roasting 🧐 ☕️ 🌿

    Today was all about getting to know our hosts, the group, the farm and basics about coffee. And to adjust to the climate. The farm is at 1.350m (at the lower end of mount Kilimandscharo) - so it’s freezing cold, all day. But especially at night.

    And I can already tell that I don’t ever want to go back home again (but I will, no worries)... just like the last time I came I fell in love again with the people, nature and life on this continent.💛🇹🇿    Read more

  • Marleen RellingTrans Africa 2019Traveler
    Johannesburg skyline
    In the cavesMe and Jason 💛1At the pub 🍸🍺

    Day 60-67: This is it ... for now

    April 9, 2019 in South Africa ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    Nothing lasts forever and so 2.5 months of traveling have come to an end. In the past nine weeks I have traveled through nine countries: 🇰🇪 🇺🇬 🇷🇼 🇹🇿 🇲🇼 🇿🇲 🇿🇼 🇧🇼 🇿🇦 Each of these countries has definitely won my heart, Africa is a beautiful place ... because of its landscape and wildlife but mostly because of its people 💛🙏 Africa feels like home - and who knows, maybe one day it will be 😉

    I have spent the last days of this trip in South Africa 🇿🇦, Johannesburg. Why of all places Johannesburg you might think?! I have chosen this place because it’s the home of someone very special to me 💛 We have known each other for a very long time but have just now discovered how important we are to each other. I already miss him and his friends a lot and I can’t wait to see them again! (sorry, I haven’t taken many pics)

    This entire trip was epic. A once in a lifetime experience. I have grown so much and so I can truly say that I am a very happy girl who has found her true self again. I am so full of love for myself and happy just being with me, myself and I 🙏✨💛 I am full of energy for anything that comes next 💪 and have decided that I will never ever let anyone or anything (i.e., fear) stand in the way of what my hearts tells me to do. After all, I have only one purpose in life: To be happy 🙏 (so do all of you by the way 😉)

    I’m going back to the real world today. This is quite scary but exciting at the same time and I cannot wait to see what happens in the future ✨🥰💛    Read more

  • Marleen RellingTrans Africa 2019Traveler
    Dancing around the fireStories about local animalsOur guide Anthony preparing a South African dish2A candle on every door step of the lodge rooms

    Day 58: Ghanzi (Kalahari) & the San

    March 31, 2019 in Botswana ⋅ ⛅ 32 °C

    Once everyone arrived back in Maun, we travelled further south to the Kalahari area to stay at a lodge/campsite which is run by the San people

    Once we got there we were taken on a short bush walk to learn about the San peoples’ traditions and their knowledge of plants’ medical power 🌱 🌿🍃 I find it actually a bit sad that the still existing tribes like Masai and San are now tourist attractions ... but I guess this way they get their income. And they have done a really nice job. At night they performed some local dances (crazy!) and told us some stories at a fireplace 💃🕺🔥

    Well, this is almost it. Only one more day before I travel to South Africa 🇿🇦, the final destination of my trip. On the one hand I’m glad that the Nomad life is almost over (it is exhausting, believe me), but on the other hand I’m not at all ready to go home ... I don’t even know how to fit in anymore in my old life as Africa has truly won my heart 💛✨🙏    Read more

  • Marleen RellingTrans Africa 2019Traveler
    1Always have been and always will be my favorite 💛
    Looks a bit like Sylt, no?1Sunrise at campSunrise at campI'm starting to like that thing on my head

    Day 55-58: Okavango Delta 3.0

    March 30, 2019 in Botswana ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C

    Here’s day 2 at camp and our morning bush walk activity 🥾🏃🏼‍♀️ 4 hours of walking ... desperately needed!

  • Marleen RellingTrans Africa 2019Traveler
    Frogs
    The brave camping adventure gangWater lilly - they are everywhereHappy Hippo - my #2 favorite animalClear water everywhereDay 1 still clean 😉My home in the bushDinner table at the water front

    Day 55-58: Maun & Okavango Delta

    March 29, 2019 in Botswana ⋅ ⛅ 34 °C

    We spent one day in Maun and had the chance to simply relax at the pool before a few of us travelled into the Delta for a 2.5 days camping adventure ⛺️🧘🏼‍♂️ And by camping I mean real camping ... the toilet is a hole in the ground, the shower is a bucket of water hanging from the trees and the bed is a sleeping bag in a tent standing in the middle of the bush 🦛🐘

    It was a great experience. I once again learned about myself that I can manage without any luxury 👌🙏 BUT: I am definitely looking forward to a proper shower and my own bed at home ✨

    Anyways. The Okavango Delta is a beautiful place. I experienced the most beautiful sunrises and sunsets of all time ☀️, saw a sky full of stars ✨ that was more than wonderful and I just loved the silence of the bush. It was incredibly hot though and you could definitely see that climate change is happening here - no rain, not enough water 💦 It was so hot that we were forced to stay at camp from 12 noon to 5 pm... and even that was a challenge.

    I’m going to make more than one post on this due to the amazing pics ... here you will see the first day only.    Read more

  • Marleen RellingTrans Africa 2019Traveler
    2

    Day 54: Nata & Makgadikgadi Pans

    March 27, 2019 in Botswana ⋅ ⛅ 32 °C

    Botsuana 🇧🇼 has been a perfect mix of driving, relaxation and visiting parks so far 💛

    Today we drove all the way to Nata and visited the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, famous for its saltwater lakes (pans). We were lucky to witness a beautiful sunset and see an amazing landscape with lots of flamingos 💕Read more

  • Marleen RellingTrans Africa 2019Traveler
    1
    2121

    Day 53: Kasane & Chobe National Park

    March 26, 2019 in Botswana ⋅ ⛅ 37 °C

    Another country, another safari. Today we travelled to Botsuana 🇧🇼, a beautiful country which I have always planned on traveling to.

    Once we have crossed the border 🇿🇼 🇧🇼, we went on a safari to Chobe National Park. The special thing about this park is that it’s located on Chobe river where lots of animals spend their days and find drinking water 💦.
    After a Safari by car, we went on a boat safari 🚣‍♀️ The view from the boat was simply amazing ... we were just a few meters away from elephants taking a bath 🐘🐘🐘

    Elephants are fascinating ... they will probably always be my favorite wild animals 🐘🥰💛    Read more

  • Marleen RellingTrans Africa 2019Traveler
    2The best tandem partner - Rob from the US
    Upside downSee the plane above my head?1Free as a birdOn the parachuteYou can see the falls and the canyon from up here2Happy me for the rest of the day

    Day 50-52: I believe I can fly

    March 24, 2019 in Zimbabwe ⋅ 🌙 21 °C

    Today I have made one of my dreams come true: I jumped out of an airplane ... skydiving 🌈✨🧚🏼‍♀️

    And it was AMAZING! I actually want to do it again right away ... I guess this is what being on drugs must feel like because afterwards I was the happiest and most excited person on earth for the whole rest of the day ... I wasn’t even able to sleep 🧚🏼‍♀️💛🥰

    So I guess this is the first of many more to come ... 🙏🌈

    If you want to see the whole thing, check out this video:
    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KpZkFp07P-n5Wo…    Read more

  • Marleen RellingTrans Africa 2019Traveler
    211

    Day 50-52: Victoria Falls

    March 24, 2019 in Zimbabwe ⋅ 🌙 21 °C

    We spent one more day in Zambia‘s capital 🇿🇲, Lusaka, at a very nice campsite before leaving this lovely country behind and entering Zimbabwe 🇿🇼 at Victoria Falls.

    Victoria Falls is a tourists attraction due to the mighty falls which are one of the seven natural wonders of the world and UNESCO world heritage ✨🌈

    See for yourself how beautiful they are ...    Read more

  • Marleen RellingTrans Africa 2019Traveler
    11211

    Day 49: Next stop Petauke

    March 22, 2019 in Zambia ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C

    Today we had to leave South Luangwa and our beautiful camp behind to move on further in the direction of Victoria Falls, our final destination on Sunday.

    Before we got back on the truck, though, we visited a local village and textile factory 🇿🇲 👭 As usual the people in the village were very friendly, especially the children ✨👭 Every time I’m with these people I would love to stay and work with them - they live in harmony with nature and although they have so little they show so much happiness 💛✨🙏Read more

  • Marleen RellingTrans Africa 2019Traveler
    3
    12

    Day 48: South Luangwa

    March 21, 2019 in Zambia ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C

    A perfect day of relaxing at camp with plenty of me time 🙏✨ It was wonderful and just what I needed - long naps during the day, time to read and time to think.

    In the afternoon we did go for an activity though. A night game drive 😱 It was beautiful to be out in the bush at sunset and to watch some of the animals in the dark 🦛🐆🐊Read more

  • Marleen RellingTrans Africa 2019Traveler
    11Today's homeLook closely and you can see me in front of my roomThe next morning

    Day 47: Zambia - South Luangwa

    March 20, 2019 in Zambia ⋅ ☁️ 31 °C

    Welcome to Zambia 🇿🇲 🇿🇲🇿🇲

    Once you cross the border to Zambia and arrive in the first city, you realize that you have arrived in a different kind of Africa. You drive on proper roads (with side walks), see nice stores with shoes and clothing, traffic lights etc. After being in Malawi 🇲🇼, this was a bit shocking. BUT you also see a lot of poverty ... you see children begging for food on the streets, disabled and homeless people asking for money. I haven’t seen this before on my trip.

    Our destination today was South Luangwa National Park. It’s beautiful ... we were staying at a camp within the park, no fence as usual 😉 The camp was right at the river and so we were watching the sun set with a lot of hippos 🦛 getting in and out of the water.    Read more

  • Marleen RellingTrans Africa 2019Traveler
    Never wanted to let go of my hand

    Day 46: Malawi Village Tour

    March 19, 2019 in Malawi ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C

    So here is part 2 of today. In the afternoon we visited the local village. Village tours are the best as you actually interact with the locals and see what they are like 🙏

    Just like at the waterfall I was confronted with nothing but kindness. So many friendly people - almost everyone we have met wanted to “high five” or do a handshake 🤝 💛 And the children ... they were just adorable. I gave out some cookies and jut after a few seconds I made many new friends 👭

    After the tour I went to my tour guide’s wood carving shop to buy some stuff for my home. He asked for a certain amount of dollars and asked if I could also give him some supplies (rather than just money). So I gave him bandaids and mosquito repellant ... and because he was so happy about this, he made me a present and gave me one of his paintings. So someone who has much less than I do just gives me things for free ... I was beyond happy ... Malawi 🇲🇼 you are the best ✨💛 (I’ll come back some day)    Read more

  • Marleen RellingTrans Africa 2019Traveler
    The one in the middle was the best
    1

    Day 46: Malawi Waterfall Hike

    March 19, 2019 in Malawi ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C

    Today was one of my favorite days. That’s why you will see two posts for this day 💫

    I got up early to go on a guided tour to the local waterfall. 4 hours of hiking. It was amazing to be active again - I haven’t done much physical activity ever since I got on the truck 💪

    The waterfall was beautiful but what was even better were all the people I have met on the way. The friendliness and happiness of these people is just unbelievable ✨💛🙏

    Words cannot describe how it feels to be around these people. I feel great being with them - their smiles are the best. I don’t think we need to pity these people. Yes, they lack wealth as defined by the first world. And yes, they are in need of education, medical supplies etc. BUT: They are so rich in happiness. And they live in line with nature. So I think they deserve our admiration as well as our compassion 🙏✨    Read more

  • Marleen RellingTrans Africa 2019Traveler

    Day 45: Lake Malawi (Central)

    March 18, 2019 in Malawi ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C

    Another day, another drive. We travelled down south along the shores of lake Malawi 🇲🇼 to spend two days at another lodge.

    And this lodge is just perfect 👌 After two days of just very basic accommodation, this place feels like pure luxury: Right at the beach, nice garden, soft bed, clean bathroom with running water and an infinity pool 💛 Please forgive me for being so excited about this 🙈 - but these accommodations are so rare on this trip that when I do get some comfort I get really excited about it ✨

    When we were driving through Malawi I was thinking about our first world definition of wealth and poverty. Malawi 🇲🇼 is supposed to be a very poor country. But if you take a close look you see happy faces, people having enough food (because they grow everything they eat themselves) as well as small houses surrounded by lots of amazing nature ... and a huge fresh water lake. So basically they have what they need for a happy life, no?
    Almost no one is driving a car here ... they walk, they ride bikes. But I feel not having cars is actually a benefit - better for the planet, better for personal fitness and it makes you stick to the local community. At night everyone is out on the streets - happy!
    Don’t get me wrong the people here have their problems (like medical care for example) and they do need support, but I do think they are not just poor ... they have wealth ... just a different kind than we have and we should admire them for it 🙏💛    Read more

  • Marleen RellingTrans Africa 2019Traveler
    Love my new head cover
    What you see here is the walk in front of my room covered in dead flies 😱Local hospitalLocal hospitalView from the lodge - the lake is beautifulThe vehicle for the mountain trip

    Day 43 & 44: Lake Malawi (North)

    March 17, 2019 in Malawi ⋅ ☁️ 31 °C

    Lake Malawi is a beautiful place ... just look at the lake 🌴

    The only problem: it’s so incredibly hot... much hotter than anywhere else I have been before on this trip. And: there are so many flies 😱

    In the morning we went to the local village. This village is supported by an NGO, namely the lodge that we are staying at (and USAid). Any profit this NGO makes go directly into support for the local village. A very nice idea - which makes the fact that our accommodation was very very basic (no water today for washing) seem irrelevant. The village was beautiful 💛 So many happy and proud people. They were especially proud of their local hospital. And we were very impressed by everything they have accomplished 🙏

    Remember I was supposed to give Anne’s umbrella to the local kids? Well, I did and they were soooo happy about it. Just a simple umbrella. And more than 10 kids were excited about it ✨

    In the afternoon I was ready for another adventure. I wanted to go up to Livingstonia. Not hiking - too hot - driving up. It was an adventure for sure. We drove in a small car, no 4x4 ... and of course did not make it to the top 😂 At some point two passengers actually jumped out of the car as the car was just going downhill backwards (quite scary when the driver is not doing anything to stop this process) ... I stayed inside trying to explain to the driver how to drive an automatic car. He did not quite like it (he was actually surprised that I can drive a car in my home country) ... but finally accepted help and we made it safely back down to the hotel. The others were a bit terrified ... but I loved this trip ... when things do not go as planned you usually make the best memories 🤷🏼‍♀️☺️🙏    Read more

  • Marleen RellingTrans Africa 2019Traveler
    1

    Day 42: Mikumi National Park & Iringa

    March 15, 2019 in Tanzania ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    Today was a perfect day. Really just perfect 💛

    We started the day with another game drive at Mikumi National Park. We got to see so many giraffes 🦒 and elephants 🐘 ... the elephants came really close to our vehicle. I’m never getting tried of being with these creatures. Although I must admit I have started to take less photos and just focused on observing them with my eyes. If you think about it: How many people travel and see only with their phones and cameras but not with their eyes and with their minds? It’s all about getting that perfect picture to show to friends and family. And that’s fine. But I have decided that for me it’s more about being present in the moment myself 🙏

    After the game drive we headed further south to a place called Iringa. On our way we stopped on the side of the road as we have seen several Baobab trees (very old trees, some almost 2,000 years old) - the locals believe that you need to hug one of these trees and make a wish and it will come true ✨ let’s see ... I made two ✌️

    When we finally arrived at the lodge, we came to find one of the most beautiful lodges I have stayed at in the past week. An old farm house. The farm is still intact producing meat and vegetables 🌽🥦🥬🥕🐄🐑. We also had dinner at the farm; they served us a meal with only produce from the farm. It was yummy! But the best was actually the rooms. I slept in the stables. And for the first time in weeks I had a proper pillow and blanket ... I slept like a baby 💫✨🌙    Read more

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