TRAVEL
The Azores had long been a destination of my diving dreams. Volcanic islands in the middle of the Atlantic and one of the best shark spots in the world sounded simply irresistible. Bad weather and broken boats couldn’t dampen our anticipation for the dives ahead. The trip to Princess Alice — an underwater plateau located 100 km off Pico — was an incredible experience in itself. The true highlight, however, were the four shark dives with blue sharks in open water. The animals came so close that they even touched our cameras. I think the videos speak for themselves!
The open-water dives with blue sharks were the greatest highlight of the trip to the Azores.
What began as a slightly drunken New Year’s Eve idea turned into a real plan: traveling to Madagascar. Six months later, we were sitting on a plane to Antananarivo. We had no idea what to expect, how the country would welcome us, or which wildlife encounters we might experience. After camping under the clearest night skies, canoeing through landscapes straight out of Jurassic Park, taking part in local funerary rituals, and hiking through places that felt almost otherworldly, I’m incredibly grateful we made this journey. Every long hour in the car, every illness along the way, and even encounters with bandits couldn’t stop us from exploring the country and its people. A special highlight was the 15-hour ride to the island’s east coast on a very old Swiss train—but you can read the full story yourself.
Madagascar was a journey full of unforgettable experiences. We saw lemurs, the Milky Way, a traditional funerary ritual, and even an old Swiss train. It felt like an adventure on another planet.
Colombia was the final stop of our three-month journey through Latin America after Mexico, Costa Rica, and Ecuador. We knew it would be hot—but Rincon del Mar showed us just how unbearable the heat could truly get. The mist-covered wax palms of the Valle de Cocora invited us on a long hike, while the dry, sun-scorched Llanos were ours to explore on foot, on horseback, and by boat. At last, we saw capybaras, red howler monkeys, and many other species that had been on our bucket list for years. In Medellín, we immersed ourselves in the city’s fascinating history—a city that has so much more to offer than many people realize. We encountered Pablo Escobar lookalikes in the streets, but decided against joining one of the infamous tours about his life. Instead, we gained insight into how deeply millions of people suffered under a reign of violence.
Colombia was the perfect finale to our Latin America journey. The combination of wildlife encounters, a dark and violent history, and incredibly warm people made it truly unique for us.
I’ve travelled many times with the sole purpose of diving, but the Maldives trip was different—it had been planned long in advance. After more than a year of anticipation, the moment had finally come. Our bucket list was long, and we were ready to experience everything this tropical paradise had to offer. Lisa, my dive buddy, and I first spent five days on a resort island before boarding a liveaboard for a little over two weeks. During that time, our journey took us to countless islands and atolls, each with its own fascinating underwater world. We dived with sharks and rays, swam through massive schools of fish, and even encountered playful dolphins. The vibrant coral reefs and the incredible diversity of marine life overwhelmed us again and again. Yet despite all these unforgettable moments, there was one thing that left a bitter aftertaste for me. What exactly clouded the experience—you’ll find out in the full story.
Our trip to the Maldives was intense but beautiful. Our little island offered a stunning house reef and baby sharks, while the liveaboard brought strong currents, whale sharks, and an ending that wasn’t quite as pretty.
We spent most of our time in Ecuador exploring the Galápagos Islands, but Quito also captivated us with its charm and warm-hearted people. We visited the equator, sampled the country’s rich street food, and hiked along the slopes of a volcano. The country’s nature and culture fascinated us in equal measure. On the Galápagos Islands, we were overwhelmed by the incredible biodiversity and challenged by the oppressive heat—intensified even further by El Niño. Despite the extreme conditions, we enjoyed every minute in this unique environment. Our time in Ecuador was an unforgettable experience, one that will stay with us for a long time.
After our four days in Quito, we knew immediately that we had to come back someday. We spent most of the trip on the Galápagos Islands, where we battled the scorching heat and spent every waking moment in awe, observing the wildlife around us.
On the Galápagos Islands, I was determined to take a day trip to Isla Isabela and the Islotes Cuatro Hermanos. The breathtaking landscapes and unique wildlife encounters promised an unforgettable experience. On the way to the second island, a group of orcas suddenly crossed our path. Without hesitation, we slipped into the water to get as close as possible to these incredible animals. It was a moment filled with awe and wonder—one of the most magical of our entire journey. The orcas moved through the water with captivating elegance while we stayed completely still, taking in the spectacle unfolding around us. This part of our travels through Latin America was by far the most thrilling. No other moment made us feel the beauty and power of nature as intensely as this encounter with the orcas.
A dream I had long before arriving on the islands came true: we saw—and snorkeled with—five orcas in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. It’s an experience we still struggle to put into words.
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