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Journal of Nomads

- Outdoor and Adventure Travel Blog -

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Journal of Nomads
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  • START HERE
  • BLOG
  • ADVENTURE TOURS
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Blog

 

A look behind the scenes, moments and places that touched us and left an unforgettable impression, personal stories from years of traveling on the road,…

 

Leaving Europe in a hurry by boat.

Leaving Europe in a hurry by boat.

Philotimo, a Greek secret worth knowing!

Philotimo, a Greek secret worth knowing!

We all need a break sometimes

We all need a break sometimes

Meteora – an unusual place in Greece where monks love extreme sports!

Meteora – an unusual place in Greece where monks love extreme sports!

A taste of the Albanian culture

A taste of the Albanian culture

The thrilling quest for the Albanian border

The thrilling quest for the Albanian border

An inspiring meeting on the side of the road

An inspiring meeting on the side of the road

Plitvice Jezera – a waterfall paradise in Croatia

Plitvice Jezera – a waterfall paradise in Croatia

Hitchhiking and traveling on a budget in North Italy

Hitchhiking and traveling on a budget in North Italy

How to hitchhike a gondola in Venice

How to hitchhike a gondola in Venice

Why crossing borders at night isn’t always a good idea…

Why crossing borders at night isn’t always a good idea…

How to visit Monaco for free

How to visit Monaco for free

Appreciating small things

Appreciating small things

Paris, the city of new friendships, selfie sticks and jewel butt plugs…

Paris, the city of new friendships, selfie sticks and jewel butt plugs…

Le pain, le vin et l’autostop

Le pain, le vin et l’autostop

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We're currently all staying home so we can contain We're currently all staying home so we can contain this pandemic. But what does "home" actually mean to you? Is it a physical place? Is it a state of being? Is it being in the presence of loved ones? . 🏠Before I started traveling, home used to be a physical place, something outside of myself. 🏠During my travels I learned to come home within myself. It didn't matter that much where I was. I could be home with my friends and family in my home country Belgium, I could feel at home in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan, in the woods of Ireland, near the ocean in Morocco,... . 🏠Home became a state of being, feeling good with who I am and what I do. 🏠But now my definition of home has evolved again. When we were told to stay at home, I first had no idea where to go and what to do as I am, technically speaking, homeless. . 🏠This desire to have my own little home somewhere in nature came to the surface. . A physical place that I can call my own. A combination of coming home somewhere in the world and within myself. . 🏠I'm very grateful that I found another temporary home where I can isolate and sit this situation out. But when this pandemic will be over, I think it will be time for me to start looking for a more permanent home, one that I can use as a base to travel from. 🏠Who knows, maybe I get myself an awesome yurt and make my home base in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan (who'd love to be here right now? I certainly would!!) This time of isolation is definitely bringing some new interesting perspectives 😅. 🏠 What does home mean to you?Are you currently feeling at home where you are? 🏠 🏠 🏠#kyrgystan🇰🇬 #kyrgyzstan #stayhome #homeless #homeiswhereyourheartis #centralasiatravel #centralasia #nomadiclife #nomadiclifestyle #nomadicgirl #travelersnotebook #yurtlife #whereishome #worldnomad #globetrotter
What were your travel plans for this summer and ha What were your travel plans for this summer and have you cancelled them or are you still being hopeful you can go on your trip in a few months? .I keep being positive! I still hope that Niko and I can return to Kyrgyzstan this summer and take people around the country on our adventure tours. . I'm also hoping to return to Tajikistan in September. Last summer I visited this Central Asian country on an assignment with @travel_tojikiston and while it was a short trip (10 days) in comparison with the usual time I spent in a destination (weeks/months), it was long enough to know for sure I wanted to return! . I'm a huge outdoor and nature person (currently waiting out the pandemic in the Canadian woods) and Tajikistan took me by surprise! . I always had Kyrgyzstan on my number one list of favourite Central Asian countries but after this trip, Kyrgyzstan had to share it's throne with Tajikistan! . The landscapes are phenomenal, there are so many alpine lakes and the people are so genuinely happy to see foreigners! It's one of the few countries where you can still go on an authentic intrepid expedition! . So I'm keeping my hopes up and crossing all my fingers that my plans to return to Tajikistan will still go through! But for now I just have to wait and see. . Where were you planning on going this summer? Have you cancelled your travel plans or are you also being hopeful that in a few months time the current situation will be cleared? . . . . 📷: #lumixg90 .#travelcentralasia #centralasiatravel #tajikistan #traveltajikistan ##centralasia #intrepidtravel #landscapephotography #offthegrid #offthebeatenpath #lumixambassador #panasoniclumix #lumixphotography #travelersnotebook #travelphotography #beautifuldestinations #beautifullandscape #gooutside #outdooradventures #outdoors #outdoorlovers #lppathfinders #alpinelake #exploreoutdoors
How are you these days? Where are you now and how How are you these days? Where are you now and how are you coping with the current situation?We're currently in Canada where we isolated ourselves in the woods. Our daily routine consists of working online (our business has financially been hit very hard but we keep on going), going outside for walks in nature (we're feeling very privileged that we're living so remote now so we can still go outside without the risk of contaminating other people) and enjoying our free time with cooking, talking, creating, reading,... This quarantine is actually not so different (just more extreme) from days whenever we have deadlines to meet and to work on projects.But we can imagine that this isolation is new to many and that it can be scary, lonely and claustrophobic. I think that the biggest fear right now isn't necessarily related to becoming sick. It's the uncertainty of not knowing when this will end, the financial consequences and the changes. It's only when things fall apart, our freedom of movement gets restricted and security vanishes that most people realise how good they had it before. Never take things for granted!This uncertainty and adapting to changes isn't new to us either. In the past 9 years of our nomadic lifestyle we often had to deal with this. We learned to adapt, let go and make new plans. But I can totally understand that if this is new to you, it's a very scary feeling.So while it's important to stay physically healthy and boost your immune system, I also want to emphasize the importance of mental health during these difficult times. Fear and stress can make you very sick as well.Don't be afraid or feel selfish to do right now what is best for you with the tools you have. Try doing things that relax you, set boundaries, take it easy and let go of things you can't control. We have to be there for each other and support each other right now but we also have to be there for ourselves. It's only when you know how to take good care of yourself that you can truly care and be there for others.So how are you? What do you need right now and what can you do to meet those needs? How are you taking care of yourself?
What a strange and unreal time this is! Borders ar What a strange and unreal time this is! Borders are closing, businesses are closing and everyone has to go in isolation. It's like we ended up in some kind of disaster movie.Less than a week ago we (like many others) didn't take this all too seriously. "It will blow over" or "The media is exaggerating". Yet this is currently our reality.We hope you are in a good and safe place because who knows how long this global crisis will last. The last days were quite chaotic. What do full-time travelers without a home do in a situation like this?After much deliberation, we decided last-minute to go to Canada and stay with Niko's parents in the forest. We have now placed ourselves in a self-imposed quarantine and are also extremely grateful that we have the privilege of sitting this out in a quiet place in nature.These are interesting times to see how one deals with uncertainty and fear. Not knowing what will happen isn't exactly a very comfortable zone to be in. Many businesses and people (including us) are suffering financially. Social isolation isn't something to take lightly. Now more than ever it's important to stay physically healthy but also to maintain our mental and emotional health and to take care of ourselves and each other. We might not be able to have physical contact, but we are thankful that technology allows us to keep in touch with our loved ones!How did the corona situation affect you? How do you try to deal with it in a positive way? What are your tips for staying mentally and emotionally healthy?We hope you have a safe and comfortable place and we wish you the very best. We'll get through this together! <3#travelersnotebook #worldnomads #worldtraveler #intothewild #nature #positivevibes #together #wecandothis
Kyrgyzstan is the land of horses. You see horses e Kyrgyzstan is the land of horses. You see horses everywhere and it's said that children learn to ride horses before they can even walk properly. . 🐎 You'll often find people galloping down village streets on their daily errands and teenagers wrestling each other while perched on the saddle of tall horses. . 🐎 Cynthia and I have been coming back to Kyrgyzstan since we first visited the country three years ago and every year, we spend some time riding in the mountains. . 🐎 I never even imagined I would feel confident riding a horse one day until I arrived here. Now I'm totally falling in love with horseback riding. . 🐎 One of the most beautiful ways to discover the country in real Kyrgyz fashion is bygoing on a horseback riding trip for one or several days. Even if you’ve never ridden a horse before, it will be a new and exciting challenge. . 🐎 The horses that are used on these trips are well-trained and you’ll always have a guide with you. . 🐎 Imagine how it must be to follow the same routes on horseback that the nomads used follow centuries ago, riding along the most beautiful valleys and picturesque meadows, across rugged mountain passes and on the shores of sparkling alpine lakes. . 🐎 Have you done a horseback trek before? Where was that? And would you like to go on a horseback trek in Kyrgyzstan. . . . . . On assignment with @discoverkyrgyzstan @helvetas_kyrgyzstan @usaidkg . . #kyrgyzstan #kyrgystan🇰🇬 #kyrgyzstantravel #travelcentralasia #discoverkyrgyzstan #natureinkyrgyzstan #winterlandscape #winter #wintertravel #kyrgyzstannature #horsebackriding #horses #beautifuldestinations #offthebeatenpath #horsebackriding #horsebacktravel #worldnomads
Good morning from Kyrgyzstan! Even after years of Good morning from Kyrgyzstan! Even after years of coming back to this beautiful Central-Asian country, the Kyrgyz landscapes never stop charming me. . .As soon as you leave the capital you'll be surrounded by mountains, valleys and meadows as far as the eye can see. Add to that a couple of thousand high alpine lakes and rivers and you have what I would call a little paradise. . . If you think the Kyrgyz landscapes are breathtaking in summer wait till you see them transform into a winter wonderland. Kyrgyzstan becomes stunningly beautiful at that time of the year! . . This photo was taken near a stunning rock formation called Jeti-Oguz. It’s a very calm and peaceful place. This sandstone crag used to resemble 7 bulls and that’s where its name comes from. It was a sacred place for the original inhabitants of the area and once you see it, you’ll totally understand why. . . I went there with @discoverkyrgyzstan to catch some sunrise pictures and although I don't normally get up that early, it was totally worth it! . . The rocks and the snow were covered in a purple glow. It felt almost like the whole place was just waiting for the sun to show itself. It was so interesting to see the little village at the base of the rocks slowly come to life with the first sun rays. Shepherds were moving their flocks of sheep and horses around town while the whole valley was filling up with a stunning golden light. . . Do you like to get up early to see the sunrise? Where have you seen your most beautiful sunrise ever? . . (Photo by Niko) . #travelcentralasia #discoverkyrgyzstan #kyrgyzstan #kyrgyzstan🇰🇬 #natureinkyrgyzstan #centralasia #centralasiatravel #wintertravel #winterdestination #landscapephotography #winterwonderland #winterlandscape #jetioguz #outdooradventures #outdoorlovers #sunrise #sunrisephoto #offthebeatenpath #beautifuldestinations
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