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Nimmerwo - Geschichten einer Reise Auf unserer Seite Nimmerwo.ch erzählen wir dir Geschichten unserer Reise durchs Leben, untermalt mit schönen Bildern. Lass dich inspirieren!

Oftmals finden diese Geschichten weit weg von Zuhause statt, manchmal aber auch direkt vor der Haustür.

31/12/2024

And so, we come full circle, stepping out of 20 years of travels and back into the present. After a brief stop in Rome—where I participated in a Neigong workshop while Seraina explored the city—we’ve now settled into our winter haven in Crete.

Winter here is in full swing. It’s not as biting as Switzerland, but we’re grateful for the warmth of our cozy house in Akoumia, where the wood stove keeps the chill at bay.

This winter is about slowing down, enjoying each day as it comes, making plans, working on GRAJF, Neigong, and Taiji practice, eating, drinking, and just being. Our landlord, Jannis, visits on weekends, busying himself with maintenance around his properties. Off-season means plenty to do to keep the rentals in shape.

We’ve grown fond of sharing meals with him at his favorite taverna, sitting by the fire with raki and meze, exchanging stories and advice from our personal lives. It’s a rhythm we’ve come to appreciate—this sense of a temporary home, where days stretch out and settle into something peaceful. And, of course, we’re never without the company of stray paws. Four-legged companions are as much a part of Greece as espresso is to Rome.

For now, we’re here for just a month before moving westward on the island in the new year. Still, something tells me we’ll find our way back to Akoumia, this authentic little village tucked in the mountains of Crete.

Seraina has just published a fresh post on nimmerwo.ch
If you feel like taking a dive into the latest adventures, do check it out. Oh, and here’s wishing you a joyful, light, but also slightly challenging new year ahead! 😊

☀️

29/12/2024

In January 2024, we flew to Mexico City, where we reunited with Mäsi and Pam before continuing to Oaxaca. There, we stayed with Gina for over a month, renting a small apartment next to hers. It became our base for exploring the city and its surroundings while also diving into our new project, GRAJF.COM. Oaxaca’s vibrant culture and friendly people were the perfect backdrop for both work and fun.

Eventually, the call of the unknown pulled us to Veracruz, a region of Mexico we hadn’t explored before. Its lush, jungle-filled landscapes were a refreshing change after the dry terrain of Oaxaca—a much-needed dose of green.

Next, it was time for California again. We had a long list of dear friends we wanted to reconnect with after far too long. Renting a pickup, we set out from Ben and Shreya’s place, who we’d last seen at their wedding in India two years ago, toward the wintry, rugged Eastern Sierras. The stark, wild beauty along the Nevada border—with its towering peaks and hidden hot springs—was perfect for soaking away the chill of camping-stiffened limbs. Even Death Valley wasn’t as warm as we’d hoped!

Back in Mendocino County, we watched Geoff surf and played with Misha’s and Charlie’s little ones in their Redwoods-flanked backyard. There was so much packed into this trip, far more than fits here, but, as always, the full details are on our blog at nimmerwo.ch.

Writing about it feels like I’m recounting stories from years ago, though we only returned this past May. And with that, this chapter of "20 Years of Travel" comes to a close. What an incredible ride it’s been—so much to reflect on, so many memories to treasure.

The only thing left to share is where we’ve been roaming at the end of 2024. But that’s for the final post in this series, coming on the last day of this year 😉

26/12/2024

In 2023, we kicked things off much like the year before: by heading south in our colorful camper. Albania and Greece were our destinations, where we met up with Gaby and Urs, who’d been on the road with their van, Melony.
September in Albania was far from the quiet winter trip of a year and a half prior. Our once-secluded spots were now brimming with campervans, transforming those hidden gems into crowded parking lots. But despite the bustle, Albania and the Peloponnese, right down to the Mani Peninsula, were undeniable highlights once more.

Barely back home in November, we set off again. This time, winter travel took us back to Colombia. We reunited with friends in San Gil and eventually returned to our Bananatree in Palomino after three years away. There was plenty to do—trimming back a wall of green growth, fixing things around the house and garden. But we made sure to balance work with bird-watching walks with friends and treks in Minca’s lush mountains.

On December 31, we found ourselves back on Palomino’s beach, which had become unrecognizably lively. Where there was once a quiet shoreline now stood beach clubs, crowds dancing in celebration, and a fireworks display lighting up the night.

Coming up next? Mexico and California are already on the horizon for this still-rolling year.

nimmerwo.ch/en/loki-gibt-alles/
nimmerwo.ch/vom-avocado-malheur-und-bananatree-glueck/

23/12/2024

After our 🍋 left us beached in the Australian Outback, rental cars became our new mode of transport. The East Coast might be less rugged and remote than the West, but it offers a seemingly endless array of experiences.
We wandered through the misty Blue Mountains, passed through the hippie vibes of Nimbin and Byron Bay, marveled at opals in Lightning Ridge, and eventually landed in Queensland's dense, tropical greenery. Here, we met up with Joel and his family—a friend I’d first encountered 18 years ago during my inaugural Australian adventure. Before we parted ways, Joel took out his needle and gave Seraina and me matching designs, tying the past and present together in ink.

From Cairns, Bali was just a short hop away. It’s hard to resist the pull of its vibrant chaos—sounds, smells, tastes, and the ever-welcoming locals. But this wasn’t a trip for lingering. Our next stop was Mumbai for Ben’s wedding, a dazzling event that brought people together in a way only Indian weddings can. If you’ve never been to one, it’s hard to describe: a kaleidoscope of music, rituals, and food, with no detail overlooked.

From there, we explored the contrasts of India—Goa’s beaches and Kerala’s backlands, making sure to squeeze in a ride on a Royal Enfield just for the nostalgia of it.

Our winter travels wound down on Koh Lanta in Thailand, where we let the warm sea breeze carry away the last six months of movement and memories. Naturally, we didn’t sit still for long—we were already sketching out plans for the next chapter.

If you’re curious about the details of this trip, you’ll find more stories over on the blog:

👉 nimmerwo.ch/en/downunder-diary-iii-east-coast/
👉 nimmerwo.ch/en/bali/
👉 nimmerwo.ch/en/indische-hochzeit/
👉 nimmerwo.ch/en/indien/

🏖

20/12/2024

And off we went again! In November 2022, Seraina set foot on Australian soil for the first time, while for me, it felt like coming home. In Perth, we picked up a vehicle that would quickly become more trouble than it was worth.

As we explored the captivating wilderness of Southwest Australia, our journey was punctuated by frequent visits to workshops and repair stops. A well-meaning Aussie warned us: “I’m afraid you bought a lemon,” but we weren’t ready to give up. Determined, we pointed our troubled ride eastward, embarking on the seemingly endless, arrow-straight stretch of the Nullarbor Plain. Fate had other plans. On just the second day in the Outback, the engine gave out spectacularly (you can read the full saga here: nimmerwo.ch/en/auto-kaufen-in-australien/).

Despite the setback, we somehow made it to Melbourne, where the pace of life slowed. We enjoyed ten peaceful days housesitting on a rural property, taking care of Koah. We reunited with old friends, visiting Thea and her family and catching up with Nat after many years.

Australia is, and always will be, a land of wonders for me. So many memories tie me to this place. The vastness, the tranquility, the raw nature, and the wild life—the joy of living that always greets us when we come here.

For more tales from this chapter, check out: nimmerwo.ch/en/downunder-diary-victoria/

16/12/2024

2022. A year full of contrasts and unforgettable moments. In January, we continued our journey from Albania into Greece, driving through breathtakingly serene landscapes, quieter than ever in the winter months. However, our camper, Loki, had endured more than its fair share of challenges over the weeks and months. Just as we reached Athens and were preparing to head northward again, the inevitable happened—a total engine failure.

For an entire month, we shared Loki’s pain, stranded in the Greek capital. Then, as if summoned by divine intervention, a local mechanic—our modern-day Greek god—miraculously brought the engine back to life, allowing us to begin the long journey home. (Strangely, the universe seemed to have a sense of humor, as we would later face an eerily similar situation with another vehicle on the other side of the world, stranded in the desert!)

A few months later, we shifted our focus to the northern reaches of Europe. First, a 10-day Neigong retreat in Sweden, followed by a two-week trek through its wild, endless forests. Then, we pressed further north into Finland, renting a car to explore all the way up to Lapland.

Not long after returning home, it was time for our winter adventure—a long-awaited journey to Australia. Coming up next.

👉 nimmerwo.ch/en/panne-in-griechenland
👉 nimmerwo.ch/en/fernwanderung-in-schweden
👉 nimmerwo.ch/en/road-trip-finland

13/12/2024

A new chapter was upon us. During preparations for a winter journey, fate had us buying our first old campervan in the fall of 2021. Brimming with excitement, we hit the road, traveling through northern Italy into Slovenia and all the way down the Balkan to Albania. Winter wonderlands gave way to sun-drenched coastlines and a string of countries we had yet to explore.

Our trusty Loki—our camper's fitting name—carried us ever further south, chasing temperatures more to our liking. Yet, many nights we found ourselves shivering in our unheated van, wrapped in blankets against the biting cold. But there an unexpected twist left us stranded in Athens, facing a turn of events we hadn’t anticipated or asked for.

https://nimmerwo.ch/en/unterwegs-im-balkan/

06/12/2024

The rest of 2020 we stayed close to home, like most people. Seraina was deep into her landscaping apprenticeship, and I was busy saving up money. Still, we seized every chance to explore parts of Switzerland we hadn’t visited yet, take a vacation in Austria, and—at least for me—visit good friend Dominic in Mainz and Ola and Alejo in Hamburg.

Everything felt a little different that year—quieter. Fewer people on the streets, empty trains, masks everywhere.

It was like a journey through uncharted territory, but I don’t look back on it with only negativity. It felt slower, stripped down to the essentials, a bit less of everything.

Who would have guessed that just a few years later, everything would swing so drastically in the other direction again? What will it take for us to learn that greed is not that awesome and we could live with less? Did we take anything away from the lessons that time tried to teach us?

02/12/2024

In February 2020, I flew to Colombia, thinking I’d stay for two months. Those two months turned into four. When countries began urging their citizens to return home in March, I didn’t feel ready to leave just yet.

The world came to a halt that spring, but I found a surprising rhythm in the stillness. Life in our little hut in Palomino was simple and fulfilling. There was always something to fix or improve, Taiji to practice, or green trails to wander—sometimes alone, often with friends. It wasn’t lonely, far from it.

By June, however, it became clear that flights in and out of Colombia wouldn’t resume anytime soon, possibly not before September. That felt like too long, so I reached out to the embassy. At first, they were abrupt and unhelpful, but to their credit, they quickly found me a spot on a repatriation flight.

Things happened fast after that: paying for the flight, arranging the 16-hour drive to Bogotá, packing, saying goodbyes, locking up the house—and before I knew it, I was in Vienna, boarding a night train back to Switzerland.

It wasn’t the journey I had envisioned, but in hindsight, when do things ever go exactly as planned?

29/11/2024

2019. I wasn’t even back home yet when the next (albeit smaller) trip was already booked. A summer getaway with my mom to celebrate her 60th birthday. Together, we flew to Greece (where Seraina and I happen to be staying now) to soak up the warm hospitality, incredible food, and endless sunshine on Zakynthos. Ten days of exploring the island, indulging in delicious meals, and sipping on local wine. We didn’t lack for a thing.
By late summer, I was off again, this time heading solo to Portugal, where I met up with friends. Europe has so many fascinating sides, and it can hold its own against other parts of the world. Still, sometimes I crave the exotic, the unfamiliar, the distant.

And just like that, 2019 was drawing to a close. My plans for the next year included returning to Colombia, Mexico, and California. Little did I know what was about to unfold!

25/11/2024

In the distance, fireworks exploded to welcome the New Year, while I lay on a hard wooden bunk in a bare concrete cell, embracing silence. A unique start to the year awaited me, with the 10-day meditation retreat in southern Thailand beginning at 4 in the morning. Challenging yet rewarding, it set the tone for what was to come.

After those intense days, I traded silence for the pirate-like charm of island life on Koh Chang, where the heat was relentless, and the vibe was carefree. A train then carried me into Laos, where I spent tranquil days on a small island in the mighty Mekong, revisiting a country I hadn’t seen in years.

From there, I traveled to Penang’s vibrant Georgetown in Malaysia, followed by Sumatra. There, I finally fulfilled a dream: seeing orangutans in the wild. My journey continued to the untouched beauty of the Banyak Islands and the serene expanse of Lake Toba.

And, of course, Bali called to me once again – a place that, like Thailand, always draws me back.

This colorful journey through multi-faceted Asia filled my senses and my soul, but the year had only just begun.

22/11/2024

In 2018, Seraina and I went our separate ways, and I found myself drawn back to Asia after years of exploring Latin America. Thailand, Nepal, Laos, Malaysia, Sumatra, and Bali were on my list.

Nepal left an indelible mark on me. Chaotic yet serene, vast yet intimate—a land of contrasts. The dusty streets of Kathmandu gave way to the majestic heights of the Annapurna mountains, where every step revealed a view more epic than the last. Setting out from Pokhara, I trekked into the Annapurna National Park, moving from teahouse to teahouse, walking each day as far as I felt like.

After 10 days, the December cold drove me back to Pokhara, a return journey as memorable as the trek itself, on an ancient bus that took three hours to cover a mere 12 kilometers on a wash-away road.
Nepal’s beauty, both rugged and sacred, has me longing to go back someday.

18/11/2024

We kicked off 2018 in Mexico, flying down with Ben from San Francisco to reunite with Mäsi and Pam for an unforgettable New Year celebration. Armed with a VW Beetle, we cruised through the stunning mountains of San Luis Potosí and Hidalgo, soaking in hot springs, marveling at natural wonders, and keeping mezcal and tortillas close at hand.

Our journey continued through the lush jungles of Chiapas, all the way to Akumal and Playa del Carmen, where we spent time with Gina and Seraina’s sister Tabea. Mexico, as always, enchanted us with its vibrant colors, bold flavors, and scents.

But the final chapter of our year-and-a-half-long adventure unfolded in Colombia. In Palomino, we put on baker hats and expanded Bananatree with a cozy upstairs bedroom. Before wrapping things up, we made a detour to the mysterious statues of San Agustín, and wandered through the breathtaking Tatacoa Desert, a kaleidoscope of earthy tones and lasting memories.

Both Mexico and Colombia remain places of endless wonder—countries we’ve only just begun to uncover.

https://nimmerwo.ch/en/road-trip-mexico/

🚘

15/11/2024

2017 took us back to California, where we loaded up our van and set out northward, Alaska on our minds. But as we passed through Oregon’s misty forests and Washington’s lush landscapes, the far northern trek began to feel a bit much. So, we chose a new direction and hit Idaho—a paradise of outdoor adventures stretching all the way into Montana and Yellowstone National Park.

Eastward, we rolled through South Dakota's sweeping plains, crossed the Mississippi in St. Louis, and kept cruising till we reached the charming landscapes of New England. In Québec, we met up with old friends and Seraina’s parents for a stunning exploration of the Gaspé Peninsula.

Back in the U.S., we took in the epic scale of New York, then headed south to a hurricane-marked Florida. From there, we soaked in the sounds of New Orleans, the vastness of Texas, and the desert beauty of New Mexico and Arizona, making our way back to California.

After six months of American road-tripping, we’d collected an endless series of memories—and reached the point where we could barely process them all! It was time for a break, and our friends in Mexico were calling. More on that next week, in the stories of 2018.

https://nimmerwo.ch/en/usa-roadtrip-kalifornien-washington/

11/11/2024

Almost eight years ago, we took on our big project in Colombia: Bananatree in the Mango Village. Over six intense months, we built our own little bungalow from scratch. Using bamboo, wood, cement, clay, and an eye for detail, our new home slowly took shape, guided by our trusty builder David in Palomino. It was trial-and-error at its finest—full of learning, laughter, and, of course, a few missteps.

Finally, by mid-year, our work was complete. But just as we finished, we had to leave Colombia. The six-month visa limit was up, and we had more plans in motion. Waiting for us in California? Geoff and friends, and our newly bought van, ready for a one-of-a-kind road trip across America. Stay tuned for the next chapter!

Find more about our Bananatree journey here:

https://nimmerwo.ch/en/hausbau-in-kolumbien/

08/11/2024

In autumn 2016, we set off on our third epic journey, one that would last over a year and a half. It kicked off in California, where we once again settled in with Ben to plan out our trip. We bought a cool van for our ultimate U.S. road trip, which would take us all around the country the following year.

But first, we flew back to Colombia—where we had some big plans in store, including building our house in Palomino on the land we’d bought three years earlier. More on that in the next post!

https://nimmerwo.ch/en/zu-besuch-in-nordkalifo

04/11/2024

Autumn 2016, exactly 8 years ago we were in California when I wrote the following:
"I didn't even dare to ask. But last night, over homemade pizza and California wine, the conversation turned to the presidential election. I wondered how Americans feel about the Hillary/Trump dilemma.
And I was right. Especially here in the liberal Bay Area in and around San Francisco, where the "Land of the Free" brand still counts for the most, they are loudly ranting about the candidates. "It's not only embarrassing, but it's also scary," says Ben Cooper, whom we met in Guatemala years ago and who is happy to host us in his Oakland home. It's not just sad and shameful that someone like Trump is in danger of becoming American president, he says, it's downright scary that this can still happen today, after the George W. Bush era.
He would even prefer Bush Jr. to Trump. "Trump voters don't see beyond their villages. It's not in their imagination to take a trip to Guatemala, for example, to see what else is out there besides America. They believe Trump's lies that he will take care of their little problems. They don't care about anything else, " Cooper continues. "We simply have to choose the better of two evils."

And where are we today? As it seems, not a single step further. But enough of that for now. As we all know, politics leads nowhere.

More about traveling here: https://nimmerwo.ch/en/uebers-reisen/

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A new chapter was upon us. During preparations for a winter journey, fate had us buying our first old campervan in the fall of 2021. Brimming with excitement, we hit the road, traveling through northern Italy into Slovenia and all the way down the Balkan to Albania. Winter wonderlands gave way to sun-drenched coastlines and a string of countries we had yet to explore. Our trusty Loki—our camper's fitting name—carried us ever further south, chasing temperatures more to our liking. Yet, many nights we found ourselves shivering in our unheated van, wrapped in blankets against the biting cold. But there an unexpected twist left us stranded in Athens, facing a turn of events we hadn’t anticipated or asked for. https://nimmerwo.ch/en/unterwegs-im-balkan/ #nimmerwotours #pletvicelakes #WinterRoadTrip #roadtripbalkan #Albanien

2015 marked the nearing end of our year-and-a-half journey. A year prior, we’d spent a month at @pilpintuwasi, a wildlife rescue center near Iquitos, in the heart of the Amazon. This place left a lasting impression on us—not only because you can only reach it by boat or plane but also due to the surreal feeling of being deep in the jungle yet still in civilization. The sounds, the smells, the people, the animals—it all stayed with us. Before our flight back home, we revisited Pilpintuwasi Butterfly Farm, where Gudrun Sperrer continues her vital work with wildlife and butterflies, supported by donations and volunteers. Here’s a brief recap—more stories on our blog: https://nimmerwo.ch/pilpintuwasi/ Visit https://pilpintuwasi.com/ for more info! #pilpintuwasi #amazonriver #wildliferescue #padrecocha #iquitosperu #nimmerwotours

#nimmerwotours from México to California ✌️🤠🌉

✌Schon bald 2 Wochen in Oaxaca Mexiko und alles dreht sich bei uns um GRAJF . Viel Arbeit am Computer, Koordination mit verschiedenen Künstlern, Designs hochladen... und Werbung machen. Diesmal mit #DavidAtteborough 😁 Folgt unserem Künstler/Bio-Kleidershop gerne auch auf GRAJF #grajfdesigns #GRAJF #SupportSmallBusiness #supportartists

Palomino - wie es laut und lebt! 🙉😂 #palominocolombia #bananatree #palominoguajira #laut #loud

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Why We Travel

Over the screen while I write this, I get a peek of my worldmap on the wall. I get up, walk over, look closer. My finger runs over rivers and mountains, oceans and deserts, it runs over mysterious sounding names. And then it stops.

Here I have not been yet. What does this place look like? Who lives here and how? What do people do in this part of the planet?

A plan starts to form ...