Ideas in Progression

A digital space where music, travel, and storytelling converge.

Tag: trips

  • Beyond the Postcard: Exploring Sri Lanka

    Beyond the Postcard: Exploring Sri Lanka

    Sri Lanka: Where Asia Shines

    Several years ago, I found myself stepping off a flight into Colombo, little knowing what awaited me. What I discovered was not merely a holiday destination, but an experience that would linger in my memory long after departure.

    COLOMBO: FIRST IMPRESSIONS MATTER

    The capital city greeted me with unexpected charm.

    Contrary to any preconceived notions about South Asian urban chaos, Colombo struck me as remarkably clean and organised. There was an orderliness to everything that belied its vibrant energy. But more than the infrastructure, it was the people who made the deepest impression.

    Everyone I met on the streets sported a nice smile.

    A CULINARY ODYSSEY

    The local cuisine also proved to be very interesting to me. Sri Lankan food is a right mix of flavours and aromatic spices.

    I liked the rice and curry – not the single curries you might know, but several small varieties served alongside steaming rice, the kottu roti: chopped flatbread stir-fried with vegetables, eggs, and meat, and the hoppers: bowl-shaped pancakes made from fermented rice flour, perfect with a soft-boiled egg nestled in the centre.

    SPIRITUAL HORIZONS: THE TEMPLES

    No exploration of Sri Lanka would be complete without acknowledging its sacred heritage.

    The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy stands as perhaps the most revered Buddhist site on the island, housing what is believed to be Buddha’s actual tooth.

    Then, there’s Ruanweli Dagoda in Anuradhapura, one of the tallest ancient stupas in the world, its golden dome gleaming against the tropical sky – a testament to over two millennia of continuous worship.

    Finally, the Galle Fort Dutch Reformed Church reminded me of the island’s colonial complexity, where Christian heritage sits alongside Buddhist and Hindu traditions.

    THE TEA CULTURE: MORE THAN JUST A BEVERAGE

    During a visit to the tea plantations I learned that Sri Lanka’s tea industry traces back to 1867 when Scottish planter James Taylor established the first commercial tea garden in Knuckles District.

    Before that, coffee dominated cultivation until devastating blight destroyed entire crops. The locals turned to tea – and they never looked back.

    Today, Ceylon Tea remains a global gold standard, grown at high altitudes across the hill country.

    SIGIRIYA: ASCENDING AN ANCIENT KINGDOM

    Sigiriya (sometimes pronounced Sirigia as many locals do) is a fifth-century rock fortress that rises nearly 200 metres above the surrounding jungle, a marvel constructed during the reign of King Kashyapa.

    He built his palace atop this massive column of rock following a bitter succession dispute – either brilliant strategy or madness, depending on which chronicler you read. Climbing to the summit involved navigating ancient water gardens, fresco galleries (some surviving paintings still visible), and mirror walls once polished so reflective the king could see his own reflection.

    From the top, the panoramic views across the central jungle were simply magnificent – green canopy stretching endlessly, broken only by other rocky outcrops piercing the horizon like islands in an ocean.

    ELEPHANTS PARADING THROUGH COLONIAL HISTORY

    Back in Colombo, I witnessed the elephant procession – a rare treat in the heart of the city. Watching these majestic creatures adorned in ceremonial decorations moving through streets lined with palm trees created a moment of pure magic. They represent much of Sri Lanka’s cultural identity and religious significance, particularly in Buddhist tradition where they symbolise wisdom and royal power.

    PRATICAL ADVICE FOR FELLOW TRAVELLERS

    One crucial piece of advice for anyone planning their Sri Lankan adventure: negotiate tuk tuk fares firmly before boarding. Some drivers expect tourists to arrive unprepared and will quote astronomical prices upon reaching your destination. Be clear about the amount upfront, preferably using your hotel to help verify reasonable rates.

    THE VERDICT: ABSOLUTELY RECOMMENDED

    Would I return? Without hesitation, and sooner rather than later. Sri Lanka offers everything a discerning traveller seeks – authentic cultural experiences, breathtaking natural beauty, culinary adventures, historical depth, and human warmth rarely matched elsewhere.

    Seven or eight days barely scratches the surface. Yet even in that brief window, Sri Lanka revealed itself as a nation of extraordinary resilience, beauty, and hospitality.

    Go. See for yourself. You’ll understand why many call it Paradise on Earth.

  • Road Trip Journal: The Seven-Week Nordic Odyssey – Part 2

    Road Trip Journal: The Seven-Week Nordic Odyssey – Part 2

    A Journey North Begins (again!)

    After two weeks back in Tirol, we were ready to re-start our trip to Tromsø. But to compensate we’d have to quicken our pace to reclaim those lost days.

    The Road Through Central Europe

    Our journey commenced with a brief pause in Germany, at the quiet town of Nörten-Hardenberg—a perfect stepping stone before crossing into Scandinavia.

    Next came Denmark. We chose Aalborg as our Danish waypoint, allowing ourselves a moment to breathe before the sea crossing that would carry us onto Norwegian soil.

    Into the Land of Fjords – (Some) Places We Passed Through

    From Hirtshals, the ferry departed for Kristiansand, marking our official entry into Norway proper. What followed was a whirlwind of coastal highways and mountain passes: Lyngdal, Lindum, Eidfjord, Hemsedal, Dovre, and Langnes each offering their own slice of Nordic wilderness.

    Then came (one of many) maritime leg that defines much of northern Norway: a ferry traversing Bodø–Røst–Værøy–Moskenes, before finally reaching our ultimate destination—Tromsø.

    Perhaps a contrarian take: Norway’s beauty is so relentless that it loops back into repetition.

    Let me explain…

    When you traverse thousands of kilometres in such compressed time, you inevitably encounter fjord after fjord, waterfall after waterfall, red house after red house Each magnificent. Each worthy. But after a while, even perfection wears thin.

    What I learned in this trip had nothing to do with Norway. Everything to do with me: staying longer in one place beats one night stays.

    The Midnight Sun Paradox

    The midnight sun is undeniably magical—until it sabotages your circadian rhythm entirely.

    Time itself seemed to dissolve. I’d awaken, greet the bright, unrelenting sunshine, congratulate myself on a solid night’s rest, only to discover merely two or three hours had passed by. It turns out I do not enjoy daylight only; I require the night as well.

    Those who call this land home, enduring months of unbroken light followed by months of profound darkness, command my utmost respect.

    Chasing Quietude Over Crowds

    In enjoy the most the quieter corners of any landscape.

    In Denmark, guidebooks insisted the eastern side housed the essential attractions. Because of that we drove west instead.

    Norway presented a similar revelation. We began along the classic touristic routes but quickle grew weary of them. So we detoured into silence. Again.

    Wild Camping Triumphs

    To name standout favourites from both countries, I must acknowledge our wild camping experiences. We stumbled upon facilities equipped with toilets and shelter in the absolute middle of nowhere—and they were immaculate. A stark contrast to our encounters on the Camino de Santiago—but that, dear reader, is a tale for another article and another occasion.

    The Skagerrak Strait, Denmark — a part of the North Sea, and the Kattegat, which connects to the Baltic Sea, converge at this location.

    Vega Islands, Norway— near the Artic Circle, it was our first wild camping (with benefits!) in Norway.

    Final Thoughts

    Some journeys teach you about the world. Others teach you about yourself. This one, I believe, did both. The north called to us, we answered, and somewhere between the fjords and the endless summer light, we learned that perhaps the greatest discoveries aren’t found on any map—they’re found in recognising what truly moves us, and what simply impresses us.

    Until the next adventure – Safe hikes!

    e.

    If you missed the first part of our Nordic Trip, you can read it here.

  • New Short Video: Denmark’s West Coast

    New Short Video: Denmark’s West Coast

    From the Scandinavian coast—this stretch near Lemvig speaks for itself:

    Howling winds, deserted horizons, the kind of solitude that reminds you to seize the moment.

    Carpe diem.
    e.

    Watch Me!

  • Road Trip Journal: The Seven-Week Nordic Odyssey (Part 1) The First Attempt

    Road Trip Journal: The Seven-Week Nordic Odyssey (Part 1) The First Attempt

    So, we finally did it. After years of planning, we packed the car, strapped a tent to the roof, and pointed our headlights north. Our goal? A seven-week epic from Austria to Tromsø, Norway.

    The grand plan was ambitious: traverse northern Germany, hug the east coast of Denmark, catch a ferry across the Skagerrak, and drive deep into the Norwegian Arctic. Once we reached Tromsø, the script would flip. “Team B” would take the wheel for the final leg, while we flew back to our home base in Tirol.

    But as any seasoned traveller knows, the map is rarely the territory. This is Part 1: The First Attempt. Spoiler alert: It didn’t go exactly to plan.

    The Gear: Survival of the Fittest (and Coziest)

    We weren’t just winging it. For a seven-week stint in the Nordic chill, our setup had to be bulletproof. We stripped the car down to essentials, prioritising warmth and efficiency:

    • The Shelter: An easy-pitch tent (because nobody wants to wrestle with poles in the rain).
    • Sleep System: Winter-grade sleeping bags paired with inflatable cushions and camping bed frames. No cold ground for us.
    • The Kitchen: Full cooking facilities and a portable fridge to keep the provisions fresh.
    • The Secret Weapon: Meal prepping. To save time and sanity, we organised two menus a day and bagged all ingredients into seven separate, sealed packs—one for each week. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, sorted.

    The Road: Rivers, Sheep, and Lighthouses

    Our first night was a warm-up in Germany, pitching up beside a river. The facilities were spotless, the vibe serene, and the location perfect. We liked it immediately.

    As we pushed north, the scenery shifted. The rolling hills gave way to the hypnotic, flat expanses of Denmark. We encountered long stretches of road with no curves and almost no traffic—a driver’s dream. But the real stars of the show were the locals: the sheep. We saw more sheep in a week than most people see in a lifetime. And yes, the lighthouses were everywhere, standing sentinel along the coast like silent guardians.

    Denmark: Wind, Wit, and Welcome

    Crossing into Denmark brought a few specific lessons for the uninitiated:

    • Dress Code: Bring appropriate clothes. It’s a flat country, which means it’s also a very windy country.
    • Language: Don’t panic if you don’t speak Danish. You can navigate the entire country speaking German or English with ease.
    • The People: Friendly, attentive, and helpful. Whether in stores, supermarkets, or at the campsites, the Danish hospitality was a highlight.

    The Bitter Truth

    Then came the call.

    On our second week, just as we were finding our rhythm, my doctor rang. My monitored condition required my immediate attention back in Austria. The dream of reaching Tromsø in one go had to be paused.

    It was a bitter pill to swallow. We packed up the tent, folded the camping beds, and turned the car around. The freedom of the road clashed violently with the reality of health. But life goes on. We aren’t giving up; we’re just hitting pause. We’re heading back to Austria to sort things out, with the intention of picking up the thread in one week.

    The journey isn’t over; it’s just entering a new chapter.

    Coming Up: More on the return leg, the medical detour, and how we plan to finish the job in Part 2.

    Want to see the sheep, the lighthouses, and the campsites? Check out the photos on my Instagram.

    Safe travels, and keep the wheels turning.

  • The Cartography of Nothing:  Mapping a Life Without Borders

    The Architecture of Less

    For years, I dreamed of a life unbound by geography—a existence defined by movement, not an address. But let’s be honest: freedom isn’t cheap, and it certainly isn’t easy to fund while paying rent on an empty flat. So, I did the only logical thing: I liquidated my entire existence.

    Collect Memories, Not Things

    I had long considered myself a minimalist, well before this lifestyle became a curated social media trend. Yet, despite that mindset, I discovered that getting rid of everything you own is far harder than simply boxing it up and moving to a new place (in my case; no place)

    Dare To Be Different

    The 2019 transition wasn’t without tremors. As usual, my “family” offered zero support, entrenched in their conservative modus vivendi. – I wear the ‘black sheep’ badge with pride. Why adhere to the prescribed linear march? Corporate drudgery, a flashy car, a beachside flat, offspring. I harbour no judgment for those who find fulfilment in that script, but it was never mapped for my feet. My compass points elsewhere: no borders, new customs, acquiring cultural depth. Money is a tool, not a trophy. Vanity? Abandoned long ago.

    Nine-to-Five? Hard Pass

    I have no desire to fund a boss’s luxury fleet or endure petty micromanagement from “work mates”. Now, I dictate my own priorities. Minimalism, coupled with location-independent work and house-sitting, dissolved the rigid structures of calendar days, weekends, and fixed hours into irrelevance.

    The Fine Print of Fate

    A word of counsel for those eyeing the leap: invest in quality, not quantity. Ignore the frenzied consumerism of Black Friday; buy functional, enduring items. And boycott the monolithic convenience of online stores in favour of local, (in my case) European commerce. To me, the hyper-consumerist USA-model was always hardly a template worth following.

    This is my perspective. But be careful what you wish for: you might just like it.

    Yours in freedom,
    e.

  • The Donkey Palio: A Madcap Adventure You Won’t Believe

    The Palio dei Somari: Where Donkeys Steal the Show

    Since 1966, Torrita di Siena has been celebrating its Palio dei Somari—a festival that puts Saint Joseph (patron of carpenters) and his humble donkey companion centre stage. Born to honour both toil and simplicity, the event sees the town’s eight contrade battling for a painted banner on St Joseph’s feast day.

    Each district—Porta a Pago, Porta a Sole, Porta Gavina, Porta Nova, Le Fonti, Stazione, Refenero, and Cavone—sports its own colours, crest, and spot-on 15th-century garb. It’s Siena’s famous contrada rivalry, but with a donkey twist and a whole lot of character.

    Source: torritadisienaliving.it

    One Last Lap: The Palio dei Somari on my channel