The Start
That feeling when you are about to finally leave on holiday or a big trip. The uncertainties, the expectations, the excitement, all waiting to finally be set in motion.
Since August 2022 I had this trip in mind. My general idea was to get to Costa Rica without using the airplane, which incorporates crossing the Atlantic by sailing boat and will most likely start in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. This I knew, would be my first waypoint. How I might get there, was still unknown to me. I just had a direction and told myself; I will get there somehow.
My trip will be a little longer than a usual holiday, maybe, probably a couple of years. I didn’t intend to leave my little town in a bad way by escaping it. But rather to see and experience more than just the usual with its ups and downs. Aspiring to get new life perspectives through different cultures and constant changes. Generally, I think the core benefit of traveling is its way of enriching one’s viewpoint of life, if done to an extend right. Additionally, it was and is the perfect timing, which I knew I would regret later, if I didn’t take this chance. Thus, it was important for me to say properly goodbye to friends and family and leave with good conscience, since I don’t know when I will see them again. This sounds rather harsh or let’s say sad, but at the same time it has something beautiful to it. You get to appreciate and enjoy those last moments, at least for some time, even more. Knowing you can leave home with good conscience, rather than escaping, and having settled the most important things, I considered of huge value for me, so that I can appreciate and focus on experiencing the unfamiliar even more.
When I say I didn’t plan much, I mean it. We decided the itinerary for the first week and a half, roughly two weeks prior before leaving. By we I mean, a friend who was also heading south, and I decided to group up. But then finally, it was time to start this idea which I had in my mind now for so long.
After saying goodbye and leaving Hamburg, Germany behind us, the first destination was Milano, Italy. Getting there by car, we passed through the charming Basel, Switzerland, and got to enjoy a little of this fascinating city, which is definitely a place worth coming back to, with more time. Meeting a friend for a quick refreshment in Switzerland and after staying at a very neat camping space beside a lake and the road to Milano overnight, we arrived after three days.
Our rented Airbnb was located in an enchanting district besides the little river “Naviglio Grande”. Since we arrived pretty early, we just wandered around the city and got a brief understanding where everything is, before checking in. Quickly we notice the beauty of Milano, the richness in culture, history, art, and architecture. As we walked through the city, we let us inspire of how we wanted to create the one and a half days we were in Milano.
In any major city, if there is a place you want to photograph and that place is touristic, your best chances of getting a memorable or at least a good photo are to near zero. The obvious reason being are the thousands of people getting in the way.
The key in getting those memorable photos is to simply be the first one to show up. Which eventually means to wake up very early and arrive before sunrise. This might sound painful and overkill, but once you actually are one of the first at that place, there is this magical atmosphere, where you can truly enjoy and take in all the beauty, without getting constantly bumped and having all the noises around you.
This time in Milano it was no different. We decided to head to the “Duomo di Milano” and the “Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II”, both beside each other, before dawn, to arrive in the morning blue hour light. We were almost the only ones, with the exceptions of some likeminded people. We got to explore this area calmer and richer than when we strolled through a couple of hours later.
This “technic” is something I can highly recommend. Not only to take better pictures but also to truly appreciate those places even more. I have done it now a couple of times in bigger Cities or touristic places like Paris, Hamburg and Teotihuacán, Mexico. We were the very first and only ones to be at the opening gate and get a ticket. Just as the sun was rising right behind the pyramid of the sun and the hot air balloons were taking of, we were completely by ourselves on that whole historic area for the first 30 min and even one and a half hours later there where only a few people around. This was truly something magical. The atmosphere of this holy place with no people was indescribable. And additionally, the morning light gave it the cherry on top. Two years later we went again, but this time early mid-day. It was packed. Still a stunning place, but the experience was not even close to the time we were there by ourselves.
If you ever consider visiting a place, which is usually very crowded and are sick of it, then this “technic” is worth it and I would say it is about 90% effective, to give no promises. Not only does it cause for good photos but also delivers a truly unique atmosphere of that special place.
After an enjoyable time in Milano, we hit the road and drove to Mont Blanc, where the tour of Mont Blanc was waiting for us. We planned to do only the three out of the whole 12 days, due to bad weather emerging.
This multiday hike is truly breathtaking, which I mean in every way. It is for anyone who wants a challenge, is fit for it, and likes long “nature” walks and is not afraid of doing tons of high meters. If you are prepared accordingly, have a decent to good fitness and start walking early to avoid the relentless heat during the middle of the day, not like us on the first day, it is definitely worth a try. It is stunning. The majestic views all around you are just worth the pain.
Here are two tips, from our experience, if you ever consider walking the tour of Mont Blanc or like us do only a part of the trail (we started from “Courmayeur” counterclockwise to “Le Pontet” and got back buy bus), which is also possible.
1. Book the huts along the trail, way in advance.
We brought a tent with us and expected to camp along the way, be it on camping grounds or beside the trail. But camping beside the trail, as we asked for information, is forbidden (but you can always risk it, which of course should be your last option or ask the huts, if it would be okay to set up beside them). Additionally, there are not always official camping grounds and both camping grounds and huts might be fully booked, depending on the month, so definitely book in advance. And since all the stages, at least those we walked, are, to say the least, exhausting, you’d be glad to have a nice shower at the end of a draining day. Which brings me right to my next point.
2. Pack lightly.
Pack only the essentials. Minimal clothing, water, which thankfully you can regularly top up and snacks/food, if you plan to camp, since there aren’t many options for groceries along the trail. I overpacked, this on purpose, but quickly regretted my decision. It drains your energy faster, especially in the scorching summer heat and of course it increases the risk of injury during the demanding walk. But a thing I got to realize is, it doesn’t let you fully take in the beauty around you, since you just want to arrive or hope for the next little break, where you just focus on recovering.
After completing the 3 out of 12-day tour of Mont Blanc we decided spontaneously to extend our trip together. To give our soring legs a little break we changed up the scenery and drove to the Italian coast where we enjoyed the refreshing ocean. Along the coast of Italy and France we ended up in Arles, France.
The old historic town center gives place to a once-a-year famous “photo-festival” called “Les Rencontres de la photographie d’Arles “, which is accessible over the course of almost 3 months. This little old city just has this artistic flair to it, influenced by the combination of old and modern architecture, the little shops, the photo-exhibition all over town and even the tourist just have something about them, going around with their cameras taking pictures of pictures. We were fortunate enough to get a glimpse of the photo-exhibition, where we let us be inspired by some of the stunning works displayed. Something always worth coming back to is to this little food stand “Kalu Coco”, they have by far the tastiest snack in Arles.
But then it was time to have another goodbye since our path took different direction. This was the perfect end to a perfect start for the first two weeks. Starting with a minimal plan has definitely some surprises for you along the way. It showed me, that nothing goes like you plan and expected it to go, this is almost certain. Expectations can often blind you of what is really in front of you.
There I was, continuing my journey with the train to Toulouse, France, to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port where I was about to start the Camino of Santiago, Camino Frances.
On a different note:
I was never a good writer and always have disliked the work of writing something, be it for school and later for uni. But while I started my travels, I always played with this idea of starting to write something in form of a Blog, like this. Taking photos and video is one way of how I got to appreciate documenting things that happen during life. But like everything it can’t truly convey everything there is, at least I haven’t gotten to that point yet. That’s where I want to fill in the gap with Blogs of this kind. Expressing what videos and photos, at least for now, can’t really break through. Having to put down all kinds of thoughts, ideas, and memories in the structure of the written word, is another great way to keep everything tight in the busy head. Plus, it’s obviously a great practice ground for writing and is another form storytelling.
Since this is my first Blog, and no one has read this expect me, I am especially curious of how it will be received and even more interested what didn’t work. As you only learn and grow through mistakes and that given constructive feedback. With that being said, you are more than welcome to give your harsh option on everything, be it the length and style of writing, or even if you have questions regarding the tips or the thoughts stated, please do so.
But for now, thank you for taking your time and reading this far. I truly appreciate it and hope that there is at least something valuable you gathered from this.
Have a great one,
Michael - Inspire what you can