Reykjavik, Iceland Airwaves 23

After 2017, it was time for me to go to my favorite festival again. Discovering new music, being surrounded by music lovers and drifting from location to location at night - that’s exactly what I love. No other country in the world has a higher density of musicians and internationally renowned musicians per inhabitant, and that’s what you get to hear there. In addition to the local musicians, there are also a lot of other bands from other countries to see. When selecting the bands, the organizers pay particular attention to gender equality. 

IA - you are something special.


Albania

There are many beautiful places in Europe, but not many people think of Albania. However, we thought that this country with its mountains in the north and the beautiful coast is definitely worth a trip. 

In the north, in the Theth National Park, we stayed in an accommodation that was rented out by a family. A small schnapps was of course always included in the evening. This area was full of beautiful mountains, rivers and waterfalls. 

After some beautiful hikes, we headed south to the sea. In Ksamil we enjoyed our lazy side and spent two more days on the beach. All in all, a nice short trip. 



Zillertal, Austria

With Tobias, a buddy of mine, and his family I spent a few days in the Zillertal. I already know the Zillertal from various winter vacations in which I like to snowboard there. We were accommodated in Krimml (1067m), a place that is known as a climatic health resort because of its waterfalls. We spent the time with hikes and mountain biking while also flowed a lot of sweat - but vacation may also mean effort. 



Madeira

Unfortunately, due to the Covid pandemic, it was not so easy to travel. The situation eased in summer, so I took the chance and flew to Madeira. For good reasons, Maderia is often called the Hawaii of Europe. Our first trip went directly to the highest elevation (1862m), to Pico Ruivo, from where we could enjoy a beautiful view of towns, the sea and the landscape. Every bead of sweat was worth it. The first days we spent in the Santana region, in the northeast of the island, with hikes such as the Levada Caldeirao Verde. 

We then spent the 2nd part of the trip in the southwest of the island. Here there are some great levada hikes, which you should not miss. But also the Vereda do Fanal with the beautiful fairy forest is worth a hike, especially when it is foggy. At the end of our trip we spent some time in the natural swimming pools of Porto Moniz.


High Tatras

What could I do with the last 3 days off this year? A short trip somewhere, of course! Nicole, who accompanied me also to California, was again with me, and we had two options in our mind - seaside or mountains. We decided to travel to the Mountains, more precisely the High Tatras in Poland. We went to Zakopane, where we had a beautiful Airbnb at a house called Ornak. From there, we started our hikes to Czarny Star-Morskie Oko and to Jaskania Mylna. In total, that made 45km in 2 days - but it was worth it.  


“antlesssummer” gathering

Once a year, we’re having an international photo gathering, and it’s always a great time. This year it took place in Lenzen, Germany - which is a roughly two-hour drive from Berlin. We spend our time with some yoga sessions, listing to the hottest 80s tracks and at the lakeside.
Here are some portrait photos of Clara, Isabella, Maren, and Rebecca. 

To be honest with every year, I’m less ambitious in taking staged photos because jumping in the lake or doing nothing seems, in the same way, fulfilling to me. May you can understand. 


A Summer’s Tale 19

AST third time in a row. Thanks to FKP Scorpio for being able to do two things I love at the same time - taking photos and listen to music. The AST is a calm and family-friendly festival with different workshops, readings, and music from soul to punk. It’s like a holiday for me. In the next year, the AST will have a one year break, and I’m curious if and how it will come back. Best Artists 2019: Suede, Michael Kiwanuka, Xavier Rudd.
Music is love that never fades away.  


California

When Chris and Betty moved to California, I promised them a visit. Roughly one year later, I was glad to keep my promise.

Together with Nicole, which is a great friend of mine, we organized an unnecessary large RV for the road trip. What were we meant to do? It was the cheapest.

Time flew way too fast, and I felt like a child during our daily trips. Discovering the surroundings, collecting impressions, and sharing time at firepits made me not wanna go home.

During our 3.500 km trip, we visited the Nationalparks Yosemite and Lassen, the Humboldt Redwood State Park, Lake Tahoe (not recommended), Silver Lake (highly recommended), Travertine Hot Springs, San Francisco, and Santa Cruz. Thanks to our American Krauts, we hardly had to spare thoughts on difficulties.

What a wonderful time!


“provinz2019” gathering

It was time again to meet up with old friends and new people. The gathering took place in Dragun, next to Schwerin, in a big house surrounded by nature, with super calm human beings, delicious meals, good music, laughter lines and in the end, some more portraits in my pocket.


Exactly what I needed!

BTS - to keep some moments in mind


Reykjavik, Iceland Airwaves 17

The Iceland Airwaves Music Festival is one unique festival along the planet which differs from others by the number of artists and venues and also by the way it includes the residents of Reykjavik. Those things could be seen in a concert of Asgeir in a retirement house or that besides all the official shows that there was a massive list of off-venue gigs where you could listen to music without paying money.

The biggest official venues where the concert-house Harpa-Eldborg, concert hall Gamla Bíó, the Reykjavik Art Musem and the Frikirkjan church.

Best off-venue gigs took place at the KEX-Hostel, where shows from Gus Gus, Soley, JFDR and Emiliana Torrini and The Colorist had been streamed by the Seattle based Radiostation KEXP. Iceland is well known for its pioneer role in gender equality and therefore it isn’t surprising that many Artists where women and that the Iceland Airwaves is a participant of the keychange foundation which empowers women to transform the music industry.

It was a wonderful time. Enjoy the pictures.

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