The world-famous Ruta 40 in Argentina by Tuk Tuk
Ruta 40 (Wikipedia) is THE ROAD in Argentina. Five thousand one hundred ninty four kilometers long, it winds from the high Andes on the Bolivian border south to Patagonia, finally turning east to end at the Atlantic Ocean. It is a unique road trip that crosses many...Off to the Chaco – Argentina, with Tuk Tuk and dog
“What do you want in the Chaco? There’s nothing to see there,” people kept saying to me. Well, we’ll see, that was my thought. If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the last few years, it’s that I have to see things for...Oh, you beautiful Argentina. Traveling with a Tuk-Tuk and a dog through South America
With a hot cup of tea and homemade bread, I sit on a large stone warmed by the sun, gazing Westward. Before me, a massive rock face—red sandstone, partly overgrown with green, wrapped with clouds in places. A condor spirals majestically above the rock face. Even with...Tuk-Tuking the Americas. Finally, the journey continues. Chile.
It is dark, and Butch and I are already in the tent. Outside, the wind is raging, and it is freezing cold. We are at 3800 meters. It is winter in the southern hemisphere. Northern Chile is within the borders of the driest desert in the world, the Atacama: the...Traveling in Mexico, with a dog, and motorcycle
Crossing the border at Ojinaga was a breeze. I only had to deposit 400 US dollars for the temporary importation of the motorcycle, which will be returned to me when I leave the country. This deposit detours a person from selling vehicles in the country rather than...Traveling with a dog has its difficulties. How to go on?
As mentioned in my last article, I bought a Surly ECR from Colleen in Washington and couldn’t wait until it finally arrived in Arizona. It’s a great bike and is really fun to ride. Unfortunately, there were some delivery problems with the racks that I...Walking through the fantastic scenery of Baja California, Mexico Part 2
“You stupid bitch! You f__ing c__t!” a Yank angrily yelled at me on the beach. “Thank you for the nice greeting,” I replied, but he kept yelling. I had dared to ask him from afar if his gang of big dogs running around his van was friendly or...Walking Adventure with my dog on the Baja California in Mexico.
After an annoying year – I guess we all felt that way – in which almost nothing worked out as I had imagined, it was finally time for a new adventure. With Covid continuing to cause so many problems world-wide: travel possibilities were nearly nil. The...Branding day at a ranch in Oregon
“What are you guys doing out here in this heat? I saw you two in Burns a few days ago. I was the woman who sent you in the wrong direction when you asked for the post office,” Mary said, while her husband Wes looked on anxiously at Butch, who was huddled...No. 101 Walk Across America – Oregon was great – heat and fires a big problem
Crossing the Columbia River, which acts as the border between Washington and Oregon, brought us into another world; the river seemed to mark more than just the dividing line between two states because suddenly, people were again the Americans I know and...No.100 All beginnings are hard – Walk across America – with a puppy in tow through Washington State – for the climate and conservation
Did I want to go to the US again? Not really.Did I have any more attractive alternative? Not really. But I was eager to do something for the environment finally! From my perspective, the US was precisely the right country for it – or so I thought....Nr.99 – Walk Across America * Fundraiser * Sea to Sea for Trees * a dog * beach house
New ideas from the beach house I’ve been in my tiny beach house down on the Baja California in Mexico for almost four months now. I never thought I would last this long here; after all, staying in one place for four months is half an eternity. But I have to say,...No.98 USA – 800 Mile long-distance hiking Arizona Trail – When hiking you have a lot of time to think
As a loyal reader, you surely know by now how much I love the American West! One corner of the West is particularly dear to my heart, namely Arizona. Of course, Utah is also very special to me. But whether I prefer Arizona or Utah doesn’t matter for...No.97 USA Canoe Adventure – Northern Forest Canoe Trail
The Northern Forest Canoe Trail starts in Old Forge, New York State, connecting lakes, rivers, and streams for eleven hundred and ninety kilometers, finally ending at Fort Kent, Main. A signposted old waterway with wild camping sites. Harry came up...No.96 USA – A Colorado Trail 480 Miles Thru-Hiking Adventure
“Wow – a bear! Look over there! Honestly, no shit, there’s a bear! Harry, you’re not looking.” I poked at him. “Come on, what’s so special about a black bear? They were always running around my front yard....One Year of Africa in Pictures – Tips for Travel Photography Part II
The second part (click here for part 1) of my photo series “One year of Africa in pictures”. Again, I will give you the technical data of the photos, as well as little stories about how the pictures were taken and how to get better results for your own...Tales and encounters from seven years cycling the world
Actually, I did not intend to write about my seven year anniversary. Somehow, I didn’t find the number all that groundbreaking. But then I posted this anniversary picture on my social media channels and received so many nice and loving comments that I decided to write...No.95 Bicycle touring Ghana – Time for a change of direction
As usual, I had no problems at the border. Three super friendly border police greeted me with the typical cool “everything easy” laugh. Of course, they also wanted to go to Germany. I was given 90 days for Ghana, despite having been told something...No.94 Bicycle touring Ivory Coast – This is Africa!
“Bonjour Madame, please wash your hands here,” were the first words I heard in the new country. Wow, these are completely new methods, which gave me some hope to find better hygienic conditions. As you know, hope dies last. The border policeman took...No.93 Bicycle touring in Liberia – A breath of New York City
I crossed the border from Sierra Leone to Liberia (MAP) quickly and without issue, my visa, which I had arranged through an agency in Monrovia, was ready to pick up at the counter. Organizing it online, I had saved myself the detour to the embassy in Freetown, the...No.92 Sierra Leone – In monsoon rain through one of the poorest countries on earth
To act for oneself: How do I write about such a poverty-stricken country? How can I report objectively about a country without stepping on the toes of the local population and treating them unfairly? They are people who became dear to my heart. I don’t want to be...A year of Africa in pictures – with tips on photography Part 1
A review of the year in pictures. Before continuing with the reports about my experiences in Africa, I would like to present some of my most beautiful visual moments of the past 365 days in Africa. For interested photographers, there is also the information...No.90 Cycling in Guinea – friendliness, colors and monsoon
Guinea was different – Guinea was great. What I liked most about Guinea were the people. Friendly and unintrusive. Almost no begging. Pure relaxation. But to make things clear, Guinea wasn’t a walk in the park either. The border station was in a total no...No.89 Senegal II, Casamance and Guinea-Bissau – Happy I am riding a bike
I had set myself three tasks for the Casamance, the south-western part of Senegal. (MAP)The first one was to take a break! To seal myself off. To calm down.I desperately needed some time alone. Distance from the hustle and bustle, the many people, the continuous noise...No.88 Cycling The Gambia – Roller coaster of emotions, economic refugees, Ramadan
“What’s your mission?” the border official bellowed into my ears when I asked for a stamp at the tiny border crossing at the very eastern end of the small and undistinguished country on the Gambia River. Phew, finally people are speaking English again was...No.87 Cycling in Senegal – Toubab Toubab – White person
“Are you married?” was the first question I was asked in the country. “No”, I answered briefly. “But you are getting old. You must finally marry now, otherwise it is too late”.The young man then turned to his buddy and said...No.86 Bikepacking Mauritania – Iron ore train ride, multiculti and sand
“You’ll see, when you’re out of Morocco, you finally made it to Africa” I was told this again and again. And when I got closer to the Mauritanian border, it felt exactly like that. The border post was already noticeably more run-down than the one on...No.85 Cycling Western Sahara – Strong wind, lots of traffic, endless, many police checks
Guelmim, on the 89th day of my Moroccan stay. The next day I should have left the country, but I was still about 1300 km away from the Mauritanian border.As arranged the evening before Mohammed met me at the café in my hotel in the morning to get started on my visa...No.84 Morocco part III – A paradise for touring cyclists
The blokes whom I had the pleasure of listening to on New Year’s Eve, were real musicians. Really remarkable what a positive atmosphere they created and how they appeared to almost play themselves into a state of ecstasy.Jbel Sarhro, a mountain range that you...No.83 Bicycle touring Africa – Morocco Part II – The fascination of the desert
I left Missour on a gravel road and was happy about my newly won freedom. Not having the police on my back anymore was just brilliant and from then on nothing stood in the way of camping. The landscape was rather unspectacular. But even the unglamorous stretches, with...No.82 Bicycle touring Africa – Morocco part 1 – Police escort, amazing hospitality and great landscapes
I’ve been in Morocco for seven weeks now. Or better yet, surprisingly only seven weeks, because it feels like I’ve been on African soil for countless months now. A lot of exciting things have happened in the last few weeks. Or even more precise – in...No. 81 Viva España – Bicycle touring in Spain or the land of many mountains
“The sun shines day and night – Eviva España” that’s the name of the famous folk song or not?Unfortunately, it was rather wet and cold. Thanks to climate change, this year the weather was totally crazy, so it was warm in the north of Europe and...No.80 Off to Africa!
Yes, time for Africa! I would like to experience the many different cultures of Africa. Get to know the people and their way of life. To meet laughing children and to sort out preconceptions. To look at the world on the so-called “Dark Continent” for...Nr.79 Getting home after 4.7 years is not an easy task
I was now eight months in my homeland. Eight months trying to get to know my old home again. A world I thought I knew by heart. A country that has become a stranger to me. It’s cold and hectic. Where speed dominates and people hardly have time to breathe. And...Nr.78 USA – Bikepacking the terrific landscapes of the Colorado Plateau in Utah as well as the end of a 4.7 year long bicycle trip around the world
It was hot, piping hot when I started my tour around Utah. A dream. Those bizarre rock formations are simply terrific. They shine in all colors and shades and can be found here around every bend. The desert had me again and I was eager to experience it. The desert had...Nr.77 USA – The American West is simply sensational
It felt like coming home, even if the real home was still to come. I was really looking forward to my nature and all the friendly Americans I would most certainly meet and was just happy to be back. For me, the American West continues to be one of the most marvelous...No.76 Nicaragua – Not an easy decision
This blog post is already 4 months overdue. It’s hard for me to describe my time in Nicaragua in a fair and constructive way. But I have pushed this article away from me long enough and now it is finally time to post it. Even with the great distance I have now,...No.75 Is Honduras a safe country for a solo female cyclist?
Guatemala, or rather Livingston, received me kindly. I spent 3 days in a great hostel overlooking the sea right from my hostel bed. Really relaxing and comfortable. The whole tourist bustle here was not really my thing – although of course I ate Nutella pancakes...N0.74 – Belize – the land of colorful smiles
Why colorful? Because you can find all the skin colors of the world here, a country with an extremely large number of ethnic groups who, as it seemed to me, live together in a vivid and joyful way while still keeping their own cultures. Such extremely friendly people...No.73 Guatemala – 4 years and 50.000 kilometers on the road
4 years and 50,000 kilometers …… Four loooong years and 50,000 long kilometers …. I crossed the river which marks the border to Guatemala with a small boat at the Frontera Corozal and was curious what lies ahead. I had great hopes for nice people and...Nr.72 Bicycle touring Mexico – The long way to Guatemala
Let’s make it short. I don’t like Mexico, although the cities are really worth seeing and therefore it actually is unfair to come to this negative conclusion, especially since I had a brilliant time on the Baja California. But I simply can’t get used to the...Nr. 71 Mexico – Exploring beautiful Central Mexico and it’s pretty colonial towns and pyramids – A short break without the bike
I started my short, somehow new trip experience, which took place without cycling in Sombrerete a -Pueblo Magico – a magical village in the state of Zacatecas in the North of Mexico. A great village full of street life and superb colorful houses, pretty churches and...No.70 Bike touring in Northern Mexico – Copper Canyon to Durango
The ferry crossing to the mainland of Mexico was sweetened by two super nice German women. It was simply fun to talk in my native tongue for a while and to hear the latest news from home. While chatting we discovered a whale fountain in the distance...No.69 Mexico – The Street Life – Bikepacking Baja Divide Trail IIII
I sometimes stayed in towns for almost a week to enjoy being among others. Cute little towns and tons of barking dogs. Somehow the street life is not really what I expected from Mexico. Latest at 8 PM the streets are dead and almost pitch dark. But what I tremendously...No.68 Mexico – The Beach life – Bikepacking Baja Divide Trail III
I am pretty sure everyone of you has seen those beaches where people are lying like sardines and trying to get a glimpse of the ocean for themselves. I remember those times when I had to go on holiday with my parents at the age of nine or...No.67 Mexico – Garden of Eden – Baja Divide Trail II
The light is different on the Baja California. Softer, not as colorful and less contrast as in other parts of the world. The low light gives the desert a somehow mystical feeling. Warm and cozy. I could easily write a love letter to this long and narrow Peninsula...No.66 – Mexico – Taking on Baja Divide
The Baja Divide is a brand-new trail which crosses Baja California on rough and sandy trails. Always away from the tarmac and busy roads. 1700 miles to La Paz at the Southern end of the Baja. I wasn’t super excited to follow another red line someone else had created....No.65 USA – Great cycling destination
My last kilometers in a beautiful country. But first a short resume. With the title super cycling destination I am saying goodbye to the land of unlimited possibilities. The American West is a bewitchingly beautiful area, where cycling is simply fun. The vastness, the...No.64 – USA – Great Divide MTB Route
The new bike rolled fine. But soon I had pain in my neck and therefore I was constantly busy changing my saddle position. But it did not help much at all.