Category: Travel and Personal Essays
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From SEO to Water Lilies
This post covers two major themes from my summer. First, I share a refreshing trip to the Kuenringerbad in Dürnstein, a natural swimming pond where you can swim right next to water lilies beneath a historic castle ruin. Second, I switch to the technical side of blogging. I share my recent experience cleaning up my…
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Nature’s Calligraphy: The Art of Seeing
We see how we think. What occupies our mind directly shapes our vision. In this post, I share a series of photos of ducks and swans that document my artistic shift from visual abundance toward minimalism. By observing waterfowl in their natural environment, you can trace what was driving me at the exact moment I…
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Afterthoughts on the Yunnan Journey
Reflecting on a 3,000 km journey through Yunnan, this article explores the fascinating contradictions between the present, high-tech innovation and ancient heritage. From the deep “eyes of the earth” in Jianshui to the coffee-scented hills of Pu’er, I share my personal observations on traveling as a guest in a land that is rapidly moving into…
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Buddhas Light and Other Joy
Yuan Yang region is home to several ethnic minority groups, predominantly the Hani (哈尼族) and the Yi (彝族). They maintain their own distinct clothing, lifestyles, cuisine, and customs. But there is more….
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Customs, Traditions, and Religion
A look at the local customs and spiritual life along the Tea Horse Road. In this region, Buddhism, Daoism, and local folk beliefs merge seamlessly.
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South of the clouds
”South of the Clouds” is more than just a name; it describes a shift in perspective. Moving through Lushi, Lincang, and Nakeli, we follow the Ancient Tea Horse Road deeper into a landscape shaped by altitude and history.
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Lushi, Lincang, Nakeli
Moving through Lushi, Lincang, and Nakeli, we continue our journey along the Ancient Tea Horse Road. Time and again, we discover remarkable landscapes that remain deeply connected to their history.
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Pure Dao – Shi Dong Si 石洞寺
I recently visited Shi Dong Si, a historic Stone Cave Temple built directly into the natural rock in 1794. In this post, I share my impressions of a place that feels suspended in time, focusing on how its architecture and atmosphere capture the pure Dao and the essential balance of opposites.
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Density, Depth, Tradition, and Authenticity.
Density, depth, tradition, and authenticity have shaped my understanding of China since my first visit in 1978. In this post, we look at the Shizhongshan Grottoes at Shibaoshan. Often called the “Dunhuang of the South,” these ancient carvings perfectly embody these four concepts, revealing a unique Bai aesthetic that blends Han, Tibetan, and Indian influences.
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Just Shaxi and Fengyu. Yunnan Spring Greetings (II)
On the way from Dali to Shaxi, we passed through Fengyu, a quiet town known for its traditional stone carvings and inkstones. In this post, I share a look at the rural side of Yunnan and a memorable encounter with the incredible hospitality of the local people.
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Spring greetings from Yunnan 云南 (I)
In this post, I share a selection of photos from Kunming and look at the Dali Catholic Church. Built in 1927, the church merges a traditional Chinese pagoda structure with Christian symbolism and local Bai craftsmanship. This architectural fusion is a perfect example of the cultural yin and yang found throughout Yunnan, offering a quiet…
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Winter Greetings
A winter photo diary from Innsbruck, the Salzkammergut and the Dachstein region — finding unexpected beauty in a season I don’t even like.
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Autumn Greetings
An autumn photo diary through Vienna, the Wachau Valley, Melk Abbey and Český Krumlov, tracing Egon Schiele’s connection to the region.
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When Things Go Wrong.
When things go wrong, they can go very wrong. After years without serious problems, I recently experienced this first-hand. This post was supposed to be a lighthearted yin to the yang of my last article, which focused on the difficult living conditions of Chinese minorities. Today’s focus was meant to be the exact opposite—sea, luxury,…
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Every Picture Tells a Story
Every Picture Tells a Story. Let’s dive into the rich tapestry of Chinese minority people, captured in photographs from the hinterlands of northeast China, specifically Qinghai and the border area with Tibet, taken between 1979 and 1982.
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Discovering the Beauty in the Ugly
In my last article, we explored the concept of wabi-sabi. Today, we take a step further using photos from my recent trips to test the boundaries of our aesthetic sensibility. The images I am sharing are not meant to highlight misery, but rather to find beauty in the seemingly ugly aspects of life. It is…
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When you live in the most livable city in the world
Vienna has once again been voted the world’s most livable city. In this post, I share my personal perspective on living here, without any tourist hype or nationalist slogans. Instead, I explore the true Viennese attitude and their famous dry humor—a classic balance of opposites where the highest global praise is met with a healthy,…
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Petra and Sharm El Sheikh Trip
In this post, I share photos and historical facts from an exhausting but worthwhile journey from Sharm El Sheikh to Petra. Beyond the famous movie backdrops of the “Pink City,” we will also look at the complex situation in the region from a Jordanian perspective.
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About being happy – reflections and thoughts.
I promised a fellow blogger I would share a few thoughts on happiness. While I have studied the topic intensively, these are just fragments meant for reflection. In this post, we look at how happiness and unhappiness are basically the same thing—two balancing forces much like yin and yang—and how reflecting on this duality might…
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Another new morning for the same old sod
A reflection on a ‘new morning’ marked by fresh ink works and shifting motifs. The article presents playful experiments, evolving gestures and small studies that signal renewed energy after a quieter phase — a gentle restart in artistic rhythm.
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I promised you the sky
A photo‑based reflection on sky, travel and shifting landscapes. The post closes the Egypt chapter with images taken above clouds, deserts, sea and the Alps, linking them to lessons in composition learned from nature. It moves between airplane windows, early‑morning skies at home, and the changing view on the return flight, ending with a lighthearted…
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The Valley of the Kings
A short travel note from the Valley of the Kings. The post shares impressions of the site, the dry heat, the colours of the desert and the atmosphere around the tombs. It includes a few personal snapshots, brief remarks on the visit and a light, informal tone that keeps the focus on the moment rather…
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Back from Egypt trip – stones and sands
A short travel note after returning from Egypt. The post shares impressions of stones, sand, desert colours and the dry heat, along with a few casual snapshots taken along the way. It keeps a light tone, mixing simple observations with the quiet charm of everyday travel moments.
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Merry – what, actually?
I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas with a self-made card. In this post, I share a few thoughts on how holiday traditions change over time, sometimes without us even noticing. I look back at my childhood in Austria, our rich baking traditions, and the mystery of the “Christkind”—the angelic figure that brought us…
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explanation and summary of #WordlessWednesday
I recently wrapped up my #WordlessWednesday project, but the core idea still appeals to me: sharing photos that let the viewer interpret the story. My underlying thought has always been that no matter where we travel, we resemble each other much more than we realize. Today, I am sharing a few photos that didn’t make…
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goodbye #WordlessWednesday
With this last photo of the Wordless Wednesday Project, I would like to thank everyone who has followed this series and, of course, I would especially like to thank you for the numerous feedback and likes.
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black and white. more fish #WordlessWednesday
Black and white. More fish: A fisherman from Negombo points to his dried fish
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the big catch #WordlessWednesday #snapshot
The big catch. Dedicated to the participants of the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference. Photo for #WordlessWednesday
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busy painting the future #WordlessWednesday #snapshot
busy painting the future. huge wall painting, beijing, china . photo for #WordlessWednesday
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soft drink delivery #WordlessWednesday
soft drink delivery in the medina of fez, morocco. photo for #WorlessWednesday
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On special request: more Morocco
Morocco trip, photos and report about Fes, the Atlas Mountains and Chefchaouen
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Back from Morocco
Fés – Atlas – Chefchaouen Fez and Chefchaouen If I work a lot, but the result is less and less, that is usually an unmistakable sign that I need a vacation. And this I did now. First I thought of Italy or Greece but that’s too dangerous. Both countries are known for their good wines…
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not much to see #WordlessWednesday
not much to see. photo of a river scene for ‘WorlessWednesday
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one of those… #WordlessWednesday #snapshot
It must be one of those black wires. Photo from Vietnam, Hanoi for #WordlessWednesday
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the blind musician #WordlessWednesday
The blind musician. Foto for #WordlessWdenesday. Tianjin, China, 1979.
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curry restaurant kitchen #WordlessWednesday
The kitchen of an amon and curry restaurant in nowhere land, North of Dambulla. Even if the picture doesn’t look inviting, the curries are the finest.
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wien, the capital of music #WordlessWednesday #snapshot
Vienna, the capital of music, where even the horses jam too. snapshot for #WordlessWednesday by © friedrich zettl
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yes, no coffee today. #WordlessWednesday #snapshot
Yes, we have no coffee today. A Shanghai Starbucks coffeeshop as a failed business. A photo for #WordlessWednesday
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fish and chips #WordlessWednesday #snapshot
Fish and chips Asian style. Negombo, Sri Lanka 2016. Photo for “WordlessWednesday”
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siem reap heartbreakers #WordlessWednesday #snapshot
missing those heartbreakers from siem reap
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electricity buddha #WordlessWednesday #snapshot
a little buddha protects the power supply in sri lanka
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retrieval by nature #WordlessWednesday
Retrieval by nature. Ta Prom, not far from the area where Francis Ford Coppola shot scenes for Apocalypse Now.
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corporate concept #WordlessWednesday
Chaos Investment Company. Shanghai, Putong. A photo for #WordlessWednesday – no words, just pictures. Allow your photos to tell the story.
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My Pyongyang Gig
the last report – promised Now that I’ve started and someone shouted “more”, I would also like to share my Pyongyang experience. But don’t expect a suspenseful story like the one about Kabul. Actually, after Kabul, no stop was dangerous anymore. The most brutal in Pyongyang was the aesthetics (not only in the cityscape…
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My gig in Kabul
not about art – still worth reading In my last blog post, I promised to write about my Kabul trip if there was interest. Here we go: Preliminary remarks By the mid-1980s, I had finished my dissertation and it was time to trade the comfortable student life for respectable work. A friend I had known…
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Cyprus – Paphos: A Photo Diary
A photo diary from Paphos, Cyprus — faded coastal billboards, a day trip into the mountains, and impressive Orthodox monastery icons.
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my favorite Taoist – enjoy your day!
Photograph of a female Daoist from Shanghai laughing all over her face