On Tuesday, June 6, I took the train from Moscow to Vladimir, less than two hours away. My train stops were planned, my hostels booked. I imagined that I would meet various other international travellers along the way, who I could spend time with in the places I was to discover. Little did I know… Continue reading Transsiberian encounters
Category: Themes
​3 days in Moscow: my impression
First of all, three days in Moscow is way too short (actually, it was only two days and a half). Still, I got to catch an interesting glimpse of the Russian capital. Here’s what I loved and what I didn’t like. 5 things I loved 1) The subway stations I’m not entitled to claim… Continue reading ​3 days in Moscow: my impression
Leaving Europe on a train
I’m used to taking the train everyday. From Antwerp to Brussels, 40 minutes, and then back. But what if you just keep riding? For hours and hours? You end up in the neighbouring country. Keep riding. The next country. Keep riding. You’re so far now, that the train tracks are suddenly different and they have… Continue reading Leaving Europe on a train
Visa hassle
With just one week to go until the start of the trip, I'm happy to say that my preparations are coming to an end. There are just a few things left on my to do list, which has finally started to grow shorter over the past few weeks. I won't bother you by telling what… Continue reading Visa hassle
Frequently asked questions
What will be your first stop? I'm never quite sure what to consider as my first stop. My first train change will be in Brussels, but I suppose that doesn't count. Cologne, same story: only changing trains. But then I will spend the night in Berlin! However, I won't get to visit the city since… Continue reading Frequently asked questions
Fixing loads of visas – did you know?
...the Laos and Cambodia visas are the less hassle to obtain – at the border checkpoint and online respectively. ...as a Belgian citizen, you are allowed to possess 2 passports at the same time (I was told so by the Russian consulate in Belgium). ...the Mongolian consulate is basically the veranda of the embassy, which… Continue reading Fixing loads of visas – did you know?
Three months to go
It hit me when I realized I would need three different Lonely Planets to cover my whole trip: the distance I am about to travel is HUGE. And so is the amount of planning ahead of me! I will need to arrange visas and transit visas for 10 different countries, buy a new backpack, book my… Continue reading Three months to go
Planning is half the fun
It’s true! Do you recognize that situation where you’re looking up some practical information (on a specific itinerary, for example), and suddenly find yourself having thousands of different tab pages opened up in your browser? Inspirational websites, stunning pictures, tripadvisor, travel blogs, other pictures… And then you end up changing the itinerary you wanted to look… Continue reading Planning is half the fun
From Belgium to Asia and back without flying – why?
February 2017 - No, I'm not afraid of flying. I have taken a lot of planes before, to go and explore the world. But I started feeling increasingly guilty about it. Not about exploring, of course, but about polluting the precious atmosphere of the very same planet I wish to explore so badly. Last year,… Continue reading From Belgium to Asia and back without flying – why?