Serious Travel by Ernst Heusser
2024 saw me travel to Greece. I am going to Mount Athos to spend some days with the Greek Orthodox monks in the Monasteries. since the 9th century, these monks lived in their state, technically separate from Greece. A state within a state, much like the Vatican. It’s a place where time stood still, traditions are sacred and women are not allowed.
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(Part 1 of 6) This is the first part of my journey to Mount Athos. I had not been back to Greece for almost 10 years and decided to go visit my hometown in Greece before I visited the Holy Mountain. Monemvasia is a wonderful place, filled with culture and history. I explore the old town and the ancient ruins, I enjoy being spoilt by my godmother Tula and we head over to Elafanisos for the day.
Its late spring in 2024, I wake up early in the morning in Monemvasia and make my way to Athens where I meet Maria for the day. She shows me around the historical center and Plaka before I get on the train to Thessaloniki on my way to Mount Athos.
I arrive in Oranoupolis to receive my Pilgrim Permit to enter the independent state within a state and take the Ferry to Daphne. Mount Athos has been inhabited since ancient times and is known for its long Christian presence and historical monastic traditions, which date back to at least 800 AD during the Byzantine era. Because of its long history of religious importance, the well-preserved agrarian architecture within the monasteries.
I make it onto Athos and make my way to my first Monastery, the Holy Monastery of Megisti Lavra. It will be my first experience of a monastery... and I loved it!
Join me on day 2 as I meet some singing Ukranians and change the intended monastery Zografou for a different option of Konstamonitou. A little adventure as our Holy Mother guides me on this voyage. It was amazing, I really loved Konstamounitou.
Greece is considered the cradle of Western civilization, being the birthplace of democracy, Western philosophy, Western literature, historiography, and political science. And once you have been to Greece you realize that every greek is a philosopher. The greek family will always try to feed you and the long nights out drinking ouzo will treat you to experience the joys of greek culture. An ancient place where there is no haste, only family, food, and love! Greece is also known for its beaches.
COMING SOON!
COMING SOON!
Much of my young years we lived in Bath, Somerset, England. These ancient lands of fields and valleys, first Celtic, then romans and then Anglo-Saxon lands. My mother comes from the north which is why i have a ginger beard….
Brighton is a seaside resort, 47 miles south of London. An inclusive, free-thinking city in the heart of Sussex. With a blend of modern culture and exotic architecture, sea and countryside!
Berlin feels like home! Berlin is the capital and largest city of Germany by both area and population. Its 3.7 million inhabitants make it the European Union's most populous city! Segregated after the 2nd world war it has lived through tumultuous times, and has now come up on top! Berlin is a city of rebirth and adventure.
Prague, capital city of the Czech Republic, is bisected by the Vltava River. Nicknamed “the City of a Hundred Spires,” it's known for its Old Town Square, the heart of its historic core, with colourful baroque buildings, Gothic churches and the medieval Astronomical Clock, which gives an animated hourly show.
Paris, France's capital, is a major European city and a global center for art, fashion, gastronomy and culture. Its 19th-century cityscape is crisscrossed by wide boulevards and the River Seine.
Bilbao, an industrial port city in northern Spain, is surrounded by green mountains. It’s the de facto capital of Basque Country. It’s famed for the Frank Gehry–designed Guggenheim Museum Bilbao. The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao is a museum of modern and contemporary art, with an exhibition of 250 contemporary works of art.
I recently Collaborated with Victoria Alexander and her team from Lux Perpetua, who provide personalized travel and special event experiences across the globe,
This particular night, brought together people from all different spheres, Authors, designers, Musicans, Architects Writers, etc who all came together to build new relationships and have a night of well-curated music, drink, and food!
Botswana! It was like standing in the middle of the Lion King Movie! Armed with 3 cameras - My Iphone, Canon 1dx and My Bronica ERTS Medium format film Camera. I have seen much of Africa but I never saw a Leopard until I saw one kill a gazelle right in front of us! Like every tourist to have ever seen something like that I felt like I was the luckiest person ever!
Bronica ERTS 645 Film Fotos:
Canon1dx Photos:
Tanzania is an East African country known for its vast wilderness areas. They include the plains of Serengeti National Park, a safari mecca populated by the “big five” game, and Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain. Tanzania was formed as a sovereign state in 1964 through the union of the theretofore separate states of Tanganyika (The country between the town of Tanga in the North and the Nyika plateau in the south) and Zanzibar, an island run by the Sulton of Oman for 300 years- creating the new state of Tanzania.
