There’s no need to emphasize how our modern world is shaped by a relentless timing system that dictates our fast-paced lives. We divide time into minutes, hours, days, weeks, and months. This temporal partition is largely based on the alternation between day and night. However, in the Arctic, this distinction…
Spirituality for Sale in Bali: How Tourism Transforms Sacred Practices into Consumable Products
When I arrived in Bali in January 2023, I couldn’t help but wonder if it would be as portrayed in Julia Roberts’ movie. Would it really be as spiritual as so many people of my generation imagine? Just like the movie Eat, Pray, Love suggests, Bali is a destination infused…
Croatia and The Journey of Returning to a Land That’s Not Mine
When I arrived in Croatia in 2020 through the Croaticum program, I thought I would visit the land of my grandparents, and, with some luck, maybe meet distant relatives. However, the pandemic marked a turning point for me, one that was not only geographical but also spiritual. With a return…
Dolce Far Niente: Embracing the Joy of Unhurried Travel
Introduction: The Slow Travel Revolution In a world where fast travel and packed schedules are the norm, one concept dares to challenge that mindset: dolce far niente — the sweetness of doing nothing. This Italian philosophy, which celebrates the art of slowing down and savoring the present moment, holds powerful…
The Duality of the Traveler and the Fugitive
When I first started traveling the world and embraced the backpacking lifestyle, I believed every traveler was on a journey of self-discovery, just like me. But after years of hostel-hopping and deep conversations in tucked-away cafés, I came to understand that this isn’t always true. Some people cannot be called…
Bangkok: Between the Sacred and the Profane
Bangkok, the vibrant capital of Thailand, is a city of contrasts where the sacred and the profane coexist almost naturally. With its stunning Buddhist temples and streets packed with bars and nightclubs, the city reflects the cultural complexity of a country that has successfully balanced its religious traditions with a…
Ice Hotel: A Temporary Work of Art That Melts Every Year
The Ice Hotel is not just a place to spend the night; it is a breathtaking, ephemeral work of art that is rebuilt every year. When I visited in March 2024, I couldn’t stop wondering how such an incredible place would simply melt away by the end of winter. The…
The Arctic and the Sublime: Fear, Beauty, and Our Place in Nature
The Arctic, with its vast icy desert and seemingly unchanging landscape, evokes intense emotions. Despite its overwhelming beauty, this inhospitable land also instills a sense of fear—an emotion deeply connected to the human perception of the “sublime.” But what exactly is the sublime, and how do we relate to fear…
What It’s Like to Work in the Arctic: Life in a Remote Lapland Hotel
Working and living in a hotel in Lapland, at the heart of the Arctic Circle, is a unique experience that allows you to disconnect from the hustle and immerse yourself in the magic of the polar winter. I never imagined that I would end up working in a hotel near…
The Mystery of The Ghost Trees in Lapland
Introduction The Arctic is a land of dreamlike landscapes, where snow and ice transform the environment into a surreal scene. One of the most astonishing natural spectacles is the so-called “ghost trees” in Lapland, tree formations covered in thick layers of snow and frost that resemble ghostly figures emerging from…