Trip Journals

Flash backs

Quimper - France

Quimper - France

Ciudad del Este - Paraguay

Ciudad del Este - Paraguay

Parque Nacional Iguazú - Argentina

Parque Nacional Iguazú - Argentina

Chapada Diamantina National Park - Brazil

Chapada Diamantina National Park - Brazil

Torres del Paine National Park - Chile

Torres del Paine National Park - Chile

Ushuaia - Argentina

Ushuaia - Argentina

El Chaltén - Argentina

El Chaltén - Argentina

Quimper - France

Another departure

The salt-laced air of Brittany still clings to me, a familiar, comforting scent that always marks the end of a visit. Another departure, another incredible time spent in my homeland. It’s a strange sensation, this passage of time. For me, it feels like I just left a few years ago, a blink of an eye. Yet, the calendar tells a different story: twenty-two years have unfolded, filled with countless adventures and experiences since I last truly settled here.

This time, however, the farewell feels a little heavier. Leaving behind my family and dear friends is always a wrench, a bittersweet ache in my chest. It’s a feeling I’ve grown accustomed to, but it never truly gets easier. The goodbyes linger, the hugs are a little longer, and the promises to return feel more earnest.

But I know the familiar rhythm of the road. Once I’m back on my journey, once the miles stretch out before me, the ache will begin to fade. It’s the nature of the adventurer, I suppose – to carry the love of home in your heart while embracing the call of the unknown.

And the unknown is beckoning again. New adventures are on the horizon, just around the bend, waiting to be discovered. I can hardly wait to dive into them, to gather new tales and experiences. Soon, I’ll be ready to share them all with you!

Porto Da Cruz - Portugal

Madeira 2025

Yes! Another incredible adventure has just wrapped up, and this one took me back to the breathtaking island of Madeira.

It’s been about a year and a half since my first exploratory trip there. Back then, I managed to tick off the major highlights, but destiny, it seemed, had other plans. My camera decided to give up the ghost on the second day, and the weather was… well, let's just say it was decidedly uncooperative. So, I left with a sense of accomplishment after three weeks, but also with a quiet promise to myself: I had to return.

The Return and a New Vision

This time, things felt different from the start. Some wonderful clients, who had joined me on a Patagonia trip earlier this year, were incredibly excited about exploring Madeira. They weren't necessarily photographers, but they craved the kind of immersive experiences we'd shared in Patagonia – the extended hikes, the breakfasts enjoyed right on the trail, and those magical sunset aperitifs. Their enthusiasm sparked an idea.

I decided to tweak the original photo tour itinerary. What was planned as an 8-day trip transformed into a more leisurely 15-day exploration. This extension would give us ample time to travel at a relaxed pace and truly soak in the essence of the island. It involved a good deal of research, as some of the hikes were new territory for me, but honestly, that’s always an exciting part of the mission.

Embracing the Journey

To maximize our freedom and flexibility, we rented a car. Those drives, with good music playing and the windows down, became an integral part of the adventure. It allowed us to arrive at our destinations before the crowds, to chase the best light, and to truly follow the sun. And speaking of light – in September, the light in Madeira was absolutely phenomenal!

The hikes themselves were nothing short of incredible. The diversity was astounding, from coastal walks to trails high up at 2000 meters, and through lush, verdant jungles. Madeira truly offers endless opportunities for exploration. Despite the weather not being perfect every single day, we managed to capture all the key spots in their most beautiful moments. The light, oh, the light!

Overall, this trip was an unforgettable experience, a testament to the magic of Madeira and the joy of sharing its wonders with others.

return to madeira
São Luís - Brazil

Back to Sao Luis after 17 years !!!

What an overwhelming rush of emotions—I had finally returned to São Luís do Maranhão, the city where I spent two of the most intense years of my life. Every cobblestone, every melody, every familiar face carried memories that hit me like a tidal wave.

Walking those streets again was like stepping into a time capsule. I traced the same paths I once hiked daily, back when I sold crepes in the bustling city center. The air hummed with reggae rhythms drifting from open windows, and the taste of a fresh Guaraná Traditional brought back a flood of nostalgia. But nothing compared to the vibrant pulse of Bumba Meu Boi, its colors and energy so alive it felt like the city itself was breathing.

Then there was Carla—an old friend from Tambor da Crioula—who swept me back into the heart of it all. She took me under her wing, and together, we surrendered to Carnival for eight straight days. We danced until dawn at the Bumba Meu Boi de Maracanã, losing ourselves in the songs of life and the electric buzz of the crowd. Those sunrises, painted in sweat and laughter, are moments I’ll carry with me forever.

Now, as I sit here, the question lingers: Should I come back every year, even if just for a few months? This place isn’t just a city—it’s a piece of me. And leaving again feels like tearing away a part of my soul.

Praça Benedito Leite - Arrayal Sao Francisco, São Luís Maranhão Brazil
Praça Benedito Leite - Arrayal Sao Francisco, São Luís Maranhão Brazil
, São Luís Maranhão Brazil
Praça Benedito Leite - Arrayal Sao Francisco, São Luís Maranhão Brazil
Maracana, São Luís Maranhão Brazil
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Puerto Iguazu - Argentina

I got Stolen in Argentina

The Disappearing Lens

It was supposed to be a seamless journey—Mendoza to Buenos Aires, then onward to Puerto Iguazú, all in one day. I’d packed my trusty trekking backpack with everything I needed for the trip, including my prized Canon RF 100-400mm lens, snug in its protective case with a €300 filter shielding the glass. I didn’t think twice about checking it in. After all, I’d done this before. But this time, luck wasn’t on my side.

The Discovery

When I unzipped my backpack in Puerto Iguazú, the pockets were gaping open. My stomach dropped. The lens was gone. Just like that. No forced entry, no obvious signs of tampering—just an empty space where my gear should’ve been. The estimated loss? Around $1,600. Not exactly pocket change.

The Paper Trail

Panic set in. Did I have the original invoice? Of course not—because why would I? After scrambling through old emails, I managed to dig up a duplicate PDF. Not ideal, but better than nothing. Then came the sinking realization: my N26 Business Standard card had no purchase protection, and I hadn’t bothered with travel insurance. The airline’s liability? A joke. Flybondi’s response was a polite shrug—they wanted a police report I hadn’t filed and cited their "fragile/badly packed" disclaimer, which, conveniently, didn’t cover theft. I knew chasing them for compensation would be a waste of time.

The Hunt

So, I switched gears. I called lost-and-found desks at every airport—MDZ, AEP, IGR—reciting my bag tags like a mantra. I set up alerts on Mercado Libre, hoping the thief would be dumb enough to list it. I registered the serial number on Lenstag and StolenCameraFinder, then reached out to Canon service centers in Chile and Argentina to flag it as stolen. A long shot, but worth trying.

Lessons Learned

Next time? No expensive gear in checked luggage. Ever. I’ll zip-tie my bag shut, drop an AirTag inside, and maybe even spring for proper insurance. Or at least use a credit card that actually covers theft. Hindsight’s a bitter teacher, but at least I won’t make the same mistake twice.

For now, though, all I can do is wait—and hope someone, somewhere, slips up.