adventure travel & photography
Destinations: Pakistan ◦◦ India ◦◦Turkey ◦◦ Egypt ◦◦ Bulgaria ◦◦ Mongolia ◦◦ Bangladesh ◦◦ Jordan ◦◦ Russia ◦◦ Turkmenistan ◦◦ Iran ◦◦ Kazakhstan ◦◦ Japan ◦◦ Hong Kong ◦◦ Greece ◦◦ Ukraine ◦◦ Syria ◦◦ Morocco ◦◦ Italy ◦◦ Mauritania ◦◦ Oman ◦◦ Algeria ◦◦ Faroe Islands ◦◦ Indonesia
Type: Photo stories ◦◦ Places ◦◦ Documentary ◦◦ Black and White ◦◦ Limited Edition Fine Art Prints ◦◦ Unlimited Edition Fine Art Prints ◦◦ Seascapes ◦◦ Urban ◦◦ Thousand Voyages Video Collection
Tours/Expeditions: List with all our scheduled tours and expeditions
Around 15 years ago, I made my first visit to Naples, Italy. I had a ferry ticket for Palermo and a three-hour window to explore the city. Instead of sticking to my original plan, I decided to take the Circumvesuviana local train to visit Sorrento and other nearby towns. I was determined to make the most of every minute I had, but my decision proved costly. By the time I returned to the port, I was too late for the ferry. As I stood on the pier, I watched the ferry slowly disappear into the thick fog. I went to the train station and requested a sleeper to Palermo, but the woman behind the counter curtly tossed me a ticket. Later that night, I boarded the train and barely managed to secure a place to sit in the corridor, sandwiched between two men who looked visibly down and out, with my head resting on an ashtray (at that time, the wagons still had ashtrays). I spent the entire night in a highly uncomfortable position. At the Strait of Messina, where the train entered Sicily, most of the passengers alighted, allowing me to find a seat for the remaining leg of the journey to Palermo.
I learned the lesson that it's better to spend more time in one place than to try to cram in more places. It was the moment I realized how important it is to slow down and truly appreciate where I am: savor the atmosphere, enjoy a glass of wine, observe the people around me, and bask in the moment.
In December 2022, 15 years after my train ride to Palermo, I organized a company party for my travel company in Naples. For two days, I explored the small streets, savored the cafes and bars, listened to music, talked to people, and simply enjoyed the unique atmosphere of this city.
Below is a gallery of images from my company's retreat to Naples. My advice to fellow travelers is to not be in a rush. Make the most of every moment of your life and bear in mind that you cannot cheat time. It's not the number of places you visit that matters, but the quality of time spent in each place.
