Inspiring your spiritual journey
1. September 2019 • Katja Laurien
I have a confession to make: I can sometimes be really mean and nasty. It seems like an inner devil gets hold of me and makes me say and do things I later regret. Obviously, I’ve always had my “dark shadow sides” (I mean, who doesn’t?!), but being on the spiritual path has challenged my relationship with my dark sides; writing posts on spirituality has even nearly blocked my relationship with my shadow.
Read more30. August 2019 • Katja Laurien
Most people know the Swiss canton Valais for the Matterhorn, but believe me, there is so much more out there. One of my favourite highlights is the Aletsch Glacier. It’s the largest glacier in the Alps which of course promises some spectacular views! It’s 23 km long, situated partially in the canton of Bern, the other side being in Valais. In Bern you can see the glacier from the Jungfraujoch. I’ve seen the glacier from both sides, but to be honest with you, I much preferred the Valais view.
Read more17. August 2019 • Katja Laurien
Today I want to introduce to you the hike between Ernen and Mühlebach. In fact, it’s only a short 30 min walk (one way), but it has quite a bit to offer: wonderful mountain views, two charming authentic Swiss villages and a suspension bridge. The suspension bridge between Mühlebach and Fürgangen Ernen and Mühlebach are both two picturesque villages which make you feel like travelling back in time. Take your time to marvel at the rustic, wooden houses which are surrounded by colourful flowers and vegetable gardens against the backdrop of the Swiss mountains.
Read more10. August 2019 • Katja Laurien
If you ever have to travel between the Swiss cantons Bern and Valais, consider not taking the “quick” car transport at Lötschberg, but the slightly longer, ever so beautiful route over the Grimselpass. Not only can you enjoy the wonderful view, but you might even decide to take a detour and hike around while you’re already there. View from the top of the Grimsel pass I can highly recommend hiking to the Oberaar glacier (Oberaargletscher).
Read more4. August 2019 • Katja Laurien
What does wealth mean to you? Are you wealthy if you have a lof of money? If you can buy everything this modern world has to offer? To me, wealth does not necessarily have to do with money. In my opinion, you’re wealthy if you can afford to have all the things you want. And I consider myself to be extremely wealthy. I’m a waitress who works not only part-time but is also on holidays nearly half of the year.
Read more3. August 2019 • Katja Laurien
Who says a beautiful hike with breathtaking views has to be difficult? Sure, in most cases hard work gets rewarded with the best views, but there are some exceptions, such as the loop walk from Fafleralp in the Lötschen valley (Lötschental). The hike takes about 3-4 hours with a minimal elevation of around 300 m. Most parts of the hike are straight and very easily accessible. There is a possibility to continue the hike to the Anenhütte, which we didn’t do as we had a 2-year old hiking along with us (I guess that’s proof enough how easy the hike actually is).
Read more30. July 2019 • Katja Laurien
The Binn valley in the Swiss canton Valais is beautiful but rather unknown. But only because the crowds don’t flock into the valley doesn’t mean it’s not a wonderful place which offers some great hikes - especially if you’re a fan of rivers, streams and waterfalls. One of the many streams you'll pass on the way to the Mässersee The most common hike is the one to the Binntalhütte. But because I’m such a huge fan of water, I decided to hike to the Mässersee (Lake Mässer), a beautiful lake at 2130 meters above sea level.
Read more7. July 2019 • Katja Laurien
This post is not necessarily meant for people who just think a lot. Here I am specifically talking about the monkey mind: The uncontrollable mind that seems to drag you from one horror-scenario to another and puts the worst scenario on repeat. Trying to stop this internal chatter is in vain as long as you don’t understand the root of this mind-circus. The monkey mind is in fact just a very useful trick of the ego.
Read more3. July 2019 • Katja Laurien
Skadar Lake is one of Montenegro’s five national parks and only 30 minutes away from the capital Podgorica. Many people come for a day trip to the lake, do a boat trip, walk around the tiny village and go back again. In my opinion, the lake has more to offer. It’s worth spending a couple of days around the lake to explore more of it. You can take Virpazar as starting point, as it’s easiest to reach and has most of the tourist facilities (but please, don’t expect too much, it’s tiny).
Read more25. June 2019 • Katja Laurien
If you don’t intend to walk the Peaks of the Balkans you might wonder where Vusanje is and what you should do there. In fact, it’s a bit of the same story as with the entire country, Montenegro. When I told my friends and family I was going to Montenegro nearly everyone looked at me puzzled, wondering what the heck I was going to do there. This is more or less the look I get when I tell people I go to Montenegro The same happened when I told the lady working in the hostel in Kotor that I was heading towards Vusanje.
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