Recap - Part I - The Balkans
After around 80 days of travelling through the Balkans, we returned to Germany to manage a few bureaucratic topics, prepare for Southeast Asia and do the final packing for our flight to Indonesia on October 7th. It feels like the right point in time to recap the first leg of our travels.
Most importantly, everything went smoothly throughout the trip—no major illnesses or injuries occurred, there were no car troubles, and everyone remained happy and healthy. We are genuinely excited and looking forward to the next part of our journey with great anticipation! Our trip through the Balkans went exceptionally well, and when people ask how the journey was, my somewhat unemotional answer is simply: “According to plan!” This is quite interesting, considering that we actually didn’t have a strict “plan” at all. I keep emphasizing that the plan was to have no fixed plan, and that approach proved to be very successful. Having the car gave us a significant amount of flexibility—not only in terms of packing but also when it came to traveling. We naturally tried to keep driving times reasonable, aiming for no more than four hours of driving between each stop, which worked well, with just a few exceptions towards the end of our trip. In total, we visited 12 different countries and drove approximately 6,500 kilometers. Fortunately, our kids were already accustomed to longer drives before this journey, as visiting our relatives had always involved extended car trips.
I am really glad we decided to spend the first three months of our journey the way we did. Of course, in the beginning, you naturally think about the limited time you have and how to make the absolute most of it, and the Balkans might not be the first destination that pops into your mind. However, we were genuinely keen to close the knowledge gap we had about this fascinating region, which, after all, is relatively close to home. I believe we also learned a great deal during those initial months. It wasn’t just about historical facts; it was also about discovering the rich diversity of the populations within the countries we visited. For instance, when we crossed into Bosnia & Herzegovina and immediately heard the call to prayer from a muezzin echoing through the streets, it was one of those rare “aha-moments” you hope to experience on your travels. Another unforgettable moment came during a weekend evening walk through a lively, crowded Sarajevo. This city—at least in our memories—has long been associated with the Bosnian War and still bears visible scars from its violent past. Yet, that evening, the streets were alive with people enjoying their time in the numerous packed bars and restaurants. This vibrant scene really emphasized the new chapter many of the former Yugoslav countries have been writing for themselves over recent years. It also affirmed that we made the right decision to visit these places and challenge some of the mental images shaped by the troubling news stories we heard as children. Lastly, the evening walk I took with Leni through a forest in Bosnia & Herzegovina, ending at a cemetery filled with graves from one of the many tragic conflicts the country has endured, is an experience that will remain in our memories forever. I reckon time will tell which were the most memorable moments of this first part of our journey. Either way, it was a very successful start to our 11 months of travelling!
Another major highlight of course was the memorable week we spent with Viktor and his welcoming family in Kosovo. This experience truly made a significant difference to our entire trip, and the genuine hospitality we received is something we will always cherish and strive to give back whenever we have the opportunity. Traveling through different countries is undoubtedly fantastic, but it is the moments spent with the locals that truly make the journey special and meaningful. It’s been a wonderful and enriching experience in many ways, and we also really enjoyed the hands-on work in the garden and out in the fields! I’m confident that we will be back in both Pristina and Prapastishce one day, or, alternatively, we look forward to warmly welcoming Viktor and his family back here at our home in Leipzig.
When we asked the kids what their favourites were during the first part of our journey, we were immediately given another great reminder: It’s the little things that truly matter! Whether it was running joyfully through a fountain in Nis late in the evening, savoring the delicious ice cream in Sarajevo, or discovering a praying mantis in the fields of Kosovo, these small moments stood out. It doesn’t take an expensive adventure to create long-lasting and meaningful memories, and that is a wonderful reminder to carry with us for the many remaining days of our journey ahead.
While I am writing this, we are already adjusting to our jetlag after a long and tiring journey to Sumatra, Indonesia. More detailed stories and insights about this incredible destination under the "Destinations" section in the coming days. After spending two weeks in Germany organizing and preparing ourselves for the second part of our journey, it feels absolutely incredible to be back on the road once again! Especially now, as we sit here in the humid heat of a place so far removed from home, it genuinely feels like our adventure has only just begun. We are beyond excited for all the amazing experiences and unforgettable moments we will gain over the next five months exploring Southeast Asia!
