There's a phenomenon under the surface that can be witnessed when small fish like these sardines here move into a defensive formation. It's called a bait ball and we were lucky at this day of rough sea at the Kicker Rock dive site at Isla San Cristóbal at the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador to being able to dive into one during my #195daysoffreedom . The amount of fish was enormous and the whole ball extended to about 10x10 meters. Diving into it was a once in a lifetime experience with the fish moving perfectly synchronized to make way for us divers. So I slowly swam inside and suddenly the outside was gone. I became part of the ball, only fish around me, shedding the light out and moving with me in perfect synchronization. Absolutely stunning.

Being underwater is like entering a whole different world. As a passionate scuba-diver putting on the gear and starting the descent is one of the most satisfying feelings. During my #195daysoffreedom I told myself to dive many places to soak that feeling in as much as possible. Starting on the @galapagosisland was a wonderful experience. The marine wildlife there is superb and with any dive you enter a colorful and lively world. Plus in not many places on this beautiful planet you can experience such close and intimate encounters like with this pregnant Galapagos shark. What an elegant and peaceful creature. Another proof of sharks being given a false image!

A favorite quote of my good friend Sascha as well as baby seals' way of getting in contact with their environment, including divers. Just like human babies they're full of curiosity, energy and a level of playfulness that is astonishing. During our dive at Isla Floreana, the biggest southernmost island of the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador we were approached by this little fella. He swam towards us without any fear, checking us out face to face, doing some loopings and then disappeared into the blue. It's moments like this that fill a diver's heart with joy and happiness and again is a reminder to conserve the fragile ecosystems of our oceans!

As you might have noticed by now, La Loberia at San Cristóbal of the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador was for me one of the most significant locations on the islands during my #195daysoffreedom . Apart from the breathtaking views an encounter with this Blue-footed Booby was one of the reasons. On the Galápagos Islands you can find the world's biggest colony of these birds however on San Cristóbal they're rather hard to find. So I got lucky to meet him there, giving me company for a little while before disappearing into the great wide open, leaving me there with the cliffs, the waves and the views. However...when I left, I saw him again, passing over me as if he wanted to say goodbye. A very intense and intimate encounter.

It's wonderful to be welcome by friends in a country you've never been before. It makes you feel comfortable from the very first moment. After a short stop in Quito meeting my friend Ricardo for pizza-dinner I boarded the plane to the next destination of my #195daysoffreedom - Bogotá in Colombia ! I was excited to meet my friend Roberto again and really luckily to also meet his lovely cousin Melissa . Both welcomed me in a way that touched my heart and so much reflected the Colombian hospitality! I felt happy in this country and the beautiful city of Bogotá from the very moment my feet touched the ground.

With my first stop of my #195daysoffreedom I had a dream come true after 33 hours of getting there! Since I was a kid I had wished to go to the @galapagosisland . This Archipel of Islands about 1000km off the coast of Venezuela on which Charles Darwin proved his theory of evolution is a miracle! It's variety of wildlife, vegetation and geography is unique on this planet and one of its most famous representatives is peacefully munching away right there next to me. I felt small next to this enormous Galapagos tortoise. Unlike you might think, they shy away pretty easily...so I was quite happy to get that shot.

Another shot of the beautiful rugged coastline of La Loberia on Isla San Cristóbal on the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador. The rocks were shaped from volcanic activities on the island and stood in wonderful contrast to the otherwise nice and white sandy beaches. I dropped my backpack on the rocks and just took in the beauty of the place. Even though the waves are so powerful, their rhythmic crashing on the volcanic rocks was so calming and made the place so absolutely peaceful. Finding peace in places like these was one of the reasons for doing my #195daysoffreedom

Sometimes there moments and places that give you that feeling of being in total balance and peace with yourself. I had one of them during my #195daysoffreedom at La Loberia on Isla San Cristóbal at the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador . After the beach ended I followed the lava rocks that formed into an enormous cliff and sat down on it's edge. The purity of the moment and this place was marvelous. A slight sea breeze, the waves constantly crashing at the cliffs, loads of birds and a beautiful view over the sea and the rugged coast with no one else around. I sat down and completely immersed in the moment. It was wonderful. I love these pure and simple things.

After a week on Isla Santa Cruz I decided to go for another of the Galapagos in Ecuador during my #195daysoffreedom and took the boat headed for Isla San Cristóbal, the easternmost Island. It's less crowded and way more relaxed than Santa Cruz and Sea Lions seem to be legit inhabitants here. During the nights they gather at and around the main beach, Playa de Oro, and prepare for the night. Or we'll, they choose the comfort of a bench. I #love how naturally they share the town with humans and are not at all disturbed by our presence. A picture that makes me truly happy.

One wonderful thing about traveling is not just the places you get to see, but moreover the people that you meet on the way.

On Day 3 of my #195daysoffreedom I had such an encounter when I met the infamous Peadar and his lovely fiancé Ciara from Ireland. Both had great stories to tell from their trip and apart from two or maybe 22 drinks we went to beautiful Tortuga Beach, close to Puerto Ayora town, the main town of Santa Cruz Island of the Galapagos Islands. It was breathtaking with the waves rolling in, a slight warm breeze from the ocean, the azure-blue sky and the white sand that didn't seem to end. Peaceful and in absolute balance.

Some days I just feel like walking. Getting out of the house and then walking somewhere the feet carry me. At this day during my #195daysoffreedom I had no plan and just strolled through and out of the town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on Isla San Cristóbal of the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador. At the far end of it you can find a rock where plenty of the majestic Frigate Birds can be found and seen. One of the few places on the islands actually. Luckily not only the huge birds were there but so was the amazing view. A wonderful place to take in the beauty and let go of things that bother you.

This picture marked the start of my #195daysoffreedom and so perfectly reflects the feelings I felt to the day one year ago when I was aboard a plane bound for a trip that impacted my life and my perspectives on so many things unlike anything before. I felt happy, curious, excited open for new experiences and people, however for sure uncertain about what was to come - only thing I knew: It was gonna be something good.

I haven't shared any of these things so far and from now on for the next 195 days, that's exactly how long I was gone, I would like to let you see those things through my eyes. One picture at a time. Every day.

Sometimes pictures speak for themselves. To me this is one of them. While I spent the evening on the cliffs of La Loberia on San Cristóbal Island of the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador waiting for the sunset the sky changed colors multiple times. I had never seen this before and especially the shade of greenish-blue in the picture took my breath away. It was one of these moments where everything is perfect. In that moment during my #195daysoffreedom I felt like I became one with my surroundings and realized again how beautiful this planet of ours is.

After a stroll through the vibrant city of Bogotá, capital of Colombia during my #195daysoffreedom we decided to climb up to the rooftop of the apartment of Melissa. I love rooftop-views and this one was particularly spectacular. With about 8 million people living in the Bogotá area it's a city that even from an elevated point of view has no limits. The sheer size and extent of it is simply breathtaking.

Now off to Colombia . The first two weeks of my #195daysoffreedom on the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador were an amazing experience. Such a variety of unique wildlife over and under water no where else to be found, beautiful landscapes and geography that took my breath away. I can only recommend to go there at least once in your life. You'll be amazed.

Luckily on the Galapagos Islands wildlife is still very trusting towards humans. So I was happy to have this encounter with this baby sea lion during my #195daysoffreedom. They are so curious and even approach you. It's wonderful that such places still exist on our earth. And luckily travelers going there are aware of how fragile the ecosystem of the islands is and behave accordingly and respectfully towards the animals.

For these guys for sure. During my #195daysoffreedom I encountered these Marine Iguanas who are unique to the Galapagos Islands. They are the only species of iguanas on this planet that goes on the hunt for food under water. They don't only look like are some creatures from the very past - they are. And the country of Ecuador does a great job protecting them. Let's hope it stays that way.