The plan was straightforward: Pack bags, travel to remote valley, hike to virgin peak. Climb! So was the plan for my recent expedition into the remote Naar-Phu valley in Nepal, which came together on short notice. But just when you think its simple, it always turns...
Nepal, what a magical country- With delight my thoughts go back to my recent trip to this wonderful country. In April this year I found myself in the Khumbu valley (the area in northern Nepal which encompasses Mt Everest). The goal: To hike to Everest Base Camp...
We live in very special times – all over the world specialists, professionals and volunteers are battling to keep our healthcare and the lifes our loves ones alive. One thing the COVID-19 pandemic makes us more aware of are the countless professionals all over the...
This morning the post brought an unexpected surprise: Two certificates acknowledging Esther and myself as new Guinness World Record (GWR) holders. A little summer project – visiting the major touristic sites of Belgium and the Netherlands in a day has been awarded the...
How far would you go to pick up some trash? Sacrifice your free Sunday? Rappel down a cliff face? Ever since launching the PollutionmapHK.com back in early 2018, there was discussion about what would be the best next action step. Mapping trash along Hong Kong Islands...
Last week was “ground zero day”. The first time my right foot touched the ground since my accident back in December. And while it was just a tiny small step (I still need crutches to take most of my weight) it was huge leap for my recovery - despite the long way still...
Monday, 17 December 2018 Beautiful blue skies are greeting Esther and me as we hike towards Sharp Peak in Sai Kung Country Park (Hong Kong). I have been fascinated by the peaks steep, rocky West Cliff since years and over the last year we have made multiple attempts...
In 2017, to my total surprise, I was featured in Tatler's Gen T List - according to the magazine the "definitive list of young leaders shaping Asia’s future." Last month the magazine showcased a portrait in its column: "What Matters to Me" Full article can be found...
Last week I talked in front of a group of finance professionals about achieving big dreams – I illustrated the story and my concept through my journey to climb Mt Everest - the highest mountain in the world and how it developed from the dreams of a...
Cordoba, these days a sleepy city in Southern Spain used to be largest city in the world. Around the turn of the first millennia Córdoba, which had fallen under Muslim rule became the capital of the caliphate Al-Andalus. Doctors, Engineers, Intellectuals from all over...
Last Sunday, March 8 marked International Woman's Day. This years theme was: Make it happen! In time for this event, my last project: Education Explorers, has released the trailer of the upcoming documentary about girl education in India – check it...
As a lot of us are settling into the quiet time over the christmas holidays - I thought i share a bit of reading material. The last few weeks saw quite a few articles published - here the stories - have fun! In the meantime i hope you enjoy tons...
More than a hundred pairs of curious intense dark eyes were following my every movement as I chewed on my (self baked) chapati. I had just spent the last hour rolling and baking the small loafs of bread on a very basic wood fired oven, then pressed some hot chillis...
It has been four days since I have arrived back in Hong Kong, and in the pressing humid tropical air I have immediately succumbed to what can only be described severe "Singularity Blues". I am missing the day-long challenges, the inspiring conversations, the...
Remember the following Star Wars scene: Luke showing Obi Wan Kenobi, a hologram of Princess Leia asking for help? This afternoon I had a true glimpse into the future and the hologram became. Together with a several fellow students I made my way into the hills of the...
“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes!” (Marcel Proust) What are mankind's largest challenges? – here at SU we define them around the following areas: Energy, Water, Security, Poverty, Space, Environment,...
“Stall, Stall, Stall!” There was urgency in the voice that was coming through my headphones. I pushed the rudder down, gave it a little bit of throttle – beneath me the last metres of runway were passing by... But all too late! With a kaboom my Boeing 747 hit the...
Back in March i posted: "escape from the hamster wheel" - a summary of my twelve months outside the corporate rat race and the lessons learnt. I was surprised by the amount of feedback i got on it! Thanks a lot!Well, beginning of April I was asked to speak at a TEDx...
Its 365 days since I packed my huge duffels and headed with tons of kit to Kathmandu – the aim: climbing the highest mountain in the world. As I see some of my friends returning to the mountain, I cannot help but look back and reflect on what all has changed in my...
“Ah, Kosciusko its easy – you can drive to the top!" That should have sent my alarm bells ringing - no mountain, rock or hill is ever easy – its always a function of conditions. And well, the ones that look soo simple are the easiest to underestimate. The pile of...
Dear Friends & Supporters, With the imminent christmas holidays and December coming to an end its a good time to draw a line and look back at an extraordinary year. A year in which I have seen lots of success, achieved some long sought after dreams, but also had a...
Another weekend – another race. And again a first... this time a stair race. Stair or Tower Running has gotten quite a big following in the US and with the multitude of tall buildings in HK it seems somewhat obvious to host also such an event in the 852. The race – 82...
Over the years I have done my fair share of funny events and haven't shied away if something is for a good cause. So, when a few weeks back I read in Time Out HK about a race in pink heels for the benefit of breast cancer awareness I was game. The task: Run as fast as...
Its been four days off the boat. Time to catch up with "normal"life again. Read news, check emails, sleep, drink, eat and especially party in abundance. Nowhere a better place than in Rio. Its an amazing place. The cityscape bears resemblance with Hong Kong with the...
Day one of our journey Rio with race start in Brest . Drizzly, grey weather is greeting us. I am fetching Croissants for the team, a final "shore" - meal, before the stress of the last preparations takes over. There is again a presentation of the teams, similar to...