Polaroid of the Week: A Fly Lands on Buddha's Nose in Chiang Mai, Thailand

On our second visit to Chiang Mai, we set out to explore Northern Thailands stunning countryside beyond the city limits. Through hands-on experience, weve found bicycle tours to be the ultimate way to connect with a destination. We joined a guided ride with Spice Roads, pedaling past endless rice paddies and watching skilled artisans handcraft the beautiful wares sold in Chiang Mai markets. The adventure wrapped up at San Kamphaeng Hot Springs, where we savored lunch and soaked our feet in the r

We had just arrived in Guatemala and spent a couple of days in Flores, a picturesque island town on Lake Petén Itzá. One sunny afternoon, lounging on the dock, a friendly Guatemalan anciano (elderly gentleman) approached to chat. He introduced himself as Miguel de San Miguel from the village of San Miguel across the lake. At 85 years old, Miguel had lived his entire life by the lake, dedicating most of it to extracting chicle from sapodilla trees in the nearby jungles. His warmth captivated us,

I recently left Berlin for a quick trip home to visit loved ones and photograph a close friends wedding. Erfurt, my hometown, often feels distant after years away—a classic case of outgrowing ones roots. I rarely return unless family or friends draw me back, keeping visits brief.This time was different. Visiting in summer with a first-time guest refreshed my perspective on this understated gem. I wandered cobblestone streets lined with meticulously restored half-timbered houses, admired the impo