AdventureCreativeJourneys 2025

JCMI Ike Aarens AdventureCreativeJourneys 2025

In the Beginning, There Was a Big Bang…

Or at least a gentle rumble. If you stay in one place long enough, you eventually feel the urge to move. For me, however, it wasn’t a slow process but a sudden shift.

For years, I was deeply embedded in my professional routine, focused on technology, consulting, and creativity within a structured environment. Then life intervened – abruptly, unexpectedly. I was torn from my career rhythm and suddenly found myself in an entirely new role: that of my father’s caregiver. The responsibility was immense, the challenges overwhelming, and my own life took a back seat.

But now, after the sudden natural conclusion of that phase, a new door has opened. I stand at a crossroads where I can consolidate my skills, experiences, and creativity into something new. No longer confined by the constraints of a traditional career, but free, on the move, telling stories. This journey is more than just a geographical shift for me – it’s a complete creative reboot.

Why I’m Traveling Now

My journey is not an escape but a logical consequence. I am a journalist, a creative, and an adventurer. But I don’t just want to travel – I want to document, tell stories, and capture moments that others might overlook. The world is changing, and with it, people, landscapes, and the climate. I want to see these changes firsthand, document them, and share them with you.

What to Expect?

• Adventure & Road Trips: No staged glossy videos, just real experiences. What is it like to live in a mini camper? How does everyday life look on remote campsites? And what happens when the route suddenly becomes impassable?
• Cultural Insights: I don’t just visit tourist hotspots – I seek out real life. Conversations with locals, insights into political and social developments, and the impact of climate change on daily life.
• Photography & Documentation: Whether breathtaking landscapes or the raw charm of forgotten places – my camera is always ready.
• Unfiltered Thoughts: No polished „travel lifestyle“ but honest impressions, with all their highs and lows.

The 2025 Route

The first part of my journey takes me to southern France, with Avignon as my first planned stop. From there, I continue to Spain, with Valencia and Málaga as spontaneous waypoints. Additional destinations will emerge along the way – either through Portugal or across central and northern Spain. After this first leg, I’ll return to Hamburg for a short break to edit and refine the material from this southwestern section.

Following this pause, the next leg begins – either heading north to Norway or directly to Italy, traveling all the way down to Sicily. From there, the route will take me through the Balkans to Greece, depending on how the year unfolds.

Travel Journalism Meets Adventure

I don’t see myself as a typical travel vlogger but as a storyteller. I am not only interested in what is beautiful but also in what is deteriorating. Climate change, political upheavals, social developments – these are the topics I explore. Not as dry news, but as tangible, real stories.

Join the Journey!

Follow me on YouTube, Instagram, and this blog. Let me know what interests you! Are there places you think I should visit? Topics you’d like to see explored? Leave a comment or send me a message.

The adventure has just begun. And who knows? Maybe our paths will cross somewhere along the way.

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