Day -2: Above the clouds, everyday worries and troubles seem smaller and far away

Flying ...

... has fascinated me since childhood. When I was six, my cousin moved to California, and every time I saw a plane in the sky, I imagined myself on it, flying there. For a while, I even had to go to the airport almost every week, and what once felt magical began to feel like a burden. Since 9/11, with heightened security and long queues, the experience of flying has become even more challenging, turning the dream of air travel into something of a nightmare.

Condor: our preferred carrier to sunny destinations

It’s been almost a year since my last flight, and I feel a deep longing to see the clouds from above once more. Today, we spent the night at the airport. Check-in and security were surprisingly easy, so we got to enjoy a relaxed breakfast before our flight. I love window seats, and luckily, my wife prefers the aisle—so we both get exactly what we want. As the engines roar to life, that old dream of flying comes alive once again, making all the hassle worthwhile.

Las Palmas: More Than Beaches

For many people, Gran Canaria conjures up images of mass tourism and sun-drenched beaches. However, the island's rich history tells a very different story—one that stretches back centuries as a strategic hub for the colonization of the Americas and a bustling trade center connecting Europe, Africa, and the New World.

Quioso El Modernista - San Telmo

Our trip led us to spend two nights in the historic heart of Las Palmas, specifically in the UNESCO World Heritage site of Vegueta, the city's oldest neighborhood. 

Ermita de San Telmo

Upon arrival on a Sunday afternoon, we were greeted by the tranquility of deserted cobblestone streets, the kind of peaceful atmosphere that is increasingly rare in tourist-heavy areas. The charming, narrow alleys between the historic houses were almost empty, and the only sounds were those of local families gathering for their Sunday meals at street-side restaurants, enjoying a relaxed pace of life. 

It felt like we had stumbled into a hidden corner of Las Palmas, unbothered by the usual crowds of tourists.

Today’s trip: Munich Airport to Las Palmas, Gran Canaria — 3,300 km.
That’s 10.3% of our entire journey covered already.

The red line indicates the full route, covering a total distance of approximately 33,000 km.