SAUDI-ARABIEN UDEN FILTER: Ørkenkørsel, røde klitter og et folk fuld af overraskelser

I denne episode forlader vi Riyadh og kører mod “Edge of the World” – et dramatisk klippefremspring, hvor ørkenen forsvinder ud i horisonten. Med kun nogle løse instruktioner fra en CouchSurfing-ven (“Kør til moskeen… og prøv ikke at dø”) begiver Cynthia og jeg os ud på et 4.000 km langt roadtrip gennem Saudi-Arabien. Vi oplever sjældent ørkenregn, ser hundreder af kameler, møder gæstfrie lokale og ender i Al-Ula, hvor vi står foran den ikoniske Elephant Rock – og, selvfølgelig, sidder fast i sandet. Lyt med – og hvis du vil se billederne og læse mere om turen, finder du det her: https://www.radiovagabond.dk/299-saudi-arabien/

Tag med mig på en uforglemmelig rejse gennem Saudi-Arabien – fra hovedstaden Riyadh til de ikoniske Røde Sandklitter, hvor min rejsepartner Cynthia og jeg kørte fast igen og igen. Undervejs møder vi venlige lokale, får et indblik i landets store Vision 2030-plan og ser, hvordan tradition og modernitet smelter sammen i et land i forvandling. Det er en fortælling om tålmodighed i lufthavnen, kaotisk trafik, ørkeneventyr og smukke solnedgange i hjertet af Riyadh. Lyt med – og hvis du vil se billederne og læse mere om turen, finder du det her: https://www.radiovagabond.dk/296-saudi-arabien/

I denne episode af Radiovagabond tager jeg dig med til Rio de Janeiro – en by fyldt med rytme, farver og kontraster. Her møder du både den postkort-smukke side af byen med Copacabana og de pulserende sambarytmer, men også den mere rå virkelighed, hvor tingene hurtigt kan tage en uventet drejning. Det blev en oplevelse fyldt med både ærefrygt, adrenalin og en nat, jeg sent vil glemme. Lyt med – og hvis du vil se billederne og læse mere om turen, finder du det her: https://www.radiovagabond.dk/262-rio-de-janeiro/

In this Flashback Friday episode of The Radio Vagabond, I return to New York City – a place I’ve visited many times before. But this time, something felt different. From the moment I stepped back into the chaos, culture, and charisma of “The Big Apple,” I was reminded of just how alive this city is. They say it’s the greatest city in the world – and in this episode, I set out to rediscover exactly why. Join me for a fresh take on a familiar place, where even for a seasoned traveler like me, New York still knows how to surprise. See pictures and read more on https://www.theradiovagabond.com/100-new-york/ This Flashback Friday episode was first released on February 27, 2020.

In this colorful Flashback Friday episode of The Radio Vagabond, I take you to the tropical paradise of the Philippines. Join me as I island-hop through crystal-clear waters, meet fascinating locals, and dive below the surface – literally. While scuba diving, I find myself face-to-face with some familiar characters… yes, even Nemo and Dory make an appearance in this underwater adventure. But there’s more than just coral and clownfish – I also explore the vibrant culture, including a lively encounter with some charismatic ladyboys who show me another side of island life. It’s a blend of natural beauty, unexpected conversations, and the kind of travel stories you can’t make up. See pictures and read more on https://www.theradiovagabond.com/podcast-012/ This Flashback Friday episode was first released on October 5, 2017.

In this emotional Flashback Friday episode of The Radio Vagabond, I travel to Bessemer, Alabama to experience Gip’s Place  –  a legendary juke joint founded in the backyard of Henry “Gip” Gipson. At the time, Gip was an astonishing 97 years old, still hosting Saturday night blues sessions in his tin-roofed music shed alongside family, locals, and wandering musicians. His motto, “No black, no white, just blues,” resonated through every note. Update: Sadly, Henry “Gip” Gipson passed away on October 8, 2019, at the age of 99, closing a chapter on one of America’s last authentic juke joints. See pictures and read more on https://www.theradiovagabond.com/066-alabama/ This Flashback Friday episode was first released on March 15, 2019.

In this high-stress Flashback Friday episode of The Radio Vagabond, I find myself in the heart of Dakar, Senegal, with a bus leaving at 7 am – and a taxi driver who has no idea where the bus terminal is. What follows is a chaotic ride through a waking city, a ticking clock, and rising panic. But this episode isn’t just about the stress. Along the way, I also meet a talented local artist and an inspiring Italian woman working with UNICEF. It’s a snapshot of the real Senegal – unpredictable, vibrant, and full of character. See pictures and read more on https://www.theradiovagabond.com/118-dakar/ This Flashback Friday episode was first released on November 12, 2020.

In this offbeat episode of The Radio Vagabond, I find myself in beautiful Bali, sipping on what might be the strangest – and most expensive – cup of coffee I’ve ever had. It's called Luwak coffee, made from beans that have been eaten, digested, and yes, pooped out by a civet cat. Then it’s cleaned, roasted, and brewed into a surprisingly smooth cup of coffee. Whether it’s a gimmick or a gourmet experience, I had to try it for myself. Come with me to a Balinese coffee plantation where I sample this legendary brew, chat with locals, and question my own life choices – one sip at a time. See pictures and read more on https://www.theradiovagabond.com/212-bali/ This Flashback Friday episode was first released on November 25, 2021.

In this provocative Flashback Friday episode of The Radio Vagabond, I travel to Belarus – often called “Europe’s last dictatorship” – to uncover the lived reality of life under Alexander Lukashenko. As I meet locals and explore Minsk, I ask a bold question: are there bright sides to this autocratic system? Some people credit the regime with preserving economic stability post-USSR, keeping unemployment low and averting the oligarchic chaos seen elsewhere. They say limited online freedoms – like the ability to access opposition sites – create an illusion of choice. But the darker truth sits just beneath the surface. Lukashenko’s heavy censorship, the criminalization of dissent – even for wearing “wrong” socks – and the ongoing use of capital punishment paint a grim picture. This episode digs into these contradictions. I speak with people benefiting from economic predictability, then confront the chilling reality of repression and human rights abuses. It’s a travel story that challenges assumptions – and raises uncomfortable questions. See pictures and read more on https://www.theradiovagabond.com/182-belarus/ This Flashback Friday episode was first released on May 10, 2021.

In this Flashback Friday episode of The Radio Vagabond, we head to Pattaya, Thailand – a place with two drastically different faces. First, I take you down one of the wildest party streets on the planet: Walking Street. It's loud, it's chaotic, and it’s absolutely unforgettable. From neon lights and booming music to all kinds of nightlife, it’s a full-on sensory overload. But just beyond the party scene, I discover another side of Pattaya. I visit a local orphanage and meet some remarkable kids and caretakers who bring a human, heartwarming contrast to the city’s infamous reputation. This episode is a rollercoaster – from outrageous to uplifting – all in one city. See pictures and read more on https://www.theradiovagabond.com/026-pattaya/ This Flashback Friday episode was first released on May 3, 2018.