A pandemic, a tiny house, a war and the first journey

One of the last sunrises I experienced in Torres del Paine National Park.

Greetings from Romania.

Writing this I am realizing that more than two years have passed since the pandemic started, since I didn't communicate with any of you. And so much have happened during these times. How have you been? How did life changed with everything going around us all?

As you may know, I was drifting between worlds before the pandemic started, working as a tour guide in Patagonia and researching for Journey Elsewhere in Romania, I got caught up in this world pause without a place to call home.

Finding myself in Romania when the world "stopped spinning" I begun a search for my home. After a journey of more than 10,000 kms all over the country, in the Northern Carpathian mountains, in a quaint, charming little village, between orchards and forests, in the foothills of an ancient extinct volcano, I found myself a quiet spot as my little base.

While dreaming about the world coming back to when we could travel freely again, and while dreaming of my project taking off, I got myself busy building a tiny house, learning the skills to be able to finish such a project and ultimately organizing myself a whole new life.

As many of you, I suppose, I expected 2022 to come with more good news and pleasant global events. Instead it took us from bad to worse, with Putin's war and higher inflation. For my personal circumstance, my business revolving around tourism, free and safe international travel, things wore looking rather gloomy with another year of basically no work.

By chance, reconnecting with friends I didn't see in more than 15 years, Sarah and Ramiz, they own www.humanitascharity.org and with the start of the war in Ukraine, it was a logical step for them to get involved. They offered me the opportunity of working with them and for three months we did humanitarian relief work, running medical, food and clothing supplies into Ukraine and helping Ukrainian refugees in Romania. A humbling experience that I am grateful to have lived.

Finally the summer came and after gaining a first hand experience about the war in Ukraine, in spite of everything that was going on globally, together with Sir Peter K. from the U.K., we decided to go ahead with A Tale of Transylvania tour that we were planning and postponing since 2020. And so, in June 2022, me and Razvan, our new addition to the team, together with 4 couples were starting a 9 days luxury active adventure through Transylvania having the most fun and kicking off my long time project.

In the next blog post you will find out more about our journey together with Sir Peter K. and his friends, as it is our first tested and proved bespoke, unique luxury experience in Transylvania. More pictures and more information coming soon.

Please let us know when you think of visiting the surprisingly beautiful Romania and let's organize a wonderful vacation that is sure to have breathtaking views without exhaustion, ancient history at every turn, delightful food and wine and, of course, lots of fun and good times. Let us take you on a journey through our neck of the woods, meant to become an unforgettable experience and a happy long lasting memory.

In the meantime, as the fall has settled in and the cold weather is approaching fast, I am trying to focus as much as possible on finishing the interior of my house, working with local old craftsman, working around my land and organizing journeys (tours) for the next season.

I am also happy that I managed to recover my old personal Instagram account which I will be turning it into Journey Elsewhere's account. Please follow us on Instagram, stay in touch with us and find out more interesting facts about Romania and about our journeys through these fascinating lands.

From my peaceful and quiet village, I am wishing you and everyone around you joy, peace, love and happiness. Hope to see you soon. Denis-Alain Zaharia