Welcome, Curious Traveler!
I am David, aka “Nature Nomad”, an adventurer and environmental scientist who has traveled off the beaten paths for more than a decade. Currently, I am on the ZERO Impact Expedition to create and inspire a global community that values and engages in sustainable slow travel.
My blog offers you fascinating stories, helpful travel tips, and insights into the gear I use on my adventures.
Would you like to know where I am right now? Check out my Live Travel Map to follow me on my journey and join an upcoming event of my projects Run4Planet and Mindful Mountain Adventures.
I’m more than happy that you’ve found your way here—enjoy exploring!
Partnerships and Cooperations
That "good shortcut" in the video I`ve taken near Vilsandi Island in Estonia.
It was a hike through the ice cold ocean (Baltic sea) to get from one island to another....but I had to turn back at some point as the water was getting too deep 😜
They say, in summertime, it should be accessible....I was trying in early spring adding some spice to the mission... 😀
#hike #hikemore #hikingadventures #hikelife #hiking #hikevibes #hiker #wanderlust #hikingtrails #estonia #visitestonia #hikingculture #hikinglife #hikingadventure #hikinglovers #zeroimpactexpedition
That "good shortcut" in the video I`ve taken near Vilsandi Island in Estonia.
It was a hike through the ice cold ocean (Baltic sea) to get from one island to another....but I had to turn back at some point as the water was getting too deep 😜
They say, in summertime, it should be accessible....I was trying in early spring adding some spice to the mission... 😀
#hike #hikemore #hikingadventures #hikelife #hiking #hikevibes #hiker #wanderlust #hikingtrails #estonia #visitestonia #hikingculture #hikinglife #hikingadventure #hikinglovers #zeroimpactexpedition
▶️ Would love to hear your comments about other abandoned places you know of and are worth a visit! In Estonia 🇪🇪🤝 or wherever you live....🫶
Exploring abandoned places has always been a thrill for me, and my recent journey to Keila Joa, a former Soviet air base in Estonia, was no exception.
The intrigue around this site began when the CIA first spotted its construction in satellite images back in 1964. There was initial confusion about whether it was intended for air defense or missile defense, leading to comparisons with other similar sites and the eventual realization of its purpose as part of a broader network of air defense systems.
🤔 What makes abandoned places like Keila Joa so captivating?
Perhaps it`s the silence that speaks volumes, where every crumbling wall and deserted building has a story to tell.
Some structures at Keila Joa are no more than ruins, while others stand defiantly against the test of time, housing the ghosts of a tension-filled era. The missile launch areas, vast and imposing, were too numerous for me to explore in a single day.
Each area had its own set of buildings, offering a glimpse into the past. The mere thought that I might not be alone, heightened by unexpected sounds or the sudden flight of a bird, added a layer of adrenaline to the experience.
As I wandered through massive halls with graffiti art, the sight of illegal trash dumps marred the landscape. This problem of illegal dumping disrespecting the Environment is calling for greater awareness and respect for these forgotten spaces.
⚠️Keila Joa is a must-visit Destination in estonia if you like abandoned places. Just an hour and 20 minute drive from Tallinn with the bus 108 to keila-Joe and another 30 minute walk into the area. I navigated through Google Maps. The most interesting buildings you can find here:
⚠️ 59.403778, 24.329677 ⚠️
and the Hangar is here:
59.412423, 24.324232
▶️ Is not directly at one of the rocket launch Areas, that`s why it took me some time to find it)
Good Luck!
▶️ Would love to hear your comments About other abandoned places you know of and are worth to visit!
#abandonedplaces #outdoors #adventure #wanderlust #exploring
▶️ Would love to hear your comments about other abandoned places you know of and are worth a visit! In Estonia 🇪🇪🤝 or wherever you live....🫶
Exploring abandoned places has always been a thrill for me, and my recent journey to Keila Joa, a former Soviet air base in Estonia, was no exception.
The intrigue around this site began when the CIA first spotted its construction in satellite images back in 1964. There was initial confusion about whether it was intended for air defense or missile defense, leading to comparisons with other similar sites and the eventual realization of its purpose as part of a broader network of air defense systems.
🤔 What makes abandoned places like Keila Joa so captivating?
Perhaps it`s the silence that speaks volumes, where every crumbling wall and deserted building has a story to tell.
Some structures at Keila Joa are no more than ruins, while others stand defiantly against the test of time, housing the ghosts of a tension-filled era. The missile launch areas, vast and imposing, were too numerous for me to explore in a single day.
Each area had its own set of buildings, offering a glimpse into the past. The mere thought that I might not be alone, heightened by unexpected sounds or the sudden flight of a bird, added a layer of adrenaline to the experience.
As I wandered through massive halls with graffiti art, the sight of illegal trash dumps marred the landscape. This problem of illegal dumping disrespecting the Environment is calling for greater awareness and respect for these forgotten spaces.
⚠️Keila Joa is a must-visit Destination in estonia if you like abandoned places. Just an hour and 20 minute drive from Tallinn with the bus 108 to keila-Joe and another 30 minute walk into the area. I navigated through Google Maps. The most interesting buildings you can find here:
⚠️ 59.403778, 24.329677 ⚠️
and the Hangar is here:
59.412423, 24.324232
▶️ Is not directly at one of the rocket launch Areas, that`s why it took me some time to find it)
Good Luck!
▶️ Would love to hear your comments About other abandoned places you know of and are worth to visit!
#abandonedplaces #outdoors #adventure #wanderlust #exploring
🇪🇪 I visited an Estonian swamp in Winter, and it was an adventure. But see for yourselves!
🤔 Did you know?
Around 10% of Estonia`s land surface is swamps and bogs. This country amazes me every time new. Walking through fascinating changing landscapes inside the bog is basically a natural history book, except it`s made of peat and moss instead of paper.
🌿 These bogs have been around for up to 10,000 years, collecting layers of plant stuff that never fully decomposed because there`s hardly any oxygen in the water. So, you`ve got this thick layer of peat that`s been building up millimeter by millimeter each year.
💧 In these bogs, the ground is like a giant sponge made of moss that can soak up a ton of water. It`s pretty cool to see how nature adapts over time....
❄️ Running over the frozen lake and finding my path....as the trail was flooded, was lots of fun 🙊
👣 And hey, if you want to see more stuff like this, give me a follow. Who knows where I`ll end up next? Might even turn into a bog creature or a KRATT if I`m not careful enough 😂
#wanderlust #adventure #worldtraveler #travel #traveldiaries #traveltheworld #instatravel #slowtravel #solotravel #backpacking #exploremore #traveladdict #traveling #adventuretime #globetrotter
#wilderness #nature #estonia #swamp
🇪🇪 I visited an Estonian swamp in Winter, and it was an adventure. But see for yourselves!
🤔 Did you know?
Around 10% of Estonia`s land surface is swamps and bogs. This country amazes me every time new. Walking through fascinating changing landscapes inside the bog is basically a natural history book, except it`s made of peat and moss instead of paper.
🌿 These bogs have been around for up to 10,000 years, collecting layers of plant stuff that never fully decomposed because there`s hardly any oxygen in the water. So, you`ve got this thick layer of peat that`s been building up millimeter by millimeter each year.
💧 In these bogs, the ground is like a giant sponge made of moss that can soak up a ton of water. It`s pretty cool to see how nature adapts over time....
❄️ Running over the frozen lake and finding my path....as the trail was flooded, was lots of fun 🙊
👣 And hey, if you want to see more stuff like this, give me a follow. Who knows where I`ll end up next? Might even turn into a bog creature or a KRATT if I`m not careful enough 😂
#wanderlust #adventure #worldtraveler #travel #traveldiaries #traveltheworld #instatravel #slowtravel #solotravel #backpacking #exploremore #traveladdict #traveling #adventuretime #globetrotter
#wilderness #nature #estonia #swamp
⬇️ Week three of my #workawayadventure was a hit ⬇️
🌟 FULL DAY of trekking through a beautiful forest and biking with puppies on icy paths
🌟 FULL DAY of sledding with three teams under the week in snowfall (besides our Weekend sledding days)
🌟 Rest day hike in the sun, observing Wildlife and saunaaa (no Video here :p)
🌟 Preparing trails until the dark
🌟 Witnessing the early signs/attempt of the northern light
🌟 Enjoying the simple pleasure of animal cuddles
🌟🌟🌟🌟...and of course many many more Things happened which are sfely stored in my memories forever
✨—each moment was a reminder to embrace the NOW, ....as this is where the POWER lays ✨
And, in a light-hearted confession, I`ve always dreamed about conducting a third-person interview with myself in one of my videos 😛 I hope you enjoyed the intro as much as I did 😀
Would you step into this natural ice bathtub as well? Leave me a comment!
#wanderlust #adventure #worldtraveler #backpacking #husky #huskylove #travel #estonia #visitestonia #instatravel #explore #globetrotter #adventuretime #huskypuppy #doglovers #storytelling #dog #sleddog
#Volunteer #icebath
⬇️ Week three of my #workawayadventure was a hit ⬇️
🌟 FULL DAY of trekking through a beautiful forest and biking with puppies on icy paths
🌟 FULL DAY of sledding with three teams under the week in snowfall (besides our Weekend sledding days)
🌟 Rest day hike in the sun, observing Wildlife and saunaaa (no Video here :p)
🌟 Preparing trails until the dark
🌟 Witnessing the early signs/attempt of the northern light
🌟 Enjoying the simple pleasure of animal cuddles
🌟🌟🌟🌟...and of course many many more Things happened which are sfely stored in my memories forever
✨—each moment was a reminder to embrace the NOW, ....as this is where the POWER lays ✨
And, in a light-hearted confession, I`ve always dreamed about conducting a third-person interview with myself in one of my videos 😛 I hope you enjoyed the intro as much as I did 😀
Would you step into this natural ice bathtub as well? Leave me a comment!
#wanderlust #adventure #worldtraveler #backpacking #husky #huskylove #travel #estonia #visitestonia #instatravel #explore #globetrotter #adventuretime #huskypuppy #doglovers #storytelling #dog #sleddog
#Volunteer #icebath
Here`s my week two recap from my Estonian Husky Farm #workawayadventure!
Packing a whole week of memories into a 1-2 minute video is quite the challenge, but revisiting all the videos and associated memories and reminding myself about the first week`s hurdles is incredibly rewarding.
Every week is filled with countless events, no two days are the same, and the excitement is never-ending. I`m grateful to be here; the joy and the work blend together to make all the effort worthwhile.
I`ve committed to creating weekly summaries of my journey, experiences, and impressions through these short videos.
It`s an amazing way for me to relive the memories and essentially build a small video diary for myself, and I hope it`s interesting and inspiring for others to see.
I plan to continue making these summaries for the week, which have passed and weeks that are about to come, so definitely stay tuned ✨🤗
➡️ Have you ever been on similar adventure or volunteering/workaway experience? Working with animals?
➡️✨ Drop your stories in the comments below—I`d love to hear about your journey and the memories you`ve created! And especially where, which country?
#wanderlust #adventure #worldtraveler #backpacking #husky #huskylove #travel #estonia #visitestonia #instatravel #explore #globetrotter #adventuretime #huskypuppy #doglovers #storytelling #dog #sleddog
#volunteer
Here`s my week two recap from my Estonian Husky Farm #workawayadventure!
Packing a whole week of memories into a 1-2 minute video is quite the challenge, but revisiting all the videos and associated memories and reminding myself about the first week`s hurdles is incredibly rewarding.
Every week is filled with countless events, no two days are the same, and the excitement is never-ending. I`m grateful to be here; the joy and the work blend together to make all the effort worthwhile.
I`ve committed to creating weekly summaries of my journey, experiences, and impressions through these short videos.
It`s an amazing way for me to relive the memories and essentially build a small video diary for myself, and I hope it`s interesting and inspiring for others to see.
I plan to continue making these summaries for the week, which have passed and weeks that are about to come, so definitely stay tuned ✨🤗
➡️ Have you ever been on similar adventure or volunteering/workaway experience? Working with animals?
➡️✨ Drop your stories in the comments below—I`d love to hear about your journey and the memories you`ve created! And especially where, which country?
#wanderlust #adventure #worldtraveler #backpacking #husky #huskylove #travel #estonia #visitestonia #instatravel #explore #globetrotter #adventuretime #huskypuppy #doglovers #storytelling #dog #sleddog
#volunteer
Around 2 weeks in, and my Estonian husky farm #workawayadventure has me playing a real-life game of "Freeze & Thaw"! I`m talking bone-chilling -15°C weather turning to milder temperatures, punctuated by sauna sessions with snowball fights that turn me into a human toastie and snowman back again 🤪
It`s the beginning of my world trip, but it`s far from just a holiday. Working long days with another volunteer, we`re part of a family-run operation where even the youngest seem to run the show.
From dawn till dusk, we`re engaged in the care of the huskies, whose playful nature and unique characters make every moment worthwhile ✨🐕
Our tasks vary so far from repairs and construction, cleaning, dog training, to dog meal preparation and taking the huskies for runs. It`s amazing to learn something new every day. Amid the hard work, homemade cakes and meals taste even better and let any fatigue vanish 😋🥮
And on the weekends, we go sledding with the tourists, experiencing the thrill of standing on one of the sleds, riding through Estonian forests and fields on deep snow, powered by a team of huskies—simply incredible ✨🌄🛷
And the cherry on top? My treehouse with a million-star view. Trust me, the clear night sky here doesn`t need any filters.
This is just the first update of my journey, filled for now with lots of learnings every day and beautiful experiences. Can`t wait to spill the beans on my next stops and the sustainability mission I`ve got brewing ♻️
More frosty tales and warm memories coming your way soon! Stay frosty and tuned in! 🌟
Drop your comments and questions 🙌😁
#wanderlust #adventure #worldtraveler #backpacking #husky #huskylove #travel #estonia #visitestonia #instatravel #explore #globetrotter #adventuretime #huskypuppy #dog
Around 2 weeks in, and my Estonian husky farm #workawayadventure has me playing a real-life game of "Freeze & Thaw"! I`m talking bone-chilling -15°C weather turning to milder temperatures, punctuated by sauna sessions with snowball fights that turn me into a human toastie and snowman back again 🤪
It`s the beginning of my world trip, but it`s far from just a holiday. Working long days with another volunteer, we`re part of a family-run operation where even the youngest seem to run the show.
From dawn till dusk, we`re engaged in the care of the huskies, whose playful nature and unique characters make every moment worthwhile ✨🐕
Our tasks vary so far from repairs and construction, cleaning, dog training, to dog meal preparation and taking the huskies for runs. It`s amazing to learn something new every day. Amid the hard work, homemade cakes and meals taste even better and let any fatigue vanish 😋🥮
And on the weekends, we go sledding with the tourists, experiencing the thrill of standing on one of the sleds, riding through Estonian forests and fields on deep snow, powered by a team of huskies—simply incredible ✨🌄🛷
And the cherry on top? My treehouse with a million-star view. Trust me, the clear night sky here doesn`t need any filters.
This is just the first update of my journey, filled for now with lots of learnings every day and beautiful experiences. Can`t wait to spill the beans on my next stops and the sustainability mission I`ve got brewing ♻️
More frosty tales and warm memories coming your way soon! Stay frosty and tuned in! 🌟
Drop your comments and questions 🙌😁
#wanderlust #adventure #worldtraveler #backpacking #husky #huskylove #travel #estonia #visitestonia #instatravel #explore #globetrotter #adventuretime #huskypuppy #dog
Every road to Ironman has bumps, and mine was no different. In fact, it was full of obstacles. Three times I tried, three times I failed. But thankfully failure wasn`t my destiny 🙌
First, it was Cascais, where my hopes were taken by race cancellation from IM due to Corona. Then came the broken ulna and radius, halting my second attempt ⛔. And when I finally got into my third attempt in Spain, Corona struck again 😷
Amid my preparation for what I`d sworn would be my last attempt, all in, a nasty bike accident shattered my hip/femur. Immobilized for 6 weeks, bound to my bed, agony with every motion, sleepless nights – it was as if the universe was against me 😓
A month in, my feet swelled and reddened, itching in discomfort from thrombosis. After 2 more grueling weeks, I entered rehab with a total of 3 dedicated physiotherapists and 2 osteopaths who breathed new life into me and my legs started moving again slowly 🙏 My days were dictated by painkillers, medical exams, physiotherapy sessions, frustration, hope and tears.
Around Xmas, 12 weeks post-accident, I tried to run again very slowly. Each attempt, a painful reminder of the long road ahead. Half a year later, around my birthday, I experienced my first pain-free day. What a gift! 🎁
Fear of an accident led me to train mostly indoors despite pleasant weather 🚴♂️ I eliminated all distractions for the upcoming months before Frankfurt Ironman race. Rising before dawn and 15-hour weekly training plan become the norm.
Surprisingly, I became a better athlete than ever before, as I didn`t focus on the event or race day, but rather on becoming the healthiest and fittest person, I`ve ever been.
While 70.3 IM Kraichgau was some lessons learned and good for preparation, finishing the Berlin Olympic distance triathlon one month before the Ironnman FFM event, in 2:11 h was a testament to my readiness. The big day was approaching, and I was more prepared than ever... and it turned out to be perfect 👏 ...see other posts for a full description on each discipline 🏊🚴🏃
#ironmanjourney #resilience #Triathlon #roadtoironman #nevergiveup #swimbikerun #ironmantraining
#ironmantri #triathlon #ironmanfrankfurt
Every road to Ironman has bumps, and mine was no different. In fact, it was full of obstacles. Three times I tried, three times I failed. But thankfully failure wasn`t my destiny 🙌
First, it was Cascais, where my hopes were taken by race cancellation from IM due to Corona. Then came the broken ulna and radius, halting my second attempt ⛔. And when I finally got into my third attempt in Spain, Corona struck again 😷
Amid my preparation for what I`d sworn would be my last attempt, all in, a nasty bike accident shattered my hip/femur. Immobilized for 6 weeks, bound to my bed, agony with every motion, sleepless nights – it was as if the universe was against me 😓
A month in, my feet swelled and reddened, itching in discomfort from thrombosis. After 2 more grueling weeks, I entered rehab with a total of 3 dedicated physiotherapists and 2 osteopaths who breathed new life into me and my legs started moving again slowly 🙏 My days were dictated by painkillers, medical exams, physiotherapy sessions, frustration, hope and tears.
Around Xmas, 12 weeks post-accident, I tried to run again very slowly. Each attempt, a painful reminder of the long road ahead. Half a year later, around my birthday, I experienced my first pain-free day. What a gift! 🎁
Fear of an accident led me to train mostly indoors despite pleasant weather 🚴♂️ I eliminated all distractions for the upcoming months before Frankfurt Ironman race. Rising before dawn and 15-hour weekly training plan become the norm.
Surprisingly, I became a better athlete than ever before, as I didn`t focus on the event or race day, but rather on becoming the healthiest and fittest person, I`ve ever been.
While 70.3 IM Kraichgau was some lessons learned and good for preparation, finishing the Berlin Olympic distance triathlon one month before the Ironnman FFM event, in 2:11 h was a testament to my readiness. The big day was approaching, and I was more prepared than ever... and it turned out to be perfect 👏 ...see other posts for a full description on each discipline 🏊🚴🏃
#ironmanjourney #resilience #Triathlon #roadtoironman #nevergiveup #swimbikerun #ironmantraining
#ironmantri #triathlon #ironmanfrankfurt
Waiting patiently for the summer to enjoy the sun while climbing 👍
It`s okay winter, go play with autumn and leave us alone for a while 👋👋 anybody feels the same? 🙊
It`s too cooooold for me here... 🐒
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#climbing #climb #waitingforsummer #climbing_pictures_of_instagram #climber #klettern #outdoor #outdoors #naturelover #nature #adventure #adventuretime #felsklettern #rockclimbing #rockclimb #rockclimber #climbingismypassion #climbinglife #kletternoutdoor #kletternmachtspass #wanderlust
Waiting patiently for the summer to enjoy the sun while climbing 👍
It`s okay winter, go play with autumn and leave us alone for a while 👋👋 anybody feels the same? 🙊
It`s too cooooold for me here... 🐒
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.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#climbing #climb #waitingforsummer #climbing_pictures_of_instagram #climber #klettern #outdoor #outdoors #naturelover #nature #adventure #adventuretime #felsklettern #rockclimbing #rockclimb #rockclimber #climbingismypassion #climbinglife #kletternoutdoor #kletternmachtspass #wanderlust
How a 35kg backpack looks like...😅
Packed with food for 3 weeks and all other necessary (and unnecessary) things for camping in the wilderness...🤪
This is literally the best backpack ever
Aether 100 from @ospreyeurope
It is a pleasure to wear, besides the failing squad attempts for lifting it up...
Strategy: Eat as much as possible at the beginning of the trip to lose weight and starve to the end...🤣
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#backpacking #wanderlust
#wanderlustlife#hiking #squads
#adventure #osprey #hike #survivaltraining #survivalgear #backpack #camping #tent #wildcamping #outdoor #outdooradventures #adventuretime #ocean #cliff #naturelove #naturephotography #planetearth #wandern #madeiraportugal #madeiraisland #campinglife #ospreypacks #ospreyeurope #sherpa #alexandersupertramp
How a 35kg backpack looks like...😅
Packed with food for 3 weeks and all other necessary (and unnecessary) things for camping in the wilderness...🤪
This is literally the best backpack ever
Aether 100 from @ospreyeurope
It is a pleasure to wear, besides the failing squad attempts for lifting it up...
Strategy: Eat as much as possible at the beginning of the trip to lose weight and starve to the end...🤣
.
.
.
#backpacking #wanderlust
#wanderlustlife#hiking #squads
#adventure #osprey #hike #survivaltraining #survivalgear #backpack #camping #tent #wildcamping #outdoor #outdooradventures #adventuretime #ocean #cliff #naturelove #naturephotography #planetearth #wandern #madeiraportugal #madeiraisland #campinglife #ospreypacks #ospreyeurope #sherpa #alexandersupertramp
Mont Blanc Prep: Our ascend to Gran Paradiso Glacier top 🙌 (4060m) in the Alpes.
A long day full of surprises, however having the sun as company.
Climbing an over hanging and exposed via ferrata with difficulty F beneath the top as we had to leave.behind one rope team member due to altitude sickness.
#granparadiso #hiking #mountaineering #outdoors #adventure #mountain #themountainsarecalling #wanderlust #glacier #hike #climbinglife #nature #alps #alpsmountains #montblancmassif #adventuretime #rifugiochabod #basecamp #wandern #explore #rockclimbing #rock #mountaineer #campinglife #camping #naturelove #viaferrata #summit #ropeteam
Mont Blanc Prep: Our ascend to Gran Paradiso Glacier top 🙌 (4060m) in the Alpes.
A long day full of surprises, however having the sun as company.
Climbing an over hanging and exposed via ferrata with difficulty F beneath the top as we had to leave.behind one rope team member due to altitude sickness.
#granparadiso #hiking #mountaineering #outdoors #adventure #mountain #themountainsarecalling #wanderlust #glacier #hike #climbinglife #nature #alps #alpsmountains #montblancmassif #adventuretime #rifugiochabod #basecamp #wandern #explore #rockclimbing #rock #mountaineer #campinglife #camping #naturelove #viaferrata #summit #ropeteam
