Personal Background
Although I’m an Italian Citizen I was born in Basel,
Switzerland in 1978 - my parents emigrated from Italy in the
50’s. My parents had a hard life (my brothers and I
were raised by a foster care family, spending the weekends
with our parents) and no matter how much they struggled they
still managed to allow me the opportunity to complete my nursing
studies. I worked in this field up until I left for Australia
in February 2006. I was involved with the Scouts
from an early age and have always enjoyed the outdoors. My
love and respect for nature has grown over the years along
with my passion for traveling.
Photographic Background
I hope to see all the beauty
nature has to offer on this trip, experience all the different
people and cultures around the world and get into photography
(with a little help from Alex). We carry two high definition video cameras with us and I am getting into filming more and more and really enjoy documenting our journey!
This Trip
It wasn’t easy to plan
such a huge journey when Alex and I were on opposite ends
of the earth. I’m sure there were moments I was a pain
in the ass! I would like to thank you guys in Switzerland
lots for the support, patience, energy and love I received
from you! It’s great to have such cool friends. My goals are to ride my bicycle 'Mungo' from Australia back home, to learn about cultures and religions, to learn the basics of photography, and film our journey with the possiblitiy of a movie at the end of it. To do volunteer work and to give something back, to spread the word about 'co-existence' within cultures and to ride my bicycle as a protest against global warming ... to show respect towards nature!
Special Thanks
Chris Kunzmann, Jo Kuenzle, Christian Tundo, Patrick Steiner
and everyone that came to my farewell party at Zahlbar, the
Zahlbar team, my scout friends, everyone at work and, of course,
my family. Thanks Alex for making my dream come true - you truely are a great friend. I won't forget you and I
miss you all.
Contact: albano.tundo@gmail.com
Personal Background
I was born in 1976 in Luzern, Switzerland and lived in this picturesque city until the age of nine when I moved with my mum and brother to Basel, just on the border of France and Germany. I graduated from the Swiss Commercial School with a masters in banking and finance. I was a scout in my youth where my passion for nature started to grow and I started using a camera as a teenager when my family went on trips around Europe, Egypt and the US. In my early twenties I traveled extensively through Australia, Argentina, Fiji and New Zealand and although I had no clue about technique or even how to use a camera my passion for photography took hold.
Photographic Background
In 2003 I decided to follow my dream of becoming a photographer and enrolled in a two year photography course in Melbourne, Australia at ICPP - International College of Creative Arts - I graduated in 2005 with a Diploma of Arts applied Photography. During my studies I was lucky enough to assist several professional photographers, working with celebrities, advertising and events. I worked with The Wilderness Society in their campaign to preserve old growth forests in Victoria, Australia and five of my shots where chosen for the 2006 Penrite Oil calendar. Amongst all of that I freelanced shooting weddings, portraits, art work, architectural shots and much more during my studies.
This Trip
In 2003 I had a terrible flight from Switzerland to Australia, the turbulence during the flight made up my mind for me – I never wanted to be in a plane for that long again! During a phone call to my best friend, Albano, I joked that I was going to ride my bike back to Switzerland. A few days later he called me and told me that if I really want to do it, he will too! It started off being a joke, then it became a dream and now, here we are …
Special Thanks
My dad - without your support this would still be a dream. At night when the sky is clear, I will watch the stars and know you and my brother are watching over me – I love you forever! Our sponsors – Your support is incredible! My wife Nataly, all the support and help you have given me since we met is amazing, thanks for loving me and finally being here too. Jo for your great advice and help with our sponsoring concept. Ian, Randal and Harry for teaching me the goods. Gaby, Babs, Milena, BIG, and my mum for supporting me in with my move and new Australian life. Bea for being a great step mum. Susan Brunner (http://www.gecko-photography.com/) and Michael Bauer (www.michaelbauer.com.au), for being superb friends!! Jim my first friend in Melbourne and everyone else I’ve met along the way that makes my life fun, interesting and worthwhile!
Contact: me@alexkaeslin.com
Skype: photoswiss
Personal Background
Born in 1978 in Odessa, USSR (now the Ukraine) my family moved
to Australia when I was three and I grew up in Melbourne attending
school there. My parents and my brother, who was 17 at the
time we moved, had a difficult time adjusting to their new
home at first. My parents worked extremely hard to provide
for us kids and gave me the opportunity to study music and
dance when I was younger.
This Trip
Traveling had always been
a dream of mine and I guess now it’s coming true! I
had my first overseas holiday in 2003 to Fiji where I met
an enormous amount of people my own age traveling the globe
and their stories sparked my travel bug. In 2004 I was lucky
enough to go to Vietnam and my love of Asia began. I have to admit, when Alex
asked me to join him and Al on this trip I was a little taken
back… could I leave my family, friends and my home for
two years – or even my dog for that matter?? It didn’t
take a lot of convincing from him that I had to at least try
– so here I am.
Photographic background
I have no photographic background so I'm responsible for the snapshots - Alex & Al won't trust me with the real stuff :o)
Special Thanks
First of all I want to thank my parents. You guys are amazing!!
Thank you for your unconditional love and support over the
years, you have helped me through good times and bad and I’m
very grateful to you both for all the sacrifices you have
made over the years for both Serg and myself. Serg, thanks for being my
big bro! I know we haven’t always seen eye to eye but
I’m glad that I can count you as my friend. My beautiful friends, in
no particular order - Sash, Lisa, Jen, Cleo, Carly, Jo, Laura,
Brooke, Girty, Ellie, Suzie, Sim, Norm, Marcus,
Reebag, Shellie and anyone I may have missed – thank
you for being the best friends in the world! Without you guys
I wouldn’t be the person I am today – thanks for
all the laughter and the tears – there will be many
more of both to come!! My puppy Monty – I
wish I could take you with me, you always manage to make me
smile. See you soon baby!! The gang from L-3. Thanks
for your friendship and support – it was my absolute
pleasure working with all of you! I miss all of you with all
my heart and I’ll see you soon!! And last but not least Alex.
Thank you for so many things I cannot possibly list them all.
I love you with all my heart chicken, Mwah.
Contact: natsnotcycling@hotmail.com
