Daniel Maissan

I have been a freelance photographer for over 15 years. My fascination for people, the inequality in the world and my strong belief that people are in essence all the same, made me change careers in my late twenties. Having been a bartender and an avid globetrotter, I then started working for magazines and businesses as a freelance photographer. I finally ended up capturing the work of NGO’s and foundations, while creating personal projects in which I capture the dynamics of  every-day life in different countries, cultures and communities. What started out as a change of careers has developed more and more into a lifestyle in which I travel the world studying, framing and documenting my own outlook on the world around me. I often share my work on Instagram.  

Lisa Dupuy

I am a freelance journalist, editor and researcher, and made my way to journalism via conflict studies. I completed a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences in Maastricht and graduated from King’s College London with an MA in Nonproliferation and International Security. I am interested in conflict and the ways in which it shapes history and politics, marks our landscapes and (un)ties us to geography, and becomes entrenched in our thinking about the world and in the human psyche. I have written and/or produced stories on resource wars, conservation, the refugee crisis in Europe and the worldwide arms trade. I spend a lot of time in the newsroom of the Dutch national newspaper NRC. You can also find me on Twitter.

Arwen Scholten

Arwen Scholten covers our home front: she tries to keep abreast of news and developments while we are en route. She keeps our loved ones and close networks posted about our exploits and adventures. English teacher by trade and busybody by nature, any mistakes left in our English are on her.

Olaf

Negev, Israel, December 2023

Shata

Westbank, Palestine, December 2022

This awesome woman accompanied us for ten days through the Westbank. She showed us beautiful parts of Palestine, introducing us to friends, family and fiancé.

Ellie

Jordan Valley, Westbank Palestine, December 2023

Ofer & family

Kfar Szold, Israel, December 2023

Jake,

Golan Heights, Israel, December 2023

Srood

Iraqi-Kurdistan, May 2021

Srood was with us during our hike from Arbat to Hazard Mehr, all over Suli and during our visit with MAG. He drove us up and down from Suli to Erbil and back again, turned out to be a great translator and a genuine fun guy to be around.

Haval

Iraqi-Kurdistan, May 2021

After welcoming us in Erbil, Haval helped us meet the right people over there and accompanied us to Halabja where he introduced us to Berivan. From Halabja we hiked to Arbat with him after which we returned to Sulymaniya.

Bryar and Rukan

Iraqi-Kurdistan, May 2021

This couple is a real adventurers couple. They own an outdoor shop in Suli and they were our guides and Trailfinders when we climbed Piramagrun mountain. They showed us how to find a way when there wasn’t any.

Shadi Turk

Southern Turkey, September 2020

After walking from Sanliurfa to Gaziantep on our own during the first weeks in Turkey, Shadi joined us in Antakya. His knowledge, network, incredible translation skills and sense of humor were irreplaceable during the rest of this trip.

Farrah

Umm Quais to Ajloun, Jordan October 2019

Walking with us for 3 days, we didn’t talk a lot. Mostly, Farrah would be showing us the gorgeous surroundings of this most Northern part of the Jordan trail and would devote his attentions to our safety and our (or at least Daniel’s) need for tea.

Eisa Muhmoud Dweekat

Ajloun Jordan, October 2019

Owning a small but wonderful hostel near Ajloun, Eisa was our host for the days we were scouting this part of the country. His knowledge of the Jordan trail, the area we were walking through and the country was amazing. But the very best thing was his incredible homemade lemonade after a full day of hiking.

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Amman and Zataari, Jordan september 2019

A colleague journalist from Jordan, who joined us and helped us to get to Zataari Refugee camp.

Husein

Madaba, Jordan October 2019

We met Husein by accident when we were having lunch at what later turned out to be one of his businesses. Husein is an entrepreneur that had worked with US military in and outside his country before he started for himself. He took us for a ride for a full day, showing us Mt Nebo and other interesting spots and he had us meet all kinds of interesting people.

Sulaiman

Little Petra to Dana, Jordan October 2019

Walking with us for three days through the dessert, I remember Slaiman mostly by the best bread I’ve ever eaten. Made on open fire, covered by ashes, he made the bread from scratch at the campsite where we slept under the stars.

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Petra to Little Petra, Jordan September 2019

Meeting her at her little tourist shop right at the far end of Petra, we convinced her to walk with us from Petra to Little Petra via the backdoor. A beautiful day-hike out of the hustle and bustle of touristy Petra and through a rough landscape of mountain and dessert.

Ibrahim Bidul

Petra, Jordan October 2019

We spend 4 days with Ibrahim. At his house, in his cave, at work and in the dessert. He gave us a special insight of life in and around Petra, up to the experience of BBQ and overnight in the dessert.

Ali

Wadi Rum, Jordan October 2019

Ali showed us around in the beautiful surroundings of Wadi Rum. After a full day of hiking he turned out to not only make delicious bedouin tea (with sage) but also being a great story teller at the campfire.