Four years ago Moscow-based photographer Murad Osmann started his project “Follow Me”. In this series of photos he immortalized his travels around the world with his girlfriend. The project became hugely popular all over the web and the world for that matter.
Today I want to introduce you to another lovely couple of travel lovers. Meet the adorable Trolls from Stockholm Daria and Johan Nyberg.
More info: https://instagram.com/lettipaa/
Their love story started at Helsinki Central Railway Station 7 years ago. Believe it or not it was love at first sight. Johan just came up to Daria and asked her “Can you speak Swedish?” Though Daria is Russian and she didn’t know a word of Swedish they had a short and really funny (foolish?) conversation. They even exchanged phone numbers. Daria went home to Saint Petersburg, Russia. In two weeks, Johan came to visit her, staying only a day. Ever since it was clear that they were meant to be together!
With time they got engaged, Daria learned Swedish and moved to Sweden. They got married in Norway in 2011 and have been traveling the globe ever since. And they’ve got some great photos to prove it! I’m sure their photos can inspire you to travel more and feel energized to go off the beaten path and experience really different places and cultures. Extreme travel? Yes, and absolutely worth it!
Remember LOVE knows no bounds!
Interview with Daria:
- What are your favorite elements of traveling in general?
I simply like to wake up in a new and unknown place. Usually I don’t have a map or certain plans. I go out in search of a cozy café. When I find one, I order a cup of coffee and sit at the window watching the scene outside and listening to the locals catching in the café. Yes, you can’t understand a local language, so you can’t even know what all these people are talking about, but this is it! – You feel you’re starting to live an absolutely new life.
Every new trip for me is like a new life, and every time I return home I feel like a new person!
- Why do you call yourself Trolls?
Trolls are our favorite characters from Scandinavian folktales. People used to think that trolls are hairy, ugly and scary creatures. But they may come in different forms and can offer a cute or beautiful appearance. Trolls live throughout the land, there are trolls who live in the woods, they are described as gentle and caring creatures, and like to decorate their hair with moss and red whortleberries; there are trolls who live in the bottom of lakes and mountain rivers, they have huge but beautiful green eyes; there are also some tiny cute trolls who live under the tree.
Some Swedes call their adorable kids charmtrolls.
- Do you have a favorite country/city that you’ve visited or do you always look for the uniqueness of each new place you go?
We like Nordic countries – Norway, Iceland; or some cold places like the North Highlands of Scotland. Lately we love traveling Norway and our favorite place here is the beautiful Lofoten Islands. You’ll never forget your first trip to the Lofotens. This is an absolutely fantastic and unique place on earth. The beauty of the nature and landscapes is incredible – Lofonten mountains, fjords, cloudberry meadows, colorful fishing villages – you need to see it with your own eyes! Local people are generous, friendly and open; they are always ready to help you.
- If I’d go to the Lofoten Islands, what place should I visit and what dish should I try first?
It’s better to visit them in the middle of summer. This is the best time to enjoy the Midnight Sun, warm weather and nature’s harmony. My first advice is make no plans, just relax and enjoy every day of your staying in the Lofotens. You can hike to the mountains and watch the mountain eagles, or rent a boat and see the fjords and watch the whales.
As for meals, you should try traditional dried cod soup.
- Do you have some funny or remarkable stories/antidotes from your trips?
There is no trip without funny adventures. In New York a tree started to talk to me, I mean literally! It frightened me so much, but then I realized that it wasn’t a real tree, it was a man dressed-up as a tree. Later a squirrel got into my bag and fell asleep there. In Barcelona we had a crazy walk challenge of almost 43 kilometers! When we got home that day, we almost died of tiredness. In Dublin we were on a hunt for the leprechaun and his pot of gold. Instead of a leprechaun we met a heron and I became friends with it, it even allowed me to stroke his feathers.
Yikes, it’s hard to remember everything!
- Can you imagine your life without traveling?
Oh, no. Never. Our trips make me happy, they inspire me, Each and every country makes me stronger and enriches my psyche and contributes to my well being. I get to know myself better.
I advise you to travel as much as you can. Even if traveling seems difficult for you, do not think it’s an impossible thing to do. It’s the best gift you can give yourself. Traveling together will bring you closer together, and will leave you with indelible and incredible memories for the rest of your life!