Janis, kitesurf instructor traveling the world with Kit

“Oh, how beautiful is Panama,” Janosch realized early on, shaping this paradise’s reputation with his story. After a very entertaining car ride, during which our driver Ali raved about his beloved Panama and seriously extended my to-watch list, I arrived at our spot. It was night; I only felt the 20 knots blowing around my nose and saw that surreal starry sky for the first time.

The next morning, woken early by jet lag, I stepped out of my room right onto the spot. The sun rose, the wind blew, and I set up my 12m kite to enjoy my first session in this paradise lagoon at sunrise. A bit tired from kiting and lack of sleep, I sat in the beach restaurant and recharged with coffee, an Açaí bowl, and a dreamy sea view. “Not bad at all,” I thought in typical German fashion and understood why the Panameños love their country so much.

After a few days, I had found my perfect routine: early-bird session at sunrise, two hours of teaching, a sensational Arroz Chaufa for lunch, then a short siesta, and in the afternoon, when the wind picked up again, back on the water. On weekends, when the locals came and showed their skills, we usually did a small downwinder to an empty lagoon and ended the day at sunset with a beer.

Since I joined Kite Worldwide, I’d never spent so much time on the water or learned so much. Flat water, steady wind, and a great team made it possible.

My first Christmas at 30 degrees felt unusual, but with a Santa hat while kiting, “Feliz Navidad” on the speakers, and a festive menu, the mood came fast.

New Year’s Eve is usually just another day for me, but not here… A six-course menu kicked off the evening, and live music with our singer Cesar’s great vibes got the place buzzing. After dinner, the DJ conquered the dance floor under the open starry sky with a mix of reggaeton and electro. Feliz Año – that’s how to start a new year… On windless days, we grabbed a driver and headed to a deserted waterfall or canyon for cliff jumping. The sunrise hike up Punta Chame’s hill wasn’t a night owl’s first choice, but once on top, overlooking Panama, the early alarm was instantly forgotten.

Food to me isn’t just nourishment, but ideally an experience of seductive fresh spices, bold roast aromas, varied textures, and lots of love. Panamanian cuisine is mainly fried fish, patacones, rice, and beans. Not a real highlight in my eyes. Luckily, the station owner, Florian, drew inspiration for his kitchen on his travels. If I saw Pad Thai, wraps, Arroz Chaufa, pasta, pizza, fish, Thai curry, and risotto all on one menu in Germany, I’d be skeptical. But chef Franklin and his crew season and cook each dish to perfection—pure culinary heaven. THANK YOU!

Food trucks are yesterday; the fruit truck is the hit in Panama – giant passion fruit, juicy pineapples, sweet bananas, and soft mangoes start rolling when Juan rounds the corner honking his old truck. Coconuts are cracked by the roadside, pineapples grow in the wild, and cashew fruit and mangoes drop from the trees. Now I get Janosch and say: “Oh, how beautiful is Panama!”

At the end of the season, I had to admit my to-watch list was very optimistic with nearly 90% wind days. Looks like I’ll have to come back. Well, there are worse things.

Bye-bye, Panama – thank you…

Hardly had the season in Panama ended when the wind on Kos began to blow.

Mastichari was my first station with KiteWorldWide, and I instantly fell for this little fishing village, its people, and the wonderfully empty spot.

After a long drive through Germany, Switzerland, and Italy, I finally reached my destination by ferry. My first stop was the Aplo Bar, where Giorgos greeted me with a big smile and a warm hug. It was supposed to be a quick coffee, but as so often in Greece, that didn’t happen. After fried feta, shrimp saganaki, and a great chat, I left my favorite bar and my favorite Greek.

My stroll through the picturesque village was constantly interrupted by warm greetings: “Yassu Jani, kala?”, to which I could only reply with a few Greek phrases. Everyone laughed and invited me for coffee. It felt like coming home. The incredible warmth and hospitality won me over from the start.

Unlike Panama, days here started later and more relaxed. After breakfast, we checked the flag at the spot each morning and decided whether to hit the water or enjoy the stunning sea view over another coffee.

For me, Mastichari is the perfect mix of kite, relaxation, and adventure. A beautiful beach with just one kite school is rare. Plus, the luxury of great cafes and restaurants right nearby if you need a quick bite. If there’s no wind in Mastichari, there’s usually some in Marmari. Then the fire truck gets loaded with kites, boards, and everything needed—off we go.

Besides jumps and wipeouts, watching the many huge sea turtles cruising the shores became my favorite pastime. After a successful kite day, we traditionally had one or two Mythos at the station at sunset to start the evening. After a quick freshen-up at the accommodation, excellent Greek food awaited. Traditionally, the table is filled with many small dishes (mezedes) and everyone eats what they like.

What every trendy restaurant in Germany tries – being brutally local – Savvas has done for decades in his Traditional House. He’s on his farm in the morning tending vegetables and animals, and in the evening he’s in the kitchen conjuring traditional dishes. That’s how the KiteWorldWide night was celebrated, too. Once a week EVERYTHING was ordered, from stuffed zucchini blossoms to house-distilled tsipouro – that’s Greece.

But even the best season ends. In early November it was back to Germany.

After a short visit home, the next destination is already waiting for me: Sri Lanka.

When Kite Worldwide asked if I wanted to go to Sri Lanka, I was already saying “Yes” before they finished the question. The shining island is my absolute favorite destination and still a nearly undiscovered pearl in the Indian Ocean.

Arriving in Colombo and escaping the cold German weather, I was warmly welcomed by our driver Lakshita and a pleasant 28 degrees. On the way to the station, we made a quick food stop and I finally got my long-awaited rice & curry.

The welcome at the KiteWorldWide Lagoon Lodge and at the kite station was as overwhelming as the view. Small fishing boats among mangroves and a few kites shared the water. I enjoyed the scene until I dozed off peacefully in my hammock, realizing I had arrived in paradise.

On the first evening, the incredibly friendly cook Lucia asked if I was hungry. “A little,” I said, but that seems very subjective here. Dal curry, papaya salad, tuna, rice, and papadam – that’s a small bite here… Luckily, the wind was good the next day to work off the calories.

I’m excited for a year at this dreamy kite spot, with these incredibly friendly people and lots of rice & curry!