The Midnight Blue Elephant

03/03/2026

In case you need to take a dip and a dive to escape the world for a bit - presenting you babies of the Banda Sea (and Ambon). If you are keen to follow suit, check out my Divebooker.com liveaboard in Indonesia:

https://www.midnightblueelephant.com/banda-sea-liveaboard/

11/02/2026

I know I am a little late to the party, but I still love the idea of doing a throwback to 2016. What a year that was! 

I started that year back in my old home, Cape Town, went to look for leopards at , and hugged a camel in Morocco. I also met the man whom, at some point, I thought I would marry in Scotland, and went to Sri Lanka for the first time, a place that would catch me so nicely when this relationship crashed and burned a year later. 

Luckily, my career fared better, and I got to take one of my favorite press trips ever with - monkeys, orangutans, and dragons, oh my, and so many memories were made on this trip. And my love for Indonesia has stood the test of time. 

The year finished just below the Arctic Circle, where I saw Northern Lights for the first time and had a Husky puppy named after me. 

2026 is off to a similar start as I am currently in Cape Town, and yes, flights to Indonesia are already booked too. I like these throwbacks because they make me truly grateful for seeing what a beautiful life I have created for myself, occasional heartbreak and complete lack of surfing skills included. 



#2016

04/12/2025

Heading to Bangkok soon? Here are my favorite spots for a massage that will make you very happy (and not in the way you think lol). Some great new spas added!

Where to find the best spas in Bangkok - from cheap & cheerful to luxurious hotel spas and amazing day spas to get pampered.

20/11/2025

Hello! I thought it was high time for a little reintroduction.

My name is Annika and I am a travel writer from Germany. I write for various clients in German and in English including my own blog The Midnight Blue Elephant. Most of my travels evolve around food and scuba diving, and I usually travel solo. So if you have questions or want tips about that, I am your girl.

I spent the last 6 months in Bangkok, traveling South East Asia from here and will spend a good part of 2026 in Cape Town, my second home. I consider myself a traveling couch potato and I am missing sharing my couch with friends and family in South Africa.

I love cats, frogfish and pasta is my love language.

Questions, want to say hello or find out where to go diving? Leave a comment or send me a message - nice to have you here!

30/10/2025

The annual Pushkar Mela aka camel fair is commencing today. If you happen to be in Rajasthan I recommend you "pop over" - I went last year and it was incredible.

The Pushkar Camel Fair is one of the most exciting cultural events in Rajasthan. In this guide all my tips on how to visit the Pushkar Mela 2025.

06/05/2025

Are you in the mood for a quick city trip before the summer crowds descend? Then I have just the place for you - that is if you like dragons and dumplings 🐉🥟. And no, it is not in Asia but in Europe: welcome to Krakow!

Thanks to Poland Travel for showing me your lovely city, can't wait to be back for more. Sharing a little first-timers itinerary in case you want to check it out.

https://www.midnightblueelephant.com/krakow-itinerary/

Looking for the best Krakow itinerary? Here's your smart guide to top sights, local secrets & everything you shouldn't miss in Poland’s prettiest city.

25/04/2025

DO NOT read this if you are hungry at the moment!!

Seriously, this will make it worse 😅 Sharing my amazing foodie trip to Krakow with you and all the yumminess I ate there. Thanks to Poland Travel for feeding me so well.

Now someone tell me where I can find some pierogi...

Curious about food in Krakow? Here’s a tasty intro to Polish dishes beyond pierogi – perfect for first-timers.

22/04/2025

Made it to my new home - Bangkok - thanks to Vietnam Airlines!

Had the most fantastic flight (big shout out to Diệu and her team who kept me going with yummy Vietnamese coffee (important after a couple of hours of sleep since it was an odd flight/ arrival time - even in business class 🙃). The rest of the food was also divine - go for the pork when flying Vietnam Airlines and definitely order the congee for breakfast if you can.

17/04/2025

Some but not all of the plates I ate in Krakow… I am not going to share how many pierogi I had but let’s just say, I was happy to the excuse that I was here to work 🙃

Read all about it here:

https://www.midnightblueelephant.com/food-in-krakow/

Poland Travel

14/04/2025

I just returned from a truly exciting and very delicious trip with Poland Travel ☀️

We teamed up so I could explore the culinary side of Krakow - but first up: spring blooms, a cute dragon, stunning views & beautiful historic buildings. If you haven’t been, let this be your sign to add Krakow to your Europe summer bucket list.

18/12/2024

Heading somewhere exciting? How about doing a 2-in-1 trip and adding a stopover in Helsinki?! Finnair now offers the option to add a little city trip in the capital and I highly recommend at you take full advantage of it.

Flying with Finnair? Then I have some great news for you - you can now book with a stopover in Helsinki - perfect for a 2-in-1 holiday.