Beyond the pictures
Beyond the Pictures is our private online living room where we share letters from the road and open the door to meaningful conversations.
A place to exchange perspectives, experiences, and ideas — with curiosity and respect.
€8/pm -Two topics each month – Full archive – Online community
What is beyond the pictures?
What you’ll find here
We designed Beyond the Pictures as a digital living room.
During our journey, we will regularly write letters about the many themes and questions we encounter along the way.
Each letter becomes the starting point for an interesting conversation together with the members of our divers community.
Topics like
Cultural diversity & Inequality
Hospitality & Humility
Freedom & Privilege
Responsible travel
Traveling as a family
Why people join Beyond the pictures
For instance, because we all carry questions that don’t have simple answers. Because meaningful conversations online have become rare, because it’s powerful to hear how others see the world.
Because travel isn’t only about discovering places — it’s also about discovering new perspectives.
Letters from the road
During our journey we will regularly write a letter from the road.
Not about what we did that day. But about the thoughts, questions and reflections that travel brings.
These letters are shared exclusively inside Beyond the Pictures.
They will form the starting point for conversations with the community; to reflect, respond, and share your own perspective.
– A sample from a letter –
– Beyond the pictures – Issue 1 – “Safety” – Muscat, 4-4-2026
Dear community,
… So traveling in this part of the world raised a lot of questions for us. Who determines if a country is safe to travel to? Who determines if a country gets an official travel warning? Which factors are taken into account to determine this? To which extent do political interests influence the outcomes? Who benefits from issuing red travel advice? …
Yours truly,
Karlijn and Douwe
Your correspondents from the road
The digital living room
Beyond the Pictures is designed as a private online space where people gather to connect through deep and meaningful conversations.
What you’ll find here:
Respectful conversations
Different perspectives
Curiosity in stead of judgment
These conversations are not about proving who is right. It is about understanding each other better. Because understanding leads to connection and compassion. Instead of judgement, hate and polarisation.
Everyone sees the world differently. That’s exactly what makes the conversations here meaningful.
The community
One thing that matters a lot to us: this isn’t just a platform, it’s a community. And communities work best when people feel like real people.
So we ask everyone who joins the community to share a little something about themselves. We’ll gather this on a members page, so you’ll have a sense of who’s on the other side.
We won’t force you to write your life story — but joining in properly is kind of the deal.
Share as much or as little as you like… though if you do want to include your most questionable travel habit, weird talent, or the strangest thing you’ve ever eaten, we definitely won’t stop you.
The people
Who this is for
Travelers
People who believe travel changes how you see the world. And want to share all they learn and see with others
Thinkers
People who enjoy reflecting on life’s bigger questions. Regardless of if you are a traveler or not.
Curious Minds
People who want real conversations instead of quick opinions. Because social media is to quick and anonymous.
Inside beyond the pictures
When you join the platform you get:
Access to the private platform
Letters from the road (including archive)
Conversations about deeper themes
Perspectives from people around the world
A thoughtful community space
Discovering the world is not only about seeing new places
It’s also about discovering new perspectives
And sometimes, it al starts with a letter
€8/pm -Two topics each month – Full archive – Online community