About

Some places wait patiently for the right time.

I first created Geilstonia around 2010, when I was just beginning my professional life. At that time, I had not yet explored much of the world, nor had I discovered the many paths that life would eventually lead me to. I also wasn’t quite sure what I wanted to write. The website existed more as a quiet possibility than a clear destination—a place where, perhaps one day, I would collect my thoughts, experiences, and stories.

As life unfolded, so did my understanding of myself and the world around me.

Looking back now, I realise there were already quiet connections that I simply hadn’t recognised. I was born in a city by the sea, yet I grew up with a largely land-centred perspective. The ocean was always there, but I had never truly thought about its influence on people, culture, identity, or the way we understand the world.

There were other subtle clues as well. My grandfather, on my mother’s side, worked for a state-owned company connected with ports. Beyond his profession, he was also a skilled blacksmith. One of the keepsakes I treasure most is a handcrafted accessory he made and engraved with my name. At the time, it was simply a gift from my grandfather. Today, it reminds me that some connections only reveal their meaning as the years pass.

As my journey continued, more unexpected moments appeared. One day, a close friend returned from her homeland with two simple gifts—a small cartoon souvenir and a jar of honey. They were thoughtful presents, accepted with gratitude, and nothing more. I never imagined that, years later, those simple gifts would remind me of the place where I would spend an important chapter of my life, learning not only about the ocean but also about myself.

Another quiet thread appeared through the university where I completed my Master’s degree. At the time, I paid little attention to the history behind its name. Only years later did I discover that it honoured an explorer whose voyages contributed to maritime history. Like many moments in life, its significance only became clear in hindsight.

Years later, my path gradually led me towards maritime governance, research, and a deeper appreciation of the relationships between people, the sea, and the land. Looking back, I don’t see these moments as signs that my future was already written. Instead, I see them as gentle reminders that life often leaves small clues along the way—clues whose meaning only becomes clear when we pause, reflect, and connect the threads of our own stories.

Geilstonia is not about my research.

For that, I created Ocean in Minds, where I share my academic work and professional reflections. I also founded Citanesia, a space dedicated to community, culture, and connecting people through shared stories and creativity.

Geilstonia is different.

This is my personal space—a place where I share paintings, photography, poetry, journeys, reflections, and the everyday moments that inspire me. It is where creativity comes before analysis, where stories are shared through lived experience, and where the sea and the land become companions in understanding life.

Thank you for visiting this small corner of my journey.

Although Geilstonia was created many years ago, I believe its true story is only just beginning.