Backpacking in Ukraine🇺🇦: Chernobyl Exclusion Zone☢️Tour Part 9 – Radiation Checks and Escape from the CEZ

Posted on February 29, 2016February 4, 2025 by Jonny Blair

“It’s a radiation vibe I’m groovin on” – Fountains of Wayne. It had been a truly incredible day of travel and to a place with a sad history – the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. It’s a day I’ll remember for a long time, but after this final part of the story, it’s time to close the Read more about Backpacking in Ukraine🇺🇦: Chernobyl Exclusion Zone☢️Tour Part 9 – Radiation Checks and Escape from the CEZ[…]

The Day I…Lobbed⚽The Goalkeeper🧤From 30 Yards In Afghanistan🇦🇫

Posted on February 28, 2016September 3, 2024 by Jonny Blair

“Out comes the goalkeeper [Rinat Dasaev no less]. Nat too sure this time. And it’s a goal! Terry Moore taking the credit for that” – Northern Irish commentator (1988) commenting on the night Glentoran were 1-0 up and just a goal away from taking the mighty Spartak Moscow to extra time in Belfast City. My Read more about The Day I…Lobbed⚽The Goalkeeper🧤From 30 Yards In Afghanistan🇦🇫[…]

Backpacking in Uzbekistan: Textbook Top 8 Sights in Tashkent, the Capital City

Posted on February 27, 2016 by Jonny Blair

“Somebody save me” – Theme Tune from Smallville which features Clark Kent (not Tash Kent). A few Uzbeks have been in touch recently – Bek and Akmaljon. They don’t like the way I have written about their country but I can only write about what really happens when I travel. I don’t want to be Read more about Backpacking in Uzbekistan: Textbook Top 8 Sights in Tashkent, the Capital City[…]

Friday’s Featured Food: Wild Boar Roast at Orbita Boutique Hotel in Shymkent, Kazakhstan

Posted on February 26, 2016February 26, 2016 by Jonny Blair

For whatever reason life dealt me, I ended up in the city of Shymkent in southern Kazakhstan recently and after negotiating my way across the Uzbekistan to Kazakhstan border despite not having a Kazak visa on the same passport, I finally arrived in this backpacker’s gem – Shymkent. You might have read how I found Read more about Friday’s Featured Food: Wild Boar Roast at Orbita Boutique Hotel in Shymkent, Kazakhstan[…]

My Travel Shock: I’m In India, Welcome to New Delhi

Posted on February 25, 2016March 7, 2023 by Jonny Blair

“A face like mine, bereft of dreams, and white” – Nicky Wire. Yes. I’m in New Delhi. I am in India! This is perhaps the biggest shock for me to date on my travels and I can’t explain it, it’s just the way it happens. From day one, I always said I had no intention Read more about My Travel Shock: I’m In India, Welcome to New Delhi[…]

Backpacking in Gorno Badakhshan: Top 12 Sights in Khorog, Capital of the Pamirs

Backpacking in Gorno Badakhshan🇹🇯: Top 22 Sights in Khorog, Capital of the Pamirs

Posted on February 24, 2016November 18, 2024 by Jonny Blair

On this adventure through Central Asia, I have already written about my wonderful stay in Pamir Lodge and the spontaneous live article from Khorog. This is a region known as Gorno Badakhshan and you need a separate permit to visit, away from the main part of Tajikistan, so pick up your Gorno Badakhshan permit and Read more about Backpacking in Gorno Badakhshan🇹🇯: Top 22 Sights in Khorog, Capital of the Pamirs[…]

My Five Top Travel Destinations For 2016

Posted on February 24, 2016February 26, 2016 by Jonny Blair

Well the year is only two months old but I’ve already done a fair whack of travelling through some ice cool zones in Central Asia such as Karakalpakstan, Afghanistan and Gorno Badakhshan with more lined up. Basing this list on a few spots I’ve already been to this year and a few that are lined Read more about My Five Top Travel Destinations For 2016[…]

Backpacking in Kazakhstan: Top 7 Shy Sights in Shymkent

Posted on February 23, 2016July 11, 2016 by Jonny Blair

I simply loved the pronunciation of this city. SHYMKENT! Wee shimmy. Ess Hym Kent. Shy m Kent. Shimkent. Chimkent. Spelt Shymkent, once called Chernayaev, currently housing 850,000 people, it’s a somewhat inspiring city with low promotion. Is it shy? Why are the first three letters spelling the word shy? I headed to find the answers. Read more about Backpacking in Kazakhstan: Top 7 Shy Sights in Shymkent[…]

Top 15 Northern Irish Travel Blogs 2016

Posted on February 22, 2016February 8, 2017 by Jonny Blair

For the fourth year in a row I present the top Northern Irish travel blogs for you to follow. Congratulations to everyone that is included on the 2016 list, I’ve enjoyed compiling it once again and catching up with all your stories. I’ll be doing the next one in January or February 2017. There have been Read more about Top 15 Northern Irish Travel Blogs 2016[…]

Sundays Inspiration: The Aimless Diary of A Long Term Backpacker, Aged 35 and 3 Quarters

Posted on February 21, 2016November 28, 2021 by Jonny Blair

“And I travelled round the world from year to year. But each one left me aimless; one more year the worse for wear.” – Jimmy Barnes I’m telling you how it really is with me. I’m telling a story on here, it’s not really a travel guide, it’s really a one man travel blog which Read more about Sundays Inspiration: The Aimless Diary of A Long Term Backpacker, Aged 35 and 3 Quarters[…]