Month: March 2016

How to Get a Permit to Visit the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone in Kiev, Ukraine

How to Get a Permit to Visit the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone☢️in Northern Ukraine🇺🇦

Posted on by Jonny Blair

“The place is quiet and so alone. Pretend there’s something worth waiting for” – Richey James Edwards. In December 2015 I finally made the sad and solemn trip to the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. The accident at Chernobyl which occurred in April 1986 shocked the world and was one of a few controversial blemishes during Soviet era-USSR. Read more about How to Get a Permit to Visit the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone☢️in Northern Ukraine🇺🇦[…]

Sunday’s Inspiration: Where Are You From? Northern Ireland☘️🔴✋mate! Where’s that?

Posted on by Jonny Blair

“[German accent] Hey mate where are you from?” – German backpacker (for example). “[Globalised Ulster accent] Northern Ireland mate” – Northern Irish backpacker (who incidentally is wearing a Northern Ireland football shirt at the time). “Where’s that?” – German backpacker. Yeah thanks mate, we’re still unknown, we’re just too far away from Germany aren’t we? Read more about Sunday’s Inspiration: Where Are You From? Northern Ireland☘️🔴✋mate! Where’s that?[…]

World Travellers: Anda Galffy From Travel Notes & Beyond

Posted on by Jonny Blair

My latest World Traveller today is Anda Galffy, an Editor, Writer and Photographer who runs the website Travel Notes & Beyond. It’s over to Anda… Who are you? My name is Anda Galffy and I am the editor, writer and photographer at Travel Notes & Beyond, a collection of travel stories, photos and personal opinions from Read more about World Travellers: Anda Galffy From Travel Notes & Beyond[…]

The Barmby Madness: From Goa to Grodig (with Bishkek in Between)

Posted on by Jonny Blair

“A song of empty matter which might explain the absence of any precious jewels to save mankind.” – Nick Jones I’m not sure where to start with this one, but this journey tops the lot so far in terms of crazy sentiment rather than adventure or off the wall republics. Have you heard of GRODIG? Read more about The Barmby Madness: From Goa to Grodig (with Bishkek in Between)[…]

Backpacking in Afghanistan🇦🇫: Visiting Hazrat Ali’s Tomb and Blue Mosque in Masar e Sharif

Posted on by Jonny Blair

“It’s all too beautiful” – Small Faces. When you are backpacking in Afghanistan, be sure to visit the country’s holiest shrine and arguably the coolest looking Islamic complex in Central Asia. This one is a stunner. Despite my previous visits to the Middle East’s largest Mosque in Adana, Turkey and my trip to the world’s Read more about Backpacking in Afghanistan🇦🇫: Visiting Hazrat Ali’s Tomb and Blue Mosque in Masar e Sharif[…]

Backpacking in India🇮🇳: Staying at the Jungle Hostel by The Hostel Crowd in Vagator, Goa

Posted on by Jonny Blair

“Welcome to the jungle” – Guns’n’Roses. “It’s the eye of the tiger, it’s the thrill of the fight” – Survivor. Goa could just be a backpackers paradise. It’s like the India I never thought existed, only because I was too lazy to come here earlier in life. Even two days before my trip south to Read more about Backpacking in India🇮🇳: Staying at the Jungle Hostel by The Hostel Crowd in Vagator, Goa[…]

Backpacking in India🇮🇳: Top 6 Sights in Ahmedabad, Gujarat State

Posted on by Jonny Blair

“My life is my message” – Mahatma Gandhi. When you backpack your way to the “dry state” of Gujarat in India, your world may never be the same again. Ahmedabad (the former capital of Gujarat) is far and away the most chaotic city I have ever been to. I thought Chiayi, Xinying, Jakarta and Mexico Read more about Backpacking in India🇮🇳: Top 6 Sights in Ahmedabad, Gujarat State[…]

Backpacking in India🇮🇳: Staying at the Hotel Formule 1 in Ahmedabad, Gujarat State

Posted on by Jonny Blair

When life took me to the “dry state” of Gujarat in India, my Northern Irish soul could think of nothing else but Michael Palin’s journey here and the trouble he went to just to have a few beers in his hotel room. I wanted that too. So I made a beeline for the city of Read more about Backpacking in India🇮🇳: Staying at the Hotel Formule 1 in Ahmedabad, Gujarat State[…]

Whackpacking in India🇮🇳: From Camden to Christiania to Becoming a Hippy in Goa

Posted on by Jonny Blair

“In Camden Town; we walked there as the sun went down.” – Suggs I can’t believe it’s been 9 months since myself and two of my best friends, Millwall Neil and Hippy James backpacked through Primrose Hill and Camden Town. London. Whatever the word “hippy” actually means, for me there is a peace with it. Read more about Whackpacking in India🇮🇳: From Camden to Christiania to Becoming a Hippy in Goa[…]

How To Get An Alcohol Permit at the Grand Bhagwati Hotel in Ahmedabad, Gujarat State, India

How To Get An Alcohol Permit at the Grand Bhagwati Hotel in Ahmedabad, Gujarat State, India🇮🇳

Posted on by Jonny Blair

“Keep on chasing down that rainbow. You never know what you might find. Over the sunset on the horizon, it may be a dream but it tastes like poison. I’m going to take that tiger outside for a ride.” – Noel Gallagher. “A wee carryout, yeooo!!” shouts an Ulsterman! Another of my “must dos” in Read more about How To Get An Alcohol Permit at the Grand Bhagwati Hotel in Ahmedabad, Gujarat State, India🇮🇳[…]