When you travel in the Middle East you get used to Mosques. Islam is the main religion and there are Mosques everywhere. However, Christians, Jews and Buddhists also reside in these parts of course. But a Christian Quarter in Iraq? Yes – in the Kurdistan region of Iraq, often referred to as Iraqi Kurdistan. While Read more about Backpacking in Ainkawa: A Christian Suburb of Erbil, Kurdistan, Iraq[…]
We ended up in the village of Sulav in the Kurdistan part of Iraq. It wasn’t the initial plan to visit Sulav, but we decided to hitch a ride there after exploring the amazing mountain village of Amadiya. We had enough time to have a look around Sulav, but we didn’t stay over. It seems Read more about The Mountain Village of Sulav, Kurdistan, Iraq[…]
These days, most backpackers that make the decision to visit Iraq will end up at some point in the city of Erbil. Erbil is the capital city of the Kurdistan region. It’s a thriving hub and this is where you get a real feel for Kurdish life and indeed the part of Iraq that you Read more about Top 15 Things to See and Do in Erbil, Kurdistan, Iraq[…]
When 2013 came into view I was sat on a beach in the Philippines having a beer watching the fireworks. Way back then, I had no idea that my crazy ride for 2013 would take me through places like Ethiopia, North Korea, Palestine, Iran and Nagorno Karabakh. But it did. And then we ended up Read more about New Year’s Eve in Iraq! Celebrating in Erbil, Kurdistan[…]
Duhok/Dohuk in Kurdistan in Iraq is an odd kind of town. You’ve never been in one like it before and you’ll never be in one like it again. In fact, the nearest comparison I can make to Dohuk is with a town called Vank in Nagorno Karabakh. Basically Dohuk wants to be cool. It really Read more about 10 Things to see and do in Duhok, Kurdistan, Iraq[…]
“Death camp palace” – Manic Street Preachers. OK get ready for this one please. It’s fresh from my backpacking adventures in Iraq. I’ll warn you that this story isn’t for the faint hearted. I’m guessing that if you’re reading, you might have an idea who Saddam Hussein is. Yes, he was the leader of the Read more about Saddam Hussein’s House of Horrors: My Trip to Amna Suraka Red Security Complex, Sulaymaniyah, Kurdistan, Iraq[…]
This is a short Friday’s Featured Food today and it’s topical as it also comes from Iraq, where you might have heard I’ve been backpacking in since New Year’s Eve. When you wander the markets, bazaars and streets of Iraqi Kurdistan, you will notice how many different types of ready to eat food there are. Read more about Friday’s Featured Food: Creamy Cake Dessert in Duhok, Kurdistan, Iraq[…]
While I certainly didn’t go backpacking in Iraq to get drunk, it was pleasing that I was able to relax and enjoy some ice cold beers in some really really good bars while touring the northern part of the country, Kurdistan. All bars are safe to drink in, all friendly and they serve alcohol – Read more about Thirsty Thursdays: Top 4 Bars in Kurdistan, Iraq[…]