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

Posted on March 10, 2016August 26, 2021 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 Kyrgyzstan: Touring Burana Tower and the Lost City of Balasagun with I’m Nomad

Posted on March 3, 2016April 4, 2016 by Jonny Blair

On my return to magnetic Kyrgyzstan, I set about checking out some more sights in the country now that the visa applications were over for a while and next on my list was Burana Tower. I teamed up with local company I’m Nomad, thanks to my friends at Silk Road Explore for getting me in Read more about Backpacking in Kyrgyzstan: Touring Burana Tower and the Lost City of Balasagun with I’m Nomad[…]

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

Posted on February 29, 2016September 4, 2024 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[…]

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[…]

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[…]