jerusalem pub crawl abraham hostels

Thirsty Thursdays: Abraham Hostel Pub Crawl in Jerusalem, Israel

It was time for another crazy pub crawl on my travel corridor! I’ve had some crazy ones down the years, notably Buenos Aires, New York, London and Christchurch. But how about a night on the town in Israel’s ice cool capital city. It had to be done and thanks to the awesome guys at the Read more about Thirsty Thursdays: Abraham Hostel Pub Crawl in Jerusalem, Israel[…]

jonny blair dhow qatar doha bay

Backpacking In Qatar 🇶🇦: Top 5 Things to See and Do in Doha (In One Day)

I’ve touched on Qatar before on this blog, as I have passed through it a few times now, in 2011 and at the end of 2013, and again in 2016 and 2021. As the country prepares in advance for the World Cup of 2022, I checked out the city of Doha with my ex-girlfriend doing Read more about Backpacking In Qatar 🇶🇦: Top 5 Things to See and Do in Doha (In One Day)[…]

erbil iraqi kurdistan

Top 15 Things to See and Do in Erbil, 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[…]

mahaneh yehuda market

Friday’s Featured Food: Browsing in the Mahaneh Yehuda Market, Jerusalem, Israel🇮🇱

I spent just over 5 days backpacking in Jerusalem, Israel’s quite unique and cultured capital city. This place rocked, and as cheap backpackers we made a nosedive for the Mahaneh Yehuda Market every day on our visit to Jerusalem. It was that good a market, and you can pick up fresh fruit, vegetables, meat and Read more about Friday’s Featured Food: Browsing in the Mahaneh Yehuda Market, Jerusalem, Israel🇮🇱[…]

aqaba sunset jordan

Thirsty Thursdays: Drinking Petra Beer at sunset in Aqaba, Jordan

When we arrived freshly into Aqaba in Jordan from Israel, I realised I was back in a strict muslim state and alcohol may well be prohibited in parts and restricted. But I forgot about Aqaba – it’s a city which attracts tons of tourists, a city that contains the borders of 5 countries in essence Read more about Thirsty Thursdays: Drinking Petra Beer at sunset in Aqaba, Jordan[…]

alamut castle

Backpacking in Iran: Visiting Alamut Castle, Gazor Khan, Iran

Heading out into the Alamut Valley is something you should aim to do when you’re backpacking in Iran. Away from the big city appeal of Tehran, Isfahan, Shiraz and Tabriz, here you find solace in a tranquil mountain village in the gorgeous valleys. You might even forget you’re in Iran for a second!  We found Read more about Backpacking in Iran: Visiting Alamut Castle, Gazor Khan, Iran[…]

kurdistan iraq erbil new year

New Year’s Eve in Iraq! Celebrating in Erbil, Kurdistan

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[…]

israel and jordan border

World Borders: How to Get From Jordan to Israel on the Sheik Hussein Bridge

As far as world borders goes, crossing this one was less hassle than you could imagine. We headed across the border from Sheik Hussein Bridge in Jordan into the Israeli side to the border point near Beit She’an. In essence the border itself is just a bridge (the one photographed). However there’s a bit of Read more about World Borders: How to Get From Jordan to Israel on the Sheik Hussein Bridge[…]

duhok kurdistan iraq

10 Things to see and do in Duhok, Kurdistan, Iraq

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[…]

turkey iran border

World Borders: How to get from Turkey🇹🇷 to Iran🇮🇷 (Gurbulak to Bazargan)

As far as world borders go, this one from Iran to Turkey overland is one of the fastest and easiest believe it or not. In fact, I was a bit surprised by the simplicity of it. If you’re heading overland from Gurbulak to Bazargan, here’s a guide on how to get from Turkey to Iran. Read more about World Borders: How to get from Turkey🇹🇷 to Iran🇮🇷 (Gurbulak to Bazargan)[…]