On the World Borders series on here, I’m perpetually behind schedule in terms of writing. I must have written only 10% of the border crossings I have done and probably will never have time to cover them all, but I want to – as I know they have helped you on your way and that was…
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“Where do you go? Buttoned in your favourite coat, stepping out to a different world. And you might be home late” – Ocean Colour Scene. Get ready for a death trip – 22 hours of mayhem. This was no pleasure cruise, this was an absolute backpacking journey from a lunatic asylum. How about a border…
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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…
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On arrival in Tajikistan for the first time, I based myself in a guesthouse that knows a bit about hospitality. A quick bit of online research showed that Marian’s Guesthouse in Dushanbe was the first and original guesthouse option in the Tajikistan capital. This was my place to stay and a cool base while touring…
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Well it’s been a totally immense time touring Tajikistan and I was excited to be on a tour to Hisor Fort in the far west of the country. When I heard that the ruins of this city were over 3,000 years old I was intrigued, especially since it’s on the Silk Road and in quite…
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While backpacking in the truly sensational Gorno Badakhshan region of Tajikistan, I was exploring the Pamirs. Breathtakingly gorgeous in winter and full of snow yet quiet; contrasts with busy for tourists in summer on the Pamir Highway, but the overall message is that this place is a traveller’s paradise. So would you like to volunteer here?…
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Visas in hand for Tajikistan and Gorno Badakhshan (ye-ha!), it was on with the show, the reality show. After arriving in Tajikistan and checking into Marian’s Guesthouse, I was ready to explore this less-ventured country and I started things off in the capital city, Dushanbe. Dushanbe translates as “Monday” and is a booming city with…
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“They can come true, yeah. They can come true.” – Gabrielle Dreams can come true, apparently. Central Asia continued to inspire as I left behind the bright lights and modern parks of the Tajik capital city of Dushanbe on route to the Pamirs region, Gorno Badakhshan. This was off the wall stuff. Off the cliff I…
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I’m posting this now, live, but it is subject to change and my blogs and Facebook and Twitter feeds are all scheduled to go out as normal so pre-written posts will still appear and I whacked out a few while staying at Apple Hostel in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. However I am now backpacking in a region…
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So I arrived into “the Stans” in late December 2015 after a brief spell in southern Kazakhstan, where I toured Ile Alatau, Almaty and a few bars, then I crossed the border into Kyrgyzstan. I didn’t need a visa for Kazakhstan (15 days on arrival on a British passport) nor for Kyrgyzstan (60 days on arrival…
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