“The world is closing in. Did you ever think that we could be so close, like brothers? The future’s in the air. I can feel it everywhere.” – Scorpions. I cry writing this, but you knew that. It’s damn emotional. Bishkek is a magnetic city. As my travel repertoire gained new momentum by reaching Central…
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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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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.…
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Masar e-Sharif is Afghanistan’s third biggest city. It boasts an estimated population of around 1 million people and sits shyly, unknown to most backpackers, in a country less ventured. On my tour of Central Asia, I made sure I got this place on my list. Masar e Sharif is home of the famous Blue Mosque and Shrine…
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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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“We’re in the army. Now. Woah oh we’re in the army.” – Status Quo. I find it hard to believe that it has been nine years since I backpacked my way to the unknown and non-touristy city of Bobruisk in Belarus. This obscure journey was the story I wrote for Shaun Schofield’s book “Albania to…
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When we travel sometimes we just get too carried away with the good things. It gets a bit ridiculous doesn’t it? I mean who really cares what the top 5 sights are in a city of a country? Who really cares which hostel is coolest to stay in? Nobody reads that sort of stuff and…
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“Stars about to fall, what do you say, Lyla” – Oasis. You’ll probably know that when I travel to a city or town in a country, I like nothing better than banging out a top 5 hit parade on backpacking sights. In most cases, we only visit these cities once in our life, so make…
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Torshavn is the capital city of the Faroe Islands. This small nation consists of a group of 18 islands and it’s north of Scotland and west of Norway. While the country is part of the Kingdom of Denmark, you won’t see many Danish flags here. This is a proud and patriotic country, a beautiful one…
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Iceland isn’t so much a “backpacker’s gem” as it is a traveller’s gem. For a start, it doesn’t border any other countries, so there’s no chance of backpacking there overland. Most people fly in and out, though some get a boat up there. I visited in 2007 as part of a football trip and spent…
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