Backpacking in Ukraine🇺🇦: Chernobyl☢️Tour Part 7 – The Abandoned City of Pripyat, Top 10 “Sights”

Posted on January 24, 2016February 6, 2025 by Jonny Blair

“There’s silence in the air, there’s silence in the ground. A presence moving through the rivers in the moonlight. Desolation all around. The wind blows through abandoned buildings, photos scattered on the floors, possessions of a vanished population. Safe haven for my soul.” – Tim Wheeler (Ash) Of course, it wasn’t the song from my favourite Northern Irish Read more about Backpacking in Ukraine🇺🇦: Chernobyl☢️Tour Part 7 – The Abandoned City of Pripyat, Top 10 “Sights”[…]

World Travellers: Ben Prosser From Modern Travelling

Posted on January 23, 2016January 15, 2016 by Jonny Blair

The latest in my World Travellers series is Ben Prosser From Modern Travelling. Ben is a top English lad who could also have featured in my Backpacking Buddies series in fact as we were out in Brazil together in 2014 and stayed in the same hostel in Iguacu during the 2014 World Cup. Ben is Read more about World Travellers: Ben Prosser From Modern Travelling[…]

Friday’s Featured Food: Lagman in Almaty, Kazakhstan

Posted on January 22, 2016January 14, 2016 by Jonny Blair

I had heard about a food called Lagman and never tried it until 2015, strangely I’ve now eaten it about 10 times! At the Almaty Backpackers in Almaty Kazakhstan, my hosts here Ginara and Rahat cooked it for us on the last night before I crossed the border into Kyrgyzstan. There was myself and Oliver from England Read more about Friday’s Featured Food: Lagman in Almaty, Kazakhstan[…]

Backpacking Buddies: Pol Klusa from Belgium

Posted on January 20, 2016January 20, 2016 by Jonny Blair

I have met so many people from almost every country in the world in the years since I left my hometown, that I want to interview and feature as many of you as I can. All the backpacking buddies I have toured with, roomed with, eaten with, drank with, crossed borders with, sat on night buses Read more about Backpacking Buddies: Pol Klusa from Belgium[…]

Thirsty Thursdays: Top 5 Bars in Almaty, Kazakhstan

Posted on January 14, 2016January 6, 2016 by Jonny Blair

Almaty is a massive city, spreading far and wide in its elevation beneath the mountains of southern Kazakhstan. At first, finding a bar seemed like a difficult task for the walking backpacker. So I used my maps and advice from the staff at the Almaty Backpackers hostel and soon I knew I was able to Read more about Thirsty Thursdays: Top 5 Bars in Almaty, Kazakhstan[…]

World Travellers: Paul from A Luxury Travel Blog

Posted on January 13, 2016January 8, 2016 by Jonny Blair

The latest in my World Travellers series is Paul from A Luxury Travel Blog. Paul is a highly experienced traveller and looks at a different niche from myself. While I search for the cheapest beer, the easiest city to get a visa in and the least attended hostel dorm, Paul is writing about the luxury side Read more about World Travellers: Paul from A Luxury Travel Blog[…]

Tuesday's Travel Essentials: My New Rucksack - An Osprey Aether 70

Tuesday’s Travel Essentials: Introducing My New Rucksack – An Osprey Aether 70

Posted on January 12, 2016January 11, 2016 by Jonny Blair

On my journeys down the years I have backpacked through more places than I can remember. While I keep an actual list of all those towns, cities and villages, I know there are those that I will forget until I check that list again. Some people start off as backpackers and then become suitcase travellers. With Read more about Tuesday’s Travel Essentials: Introducing My New Rucksack – An Osprey Aether 70[…]

Thirsty Thursdays: Top 5 Bars in Lviv, Ukraine

Posted on January 7, 2016January 4, 2016 by Jonny Blair

The fact that Lviv Ukraine is brimmed full of wacky themed bars is enough to make any keen pub go-er enjoy this thriving nationalistic city with some style and panache. And let me tell you, it ain’t no glammed up pretentious place either. Italians, leave your Ferraris behind; mainland Brits, forget trying to be a Read more about Thirsty Thursdays: Top 5 Bars in Lviv, Ukraine[…]

Backpacking in Belarus🇧🇾: Top 5 Sights in Bobruisk

Posted on January 5, 2016September 4, 2024 by Jonny Blair

“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 Read more about Backpacking in Belarus🇧🇾: Top 5 Sights in Bobruisk[…]

Why I’m Spending at Least a Month in Bishkek, Magnetic Kyrgyzstan🇰🇬

Posted on January 4, 2016January 31, 2025 by Jonny Blair

“It’s easy to fall into something new that shines” – Ben Paulley (2005). So a week ago yesterday I arrived in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan having crossed overland from Kazakhstan. On arrival I received a 60 day entry visa stamp, so yes I can stay legally as a tourist here for a brace of months. At the Read more about Why I’m Spending at Least a Month in Bishkek, Magnetic Kyrgyzstan🇰🇬[…]