Flying into Bhutan was a hell of an experience – better than a roller coaster….! There aren’t many places in central Bhutan where you can put an airport…Paro is an hour from the capital of Thimphu (where there isn’t space for a runway). They have fit a runway in the Paro valley, but the runway […]
Bhutan – Pampered in Paro Read More »
There have been multiple terror attacks in Lahore this year, and the week before I arrived there were clashes between anti government protestors and the police. My first day in town it was the prophet’s birthday – Eid Milad ul-Nabi – and there were 15,000 policemen on the streets of Lahore to prevent any violence…… so,
Lovin’ it in Lahore Read More »
My first attempt to visit Guinea Bissau was thwarted a couple of years ago by the collapse of Air Senegal. I had paid 300 euros for a visa (including the agency fee to get the visa processed in france as there was no UK service at the time). When I made it to Dakar airport at 4am
Bullet holes in Bissau Read More »
Now that I am working full time, I thought I would find it quite tiring to fit in a bonkers adventure to a new country each month. And I do! But its worth it! I feel like I unleash my ‘kiwi backpacking’ alter ego when I hop on a plane, armed solely with my tiny
Sunshine and rhythm in Cape Verde Read More »
I have felt for the Kurdish people for a long time – one of the largest groups of people in the world without their own homeland. The Kurds in Iraq have managed to carve out a relatively autonomous ‘country’ with clear borders with Iraq and Turkey. However, none of their neighbours want them to be
Independence in Iraqi Kurdistan Read More »
Baku – the best and worst of Dubai and Moscow….it made for fascinating weekend. I’d been to Azerbaijan before but hadn’t formally entered the country….hmmmmm, so I thought I better make a return visit. After a 4.5 hour Friday overnight flight on Azerbaijan Airlines with not much sleep, I arrived in Baku at 6am local
I would rate trekking in the Dogon as the very best thing I did in West Africa, and probably in the top five things I did in the whole of Africa. I cannot recommend it highly enough. The sights were amazing and the people were wonderfully friendly and welcoming…… my top tips! My favourite places
Mali – Advice for trekking in the Dogon Read More »
Djenne a home of the world’s largest mud mosque, a famous Monday market and protected from the surrounding flood plains by a virgin sacrifice! What’s not to like! Djenne is famous for having the worlds largest mud mosque! It’s a lovely small town set in the middle of flood plains so depending on what time
Mali – in the ancient town of Djenne Read More »
I got up early with the rain plopping gently on my face at five am. I hoped it would pour but it didn’t! The sky was dark and grey, the air heavy with humidity and not a breath of wind. I was so ready for the rain to come but it just wasn’t happening. We set
I woke up at three a little bit chilly, and I didn’t have a blanket so I grabbed another mattress and chucked it on top of me and went back to sleep until five. After breakfast of mango jam, laughing cow and bread we wandered along the stunning rocky escarpment to Konshugo. This is a
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