
Those of us lucky enough to fall in love with Asia know that it's an affair that's as long as it is resonant.
- Hanya Yanagihara
Darvaza is a village area in Turkmenistan, very roughly half way between the border town of Daşoguz and Ashgabat via the main road south. (Note, main does not imply good, maintained or even an actual road at times). The village was originally disbanded in 2004 due to executive order of the President, and ‘reformed’ by renaming the airport town. The principal reason tourists are aware of the name is the Darvaza gas crater. More generally the area is well stocked with natural gas extraction from various mining companies.
The city was first mentioned in 1350 BCE and has been, in one state or another in constant use since. and Palestine, with Bethlehem in particular has a wide range of tourists and is highly dependant on the income. Most tourists come for a few hours for for a day trip, a much smaller number stay in one of the thirty hotels.
When people talk about Jerusalem they are really talking about the old city, the town first settled in the 4th century BCE, which has been destroyed at least twice, besieged 23 times, captured and recaptured 44 times, and attacked 52 times.
On both banks of the river Jordan stand locations claiming to be the site of Jesus Christ's baptism by John. Separated by a dozen feet of water, the faithful, the interested and the border police stand on either side.
On both banks of the river Jordan stand locations claiming to be the site of Jesus Christ's baptism by John. Separated by a dozen feet of water, the faithful, the interested and the border police stand on either side.
The Dead Sea is slowly dying. Climate change is having a dramatic effect on the region and the water from the River Jordan, which previously kept the sea level is drying up.
People often compare Wadi Rum desert to Arizona. Whilst both are desolate landscapes dominated by rocky outcroppings, the similarity really stops there. Wadi Rum does not have the dramatic striation that defines Arizona, but instead has an almost melted look on its rock outcroppings due to the soft sandstone and limestone of the region.
Petra is an ancient Nabatean city and has some of the most incredible, memorable and breathtaking architecture you will see in you life. In the middle of the desert, the sun bakes down, but over the centuries the rare rain has slowly been eroding the carvings, despite the overhangs and rain gutters the Nabatean's caved and the local archeological teams keep in working order.
Little Petra is also known as Siq al-Barid and is a few miles north of the more famous Petra. It is free entrance, unlike Petra and is usually much less crowded, though it still has a number of Bedouins selling souvenirs and local children following you around looking for money.
The town of Madaba is small, but busy, with vendors selling on the streets and a number of high end local shops selling locally made designer clothes. The town dates from the middle bronze age and is referenced in the Bible.
Centuries ago, the city of Amman was known as Philadelphia, one of the many Roman cities outside of Italy but key parts of the Roman Empire. Much like Rome herself, Philadelphia was built on seven hills.
About an hour outside of Amman is the ancient city of Gerasa (now called Jerash), the largest Roman city remaining outside of Italy. Much of it is still undiscovered, and the modern city spills over a large piece of the underground ruins preventing their excavation.
Amman is a large city, with a bustling center, heavily gridlocked at many hours of the day. Owing to this, more and more commerce and leisure options are appearing in the suburbs.
As we reached Chitwan, we pulled in to a lovely complex of old wood and faux wattled walls, with wide basket light fixtures. It was quite beautiful.
We got up early and took the purple bus to Pokhara. The non-day bags were loaded onto the roof, and I can only hope nothing breakable was in there because they were hurled up with some force!
The city has been there for centuries, and there is a charge for tourists to enter. We walked through the city with our guide, looking at the buildings before we reached the house of the Living Goddess.
Nepal though, is a vibrant, chaotic, beautify place. The clothes, the buildings, the sun over the mountains are all a riot of colours that can be a challenge to do justice, and that shooting Black and White would impede.
Connected to Phuket by the Sarasin Bridge, Phang-Nga is home to the Temple of the Reclining Buddha and the Monkey Cave, both parts of a tour we took from our hotel in Phuket.
We had to be up early as we were being collected for our first trip! We got a minibus to the harbour with an American couple who were also doing the trip.
Phuket island was on one of the major trading routes between India and China, and was frequently mentioned in foreign ships' logs of Portuguese, French, Dutch, and English traders, but was never colonised by a European power. It formerly derived its wealth from tin and rubber and now from tourism. It was our base for the second half of our Thai holiday.
Bangkok is busy, historic and modern at the same time. The seedy side coexists with a deeply spiritual environment.
There are three segments to Istanbul. Sultanahmet, where I am, with most of the historic stuff, The Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque etc, that includes the Bazaar district as well. Then, over the bridge there is the more modern area. Apparently that's were all the decent night-life is. The final segment is over the other side of the Bosporus and can only be reached by ferry.
I’ve been to Hong Kong twice, though have pictures from neither visit. My first trip was was a handful of years old, on the way to Australia to see my grandfather and my family stopped in Hong Kong for a few days.
I spent a week staying with a friend who’s family worked in Borneo, in an Oil Company village. It was a strange experience to be in a small town carved out of the jungle.
From our home in Singapore, a holiday to Penang in Malaysia was an easy trip. A lasting memory for me is the locally made Nasi Goreng rice.
Singapore, a city-state where cultures collide and skyscrapers stand tall, was my home for two years during my childhood. It was a time of exploration and discovery, made possible by the country's strict laws and well-developed public transport system, which created a safe environment for children like myself to venture into the heart of the city.
48 incredible Countries covering the largest landmass and peaked by the highest mountain in the world.
-
Israel
Israel changed my life. It is one of the most amazing countries that I have ever been to.
-
Jordan
Jordan has a strange, haunting beauty and a sense of timelessness. Dotted with the ruins of empires once great, it is the last resort of yesterday in the world of tomorrow. I love every inch of it.
-
Malaysia
Malaysia is a country unlike any other: Full of promise and fragility. Its history, cultural and religious diversity make it a rich, compelling and surprising land
-
Nepal
To me, Nepal is wondrous. It is full of ancient stories and beautiful temples, not to mention the world’s most magnificent mountain range
-
Palestine
I would like to go and dance in Palestine one day, with great pleasure, great pleasure.
-
Singapore
There's nowhere that looks like Singapore; it's absolutely beautiful on a purely aesthetic level
-
Thailand
Thailand was built on compassion
-
Turkey
Turkey is a European country, an Asian country, a Middle Eastern country, Balkan country, Caucasian country, neighbor to Africa, Black Sea country, Caspian Sea, all these.
Latest Trips in Asia
Darvaza
Darvaza is a village area in Turkmenistan, very roughly half way between the border town of Daşoguz and Ashgabat via the main road south. (Note, main does not imply good, maintained or even an actual road at times). The village was originally disbanded in 2004 due to executive order of the President, and ‘reformed’ by renaming the airport town. The principal reason tourists are aware of the name is the Darvaza gas crater. More generally the area is well stocked with natural gas extraction from various mining companies.