Our trip to India would have been incomplete without a visit to Jaipur, the capital city of Rajasthan. The Old City of Jaipur is undoubtedly bustling, with crowded streets filled with iconic wonders: historic forts, colourful temples, impressive palaces, ancient stepwells, vibrant bazaars, and delicious food. However, one aspect that was far from appealing was […]
Note: The 3D map above/below shows some of the sight en route for that day’s hike. The distance always appears longer than the information below for the individual day’s hike. This is because, similar to other hikers, walkers, or pilgrims, I enjoy visiting nearby villages and towns, as well as venturing into the big city’s
Jodhpur, located in the Thar Desert, was once the capital of the Marwar Empire. Today, it is a densely populated maze filled with markets, blue-painted buildings, historic guesthouses, and a massive, impenetrable fort. Looking back, we regret not spending more than two days in Jodhpur, as it is a fascinating city with many attractions beyond
The ancient city of Agra is situated on the banks of the Yamuna River, 230 kilometres southeast of Delhi. It is home to the iconic Taj Mahal, a stunning mausoleum built by Mughal ruler Shah Jahan in memory of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The city is also renowned for other Mughal-era buildings, such as Agra
Delhi is rich in culture and history, and definitely worth exploring for a few days. The city is bustling and overcrowded, with about 30 million people, making it the second most populated city in the world. Delhi is chaotic, characterised by loud tooting horns, endless traffic jams, broken pavements and litter strewn everywhere, making it
I spent 2 days exploring Osh, Kyrgyzstan’s second-largest city after the capital, Bishkek. It’s unique in Central Asia because of its five-headed mountain crag as its focal point. While the city may lack significant architectural landmarks, its compact and welcoming atmosphere offers a refreshing change from the bustling commercial cities I had previously visited in
Arriving by bus from Almaty, Kazakhstan, I could immediately see that Bishkek was a delightful and unhurried city. During my six-day exploration of Bishkek and its surrounding area, I was pleasantly surprised by the number of tree-lined streets and abundant greenery, which contrasted starkly with the austere Soviet-style buildings that dominated the main places of
The first time we visited St. Maarten, back in 2001, we immediately fell in love with the island. Now, after our most recent visit, it has become our favourite Caribbean destination – although there are still plenty more islands for us to discover! On both occasions, we travelled there on a cruise, making the most
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Santa Ana, located 65 km from the capital, is the second largest city in El Salvador. The city’s colonial centre, Parque Libertad, features a prominent Cathedral that can be seen from every corner. However, the real attractions are the day trips from Santa Ana, which offer opportunities to climb volcanoes, explore quaint villages that seem
Tortola may not be the most popular Caribbean island for vacationing, but it certainly has its own charm with stunning, unspoiled beaches, vibrant marine ecosystems, ample hiking options, and colourful street art. It also serves as a convenient launching point for visiting nearby islands. Our first trip to Tortola was over 20 years ago, and