My Middle East / Near East / Central Asia trips
Central Asia (2): Kyrgyzstan August 19 – 25, 2012
My Central Asia journey started when I flew from Novosibirsk, Russia to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan on August 19. I had a week on my own before joining a 30-day Central Asia Silk Road trip starting on August 26. I wasted three days in getting a visa for Uzbekistan and spent two lovely days in the Ala-Archa … Continue reading
2012 New Year : Two Countries & Three Continents December 30, 2011-January 4, 2012
Life is unpredictable and 2012 has indeed begun with many surprises. My original plan was to spend the New Year in Baku, Azerbaijan and fly to Doula, Cameroon via Istanbul and Casablanca on January 3. As Azerbaijan refused to let me in following my excursion to Karabakh, I had to return to Tbilisi, Georgia and bought … Continue reading
9 Days in Georgia December 21 – 29, 2011
After Armenia, I travelled with my group overland to beautiful Georgia. It has influences for centuries from Turkey, Russia, Persia and the Central Asia. Such heritage has reflected in its architecture and art. I had a wonderful time visiting some 15 churches and monasteries and major attractions in Tbilisi, Mtskheta, Gori, Uplistsikhe, Vardzia, Ananuri, Signagi, … Continue reading
10 Days in Armenia December 12 – 21, 2011(Part 2)
Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan, occupying a mountainous zone on the southern flank of the Caucasus Mountains, sit on one of the earth’s greatest crossroads. After spending six days roaming about on my own in Yerevan, Southern Armenia and Karabakh, I joined my friends from Hong Kong and spent four days visiting main attractions in Armenia … Continue reading
10 Days in Armenia December 12 – 21, 2011(Part 1)
Armenia,Georgia and Azerbaijan occupying a mountainous zone on the southern flank of the Caucasus Mountains, sit on one of the earth’s greatest crossroads. Their fate and history have been to a great extent influenced or decided by their powerful neighbours namely Turkey, Russia and Iran. I planned a 23-day trip to see three countries and … Continue reading
11 Days in Iraq November 27- December 7, 2011 (Part 2)
Iraq, home of the earliest civilisation namely the Sumerian civilisation in the fertile Tigris-Euphrates river valley, is the birthplace of writing and wheel. Modern Iraq corresponds to the Mesopotamia (Land between the rivers) of the Old Testament. Iraq with its legendary Babylon has been on top of my must-see list. My friends thought I was … Continue reading
11 Days in İraq November 27 – December 7, 2011 (Part 1)
Iraq, home of the earliest civilisation namely the Sumerian civilisation in the fertile Tigris-Euphrates river valley, is the birthplace of writing and wheel. Modern Iraq corresponds to the Mesopotamia (Land between the rivers) of the Old Testament. Iraq with its legendary Babylon has been on top of my must-see list. My friends thought … Continue reading
21 Days in Iran 2010 – 11 (Part 3)
Off Beat Track : Western Iran (January 2 – 5) Persia has captured travellers’ imagination for centuries. Iran has been on my ‘must – see’ list for decades. I joined a classic 10-day tour to Central Iran and visited Tehran, Shiraz, Yard, Esfahan, Kashan and Qom (ie the ‘In the footsteps of Empire’ route … Continue reading
21 Days in Iran 2010 -11 (Part 2)
Central Iran : In the Footsteps of the Empire (December 23 – January 1) Persia has captured travellers’ imagination for centuries. Iran has been on my ‘must – see’ list for decades. I joined a classic 10-day tour to Central Iran and visited Tehran, Shiraz, Yard, Esfahan, Kashan and Qom (ie the ‘In the … Continue reading