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Laos #1: Luang Prabang

We were both excited by Laos. We had heard good things from other travellers we had met along the way and were keen to go somewhere that is far less trampled on by mass tourism than Thailand. The sleepy city of Luang Prabang did not only meet our expectations, it was, we both agree, theContinue reading “Laos #1: Luang Prabang”

Chiang Mai, Thailand

While we never planned to spend too long in Thailand, a short visit to the northern city / province of Chiang Mai was a great way for us to experience something more of the country (and food), while also, in itself, acting as a stepping stone en route to Laos. Chiang Mai proved to beContinue reading “Chiang Mai, Thailand”

Bangkok, Thailand

Bangkok is an amazing city of contradictions. It is modern yet old, sleazy yet culturally rich, expensive yet cheap, cold and yet hot. This is the world of sky trains, go go bars and overpriced cappuccinos in freezing air-conditioned massive shopping malls. Yet it is also a world of old temples and traditions, rustic riverContinue reading “Bangkok, Thailand”

Nepal #3: Annapurna Panorama Trek

Our Himalayan trek was one of the key bucket list items on our megamoon. To say it did not disappoint is an understatement. It proved to be a fantastic way for us to experience the real, rural Nepal beyond the backpacker luxuries in Thamel and Pokhara, while also exploring the beautiful scenery: rice paddy terraces,Continue reading “Nepal #3: Annapurna Panorama Trek”

Nepal #2: Bandipur & Pokhara

We set off on another early morning long bus journey on 12th Januady. We had decided on our broader plan for Nepal which entailed journeying to the lakeside city of Pokhara and going on a trek in the nearby foothills of the Annapurna mountain range. En route to Pokhara, we decided to stop over atContinue reading “Nepal #2: Bandipur & Pokhara”

Nepal #1: Kathmandu

We touched down in Kathmandu in the afternoon of 7th January. We felt a little zombie-like having only managed an hour or so sleep in gender segregated quiet/ sleeping rooms in Qatar airport and on the plane. From our very first day in Kathmandu, we had a real sense that Nepal is a really specialContinue reading “Nepal #1: Kathmandu”

Georgia & Armenia

The detour from our overall eastward journey to the Caucasus region was very much in the spirit of the megamoon: exploring exciting new corners of the world while also stopping by to see old friends. Our week in Georgia and Armenia proved to be outstanding on both fronts, managing to get a good flavour ofContinue reading “Georgia & Armenia”

Dubai & Abu Dhabi

Coming in to land in Dubai, the new huge city seems to rise out of both desert and sea into what looks like a super-city from some sort of sci-fi / dystopian world. We were embraced into this world from the get go on arriving in Dubai in the late afternoon on 27th December. TheContinue reading “Dubai & Abu Dhabi”

Christmas on the Swahili Coast: Mombasa, Diani, Dar Es Salaam & Zanzibar

While the first 2 weeks of our travels had been a fantastic adventure, the multiple long bus journeys and constant moving had meant we were beginning to really fe the lure of the tranquility of the beaches on the Swahili coast. The pristine white sands, coconut tree backdrops and beautiful azure waters of the KenyanContinue reading “Christmas on the Swahili Coast: Mombasa, Diani, Dar Es Salaam & Zanzibar”

Nairobi, Nyeri and Old Friends

Returning to Kenya was a very important reason for our visit to East Africa. Katharine made 2 visits in consecutive years to Kenya to volunteer at a children’s home run by the then US / UK- based charity “Kids Alive”. The trips in 2009 and 2010 were an important for Katharine in a number ofContinue reading “Nairobi, Nyeri and Old Friends”