For most visitors to kenya the northern half of the country may as well not even exist, yet few other regions of Africa offer such extraordinary variety. This is a land of vast shattered lava deserts, camel herders walking their animals to hidden oases, fog shrouded mountains populated by giant tusked elephants, barren islands crawling with dinosaur like reptiles, acacia woodlands teeming with wildlife and the jade waters of stunning Lake Turkana. It is also an area of unforgettable adventure. Anyone venturing here should be prepared to challenge themselves against appalling roads, brain melting heat, primitive food and accommodation, and vast distances to be traveled. Read more…
Whether its economic growth, political stability or sustainable snow, little-miss-perfect Switzerland always finishes at the top of the European class. With its model railways, chocolate-box towns and outrageously beautiful mountains, the country should be the envy of all. But critics say, doesn’t perfect actually mean dull? Isn’t Switzerland all holey cheese, skis and lights out by 10pm? Well not quite. Brush aside the stereotypes for a minute and the land of Heidi can also be hip. Stand in the wave-shaped shadow of Renzo Piano’s Zentrum Paul Klee in Bern, party in Zuri-West’s industrial-chic clubs and experience a heart-stopping moment while glacier bungee jumping in Interlaken, and you’ll discover a Switzerland with art, attitude and an insatiable appetite for adventure. Goody two-shoes just doesn’t get a look in. Read more…
This article will sort out what i think is interesting during my short stay in London. London is a pugnacious so-and-so. Seeing Tower Bridge lift its bascules to let a tall ship pass beneath is all stately grace, as opposed to your first rush-hour trip on the tube, getting up close and personal with strangers of every color, creed and nationality, all shoving their noses into each others armpits.
Around dawn on most days, British Army cavalry regiments quartered nearby exercise their horses on the Outer Circle road around Regent’s Park, with the sweaty, noisy troop scaring the life out of early-morning joggers.
Londoners have been quick to embrace Boris Bikes. Informally named after the former mayor who launched the scheme, Boris Johnson, these three-geared, blue-and-grey bad boys have quickly become a familiar sight. The bikes’ ubiquity in the central area mean that a ride in a black cab may become London’s equivalent of a gondola ride – do it once, then use your own legs the rest of the time. Once you’re registered, the first 30 minutes of any journey is free. Read more…
No country in Central Asia seems to have it so good, yet at the same time have it so bad, as Uzbekistan. The region’s cradle of culture for more than two millennia, it is the proud home to a spellbinding arsenal of architecture and artifacts, all deeply infused with the raw fascinating history of the country. But as students of that history know, it’s also sprung a few bad apples over the years. Tyrants enamored by the country’s physical bounty have run the territory we now call Uzbekistan since time immemorial. Concentrating on the good, if there was a Hall of Fame for Central Asian cities, Uzbekistan would own the top three entries: Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva. The names practically epitomize the region, conjuring up images of knife twirling dervishes serpentine desert caravans and architecture that blends with the sand. Read more…
Journey To The Source Of Nile River
I think Uganda is the Cinderella of East Africa, seriously. While sisters Tanzania and Kenya became big name safari destinations, attracting visitors from around the world, Uganda’s invitation to the party somehow got lost in the post. It’s taken nasty dictatorships and a brutal civil war to keep Uganda off the tourist radar, but stability is returning and it won’t be long before visitors come flocking back. After all, this is the source of the river Nile-that mythical place explorers sought since Roman times. It’s also where savannah meets the vast lakes of East Africa, and where snow-capped mountains bear down on sprawling jungles. No wonder Winston Churchill called Uganda The Pearl of Africa. Read more…
