Le Morne Brabant is a peninsula occupying the southwesternmost tip of Mauritius. It is dominated by the eponymous Brabant Mountain: a massive basaltic rock towering for 556 meters over the dazzling turquoise waters of the lagoon surrounding the peninsula. Owing to its fantastic views and unique biodiversity, the site has become one of the most popular hiking destinations in the … [Read more...]
At the Grand Bassin (Ganga Talao) for the Shiva Festival in Mauritius
The great Ganges River, the lifeline of Indian civilization for millennia, understandably holds immense importance in Hinduistic tradition. So much so that devout Hindus promptly undertake onerous pilgrimages from throughout India to wash their spirits in the otherwise most polluted river in the world. That was the problem faced by hundreds of thousands of Indian workers … [Read more...]
Hiking Mount Askio, Western Macedonia, Greece
Mount Askio is situated in the heart of the Western Macedonia region of northern Greece. Adjoined by Mount Verno to the north and Mount Vourino to the south, it is the central part of the mountain chain that separates the Kastoria prefecture from the plain of Ptolemaida. Its highest peak, called Siniatsiko, reaches an elevation of 2,111 meters, making Askio the 34th highest … [Read more...]
Climbing Mount Smolikas & Camping at its Dragon Lake
Located in the core of the Pindus Mountains, Smolikas is Greece’s second-highest mountain and—I’d argue—one of its most stunning. It is renowned for its extensive forests and its so-called Dragon Lake: an idyllic alpine lake situated below its 2,637-meter-high peak. While touring the region in July 2024, it became our top priority for a hiking trip.Smolikas’s summit and the … [Read more...]
Prespa Lakes, Greece: a Day Trip from Kastoria
The Prespa Lakes, located in Greece’s northwestern corner near the borders of Albania and North Macedonia, present a captivating blend of natural beauty and biodiversity. This region, comprising Great Prespa and Small Prespa, is notable for its pristine waters and rich wildlife, making it a significant destination for ecological tourism. The area is particularly renowned for … [Read more...]
Cap Malheureux: a Visit to the Northernmost Point of Mauritius
Cap Malheureux is the unfortunate name given to the northernmost tip of the main island of Mauritius. It literally means the unfortunate cape, a designation assigned to it by the French to express their grudge about it being the site of the successful landing that allowed the British to seize the island in 1810. We visited it briefly during a day trip to northern Mauritius … [Read more...]
Pont Naturel: A Guide to the Natural Bridge of Mauritius
Le Pont Naturel (French for natural bridge) is exactly what its name suggests: a bridge-like rock formation over a sea cave on the rugged southern coast of Mauritius. Located 15 km from Mahebourg—our place of residence during our two-month stay in the country—it made for a nice sunset-trip destination.DirectionsComing from Mahebourg, drive around the airport and take the road … [Read more...]
One Day in Anjar, Lebanon
Reflecting the area’s perennial prominence at the core of civilization, another distinguished archeological site in the Beqaa Valley is the city of Anjar: one of the most notable assets of cultural heritage bequeathed to humanity by the Umayyad Caliphate. Since its foundation in the early 8th century AD, at the dawn of the Islamic Golden Age, the city gradually lost its … [Read more...]
Two Days in Baalbek, Lebanon
A week had gone by on the searing and crowded coast. Now I would return to the cooler and uncongested hinterland. Between Mount Lebanon and the Syrian Anti-Lebanon Mountains, marking the north end of the Great Rift Valley that extends all the way to southeast Africa, lies the Beqaa Valley. In contrast to my previous short transfers, today I had a long journey to the country’s … [Read more...]
Two Days in Byblos, Lebanon
Seduced by the comfort of the egg chair and the serenity of the sea view, I dallied over my coffee and set off in the later, hotter morning. Thankfully, the tuk-tuk dropped me off under a bridge to wait for the bus, which took longer than usual to pass. A while later, some ten miles south along the coast, I got off in the center of Jbeil city, also known by its ancient name of … [Read more...]
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