During our sojourn in the town of Gracias in western Honduras, we heard about the two hot springs found in its vicinity. One is called Termas del Rio and is located 9km north of Gracias, on the way to Las Flores. The other is in the village of Arcilaca, 5 km south of Gracias. Due to it being closer, as well as having better facilities, we chose the latter for a day trip.We got … [Read more...]
Celaque National Park: Trekking the Highest Mountain of Honduras
Celaque National Park is located in southwest Honduras, near the historic town of Gracias. It contains the country's highest peak, Cerro Las Minas, which reaches 2,849 meters AMSL of elevation. The entire mountain, including the summit, is covered by dense, alluring cloud forest. Besides its astonishing flora, it hosts significant fauna, including endemic species and wild … [Read more...]
Ancient Babylon & Ezekiel’s Tomb Day Trip
The quiet was absolute before it got interrupted by my ringing phone. Its screen was the sole radiant object within our otherwise pitch-dark room. I pressed the answer button to silence it and hear Ibraheemâs voice. âWe are downstairs,â it said. âWeâll be there in a minute,â I responded. He was meant to come at 6 am, but it wasnât even a quarter-to yet. I wiped the sleep off my … [Read more...]
In Soran and Sulaymaniyah, Iraqi Kurdistan
A volley of curious gazes converged upon us as soon as we exited the car, in the middle of a bustling street in downtown Soran. This city, hosting some 125,000 inhabitants, is the major population center within the remote, mountainous region of northeastern Iraqi Kurdistan. Needless to say that itâs not a touristic hotspot.We werenât originally planning to stay there; didnât … [Read more...]
Traveling to Erbil: The Capital City of Iraqi Kurdistan
The sun had set over Diyarbakir: Turkeyâs most populous Kurdish city. The heat had subsided. And after the Turkish fighter jetsâ intimidating flights over the rooftops came to a pause, the quiet was reinstated. It was time to go.We were soon sitting on the curb of a dark street, backpacks lying on the side, waiting for the bus. As minutes elapsed and no such appeared, I … [Read more...]
Through the Armenian Wilderness to Azhdahak Volcano
A morning at the shore of Sevan LakeArmenia is a landlocked country. Lying at a mean elevation of 1,800 meters in the heart of the barren Lesser Caucasus Range, hundreds of km separate it from the coasts of the Black and the Caspian Sea.To its geographic isolation add greatly the countryâs belligerent relations with its two principal neighborsâTurkey and Azerbaijanâwhich, … [Read more...]
The Way to Tusheti-Driving Europe’s Most Dangerous Road
Weâd had a cup of coffee in a cute cafeâs garden, surrounded by elegant old buildings; lunched on delectable Georgian pastry at a sidewalk table, watching folks walk past casually; depleted significant portions of the little shopâs shelves to fill several bags of provisions; topped up the carâs tank and our spare fuel container⊠And we were now ready to leave this pleasant town … [Read more...]
Kurile Lake, Kamchatka: 30 Humans & 300 Bears at the End of the World
Downhearted, I regarded the scenery behind the drawn-aside curtain. The Orwellian, drab, concrete human containers the Soviets named Khrushchyovkas seemed even drearier behind the veil of the haze. The dense mass of black clouds that covered them did not allow the slightest trace of a sunray to even indicate the location of the sun, which would have just risen beside the … [Read more...]
Climbing Iraq’s Highest Mountain was an Unusual Hiking Adventure
Disclaimer: Although you may find some practical information about the route in it, this story is principally intended for a creative travelogue, and not a reliable route description. One attempting to climb Mount Halgurd independently must recognize that it entails dangers transcending all levels of hiking experience.Planning a trekking trip in IraqWhy do you travel?To take a … [Read more...]
A Solar Eclipse, a Rave Party, and a Bunch of Terrorists on Sulawesi
It was winter in the Northern Hemisphere. But as always, it was summer near the Equator. I was overwintering in the tropical latitudes of Southeast Asia. A good German friend had told me that he was about to head that way, too. He said a good party would take place on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi.A total solar eclipse was to occur that winter over that exotic island. The … [Read more...]
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