Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, is a vibrant city blending Soviet-era architecture, Islamic heritage, and modern urban design. Known as a key stop along the ancient Silk Road, Tashkent has a rich history dating back over 2,000 years. Landmarks like the Khast Imam Complex, home to the world's oldest Quran, highlight its Islamic roots, while Soviet influences can be seen in … [Read more...]
Two Days in Bukhara: Immersing in the Silk Road’s Legacy
Following Samarkand, we continued our Central Asia journey with two days in Bukhara. One of the most ancient cities in Uzbekistan, this is a treasure trove of history and culture that dates back over 2,500 years. Once a key hub on the Silk Road, it flourished as a center for trade, religion, and learning, with a skyline dominated by historic madrasas, mosques, and … [Read more...]
Two Days in Samarkand: Uzbekistan’s Silk Road Treasure City
In early August 2024, we began our month-long journey through Central Asia, stepping off the plane into the hot, dazzling noon at Samarkand International Airport.One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the region, Samarkand holds immense historical and cultural significance. As a principal nexus of the Silk Road, it served as a vital crossroads for trade and cultural … [Read more...]
Things to Do in Kastoria City, Greece
In July 2024, we left Vergina and its archaeological wonders and headed west. In about two hours, we arrived in the city of Kastoria. My 13-year-old nephew was spending the summer there at his grandma’s, and we stopped by for a visit before continuing to the mountainous wilderness of Epirus. It was my first time in the region. With my nephew’s guidance, who’s been vacationing … [Read more...]
What to Do in Mahébourg, Mauritius
Mahébourg is a quaint, historical town on the southeastern coast of Mauritius, known for its deep connections to the island’s colonial past. Once the capital during the French rule, it now offers a quieter, more laid-back and authentic atmosphere compared to the bustling cities and the tourist hubs of the island’s west and north. It is also considerably cheaper. Hence we chose … [Read more...]
What to See in Port Louis, Mauritius
While not the place you would choose to stay during a holiday in Mauritius—there are many paradisal beaches for that—Port Louis is a charming little city squeezed between the ocean and the steep, lush Moka Mountains. During our two-month stay in Mauritius, we visited Port Louis on numerous day trips usually for shopping combined with some exploration while we were at it. Here … [Read more...]
What to See during a Day Trip to Curepipe, Mauritius
Curepipe is a town in the central plateau of Mauritius, located at the southern end of the Port Louis-Curepipe urban corridor and the Metro Express line that runs through it. It is also called the City of Light, as it was the first Mauritian town to adopt electricity. Curepipe is known for its cool climate and vibrant, diverse culture.While we drove through Curepipe several … [Read more...]
A Walk in Central Flacq, Mauritius
On my way back to Mahebourg from a day trip to Bras d’Eau National Park, I stopped for a walk in Central Flacq. This is the largest town and administration center of the Flacq District in northeastern Mauritius.Flacq is mostly renowned for its open-air market. But since that’s fully open on Wednesdays and Sundays—days which weren’t today—I skipped it altogether. I parked in the … [Read more...]
Two Days in Tripoli and Mina, Lebanon
The road was empty, and the quiet reinstated when I got up at dawn and settled on the bench for my coffee. The sublime landscape of the Lebanese mountains looked different today. It bore the transcendent quality of an exhilarating experience the moment before it wanes into a memory. I regarded it with a tad of anticipatory wistfulness as I mulled that this thrilling trekking … [Read more...]
Three Days in Beirut
It was bang on midnight, and the airport corridors weren’t that busy. Still, given the insufficient number of clerks, a long queue had formed before the foreign-passports immigration control booths. Peeping around at people and their documents to while away the wait, I noticed the queue principally consisted of whom I call party Gulfers: affluent Gulf Arabs in Western garments … [Read more...]
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