Of Yurts and Shashlyk, Kyrgyzstan, August 2018

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As I near the end of my travels in Kyrgyzstan I have reflected on the more than 2000km distance I have covered across this mountainous little country. The landscapes have left an indelible impression on me. From alpine valleys with …

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Eagle Hunting in Kyrgyzstan, August 2018

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Like a marmot coming up for sunshine I’ve reappeared – this time in the mountainous country of Kyrgyzstan. I’ve begun a 2 month journey retracing the Silk Road across Central Asia, a trip which will pick up previous threads from …

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The Little Buddhist Mountain Kingdom, Bhutan, March 2018

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  Kuzuzampong la! It has been another world exploring Bhutan, the little Bhuddist Mountain Kingdom which is nestled to the south of Tibet. Whitewashed box-like fortresses and monasteries sit perched on top of cliffsides clinging to the southern Himalaya and …

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The Ghost Who Walks in the Himalaya, Bhutan, March 2018

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I’ve resurfaced in the Himalaya in the tiny mountain kingdom of Bhutan. Wedged between Nepal and Tibet this mountainous Shangri-La is sometimes best known for its official Gross National Happiness Index.. but more on that later. The main reason for …

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Roxana of Bactria & Other Tales From Afghanistan, May 2017

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My trip has taken me to the north of Afghanistan to Mazare Sharif, a city near the Uzbekistan border and renowned for its fine carpets. It boasts a magnificent shrine to Ali (the cousin of the Prophet Mohammed). Simply breathtaking …

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The Warlord Who Sells Carpets in Kabul, Afghanistan May 2017

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It was possibly the friendliest welcome in the world – the turbaned, bearded man with a wide smile brought his hand over his heart and bid me Salam aleykum.  “Aleykum Salam” I replied and returned the gesture. You will probably …

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Mergui Archipelago, Myanmar, March 2016

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The final stage of my travels in Myanmar this past week has been a journey under the sea, scuba diving around the Mergui Archipelago of islands in the Andaman Sea off the southern coast. The teak live-aboard dive boat I …

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Temple Strewn Plains of Bagan, Myanmar, March 2016

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The second stage of my journey in Myanmar has taken me to the dusty plains of Bagan. Between the 10th and 13th centuries Bagan formed the centre of the First Burmese Kingdom and was perhaps the most important Buddhist religious …

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The Road to Mandalay, Myanmar, March 2016

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Mingalaba from Myanmar! Perhaps you can’t locate me yet in South-East Asia but I’m sure many of you will recognise iconic images from ‘Burma’ – the elegant ‘long-neck’ ladies of the Kayan tribe resplendent with tightly coiled brass rings to …

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Philippines Montaña y Mare, November 2014

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Magandang araw!  I’m writing after a brief escape to the Philippines which I fashioned into a montaña y mare (reef ‘n turf) adventure. I journeyed north of Manila on the main island of Luzon to the Cordillera mountain region. At …

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