Train Journeys – Cairo to Aswan (Egypt)

There’s no doubt that Egypt is a stunning and unforgettable place to travel. With such large distances between places, and little but desert between them, apart from flying trains are probably the best way to get around. It was 1999 when I went to Egypt, and the country was a lot happier than it can …

Continue reading Train Journeys – Cairo to Aswan (Egypt)

Gateway Countries – Cameroon (West Africa)

  Welcome to another ‘Gateway Countries’ blog, this time I am heading to West Africa. Please note – WEST Africa. I haven’t been much to the rest of Africa, bar Ethiopia, and I’m sure as an introduction to the whole continent, there are easier countries to start with such as South Africa for example. West …

Continue reading Gateway Countries – Cameroon (West Africa)

Train Journeys – St Petersburg to Moscow

Following on from finding my 1999 photos, even though I don’t specifically have any from this trip, I was reminded about it. In Russia, stations are often named after their destinations, a somewhat novel approach perhaps but it makes a bit of sense too I guess. So when you head to Moscow from St Petersburg, …

Continue reading Train Journeys – St Petersburg to Moscow

Gateway Countries – Vietnam

Yes, the Friday series is back with another ‘gateway country’. This week we head on down to South East Asia, and just to shock and awe and confound you, I’m not calling ‘Thailand’ on the region, rather I am going with Vietnam as the best gateway to the region. In a region which boasts Thailand, …

Continue reading Gateway Countries – Vietnam

Train Journeys – Kandy to Colombo

It’s Thursday and I’m taking to the tracks again. This time I’m headed to Sri Lanka, a place I visited in early 2013 with my wife and we stayed about 10 days there, mostly in Kandy. We took just the one train trip whilst there, although more were planned, but that day turned out to …

Continue reading Train Journeys – Kandy to Colombo

Sunday Spotlight – Ho Chi Minh City

The main city in southern Vietnam, and the former capital, Ho Chi Minh City is the most popular starting or ending point for backpackers and tourists heading into Vietnam. One thing’s for sure, the place has a lot going for it, I had a brilliant time a couple of years ago when I visited again. …

Continue reading Sunday Spotlight – Ho Chi Minh City

Japan Survival Guide Part 3: Getting around Japan by Rail!

Whether you’re here to live, or here backpacking you are going to have to get from point A to point B somehow. I was considering doing a post all about transport in Japan and including driving, because for many people coming here to live and teach driving is an essential part of the day and …

Continue reading Japan Survival Guide Part 3: Getting around Japan by Rail!

The Classic Overnight Bus Journey

I have been on many overnight bus journeys in my travels, and last night was another. I have crossed the Baluchistan Desert from Pakistan to Iran overnight, which is perhaps my most memorable for good and bad reasons. Bad - Hot beyond belief and very little sleep, the Good, nay AMAZING - waking up at …

Continue reading The Classic Overnight Bus Journey

Living in Japan Survival Guide Point One – Second Hand Stores

Hello! Today I am starting a series of points that will form a sort of informal 'Survival Guide' for those thinking of living in Japan. My time in Ichinoseki is almost up as I type - tomorrow I say goodbye to my apartment, Friday night I am off to Yokohama via night bus, so things …

Continue reading Living in Japan Survival Guide Point One – Second Hand Stores