Little Places – Ganvie, Benin

One of Benin’s most visited attractions is the stilted-village of Ganvie. It really is a bit of a tourist trap in some respects I guess, it’s on the Lake of Nokoue, and that is a short ride from Benin’s main (but not capital) city of Cotonou. If you are visiting this West African nation, well, …

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Benin – Through My Lens

Hi folks! Time to turn the clock back a decade plus to my time in the West African country of Benin. A country with a history linked to the slave trade to the Americas, it has it's own beauty and despite the fact I only had five nights there, I appreciated visiting. Apart from the …

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Little Places – Hill of Crosses, Lithuania

The Hill of Crosses is a pretty stirring sight in the mid-north of Lithuania. According to the occasionally accurate Wikipedia today there are over 100,000 crosses on this hill, and it has become quite the tourist attraction. I went and visited it in 2007, so it’s been ten years and it’s grown. At the time …

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Sunday Spotlight – Mopti, Mali

Today I’m stretching my memory back to the time I went to Mali, 2007, one country in West Africa which really has a lot to see and do. From the Dogon country, to the incredible mosque at Djenne, Mali is a real surprise packet in West Africa, but sadly is not really safe for travel …

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Gateway Countries – Ecuador

When I arrived in South America last year I flew into Quito Airport, Ecuador. This would (besides the insides of a couple of other airports) be my first taste of the continent. Ecuador was my 'gateway' country to South America. Would this prove a good choice? For example, a country like Chile might often be …

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A Visit to Terelj, Mongolia

Mongolia. Before going I had visions of well, steppe steppe and more steppe. Basically a flat, featureless country that was wild and yet exciting and fascinating at the same time. But that’s not the total sum of Mongolia – of course it was never going to be. From deserts to villages, the amazing Ulaan Baatar …

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Sunday Spotlight – Arequipa (Peru)

You might say that Arequipa is the perfect subject for ‘Sunday Spotlight’. It’s a pretty little town, not a big city, and it’s not the most well-known destination in South America, but it’s a rewarding place to stop. I thought it was a very worthwhile stop in Peru, much more pleasant than Lima, and although …

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Salar de Uyuni – Through My Lens

Howdy all, another photographic post for you this Wednesday. Today I return to Bolivia and the amazing Salar de Uyuni and surrounds where I did a three-day tour last November. From salt flats, to salty trains, to flamingos and more, it's one of the world's most amazing destinations without a single doubt! Enjoy! Thanks for …

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Sunday Spotlight – Irkutsk

Today’s Sunday Spotlight is shone at the adorable city of Irkutsk, in Siberia, Russia, not too far from the beautiful Lake Baikal – the world’s biggest inland lake. On the train heading to Irkutsk from Ulaan Baatar I was chatting with several people, including one guy who reckoned that Irkutsk was one of the least …

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