Like most people, I haven’t been traveling at all during the course of the pandemic. I thought I’d reminisce about one of my past trips, and help whoever is planning their next adventure find a new place to explore once the pandemic is over. I’ve held a deep fascination for Southern Europe for as long…
Best Reads of 2020
Out of the 60 books I read this year, here are my top picks. I’ve separated them by non-fiction and fiction, both of which I read with equal gusto.
Bangladesh through another lens
After traveling extensively across the world, you can become immune to the beauty of your home country. I go back to Bangladesh almost every six months, as my parents and extended family still live there. But I rarely stop to take in and enjoy the country as I would when visiting a new destination. When…
Cuba Photo Series: Cuban Man and His Chicken
Every once in a while, you’ll stumble upon something that, even as a seasoned traveler, will leave you breathless. Those moments usually come when I’m least expecting it. I was wandering around Trinidad that afternoon, trying to scratch below its touristy surface. In a neighbourhood far away from the crowds, I found a Cuban man sitting…
Cuba Photo Series: Trinidad
Trinidad, nearly 400km south-east of Havana, is considered one of the best preserved colonial towns in the Americas. It’s a mere 1.5 hour drive from Cienfuegos, but almost 6 hours from Havana. Nevertheless, it is a popular stop for most tourists. Travel back in time while in town, as you walk down cobblestone streets, take in…
Cuba Photo Series: Cienfuegos
Cienfuegos, on the southern coast of Cuba, was an unexpected find. Known as the Pearl of the South, it was meant to be no more than a one-night stop in our itinerary to break up the long drive from Viñales to Trinidad. But we loved it so much, that we ended up staying longer. Cienfuegos…
Cuba Photo Series: Valle de Viñales
Even if you know nothing about Cuba, you’ve at least heard of Cuban cigars. So after spending two nights in Havana, we planned to head into Viñales. Viñales is a small town in Western Cuba, known most notably for its tobacco plantations. We had booked a rental car, and on the morning of departure, Moritz…
Cuba Photo Series: Streets of Havana
Cuba has always been a dream. I bought my flights to Cuba in October 2015, traveled in May 2016 and now I’m finally writing about it in March 2017. Part of the reason I’ve put it off for so long is because I struggled to find the words to describe this magical place. Eventually, I’ve…
Malaysia
An explosion of local flavors, colonial heritage and tropical flora & fauna
Day 27 – 29: Goodbye Central Asia
I opened my eyes and it finally hit me: we were done. There were no more routes to plan, no more distances to estimate and no car to worry about. It felt liberating, though I will not deny the sense of melancholy that clung to me for not making it to Mongolia. I was determined…
Day 26: In Almaty, after all
We were optimistic about continuing our trip next year. With Akelai’s help, we spent the day hunting for the central customs office. After three tries, we found the right location. I don’t even know how we would’ve found the place if Ryan hadn’t asked Akelai to come along with us. We met a number of…
Day 24 & 25: Bored in Bishkek
The first order of business was to get back in touch with Ryan from Iron Horse Nomads, who we had contacted when we were still in Osh. After a lavish breakfast of tiny crepes, baguettes and all other things French (thanks to our French host), we called him. Ryan had a busy day ahead and…
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