• Brilliant Brighton and the Seven Sisters Coastal WalkBrilliant Brighton and the Seven Sisters Coastal Walk
    Brighton, on the south coast of England, is a renowned seaside resort and delightful city. Often referred to as "London-by-the-Sea" on account of it being conveniently close (only an hour train ride due south) to London, it is also known
  • Sights and Delights of Deira, Dubai’s Old TownSights and Delights of Deira, Dubai’s Old Town
    Deira is a suburb of Dubai which is located near the International Airport, in the U.A.E. Historically, Deira has been the commercial center of Dubai, but has been losing its dominance on account of the rapid development seen further along
  • Kathmandu to the Roof of the World – Trekking to Everest Base CampKathmandu to the Roof of the World – Trekking to Everest Base Camp
    Towards the end of March, while Marius and I were still travelling around India, we couldn’t stop our thoughts drifting towards April and our much anticipated trip to Nepal to trek to Everest Base Camp (EBC) in the Sagarmartha National
  • Shiraz and the Timeless PersepolisShiraz and the Timeless Persepolis
    If you are travelling around Iran, no doubt with Esfahan somewhere on your itinerary (at some point) then make use of Iran’s ultra modern line of intercity buses and travel the 6 hours to Shiraz. It's a pleasant city to visit
  • Omanian Turtles at Ras Al Jinz Turtle ReserveOmanian Turtles at Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve
    From Sur, I drove the 50km to the eastern most point of the Arabian Peninsula to visit the Ras al Jinz Turtle Reserve, south of Ras Al Hadd. The turtle reserve was formed in 1996 and covers a large area
  • Touring the Windswept Orkney IslandsTouring the Windswept Orkney Islands
    In case you weren’t aware, the Orkney’s are an archipelago comprised of approximately 70 islands, situated off the north coast of Scotland. The closest major Orkney Island (South Ronaldsay) is a mere 16 kilometres off the coast of Caithness.  My colleague (and best
  • How to Visit the World Famous Petra, Jordan’s Best AttractionHow to Visit the World Famous Petra, Jordan’s Best Attraction
    Jordan’s most popular attraction is the UNESCO World Heritage site of Petra, located in the southwest corner of the Hashemite Kingdom. Petra was once the thriving trading hub and capital of the Nabataean empire between 400 B.C. and A.D. 106
  • Ancient Egyptian Capital of Luxor and the Valley of the Kings and QueensAncient Egyptian Capital of Luxor and the Valley of the Kings and Queens
    The modern day city of Luxor in Upper (southern) Egypt is another tourist and intrepid traveller mecca as it is the site of the Ancient Egyptian city of Thebes on the eastern side of the Nile River. With the ruins
  • Experiencing Sweden’s Jukkasjarvi ICEHOTELExperiencing Sweden’s Jukkasjarvi ICEHOTEL
    A mere 19km from the Swedish Lapland town of Kiruna lies the tiny village of Jukkasjärvi world famous for being home of the iconic ICEHOTEL. Jukkasjärvi is located approximately 200km north of the Arctic Circle and next to the Torne
  • Washington DC – Museum Capital of the World!Washington DC – Museum Capital of the World!
    Washington, D.C. is the capital of the United States of America and the seat of its three branches of government, as well as the federal district of the U.S. The city has an unparalleled collection of free, public museums and
  • Visiting New Mexico’s Wicked White Sands National MonumentVisiting New Mexico’s Wicked White Sands National Monument
    The next stop on our Coast to Coast adventure across the United States, after leaving Tucson, is to another world class attraction in New Mexico – the White Sands National Monument –but not before getting a blown tyre enroute!The White
  • Intrepid Safaris in Murchison National Park and Chimp TrekkingIntrepid Safaris in Murchison National Park and Chimp Trekking
    The East Africa country of Uganda is home to one of the most varied and densely populated habitats of African fauna on the continent that is accessible and affordable while being more authentic and less predictable than the heavy weight
  • Visiting the Sacred Hindu City of VaranasiVisiting the Sacred Hindu City of Varanasi
    Varanasi is an historical city in the northern part of India, not far from Nepal that is located on the banks of the holy Ganga (Ganges) River. It is considered the spiritual capital of India and the holiest city in
  • Hiking to Everest Base Camp and the Khumbu GlacierHiking to Everest Base Camp and the Khumbu Glacier
    On day 11 of our three weeks hiking and climbing in the Sagmartha National Park we arrived into Gorak Shep after the relatively short hike up the valley from Lobuche. Gorak Shep is the closest group of teahouses/lodges to Kala
  • Arid Arizona’s Grand Canyon and AMARG in TucsonArid Arizona’s Grand Canyon and AMARG in Tucson
    As our time west of the great continental divide comes to an end, and the big drive east of our Coast to Coast journey looms on the horizon, we still have the Grand Canyon, the Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group
  • The Walled Ancient City of Xian & the Terracotta WarriorsThe Walled Ancient City of Xian & the Terracotta Warriors
    Xi’an in Central China is a city of some eight million souls and one of the oldest cities in China. Xi’an is the former home to 73 former emperors including the Zhou, Qin, Han and Tang dynasties making it undeniably
  • Crossing the Cho La Pass to Gokyo Ri and back to CivilizationCrossing the Cho La Pass to Gokyo Ri and back to Civilization
    Having been to the steps of Mt Everest after three amazing night at Gorak Shep we began the long hike back to Lukla. We would stay at the lodge village of Zonglha and trek over the ice covered Cho La
  • Berlin’s Cultural and Historical AttractionsBerlin’s Cultural and Historical Attractions
    Berlin is the capital city of the Federal Republic of Germany and its largest city with a population of 4.5 million. Berlin is known for its historical significance as the German capital, lively nightlife of clubs and bars, street art,
  • Hiking the length of the Historic Hadrian’s WallHiking the length of the Historic Hadrian’s Wall
    Hadrian’s Wall was the defensive wall built by the Romans on the northern border of their empire during the reign of Emperor Hadrian (117 to 138A.D.) and is officially recognized as a World Heritage Site. The wall, primarily made of
  • Drilling Equipment on an Offshore Jackup Drilling RigDrilling Equipment on an Offshore Jackup Drilling Rig
    When I first arrived offshore I was in awe of where I was and what I was seeing, the scale of operations/machinery, the logistics involved and disbelief at what they were achieving; I was inspired to learn more! On a
  • Trans-Mongolia Railway Journey Across Mother RussiaTrans-Mongolia Railway Journey Across Mother Russia
    I had arrived into Moscow with the ambition of eventually riding the Trans-Mongolian Railway east to Beijing, however I decided not to pre-arrange tickets with a booking agent as I believed I could get them much cheaper once in Moscow.
  • Viewing Northern Sweden’s Winter Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights)Viewing Northern Sweden’s Winter Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights)
    One of the most popular items on a traveller’s bucket list (and if not it should be included) is to view the Aurora Borealis (commonly known as the Northern Lights) as it’s probably natures most spectacular regular phenomena. The Aurora
  • Overland to Oman’s Capital Muscat and Interesting Day TripsOverland to Oman’s Capital Muscat and Interesting Day Trips
    On the penultimate day in Dubai, I opened Derrek’s Arabian Lonely Planet and started to read about Oman.  Towards the bottom of the first page it read:"Oman is not the easiest of destinations, particularly for lone travellers on a tight
  • Kitesurfing in Tarifa Spain, Europe’s Windy Mecca!Kitesurfing in Tarifa Spain, Europe’s Windy Mecca!
    Tarifa is a small town at the southern tip of Spain on the Costa de la Luz in the province of Cádiz, Andalusia. Its walled old town has bared witness to centuries of conflict since the invasion of the Moors
  • California’s Wilderness – Yosemite, Lake Tahoe and Death ValleyCalifornia’s Wilderness – Yosemite, Lake Tahoe and Death Valley
    California has some of my favourite wilderness areas in the world, with unparalleled diversity from coast to alpine and desert to montane. There are 150 wilderness areas that cover nearly 15 million acres—roughly 15 percent of the state! We were
  • Cycle Touring through New Zealand’s Stunning Alps and West CoastCycle Touring through New Zealand’s Stunning Alps and West Coast
    New Zealand (known in Māori as Aotearoa) is often referred to as ‘the Land of the Long White Cloud’ and for good reason. The mountains and hills that run the length of New Zealand (and predominately perpendicular to the prevailing
  • Jaisalmer and your own Intrepid Desert Camel SafariJaisalmer and your own Intrepid Desert Camel Safari
    It’s common to make your way from Jaipur to another popular far flung destination on the intrepid travellers trail – the desert fort village/town of Jaisalmer.  However, it’s a 600km, 10 – 12 hour journey, so my advice would be
  • The Inside of an Offshore Jackup Oil Drilling RigThe Inside of an Offshore Jackup Oil Drilling Rig
    Some have likened it to being in the Navy or being on a container ship, well I don’t know about the Navy part, but it’s certainly very similar to being on a ship seeing Jackup rig, Semi-Submersibles and Drillships are
  • Lao’s Historic Plain of Jars near PhonsavanLao’s Historic Plain of Jars near Phonsavan
    Not far from the geographical center of Laos, I had made the journey (by local bus from Luang Prabang) to Phonsavan, a relatively backwater town, for one reason – to visit the mysterious Plain of Jars.  It’s not known for
  • Ancient Damascus, Surprising Western Yet Draped in HistoryAncient Damascus, Surprising Western Yet Draped in History
    Damascus (nicknamed City of Jasmine ) is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities on earth and on account of its physical location has been a transit point for many trading routes over the millennia.   The old-walled city, in
  • Mining Experiences in QueenslandMining Experiences in Queensland
    It all began early in 2010 after I had returned from travelling abroad and was considering what career path I wanted to change to if I didn’t want to pursue Farming, Forestry Management and Shipping; which I had been involved
  • Munnar’s Memorable Tata Tea PlantationMunnar’s Memorable Tata Tea Plantation
    Once my time in Kerala’s west coast town of Kochi had come to an end, my French travel buddy and I boarded a local open-air bus from Kottayam enroute to the beautiful hill station of Kodaikanal. The journey would take
  • Climbing Mt Fuji – What you need to knowClimbing Mt Fuji – What you need to know
    It was my second trip to Japan, the first a few months earlier as a stopover for a few days in the southern city of Osaka (and Hiroshima) as part of a work trip to Korea, but this time a
  • Destination Beijing via the Trans-Mongolian RailwayDestination Beijing via the Trans-Mongolian Railway
    Once I had returned from exploring Mongolia’s Gorkhi Terelj National Park and UlaanBaatar I would take my 4th and final Trans-Mongolian train, Beijing was a mere 27 hours and 7 minutes (according to the official schedule) and 1,553km away now.
  • Hiking in the Incomparable Everest National Park; Chhukhung RiHiking in the Incomparable Everest National Park; Chhukhung Ri
    After making our way from Kathmandu to Namche Bazar, via Lukla Airport, we decided to spend two nights to explore the surrounding area. On our ‘day off’ from hiking we made the short hike from Namche Bazar to visit the small
  • Beijings Top AttractionsBeijings Top Attractions
    As my epic intrepid adventure along the Trans-Mongolian Railway reached its end by arriving in Beijing, a new adventure would begin; a month exploring the Mighty Dragon. Beijing is the capital of the China and is the political, educational and
  • The World Famous Wagah Border Closing Ceremony (Between Pakistan and India)The World Famous Wagah Border Closing Ceremony (Between Pakistan and India)
    A 45 minute drive by shared taxi from Amritsar (the most convenient way of getting to the border), is the Wagah border between India and Pakistan; site of the world famous border closing ceremony. You would think, as in almost
  • Cycling Central Otago’s Rail TrailCycling Central Otago’s Rail Trail
    The Central Otago Rail Trail is 150kms in length, located between the small towns of Middlemarch and Clyde in New Zealand’s South Island. With its wide gravel path and gentle 1:50 gradient, the trail has become popular with walkers, cyclist and horse
  • Israel’s Cultural Heart, Jerusalem, the West Bank and the Near-by Dead SeaIsrael’s Cultural Heart, Jerusalem, the West Bank and the Near-by Dead Sea
    Jerusalem is the capital and largest city in Israel and is holy to three of the world’s great religions (Islam, Christianity, and Judaism) and is considered as one of the oldest cities in the world and one of the world’s
  • Cruising California’s Los Angeles and San FranciscoCruising California’s Los Angeles and San Francisco
    Not long after returning to work after a recent trip around the former Yogoslavia, I thought to myself as I stared out the window that 'if I didn't do it now, I never would....' So after making the tough decision to leave
  • A Guide for your Trip to the Munich Oktoberfest – Hints, Tips and AdviceA Guide for your Trip to the Munich Oktoberfest – Hints, Tips and Advice
    The Munich Oktoberfest is held over 16 to 18 days in the final weeks of September and early October and is regarded as the largest beer fest in the world, attracting up to 6 million visitors annually. However, it is
  • Iran’s Must See City – The Eternal EsfahanIran’s Must See City – The Eternal Esfahan
    No trip to Iran is complete without venturing to Esfahan; Iran’s most scenic city.  The central city is awash with beautifully maintained parks delightful hand-painted tiling and a magnificent public square. The city also enjoys a temperate climate and regular
  • Experiencing Sweden – The Year I Lived in GothenbergExperiencing Sweden – The Year I Lived in Gothenberg
    Gothenburg (known in Swedish as Göteborg) city, located on the west coast of Sweden and on the mouth of the Göta älv (Göta river) is the second-largest city in Sweden after Stockholm. A short distance down river lies the archipelago
  • Awe Inspiring Historic Palmyra, an Ancient Wonder and Treasure of HumanityAwe Inspiring Historic Palmyra, an Ancient Wonder and Treasure of Humanity
    Situated near the center of the Syrian Desert, Palmyra - the former desert oasis trading hub - dates from as early as 200 B.C. and thrived for hundreds of years, persisting under the rule of successive empires. Modern day Palmyra contains
  • Crossing the Iranian Border to the Middle Eastern Town of YazdCrossing the Iranian Border to the Middle Eastern Town of Yazd
    For over 2,500 years Persia (modern day Iran) has been home to various Empires, including some of history’s greatest, that was until January 1979 when the ‘Glorious Islamic Revolution’ overthrew the Shah, installing religious clerics and Mullahs into power, headed
  • Advice for Viewing the Queens Birthday Celebration – Trooping the Colour, Royal Balcony Appearance & RAF FlybyAdvice for Viewing the Queens Birthday Celebration – Trooping the Colour, Royal Balcony Appearance & RAF Flyby
    Trooping the Colour is a traditional ceremony performed by regiments of the British and Commonwealth armies with a long history that originates on the battlefield where a regiment slowly marches their colours between the soldiers’ ranks.Since the early 18th century Trooping
  • Climbing Half Dome in Yosemite National ParkClimbing Half Dome in Yosemite National Park
    Covering an area of the Sierra Nevada mountain chain of nearly three quarters of a million acres, Yosemite National Park is internationally renowned for its magnificent granite cliffs, waterfalls, crystal clear streams, giant sequoia groves and biological diversity. The geology
  • Surprising Tel Aviv, Historic Haifa and the Glorious Galilee SeaSurprising Tel Aviv, Historic Haifa and the Glorious Galilee Sea
    During my time living in Sweden in 2010 I decided to take the opportunity to visit several Israeli friends that I had met while travelling through Southeast Asia who lived near Tel Aviv, along with an old university friend who
  • Backpacking through Syria’s Northern Cities and Tourist HighlightsBackpacking through Syria’s Northern Cities and Tourist Highlights
    As part of my overland journey from India to Egypt, I would take the opportunity to visit and explore Syria, which in 2009 was stable and peaceful. My Belgium travelling companion (who I’d first met while travelling in Iran) Catherine
  • The Backpacking Mecca of BangkokThe Backpacking Mecca of Bangkok
    Bangkok is an enormous modern city that is alive with nightlife and energy. It is Thailand's spiritual, cultural, political, commercial, educational and diplomatic centre. Many intrepid travellers may initially be put off by the sterile high-rise buildings of the city
  • Downtown Dubai; Sights, Sounds and Getting AroundDowntown Dubai; Sights, Sounds and Getting Around
    Several decades ago Dubai’s Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, realizing that oil reserves would one day be exhausted, began a process to diversify the economy to relieve it of the dependence on oil and gas.  You might be surprised
  • Siem Reap and the World Class Ancient Wonder of Angkor WatSiem Reap and the World Class Ancient Wonder of Angkor Wat
    Having spent a few days relaxing on Cambodia’s southern beaches, it was time to get back to some serious sightseeing. What better place than the northwestern town of Siem Reap which is the gateway to the world famous ruins Angkor,
  • All Aboard the Container Ship M/V Hanjin Brussels – an Intrepid VoyageAll Aboard the Container Ship M/V Hanjin Brussels – an Intrepid Voyage
    Ahoy me maties.  Ever since I became interested in ships and shipping at my first professional job as an Export Logistics Planner, I had wanted to spend some time at sea aboard a merchant vessel.  David, an English friend I
  • Amritsar’s Incredible Silk Golden TempleAmritsar’s Incredible Silk Golden Temple
    Sri Harmandir Sahib, informally referred to as the "Golden Temple", is not only a central religious place of the Sikhs, but also a symbol of human brotherhood and equality. It is the holiest Gurdwara of Sikhism, located in the city
  • Visiting the World Famous Champagne Houses in Reims and EpernayVisiting the World Famous Champagne Houses in Reims and Epernay
    While living in London it is popular to made regular trips to and around Europe, so when I was invited to join a group of 12 others (10 of them girls) on a long weekend visit to explore the Champagne
  • Attending the Stonehenge Summer Solstice FestivalAttending the Stonehenge Summer Solstice Festival
    For a number of years I’d been wanting to not only explore the Stonehenge complex, but also to witness the summer solstice at the world famous prehistoric monument located 13 km north of the English town of Salisbury. The Summer
  • Cycle Touring the Central South Island via Queenstown to Milford SoundCycle Touring the Central South Island via Queenstown to Milford Sound
    The Central South Island of New Zealand is characterized by grand open tussock covered landscapes and a sense of space and freedom. A backbone of mountains aptly called the Southern Alps, divides the island and creates a distinctly unique environment
  • Transport Offshore to Drilling Rigs & PlatformsTransport Offshore to Drilling Rigs & Platforms
    Flights to and from the offshore platforms and drilling rigs is by helicopter with flights lasting anywhere between 10 minutes and 2 hours 30 minutes depending on distance and weather. Flights conducted in the British North Sea typically use the
  • The Worlds Largest Freshwater Lake, Russia’s Lake BaikalThe Worlds Largest Freshwater Lake, Russia’s Lake Baikal
    I had made my way to one of the largest cities in Siberia, Irkutsk, by travelling east along the Trans-Mongolian Railway (upto this point it’s the same railway as the Trans-Siberian railway too) from Moscow. The two legs of the