If you’re a long-time follower of mine, you may well know that I won’t be taking a job with the Djibouti tourist board any time soon. However, even I can’t deny the extraordinary – almost otherworldly – beauty of the country. While it may not be the easiest of destinations,… Continue reading
Something that worried me in the past was whether it’s okay to travel during Ramadan to Muslim countries. I needn’t have worried, but there are certain things to keep in mind if you plan to do the same yourself. What exactly is Ramadan? Ramadan is the ninth month in the… Continue reading
Crazy, cosmopolitan Alexandria The buildings of Alexandria stretch on forever, beyond the haze of distance. For 20km in fact, along the seafront, housing more than 4 million people. I work my way down el-Nabi Daniel (Prophet Daniel Street) past the bookshop and bookstalls in search of the Mosque of the… Continue reading
Visas finally sorted until the Egypto-Libyan frontier, I catch a coach to Gonder. It takes 2-3 hours to wind up and over a mountain range, at close to walking pace to stop us plummeting below. The road leads on to Lake Tana (the source of the Blue Nile). Its then 4… Continue reading
Being back in Ethiopia is a joy after Djibouti. The mentality seems to change as soon as I crossed the border. Suddenly people were eager to help me on my way, even if it was only to the embassy down the road. There are smiles, politeness, and cool highland air…. Continue reading
My bag is searched twice within about 500m by Djibouti police and customs at the border with Somaliland. My first impressions as we drive along the dusty road is of a desert converted into a rubbish dump. Camels graze on trees dripping with plastic bag blossom. It takes me 20… Continue reading
