When in India, you have to travel by train at least once, people say. My trip to Varanasi was pretty much my last chance, and the owner of Madonna Hotel in Delhi had once again gone the extra mile to help. His driver, Puri, was stepping on it like crazy, panicking through the jammed streets of…
Mumbai has an undeserved reputation as a city you should get out of as quickly as possible, if at all you happen to land there. Although not abundantly rich in spectacular attractions like temples, monuments and palaces, Mumbai is a vibrant metropol, bustling with life and energy. Well worth at least a quick visit. The…
Indian weddings are widely renowned for their wildness and colourfulness. What I experienced in Mumbai did nothing to diminish that reputation! After a somewhat chaotic late-night arrival, some hours of sleep and a bit of sightseeing, I was more than ready for the first of 4 receptions of the engagement party. At a place called…
Mumbai Airport – a chaotic experience! 🙂 From the flight, I entered the crowded airport terminal building in Mumbai at 2:30 am. At least 3 unrelated queues seemed to be cutting through each other in a system that apparently no first-time visitor was supposed to understand anyway. Designed to confuse first-time visitors, I guess. I…
Somebody once said that the best thing to do in Dubai is to rent a car at the airport, and drive to Muscat in Oman. I beg to differ: Dubai may not have millennia of rich cultural history, but it is an impressive showcase of human achievement. In a few decades, the place has grown…
Less than a week to go to India. The visa is in my passport, the most important bookings are done, and everything, except my recently ordered mini-laptop from which I’ll be updating this site with fresh pictures, is in place. My only hope now is that the laptop won’t be delayed, so I’ll actually be…
Malindi, a legendary fishing town, about 100 kilometers north of Mombasa is remarkably neat, pretty, and clean. Once a favored fishing destination for Ernest Hemingway, this place is now heavily dominated by a large Italian diaspora! Although English and Swahili are the official languages in Kenya, many cafés and restaurants in Malindi have menus in Italian only.
For centuries the economic and political powerhouse of the region, Zanzibar today offers an unsurpassed tourist experience whether beaches, or culture and history are the the main attractions for the traveler.
“Mombasa raha” means “Mombasa joy” in Swahili! It sure is a place of joy! This vibrant coastal city is adorned with beaches, seafood, and vibrant nightclubs. It is Kenya’s top destination for sun, fun, and partying!
In the North of the Kenya Coast, the island town of Lamu offers a breathtaking experience of East African history. The entire town is a UNESCO World Heritage site, preserved in its 16th century African-Arabian style. There are no cars, the streets are narrow and winding, and all buildings built from coral rock. It is hard to point out one specific place worth seeing, as the entire island is a must-see. Make sure to take a dhow ride, and don’t be afraid to spend much time on board of it. In Lamu there is never any hurry, and there is no such thing as a time schedule. Just do like the locals, and do things at your pace and convenience!
