I’m preparing for my last big trip of 100 country challenge coming up in March, a trip that will cover 7 countries and take me to the total of 99, I can smell the finish line, but I’m not there yet.
I knew it will not be easy or cheap when approaching the end, what I did not know was that I’ll be living in Australia, upss.
In march I plan to go to Sri Lanka, several Middle East countries, such as Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and on the way back finish up in Maldives. This trip will be by far the most expensive short term (less than a month) trip I’ve ever taken, not only flights are ridiculously expensive, I have no close by countries left, and those who are left are not only far but also require visas, which unfortunately are needed for Latvians in most Middle Eastern countries, even UAE (Dubai). There was a point when I regretted not getting UK citizenship and staying proud Latvian, after having that opportunity living 5 years in London. But that weakness is over, you’ve got work with what you got.
So now my focus for next month is to get 4 tourist visas via quite complex requirements to ensure the trip runs smoothly. Wish me luck, I will definitely need it. Will keep you posted how my preparation goes. And keep traveling, world is such a beautiful place.
Posts Tagged 'middle east'
If the road is not challenging, it’s not worth going
Published January 24, 2012 Life , Travel 4 CommentsTags: 100 countries, big trip, challange, middle east, Travel
Truth and lies about Middle East
Published March 21, 2010 Travel 2 CommentsTags: amman, baalbak, beirut, damascus, jordan, lebanon, middle east, petra, syria, Travel
I’ve just returned from quick trip around Middle East, spending some time in Lebanon, Syria and Jordan. It was my first proper trip to this region and as most of us I had some preconceptions and opinions of what to expect from this trip. Some of them proved to be right and for some I was proved ough so wrong.
First about the truths. Yes, Facebook is indeed blocked in Syria (but not in Jordan), officially due to lack of network infrastructure, but more likely in order to limit informal exchange of information and organizing group gatherings, opposed to local dictatorship (ups, did I just say it out loud). Yes, husbands can have 4 wives under the rules of Islam, but nowadays very few men choose to do so due to high financial costs involved (carats and carats of gold, a house to live in and a car to drive the beautiful wife proudly around town). Mazin, a local guy from Damascus that I hanged out together for a few days, enlightened me on this subject (his father has two wives). Yes, Arabian people are also extremely jealous and protective about their other halves, checking up on each other every 30 minutes on mobile seems to be the norm. Yes, people in this region are seriously pissed about Israel and its politics against Palestinians, so better avoid this subject.
Now the lies – same old general misconception of these countries as being unsafe or dangerous for foreigners. Middle East is one of the safest areas I’ve ever visited and at any given moment, night or day, I felt safer than in London, Paris or New York (except maybe Tokyo). No need to worry about walking with camera or going off side streets, locals are more likely to offer you tea than take your wallet. Also, these countries are not all the same. Beirut is all flashy and westernised (Starbucks, Dunkin Doughnuts, you name it) with prices to match, Damascus is full of history, lots of old mosques, cobbled streets and little artisan shops selling hand made jewellery, pottery etc, whilst Amman is one ugly bugger, where there is only one type of block buildings, all in the same light brown paint work and 3-5 floors high. I guess architects are not very glamorous profession there. At least Jordanians have ancient Petra to boost about, that makes it even.
On the final note, after several days in Syria, I really started to like Bashar al-Assad’s moustache, it has magical charm, especially when posted on huge 48-sheet outdoor sites along the country highways.
Full set of pictures from this trip can be seen here.
As-Salamu Alaykum
Published March 17, 2010 Travel 2 CommentsTags: beirut, damascus, jordan, lebanon, middle east, Photography, syria, Travel
Or ‘Peace be upon you’ in Arabic, one of the few phrases I’ve learnt in the last few days whist travelling around Syria, Lebanon and now Jordan. It’s been hectic last 5 days and I think I’ve set a new personal record of not using internet for a whole 5 days, can you imagine. Unfortunately this hotel in Amman had wi-fi so I could not resist.
So what I’ve been up to in the last few days. Hanging out with local Syrians in Damascus, who play flamenco and speak with American accent. Chatting to Palestinian refugee in amazing Ummayad Mosque, Damascus. He was very friendly indeed, but when he started showing violent video clips on his mobile phone and call on fighting the aggressor (i.e. Israel) I thought it’s time to leave, not about to solve this conflict. Roman ruins in Baalbak (Lebanon) are amazing and definitely worth a day trip from Beirut. Talking about Beirut, it’s a crazy city, and totally not what I expected, with little historical sites kept, giving way to glass and concrete towers. Beirut contrasts highly with the rest of Middle east, with high prices (coffee costs £3-4), rude people and dead quiet down town with only military in sight (banning you to take photos). Syria and Jordan on the other hand have have blown me away, people are extremely friendly, centuries old houses are plenty full and prices are good even for my penny pincher standards.
Next stop is the Dead sea, the lowest point on earth, and Petra, where Indiana Jones chased the bad guys. Egh, it’s good to travel.
