My tour is booked and I wake up early in anticipation, earlier than I would wish given how busy the week has been. I am ready in the lobby on the dot of 8am for my 8-8:30am pick up. … Read the rest
Jeita Grotto and Harissa
Beirut
I find myself in Beirut for work, having arrived late last night and worked all day today, I leave the office feeling less than energetic. There is more work to do but I need a walk and a chance to clear my head. … Read the rest
Uplistsikhe & Gori
Uplistsikhe, literally the ‘lord’s fortress’ is a cave town – an ancient city built into the rocks, just outside of Gori around 90 minutes drive from Tbilisi. The drive is quiet and I admire the mountain scenery, picking Sergo’s tour guide brain about all the best places to visit and things to see. … Read the rest
Museums & Monasteries
My first destination this afternoon after exploring some More of Tbilisi is the Museum of Fine Arts. Unfortunately it looks like it’s closed. I check out the Kashueti St George Church briefly and then the Lado Gudiashvilli Art Gallery, giving the National Parliamentary Library of Georgia a miss although there are some cool book topped bollards out the front.… Read the rest
More Of Tbilisi
Yesterday my travel companion Diana and I escaped the city to explore the Kakheti Region for the day. Today, far from being finished with Tbilisi, there is so much yet to explore before Diana’s flight home this afternoon.… Read the rest
Sighnaghi
Sighnaghi, a tiny town in Georgia’s eastern Kakheti region, is an attractive town perched high on a hilltop with sweeping views across the Alazani Valley laid out below. Known affectionately as Georgia’s City of Love, the restored 18th and 19th century architecture of the centre gives the town a relaxed, easy charm focused around its tourist attractions.… Read the rest
Pyramids and Plans
Pyramids and plans are on my mind and then that first taste. That first glimpse! That first glimpse. It’s never enough. It only serves to whet the appetite, as the saying goes. Likewise my first glimpses of Cairo.… Read the rest
The Heart of Sharjah
Sharjah doesn’t have the mega malls of Dubai and can’t boast a mosque quite as grand as Abu Dhabi’s Grand Mosque but culturally and historically, it is every bit as good as a day spent around Bur Dubai (Dubai’s old town) or the Al Fahidi Historic District and in some respects, it is even better. … Read the rest
Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood
I arrive at the SMCCU (Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding) early and have time to wander around the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood before my cultural breakfast begins.
My real quest, heading into the quiet streets, is for a karak tea – that lovely, strong, sweet tea flavoured with cardamom (or sometimes other flavours if you’re lucky, like at Global Village). … Read the rest
The Kingdom of Bahrain
Of all our cruising destinations for this trip, I am most excited about exploring the Kingdom of Bahrain. It’s also the place I feel I need to make the most of as this is the least likely port that I’ll get a chance to return to, at least in the foreseeable future.… Read the rest