Sani Pass – Self driving one of the world’s most dangerous roads from Lesotho into South Africa First: Don’t do what we did! In retrospect, its insanity! At the Roof of Africa lies the narrow Sani Pass, an infamously steep “4×4 only” winding high mountain pass connecting the eastern edge of Lesotho and South Africa. […]
Destinations
Stuck in Somalia! (and getting kicked out of Ethiopia for refusing to pay a bribe)
Stuck in Somalia! (and getting kicked out of Ethiopia for refusing to pay a bribe) The first surprise, prior to visiting Somalia in 2008, was when I collected my tourist visa from the Somaliland consulate in Addis Ababa. You know you are going a bit off the beaten tourist track when your visa number is […]
Belarus! Top 5 things to experience in this unique country in 5 days!
Belarus! Top 5 things to experience in this unique country in 5 days! For a long time, Belarus was one of the most difficult countries to visit. Even more so for curious Americans! Once requiring an arduous and expensive visa dance, with a lot of steps, and a high level of rejections. Belarus would complete […]
When to buy Duty Free?!
When to buy Duty Free?! Rules for saving money: buying Duty Free, and when you should not. You just landed in a foreign airport. Experienced travelers aren’t worried about simple things like getting money- use an ATM (who seriously still uses currency exchanges?!) Transport is generally a no brainer. Go through immigration; grab your bags, […]
Lebanon
2013-4-21 Lebanon: Beirut, Tripoli and ByblosA wave of emotions swept over me as my flight from Saudi Arabia descended into Beirut, Lebanon. Undeniably, there was a lot of excitement. For years I had dreamed of the day I would be able to walk the streets of Beirut and Byblos. I had met many Lebanese in my travels. They inspired […]