Always going somewhere, just not always sure where
After crossing the border from Iraqi Kurdistan, I arrived in Mardin, an incredibly picture perfect town overlooking Mesopotamia. I really hadn't known much about Mardin before arriving there, other than Lonely Planet declaring it was worth a stop, but it simply took my 20 minute hike up through the town from where the bus had … Continue reading Southeastern Turkey’s old towns of Mardin and Midyat
If you're contemplating a trip to Iraqi Kurdistan and wondering what you need to know about going there as a tourist, then look no further. In this post, I have covered all the important practical things anyone would need to know before travelling to Kurdistan based on my experience. Leave your preconceived ideas, assumptions and … Continue reading Iraqi Kurdistan: what you need to know before you go
From Duhok in Iraqi Kurdistan, I wanted to cross over to Southeastern Turkey. I crossed the border at Ibrahim Khalil/Habur and here is my guide and report of the crossing.
From Duhok, I wanted to explore the small town of Amedi. I had read about this place where the Three Wise Men had come from, which was perched on top of a uniquely shaped plateau in the rolling hills of Kurdistan. I decided to take a day trip on my own this time and I … Continue reading Duhok and a day trip to Amedi
It's been five years to the day since I began my first big solo trip and now five years on, I'm reflecting on my experiences and contemplating how I've changed.
From Erbil, I explored three of Iraqi Kurdistan's biggest tourist attractions on the way to Duhok: Akre, Lalish and Alqosh.
Everyone had raved to me about Sulaymaniyah. However, it was actually Erbil that I came to really like. The city is Iraqi Kurdistan’s capital and is one of the oldest continuously inhabited places in the world. The central citadel has been continuously lived in for 7000 years, and is now a built up, manmade hill … Continue reading Erbil: a guide to Iraqi Kurdistan’s capital
Iran is not really a country that you can just book a flight and go without having done any prior research or knowing anything about the country. From safety to visas to food, this post breaks down everything you need to know before going to Iran, so that you'll be fully prepared once you arrive.
I was really unsure what to expect in Iraqi Kurdistan. After crossing the border from Iran, my first destination was Sulaymaniyah, the region's second largest city. I had heard that Sulaymaniyah was a very modern, almost European-style city... whatever that really means. However, I can see how people would describe it in this way, with … Continue reading Sulaymaniyah: Iraqi Kurdistan’s cultural capital
My experience and guide to crossing the Iran-Iraq border at Bashmarq-Penjwen.
Although travelling through Esfahan, Yazd and Shiraz in Iran had certainly showed me the beautiful highlights of the country, I was still searching for more. I was searching for that place that would really grab me and pull me in; somewhere that would perhaps show me something unexpected. With 10 days left on my visa … Continue reading Iranian Kurdistan: Marivan and Hawraman Valley
Two things propelled me to visit the Lut Desert in Iran. First, I had seen a photo on Instagram (apparently, the latest place to go for travel inspo) from a photographer who had recently been there, and I instantly wanted to know: where and how. Second, a French guy I had been hanging out with … Continue reading Exploring the hottest place on earth in Iran: The Lut Desert
