Monthly Archives: June 2024

Patagonia is a geographical region at the southern end of South America, governed by Argentina and Chile. It includes the southern section of the Andes Mountains with lakes, fjords, temperate rainforests, glaciers in the west and deserts, tablelands, and steppes … Continue reading →

Karst is a topography formed from the dissolution of soluble carbonate rocks such as limestone, dolomite, and gypsum. It is characterized by features like poljes above and drainage systems with sinkholes and caves underground.  Subterranean drainage may limit surface water, with few to no rivers or lakes. Buried karst in … Continue reading →

CHINA  November 2014 This was my first trip to China. I flew from Xian to Jiuzhaigou Airport. A 40 km bus stopped for 4 hours in Huanglong National Park and continued to Jiuzhalgou NP making it very convenient to see … Continue reading →

Ashgabat is the capital and the largest city of Turkmenistan in Central Asia, situated between the Karakum Desert and the Kopet Dag mountain range. It is one of the most beautiful and unusual cities on Earth. Ashgabat is primarily a … Continue reading →

Most people don’t know it is possible to travel to North Korea, but it is relatively easy. About 6000 tourists visit the country every year. Two guides and minders accompany you and you only hear a one-sided account of history. … Continue reading →

Tassili n’Ajjer (“Plateau of the Rivers”) has one of the most important groupings of prehistoric cave art in the world. A national park with an area of over 72,000 km2. It is in the Sahara on a vast plateau in southeast … Continue reading →

This is Central Asia’s cradle of culture for more than 2 millennia, the home of an arsenal of architecture and ancient cities, all deeply infused with the bloody, fascinating history of the Silk Road. In terms of sites alone, Uzbekistan … Continue reading →

Mexico is my favourite country outside of North America. Possibly, one’s favourite country is the one you know the best. In my first year of travel in 2006/07, I drove all of the  Baja and in my second year in … Continue reading →

Sicily has the most spectacular churches in the world. The wonderful mosaics and marble work never get tiring.  ARAB- NORMAN PALERMO and the CATHEDRAL CHURCHES OF CEFALÚ and MONREALE. This includes nine churches and civic buildings in Palermo and the area, … Continue reading →

ST PETERSBURG (pop. 4.8 million) History. Peter built the Peter and Paul Fortress in 1703 founding the city. The capital was moved from Moscow. Artisans and architects came from all over Europe, so that by 1725, when Peter died, the city … Continue reading →