Happy New Year 2014 – Year of the Horse
When the Chinese envoy Zhang Qian brought these “Heavenly Horses” home from the Central Asian Fergana Valley, his Emperor Wu-Di …
Author: Westwards
The scenic view of Matsushima Bay
Matsushima means “pine island” and there are more than 260 of pine-covered islands that dot the Matsushima Bay. It is …
The Chimgan Mountains near Tashkent – a guidebook research day trip
Although we had an early start in Tashkent, it is already noon by the time we arrive at the Bolshoi …
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The Mizdakh Khan cemetery in the Qaraqalpaq desert
During our research trip for the new edition of our Uzbekistan guidebook we finally found the time to visit the …
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Speeding across Uzbekistan
During three weeks of research in Uzbkekistan we have already spent at least 50 hours in long-distance share taxis and …
Feeling at home in Latvian folklore
A stopover in Riga on the flight home from Uzbekistan. “Straight on for transit; turn left for the passport control.” …
Hot days and cool conversations in Termez
Termez is situated at the Afghan border. It is not quite the end of the world, but it feels close… …
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The Elbe Cycle Path (part 3) – from Magdeburg to the North Sea
After cycling from Prague to Magdeburg last year we continue on the Elbe Cycle Path towards the North Sea. Again, …
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A day with Charles Rennie Mackintosh in Glasgow’s glorious past
To hike the West Highland Way, we had booked a flight with Easy Jet from Berlin to Glasgow and back. …
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Hiking the West Highland Way
The waves of Loch Lomond hitting the beach near Balmaha are quite high, but nevertheless it is a reasonably friendly …
