Category: Travel
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Palau: Stone Money Quarry
I’m on the Pacific island nation of Palau. Today I was out at the Yapese Quarry at Metuker er a Bisech, where centuries ago brave seafarers from Yap came to quarry out limestone for use as Stone Money. One giant piece of money was damaged on the way down from the quarry and lies abandoned.…
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Haiti: Cap-Haitien
I’m on a short trip to Cap-Haitien, Haiti. Cap-Haitien is in the North of Haiti, well away from the troubles in Port-au-Prince. It is tolerably safe and also has some of the most interesting historical sights in Haiti, from the time of the Haitian Revolution, when the slaves overthrew the French and established a free…
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Yemen: Hadhramaut Tour
I’m in Seiyun, Yemen, winding up a short Yemeni tour. It’s been an enjoyable visit, with lots of rugged semi-desert scenery, traditional villages, historic towns, and a distinctive culture. To avoid doubt: I’ve been visiting the sane, calm, government-controlled Hadhramaut region of Yemen. Well away from the not-at-all-sane rebel-controlled North-West. In Hadhramaut there are a…
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Cairo: Grand Egyptian Museum
Yes, it’s true, after years of delays the Grand Egyptian Museum at Giza is finally open! They do indeed have many Wonderful Things. They have almost all the items from Tutankhamun’s Tomb. All well displayed, in a spacious gallery. And they have lots and lots of other Good Stuff spread across 12 galleries. They also have…
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South Sudan: Traditional Local Customs
I’m in Juba, South Sudan. There aren’t really many tourist sights in South Sudan, but it’s been interesting to see the local culture. Even although the country is desperately poor, it has managed to reach #1 in at least one area, Transparency International’s Corruption Index! The most serious alleged corruption is high-level, supposedly around oil…
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Eritrea: Art Deco Gas Station
I’m visiting Eritrea, a small African country which rivals North Korea for isolation and eccentricity. The capital Asmara boasts some good Futurist buildings from the Italian colonial era, earning it UNESCO World Heritage status. The most famous is the Fiat Tagliero Building, a quirky Art Deco petrol station in the shape of an airplane, with…