Sunny Beach of Bulgaria – enjoy!

Sunny Beach, Solnecnij bereg, Slanchev bryag – so many names for this wonderful spot on coastline of Bulgaria’s Black Sea. We were prepared to see unfinished construction of pre-crisis apartment houses. What we discovered was pleasant surprise – nice beaches, lively promenades, great wine, excellent food and on top of that – really good prices. … Continue reading Sunny Beach of Bulgaria – enjoy!

Timbuktu – old trade and university town in Sahara desert, Mali

Timbuktu was a world centre of Islamic learning from the 13th to the 17th century. In its Golden Age, the town’s numerous Islamic scholars and extensive trading network made for a important book trade: together with the campuses of the Sankore madrassah, an Islamic university, this established Timbuktu as a scholarly centre in Africa. Timbuktu … Continue reading Timbuktu – old trade and university town in Sahara desert, Mali

Old American cars of Cuba (latest travel report)

Last new car in Cuba appeared in 1958. Until 1958 Cuba was tropical casino of U.S. with hotels, restaurants and, of course, top class American cars. Then revolution of Fidel and Che changed everything, Batista left country, relationship with U.S. crashed and Cuba’s car industry got frozen as it was until 1958. Except few donations … Continue reading Old American cars of Cuba (latest travel report)

Pamukkale natural pools and around – travel report

And so 1001 Milez Expedition in Turkey has reached marvelous Pamukkale. From ancient times springs have washed out calcium here. Yes, yes, not salt but calcium. From Roman times this hill was used as SPA and thermal resort. Nowadays its under UNESCO protection. See how it was looking during Roman times – with main street … Continue reading Pamukkale natural pools and around – travel report

Best hiking routes in Spanish Pyrenees

We were flying by the airline company, which always arrives before time. An air-plane landed at Girona, in my opinion, at too high speed, but definitely before the appointed time. Although Mediterranean was temptation for us, we went to the central region of peninsula – to the main ridge of Pyrenees – to Pedraforca and farther to the National park … Continue reading Best hiking routes in Spanish Pyrenees

Angkor temples – 7th wonder of the World

Temples of Angkor – Seventh Wonder of the World, Worlds largest historic site was built in 12th century by Khmer ruler  Jayavarman II.  It was hidden in jungle until 20th century, when it was re-discovered and renovation started. Unfortunately all renovation works were canceled during red Khmer period and today some pieces are re-assembled and left … Continue reading Angkor temples – 7th wonder of the World

Ballooning over 2200 temples of Bagan – all times best adventure

At sixth day of our Myanmar Expedition we arrived to Bagan. Bagan (Pagan, Arimaddanapura) was one of ancient capitals of Mandalay. This is surreal place – between 11 and 13 sanctuary here, in Ayeyarwady river valley, they built more than 2200 temples and pagodas. To explore this wonder, you have to cover around 41 square … Continue reading Ballooning over 2200 temples of Bagan – all times best adventure

6 hiking routes in Crimea mountains

This is the airport of Simferopol where our seven-day adventure in post-Soviet Crimea began. The old – good buildings of sanatoriums were waiting of us. Certainly we could not afford to live in Hotel Yalta, but spending the night under the bridge was something we also did not want (text ” we rent an appartment” … Continue reading 6 hiking routes in Crimea mountains

Scottish Highlands and hiking UK’s highest peak Ben Nevis

  What do you need to conquer the highest peak in the UK? You need to wait the next offer of cheap tickets to Glasgow from Ryanair. You need to find  clothes suitable to the season in Scotland: 3. You need to book over the internet fuel-efficient car, preferably with a manual gear, to enjoy not only … Continue reading Scottish Highlands and hiking UK’s highest peak Ben Nevis

Takla Makan – who comes in, never comes out.. – MOVIES

    Takla Makans. Pasaulē otrs lielākais smilšu tuksnesis. Un visbriesmīgākais, jo uiguru valodā takla makan nozīmē: „kas tajā ieiet, no tā vairs neiznāk…”. Kad plānoju Ķīnas ekspedīciju, man patrāpījās pāris grāmatas par zviedra Svena Hedina Takla Makana ekspedīciju. Stāsts bija gana dramatisks – Svens Kašgarā nolīga 8 kamieļu karavānu un 4 pavadoņus, lai šķērsotu … Continue reading Takla Makan – who comes in, never comes out.. – MOVIES

Jiayuguan fortress – last gate in China Wall

    Karavānām, kas plūda uz Persiju, te beidzās drošais, Lielā Ķīnas mūra sargātais ceļš. Izejot cauri Jiayuguanas vārtiem, tās gaidīja klinšaini kalni, neauglīgas stepes, tuksneši un mežonīgās barbaru ciltis, kas klejoja šajās teritorijās. Savukārt uz Impēriju plūstošās karavānas, veiksmīgi mērojušas ziemeļu vai dienvidu Zīda ceļu, te beidzot satikās, lai veiktu pēdējos 2000 km līdz … Continue reading Jiayuguan fortress – last gate in China Wall

Egypt: desert, Nile river and impressive temples of Luxor

    Decembris. Zem mums slīdošie tuksnešainie kalnu labirinti liecina, ka lidojam virs Sinajas pussalas. Tieši šeit savulaik Mozus, saņēmis atklāsmi no paša Dieva, sacerēja savus 10 baušļus. Aha, tur jau tālumā arī Sarkanā jūra, aiz kuras mūsu galamērķis – Hurgada. Nolaižoties var riktīgi pasiekaloties, veroties tirkīzzilajos rifos. Būs jau laikam tur arī jāpapeldas. Pilsētā … Continue reading Egypt: desert, Nile river and impressive temples of Luxor

Dar es Salaam – Zanzibar – Stone Town – Indian Ocean

Iepriekšējo dienu lielo pārbraucienu nogurdināti, ieslēgušies ar visām mūsu durvīs paredzētajām atslēgām, grasījāmies ieslīgt veselīgā bērna miegā. Taču… kas tev deva! Dar es Salaam jau piecos rītā atgādināja, ka gandrīz 90% no šīs miljonu pilsētas iedzīvotājiem ir musulmaņi. Nespēdami atteikt mullas kaismīgajam aicinājumam, izgājām ielās. Mums bija jānoskaidro, no kurienes kursē prāmji uz Zanzibāras salu … Continue reading Dar es Salaam – Zanzibar – Stone Town – Indian Ocean

Tarangire baobab forests – ancient carvings – by middle of Africa to Dodom – Dar es Salaam

Tarangire. Milzu nacionālais parks pašā Tanzānijas vidienē. Tarangire ir viens no Āfrikas lielo dzīvnieku migrācijas punktiem. Jūnijā, sākoties sausajai sezonai, ap 30 000 zebru, 3000 ziloņu un desmitiem tūkstoši antilopju no apkārtnes stepēm, Kilimandžaro piekalnēm un pat Kenijas migrē uz Tarangires upes ieleju. Esam šeit jūlija beigās, t.i. laikā, kad pārceļotāju pūļi ir veiksmīgi ieradušies … Continue reading Tarangire baobab forests – ancient carvings – by middle of Africa to Dodom – Dar es Salaam

Sahara: desert, Great Mosque of Kairouan, Ruins of Carthage

  Mūsu priekšā tagad ir tikai smiltis. Vēl viena oāze un būsim pie Sahāras malas. Ceļš taisns kā strīpa. Laikam te nemaz tik bieži nebraukā, jo šie divi ēzeļi nepakustējās no vietas ne pa milimetru – nācās viņus vienkārši apbraukt. Varbūt jau sakaltuši? OK, klāt esam. Douz – Sahāras vārti, pēdējā oāze pirms klejojošo smilšu … Continue reading Sahara: desert, Great Mosque of Kairouan, Ruins of Carthage

Sahara: seaside, Atlas mountains, Medina, El Jem, on the way…

    uz Sahāru! Augusta sākumā nolaižamies Āfrikā. Apkārt viss tik zaļš, ka sākam bažīties, vai neesam sajaukuši kontinentus. Mums jānotrāpa tajā laukumiņā starp asajiem niedru lietussargiem. Dažiem no tiem ir uztīti pamatīgi pīķi, kas tā vien sagaida kārtējo kontinenta viesi. Vai nevajag palmu? Nē, nē, paldies, pašlaik vēl ne. Bet ļoti lēta un labas … Continue reading Sahara: seaside, Atlas mountains, Medina, El Jem, on the way…