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Where in the world: Macau

This is the former Portuguese colony Macau, specifically the ruins of St Paul’s. A quick boat hop from Hong Kong, Macau is well worth a look.

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Where in the World: Tonga

It’s time for another photo quiz, so without further ado – where in the world is this lovely bit of nature? This spectacular natural phenomenon occurs along a 5-kilometre-stretch of coastline in this little country. There you are, walking along the beach, when suddenly a series of jets rises before you. Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh! Ocean [...]

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Where in the world: San Marino

San Marino, the world’s oldest republic, has been a sovereign state since 301. The ancient capital is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

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Spry Sharjah

Between Ajman and Dubai lies Sharjah, the third largest emirate – and perhaps the third best known, as well. Sharjah is also the most conservative emirate: alcohol is completely forbidden, dress codes are strict and no mixing of men and women if unwed. Not even a sheesha cafe to be found. Despite those rather medieval [...]

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Anonymous Ajman

Continuing our United Arab Emirates road trip onwards from Umm al-Quwain, we came to the diminutive little emirate of Ajman. At only 260 square km, Ajman is indeed little, but with a quarter of a million people, it didn’t seem as tiny as I had anticipated. Furthermore, it seems the closer to Dubai, the better [...]

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Unsung Umm Al-Quwain

Going south after our failed Musandam venture, our driver (you know, the one who had forgotten his passport) tried to persuade us to go directly from Ras Al-Khaimah to Ajman, and give Umm Al-Quwain a miss. But in my quest to see every single emirate, that simply would not do. He finally caved. The reason [...]

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Remote Ras Al-Khaimah

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) comprises seven states. Formerly British protectorates, the emirates (then known as the Trucial Sheikhdoms) joined together to form a federation when the UK ended the relationship in 1971. Two other British protectorates, Bahrain and Qatar, were meant to join the union as well, but in the end decided on independence. [...]

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The Boy from Sarandë

I had just spent a hot August-day exploring the ancient ruins of Butrint in southern Albania. Waiting for the ferry to Corfu, I ambled about the streets of the port city Sarandë. Soon, I was accosted by a large, unruly group of local teenagers, asking for money. They were so many, I started to feel [...]

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