deserts

Timbuktu – I Found the Edge of the World

How did this dusty, remote outpost become an intellectual and commercial giant of the medieval world? The answer lies in a history of unimaginable wealth and a king who crashed the economy of Egypt just by passing through it.

Jeddah to Al Ula – 7 Manic Days Traveling Glossy Saudi Arabia

Often the glossy tourism overshines along one of the Middle East’s most breathtaking journeys. Discover Saudi Arabia from Old Jeddah to Madinah’s holy mosque, to Al Ula desert scenery and ancient Hegra.

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Protected: Balochistan – Hitchhiking the Wilderness of West Pakistan

There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.

6 Arduous Days Hitchhiking Tibet to Nepal

Chinese authorities forbid foreigners hitchhiking Tibet. But there was no choice, so we wandered past the last police check-point, heading towards Nepal.

Band-e Amir Lakes – Afghanistan’s ‘Grand Canyon’ of Water

The Band-e Amir Lakes are Afghanistan's "Grand Canyon" of deep-blue waters, and it'll impress the most experienced of travelers!

Chenini – A Cave Village Dying Slowly in the Desert

Chenini is a beauty of jumbled ruins amid a harsh desert landscape, best experienced when you have it all to yourself.

El Qasr – Egypt’s Enchanting Oasis

El Qasr has a desert oasis fairytale feel to it. Built in the 12th century in an Islamic style on the ruins of a Roman settlement, it sits amid the Dakhla Oasis in Western Egypt.

The M’zab Valley – A Guarded Culture Hidden in the Sahara

On the edge of the Sahara in Algeria, five ancient fortified villages in the M'zab Valley preserve a unique Islamic culture lasting more than 1000 years.

Ghostly Calm at Saqqara – Egypt’s First Pyramid

Dominating the plain of Saqqara is King Djoser's step pyramid. It's a place you can ponder the ancient past in silence and get away from excessive tourism.

Yugur Nomads of China’s Desert Mountains

Exploring the desert mountains of Gansu and meeting Yugur nomads while van camping a few days at a waterhole used by their flocks of sheep. In this wilderness, I celebrated my 54th birthday.

Bizarre Masked Women of Minab Market – Iran

Looking at the women of Minab Market reveals the ancient trading routes that once connected southern Iran with the Arabian Peninsula, Pakistan, and beyond.

Yongtai – the ‘Turtle Fortress’ Enemies Avoided

In 400-year-old Yongtai Ancient city - a ruined frontier fort on the Silk Road - remains a village of soldier-descendants, herding goats and sheep amid the arid surrounds of this turtle shaped fortress.

Moyale – Hitchhiking the Deserts of Ethiopia & Kenya

The arduous journeys of traveling or rather, paid hitchhiking by truck across Northern Kenya from Ethiopia - Moyale to Marsabit in Kenya. My second time!

afternoon light facades of petra tombs 1989

Petra – 3 Nights Under the Stars Alone

Back in 1989 ... I camped in a cave tomb inside beautiful Petra - for 3 nights alone, exploring the silent sights by day.

‘The Lady of Drunkenness’ Temple – Egypt

Hathor is a goddess of many things within the ancient Egyptian story. To visit this amazingly preserved temple at Dendara, alone, is wondrous.

Snorkeling Dahab’s Blue Hole – Egypt

I'm no diver and not much of a swimmer - but if you're like me, have courage and follow this advice for sately snorkeling the Blue Hole in Dahab, Egypt.

On the Desolate Silk Road Across China

Traveling the Silk Road trade route thru China's Gansu province on a long train journey from Lanzhou to Jiayuguan Fort + the Thousand Buddha Caves.

shepherd girl barren landscape matara eritrea

Hiking Eritrea – Matara: A Barren But Beautiful Land

Travels in Eritrea - 1995. Wandering around the barren surrounds of Matara, meeting astonished and friendly locals and checking out ancient Axumite ruins.

Police Hassles in Saddam’s Iraq

Entering a desert town in Saddam's Iraq seemed a quiet and friendly place - until trouble found me.

kaluts desert sculptured formations iran

Kaluts – Iran’s Strange Desert of Sand-Castles

Within the Kaluts region, you could be forgiven for wondering if you've stumbled into a lost city - as miles of eroded sand towers & blocks stick out of the desert.

Surreal Sculptures in Egypt’s White Desert

Traveling to the amazing wind-sculpted formations for an overnight stay in the White Desert of Egypt is best done from Bawiti (Bahariya oasis), rather than in Cairo.

syrian men halabiye euphrates river 1989

Protected: Syria – Kindness of Strangers

There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.

Kassala – Sudan’s Exotic Markets & Weird Mountains

Kassala offers good markets, Muslim tribes, the weird-humped Taka Mountains, and the ruined Khatmiyah Mosque to explore.

passengers disembarking ship at the port of Wadi Halfa sudan

Backpacking Sudan – Wadi Halfa to Dongola

Sudan travel advice for taking the ship from Aswan in Egypt, across Lake Nasser to Wadi Halfa, then traveling to sights on route to Dongola. In Summer. HOT.

mostar-stone-bridge-at-night-art-by-michael-robert-powell

Travel Panoramas

Our world offers some some much natural and historic beauty - come check out these wonderful panoramic vistas!

Laas Geel – The Colorful, Prehistoric Cave Art of Somaliland

Discovered in 2005 - yet 5000 years old, Somaliland's Laas Geel is one of the world's greatest prehistoric art sites.

saint katherines monastery below mount sinai egypt

Hiking Mount Sinai Alone – Egypt

Travel advice & pics for backpackers hiking Mount Sinai in Egypt. Consider climbing during the day, allowing 3 hours - with plenty of rest and photo ops.

wrecked ships aral sea moynaq uzbekistan

Aral Sea Disaster & the Cemetery of Ships

The shrinking of the Aral Sea is dramatic at 'the port' of Moynaq in Uzbekistan, with its cemetery of rusting ships - now stranded 170 km from the actual shore!

pyramids-of-Sudan-in-sand-art-by-michael-robert-powell

Meroe – Sand & Solitude at Sudan’s Lost Pyramids

Sudan's pyramids are older than Egypt's and there are more of them! But the pyramids at Meroe are much smaller. Still, you'll probably be alone & in awe.