Osama Bin Laden’s Buddhist temple in the Opium Valley
Tui is a millennial from Chang Rai, the ancestral centre of the ancient Lanna Kingdom. I am in northern Thailand, heading for the Golden Triangle, where I will overlook Myanmar and Laos
The Oss Bar – being a farang in Bangkok
“I am the Intrepid Traveler – Never a dull moment” Jim Thompson I sip a cup of Siamese black tea at the Oss – a corner of ineffable Orientalist aesthetics, warmed by
Easterdan and elections in the Turkaegean
‘No-alcohol trade zone’ I am at the Macrocenter of Cesme, Turkish coast. I ended up checking the shelf of the renowned artichokes (enginarlar) from Urla, despite I was looking for a bottle
Craxi – Hammamet
Ristorante Chez Achour Restaurant Chez Achour Monsieur Le President on the walls. Vintage shots with Tunisia’s best-loved Italian, a true celebrity in Hammamet, President Craxi. I am in his favourite restaurant, perhaps my
Lost in Tunisian sands and La Goulette harbour
August night, feet on the sand, the voice of Bossa Nova mingles with the rustle of boho curtains. I have just finished a simple dish of grilled fish and parmesan risotto (?), I am
Tunis – myth and truth behind that blooming Jasmine Revolution
(continues..) The Medina of Tunis is very ancient, dating back to the 7th century A.D., covering an area of 300 hectares and animated by one tenth of Tunis’ population. Being indeed very
Market Day in Tunis
Fiumicino Airport, Rome, 8 a.m. “A jam croissant and a soy cappuccino, please”. The last lactose-free one, I think, craving the huge and creamy maritozzo in front of me, cursing my intolerances.
The Old Cataract Hotel – Aswan
It is a sultry, hot day, the south wind is not blowing, and so the dream of our excursion on a felucca around Elephantine Island also fades. We do it by motor boat, rather
Deep in Nubia: Feats and Sacrifices on the Aswan Dam
It is 4am, we dock in Aswan, jolted awake by the roaring engine of our motorboat. Aswan the indolent, the ‘best city in Egypt’.. Omar Sharif called it, who knows what he
Docking at Nile’s villages – Edfu, Esna, Kom Ombo
It is ten o’clock in the evening, we are waiting to tie up with the other motorboats and dock at Kom Ombo. A cloud of dark pollution prevents us from breathing, we