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The Sanctuary of Lalish
The following is a previously unpublished account of my January 2017 trip to Lalish in Kurdistan.
Asia
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Five Books to Read Before Going to India
Selecting only five books to read before heading to India is something of a daunting task. With a history that stretches back millenniums and more than two thousand ethnic groups, one could spend a whole …
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Detoxing in Turkey
Oh, the holidays! December 2018 seemed to extend like a greasy stain on a glass window, smearing everything in a yellow tinted haze. Or maybe it was just the alcohol. Regardless, between work, travel, and …
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Five Books to Read Before Going to Cambodia
I’ve mentioned in the past that reading prior to a trip is one of the best ways to enhance travel. Learning about a particular destination’s history and culture beforehand gives meaning to those ancient stones …
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Point Denis: A Perfect Day Trip From Libreville
You don’t have to go to Loango National Park to enjoy some top-class beaches in Gabon. In fact, most of the country’s coastline is absolutely idyllic even around Libreville itself! Of course, the closer you …
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Train Surfing
It has almost become a cliché: hundreds of brightly dressed men and women clinging tenaciously to the scalding metal roof of a train, turbans, and saris flapping in the wind as the locomotive belches black …
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Hiking in the UAE: A guide to climbing Jebel Jais
Quick Guide What: Summit of Jebel Jais (1,910 meters) Starting Point: Wadi Ghalilah Dam Length: 15km (30 Round-trip) Time: 5 to 10 hours to summit depending on level of fitness Elevation Gain: About 1,750 meters …
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The Fascinating Architectural History of Jakarta
Jakarta: polluted, scorching, and home to crushing poverty, a 24-hour chaotic mess of people, cars, and cement. Just walking outside leaves you tired, dizzy, and soaked in sweat. Yet, at the same time, it is …
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Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve: A Perfect Alternative to the UAE’s Urban Offerings
Dubai has never ranked high on my travel list. Most people come here either to shop or to lounge around on the city’s sandy shores like beached whales slowly roasting in the Arabian sun. Neither …
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Forgotten History: How a General, Without Really Intending to, Destroyed Manila
There are certain rules of decorum that one must follow when traveling. Don’t bring up the Armenian genocide with a Turk; refrain from slandering the King while in Thailand; and by all means, never criticize …