This blog is no longer updated. Please check my new blog and website:
Blog: www.globerovers.com
Website: www.globerovers-magazine.com
Thanks
Peter
This blog reports on my travels which started on May 11, 05 from Hong Kong to explore Eastern Europe, Russia, Scandinavia, Canada, New York, most of South America, Guatemala, Mexico, Hawaii...then Thailand, South Africa, Brazil, Ecuador, Colombia, all of Central America, Mexico, Alaska, Seattle. Then Laos, Thailand, Burma, Japan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Vietnam, South Africa. Then Iran, Middle East, Eastern Europe, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia: www.globerovers.com | www.globerovers-magazine.com
This blog is no longer updated. Please check my new blog and website:
SCROLL DOWN FOR "27 MONTH REVIEW" AND PICS ON DAILY POSTINGS
The past 27 months has been the best time of my life! I went through immigration 210 times - which means 105 countries. However, as I visited some countries more than once, the un-duplicated number of countries I visited is 65. These countries are in Asia, Middle East, Europe, North America, Central America, South America, Africa....and the best region: Asia! (Foto to right: Iranian Qashqai Nomad lady who claims to be 120).
Albania | 2 | Finland | 3 | Oman | 3 | ||
Argentina | 5 | Georgia | 4 | Panama | 3 | ||
Armenia | 3 | Germany | 3 | Paraguay | 2 | ||
Azerbaijan | 3 | Greece | 3 | Peru | 5 | ||
Bahrain | 1 | Guatemala | 4 | Poland | 3 | ||
Bangladesh | 5 | Hong Kong | 4 | Romania | 4 | ||
Belarus | 3 | Honduras | 4 | Russia | 4 | ||
Belize | 3 | Hungary | 3 | Serbia | 2 | ||
Bolivia | 5 | Iran | 5 | Slovakia | 3 | ||
Bosnia | 3 | Israel | 3 | Slovenia | 3 | ||
Brazil | 5 | Japan | 5 | South Africa | 5 | ||
Bulgaria | 3 | Jordan | 4 | Sweden | 3 | ||
Burma | 5 | Laos | 4 | Syria | 4 | ||
Canada | 5 | Latvia | 3 | Thailand | 4 | ||
Chile | 4 | Lebanon | 3 | Turkey | 4 | ||
Colombia | 4 | Lithuania | 3 | UAE | 2 | ||
Costa Rica | 5 | Mexico | 5 | Ukraine | 3 | ||
Croatia | 3 | Moldova | 2 | Uruguay | 2 | ||
Czech | 3 | Montenegro | 3 | USA | 5 | ||
Ecuador | 5 | Nepal | 5 | Vietnam | 4 | ||
El Salvador | 1 | Nicaragua | 3 | Yemen | 5 | ||
Estonia | 3 | Norway | 4 |
After two failed attempts to depart from Yerevan, Armenia, I eventually left and landed safely in my hometown Hong Kong - a long flight via Dubai and Bangkok on Thai Airways.
The country-side around Armenia is truly pleasant. Small villages, mountains, rivers, and dotted with several ancient monasteries dating from between the 6th and 16th centuries. One of the greatest monasteries, in my opinion, is Geghard - named after the Holy Lance (holy spear) which pierced the side of Jesus after crucifixion. The spear itself was once kept here but has been moved to the treasury of the cathedral of Mayr Tachar in nearby Echmiadzin. I climbed the surrounding high hills with spectacular views of Geghard...and did the 5km lonely road hike to Geghard twice in 4 days....why...because of the cherry, apricot, and plum trees along the scenic way. Towards the north, I explored the Debed Canyon near the Georgian border - did a lot of hiking and visited the monasteries of Sanahin and Haghpat. Also did the town of Dilijan and the remote monasteries of Haghartsin and Goshvank. Could not resist the village of Ashtarak with old churches and monasteries around the Karagh Gorge. Towards the south, in the shadows of mighty Mount Ararat (where Noah's ark docked), I visit the stunning setting of the Khor Virap monastery. Also spent time at Lake Sevan and impressive Sevanavank monastery.
Yerevan, just a little north of the Turkish border, and a hop, skip, and a jump north of Iran, is the capital of Armenia. Sure you knew that. With slightly more than a million people, Yerevan is dotted with cafes, an impressive Republic Square (Hanrapetutyan Hraparak), and a majestic Opera House. Several Soviet structures abound but not worthy any discussion. Ok, Yerevan has nothing really to offer! Except - the people are such fine human beings - you would never believe they served 70 years under Soviet rule!! Beauty abounds (oh those proud noses, sharp features, dark eyebrows, and piercing dark eyes).
I'm exploring the mountainous area around Kazbeki, Georgia, in the Northern Caucasus region. Kazbeki is a small mountain town along the Georgian Military Highway en route to Russia. From here its a couple of minutes drive to the Russian border which takes you into the troubled Chechnya region of south western Russia.
Arrived this morning on a 17-hour train ride from Baku, Azerbaijan. Not that far...but slow trains and a huge delay at the border. While I had wonderful sunny weather in Azerbaijan....its raining and windy in Georgia....I am not happy about this!
A 4-four flight on Baltic Air brought me safely into Baku, Azerbaijan at 3:40am this morning. Azerbaijan (previously part of the USSR) lies on the shores of the Caspian Sea to the east, Georgia to the west, Russia to the north, and Iran and Iraq to the south. Quite an amazing place from what I have seen so far and people are very friendly. Its sunny and hot! Will write more later once I have explore the area.
I have now been to every Eastern European Country, including the Balkans and the Baltic States - a total of 19 countries. The only exception is little Macedonia which required that I get a tourist visa before reaching its borders. This was making life way too difficult for me and I wasn't prepared to spend the money and time on Macedonia. Here's my thoughts on Eastern Europe:
A long trip from Minsk, Belarus through Vilnius, Lithuania...but I am safely in Riga, Latvia. The weather...another cloudy, cool and somewhat rainy day (5 days in a row now here in north Eastern Europe). Locals are wearing jackets and scarfs...and its the middle of summer! Thanks goodness I don't live here.
I'm back in the capital city, Minsk. Since I arrived, I saw the opera, AIDA in the Minsk Concert Hall, and also attended a spectacular ballet performance (Bolero) in the Palats Republici. The ballet was a stunning performance with an excellent troupe, orchestra, choir, and sopranos. I had the best seats in the house and paid a mere US$7. And.....I saw the resident Circus - in their permanent venue next to the river. A lovely old domed building in truly old circus style. And the performance - just like you remember it from your Grade 1 story books! Complete with clowns, acrobats, the ladies walking with pythons, the dancing girls, the band, the jugglers, and ending off with the lions show - such a cliche - but I wanted to go back in time to the old time circus. No better place than Russia or Belarus to still get that old time circus experience.
The little village of Mir, 85 kilometers southwest of the national capital Minsk, is known for its well preserved late medieval castle. The construction of the castle started during the 15th century in the Gothic architecture style. Building of the castle was completed by Duke Ilinich in early 16th century. It has been in the hands of several private families, including those of the famous Duke Radzivil. However, during WWII it came under the dominion of the Nazi occupying force and served as a ghetto for the local Jewish population prior to their liquidation.
I am in the beautiful town of Hrodna (aka Grodna) in the far west of Belarus and my host is a 23 year old Belorussian woman. Lucky to be shown around the area with her by my side. Met up with a few of her friends and had some great Belorussian food. I really find the Belorussian people friendly and caring.
My Lonely Planet guidebook's introduction of Belarus starts with: