From biblical Ur to the Marsh Arabs life today.
It was fantastic to see the biblical remains of Ur, where Abraham was supposed to come from, and then to visit the Arabs living in the Marshes. This post will be split between two...
Author: Tom
Karbala, for Shias this is one of the holiest places on Earth.
We arrived in Karbala after it had become dark. The city is car-free, so the bus had to leave us at the gate, and we had to walk to the hotel. This was day...
Babylon historical site, and forbidden photographys of Saddam`s palace.
Most people have heard about Babylon from religious lessons at school. Today’s one is just a cheap replica built by Saddam Hussain. Babylon has a long history and has been built up at least...
Baghdad, once the largest city in the world.
Baghdad was founded as a capital in 762 AD and, within a short time, evolved into a cultural and intellectual centre of the Muslim world. It housed the House of Wisdom and several key...
Iraq, with a people trying to rise again
Iraq has had more war and struggle than most countries. After years of dictatorship, neighbouring wars and inventions led to a civil war. This is about what most people know about Iraq. Most countries’...
Rio de Janeiro, a tourist trap, yes, but still amazing
I think many Europeans who have visited Brazil have been to Rio de Janeiro and only there. Who can blame them? When you are down in the city’s streets, you can feel like you...
Ouro Preto, are all the churches an excuse for greed?
In this little mountainous town, Ouro Preta, which is a little jewel box, I have found more churches than grocery stores. Of course, UNESCO’s heritage has also impacted this town. On my trip around...
Fortaleza, Natal and João Pessoa which one to go for?
When I arrived on the coast of Brazil, Fortaleza, Natal João Pessoa was my three first cities to visit. First impressions are important. When I travel to several similar cities, it is challenging to...
Salvador of Bahia, the most “African” city in Brazil
Salvador was once the capital of Brazil. After the prohibition of slavery, many descendants of African slaves settled here, making Salvador a colourful and multicultural city. As in so many other cities in Brazil,...
Manaus Amazonas- from opera house to hammock in the jungle.
In the heart of the Amazonas, you find a city called Manaus. Its port along Rio Negro shows its past grandness with Teatro Amazonas. Manaus was a busy city with heydays between 1888 and...
