For questions or information, please contact me via email: 4iftravels@gmail.com
Panama City January 8, 2014 I have been wandering around Panama for a couple of weeks but the one place that draws me more than any other is the Darien. I want to see the tribes that live there. From all accounts it is home to not only to the tribes but to that segment … More To the Dreaded Darien
Tabriz, Iran June 25th 2013 “Salaam”, I heard as I trudged along a street in Tabriz, hitching up the backpack. “Where are you from?” asked the young man who had materialized beside me. “Please”, said his friend with a shy smile “Can I help you?” We were in a crowded street and I had been … More Come as a Visitor & Return as a Friend
Shiraz, Iran July 22, 2013 Imagine a high plateau to the north of present day Shiraz. Set amid rocky bare mountains at 1630 m, imagine lush fields watered by an elaborate system of underground qanats or water channels that are fed by mountain snow. Imagine it is sixth century BC. The even more ancient empire … More Whispers Of Ancient Persia
Kashan, Iran July 6th, 2013 Kashan lies just a few hours south of Tehran, yet it is often overlooked by visitors. Perhaps therein lies the charm of this small town. There is an unhurried pace to life here unruffled by tourist hordes. Like elsewhere in Iran there are remnants of history. The grand buildings here … More Understated Elegance
Dogubayazit, Turkey June 25th 2013 I did not have to look for a bus or a ride to the border; Bilal and Mustafa both insisted that they would take me and they did. Early in the morning they arrived, I hopped into the van and rode to the border. But first we had to stop … More So this is Iran
Eastern Turkey June 2013 It started with my arrival in Sanliurfa, a city in south-eastern Anatolia, I had wandered into a shop in search of a travelling alarm clock and the owner of the shop was keen to speak in English. He bemoaned the fact that he rarely got to practice his English. Not only … More Kurdish Kindness
TEA IN A CARAVANSERAI Diyarbakir, Turkey (Kurdistan) June 15, 2013 A long time ago in a far-away place in China, caravans from the empire’s interior would carry silk to the western edges of the region. Often small Central Asian tribes would attack these caravans hoping to capture the valuable goods. So from 135 to 90 … More Tea in a Caravan Serai
Axum, Ethiopia January 9, 2013 A couple of kilometers to the north of Axum lies another ancient site. The lane leading up to the site is predictably lined with small stalls selling the usual tourist kitsch. Small boys tag along next to me clutching small replicas of the stelae hoping for a sale. Long before … More Stairway to Heaven
Axum, Ethiopia January 8, 2013 King Solomon has heard of the Queen of Sheba and her great kingdom and she in turn has heard of him. So she travels to his court along with a large retinue carrying gifts of frankincense, myrrh and gold. The Queen tests Solomon’s wisdom, asking him many questions and giving … More The Queen of Sheba
Manali to Leh June 16, 2012 Once more I am taking the road from Manali to Leh. As before, Ravi has come to the rescue but this time around it seems more difficult to get others to share. More visitors fly in to Leh nowadays it seems. Little do they know what they miss. As … More The High Road Again
ITCHY FEET TRAVELS 