A description of modern-day Bedouins could easily warrant the attention of numerous writers and books on the topic. Like any group of seemingly enigmatic throwbacks to a bygone time, descriptions of the Bedouins are naturally prone to over-simplifications or incorrect... Read More
For what is essentially a small peninsula in north-eastern Egypt, Sinai nevertheless manages to offer an impressive list of things to do and places to go. Both forks of the Red Sea are lined with various resorts; some famous, others less so. More or less at the centre... Read More
Growing up in a country with its culture, quirks, and language embeds a sense of what is “normal” that only goes away when we leave and experience the apparent strangeness of other parts of the world. Returning home therefore brings with it a sense of returning to... Read More
Cultural idiosyncrasies and learning about them and how to manoeuvre them is something that fascinates me. Being myself half-English and half-Egyptian, you could say it comes somewhat naturally. Now that’s been all fine and dandy in my travels around Europe and the... Read More
There are many reasons why people come to visit Egypt, but you could vaguely categorise it into two main draws: the historical monuments, and the beach resorts. People come from all over the world to see the fabled Pyramids and Sphinx of Giza, or the temples at Luxor... Read More
We all have our preconceived notions about Italy and Italians. Whether it’s about the cuisine, the incessant hand gestures, or the uncountable terms that we use and think are actually Italian; there’s a lot more to the place and people than you might think. Having... Read More
I think it might be fair to say that London is probably the number one city for people coming to visit the UK. However, many is the time that I’ve heard somebody say, “Yeah, I’ve visited England. I went to London.” But, for those who have lived in the UK or seen other... Read More
As is so often the case, it is the unexpected treats that are the nicest. This is exactly what happened the first time I went to Milan. Living in Italy at the time, I went up to Milan to see some friends, only to discover while on the train that there was an... Read More
I’ve been to London many times, and as often as not it’s because I needed to go there for some paperwork, to renew my passport, or some such thing. For me, London has mostly been one of those eminently avoidable cities that nevertheless possesses a few redeeming... Read More
I moved to Egypt over 15 years ago in my early teens and experienced the expected culture shock you would expect, despite being half-Egyptian myself. Up until then I had grown up in England (my other half), so for the first few years all I got was an outsider’s... Read More
Anyone visiting England’s green and pleasant land and staying for any amount of time soon comes to the conclusion that, yes, it is indeed very green and picturesque, but it’s the rain that gets you down. Despite the ostensible monotony of rain, the south of England... Read More
A hotspot for tourists visiting Cairo and locals alike is the Khan el Khalili bazaar, situated behind the Al Azhar Park near the Citadel. Adjacent to the bazaar itself is the Al Hussein Mosque, hence why many locals refer to the area as a whole as Al Hussein. In many... Read More
A visit to Egypt can include many things. Places like Sharm el Sheikh and Hurghada are popular international destinations, and the Blue Hole is a major draw for divers. Others come to see the fabled Sphinx and Pyramids of Giza. And then there are those of us who want... Read More
The Italians have a reputation for knowing how to enjoy life, and after living there for 2 years it didn’t take me long to understand why. Having now left, it has become clear to me that I picked up more than just a bit of the language. What first brought me to Italy... Read More
As a lover of history, I cannot help but become entranced by being in the mere presence of ancient monuments. And they don’t come any older or monumental than the Pyramids of Giza. Situated on the western side of the Nile in Egypt lie a trio of engineering marvels... Read More
Egypt occupies a curious geographical position. It is a Middle Eastern nation on the north-eastern tip of the continent of Africa, with part of its territory overlapping into Asia. It borders the Mediterranean to the north and embraces the Red Sea to its east. It can... Read More
Catalonia can be a funny old place. Truth be told, my initial reason for going there was to visit a friend. However, it did not take long for me to be taken in by the sights, sounds, and flavours of this north-eastern region of Spain. It didn’t take me long to notice... Read More
Perhaps it’s just because I am of mixed heritage myself, but I have always liked places that feel like they are a combination of two worlds. Alexandria in Egypt is precisely one of those places. While Cairo has a decidedly Middle Eastern feel about it, Alexandria is... Read More
My time in Thailand was mostly spent in the north-eastern region of Isaan, which makes up some 20 provinces. It’s the largest region of Thailand and borders both Laos and Cambodia. To the north-east of Isaan itself, along its border with Laos, lies the famous Mekong... Read More
Having grown up in the UK I can say that London and the rest of England are two very different places. Sure, the weather is just as rainy in both, but London is nevertheless a strange beast. While its value for history buffs is almost unending, London is also home to... Read More
I have always maintained that there is something special about Sinai. When you cross the Suez Canal and enter Sinai proper, you are not just crossing a canal within Egypt. You have just crossed over from Africa into Asia. But this is more than just a journey from one... Read More
No matter how often I visit Sinai, Egypt, I always wish I had stayed longer. Whether it is the famous seaside town of Sharm El Sheikh, the diving hotspot of Dahab and the Blue Hole, or less well-known spots like the Bedouin camp of Ras Abu Ghalloum or the simple... Read More
