The Yungang Grottoes are ancient Chinese Buddhist temple grottoes near the city of Datong in the province of Shanxi. The Yungang Grottoes, with their 252 caves and 51,000 statues, represent the outstanding achievement of Buddhist cave art in China in the 5th and 6th centuries and are one of the three most famous ancient Buddhist sculptural sites of China. (more…)
Title says it all. We got scammed in China. And it feels that after such an extensive traveling we’ve seen it all and we can sense it from far away. But this one was super smooth, whole new level. So listen and learn. Arrived to Dongzhimen bus station and got stopped by uniformed bus station worker for directions. She advised taking bus no 980 express for 15cny and get off at 6th stop for a shuttle to Muttianyu Wall. Hour on a bus and driver points us to get off, once we’re off there is many cars waiting to take you to the wall. 980 went opposite way and dropped us 25km away where drivers were informed about tourists coming. They asked 300 for driving us to wall saying you took wrong bus. We negotiated down to 100. Oh how I wanted to show a middle finger and take a bus back to Beijing! But we had to get to the wall today, as tomorrow is Saturday and it will be super busy. I can’t believe how well it was organised. So be aware! (more…)
After spending a month in a tropical surroundings of Philippines, we were finally ready to enter a much different world of ‘not understanding a thing’, in other words- China. The madness here is overwhelming from the minute I’ve stepped out of a metro. (more…)
With over 7000 islands to choose from, where do we start?! For me, personally, the smaller, more deserted, the better.
After unsuccessful attempt to find a paradise in Boracay, I’ve decided to try Cebu region. Malapascua is an island located in north Cebu. It especially attracts divers because of a rich marine sanctuary, and is best known for thresher sharks. But diving isn’t the only reason to visit the island, it can also offer pristine beautiful beaches for a laid back holiday. (more…)
And finally I’m packing my Osprey again, thinking about those sandy white beaches.
We’ve chosen Dubai as a stop over point to Philippines. Yes, those rumours were right; Dubai is an expensive city, it is hot here and people are competing who will built the tallest, the shiniest and the most wow factor buildings. I found Dubai extremely clean (maybe a bit too clean), super busy but fascinating. To my surprise, most of the buildings, roads and mosques are named Zayed or Khaliffa. Why?! Also you’re not allowed to eat or drink on any public transport or stations, hold hands or kiss, litter, expose shoulders or knees in public, buy alcohol or sit together with men. But you can drink in bars and run half naked on a beach. Some of these are a bit bizarre, for a westerner. (more…)
It’s not a secret that Bolivia is one of the poorest countries in South America, but it is gifted with greatest natural treasures.
The most famous is Salar de Uyuni. Tours are advertised in every travel book and is a must see while visiting Bolivia. To be honest, this tour was the only reason we actually came to Bolivia. But the experience was far more different from what we’ve expected. Lets visit this otherworldly land where nature is still allowed to play by its own rules. (more…)
And there I was. On the border of Bolivia, ready to collect my 10th stamp on South America trip. Bus rides get longer, altitude higher and weather increasingly colder. Nonetheless, the scenery get more incredible. (more…)
Amazon is a unique place in our planet with over 400 indigenous tribes living around the rainforest. The Amazon River Basin is home to the largest rainforest on Earth and spans across eight countries – Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana. (more…)
According to legend, a hunter caught a beautiful Incan princess walking in the sand dunes near present day Huacachina. As she walked and admired herself in a mirror she was carrying, her eyes caught his voyeuristic gaze. Shocked, the princess began to flee and dropped her mirror. It exploded into shards and the glass became a tiny pool in the desert, consuming the princess and turning her into a mermaid. (more…)
So you probably read a few articles of people going to Iquitos by other forms of transportation rather then plane. If you decide to follow my path, keep reading on, you will find some very useful information that other bloggers don’t include.
To this day I’ve finally learned that nothing runs on time, so is the information never correct. Later on in this article I’ll back up my argument with facts. (more…)
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