In the Middle East, the long passage of time feels real. It may have something to do with the ancient landscapes. Or the extraordinary remnants of cities and civilisations past. It could be the deep and longstanding cultural traditions. Whatever it is, the timelessness of this region is magnetic, enduring….and it makes this one of our favourite parts of the world.
Our Middle Eastern travels have so far taken us through Morocco and Egypt on the African continent, through Jordan, Israel, Turkey, Oman and Iran. Each time, our travels have been punctuated by the epic history, the absorbing art and architecture, the diversity of people and cultures, the delicious regional cuisines and, above all, the kindness and welcome of locals.
Posts from Middle East
Sailing the Nile Aboard a Traditional Dahabiya
We follow in the footsteps of Egypt’s 19th-century explorers and set sail on a Nile cruise aboard a beautiful, traditional dahabiya sailing boat. We couldn’t blame Enrique for trying. Our dahabiya host was determined to get us off the boat at least once a day to experience ‘the real Egypt’ …
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Road to ruin in Turkey – Part II
With three incredible weeks on the road behind us, we didn’t think Turkey could get any better. For our final week though, we risked further car-itation to hire another little runabout, and in one day alone, achieved a trifecta of superb ancient sites.
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Road to ruin in Turkey – Part I
For a moment, standing under the fluoro glare of neon lights, a sound like a wailing cat drifting out of a nearby karaoke bar, and a board proclaiming ‘best full English breakfast’ to our left, I wondered if my woeful navigation had somehow taken us out of Turkey altogether.
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Istanbul to Cappadocia and everything in between
Our tour guide looks and sounds frighteningly like Borat. He’s decked out in a safari vest, a neck scarf, and he’s sporting a moustache Merv Hughes would be proud of.
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Colours of Morocco: A Photo Gallery
Morocco is a country of vivid colour: from the skilled polychrome zellij and mosaics of its palaces and the eye-catching spices in the markets, to the burnt orange hues of the rippling Sahara sands, the iridescent blues of boats and skies, the lush greens of its desert oases, and the rich reds and …
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From Bedbugs to Bliss: A Marrakech Birthday
Carrying the scars of the budget-conscious – bedbug bites, mozzie welts and that general itchy, uncomfortable feeling that comes from staying in less-than-salubrious digs, we left windy Essaouira for our return to vibrant Marrakech and some five star treatment. Arriving at Maison MK in Marrakech’s medina (Dan’s birthday surprise for me), I understood immediately …
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Pushing the senses: Fez to Essouira
“Welcome to Fez, where you from?”“Australia.”“G’day maaate! What you looking for?”“Just walking, thanks.”“There is nothing this way, it is closed.”“Really.”“Really, the lane, it is closed this way.”“Well, we’ll have a look anyway.”“The tannery is not this way, you want to go to the tannery?”“No.”“Why not?”“Just don’t want to go to …
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Sailing Into The Sahara On A Moroccan Camel Safari
For years, whenever I’ve thought about Morocco, I’ve imagined myself sailing gracefully through burnt-orange sands at sunset aboard a comfy, good-natured ‘ship of the desert’. The reality proved far different.
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The magic 4×4 carpet: Marrakech to Merzouga
Day four of our road trip from Marrakech to Fez found us in the tiny desert outpost of Merzouga, having just missed the sacrifice of a sheep by the groom who’s wedding celebrations we were about to attend.
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