A first view of the city of Ibb from a distance… Ibb is at an elevation of nearly 7,000 feet and the surrounding mountains ensure ample rainfall for the region, making this one of the greenest areas in Yemen: Interestingly (and coincidentally), the route we followed on the first days of our visit to Yemen … Continue reading
The process of raising bees and selling honey in Yemen is a little different (but most things are a little different in Yemen). Unlike everywhere else I am familiar with, where the bees are taken to the flowers, in Yemen, the flowers are taken to the bees. And the bees will be located next to … Continue reading
We encountered this old boy while out exploring the Chechen countryside near Bamut and found him to be exceedingly photogenic: Photograph taken on 10/07/2014 There will be much more on Chechnya and the North Caucasus soon, but we have just returned and are still getting back up to speed… Continue reading
It seems that not many people are aware of what a treasure Sudan is for the field of archaeology. The only reason it doesn’t get more attention is because it is, well, Sudan. The pyramids at Nuri are just one example… Built at the peak of Nubian power after their heroic march north to not … Continue reading
Pyongyang is home and playground to the elite of North Korean society. As such, one will find the best and the most of anything in Pyongyang. That also means that one will find things in Pyongyang that are frequently not seen in the rest of the country. One such manifestation of this can be found … Continue reading
This extraordinary palace is home to the embalmed bodies of Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il, which are on full display nestled inside glass sarcophagi: Now, photography or recording of any kind is strictly forbidden inside and if there is one place in North Korea where you don’t want to fuck around, this is it. So, … Continue reading
On the North Korean side of the Demilitarized Zone: Former US President Bill Clinton famously described the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) as “the scariest place on earth” during a 2003 visit. Others have described it as the most dangerous spot on the planet… With descriptions like that, a visit is pretty much compulsory, no? The … Continue reading
The Velvet Rocket 