Asia
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Georgia – Gori, a short visit to Stalin’s hometown
The first time I heard about Gori, it was in History class a long, long… time ago, I didn’t even think I would ever be in Stalin’s hometown. Some time ago, the world remembered about Gori again. In August 2008, news and headlines were dominated by images of the city seized by Russians. During the short war between Georgia and Russia over two regions: Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Gori, which almost borders with South Ossetia, has become the main point of military actions. Initially, it was bombarded by Russian forces, resulting in the death of many civilians and then from 13th to 22nd of August fell under Russian occupation. Being…
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Georgia – Kutaisi
Kutaisi is getting more and more popular destinantion among travelers and backpackers, due to cheap flight connections and relatively low prices. Kutaisi is the second largest city in Georgia and in my opinion, like whole this country is full of contradictions. Special attention deserves Gerogian architecture. I won’t hide that I’m as green as grass in this topic, but I have to admit that Georgian fantasy in this subject was a great surprise to me. In 2012 President Saakashvili decided to transferred here the Georgian Parliament, which previously had been located in Tbilisi. It wouldn’t be surprising but for the fact that Parliament’s building is located on the outskirts of…
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Girl on a (dangerous) Trail – roads safety…
Before I went to Georgia, I’d thought that I’d seen everything on the roads. There were roads in Mexico, especially those in Mexico City, provided me adrenaline comparable to bungee jumping. There were no rules, except for one – parking ban, which, as a matter of fact, didn’t improve my situation. It was hard, even today I still remember these dilemmas before going through pedestrian crossing, cutting 7-lane, busy road. To make matters worse, I felt constant uncertainty there, whether a driver, driving a 7th right lane, would begin to make a sudden turning left without warning. The entertainment comparable to watching a good psychological thriller was watching roundabouts during…
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Meat, gluten and wine – Georgian cuisine in a nutshell
Georgian cuisine is the kingdom of gluten and meat. The food here is very delicious and varied but certainly it’s not for people on diet. Vegetables are used here but usually they are only a decoration to the dishes. The popular snacks are also the perfect cheeses, and the meal it’s not the same without tetri – white wine. Grab a bite! Surely the most famous Georgian food is khinkali – dumplings with meat in a shape of pouches. Supposedly according to art, khinkali should be made up to 19 “folds”. But the true masterpiece is the stuffing of these dumplings, just imagine juicy, perfectly seasoned, slightly spicy meat, immersed…
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Girl on a Trail – Vietnam war, lost victory?
Vietnam War is the most brutal conflict since World War II. Sophisticated techniques of tortures and killing, chemical weapons like: agent orange, napalm or phosphorous bombs, and thousands of dead and wounded. So it isn’t surprising that in memory of the Vietnamese, the war is still alive. Just take a short walk along the streets of Hanoi and you’ll see the remnants of the war…. The first point in Hanoi – Long Bien bridge. Its story dates back when Vietnam was a French Colony. It was built at the beginning of the 20th century and was one of the longest bridges in Asia. Architect of this great achievement of…
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Girl on a Trail – Peterhof and Tsarskoe Selo
To Be in Sankt Petersburg without visiting the famous Peterhof and Tsarskoe Selo, it’s like the New Year’s Eve without Rossijskoje Igristoje. So, even though I was there on a tour for just 72 hours (visa requirements, you can read about it here), I had to see both places. I started my sightseeing from Peterhof which is better accessible. The complex is located approximately 30 km from St. Petersburg downtown. You can get here by hydrofoil which leaves the dock located close to the Winter Palace. Peterhof was built in the first half of the eighteenth century, at the request of the tsar Peter the Great. Inspiration for its creation…
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Vietnamese market
Vietnamese market it’s one of these places which are must while visiting Vietnam. Local markets, stalls with various products are everywhere. The trade in Vietnam seems to be a primary branch of Vietnamese economy. Vietnamese people sell everything and everywhere and I can guarantee that every needed things you’ll find in this country always close at hand irregardless the time of the day or night. It doesn’t matter if it’s dy or night, trade here is always flourishing. Who knows, maybe somebody would have a taste for a watermelon at 2 am… There’re also a various ways of sale. Goods can be sold straight from the car, and even a…
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Bangkok – floating market
Every time when I prepare a trip I try to find a local market because in my opinion nothing else reflects as accurately social life and people’s behavior as it. Certainly the most interesting bazaars are in Asia and Arabian countries. Besides a wide range of exotic products sold there, we could feel that unique, local atmosphere. I heard a lot of bad opinions about sellers importunity, especially in Arabian countries. Indeed some people can be really exhausted after a trip in such a place. But then again it’s really well worth trying to put aside our prejudice and open to this new cultural experience. It’s an ideal occasion…
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Thai cuisine part II
First meeting with Thai cuisine can be very shocking especially for foreign tourist. As a matter of fact, Bangkok streets are a one big canteen but this doesn’t mean that this city smells tastefully. The number of food stalls is comparable to cars on Bangkok streets. As a result beautiful aroma of Thai dishes with predominating fresh smell of lemongrass is mixed with exhaust fumes. In a word, our ideal picture of aromatic Thai cuisine came to grief just after getting off crowded metro. But this aroma is a quintessence of Bangkok and similarly to it, one can love it or hate it. It doesn’t mean that we worn…
