Belgrade – from a Roman fortress to Yugoslavia’s vision of the future

Gosia — Sun, 13 Sep 2026 11:50:11 +0000

After my first day of sightseeing and a hefty dose of history, which was genuinely quite heavy at times, it was time to move on and see a different side of Belgrade. This time, I headed straight for Kalemegdan – the place that probably more than anywhere else is associated with the city. And this is definitely a place where you can pause for a moment, because the history here is seriously something else. The first fortifications appeared here as far back as Celtic times, and the Romans later left their mark on the site. Over the centuries, the fortress was rebuilt and reshaped by one empire after another, so today it’s a real historical melting pot – Roman remains, Ottoman tombs, Orthodox churches, old gates, fortifications and layer upon layer of the city’s history. The fortress itself sits on a hill offering fantastic views of the point where the Sava meets the Danube. And I think that view alone is one of the reasons why it’s worth coming here, even if history isn’t exactly your cup of tea. 😉 On top of that, there’s a huge park, plenty of paths, benches, and people out walking or simply relaxing – it’s the kind of place where you can easily spend a few hours without having any particular plan. The following day, I decided to see a completely different side of Belgrade. One thing that particularly caught my attention in the city was the futuristic architecture from the Yugoslav era. And Belgrade definitely has plenty to show off in that topic. One of the most distinctive examples is the Eastern City Gate of Belgrade, three enormous residential towers known as Rudo. From a distance, they look a bit like three giant concrete pyramids. Each one has 28 floors and stands almost 100 metres tall. This is exactly the kind of architecture you either fall in love with or look at and think, what on earth were they smoking? 😂 I’m definitely in the first camp. The buildings were constructed in the 1970s, at a time when Yugoslav modernism had ambitions of creating cities of the future. Today, they’ve clearly seen better days, but somehow that makes them even more impressive. On one side, there’s the monumental vision of socialist Yugoslavia; on the other, the reality of the present day, with concrete that has definitely seen better times. But the architectural monsters don’t end there. On the other side of the city stands the so-called Western City Gate of Belgrade, better known as the famous Genex Tower. And here, it’s genuinely hard not to think you’ve stumbled into some seriously wild vision of the future. Two interconnected towers form a huge concrete structure topped with a distinctive circular crown, which once housed a revolving restaurant. The building was completed in the late 1970s and was intended to serve as a symbolic gateway to Belgrade. After all that concrete, I decided I probably needed to see something a little more picturesque. 😂 So I headed to Zemun. Historically, it was a separate town and was only incorporated into Belgrade in 1934. Even today, though, it has a completely different character. Instead of Yugoslav concrete, you’ll find low-rise buildings, cobbled streets, cosy restaurants and a riverside promenade along the Danube. Towering over Zemun is Gardoš Tower, one of the best viewpoints in this part of the city. It stands 36 metres high and was built in the late 19th century. You can climb to the top via the original old staircase, and from the viewing terrace you get views across Zemun, the Danube and a good chunk of Belgrade. I left the Church of Saint Sava until the end. It’s one of the largest Orthodox churches in the world, and a building that looks monumental from a distance but is even more impressive up close. Its history is every bit as complicated as that of the city itself. It stands on the site where, according to tradition, the Ottomans burned the relics of Saint Sava in the 16th century. Construction of the present church finally began in 1935, but was interrupted first by the Second World War and later by the communist period. Work resumed many years later and was only formally completed in the 21st century. However, you can’t spend all day sightseeing, and after several hours of walking around Belgrade, it was time for something a little more down to earth – food. After all, I hadn’t come to Serbia just to look at old buildings. I had to find out what Serbian cuisine was all about. I ended up at Restoran Mesara Mandić, and I can definitely recommend it. It’s one of those places where what’s on your plate matters far more than fancy interiors. There’s a butcher’s shop downstairs, so the meat on my plate had a pretty short journey to make. 😉 I ordered pljeskavica, and it was seriously good – juicy, well-seasoned and exactly what I’d hoped for from a proper Serbian grill. If you’re after a decent portion of meat, this place is well worth a visit. It might not be the most Instagrammable spot in Belgrade, but who needs Instagram when the pljeskavica does all the talking? The dish cost 890 Serbian dinars, which works out at roughly £6.50 / €7.60. After a full day of walking around Belgrade, taking in ruins, futuristic towers, traces of war, old Zemun and the fortress, I felt as though I’d seen several completely different cities – and yet somehow, it was all still the same Belgrade. And I think that’s exactly what I found most captivating about it, the sheer diversity of it all.

Artykuł Belgrade – from a Roman fortress to Yugoslavia’s vision of the future pochodzi z serwisu .

Belgrade – a city of contrasts, history and Balkan chaos

Gosia — Sun, 06 Sep 2026 16:29:16 +0000

Belgrade was the second stop on my longer holiday trip this year. I spent the first part in Scotland, where I covered more than 3,200 km in nine days. And, to be completely honest, by then I’d had enough of driving, sightseeing, packing, unpacking and constantly being on the move. After such a marathon, the thought of clocking up even more kilometres in Serbia wasn’t exactly something I was looking forward to. But hey, it was part of the holiday plan, so there was nothing for it but to keep going. I flew to Belgrade in the late afternoon, picked up the car, drove to my accommodation and… promptly went on strike when it came to driving any further. Instead, I decided to walk to the city centre. And that’s when I discovered a very pleasant surprise – since 2025, public transport in Belgrade has been completely free. Buses, trams and trolleybuses – you simply hop on and off. To me, that sounded like perfect plan, especially after several thousand kilometres behind the wheel. Belgrade very quickly showed me that it’s quite an unusual city. The Serbian capital has a history stretching back thousands of years, has had 15 different names, Roman roots, Ottoman influences, Yugoslav modernism, war ruins, underground bunkers, Orthodox churches, kafanas, urbex and one of the most distinctive nightlife scenes in Europe. I wouldn’t rule out coming back here for a weekend of partying sometime soon 😉 Especially as I like cities like this – a bit beautiful, a bit chaotic, a bit rough around the edges, but above all, full of character. The first place I reached was Tašmajdan Park. And this is where Belgrade immediately showed me a much less touristy and considerably more tragic side of the city. The park is home to the “We Were Just Children” memorial, dedicated to the 89 children who were killed during NATO’s bombing of Yugoslavia in 1999. At the centre of the monument is three-year-old Milica Rakić, who was fatally wounded by shrapnel in her home on 17 April 1999. In front of the memorial stands a simple stone plaque bearing the words: “We were just children.” And I think it’s precisely that simplicity that makes the biggest impact. No grand words, no unnecessary pathos. From Tašmajdan, I continued towards St Mark’s Church. This huge, distinctive red-brick church stands practically in the heart of the city and is one of the most recognisable landmarks in this part of Belgrade. A few minutes later, I found myself outside the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia. And once again, history here quite literally spills out onto the streets. The building itself dates back to the beginning of the 20th century, but construction dragged on for several decades and it was finally completed in 1936. Over the years, it housed the parliament of Yugoslavia, later the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro, and today, the National Assembly of Serbia. But it’s not the architecture itself that makes this place so interesting. On 5 October 2000, some of the most important events in Serbia’s modern history unfolded right here. Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets, demanding the removal of Slobodan Milošević. Protesters stormed the building, which was partially set on fire and looted. One of the defining slogans shouted by the demonstrators was “He is finished.” It became a powerful symbol of the revolution and marked one of the key moments in bringing the Milošević era to an end. The next stop was definitely a heavier one. On the corner of Kneza Miloša and Nemanjina, stand the ruins of the former Ministry of Defence of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, which was bombed during the NATO air strikes in 1999. And this isn’t some subtle reminder of history. It’s a huge, gaping ruin with empty windows, standing practically in the middle of the city. The building was designed in the 1950s by architect Nikola Dobrović. Its distinctive, sweeping form was inspired by the landscape of the Battle of the Sutjeska, one of the major battles of the Second World War. It was hit several times during the bombing. Interestingly, its destruction was largely symbolic – the most important command functions had already been moved to a safer location. Today, the ruins remain untouched. And I think that’s precisely why they have such an impact. Belgrade certainly isn’t trying to sweep this part of its history under the carpet. The ruins are a very physical reminder of war, right in the middle of the modern city. Unfortunately, taking photographs of the building is prohibited, and the site is very closely monitored. So I wasn’t particularly keen on testing just how efficient the local authorities are. I then headed towards a more postcard-perfect side of Belgrade. At Terazije Square, I came across the Hotel Moskva, one of the city’s most distinctive buildings. Its richly decorated Art Nouveau façade, red carpet at the entrance and history stretching back to the beginning of the 20th century make it hard to miss. Among its famous guests over the years were Albert Einstein and Alfred Hitchcock. Right next to it stands the Albanija Palace, which may not look particularly spectacular today, but it has its own place in Belgrade’s history. Built in the 1930s, it was the city’s first skyscraper and for many years was one of the capital’s most recognisable landmarks. Nearby is Republic Square, one of those places where you can simply stop for a moment and watch Belgrade life. People heading in every direction, cafés, shops, street musicians and the constant buzz of the city. Since I was already in this part of the city, I couldn’t miss Skadarlija. It’s one of the most atmospheric streets in Belgrade – cobbled, lined with restaurants, kafanas, music and distinctive old townhouses. It was once a favourite meeting place for artists, poets, actors and all sorts of bohemian characters. These days, it’s obviously much more touristy, but it still retains that unmistakable Balkan atmosphere. There was one more little surprise waiting for me here, particularly interesting for anyone who has previously been to Sarajevo. Around Skadarlija, you can actually find… a Belgrade copy of Sarajevo’s Sebilj. If you’ve been to Sarajevo, you’ll probably recognise the distinctive Ottoman-style fountain standing in Baščaršija. The one in Belgrade looks almost identical and was presented to the city by Sarajevo in 1989. Quite a symbolic gesture, especially when you consider what happened in the history of the two countries afterwards… I then headed to the place that probably sums up this whole Balkan melting pot better than anywhere else – Kalemegdan Fortress. But I’ll save that for the next post, because that’s where Belgrade’s history gets seriously heavy… and the views aren’t bad either. 😉

Artykuł Belgrade – a city of contrasts, history and Balkan chaos pochodzi z serwisu .

NC500 – far North Scotland

Gosia — Sun, 30 Aug 2026 15:31:49 +0000

The NC500, or The North Coast 500, is one of Scotland’s most famous road trips – around 830 kilometres through the northern Highlands, following the coastline and winding through mountains, small villages, beaches, cliffs and places where it’s sometimes hard to believe you’re still in the UK. The more miles I covered along this road, the more I felt as though Scotland was slowly disconnecting from the rest of the world. The landscape became increasingly rugged, wild and empty. Larger towns disappeared, the roads grew narrower, and instead of more buildings, there were cliffs, heather-covered moorland, mountains and sea. And that was when the part of the route I had been looking forward to most really began. The northern coast of Scotland – with castle ruins perched above sheer drops, lighthouses, rocky sea stacks, caves and beaches that looked as though they had been transported from a completely different country. Itinerary

Artykuł NC500 – far North Scotland pochodzi z serwisu .

New Zealand – rainy Cape Reinga, the Sahara, and the World’s Prettiest Toilet

Gosia — Sun, 26 Jul 2026 18:24:05 +0000

Cape Reinga is the place where, according to Māori tradition, spirits begin their journey to the afterlife. Route 1 takes you here, ending at the northernmost lighthouse in New Zealand. It’s also the spot where the Tasman Sea meets the Pacific Ocean. And yes, the road here really felt like it led straight to edge of the world —accompanied by sheets of rain and gusty wind. There was nothing happening on the road, zero civilisation around, and out of boredom, I found myself dancing to the rhythm of the windshield wipers. The track seemed endless, twisting along a narrow strip of land like a miniature peninsula—kind of like the Hel Peninsula, but in dramatic mode. Grey, gloomy, but incredibly atmospheric. The climax at the end? Perhaps not so much the view, more the rain 😉 On the way back for Cape Reinga, I decided to spice things up by heading towards the Te Paki Sand Dunes. I expected modest, sandy mounds—but in front of my car’s bonnet, a proper Sahara rose up. The dunes stretch for about 10 kilometres and reach up to 150 metres high. Absolutely insane. Seriously, I never imagined something like this could exist in New Zealand. The Te Paki Sand Dunes lie right next to the legendary Ninety Mile Beach, which in fact is only about 55 miles. It’s a rather peculiar stretch of “highway,” running… along a beach as wide as a main road. Yes, sand instead of asphalt, waves instead of guardrails. Opinions on driving here are polarised. Those who make it say, “all good, no drama.” Those who get stuck… let’s just say the language gets more “sophisticated”. Technically, you don’t need a 4×4 but in practice, even those cars can gracefully become permanent fixtures in the landscape. And yes, there are no petrol stations. Imagine the story if someone got stuck here permanently for lack of fuel 😀 But to be serious, locals point three golden rules: go only at low tide, avoid soft sand, and never drive through seawater. And now for the 100-point question: where can you drive straight from the desert? Of course to a dense, humid forest. Welcome to New Zealand, where there’s no time for acclimatisation. But Waipoua Forest isn’t just any forest, it’s a forest of giants. Kauri trees grow here, some of the tallest in the world (just after the sequoias). Tāne Mahuta, the largest kauri in New Zealand and absolute lord of this green jungle, measures 51 metres tall, 13 metres around the trunk, and is estimated to be between 1,250 and 2,500 years old. The best way to end a North Island road trip? In the least obvious way: in a toilet. The Hundertwasser Toilets in Kawakawa are undoubtedly the most beautiful toilets in the world—and also the last project of the Austrian artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser. Their signature colourful mosaics and wavy lines look like a miniature version of the Kunst Haus Wien in Vienna. The difference? This isn’t just an art gallery, it’s practical art!

Artykuł New Zealand – rainy Cape Reinga, the Sahara, and the World’s Prettiest Toilet pochodzi z serwisu .

Khiva – Uzbekistan, a city out of One Thousand and One Nights

Gosia — Sun, 19 Jul 2026 16:10:35 +0000

To be honest, Khiva almost fell off my itinerary for Uzbekistan. Not because it didn’t seem interesting. Quite the opposite – when I was planning my trip to Uzbekistan, I knew it was one of those places I simply had to see. The problem was something completely different… logistics. Or, to be more precise: my first day in Uzbekistan was, to put it mildly, rather ambitious. 😉 After a night flight to Tashkent, by which point I felt that coffee was the only thing keeping my vital functions going, I still had a domestic flight to Urgench ahead of me. That was where I was picking up my hire car. Common sense was telling me to give Khiva a miss. A sleepless night, two flights, temperatures approaching 40°C and the prospect of another six hours behind the wheel (my ultimate destination was Kungrad) were all fairly convincing arguments. The problem is that I have one rather annoying trait: once I decide to do something, I have to see it through. Khiva wasn’t on my route, but it was too close, too unique and had been on my bucket list for far too long. Khiva – a city carved out of desert sand According to legend, the origins of Khiva date back to biblical times. The city was supposedly founded by Shem, Noah’s son, who, according to the story, wandered through the desert until one night he saw torches in a dream, pointing towards the site of a future settlement. While building the settlement, he supposedly discovered a source of water and dug a well called Kheyvak. The city’s name – Khiva is said to have originated from it. Legend is one thing, but one thing is certain: in the place where Khiva stands today, water has been the greatest treasure for thousands of years. Situated between the Karakum and Kyzylkum deserts, the settlement could exist thanks to access to water sources and its strategic location. For centuries, Khiva was one of the important stops along the Silk Road. Caravans crossing the vast expanses of Central Asia would stop here to rest, replenish their supplies and trade goods. The city was particularly famous for its silk and cotton textiles, hand-made carpets and craftsmanship – all of which remain an important part of local culture to this day. Khiva’s history, however, was just as fascinating as it was turbulent. Over the centuries, the city changed hands many times. It came under the influence of the Arabs, Seljuks, Mongols, Timurids, Persian rulers and, eventually, the Russians. Ichan Kala – a city behind the walls Without a doubt, Khiva’s greatest treasure is Ichan Kala, the old inner city hidden behind massive defensive walls. This is where, after entering through one of the four gates, you can feel as if time has stopped several centuries ago. It’s no coincidence that Khiva is often referred to as a museum city. Within a relatively small area, there is an incredible concentration of historic monuments: madrasahs, mosques, mausoleums, palaces and minarets. One of Khiva’s biggest advantages is that most of the sights are located very close to one another, and the Old Town is best explored without too much of a plan. All you have to do is turn into a side street, walk through an unassuming gateway and suddenly find yourself in the courtyard of an old madrasah or standing in front of intricately decorated doors that have witnessed the times of the old khans. The massive walls of Ichan Kala are one of the most distinctive sights in Uzbekistan. Their undulating shapes, made from sun-dried bricks, look almost unreal. Kalta Minor– Khiva’s unfinished symbol There is probably no more recognisable landmark in Khiva than Kalta Minor. Construction began in the 19th century under Muhammad Amin Khan, who had an ambitious plan to create the tallest minaret in Central Asia. According to legend, the tower was supposed to reach a height of as much as 70–80 metres and allow people to see Bukhara, hundreds of kilometres away. History, however, had other plans. After the death of its patron, construction was abandoned, leaving the minaret at around 29 metres high. Although it was never completed, Kalta Minor nevertheless became a symbol of the city. Muhammad Amin Khan Madrasah – the largest in Khiva Right next to Kalta Minor stands the monumental Muhammad Amin Khan Madrasah. Built in the mid-19th century, it was the largest Islamic school in the city. It could accommodate around 260 students, which was a huge number for the time. Kuhna Ark – the former residence of the khans This was a true fortress within a fortress – the residence of the khans, the centre of power and the place where the city’s political life was concentrated. One of the most important places in Kuhna Ark was the khan’s throne room. Today, you can only see a replica of the original throne. After the Russians captured Khiva, the original was taken away and is now part of the collections of the Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg. Right next to Kuhna Ark stands one of Khiva’s most impressive madrasahs – the Muhammad Rahim Khan Madrasah. It was built in the 19th century on the orders of Muhammad Rahim Khan II, one of the last rulers of the Khanate of Khiva. He was an unusual ruler because, alongside politics, he was also interested in culture and the arts. The madrasah was not only a place for religious education. Students also studied mathematics, astronomy, Arabic and literature. The complex could accommodate more than 70 students, who lived in small cells arranged around the courtyard. The Mausoleum of Pahlavan Mahmud – a sacred place in Khiva One of the most important places in the city is the Mausoleum of Pahlavan Mahmud. He was a remarkable figure – a poet, philosopher and teacher, but also a legendary wrestler who was famous for his immense strength in the 14th century. According to historical accounts, he was highly respected not only for his physical abilities, but above all for his wisdom and kindness. After his death, he became the patron saint of Khiva, and his tomb became a place of pilgrimage. Islam Khoja – the highest point in Khiva The Islam Khoja Minaret is the tallest building in the city. The tower stands at around 45 metres high and looks truly impressive. After exploring Khiva, I continued through the desert landscapes of Uzbekistan towards Kungrad. Along the way, I was planning to visit one of the country’s more unusual sites: Chilpik Kala, an ancient Zoroastrian “Tower of Silence”. To be honest, I was really looking forward to seeing this place. Chilpik Kala looks like something torn straight from another era – a mysterious stone structure standing on a hill above the Amu Darya, where, according to Zoroastrian beliefs, rituals associated with the burial of the dead were once carried out. I drove practically right up to the site. From the car, it looked incredible. The problem only arose when I realised that the path to the attraction led uphill. Under normal circumstances, this wouldn’t have been a big deal. But with temperatures climbing above 40°C, a sleepless night, a headache and another 150 km of driving ahead of me, I looked through the photos of the site, glanced once more at the climb… and surrendered. For the first time, I didn’t feel guilty about it. So I left Chilpik Kala for another time. And the road to Kungrad still had a few more surprises in store…

Artykuł Khiva – Uzbekistan, a city out of One Thousand and One Nights pochodzi z serwisu .

New Zealand, Dunedin – Scottish vibes and extreme streets

Gosia — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 15:49:14 +0000

At first glance, Dunedin looks like a very serious city. Gothic, austere architecture, grand cathedrals, and a railway station that looks more like a palace with luxurious chambers. But beneath that façade lies a vibrant city, pulsing with the energy of students from the University of Otago – New Zealand’s oldest university. You can see it in the city’s nooks and backstreets, where interesting street art and colourful murals are hidden behind the stately buildings. Although today Dunedin seems to be relatively calm, in the 19th century it was the richest and most populous city in the whole New Zealand. The Otago Gold Rush of the 1860s brought people from across the globe. During that time, the city opened its first university, a medical school, the first daily newspaper, and electric trams appeared on its streets. Dunedin is also known as New Zealand’s most Scottish city, boasting the country’s only kilt manufacturer, numerous Highland pipe bands, and lively Burns Night celebrations. One of the city’s quirkiest attractions is Baldwin Street – one of the steepest streets in the world. It’s genuinely hard to keep your balance, and the houses look as if they might topple down at any moment. Seriously, I can’t imagine walking home after a night out here. But it’s not the result of a mad architect; it’s a legacy of remote urban planning. City planners in London simply overlaid a tidy grid onto the map without considering the actual terrain, leaving several streets perched on extremely steep hills. Baldwin Street is famous for its annual charity events, including uphill runs. Another odd spectacle is the Jaffa Race, where chocolate candies are rolled down the street in a timed contest. The areas around Dunedin are packed with attractions too. On the city’s outskirts lies Tunnel Beach, which, as the name suggests, is famous for its tunnel. Carved in the 19th century, it leads straight to a stunning beach surrounded by sandstone cliffs. Additional attraction are seals lounging on the sand. Seals can also be spotted at nearby Sandfly Bay. Additionally, about 30 km from the city, on the Otago Peninsula, you’ll find albatrosses with wingspans of up to three metres. The Royal Albatross Centre offers the chance to observe these magnificent birds up close. Dunedin is a city of contrasts: from dark tunnels and extreme streets, quirky races, and lounging seals, to giant albatrosses and deep Scottish traditions. It’s the perfect place to experience the incredible diversity of New Zealand in one spot.

Artykuł New Zealand, Dunedin – Scottish vibes and extreme streets pochodzi z serwisu .

Queenstown and its surroundings – adrenaline, gold and lingerie on the fence

Gosia — Sun, 21 Jun 2026 09:21:43 +0000

Queenstown is mainly known as the city of extreme sports. Ziplining, skydiving, rafting, jet boating, paragliding, or even catapults – that’s just a fraction of the thrills you can experience in the area. And for true connoisseurs, there’s bungee jumping. In 1988, AJ Hackett and Henry van Asch kick-started bungee jumping on the Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge. Inspired by the ritual vine jumps performed by the people of Vanuatu, they decided to try it themselves – first in Auckland, and then (why not) from the Eiffel Tower. That’s how Kawarau became a mecca for bungee jumpers. For those scared before the jump, at least the view on the way down is guaranteed to be spectacular. A further journey along the Kawarau River can also bring additional attractions. Close to the bridge, one of the iconic scenes of The Lord of the Rings was filmed. The Argonath, or Pillars of the Kings on the Anduin River, were created in the picturesque Kawarau Gorge. The Kawarau River “played” the Anduin, and the monumental statues of Isildur and Anárion were added digitally. Luckily, you don’t need to risk your life on extreme sports to see it, a short drive to a viewpoint is enough. Back in Queenstown. although the town presents itself as the adrenaline capital, you can also… just go for a walk. For me, however, this was quite an extreme option. I felt more adrenaline dodging hundreds of tourists who seemed to have all agreed to arrive at the same time as me 😉 It’s hardly surprising, Queenstown may be small, but it’s spectacularly set on Lake Wakatipu, surrounded by mountains. The lakeside promenade and the gondola up Bob’s Peak are the busiest spots, where everyone gathers to admire the same views and test their tolerance for crowds. Fortunately, just a little further out, New Zealand suddenly becomes… more intimate. On the route between Queenstown and Wānaka, it’s worth stopping at the Cardrona Bra Fence – a fence hung with hundreds (actually thousands) of bras. It’s not too crowded, and the display creates quite a personal atmosphere. Why bras? I have no idea, and I’d rather not ask… 😉 The Queenstown area is also home to two towns that once thrived on gold rushes. First, Arrowtown, just a short drive from Queenstown, looks like it was lifted straight from the Wild West. Gold was discovered in the Arrow River in 1862, and suddenly prospectors flocked to the area. Today, Buckingham Street is lined with wooden buildings, old shops and pubs, and on the outskirts, a Chinese settlement has been reconstructed, a reminder of the miners who worked for half the wages of Europeans and were far from welcome. The second town, Cromwell, was once a gold mining hub and is now known for fruit growing. In the 1980s and 90s, the town underwent a major transformation with the construction of the Clyde Dam. When the dam was completed in 1992, the valley nearby was flooded, and the old town centre sank beneath the water. Fortunately, some historic buildings were relocated to higher ground, while those that couldn’t be moved were rebuilt. Today, in Cromwell Heritage Precinct, you can wander the 19th-century streets and admire old stables, cottages, shops, and grain warehouses. In front of the restored centre, a wharf provides departures for tours of Lake Dunstan aboard a beautifully restored 1929 wooden motor launch. Queenstown and its surroundings are a mix of spectacular nature, history, and absolutely bonkers attractions, from bungee jumping, to cinematic Lord of the Rings pillars or a fence decorated with thousands of bras. In the town itself, adrenaline and crowds dominate, but just a few kilometres out, you’ll find quaint, intimate towns with a Wild West vibe and a rich gold mining history.

Artykuł Queenstown and its surroundings – adrenaline, gold and lingerie on the fence pochodzi z serwisu .

Surreal Nairobi – between safari and concrete

Gosia — Sun, 14 Jun 2026 16:23:35 +0000

It’s hard to believe that the land now occupied by Kenya’s capital was once covered in swamps. The Maasai called this place Enkare Nyrobi, meaning “cool waters.” This is where the name of the metropolis comes from. Nairobi’s development began at the end of the 19th century, when the area’s potential as a trade center was recognized. As the city grew, the Maasai, who grazed cattle here, were displaced. Today, Nairobi is called the “Silicon Savannah” due to its flourishing tech industry. It is also known as the “Green City in the Sun,” and for good reason. The city boasts numerous parks and green spaces. Nevertheless, it is a city of contrasts. Over 60% of its 4.5 million inhabitants live in poverty. Nairobi is also home to one of the largest slums in Africa—Kibera. Just a short distance beyond the borders of the Central Business District, you can witness the true realities of life in this city. Personally, the city didn’t appeal to me, but it is worth visiting for one unique attraction. Just 7 kilometers from Nairobi, you can find yourself in a completely different reality. The Nairobi National Park offers a surreal sight of wildlife against the backdrop of the urban skyline. The park was established in 1946 and is the oldest protected area in Kenya. Despite its relatively small size, the park is home to many wild animals. Over 70 species of mammals live here, including lions, leopards, zebras, monkeys, and buffalo, though elephants are absent as the park is too small for them. The park is also a popular bird-watching destination and a key habitat for the endangered black rhinoceros. Entrance to the park isn’t cheap. A standard ticket costs $60, while a discounted one for children is $20. However, the opportunity to witness wildlife against the backdrop of a large metropolis justifies the price. The roads are in good condition, and during the dry season, the park can be easily explored with a regular car without four-wheel drive. However, be aware that park rangers might claim this is impossible, trying to push you to rent a 4×4 vehicle at a cost of $150 to $200. This is false, and as long as the weather conditions are favourable, entering the park with a regular private car shouldn’t be an issue. In conclusion, Nairobi may not be an ideal tourist destination, but it’s certainly worth a visit for the unique opportunity to see wildlife set against the skyline of this vast metropolis.

Artykuł Surreal Nairobi – between safari and concrete pochodzi z serwisu .

The Paeroa and Waihi area – a giant bottle, murals, gold and tunnels

Gosia — Sun, 07 Jun 2026 17:41:41 +0000

Can anything be more abstractive than starting sightseeing with a giant bottle? In New Zealand: absolutely. Especially in the town of Paeroa, home of the iconic Lemon & Paeroa drink. It has a sweet, citrusy taste and feels like something halfway between Sprite and some solid childhood chemistry experiment. The drink was created right here in 1907, using local mineral water. The L&P logo is everywhere, and the enormous brown bottle is a source of genuine local pride. From Paeroa I headed to the Karangahake Gorge – a former gold-mining hub. There are two walking tracks here, each about 2.5 kilometres long. The first, Windows Walk, winds through forest and short mining tunnels. The second, the Rail Tunnel Loop, follows the river and cuts through a one-kilometre-long former railway tunnel. That tunnel is pure gold – a urbex classic. Dark, long, cold, and seemingly endless. Right next door is Waihi – a town literally built on a gold vein. The first deposits were discovered here in 1878, but the real gold rush kicked off in 1894, when gold extraction using cyanide finally became effective. Underground mining ended in 1952, but in the 1980s the mine was reopened as an open-pit operation. That’s how Martha Mine was born – a massive hole that looks like someone dropped a giant meteorite on this patch of land. Waihi’s icon is the Cornish Pumphouse: a three-storey concrete structure from 1904 that once pumped 300 tonnes of water per hour to stop the mine turning into a swimming pool. As the mine expanded, the building found itself teetering on the edge of the abyss. There was only one way to save it: move it. The operation took place in 2006. Over three months, the building was shifted nearly 300 metres. Just behind the pumphouse is a viewpoint overlooking Martha Mine. For over 60 years, it was one of the most important gold mines in the world, producing gold and silver worth more than 50 million dollars. The mine was closed after a landslide in 2015, but the landscape is still lunar. A 4-kilometre path runs around the site, allowing you to admire this 600-metre-deep crater from every possible angle. To finish off, I visited the town of Katikati, known as The Mural Town. Since the 1990s, its walls have been steadily covered with murals telling the story of the region and its first settlers. In 1996 they even organised a festival to celebrate… the twentieth mural. Today there are many more, and walking through the town feels like strolling through an open-air art gallery. It’s also worth mentioning that nearby are the Wairere Falls – the highest waterfall on the North Island. Apparently, they’re spectacular. Sadly, I couldn’t confirm this personally, because for reasons known only to the universe, the road was closed. As consolation, I visited the small town of Tirau, where the main attractions are: a giant sheep, a giant ram and a giant dog made of corrugated iron. The dog houses the tourist information centre, the sheep has a wool shop in its belly, and the ram joined the flock in 2016. These metal animals are Tirau’s main tourist draw – and that was exactly the point of this wonderfully absurd idea.

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