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Shanghai – Garden of Pleasure and the Analog Tinder
Shanghai is a city of many names – the “Pearl of Asia”, the “Paris of the East”, the “New York of Asia” and a place that seemingly never sleeps. There’s always something going on here, and its energy can be felt on every street, in every pub, and on the riverbank. What really surprised me was its incredible diversity: ancient temples coexist with modern skyscrapers, elegant European-style buildings pop up here and there, and yet the streets are surprisingly orderly… and clean. If you’re thinking of a typical Chinatown, forget it, it’s a bit luxurious here. I had only two days to explore – one on the way to New…
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Belgrade – a city of contrasts, history and Balkan chaos
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…
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Surreal Nairobi – between safari and concrete
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…
