2am on the Greek-Turkish border on 01-MAY to kick off some Asia travel
ISTANBUL, TURKEY 🇹🇷
Spent 3 days in Istanbul which was an absolute pleasure. They were gearing up for their 2023 elections so lots of election posters, flags, and public rallys going on
90 min flight over the Black Sea, flying parallel to Ukraine’s southern border, heading to Georgia
TBILISI, GEORGIA 🇬🇪
Interesting time to be in Georgia, as they are gearing up to formally apply for EU membership in the next ~year.
Russia invaded in 2008, and still occupies 20% of their land so there’s a lof of visual anti-Russian sentiment.
Also saw and talked to some Russians who fled south to escape conscription. The border with Russia is ~90 mins drive north.
The EU were staging culture nights, so managed to catch a performance of Spanish flamenco guitar + dancing
BAKU, AZERBAIJAN 🇦🇿
Azerbaijan easily wins as the most tourist-hostile place I’ve ever visited. Most people seemed frustrated if you even tried to talk to them
DOHA AIRPORT, QATAR 🇶🇦
I’ve flown through this airport a few times, and the scale of Qatar airlines always blows me away.
It’s incredibly impressive how they manage to keep so many operational moving parts flowing.
SINGAPORE 🇸🇬
I’ve wanted to visit Singapore since I was a child (my uncle-in-law is Singaporaen), and it didn’t disappoint.
Their downtown waterfront at night might be one of the most impressive in the world, and the food was just stupid.
The indoor gardens are basically modern wonders of the world, with the waterfall being one of the most stunning manmade things I’ve ever seen.
Looking forward to going back already!
PHUKET, THAILAND 🇹🇭
Short 90 min flight up to rainy Phuket to recharge for a week after ~6 weeks of non-stop travel.
KOH PHAN NGAN, THAILAND 🇹🇭
The backpackers island paradise. Half the island seems to be Russian yoga retreats, and the other half backpacker partying.
It’s the off/rainy season right now, so can only imagine how mad it gets during the peak season.
The ‘mountain’ drives are absolutely incredible, lush jungle green snaking all around you.
BANGKOK, THAILAND 🇹🇭
Short overnight trip to Bangkok to catch some live Japanese heavy metal
KOH PHAN NGAN, THAILAND (again) 🇹🇭
Final few days of May relaxing back on the island
| MODE | KM |
| Flight | 11,864 |
| Train | 0 |
| Ferry | 70 |
| Bus | 350 |
| Scooter | 200 |
| TOTAL | 12,484 |
Lastly, some food I liked this month:
