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Visiting the Rohingya Refugee Camp
Coming to Bangladesh, I had no intention of visiting the Rohingya Refugee Camp. I was in Cox Bazar, a beach town in the south, when a man asked me my purpose of visiting. He asked, “You come to see the Rohingya”? I knew of the refugee crisis going on, but I didn’t think much of it being in Cox Bazar.…
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Two Day Srimangal Tour
Srimangal was my favorite place in Bangladesh and one that is often overlooked by the few tourists that do venture out to Bangladesh. Srimangal lies in the Sylhet Division of the country, just four hours east of Dhaka by train. Not only is Sylhet considered the most scenic region in the country, but it is also the wealthiest. In fact,…
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Backpacking Bangladesh: 6 Things to do
Bangladesh isn’t a country most people would associate with tourism. India, its neighbor, overshadows Bangladesh as the number 1 South Asian tourist destination. As a result, many overlook Bangladesh as a place to visit on holiday. Tourism in Bangladesh ranks towards the bottom of most nations; however, I believe it’s a hidden gem waiting to be discovered by backpackers. Not…
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Day Trip from Tashkent: Chimgan Mountains and Lake Charvak
Most travelers coming to Uzbekistan fly into Tashkent and continue onward to the ancient cities of Samarkand, Bukhara, and if time permits, Khiva. While those cities are beautiful and special in their own unique way, some wonder what options exist for those wanting to escape this route and see something off the beaten track in Uzbekistan. I, like many travelers,…
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A Guide to Climbing Mount Fuji
Mount Fuji is one of the world’s most famous mountains and one deeply important to Japanese people as it is one of their 3 holy mountains. Each year, thousands flock to Japan hoping to catch a glimpse of Fuji on the train passing by, while the brave ones attempt to climb it. At 12,389 feet (3,776.24 meters), Mount Fuji ranks…
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How Studying Abroad in Japan Changed My Life
Being bi-racial, African-American and Japanese, I always had a fascination with Japan. Growing up in the U.S, I often wondered what living in Japan long-term would be like. I had visited Japan several times, but often for short periods of time. As a child, I knew one day that I would get the opportunity to stay longer and that I…
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Backpacking Through Bukhara and Samarkand
No trip to Uzbekistan is complete without a visit to the ancient Silk Road cities of Bukhara and Samarkand. Compared to the rest of Central Asia, which is rich in backpacking trails and rugged mountains, Uzbekistan has an abundance of architecture and Bukhara and Samarkand are arguably the best two cities to witness this. Although Bukhara and Samarkand are located just…
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A Backpacker’s Guide to Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan is a fantastic country to travel to and getting around is easier than you think. Despite many people’s fear of countries ending in “Stan”, Uzbekistan is far from a dangerous place and you’ll quickly realize that upon arrival. This historically rich nation, which sits along the ancient Silk Road, is a hidden gem and one country that deserves a lot…
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Traveling to Xinjiang: China’s Wild West
Xinjiang is one of China’s most unique regions and one truly worth exploring if you have time. Xinjiang is far from what most would imagine China to be. Uyghurs, the majority group living in Xinjiang, are culturally distinct from most Han Chinese. Aside from their physical features, they mostly practice Islam, speak Uyghur, and have their own cultural traditions. Although…
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Backpacking in Sudan
When I tell my friends I went backpacking in Sudan, the response I usually get is, “Sudan? Why?” Like most people, I had limited knowledge of Sudan; my image was entirely shaped by the mass media. When I envisioned Sudan, I thought about rebels on the back of pick up trucks riding with long rifles, and hungry children roaming the…
