18/04/2010 by bakary.

Today is the fourth day without any planes in the sky, as a result of the massive cloud of volcanic ash from Iceland.

Whilst this has caused massive disruptions to many travellers and will cost many businesses dear… the selfish person in me loves the peace and quiet of no planes in the sky! Clear uninterrupted blue sky.

London transformed for four days now into a haven of tranquility!

Posted in London, Travel | 1 Comment »

08/04/2010 by bakary.

Leaving London Friday lunchtime… arriving Casablanca Sunday night!

The journey went something like this:

- Tube (from work to St Pancras)
- Eurostar to Paris (delayed due to weather conditions)
- Taxi (a race across Paris from Gare du Nord to Austerlitz
- Overnight train to Madrid (delayed departure; missed our coach connection as a result)
- Train to Atocha station
- Train to Algeciras… had to get off at Araquenta due to engineering work
- Replacement bus service to Algeciras
- Taxi to our hotel
- Taxi to the port
- Ferry to Tangiers
- Petit taxi to the railway station
- Train to Sidi Kacem (engine broke down and had to wait for a long long while for replacement engine to turn up)
- Train from Sidi Kacem to Casablanca (delayed!)
- 5 mins walk to the hotel…

A long long journey…

The highlights undoubtedly were getting off the ferry in Tangiers and getting to meet and talk to so many people… not something you get to do normally when you just have to board a plane!

Would I do it again, hell yes! But I’d take my time and would make sure to build in cushions for delays.

The flight home certainly wasn’t as exciting.

Posted in Africa, Travel | No Comments »

08/03/2010 by bakary.

Sadly, but perhaps not entirely surprising, Burma rejected Aung San Suu Kyi’s appeal. She will not be freed as was expected.

Tells you a lot about the fragility of a country that one person can have so much power over the junta. Some hope for free and fair elections then!

Burma - to go or not to go? Bakary says “Don’t go”.

Posted in Asia, Travel | Comments Off

21/02/2010 by bakary.

Well… there go my travel plans out of the window!

Deadly grenade attacks in Kigali are allegedly linked to next week’s visit from French President Sarkozy or the forthcoming August elections. As it is always best to avoid election times in Africa, I’m moving on to plan b… which is a great shame, as I’d started working on my itinerary and booked the time off work!

Posted in Africa, Travel | No Comments »

06/02/2010 by bakary.

Progress is slow… but any progress is good news. After the last twenty years, the recent news from Burma is offering a glimmer of hope: Aung San Suu Kyi could be free by the end of the year.

Interestingly, two of my acquaintances holidayed in Burma this Christmas (independently of each other). Well travelled, they both knew that their decision to visit Burma was controversial but both felt that the time was right. I’m still hanging on…

Posted in Asia, Travel | No Comments »

19/01/2010 by bakary.

So… only one new country in the last 14 months.

Go to World66 to update your travel map.

Posted in Travel | No Comments »

18/01/2010 by bakary.

If you need some inspiration, then have a look at the destinations the experts are tipping for 2010. 

Wanderlust have compiled a month-by-month list:
January: the Philippines
February: Brazil
March: Sweden
April: Mumbai (India)
May: Damascus (Syria)
June/July: South Africa
August: Edinburgh (UK)
September: DR Congo
October: Mexico
November: Arabia (UAE and Oman)
December: New Zealand

DR Congo, the Gulf countries and Damascus sound exciting. These destinations conjure images of mystery and adventure and it’s good to see them on the list. Would also be good to see tourism returning to Mumbai. The Philippines make an appearance as the ’secret’ South-East destination and the tourist-free isles of the Philippines certainly sound intriguing. I’m bored, however, of seeing New Zealand on these lists, years after years. And South Africa for the summer is far too predictable.

The Lonely Planet’s top ten destinations are:
El Salvador
Germany
Greece
Malaysia
Morocco
Nepal
New Zealand
Portugal
Suriname
USA

New Zealand, hey? How predictable. Apart from that, it’s an exciting list with exotic destinations (Suriname and El Salvador). Good to see a few European countries on the list with Greece, Portugal and Germany. And whether it’s the Obama phenomenon or not, it’s good to see the USA there too. Whether you go for cities or national parks, you can’t go wrong. It’s a stunning country.

Morocco, however, is so 2009 as far as I’m concerned…

Posted in Travel | No Comments »

17/01/2010 by bakary.

Where will 2010 take you? Made any plans yet? If you’re still undecided, you may be interested to hear that you can now fly to Iraq from Manchester!

Like me, I hope that you’re enjoying scheming and planning. I’m revisiting my travel wish list and hoping, seriously hoping, to go to either Rwanda or Greenland this year. Very different destinations you will agree and both quite expensive.

Posted in Travel | No Comments »

13/11/2009 by bakary.

Welcome to the September 2009 Tube map.

You’re probably aware of what a massive PR crisis this has been for Transport for London.

Normal service will resume with the next edition of the map we’re told. You know… maps with a river running through the city. Maps with South and North London clearly demarcated. Maps with zones so you know which tickets to purchase. Maps… which make sense.

Bet you the bright spark which came up with riverless London isn’t a Londoner. I bet you. They can’t be.

Anyway, I digress… the best thing about the controversial map is its cover, designed by our favourite artist, Richard Long:

Posted in London, Travel | No Comments »

10/11/2009 by bakary.

Too early to mention the top destinations for 2010?

I hear Germany’s the place to be next year. Be there before the crowd gets there type thing… and hosting the World Cup obviously means that tourism to South Africa will be boosted too.

Anyone heard of any other tipped destinations?

Me… well, I’ll keep plugging at my list of top five destinations I’d most like to visit…

Posted in Travel | No Comments »