Africa and Middle East
Middle Eastern countries used to be layovers for Southeast Asian travelers on their way to Europe. Reversing the trend, cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi are becoming their own destinations by pulling in tourists from both East and West. Another emerging destination is Qatar, a tiny peninsula off the Persian Gulf. Like its Emirati neighbours,… Continue reading Sand, Sea and Souq: A Muslim Traveller’s Guide to The Top Things To Do In Qatar
A shopping paradise in the Gulf sounds appealing to anyone who fancies collecting nice things from around the world. There are plenty of traditional souvenirs, crafts and heritage items to bring home from shopping in Qatar. The journey is not complete without a visit to The Pearl, a man-made island, 15 minutes away from the… Continue reading Shopping in Qatar: Where to Shop and What to Buy
Qatar used to be one of the region’s poorest countries. Today, however, Qatar has catapulted itself into the spotlight by being the world’s richest country as of 2019. The country is now home to high-end shopping malls, magnificent skyscrapers, and Instaworthy luxury hotels! Needless to say, Qatar has become quite the tourist destination, welcoming almost… Continue reading Qatar’s Top 8 Most Instaworthy Hotels and Where to Find Them
After visiting Zimbabwe and enjoying its spectacular national parks and Victoria Falls, it made good sense to pop into neighbouring Zambia to tick off the only other country starting with the letter ‘z’. Visiting both Zambia and Zimbabwe at the same time is a good idea as they border each other and share the famous… Continue reading Zambia’s Parks, Rivers and Falls
My arrival into Cape Town brought home the significance of temperature fluctuations in South Africa weather. I had travelled from Kruger National Park in the far north of the country where the mercury topped 40o C prior to taking the two-hour flight south to Cape Town near the southernmost point of the African continent. As the… Continue reading South Africa’s Colourful Cape Town
Cairo — the capital city of Egypt and the largest city in Africa. Every year, tourists flock to this glorious city, wanting to see the Great Pyramids of Giza, one of the ancient wonders of the world. Visiting the Pyramids had always been on my bucket list, and I was lucky enough to be able… Continue reading My Journey to the Great Pyramids and Sphinx of Ancient Egypt
Few Singaporeans know the impact that the small Armenian community in Singapore had on the development of the city-state. In fact, they make up of Singapore’s smallest minority, with less than 700 Armenians over the span of 200 years. Yet, we all know the fruits of their labour, namely the Raffles Hotel, the Straits Times… Continue reading Armenian Cultural Attractions
Many Singaporeans may not even be aware that we have a small but important Arab community in Singapore. In the 19th century, many Yemeni Arabs came to Singapore and were involved in the trade, retail and real estate development. In fact, the Arabs were the largest landowners in Singapore at that time. The historic Raffles… Continue reading Best Places to Visit in the Middle East
Jordan may have some testy neighbours, but it is easily one of the safest in the region. It hides some of the world’s most well-preserved ancient world relics, which is why it has remained a dream destination for those in the know. Stunning Instagram shots featuring the magical Petra have also kept Jordan tours in… Continue reading Petra and 7 Unique Activities in Jordan to Experience in the Desert Gem