I'm going to show you something like you've never seen before.
— Our guide, just before entering the Shāh Chérāgh Mosque.
The Shāh-é-Chérāgh Mosque. It's a mausoleum, a funerary, one of the many places of worship and pilgrimage in Iran. But this one looks like a giant disco ball turned inside out.
Although Persepolis is one of Iran’s top archeological and tourist sites, I was careful to keep my expectations in check before visiting. After all, what would remain of the 2,500 year-old capital of the Achaemenid Empire? Amidst crumbled columns, I found great detail that blew me away and a surprising connection to the present.
There's nothing like early morning light falling through a stained-glass window…casting designs on a Persian carpet…amidst immaculately tiled pink columns.
This is the winter prayer hall inside the Pink Mosque in Shiraz, Iran.
This is the story of Iran, a country we once expected to visit last, as a final bow wrapped around a journey that tells the story of making human connections around the world. It's also an explanation of why we're traveling to Iran this Friday.
Ah, Bali food. Our relationship with Balinese cuisine got off to a rocky start, but a Balinese cooking class in Ubud, night markets in Sanur and simple restaurants called warungs conspired to change our minds and inform our palates. The result: an overview of the components of Balinese cooking, common Balinese dishes and where to find them when you visit Bali.
Banana beer and biryani. Night markets and nutmeg. Kilimanjaro and Kendwa beach. Safaris and Stone Town. Zanzibar and zebras. Maasai and Manyara.
This is Tanzania in three weeks. See it all in the slideshow below.
An Egyptian cobra pays an unexpected visit to a Maasai village and makes us realize that we share a fear of poisonous snakes — and that we’re all more alike than we first thought. “There’s an Egyptian cobra in one … Continue Reading
A few life lessons we picked up from the animals of Tanzania’s big safari parks: Serengeti, Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro Crater.
Reflections on our safari in Tanzania's Serengeti National Park with all the big cats – lions, cheetahs, and a leopard – who have made this place their own.
How do I prepare for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro? What gear and hiking essentials will I need? Which Kilimanjaro route should I choose? What do I need to do to train or prepare for the hike? How best to avoid (or manage) altitude sickness? Read on for answers to all these questions about climbing Mount Kilimanjaro to help you successfully get to the summit.