On the road to Old Ahmedabad

Our impromptu journey to Ahmedabad started early in an attempt to visit the fabulous step-well at Patan before the heat got unbearable. Thankfully the air con in Mr Munir’s mini-van was working and we arrived still relatively cool.

Exploring the Chola Temples

The Cholas were once the mightiest rulers of South India with their influence stretching as far as Sri Lanka and Indonesia. During the middle ages, around the 11th and 12th centuries, they were also prolific builders of some mighty impressive temples. We visited just a few of them on our journey through the central plains of Tamil Nadu.

Devaraja Flower Market, Mysore

Devaraja market was an assault on the senses – all of them. Housed in a heritage building built in 1886 during the reign of Tipu Sultan, the Tiger of Mysore, and named after a ruler from the Wadiyer dynasty it sprawls over a huge 3 acres with over 1100 stalls and is one of the largest markets in Karnataka.

Exploring the Algerian Sahara

Who thought deserts were just sand dunes?

Five days and five different landscapes, our trip in the very south of Algeria, was a lot more than just sand dunes.

Gelede Masked Dancing in Benin

We followed the village chief down a maze of dusty tracks between red, mud walled houses, the silver jewels on his hat and sandals glinting in the morning sunlight. At a crossroads, under the shade of a large tree, the villagers were gathering, all dressed in black and red patterned trousers or dresses ready to perform the Gelede Masked Dance.