Afaranwide

NEWSLETTER 53: September 2020

Hi, and thanks for your interest in the Afaranwide travel blog!

Cruel Blow for Lebanon

We were shocked to see the devastation caused by last month’s explosion in Beirut. It seemed a particularly cruel blow for a city that had experienced decades of turmoil since the start of the civil war in 1975 and was in the midst of a financial crisis. Our hearts go out to all those affected. There had been times between the incursions, invasions and assassinations of the past 45 years when it looked as if Lebanon was on the way up. We described such a period in a post written before the explosion. We sincerely wish that the sense of hope we found among Beirut’s resilient people returns soon. READ MORE

Google, Adobe... Meet Our Partners

It’s been an exciting few weeks at Afaranwide as we’ve established partnerships with some of the biggest names in travel, tech and graphic design:

BOOKING.COM and JAPAN RAIL PASS: We are now affiliates of these leading operators. This means that if you purchase through our site we receive, at no additional cost to you, a small commission. This is ideal for Afaranwide readers wishing to support the site. We work only with companies whose services we have used and can recommend. We’ve booked flights and hotels through Booking.com for years, and have travelled, awe-struck, on Japan’s remarkable bullet train network.

GOOGLE ADSENSE: Our association with this online advertising programme run by the search giant means that you’ll see the same ads on our blog as you do on some of the world’s biggest websites.

ADOBE STOCK: Afaranwide photos are available from the image library run by Adobe, a top software developer famous for its image editing, graphics and design apps. The library is used by designers, creatives and media professionals around the world, and it’s integrated into industry-leading apps such as Photoshop. CHECK OUT our fast-growing gallery.

Start of the Journey Home

We’ll be leaving Hong Kong soon as we head for home, mindful that this isn’t the best time to be travelling! So that means I have left my post as editor of the Foreign Correspondents’ Club’s magazine, The Correspondent. It has been a privilege to work with many fine photographers, journalists and writers from across Asia. It is always sad untying yourself from somewhere you’ve called home, but it was lovely that the FCC said farewell to me on their website – READ MORE. Hopefully the two-person gathering limit in Hong Kong will ease soon so I can catch up with friends and colleagues for a proper goodbye. – SB

Why are Some Buildings Beautiful?

I’m sure it’s largely in the eye of the beholder, but the Temple of Heaven in Beijing is one of the most lovely things I’ve ever seen. I fell in love at first sight, rather like the first time I saw the Taj Mahal by moonlight. As far as I can discover, no one knows who designed the temple and its surroundings, but the Emperor Yongle took the credit for this and the Forbidden City, which he built down the road. If you’re in Beijing, I’d go so far as to say it’s a “don’t miss”. It’s China so it comes with a long and tragic history, but it’s still there. If old buildings aren’t of interest to you, enjoy the three square kilometres of parkland and open space around it. READ MORE in my blog post. – SB

Day Trip to the Edge of the World

Last Saturday, Aug. 29, was the 90th anniversary of the evacuation of the people of St Kilda. This is a group of storm-lashed and bleak, yet beautiful, islands 112 miles off the west coast of Scotland. The islanders – worn down by the gruelling hardship of their lives – were taken to the mainland at their own request. It’s a moving and affecting experience to visit the islands and see their abandoned homes – join Afaranwide on a day trip there. READ MORE

Guest Posts Take Wing

We’re planning to publish more guest posts so that Afaranwide becomes a platform for different voices. One such piece by our friends at the Terra Incognita ecotourism travel company features a list of the top ethical birding tours worldwide. READ MORE

Welcome to Bear Country

One of the joys of travel that we’re all missing in these COVID-19 days is coming across somewhere you’ve never heard of, but which nevertheless leaves a lasting impression on you. This happened to us when we stopped off at the ski-resort town of Mammoth Lakes in eastern California, which is famous for the black bears that live there. I found their presence fascinating – Sue less so – and went off for a walk to try to see one. Find out how I got on: READ MORE – CS

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For a Directory of All Our Posts, Arranged by Country and Category, Click HERE

SHIMLA, QUEEN OF THE HILLS: Government officials once retreated to Shimla in the foothills of the Himalayas to escape India’s blazing hot summers. Now tourists make the same journey. READ MORE

TEN THINGS WE LEARNED: Our up-to-the-minute guide to creating a website, one step at a time. The costs, the mistakes – it’s what we wish we’d known when we started blogging. READ MORE

Afaranwide is an affiliate of leading travel operators such as Booking.com and Japan Rail Pass. If you purchase through our site we receive, at no additional cost to you, a small commission. We only work with companies we have used and recommend.