by Matthew Allison | May 14, 2015 | Africa
May 2015: Swaziland (now officially Eswatini) is one of the most unique countries I’ve ever visited. Ruled by King Mswati III, Ingwenyama, since he turned 18 in 1986, it remains Africa’s last absolute monarchy. The king, known for his lavish lifestyle, has...
by Matthew Allison | Jan 14, 2015 | Asia
January 2015: As part of a longer 10-day trip to Ukraine, Bulgaria and Turkey, my friend Frank and I spent 3 days traveling in Azerbaijan. We visited the oil plush flashy capital, Baku and the arid otherworldly landscapes of the arid interior and its mud volcanos and...
by Matthew Allison | Jan 7, 2015 | Europe
Exploring Bulgaria’s Surreal Side A Winter Road Trip to the Buzludzha Monument and Beyond January 2015 — As part of a larger Eastern Europe trip, my friend Frank and I spent four days exploring Bulgaria. I planned the visit with help from my Bulgarian friend in San...
by Matthew Allison | Jan 5, 2015 | Europe
First Impressions of Ukraine: From Transdniestria to Odessa 2008: I first set foot in Ukraine in November 2008, traveling with my friend Dan to the historic Black Sea port city of Odessa. We arrived via public transportation from Transdniestria, crossing from one...
by Matthew Allison | Nov 10, 2014 | Asia
November 2014: After traveling the Karakoram Highway from kashgar, China and visiting the Kalash villages in the Hindu Kush Kalash People, Descended from the Armies of Alexandar the Great, and Traveling the Karakoram Highway, Pakistan | Venture The Planet, my friend...