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...
by Matthew Allison | Nov 9, 2014 | Asia
November 2014: Few places in the world can inspire more than the Himalayas and it was time for me to visit the most majestic and dramatic range of the Himalayas-the Karakoram’s of Pakistan. Together with my friend Charlie, we started our trip in Kashgar, China...
by Matthew Allison | Nov 3, 2014 | Asia
Over the Roof of the World Crossing the Karakoram Mountains from China to Pakistan In November 2014, my friend Charlie and I set out on a rugged, independent overland journey that began in Kashgar, China, and ended in the mountains of northern Pakistan. It was a trip...
by Matthew Allison | Sep 27, 2014 | North America
September 2014: As part of a larger trip to Alaska that also included seeing polar bears in the wild in the Inupiat village of Kaktovik, my brother Jesse, friend Evan and I visited Kodiak Island for 5 days with the intent of seeing the Kodiak Bear, the largest bear in...
by Matthew Allison | Sep 14, 2014 | North America
September 2014: Alaska is hands down one of my favorite places on Earth. Its wilderness and wildlife are just simply unparalleled. I have been to Alaska multiple times and I will keep returning. On this particular trip I chose to visit the Alaskan Arctic, which is the...
by Matthew Allison | Jul 21, 2014 | Asia
A Luxurious Stopover: Hong Kong & Macau Before the Wild July 2014: On my way to Vietnam and Cambodia, I had a three-day layover in Hong Kong and Macau, a brief but fascinating detour before an adventure that would take me deep into the jungle—trekking with...
