by Matthew Allison | Sep 27, 2015 | Africa
Experiencing the Gerewol Festival: A Journey into the Heart of the Wodaabe Culture 📍 September 2015 – Niger Attending a Gerewol festival of the Wodaabe tribe had long been a bucket list experience for me. Ever since watching documentaries about their unique customs, I...
by Matthew Allison | Jul 22, 2015 | Mexico, North America
July 2015: In my quest to see all of Mexico and to experience its largest lowland rainforest, the Lacandón and the indigenous descendants of the Maya, the Lacandón people, I spent 5 days exploring southern Chiapas with my friend Kent. Our goal was to sleep on an...
by Matthew Allison | May 18, 2015 | Africa
May 2015: As part of a longer trip that involved South Africa-One of Africa’s Greatest National Parks and One of the Only Parks Where You Can Drive Your Own Vehicle Up to Wild African Animals, South Africa | Venture The Planet and Swaziland-Visiting Africa’s Last...
by Matthew Allison | May 15, 2015 | Africa
May 2015: As part of a larger two-week trip to Namibia-Etosha National Park, the Desolation of the Skeleton Coast & Camping with the Himba Tribe in the Deserts of Northern Kaokoland, Namibia | Venture The Planet and Swaziland-Visiting Africa’s Last Monarchy and...
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...