Asia

I expect this section to be filled with tales of the wonderful "'stans", the five countries of Central Asia, as my job will have me traveling to the region no less than 7/8 times between December 2014 and November 2016. Beautiful lands, amazing people, good food (plov!!! shashlik!!!).

But who knows? I might get a chance to explore other parts of the continent at some point as well! That or take photographic trips down memory lane (well, my Mom's memory) to recall childhood visits to Jordan, Bangkok, Japan, Hong Kong (although I've been there recently - in the past decade - as well) or life in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia).

*** work in progress ***

KAZAKHSTAN

The land of the vast wind-blown steppes.

KYRGYZSTAN

Home to glorious mountains and beautiful lakes, and according to my sources the best honey in the world! ;o)

TAJIKISTAN

Surrounded by some of the tallest mountains in the world, home to a people with a strong love of poetry, music and dancing.

TURKMENISTAN

The least known of the Central Asian countries, a beautiful land with very welcoming people.

• Admiring Turkmenistan's National Emblem and the story it tells

UZBEKISTAN

Home of the legendary cities of Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva. A joyful people, with a love of life, food and their impressive historical heritage (look up Amir Timur / Tamerlane).