WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE ! IT’S REAL ECUADOR !

On August 27th TotalAdventure landed in Quito Ecuador . While TotalAdventure has crossed the Equator at least 50 times, I had never stood on the line itself.

At Mitad del Mundo -Middle Of The World. On my left side it is Winter. On my right side it is Summer. Even with the direct overhead sunlight, the altitude is 2500 meters – 8125 feet. The temperature rarely goes over 21 C or 70 F and st night – cold enough for a jacket, it is about 7 C or 45 F. The temperature is the same all year, with varying periods of rainfall. In Ecuador’s jungles and on the beaches, it is always hot – 32 C 90F every day of the year.

An egg balances perfectly on a nail . Geomagnetic forces allow what cannot be done anywhere else on Earth.

TotalAdventure, along with adventure tour provders,buyers and members of the press had been invited by the Adventure Travel Trade Association , Tht Ecuador Ministry of Tourism and Visit Cuenca to take part in AdventureNext , an adventure travel coinference that takes place in a different part of the world every year. For 4 days before the confernce we were hosted on an adventure called Avenue of the Volcanoes. The excellent trip was led by Amazing Ecuador. The morning after arrival, we left Quito and headed south for our 4 day adventure towards Cuenca.

The first night we stayed at Hacienda La Alegria. After a cold rainy hike above 13000 feet earlier in the day, we enjoyed warm moonshine around the fire before a hearty dinner.

Learning the long family history of the Hacienda.

Seafood stew from coastal Ecuador.

The next morning was horseback riding about 12 kilometers up to some spectacular views. TotalAdventure’s horse was quite feisty and I’m glad to be an experienced rider. SEE THE VIDEO AT THE TOP OF THE ARTICLE.

From the Valley we ascended to Cotopaxi National Park. Cotopaxi, a volcano that last erupted in 2023, is still steaming as you can see in the photo above. It is 19,347 F 5952 M rising 7882 F 2425 M above our elevation. Apparently it can be climbed in one day, starting the night before.

No one in our group had problems with altitude – we were at 3000 to 4000 meters almost all the time for 4 days. But if someone did have a problem, they could buy some oxygen.

That evening we arrived at Hacienda La Cienaga . The hotel is over 300 years old. Alexander Humboldt once slept there.

Like many haciendas, a chapel serves as a place of refuge.

Time stands still at La Cienaga. The clock is right twice a day.

On the morning of Saturday the 30th we toured Success Rose Farm. A huge operation with massive sheds creating 35 varieties of perfect roses.

Each rose is swaddled to create a perfect shape.Extremely labor intensive.

Once picked and packed, the roses are flown 4 hours North to Miami – where the shipments are divided and sent all over the USA. They can be in a New York florist shop by the next morning.

Cotopaxi in the distance.

We then explored the market town of Zumbahua.

Lago Quilatoa . A caldera created by a giant explosion thousands of years ago. Elevation 3914 M 12841 F. SEE THE VIDEO AT TOP OF ARTICLE !

Photo Credit : Fer Rodriguez Intrepid Travel.

Kayaking the icy waters. Photo Credit : Joy Martinello Wild Nectar Collection

TotalAdventure believes in enjoying all local foods, no matter how unusual. After the kayaking we were invited to an Andean feast,where the main dish was Cuy – Guinea Pig. A common pet in the United States – it is dinner in Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia. The meat is tasty with nice crispy skin . It reminded me of another rodent I had eaten – Marmot in Mongolia.

There are over 300 varieties of potatoes in Ecuador.

And 200 varieties of corn.

Artisan Collective Mask. Made of clay, too fragile to transport.

In Riobamba that night at Hacienda Abraspungo it was cold outside but warm in my abode with a crackling fire. I put enough wood on to last hours.

Morning sunlight warms the room.

A woman and her llama.

Maria Natividad de Balbanera , the oldest church in Ecuador, built in 1534.

The Puhara Tribe artwork.

Ingapirca ruins, Ecuador’s most important Inca ruins. Built around 500 AD.

It was an important military command post.

Ecuador – In the Middle of The World.

On Sunday Night, August 31st, we arrived in Cuenca for Adventure Next.

The next day, September 1st, we hiked in Cajas National Park, at nearly 14000 feet in wet windy temperatures of 3 C 37 F. The hike was about 10 km , slow due to steep downhill with loose gravel and deep mud on flat land.

Alpine flowers 2 degrees south of the Equator.

MINTUR Ecuador and Visit Cuenca had a huge welcoming party for Adventure NEXT that went outdoors to entertain everyone ! The fireworks were among the more unusual that TotalAdventure has ever experienced.

The US Dollar is the legal tender for Ecuador. Overall prices for basic goods are similar to the US and Western Europe ,while hotels and dining are cheaper.. Do not bring 50s and 100s, , businesses prefer 10s and 20s.

Most world citizens do not require a visa – but check according to your country. Quito and Guauaquil are only 4 hours from Miami !

Since The Algerian War of Independence against France from 1954 to 1962, Algeria has been off the travel radar. Although close to Europe and bordering heavily touristed Morocco, not much is known about the vast nation, 9th largest in the world, by the traveler community. Years of instability followed the Revolution, and Algeria was often aligned with movements unfavorable to the West. Income from vast oil and gas reserves provided income for the government and its’ people making the necessity for tourism a low priority. Above Is The Interior of Emir Abdelkader Mosque iin Constantine.

Indeed, even as tourism is opening up, it is still quite a process to procure a visa. TotalAdventure had to submit, along with the form and two photos – work and residential history, name and birthplace of parents, passport, driver’s license, 3 months of bank statements, complete itinerary with name and address of hotels ( changeable ) and reservation plan for transport in and out of the country. Once this is all submitted with the US $ 160 fee,it’s approved in about 7 business days. My visa is multiple entry and good for two years – I shall return !

Algeria is 99% Islamic. The Mosques are beautiful and also open to non-Muslim observers.

Just after Mid Day Prayers.

Street Scene.Algerians are extremely friendly and happy to meet foreigners. Never are there aggressive sales tactics.

A Sealed Portal.

Sharia Law does not apply. Alcohol is permitted in private,but not widely availabe ,except in international hotel bars. About half the women wear the hijab, while many also wear modest Western style attire.

TotalAdventure’s hotel in Central Algiers. The city architecture is Parisian with an Arabian mix. SEE THE VIDEO AT TOP OF PAGE !

An interior of an apartment building.

Fending Off Pirates And Infidel Invaders.

The National Post Office. The postcards I mailed from there have yet to arrive

Notre Dame d’Afrique. Beautiful Moorish design to blend in with Mosques. Algeria is 1% non Muslim – including Catholics and Jews.

SEE THE VIDEO ABOVE FOR A GREAT EXPERIENCE OF ALGIERS !

The view from Notre Dame d’Afrique.

The Martyrs Memorial , high above the city. Underneath is an amazing museum of the Revolution, however no photos are permitted.

A Fighter Against France.

The Algerian Dinar is officially 130 to the US Dollar ; the street rate is 220. This makes prices very low compared to the USA or Western Europe. By paying in cash your hotel rate can be less than half. Large delicious meals are $8 to $ 10, with several courses, coffee and mineral water. Do not keep any more than for souvenirs, as the currency is unconvertible anywhere.

Lunchtime. Tasty lamb and chicken kebabs.

My lunch order was about $3.50 and could not finish it.

Red and purple olives, like I’ve never seen before.

About 120 km West of Algiers is the ancient seaside Roman City of Timgad. It was built around 100 AD and is mostly in original form – nothing has been rebuilt.

Arches With A Seafront View.

Timgad overlooks the effervescent Mediterranean . Algeria has great potential for resorts, but let’s hope it doesn’t happen the way it has in Europe.

There are so many coliseums in the Roman Empire that they must have been a chain.

The Royal Mausoleum of Mauretania, also known as Kbor er Roumia, is a large, circular tomb located near Tipasa, Algeria. It was built in the 3rd century BC and is believed to house the remains of King Juba II and Queen Cleopatra Selene.. The monument is a significant example of Numidian funerary architecture and is a UNESCO World Heritage site, SEE THE VIDEO AT TOP OF PAGE !

On Tuesday May 27th TotalAdventure hired a car to Bou Saada – about 4 hours southeast of Algiers – The Gateway To The Sahara. Temperatures in summer reach 50 C , but it was only 36 on this late spring day.

Center of Bou Saada.

Poolside Lunch At Hotel Caid.

A Very Fertile Stork.

Modesty And Beauty.

From the desert we ascended to the eastern highland city of Constantine.Perched upon the mountaintops it is united by chainlink suspension bridges. Above, is Algeria’s second largest – Mosque of Emir Abdelkader.

Islamic Stain Glass.

Minarets Reaching To The Heavens.

Children Taking Part In Bismillahkhani  – Introduction To Learning The Quaran.

Open To Everyone.

Travelers -Your Phone Is As Important As Your Passport. Soon Even More So. See http://www.adventuretravel.ai To See The Future Of Travel.

From Near And Far. The Gorge Is 150m Deep.

By Night From Igherssan Restaurant.

Lamb With Couscous.

Sparkling Water Cocktail.

Arabian Nights.

SEE THE BRIDGES IN THE VIDEO AT TOP OF PAGE.

On the final day in Algeria I explored the Roman Ruins of Tiddis, in the hills about 40 km from Constantine.

I had the entire site to myself – a benefit of being in sparsely visited Algeria.

Ancient tales live on.

Shelter From Summer Sun And Winter Cold. It snows in this part of Algeria.

Nightfall in Constantine.

The Crescent Moon Heralding The Arrival Of Eid Al Adha.

On Sunday June 1 , TotalAdventure boarded the Anaba – Tunis Express, only recently resumed running after many years. Three hours later I crossed the border into Tunisia . We will soon return to Amazing Algeria !

On Sunday June 1, TotalAdventure arrived in Tunisia on a train from Anaba ,Algeria. Train service had been recently restored between the two countries after many years suspension. WATCH THE VIDEO AT TOP OF PAGE !

To get rhough immigration, we got off the train twice. Once for exiting Algeria, once for entering Tunisia. The border guards were quire friendly. They do not see many Americans on this route. In fact, it seemed I may have been the only non Algerian or Tunisian on the train.

The 200 KM journey takes about 8 hours.

Upon early evening arrival in Tunis, TotalAdventure walked 2 kilometers from Gare de Tunis via Rue de Paris to the comfortable ,faded and very French Hotel Majestic. TotalAdventure travels with only a compact backpack . Mobility is key on adventures like these. One can become a slave to bulky luggage.My rudimentary French is quite helpful in North and West Africa.

The Old City – Al Medina is excellent for exploring meandering alleyways and courtyards. WATCH THE VIDEO AT TOP OF PAGE !

Unlike Algeria,Non Muslims are not permitted in Mosques.

What is behind this mysterious carved doorway ?

Carved By Hand.

Behind The Blue Door. Someone opened up as I was taking the photo.

Homes are cool as they are amde of stone. Temperatures in summer go to 40 C , in early June it was around 30.

Sheep being fattened up for the feast of Eid Al Adha. WATCH THE VIDEO AT TOP OF PAGE !

About 25 kilometers North of Tunis is the Ancient Roman City of Carthage, overlooking the bight blue Mediterranean Sea.

Just to the Southwest of Sicily, Carthage was a stepping stone for Roman soldiers to North Africa.

Even today, archeologists are uncovering new artifacts ,telling the story of conquest.

While Rome flourished in the South, Northern Europe was still primitive. WATCH THE VIDEO AT TOP OF PAGE !

A 2000 Year Old House.

Tunisian Cuisine Is Very Spicy.. Lamb and couscous with harissa is a favorite dish.

The Tunisia Dinar is 3 To The US Dollar. Prices Are Much Lower Than The USA or Western Europe.

From Tunis , TotalAdventure flew Tunisair Express on an ATR-72 for a one hour flight to Malta.

A one hour flight from Tunis, Tunisia on Tunisair Express returned TotalAdventure to the European Union . Malta, 3 islands between Europe and North Africa is truly a crossroads of geography and culture. The islands , only a couple hundred kilometers from the Sahara, have a near desert landscape and climate, though there are some moderate winter rains. The currency is the Euro, but prices are a bit lower than the Continent. The language is a mix of Arabic and Sicilian .Maltese is the only Semitic language written in the Latin alphabet.

Back In Schengen.

Not long after TotalAdventure checked into the hotel in Sliema, I Ubered to St.Peter’s Pool, a beautiful rocky cove with crashing waves, clear blue water and cliffs for diving SEE THE VIDEO ABOVE.

Three are amazing beaches on all 3 islands The best are remote ,where a hike is also part of the deal. The snorkeling and diving can be experienced in THE VIDEO.

Many Roman style structures in Malta are not necessarily Roman. This is the Malta Stock Exchange, built in the 1870s.

Though close to the shores of the Islamic World, Malta is 99% Catholic. Above is the Church of the Madonna of Lourdes on a mountain above the Gozo Harbour.

Interior Of The Church.

The Gozo Fast Ferry takes 45 minutes from Valletta to Gozo. Unfortunately there is no outdoor space, but it is fast ! One can also board a ferry to Sicily – only 1 hour 45 minutes. By air it’s one hour to Tunis or Tripoli,Libya.

Flying In To Malta.

A Roadside Shrine in Valletta.

A Friday Wedding In Style !

At St.John’s Co-Cathedral.

Commissioned in 1572 by Grand Master Jean de la Cassière as the conventual church of the Knights of St. John, replacing earlier churches used by the Order.Architect Girolamo (Ġlormu) Cassar, Malta’s leading military engineer, led its Mannerist-style design and oversaw construction between 1573 and 1577, with final touches in 1578 Replaced the Church of St. Lawrence in Vittoriosa as the main worship site for the Order.

Originally simple, the interior was richly redecorated in the 1660s by Grand Master Raphael Cotoner, executed by Mattia Preti and colleagues, aiming to rival Roman churches

Features include illusionistic frescoes, carved gilt walls, and intricate marble tombstone floors commemorating knights

• 1798: French occupation expelled the Knights; church’s status grew.
• 1816: Elevated to co‑cathedral by papal decree, sharing Malta’s episcopal seat with St. Paul’s Cathedral in Mdina .
• The British era brought attempts to convert it into a Protestant church, but opposition led to its co‑cathedral status being reaffirmed .

• 1798: French occupation expelled the Knights; church’s status grew.
• 1816: Elevated to co‑cathedral by papal decree, sharing Malta’s episcopal seat with St. Paul’s Cathedral in Mdina .
• The British era brought attempts to convert it into a Protestant church, but opposition led to its co‑cathedral status being reaffirme

• Internally, one of Europe’s finest examples of High Baroque architecture—a lavish contrast to its austere exterior .
• Its floors and walls commemorate centuries of Malta’s Knights, making it both a house of worship and a national memorial .

• Continues to function as a living church, welcoming both worshippers and art-lovers.

Fort St.Elmo , overlooking the entrance to the Port, houses a museum chronicling Malta’s many wars. Above, a bunker overlooking the Mediterranean ready to fire on German and Italian vessels crossing from Sicily.

A captured Nazi Helmet.

Malta has been fighting off invaders from. all sides for thousands of years. Since 1964 they have been a free and sovereign nation.

One cannot leave Malta without savoring the national dish – Rabbit Stew !

Malta, an EU Member, uses the Euro. Currently the Euro is worth US $ 1.18 putting prices on a par with the USA and lower than Northern Europe.

From Malta TotalAdventure returned to Miami via Frankfurt on Lufthansa ending an amazing journey from Miami to Paris to Algeria,Tunisia and Malta.

WATCH THE VIDEO AT THE TOP OF THE ARTICLE !

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE !

On April 22 TotalAdventure departed Tbilisi by auto, with the driver from British Hotel. Before leaving Tbilisi, there were a few stops to pick up necessary documents for crossing the border.

From Tbilisi to Yerevan is about 300 km, taking around 5 hours, including time crossing the border.

Armenia – Country Number 97 For TotalAdventure.

Shortly after the border crossing we had a bit of a detour. The driver received a text warning that Azeri soldiers had made an incursion into Armenian territory. The war has been on and off for over 30 years – since the breakup of the Soviet Union. The next road we went on was closed for about 30 minutes due to a farmer’s demonstration. In all delays were about 90 minutes. It was later reported one Azeri soldier was killed. Above, the peaceful image of winter’s snow receding in the strong spring sunshine.

TotalAdventure’s hotel was right off Republic Square – a grand plaza of Government buildings, libraries and museums.

A delicious dinner at Kavkazia – beginning with Dolma.

Followed by Borsht and then Shashleek. Armenian cuisine is hearty – a crossroads of various Empires – Russian,Turkish, Persian,Greek.

Armenian Dram. As of this writing, the Dram is 387 to the US Dollar. Overall the country is lower priced than the US and Western Europe. A good meal for 2 in a top restaurant, with wine would be about US $ 60, about a tenth of that in a common locals canteen.

Mt.Ararat in Eastern Turkey. It is where Noah landed the Ark after the Great Flood. The mountain is sacred in Christianity,Islam and Judaism. Though only 53km ( 32mi) distant as the crow flies – to drive is 547 km since the Turkish border has been closed since 1991 -one must circumnavigate through Georgia to get there. At nearly 17,000 feet, 5800m the mountain is snowcapped for eternity.

The Cascade – 672 steps with the 40th Anniversary of Soviet Armenia Monument at the top. TotalAdventure climbed it effortlessly on a 29 C day.

Author of a a favorite childhood book “My Name is Aram.”

Artist and Director Sergei Paradjanov pictured at his home, now a museum.

Paradjanov Artwork.

Paradjanov Artwork.

In may places throughout the city – memorials to soldiers killed in the ongoing war with Azerbaijan.

Russian TV is prominent. TotalAdventure watched Rossiya 24 – like a Russian verion of Fox.

Rossiya 24 previewing things to come. TotalAdventure is self taught to read Cyrillic – very helpful in Russia ,the Balkans ,Mongolia and the post Soviet world in general.

TotalAdventure often hires a car with driver in many countries, in order to film and photograph the countryside. In Armenia that was prohibitively expensive, so I rented a Chevy SUV for $ 35 a day.

The main mission was to visit ancient churches and monasteries. Taking information from an online guide, I pasted the locations in Google Maps on my MacBook Pro and then sent the resulting map to my iPhone. This map – Bluetoothed on my dashboard screen- was my tour guide throughout the next two days of exploration. These features will soon be embedded in our new engine – adventuretravel.ai

All the monasteries are featured in THE VIDEO AT THE TOP.

Mother Stork Is Expecting ! Or perhaps feeding the little ones.

The Soviet bus seems to be a 1950s relic – but it’s from 1987.

Remains of Zvartnots Cathedral.

1300 hrs. Armenia is GMT + 4 – 2 hours ahead of Western Europe and 8 hours ahead of New York.

Poppies – a popular flower in nearby countries.

Interior Cathedral.

Hovhannavank – The Catholicos of Armenia.

A church on a forested mountaintop.

Overlooking Lake Sevan. SEE THE VIDEO AT THE TOP !

St,Gregory – who was imprisoned in complete darkness in a snake pit for 13 years !

Also overlooking Lake Sevan is the Writer’s Hotel. Built around 1960, it is a classic example of Soviet Brutalist architecture.

After years of abandonment, it is now reopening as a hotel – the views are beautiful, the rooms basic, for about $ 35 a night. And writers won’t have to write about the glories of Lenin and Marx.

Final stop to gas up the rental ! The next morning TotalAdventure flew around enemy lines to Baku.

The Highway From Asmara To Massawa Drops Over 8000 ( 2500m) Feet In Just 100 Kilometers. We left early morning temperatures not far above freezing arriving to close to 90 ( 32C) on the coast.

At the entrance to the city is the Palace of Emperor Haile Selassie. Though he was murdered by the Communist Derge in 1975, his palace continued to be used by officials until it was bombed by the Ethiopian Air Force in 1991, when Eritrea began its’ War of Independence. To this day, it is still in ruins, like much of Massawa , in contrast to well preserved Asmara.

The visa to enter Eritrea is only good for Asmara itself. To travel anywhere else in the county , an interior Travel Permit is required. This took about 2 hours to acquire the day before. One must arrange transport as well. The driver’s name and the car’s license number are listed on the permit . TotalAdventure passport number deleted for security purposes.

One must carry the receipt as well, to prove that the 51 Nafka ( $3 ) fee was paid.

Along the highway there may be toll collectors.Baboons demand bananas in order to allow cars to pass without harassment.

Massawa architecture is more Ottoman than Italian.

Statuary Of The Lion King.

Barbed wire – possible live bombs inside of another palace.

The port on the Red Sea – almost all ships from China.

On Haile Sellasie’s Porch.

L – 1011 TO Nowhere.

Wartime damage un repaired after 30 years. But people live here.

Its’ been a long wait for the bus – about 45 years.

Bottled water plant , shuttered in the 60s.

Mothers and Children.

General of the Troop.

1930’s Graffiti.

Returning to Asmara – high above the clouds.

The New Generation Of Eritrea !

Axum Is One Of The Holiest Christian Cities On Earth. It Is Home To The Ark Of The Covenant – The Tablets Of The Ten Commandments Held By Moses.

In Middle Ages Europe ,In The Time Of The Crusaders, there was a tale of a paradise called The Land of Prester John. A land of unimaginable riches, and home to the Holy Grail. Somewhere near Ethiopia, though the Crusaders never got beyond Jerusalem.

A Truly Ancient Land.

Egyptian emissaries erected stellae in the Fourth Century, though quite a few have fallen.

Sunrise in the Land of Prester John.

The modern Church of Maryam ( Virgin Mary ) near the Ark Of The Covenant.

The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church claims to possess the Ark of the Covenant, or Tabot, in Axum. The object is currently kept under guard in a treasury near the Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion.( Wikipedia) Ark of the Covenant was brought to Ethiopia by Menelik I with divine assistance, while a forgery was left in the Temple in Jerusalem. ( Wikipedia.) Melenik I was the son of King Solomon and Queen Sheba.

A Peaceful Dove – An Apparition ?

An Ancient Stellae Field.

A Cantankerous Camel.

Holy Bible.

Brutal Punishments For Sinners.

Rugged Trees For the Dry Climate.Tigray only gets a few showers in the summer.

One of the best restaurants in Ethiopia – in Adrigat.

Lamb and Beef so fresh you can eat it raw.

Hot Tibs.

Hotel In Adrigat. Did not stay there.

Captured In Battle.

Ancient Scripture.

Debri Damo Monastery. Accessible only by rappelling up the cliff.

Even monks 80 or 90 years. old can do it. Once they can’t, they stay.

Two Fascinating Weeks In Ethiopia then came to an end. TotalAdventure moved on to nearby Eritrea, though it took two flights to get there. TotalAdventure would especially like to thank Awaze Tours for making our private journey possible. Also Special Thanks to our driver Engdu ! Ethiopia is not an easy country to navigate and Awaze helped make all this incredible experience possible.

As Timkat approaches, the entire country gets into celebration mode. We leave Lalibela on. Saturday – 2 days before. Roadside markets are busting, as people stock up on food for the large family feasts after a 24 hour fast.

A music man in the Highlands playing his masinko. Watch him play on the video above.

Coffee beans growing on the side of the road. Ethiopian Coffee is amongst the best in the world !

A boy brings coffee to market. Rural children work for their families, but not for others as far as we could tell. It’s a necessity that armchair moralists of the West may not understand.

All food is very fresh.

Two sisters off to market.

Restaurant Mountain Vista.

A colorful Injera lunch.Various meats and vegetables, mostly cold.

Injera “flour”

United States help is much appreciated. With 109 million people in a mostly desert country , extra supplies are needed.

A cold Saturday morning, everyone on the way to buy and sell.

Drying grain.

Spices are abundant.

Spices Are Abundant.

Inside a market bar. TotalAdventure was obliged to try some of the local firewater – made from fermented fruit that still had seeds floating in it. Powerful ! Though it was only 9 AM, music was blasting.

Bamboo for sale.

Approaching Gondar.

After being driven to the Uzbek Border we walked across a no – man’s land strip and presented our visas. From there it was a short taxi ride to Khiva.

Above, The Registan In Samarkand. Watch the Incredible Video above !

Khiva is a self-contained fortress city. Everything of interest is inside the walls . It is fascinating and can be seen in a long day by energetic explorers such as ourselves.

Hotel Orient Star , a former Madrassah, is where we stayed.

In A Tamarlane City

View From Our Balcony

After 24 hours in Khiva, TotalAdventure hired a car with driver to take us 600 km across the Kara Kum Desert to Bukhara. The cost is US $ 50. Most larger transactions are done in USD as it is 8500 Som to the dollar, requiring huge stacks of bills to be used. Watch the video above to experience the desert crossing.

10000 Som is about $ 1.20. The biggest note is 100,000. Difficult to fold the wallet. However, 3 of those notes will get you a hearty meal.

Gates like this are plentiful in Uzbekistan, neighboring . Afghanistan , Iran and Pakistan, as well as Northern India.

An Ancient Koran from the times of Tamerlane.

In The Golden Domes Of Samarkand.

Unlike many other Islamic Nations, the Call To Prayer is not audible.

Uzbekistan is just opening up to the outside world . It’s a great country to explore. TotalAdventure plans a return to explore the western regions of the former Aral Sea later in 2020.

The TotalAdventure Team flew Qatar Airways from Miami to Saigon (HCM) Vietnam .On the way we had an 8 hour layover in Doha. On the way back we stopped over for two days. The above video is a compilation of the two visits.

Qatar is the wealthiest nation in the world, per capita. But tradition prevails in the desert lands outside of Doha.

It’s a 13 hour flight from Miami. 15 hours going back.

Right off the plane from Bangkok , we went riding the high sand dunes south of Doha. You can experience the adventure in the video above.

We went right dawn to the waterway that separates Qatar from Saudi Arabia, other than the narrow land bridge. The border between the two US Allies is currently closed. That’s a Saudi Army post about 3 km in the distance.

 

Back in the city , we went to Souk Al Waqif.

A delicious lunch of Sheep’s Head.

And Foul – a delicious Fava Bean stew.

Modest, yet colorful fashions.

Saffron and other exotic, expensive spices for sale.

The Architecture is Amazing.

Qatar Grand Mosque .

Al Zubara Fort.

It’s hot outside in July. That’s 117 F !

TotalAdventure would like to Thank Mr.Ahmed Nasser Al Rayes , Chairman of the Al Rayes Group for making our excursion in Qatar so flawless, exploring the majority of the country in a very short time. The Al Rayes Group owns 83 companies ,and is a leader in tourism investment.