Alexis Beard / Blog

The End of the World: Sossusvlei, Namibia

The End of the World: Sossusvlei, Namibia

I don't know where to begin. It's hard to write about Namibia, especially because I've nothing to compare it with. Namibia in general, and Sossusvlei in particular, is like stepping into a different planet. Mars, to be specific. Everything has a reddish hue to it, the atmosphere seems thin, the sky far away, the distances immense. We could drive for an hour without seeing a change in the landscape. We arrived to the Namib-Naukflut desert, an otherworldly monstrosity of a land

Howling wolves and bloodthirsty vampires: Transylvania.

Howling wolves and bloodthirsty vampires: Transylvania.

Romania doesn't tend to be at top of people's traveling lists (though I hear that's changing). And for those that are interested, they will be advised to spend as little time in Bucharest as possible and to head straight to Transylvania. Transylvania is amazing, but Bucharest has its charm as well. 'Beautiful' is probably not how I'd describe it, but its definitely has more than couple of interesting things to see. It's probably the contrast between different eras what makes

Island of Gods: Bali, Indonesia.

Island of Gods: Bali, Indonesia.

I already ache to return. Bali, known as a tropical paradise, is so much more than that. A land of volcanoes, temples, and fascinating traditions... it's hard to describe. I suppose the only accurate way to put it is that Bali is the sum total of all its elements, encased within an atmosphere that simply, unmistakably feels old. During the Balinese New Year, the island grows silent. The locals believe that if they make absolutely no noise, the demons will pass by Bali, believ

King of Nubia – Abu Simbel, Egypt.

King of Nubia – Abu Simbel, Egypt.

We could see Abu Simbel from the plane. Yes, it's that big. After a over a week in Egypt – a week of gigantic temples, delicate hieroglyphics, beautiful views – it was Abu Simbel that took the crown. Breathtaking doesn't begin to cover it. Built more than three thousand years ago, it's wonderfully preserved. The interior is cover in murals, and in some of them you can still spy glimpses of their original covering (which is why you aren't allowed to take pictures). And this am

Gasping for Air in Tibet: Buddhist Debate

Gasping for Air in Tibet: Buddhist Debate

At Sera Monastery in the outskirts of Lhasa, we got to witness a curious spectacle: a Buddhist Debate. So, what makes it special? It's conducted in a peculiar manner. The monks (in this case numbering hundreds), alternate between student and teacher. They ask each other questions on Buddhist doctrine and philosophy, finishing the question with a loud clap for emphasis. A clap will also be used to point out a wrong answer. It's fun to watch, with hundreds of monks just about s

Gasping for Air in Tibet: Kora in Lhasa.

Gasping for Air in Tibet: Kora in Lhasa.

For two days now, the shadow of the Potala Palace hung over us. From every corner of Lhasa, we could see this white-and-red giant, and we couldn't wait to finally climb. The Potala is a monster. 13-stories high, it has over 1000 rooms and was, at one point, the tallest structure in the world. Regulations are tight. You only have two hours inside, tickets run out fast, and you can absolutely take no pictures. The queue was full of Chinese tourists and a couple of Tibetan local

Gasping for Air in Tibet: First day in Lhasa.

Gasping for Air in Tibet: First day in Lhasa.

Once known as the 'Forbidden Kingdom', few people ever got to see Tibet, even before the 21st century. 4000 meters high, it's crazy inaccessible. And the truth is there's no place in the world quite like it. Our first day in this 'Roof of the World', we took it easy, trying simply to acclimatise. There's 40% less oxygen in Lhasa, so even walking around the hotel send the heart running. And for some strange reason, the altitude kept us up all night, gave us a raging headache,

Gasping for Air in Tibet: Arrival in Lhasa.

Gasping for Air in Tibet: Arrival in Lhasa.

Our trip to Lhasa began long before we arrived. It started with a growing desire, nurtured in Bhutan, transformed itself into anxiety for all the paperwork and restrictions imposed on Tibet-bound travellers. And finally, a sort of quiet rapture, a growing conviction: 'We are going to Tibet. We really are going to Tibet.' There is only one international flight to Lhasa, from Kathmandu. The other option is to fly in from mainland China. And the emotion surge starts at the Kathm

Summer Reads: An Artist of the Floating World

Summer Reads: An Artist of the Floating World

This is my second Ishiguro (the first one being The Remains of the Day), and I am beginning to find some overlapping themes and motifs. Much like The Remains of the Day, the writing in An Artist of the Floating World is solid, to put it lightly. Ishiguro has a way with words. His way is subtle. Bit by bit, we find the picture completed, and out emerges the complete story. In both novels, the main character is an older man who can't help but reminiscing. The narrator is unreli

Summer Reads - Catch-22

Summer Reads - Catch-22

Wow. This is it. This is the book. Or close enough, anyway. Sheer genius, whatever it is. Paradigm-changer and definitely one of the best books I've ever read. The novel revolves around Catch-22, a catchphrase many of us have grown familiar with, even if we don't know where it originated. And what is Catch-22? As I understand it, it's a painfully logical and inescapable truth of life. 'Catch-22 means they are allowed to do whatever we can't stop them from doing'. Beautiful an

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Island of Gods: Bali, Indonesia.

Island of Gods: Bali, Indonesia.

Gasping for Air in Tibet: Kora in Lhasa.

Gasping for Air in Tibet: Kora in Lhasa.

Summer Reads - Catch-22

Summer Reads - Catch-22

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