The Fool On The Hill

TRIP  THIRTEEN

So, we're off again, on the ill-numbered Trip Thirteen. But what could go wrong, its a nice summer jaunt ticking off the last two European countries that I haven't seen yet, namely Belarus and Azerbaijan and then enjoying a trio of Gulf States, in Bahrain, Doha in Qatar and Muscat in Oman. 

All good so far but I then head south and for the first time venture into Africa. I've seen Lalibella in Ethiopia on TV a couple of times and it looks amazing and nearby there's the legendary Khartoum in Sudan where poor old Gordon meet his fate. And then I'll pop in on Kenya and South Africa before going off to Zimbabwe and Victoria Falls on an old English train!

So this trip it's a total of 14 countries and 40 days travelling.

The First Stage - The Last of Europe

Is Azerbaijan in Europe? I'm not too sure but Belarus definitely is. 

Not knowing what to expect from Belarus which only last year let people in without a Visa I decided to limit myself to Minsk for a couple of days. And I have to say to my surprise that the Beorussians are among the most helpful people on the planet. Everyone it seems is determined to be nicer and more helpful to you than the last person you met. And the list is long. From the hotel receptionist giving me her computer with lead and internet access code, to the Metro security asking in perfect English if I needed any help when he saw me reading the maps and signs at the entrance, And then the overworked ticket office woman in the Bus Station who ignored the long queue behind me and took out a pencil and carefully underlined the important bits on my ticket to make sure I caught the right bus. And in the food places too. Advice on asking for two pieces of cherry pie because its a bit small (and all for 3.80E with coffee ) in a wonderfully stylish cafe overlooking the river. And lastly the Italian restaurant where you get a free starter from the owner and then at the end a free dessert from the waitress who touches your arm  when you say "Thank You". 

And believe it or not I met two more friendly, helpful people in Baku, Azerbaijan. Well, make that three because Azerbaijan is the  only country that I have visited where the Bus Driver will leave his seat in the Airport bus and walk 100 metres to where you are struggling to understand the ticket machine and help you out to buy a ticket. 

So then I get to May 28th square not sure what to do next, so bought a map and a young couple in the shop there offered to show me the way to my hotel.

I was really chuffed to receive such help from two strangers but they were obviously enjoying showing someone their city.  We went on the Metro together for a couple of stops and then have a wander around the Old Town to find my small hidden hotel and then we enjoyed a quick coffee together. How have I managed to save the best places in Europe till the very end?

The Second Stage - The Gulf

Manama, Bahrain

And so on to the Persian Gulf. First stop was Bahrain. Its next door to Kuwait and very hot. I had nothing planned so at all three stops here I was hoping someone would offer something much as they did in Jordan last year. Well, nobody did so basically I took a couple or three strolls up and down my little street. Shops, Restaurants, and cafes, what more can you want.
Unless you've been there  you probably think the Gulf is full of Arabs. Well, no not actually. its full of Indians, Pakistanis, people from Bangladesh and the odd Filipino thrown in as well.  And these will be the people that will you meet in the cafes, restaurants etc. because they are the working class. The Arabs meanwhile are rarely seen.

This is Shopping in Doha. Yes, you may think it a bit tacky and yes that is a gondola being paddled down the minuti canal. Ok, not exactly paddled, because it's electric.

The Third Stage - East Africa

First stop was Nairobi.