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shanesunburn

Maaloula - Syria [Jan 25] Maaloula is one of the Maaloula - Syria [Jan 25]

Maaloula is one of the holiest places for Christianity in Syria, and one of the very few places in the world where Western Aramaic is still spoken — the same ancient language associated with Jesus.

Visited Saint Thecla Monastery and Monastery of Saints Sergius and Bacchus, both set into dramatic mountain cliffs. The area has been an important Christian center for centuries, with roots going back to the early days of the faith.

The town feels very quiet and calm — slow, simple, frozen in time. At the same time, signs of destruction are still visible. Maaloula was heavily damaged during the Syrian Civil War between 2013 and 2014.
Damascus - Syria [Jan 25] Spent a few days in Dam Damascus - Syria [Jan 25]

Spent a few days in Damascus exploring the capital. It felt extremely pleasant — completely different from Jeddah just a day earlier. (Not saying Jeddah is bad) Here, different religious communities and ways of life exist side by side. Really nice atmosphere. 

Walked through Al-Hamidiyeh Souq, spent hours wandering the Old City, visited Church of Saint Ananias and Azm Palace, and tried the classic ice cream at Bakdash.

The crown jewel is the Umayyad Mosque — one of the oldest and most important mosques in the world, built on layers of earlier Roman and Byzantine sites, reflecting how deep the city’s history runs.

Damascus is beautiful. The people are among the friendliest I’ve encountered (together with Iranians). The vibe feels old-school, timeless, traditional, and deeply human. Even got a very over-enthusiastic local welcome (he gave me a kiss on my neck after a hug). 😳 The people here, soooo warm lah.

Thanks @sarahbahboh and @ayoub_syria_guide for the great hospitality.

Thanks Damascus. I’ve never fallen in love with a city like this before. Onto more of Syria next!
Jeddah - Saudi Arabia [Jan 2026] Started the year Jeddah - Saudi Arabia [Jan 2026]

Started the year in Jeddah, reunited with my sister in what’s often called the spiritual gateway to Islam.

We wandered around the old streets near Bab Makkah, spent time by Al Hamra Corniche, and admired the old Hijazi houses with their distinctive wooden rawasheen balconies.

The highlight was catching a Saudi Pro League match at King Abdullah Sports City — my first time seeing CR7 play live, along with stars like Kingsley Coman, João Félix, and Ivan Toney on the opposing side. (They lost.)

Also randomly met a Singaporean couple in the Indonesian area on their way to Mecca — always nice running into fellow Singaporeans while traveling.

Other than that, the city felt pretty quiet — unless you’re there as a pilgrim.
Thank You Somaliland Somaliland may not be widely Thank You Somaliland

Somaliland may not be widely recognised internationally, but it left an impression on me.

From the resilience of Hargeisa, to ancient wonders like Laas Geel, to the warmth and curiosity of everyone I met — this is a place that feels real and deeply proud of its identity.

Travel here isn’t always easy, but that’s what makes it unforgettable.

Thank you, Somaliland — for the stories, the history, and the incredible hospitality.

@themossef (best guide in Somaliland! Hit him up if you wanna visit)
Somaliland (Dec 2025) — Featured in the News Post Somaliland (Dec 2025) — Featured in the News

Posting this as part of my travel memories 

As some of you already know, I happened to be in Somaliland when Israel became the first country to recognise the state.

Celebrations erupted right outside my hotel in Hargeisa — crowds cheering, cars honking, flags waving. It was one of those surreal “right place, right time” travel moments.

I ended up being interviewed multiple times by local media, and somehow the story even made it back home. Definitely not something I expected when planning this trip.
Laas Geel, Somaliland (Dec 2025) - Prehistoric Som Laas Geel, Somaliland (Dec 2025) - Prehistoric Somaliland 

Visited the famous Hargeisa Camel Market — one of the largest in the Horn of Africa. It’s chaotic, dusty, loud, and absolutely fascinating. Traders inspect camels like luxury cars, negotiating prices with animated gestures, while herders sit in the shade sipping tea. Easily one of the best places for people-watching.

Then came the highlight: Laas Geel. With my guide Mohammed, I climbed up rocky hills to reach these caves, home to some of the oldest and best-preserved rock art in Africa — estimated to be 5,000–10,000 years old. 😱

The paintings are stunningly vivid: cattle with decorated horns, human figures in ceremonial poses, and scenes of ancient pastoral life.
Hargeisa — Somaliland (Dec 2025) My hotel sat rig Hargeisa — Somaliland (Dec 2025)

My hotel sat right beside the Hargeisa War Memorial, the iconic MiG fighter jet that has basically become the unofficial “main picture” of the country. A reminder of the civil war that once devastated this city.

I tracked down the Hargeisa War Cemetery (Commonwealth War Graves) — though Google Maps hilariously led me straight into a police HQ. The officers ended up escorting me to the actual entrance, which was locked until a local lady came to open it. A small tip later, I finally got in.

There isn’t much visually — just neat rows of graves. Most of the soldiers buried here were part of British and Commonwealth forces who fought during WWII’s East African Campaign, when Somaliland was briefly occupied by Italian forces before being retaken by the British in 1941.

I also visited the Saryan Museum, a small but heartfelt local museum showcasing Somaliland’s struggle for independence, traditional nomadic culture, and everyday life. One fun detail: a shelf filled with currencies from around the world — and now there’s a Singapore $2 note sitting there too.

Ended the night at Hiddo Dhawr Hargeisa — an unforgettable evening of live music, traditional dance, and an incredible Somali dinner. A perfect introduction to the warmth of Somaliland.
Mogadishu, Somalia (Dec 2025) — Trip Cut Short Th Mogadishu, Somalia (Dec 2025) — Trip Cut Short

The trip was supposed to be longer, but election security measures suddenly banned all incoming and outgoing flights from Mogadishu airport. That would have seriously affected my plans to continue to Somaliland, so I had to leave earlier than expected.

Still, huge thanks to Ajoos (@ajoossanura ) for making this short visit smooth and memorable. Somalia felt far more welcoming and normal than most people imagine.

I’d definitely like to return one day — maybe to explore more of the country, even up to Puntland.

Anyone keen to join next time?

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#somalia #mogadishu #darktourism #traveldeeper #offthebeatentrack
Mogadishu, Somalia (Dec 2025) — Pirate Coast Exper Mogadishu, Somalia (Dec 2025) — Pirate Coast Experience

One of the most surreal moments of this trip — boarding an old “pirate-style” boat and heading into the Indian Ocean. (Probably not the exact departure point, but still an experience). 

Somalia’s long coastline sits along one of the world’s busiest shipping routes, connecting trade between Asia and Europe through the Suez Canal. In the 2000s, Somali piracy became a global issue, with armed groups hijacking cargo ships and demanding ransom. The fear among ship captains was very real.

The lawlessness after state collapse, you can see how piracy became a survival economy for some coastal communities.

It definitely gave strong dark-tourism vibes — like stepping into a real-life scene from Captain Phillip

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#mogadishu #somalia #hornofafrica #darktourism #captainphillips
Mogadishu, Somalia [Dec 25] - Day 2 The morning s Mogadishu, Somalia [Dec 25] - Day 2

The morning started with a heavy stop at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a national monument honoring Somali soldiers who died in past conflicts. It sits in a central square that has seen protests, celebrations, and decades of political change.

Nearby stands the ruins of the old parliament building — a reminder of the Somali Civil War, which began in 1991 after the collapse of the central government and devastated much of Mogadishu.

We then visited the Mogadishu Lighthouse, built during the Italian colonial period. Once a working lighthouse guiding ships along the coast, it was destroyed during fighting and now stands abandoned — another silent witness to the city’s turbulent past.

At the Kawaanka Mallaayga Xamar-weyne fish market, fishermen were unloading fresh catch straight from their boats. Not the most impressive fish market I’ve seen — but still interesting, especially the kittens casually munching on raw fish scraps.

We ended at the Ali Jimale Mosque, one of the most beautiful mosques in the city. Clean, peaceful, and quiet — a complete contrast to the noise of the markets.

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#mogadishu #somalia #hornofafrica #darktourism #offthebeatentrack
Mogadishu, Somalia [Dec 25] Somalia is a country Mogadishu, Somalia [Dec 25]

Somalia is a country often misunderstood by the media. I’ve wanted to see it with my own eyes for years, and finally made it happen with Ajoos (@ajoossanura) — a guide well-known in the travel circle.

Started at the Mogadishu Cathedral — or what remains of it. Built by the Italians in 1928 during colonial rule, it was once one of East Africa’s largest cathedrals. It was heavily damaged during the civil war in the 1990s and has been left in haunting ruins ever since.

Later, we visited Bakaara Market and walked through the old Hamar Weyne district. We passed the Jama’a Xamar Weyne Mosque, believed to be one of the oldest mosques in the country, completed in 636 AH (1238/1239 CE). That makes it about 787 years old today — older than many famous landmarks around the world.

At night we headed to Liido Beach, which was surprisingly lively. Music blasting, families strolling, couples posing with heart shapes drawn in the sand, and groups of friends dancing by the water. I probably became a mini attraction myself — countless locals came up asking for selfies with “the random Asian guy.” Friendly people.

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#somalia #mogadishu #hornofafrica #darktourism #offthebeatentrack
Djibouti - Nature Beyond the City [Dec 25] Outsid Djibouti - Nature Beyond the City [Dec 25]

Outside Djibouti City, the landscape changes fast. Dimbya Canyon cuts deep through dry rock, wide and silent, with nothing around but heat and stone. Remote in the best way. 

Near Lake Assal, the ground steams. Hot springs bubble up from the earth, and the air smells of salt and minerals. The lake itself is blinding white, sitting lower than anywhere else in Africa, surrounded by volcanic terrain. 

Harsh, quiet, and stripped back. Djibouti is rough and unforgettable. 
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#djibouti #eastafrica #canyon #nature #africatravel
Djibouti City, Djibouti [Dec 25] Raw, complicated Djibouti City, Djibouti [Dec 25]

Raw, complicated, and unlike anywhere else I’ve been.

The city feels both sleepy and militarised — huge foreign bases like Camp Lemonnier, the largest US military base in Africa, sit right next to the main airport. You can see how geopolitics shapes this place. Heavy presence of foreign forces, soldiers and private security makes this one of the most expensive cities in Africa.

Walking the streets, police and guards were constantly trying to stop me from taking photos of even simple scenes — a market stall, a street corner. 🙄

But there were bright moments too. I met Neima at Ras Dika Hotel — one of the kindest hosts I’ve had anywhere — and Muhammad from Trip2Djib agency, who accommodates my last minute request so professionally! @trip2djib 

Djibouti City is not perfect, but it’s honest, tense, and unforgettable.

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#djibouti #eastafrica #darktourism
UAE & Kuwait [December 2025] Spent a few days in K UAE & Kuwait [December 2025]
Spent a few days in Kuwait City and Dubai, both major cities of their respective countries. 

Dubai- no intro needed. Desert, camels, Burj, and the Frame. Flashy and built to impress. 

Kuwait was quiet and honestly a bit boring- but  definately worth a quick stop. Kuwait Towers and Souq Al-Mubarakiya snaps.
Hiroshima [Japan] - Nov 2025 Visited the Atomic B Hiroshima [Japan] - Nov 2025

Visited the Atomic Bomb Museum, memorial sites, and the Atomic Bomb Dome — a personal bucket-list location and a key site in nuclear history. Nuclear tourism at its best. 

The Dome stands exactly where it was, left as-is.
No theatrics, no narrative pushing. Just a site that exists because it happened. The first ever atomic bomb dropped. Tsk tsk.
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#japantravel #japantravelgallery #hiroshima #nucleartourism #atomicbomb
Nagasaki [Japan] - Nov 2025 Spent time confrontin Nagasaki [Japan] - Nov 2025

Spent time confronting history in Nagasaki — the Atomic Bomb Museum, memorial statues, and the hypocenter. 

Visited Fukusaiji Temple (福済寺) — unusual, and unlike any other temples in Japan. That turtle…

Stopped at the Twenty-Six Martyrs Museum and Monument (日本二十六聖人記念館), telling the story of early Christianity in Japan and its violent suppression. Another layer of dark history that haunts Nagasaki.
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#japan #japantravel #nagasaki #atomicbomb #japantravelphoto
Ikeshima Island, Nagasaki Prefecture - Japan [Nov Ikeshima Island, Nagasaki Prefecture - Japan [Nov 2025]

I missed Hashima (due to weather) — but somehow ended up on Ikeshima Island, and this became the highlight of the trip.

Once a coal mining island, now largely abandoned. No crowds, no guides, no explanations. Just silent apartment blocks, decaying infrastructure, and the uneasy feeling of a place emptied faster than it was built. Everyday life stopped here, and nothing was curated for visitors. 

Even the island cats seemed to have claimed it back. Took selfies with them. Surprisingly cute, considering the setting.

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#Ikeshima #AbandonedJapan #DarkTourism  #Haikyo #OffTheBeatenPath
Kinosaki · Takeda Castle · Tottori · Izumo [Japan] Kinosaki · Takeda Castle · Tottori · Izumo [Japan] Nov 2025

Started slow in Kinosaki Onsen — a classic onsen town, wooden streets, bath-hopping culture, and an unhurried pace that feels very old Japan.

Over to Tottori, home to Japan’s only desert-like landscape. The sand dunes paired with surprisingly good local pears — damn sweet lah

Izumo Taisha, one of Japan’s oldest and most important Shinto shrines. Deeply rooted in myth and legend.

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#japan #japantravelphoto #tottori #onsen #kinosaki
Obrigado, Timor-Leste. Ending the journey above Di Obrigado, Timor-Leste.
Ending the journey above Dili, at the DARE Museum — quiet, reflective, beautiful.

Even better shared with friends who travelled all the way from the USA and Ireland. @travelonthedollar maximejschrems . That’s us enjoying freshly squeezed watermelon juice. 

Until next time.
Baucau & Venilale - Timor-Leste [Oct 2025] Baucau Baucau & Venilale - Timor-Leste [Oct 2025]

Baucau & Venilale might be the most beautiful towns in Timor-Leste. Former Portuguese buildings — the old hotel, the school, and other colonial-era structures — dominate the town, faded but full of character.

First pic shows the Escola do Reino de Venilale. 

Weathered, rundown, yet still colorful, these buildings feel frozen in time. You don’t really see this kind of Portuguese architectural buildings anywhere else in Southeast Asia — and somehow it’s ended up this far from Portugal. Nice!!!
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