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The road trip has begun!!!. Got the car ready, pack and repack, finally left the door at 1pm. Picked up the other traveler, Antonietta and started our way south. Didn't make it far as into the town of Port Townsend as we hoped, a short ferry ride over. We had a little drama going on once we were passing the border into USA. The custom officer asked me to roll down the windows, asked where we were going , and by third question, asked with a firm rude voice "do you have anything to declare?" Declare? What did he meant? I don't have weapons, drugs, or bought any alcohol/cigarettes. Nor do we have...


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Well, I have finally sold my trusty world travel companion, the 5D mark 2. Its has been with me through a lot. There were a few times I almost hand it over to would be robbers, when I was being tail/follow in Napoli Italy, and Almaty Kazakhstan. There is a part of me that would like to keep it for sentimental value. But it is good knowing it will be accompanying another traveler, that will be traveling to South east Asia, possibly the same routes I once took. Incredibly, it still retain so mach value after a few years. At the beginning of the trip, May 2012, it was worth $1500. After 3 years...


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Been in Moscow for a few days. Came to Moscow train station prepared for the next part of the journey, to St. Petersburg. Done my research, figured out how to read Russian on the train station website. Names of the cities are similar, but just in Russian. I am so glad that math is universal. Figured out the depart time, the train number, the bed seats, and the price for the 2 ideal trains I'll like to catch.   Wrote on 2 seperate pieces of paper for the trains I want. Handed in the 1st piece, for the 1st choice, a cheap overnight seat ticket to the St.Petersburg. And have the 2nd piece...


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While I was at Omsk, met some very nice Russian friends while staying in the truck stop hostel. It is the only hostel listing on hostel.com, fairly far out of town center. Not sure why I couldn't find anything closer, but it turns out to be worthwhile stop. Only truckers staying there,  and hardly any travelers like me. Shortly after arriving Omsk, google map prevailed. Without a word of Russian, nor anyone that understands engligh, I manage to take some local small bus towards the hostel. It is one of those you hop on, cramp inside a small passenger compartment, and ask the driver...


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Arriving Astana feels like I'm in Utopia. I have heard of this is a very young city, merely 20 years old. Recently build, as Kazakhstan's government wanted to move the capital further north, distancing the capital from other countries, fear of future war. Since its move, it is also the 2nd coldest capital in the world after bumping Ottawa down to a 3rd. Without saying much, here are some phone photos:   Inspired by the building of NYC?? Wish I have the Tilt shift lens with me, this is architecture photography heaven: A mosque that can take your breath away:   A...


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