Getting some height in Cairo

These photos were taken with a basic digital camera and the bottom three just with my phone. Nonetheless, you get a good sense of the immensity of the Arab world's most populated city, Cairo.  I took these from a variety of vistas: the top of Al-Azhar Mosque after creeping my way up a dark minaret, standing on the mountain in Garbage City, looking out from Muhammad Ali Mosque, on the top of Cairo Tower, and on the roof of the Tonsy Hotel which is a favourite expat hangout.

Egypt's White Desert

With the assistance of a skilled local Bedouin and his 4x4, we headed into Egypt's White Desert. These are chalk-rock formations and they look rather like crumbling mushrooms. We spent the evening camping in the desert under a bright moon and had frequent visitations by white desert foxes. 

Ancient Egypt -- Luxor

This spring I had the opportunity to pop on a short flight from Cairo to Luxor, the location of Ancient Thebes. The unstable political situation in Egypt has left few tourists keen to visit and we had space to take in ancient Egypt free from the usual crowds. Photos were taken at the Valley of the Kings, Medinet Habu, Karnak, the Temple of Luxor and the Temple of Hatshepsut. The photos of me were taken by my friend, Romain.

Egyptian sunsets

I've spent the last six months living in Cairo. It's been a packed adventure filled with new experiences, touching and sometimes difficult encounters and many emotions. This will be the first of a few posts devoted to my time in Egypt and this one highlights the orange skies at sunset, thick with smog. These photos have been taken from Al-Azhar Park and Garbage City.

Until we meet again, Egypt

This was my first trip to Cairo in the spring of 2013 and I plan to come again for a longer period of time next year. I've visited the Sinai before but never Cairo. The warmth of the air hits you as soon as you exit the plane in addition to the faint smell of burning garbage in the distance. The immense traffic, dented cars and buses puffing out black smoke, huge crowds shopping in markets (late at night), mosques upon mosques, animal carcass hanging outside meat shops, buildings caked in dust and dirt, and striking political graffiti were some of my very first observations made the night I arrived. See you in a few months, Egypt.

Holiday lights in Glasgow

I've really enjoyed visiting the delightful Christmas markets while living in the UK. I've seen the markets in London, Edinburgh and Glasgow and always feel a child-like sense of enchantment while walking around, eating goodies and looking at locally-made trinkets. The Christmas lights are another splendid feature, especially in Glasgow, where they create a canopy over small sections of the downtown area. 

Istanbul

Istanbul is a fantastic fusion of west meets east. We enjoyed wandering around the old streets, sipping Turkish coffee from elaborate wee cups, bargaining at the Grand Bazaar, and experiencing the Turkish bath which I must confess was a rather strange experience. Photos were taken at Hagia Sophia, the Basilica Cistern, the Grand Bazaar and on the Bosphorus.

Highlights from a Scottish spring

My parents came to visit Scotland and we had an epic adventure driving around the country. There was lots of eating, laughter and of course I took advantage of the brilliant scenes by taking photos. Here is a small selection from St Conan's Kirk, the Isle of Mull, Staffa, Glencoe, Arisaig, the Isle of Skye and Aberdeenshire.

Morning glory

I woke up at 5am on this particular morning to finish a paper. It's always hard waking up so early but the wintry view from my window as the sun rose was worth it.

Studying with a view

We often sit outside, hot drinks in hand, and read. These are our surroundings and they are about 15 seconds from our flat. How fortunate we are: huge trees, winding pathways, cute forest creatures, a park and river below.