Morocco has been the gateway to North Africa for hundreds of years, where tourists come in droves to enjoy it's vibrant and exotic culture. The coastal city of Tangier is the starting point for travellers arriving by boat from Europe, however I arrived by air into Casablanca as the journal continues. The flight from Tunis is a pleasant two and a half hours, and after having my passport stamped I jumped into a grande taxi, for the long drive to my hotel in town for an overnight stay. But by this time I, dear reader, was tongueing for a beer. So after checking in I was out the door like a shot, to try and find a spot where I…

The journal continues, dear reader, from where we left off in Egypt. I boarded an Air Egypt plane for the three hour flight west to Tunis in Tunisia. It's obvious to all that a visit to Libya at this moment is completely out of the question, but my best wishes go to the Libyan people as the country grapples with an escalating civil war. I'd like to point out my presence in North Africa during the 2011 uprisings is purely coincidental, having booked my tickets and planned an itinerary months in advance. Your humble travel correspondent has no pretensions of being a latter day Che Guevara, chasing down revolutions from country to country. Yet incredibly my itinerary has taken me…

The brilliant blue waters of the Red Sea are a meeting point between North Africa and the Middle East. Heading north the sea begins to narrow rapidly in the Gulf of Suez, before finally coming together at the Suez Canal. The coastal peoples of the region in Egypt and Saudi Arabia, and to the north Israel and Jordan can gaze across the water at the others' communities. This unique region in Egypt attracts tourists in droves for the quality diving on offer. Otherwise one can enjoy a relaxing visit to the resort towns in Sinai to wash all cares away, surrounded by the dramatic backdrop of the harsh, jagged peaks of the Eastern Desert. It's time for a brief recap,…

The mighty Nile River is the longest in the world, originating in Uganda and flowing through several African countries, before it meanders through Egypt to the mediterranean sea. The annual Nile floods have sustained Egyptian civilisation for thousands of years, and the black sediment left after the floods has provided fertile soil for the people of Egypt in this desert country. A visit to Egypt isn't complete without a cruise on the Nile to visit the magnificent temples, and it's been a dream of mine for some period of time. So as we prepare to set sail, dear reader, let's quickly bring the journal up to speed. We left off in Cairo after returning from the Sahara, from where I…

The Egyptian revolution of 2011 captivated the world, and proved to be a triumph for the people of this great nation. An overwhelming desire for freedom and liberty has culminated in extraordinary scenes in and around Tahrir square during the last month, as the former regime was driven from office by the will of the people. There are many wonderful experiences to be had in this world we share, but it's truly an honour to visit post revolutionary Egypt only weeks after unprecedented waves of humanity in Cairo and Alexandria made an emphatic statement of intent about their future. I greet you again, the lovely reader, as the Egyptian people make the necessary transition to free and fair elections, and…

The western fjords of Norway on a still morning look like fragile glass, as if a single tap with an ice pick would shatter the tranquil waters into a thousand tiny pieces. Fjordland Norway is nature's royalty, and probably the most majestic place on earth. Ancient glaciers carved out the breathtaking scenery that makes this part of the world a must see travel destination, and I'm delighted to be here communing with nature. The scale of the fjords is staggering, and it must be noted the light on the fjords can make photography quite a tricky proposition, but the scenery will remain burned into my memory banks for life. If I may recap briefly, constant reader, we left off in…

Bergen is an iconic travel destination, dear reader. The city is one of those rare places on Earth where one feels overwhelmed by a feeling of euphoria for just having arrived here. Famed as the gateway to Fjordland Norway, the city itself is surrounded by seven fjords and seven hills, and I'm sure if you look hard enough you'll even discover seven Norwegian trolls! Swarming with tourists during the Scandinavian summer season, who would miss the opportunity to head west to Bergen? To recap briefly, I took the train from Oslo for an extremely pleasant nine hour commute heading west through magnificent scenery. As the journey progressed the scenery keep getting better. A little tip is to take the first…

Now I have your attention I'd like to let you in on a little secret. I must confess it's Norway's public policy I admire most in the world; following an enormous injection of funds to service the health care, education, social security, aged care and infrastructure needs of the people. The Norwegian government made a momentous decision twenty five years ago to tax the profits on the extraction of the country's non renewable oil reserves at a rate to benefit all her citizens, who now enjoy the highest standard of living in the world. The offshore fund is managed by investing only in companies that demonstrate a commitment to ethical practices, and as the money resides overseas politicians can't tamper…

Mama Mia, when is Stockholm's promised ABBA museum ever going to open! The latest from my guide book reads that despite several delays, the museum is finally scheduled to open in 2010. Well I can tell you, there was something in the air that night, but not ABBA's museum! Sweden's most famous musical export produced countless beautiful melodies here in Stockholm, some of them initially composed by Bjorn and Benny in the nearby Stockholm archipelago. ABBA are in fact the third highest record sellers in musical history, eclipsed only by Elvis and the Beatles, and the supergroup is often referred to as Sweden's greatest gift to the world. So there was to be no visit to the ABBA museum, dear…

The Swedes are a genetically blessed people. I've been strolling around two cities so far, and I'm convinced every time a local sneezes the blessing must be ... you are so good looking! From the kids, to the guys, and of course the girls, it seems that everyone here in Sweden is oh so fabulous. But the Swedes are not just phenomenal eye candy, they are a creative and resourceful people whose influence on design, fashion, architecture, automobiles and of course pop music has spread worldwide. The cities I've visited so far are super modern and super efficient, with prices on par with other Western European cities. The great Swedish adventure commenced, dear reader, with a half hour train ride…