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      • Three Gorges Dam
      • Dazu Rock Carving
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      • Langmusi (Part 1)
      • Langmusi (Part 2)
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      • Ganja Grasslands
    • Ethiopia
      • What to do in Danakil
      • Abreha We Atsbeha
      • Women in Asso Bhole
      • Dallol
      • The Salt Flats in Ahmed Ela
      • Lake Assale
      • Harar
      • Feeding Hyenas in Harar
      • Babile Camel Market
      • Night tales from Erta Ale Volcano
      • Africa splits in two
      • Travel photographer took incredible shots in Danakil Depression
    • India
      • Tamil Nadu & Kerala
        • What to do in Tamil Nadu
        • Chennai, Odissi dance and Crocodile Reserve
        • Mamallapuram
        • Tiruvannamalai
        • Auroville
        • Pondicherry
        • Kumbakonam
        • Thanjavur
        • Thirumayam Fort
        • Madurai
        • Munnar
        • Periyar National Park
        • Kathakali
        • Kalaripayattu
        • Kerala Backwaters
        • Kochi
      • Varanasi
        • Whato to do in Varanasi
        • Varanasi Life along the Ghats
        • Varanasi Death along the Ghats
        • Varanasi Ganga Aarti Ceremony
        • Varanasi demolished to honor Shiva
        • Varanasi Fruit Market
        • “Varanasi, A Journey into the Infinite”
        • Sarnath
        • All about River Ganges
        • Holy Shit. All about Indian Cow Dung
        • Clean India Project
        • Brick factories
        • Tilaka, pundra, bindi: what is the mark on Indian foreheads?
    • Kazakhstan
      • What to do in Mangystau Desert
      • Mangystau painted desert
      • Mangystau Valley of Castles
      • Mangystau Tiramisu Mountains (Kyzylkup)
      • Mangystau Bozzhira Canyons
      • Mangystau Tuzbair Lake
    • Mongolia
      • Ulaanbaatar, the coldest capital in the world
      • What to do in Ulaanbaatar
      • Chinggis Khan Museum, 6 floors of Mongolian history
      • Gorkhi-Terelj National Park and Bodgkhan Natural Reserve
      • Altai Mountains, Things to do in Olgii and Sagsai
      • Living with the Eagle Hunters
      • Sagsai Eagle Festival
      • Navrus Festival
      • Xöömej, Mongolian throat singing
      • Mongolian Food
    • Myanmar
      • What to do in Myanmar
      • 10 wonderful customs of Myanmar
      • Yangon
      • Myanmar Water Festival
      • Kakku
      • Pa’o People
      • Giraffe Women
      • Inle lake
      • Mandalay & surroundings
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      • Ava ( Inwa)
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      • Bago
    • Senegal
      • Things to do in Senegal
      • Goree
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      • Joal Fadiouth
    • Uzbekistan
      • What to do in Uzbekistan
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CHINA
A journey of over 5000 kilometers, analysing aspects of contemporary Chinese culture - from overcrowded cities to rural provinces. Shanghai, Beijing, Chendgu, Pingyao and Xian. The banks of Yangtze river flowing to the majestic Three Gorges Dam; the autonomous Tibetan provinces and the isolated monasteries of Labrang and Langmusi. A unique experience that has changed the way I see China.
Explore China
ETHIOPIA
A journey through the Danakil Desert, Ethiopia. The ancient crater of Dallol, with its poisonous and psychedelic concretions; the incredible reflections of Lake Assale and the salt caravans of Ahmed Ela. The city of Harar, with its fascinating traditions, hyena mouth-feeding and Babile Camel Market.
Explore Ethiopia
SENEGAL
A trip to Senegal takes your breath away: learn about the tragic history of Goree, the island of slaves, and watch the fishermen in Kayar; meet the Peul people in their villages and explore the Saloum river national park. Lastly, the cemetery-village of Joal-Fadiouth will open your heart.
Explore Senegal
INDIA
A trip to India can confuse the certainties of every Western traveller. In search of a deeper sense, I visit the sacred city of Varanasi, in the state of Uttar Pradesh. Then I relax in southern India, discovering the magnificent temples of Tamil Nadu and enjoy Kerala's backwaters.
Explore India
KAZAKHSTAN
Discover Mangystau, the "painted desert". A journey through the colorful rocky massifs and breathtaking landscapes of Kazakhstan.
Explore Kazakhstan
MONGOLIA
From the crowded streets of Ulaanbaatar to the steppes of Olgii and Sagsai, to spend a few days with the Kazakh eagle hunters. Winter Mongolia is awesome!
Explore Mongolia
MYANMAR
A total immersion in the land of a thousand golden pagodas and infinite kindness. From Yangon to Golden Rock, through Inle Lake and Bagan.
Explore Myanmar
UZBEKISTAN
On the ancient Silk Road, Uzbekistan. A journey that will bring you to the ancient caravan cities of Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand, then reaches Moynaq for a quick visit to the Aral Sea Memorial.
Explore Uzbekistan
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ANY PLACE IS HOME

A Travel Blog by Andrea Marchegiani

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He who returns from a journey is not the same as he who left.
Andrea MarchegianiTravel Storyteller
Andrea Marchegiani

A Chinese saying reads: “He who returns from a journey is not the same as he who left”. Amazing things happen to people on the road, changing them deeply.  When people return from a journey, they are enriched by all the difficulties they have encountered, by the people who have smiled at them, by new thoughts in their heads, they are enriched with ideas they would never have thought before leaving. In my travel blog I write about the most remote places in the world. I describe customs and habits far from ours, I tell the experiences I have lived and the lessons I have drawn from them. And I also give useful tips for those wishing to embark on my own journey.

I hope, with my stories, to convince you to leave your comfort zone, to inspire you in the choice of your next trip. We can all live a greater life than we would have imagined!

All photos and stories in this Travel Blog are by Andrea Marchegiani

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Most Appreciated Posts

The most appreciated articles from my travel blog. Incredible experiences must be shared!

Golden Rock (Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda), Myanmar

They say it takes just one visit to Golden Rock, in Myanmar, to become a Buddhist. I think that’s absolutely true. It is impossible to visit this archeological site without going to Myanmar and, once in Myanmar, you will certainly fall in love with Theravada Buddhism. How could you possibly...
LEGGI TUTTO >>
January 29, 2023
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AndreaMarchegiani

Labrang, To Have or To Be?

Located 3000m high, in a valley between the mountains of the Tibetan plateau, Labrang is one of the 6 largest monasteries of Buddhism. Founded in 1709, it belongs to the religious school of the Gelugpa, also known as "Yellow Hat School", whose supreme head is the Dalai Lama. It occupies...
LEGGI TUTTO >>
February 16, 2023
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AndreaMarchegiani

Dallol, Hell is a place on earth

Dallol is an ancient volcanic crater in Danakil, on the border between Ethiopia and Eritrea. It is known as the most inhospitable in the world. Hell on earth, basically, with temperatures reaching 60ºC, salty deserts, pools of toxic water and craters with boiling lava in the open air. Dallol's formations...
LEGGI TUTTO >>
December 19, 2022
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AndreaMarchegiani

Varanasi Death along the Ghats

Hinduism is one of the oldest and most complicated religions in the world; the creation-destruction duality is overcome in a worldview that embraces both. Varanasi fully shows this melting of opposing elements especially in Manikarnika Ghat, the largest of the two crematory ghats in the city. Here you find a...
LEGGI TUTTO >>
December 23, 2022
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AndreaMarchegiani

Kayar, Senegal’s biggest fishing harbour

We get up early to reach Kayar’s fish market. What I’m about to see will fill my eyes with wonder. Kayar is a village about 60 km north of Dakar and is home to one of the largest fishing centers in Senegal. You would expect large boats equipped with industrial...
LEGGI TUTTO >>
January 21, 2023
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AndreaMarchegiani

Mangystau, the magical canyons of Bozzhira

We wake up at dawn, have a frugal breakfast and jump on our jeeps. We are moving towards the canyons of Bozshira, perhaps the most famous place in the Mangystau desert. If it was still fashionable to send postcards, we’d all like to send one from here. And we’ll keep...
LEGGI TUTTO >>
January 11, 2023
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AndreaMarchegiani

Bukhara, the city of storks

I continue my journey along the ancient Silk Road and arrive in Bukhara. Here is the most fascinating artistic heritage of all Central Asia: Bukhara suffered a less invasive restoration than Samarkand and today still looks like the way Turkestan looked before the Russians arrived. Every time I look up,...
LEGGI TUTTO >>
January 16, 2023
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AndreaMarchegiani

Recent Posts

The most recent articles from my travel blog. Stories, news and peculiarities from all over the world. All you need to know to prepare for your next trip. 

Uzbekistan

Tashkent, the most beautiful subway in the world

Tashkent subway is one of the most beautiful in the world but nobody noticed since it was forbidden to take photographs of it! Like many others who decide to travel to Uzbekistan, I will stay in Tashkent for a few hours before flying back. I’m going for a quick visit to the Uzbek capital!

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18 January 2023 No Comments
Uzbekistan

Urgut Market, learn the art of bargaining

“A man never gets tired of looking at three things: water, fire and a bazaar”. The Urgut Bazaar is a famous local market that boasts a great offer of fabrics and jewelry. I am happy to walk through the alleys of a Uzbek suq and I feel I have refined the art of bargaining…

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17 January 2023 No Comments
Uzbekistan

Samarkand, The Phoenix on the Silk Road

No other place in the world recalls the Silk Road as Samarkand. Its streets are full of myths and legends and the monuments built by Tamerlane make its atmosphere magical. Despite the recent restoration works have partially transformed its face, bringing it closer to the typical Russian town with its avenues and parks, Samarkand remains a breathtaking beauty. Registan, Gur-e-Amir, Bi-Khanym Mosque and Shah-i-Zinda are among the most spectacular monuments in Central Asia. And, if we retrace the thread of its history, we must admire its tenacity as Samarkand has been reborn several times from its ashes.

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16 January 2023 No Comments
Uzbekistan

Shakhrisabz, Timur’s dreams of glory

On the way between Bukhara and Samarkand, I make a short stop at Shakhrisabz, a small town surrounded by greenery, a few kilometers south of Samarkand.
The town was formerly known as Kesh, until Timur renamed it to its present name. He built majestic buildings and monuments there, which gave prestige and fame to the city until the sixteenth century, when it was destroyed to avenge the death of a horse.

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16 January 2023 No Comments
Uzbekistan

Bukhara, the city of storks

I continue my journey along the ancient Silk Road and arrive in Bukhara. Here is the most fascinating artistic heritage of all Central Asia: Bukhara suffered a less invasive restoration than Samarkand and today still looks like the way Turkestan looked before the Russians arrived. Every time I look up, I enjoy the sight of the facades of the madrassas and the profiles of the minarets, which never tire of being admired.
It’s love at first sight.

Read More »
16 January 2023 No Comments
Uzbekistan

Toprak Kala, the capital of Khorezm

Visit the ruins of Topraq Kala and Ayaz Kala, Uzbekistan. The ancient capital of the Kushan kingdom and the fortresses defending its borders are now exposed to the elements and are likely to disappear altogether. The whole tour of the settlement takes about an hour, you can climb up the walls and enjoy the beautiful view. From different angles, the views of the ancient city are so dislocated and multi-level to remember the sketches of the impossible worlds of Escher. At every step I feel the earth creaking under my feet. Nearby, the fortresses of Ayaz Kala are worth a visit.

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16 January 2023 No Comments
Uzbekistan

Khiva, a jewel on the Silk Road

In many respects, Central Asia is still uncharted territory. For centuries this area has remained inaccessible to Westerners: that’s why it is still surrounded by a halo of mystery, relegated to an unknown elsewhere. Khiva is one of the most fascinating cities of Uzbekistan: it was founded by legendary Shem, the son of Noah, at the point where he found water by digging a well. Its old town, surrounded by a high wall of raw bricks, is so well preserved that it became a UNESCO heritage site in 1990.

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15 January 2023 No Comments
Uzbekistan

Nukus, Savitsky Museum. The Louvre of the Steppe

In times of adversity, when all seems lost, history teaches there is always someone who does not give up, in spite of all evidence. People like that become an inspiration, and sometimes their efforts really make a difference. As happens in Nukus, where there is one of the largest Soviet art museums of the 900. The works escaped the censorship of the Stalin regime only thanks to the courage of a man, Igor Savitsky.

Read More »
14 January 2023 No Comments
Uzbekistan

Aral Sea, Story of a Ghost Lake

The Aral Sea was a salt lake of oceanic origin, formed 5.5 million years ago and located in an area ranging from Uzbekistan to Kazakhstan. Although it has not completely disappeared, today we talk about it in the past. In only 60 years, man has succeeded in destroying his delicate ecosystem, leaving instead a desolate poisoned desert. Not surprisingly, Al Gore called it “the most serious environmental disaster of all time caused by man”.

Read More »
14 January 2023 No Comments
Kazakhstan

Mangystau, at the bottom of Tuzbair Lake

Tuzbair Lake is located in the southwestern region of Mangystau, where there are no water sources and the land is rich in salt. About 250 million years ago this area was covered by Tethys ocean, so it’s actually sea salt. Seen from above, the white colouration of the salt soil produces a small mirage and the lake seems covered with water even in summer. In addition to the lake basin, tourists are attracted by the unique shores, with peaks and ripples that seem drawn.

Read More »
11 January 2023 No Comments
Kazakhstan

Mangystau, the magical canyons of Bozzhira

We wake up at dawn, have a frugal breakfast and jump on our jeeps. We are moving towards the canyons of Bozshira, perhaps the most famous place in the Mangystau desert. If it was still fashionable to send postcards, we’d all like to send one from here. And we’ll keep another one in our pocket, as a reminder, as proof that we’ve been here, dirty and sweaty, admiring one of the most beautiful views in the world.

Read More »
11 January 2023 2 Comments
Kazakhstan

Mangystau Tiramisu Mountains (Kyzylkup)

Kyzylkup Mountains are extraordinary and unknown. There are no road signs leading us here. I heard that even locals don’t know these rock formations. The jeep stops at a vantage point. A valley with soft reliefs stretches from end to end of the horizon. Afternoon light makes the shadows appealing… like tiramisu!

Read More »
10 January 2023 No Comments
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