Turkey
-- definitely Istanbul. I had no idea that such a city and its sights could exist on earth until I saw Istanbul. Cappodocia, in central Turkey, is a memorable second. In retrospect,
being drugged
was also an interesting experience.
Syria
-- the friendliness of the locals. Having just opened up for tourism when I arrived, the Syrians were the friendliest people of all the Islamic states I toured. And visiting two crusader castles was a highlight too.
Jordan
-- taking a swim (or rather float) in the Dead Sea, and visiting the site of Petra.
Egypt
-- too many things. The temples were spectacular, the underground tombs in Luxor, the 3 days I spent in the Cairo Museum, Cairo itself (another fascinating city), the pyramids scattered around Cairo, snorkling in the Red Sea.
Iran
-- the orderliness, efficiency, cleanliness, and friendliness of the Iranian people. Sights include the two Towers of Silence in Yazd, the Citadel in Bam, the pedestrian bridges (and tea houses) of Esfahan, and the holy mosque of Iman Reza in Mashhad.
Pakistan
-- Moenjodaro, site of the 4000 year old Indus Valley Civilization. The gorgeous mountain ranges of northern Pakistan, the densest concentration of high peaks on earth. Eating carrot cake in Islamabad at a French bakery (it was soooooo good!). Discovering Hindi pop music in Lahore. The city of Karachi, population of more than ten million people, and the most unbelievable, most destroyed piece of earth I have ever seen.
India
-- the Sikhs of Punjab, who all took respectful notice of my long hair. Visiting the hometown of the exiled Tibetan Dalai Lama in Dharamsala. Experimenting with meditation and yoga in Rishikesh (where I stayed for five months). The monkeys and cool lookin' bugs. The incredible number of exploded, charred and burning public buses on the sides of highways.
Nepal
-- flipping my bike and doing a brakestand with my face into a mountainside. Healing. Reading Atlas Shrugged. Eating apple pie on Freak Street in Kathmandu. Ascending into Tibet ...
A picture summary of my travels
in Europe; briefly visiting England,
Holland, the Czech Republic, Hungary,
Italy, and Greece.