In the kingdom of Eswatini, the air in the high Lubombo Mountains is often thick with mist. But if you follow my local guide—a man with the sharp mind of a modern businessman and the heart of a storyteller—you’ll find that the true heat of the country isn't in the sun, but in the furnaces… Continue reading From the Furnace to the Bean: A Journey Through Eswatini’s High Heat and High Hopes
Author: Frog on the border
A guy with a curiosity and eagerness to learn more about the places he has read about. Places of historical, cultural and political importance to me, and possibly to some other adventurers.
Exploring the Kome Caves: A National Heritage Site in Lesotho
Classified as a National Heritage Site, Kome Caves are a group of mud cave dwellings located in the district of Berea in Lesotho. The area is still inhabited by the descendants of the original people who built the little homes. Along with Eswatini, it is one of the few amazing locations I had the opportunity… Continue reading Exploring the Kome Caves: A National Heritage Site in Lesotho
Qeshm Island: Borders of History and Humanity
I traveled through Iran independently, seeking the places where the map feels thin. Qeshm Island is one of those places. Here, the "border" isn't just a line between land and sea; it is a blurring of eras.This part of Qeshm Island offers also this military complex dated back to Seljukian Era (3rd century). The castle… Continue reading Qeshm Island: Borders of History and Humanity
Discovering the Ancient Wonders of Shar-e Sukhteh: A Journey Through Time
I embarked on this unforgettable adventure to Shar-e Sukhteh, also known as the Burnt City, a breathtaking archaeological site located in Sistan and Baluchistan Province, Iran. This ancient city, dating back to the 4th and 3rd millennia BC, is a testament to the region's rich history and cultural significance. This area was one of the… Continue reading Discovering the Ancient Wonders of Shar-e Sukhteh: A Journey Through Time
The Durand Line – On Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan border.
Part of my journey between Zahedan and Zabol in the Sistan and Baluchestan Province was to stop over near the trijunction area, a geographical point at which the boundaries of three countries meet, Iran, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. Together with my Persian friend, Arman, we drove by the mountainous and deserted areas, only being pulled over… Continue reading The Durand Line – On Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan border.
Architectural Wonders of the Imam Reza Shrine
The Imam Reza Shrine in Mashhad, Iran, is a site of immense historical and political significance, reflecting the complex interplay of power, religion, and culture in the region. I was fortunate enough to visit the revered Imam Reza Shrine in Mashhad, Iran, a site that holds deep significance for millions of Shia Muslims worldwide. As… Continue reading Architectural Wonders of the Imam Reza Shrine
Kandavan – Hobbit Dwellings, Iran
Welcome to the ancient city in Sahand Rural District, East Azerbaijan Province, Northern Iran. Its manmade cliff dwellings which are still inhabited are troglodyte homes, excavated inside volcanic rocks. People live their modest and basic lives there. Some are timid and obviously reluctant to see too many outsiders poking around in their territory. Some, in… Continue reading Kandavan – Hobbit Dwellings, Iran
Conquering the Snowy Slopes of Rishiri’s Volcano
Rishiri Mountain rises proudly out of the Sea of Japan to a height of 1,721m. The hike can be challenging as it involves some very steep parts on its two trails. Partway up the mountain from the dock, there is a campsite, and just below the summit, there is an unmanned shelter. There is also… Continue reading Conquering the Snowy Slopes of Rishiri’s Volcano
Tokashiki Suicide Site, Okinawa
Takashiki hides a darker part of the history of the Battle of Okinawa when the American forces landed on the island on March the 27th, 1945. The next day, on March the 28th, 394 inhabitants of Tokashiki, mostly from farming families, at the command of Japanese soldiers, committed a mass suicide using grenades, practice known… Continue reading Tokashiki Suicide Site, Okinawa
Atomic Dome, Hiroshima, Japan
This used to be the Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall until the 6th of August 1945 when the atomic bomb exploded 600 metres above, 160 metres southeast. The blast exerted 35 tons of pressure per square metre and created a powerful wind speed at 440 metres per second. The building absorbed the powerful explosion and… Continue reading Atomic Dome, Hiroshima, Japan
The beauty of Jade Mountain, Taiwan
This was the centre of my whole travel to Taiwan - Yushan, also known as Mount Jade, Jade Mountain, or Mount Yu, and known as Mount Niitaka during Japanese rule, the highest mountain on Taiwan at 3,952 m (12,966 ft) above sea level, giving Taiwan the 4th-highest maximum elevation of any island in the world. It is the highest point in the western Pacific region outside of the Kamchatka… Continue reading The beauty of Jade Mountain, Taiwan
North Korean Architecture
Across the country, the standard of dwellings varies. The conditions on who is allocated where are based on something that is only known to the authorities. All visitors and outsiders rely on information that is officially accessible here and in the mass media. I formed my own opinion based on what I actually witnessed and… Continue reading North Korean Architecture
Frog on the border 