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
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.
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
Pyongyang Metro Station, North Korea
The Pyongyang Metro is one of the deepest metros in the world. Its track is supposedly approximately 110 metres deep underground and serves as a bomb shelter. It consists of two lines with 17 stations: the Chollima line and the Hyoksin line. The two lines intersect at Chonu Station. Construction of the metro network started… Continue reading Pyongyang Metro Station, North Korea
DMZ, South/North Korea
For those keen on Korean War history I highly recommend a visit to Demilitarized Zone dividing the South and the North. My intention was stand at each side of the border and feel the impact of armistice. First it was the South Korean side and only one week later I was standing at the viewing… Continue reading DMZ, South/North Korea
Great Wall of North Korea and China
Hushan or Tiger Mountain Great Wall, (Chinese: 虎山 hǔ shān /hoo-shan/) begins fifteen km northeast of Dandong, close to the North Korea - China border. It was built by the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) in a strategic spot overlooking the Yalu River, an important natural land barrier.Its fortifications were built in 1469, and it was called the Border Wall in ancient… Continue reading Great Wall of North Korea and China
Frog on the border 