Most Popular Posts...

Monday 10 January 2011

Timbuktu kidnapping and various less dangerous 2011 itineraries

Brixton, South London yesterday. Viva Global warming!
Well its been a month of respite for me here in Scotland. I'd love to write and say how interesting and adventurous my life has been but in fact its been pretty boring im afraid.

HOWEVER my travel itinerary for the 2 months ahead are Edinburgh, London, Tallinn (Estonia), New York, Venezuala and then to Morocco for my death at the hands of the Marathon Des Sables, so, dear reader, look forward please to some odd and bizarre reflections as well as the usual travel guides and advice for the more adventurous and less politically correct explorer...

I've promised myself this year to also find a way to get to Khazakstan and Mongolia, en route to Japan again which i havent been to for 3 years now and am having katsu curry withdrawal symptoms. After this im likely to be famous/infamous for some reason or another so will look for a quiet spot to settle down and build a little castle with a waterfall and chickens and bees and breed before im 60. Either that or while it away in a prison in Mali.

until then!

ps has anyone been to Timbuktu in Mali recently? Im thinking that its not more than a kick in the arse from Morocco so i thought i might go there if there still isnt this one eyed Al-Queda guy kidnapping every foreigner in sight, as id love to check out these Dogon people, it looks like an amazing part of the world.

The British Embassy says it advises against all travel but maybe if i bring a koran along ill be ok.

However after googling Mali travel, this doesnt look too promising...maybe a tank or a bazooka or an army would be safer.....

'The U.S. Embassy in Bamako issued a warning urging Americans “in the very strongest terms” to avoid travel to the regions of Gao, Kidal and Timbuktu, and if present, to “leave immediately” because of the critical risk of kidnapping. The abduction of a long-term resident French citizen in November and the taking of three Spanish aid workers in neighboring Mauritania a few days later confirm the credibility of the threat.'