TRAVEL TUESDAY 574 - TOGO, AFRICA

“With gold you can make a road to heaven but it will end in hell.” - Togolese Proverb

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Togo is a vibrant, narrow nation in West Africa stretched along the Gulf of Guinea. Known for its diverse landscapes, rich cultural traditions, and warm hospitality, it transitions from palm-fringed Atlantic beaches in the south to rolling forested mountains and dry northern savannahs.  It is one of Africa's narrowest countries (under 115 km wide) with a population of roughly 8.7 million people. Lomé, the capital, is a bustling coastal city situated right on the border with Ghana. French is the official language, alongside national languages like Ewe and Kabiye. It uses the West African CFA franc (XOF).

Although almost half of the population is Christian, the remainder are muslims, and a variety of local religions. Togo is widely regarded as a heartland of the Vodoun (Voodoo) religion. Lomé is home to the famous Akodessewa Fetish Market, a central hub for traditional talismans, herbs, and spiritual remedies.

The lush, hilly region around Kpalimé is a paradise for hikers, famous for its butterfly-filled forests, coffee and cocoa plantations, waterfalls, and Mount Agou—the country's highest peak. Koutammakou (UNESCO World Heritage Site) Located in the north, this region is famous for its unique Takienta—mud tower-houses built by the Batammariba people that look like miniature clay fortresses. The Evala Festival are seen in the northern Kara region. Young Kabye men engage in traditional wrestling matches every summer as a core rite of passage into adulthood.

Togo has positioned itself as a major West African maritime hub. The Port of Lomé is the only deep-water port in the region capable of hosting massive modern cargo ships, and the country has recently seen significant growth in manufacturing and digital infrastructure. Visitors to Togo generally require a visa and mandatory proof of a Yellow Fever vaccination to enter the country.

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TRAVEL TUESDAY 572 - GABON, AFRICA

“As we look to the future, we cannot improve our living standards while simultaneously degrading the natural environment around us.” - Ali Bongo Ondimba 

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Gabon, officially known as the Gabonese Republic, is an equatorial sovereign nation located on the Atlantic coast of Central Africa. Renowned for its rich biodiversity and dense wilderness, it is bordered by Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon, and the Republic of the Congo. The country spans roughly 270,000 square kilometres and is home to a population of approximately 2.5 million people, making it one of the least densely populated nations in Africa. Its capital and economic epicentre is Libreville.

Gabon is a crucial component of the Congo Basin, serving as one of the planet's primary ecological strongholds. Pristine tropical rainforest covers between 85% and 90% of the country's landscape. This immense forest cover allows Gabon to act as a critical net carbon absorber.  The geography transitions from a low-lying, lagoon-rich coastal plain along the Atlantic Ocean into interior highlands, including the Cristal Mountains and the Chaillu Massif. In 2002, Gabon established a network of 13 national parks covering roughly 11% of its landmass. Notable reserves include Loango National Park—famous for its "surfing hippos" and forest elephants that roam the beaches—and Lopé National Park.

Gabon possesses one of the highest GDP per capita rates in Sub-Saharan Africa, driven largely by its vast natural resource extraction. Offshore oil reserves discovered in the 1970s account for roughly 45% of the nation's GDP and 80% of total exports, making Gabon the fifth-largest oil producer in the region. Beyond oil, the country is a significant global exporter of manganese and timber. Despite its high structural wealth, Gabon suffers from acute wealth inequality, with over a third of the population living below the poverty line.

French serves as the sole official language, a legacy of French colonial rule prior to Gabon gaining independence on 17 August 1960. The population is composed of over 40 distinct Bantu ethnic groups, with the Fang being the largest. The population is predominantly Christian, often interwoven with traditional animist practices. Gabon is globally recognized for its Iboga traditions, utilizing a sacred rainforest root bark central to its spiritual rituals and currently under close protection due to growing global pharmaceutical interest.

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TRAVEL TUESDAY 569 - LUXEMBOURG

“Luxembourg, a small nation with a big voice, echoing throughout the European landscape.” – Lex Heijnen

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Luxembourg, officially known as the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, is a small landlocked country located in Western Europe. It covers a total land area of 2,586 square kilometers and shares borders with Belgium, Germany, and France. As of 2026, the country boasts a growing population of 693,916 residents, nearly half of whom are foreign nationals. Luxembourg is renowned for holding the world's highest gross domestic product (GDP) per capita (nominal and PPP), making it an international economic and financial powerhouse.

There are several regions in this small country: Éislek (Oesling): The northern third of the nation, characterised by the rugged, rolling hills of the Ardennes mountain range and dense forests. Its highest point is Kneiff, sitting at 560 meters above sea level. Guttland (Bon Pays): The southern two-thirds of the country, featuring fertile agricultural lands, rolling countryside, and the capital, Luxembourg City. Specialist Sub-Regions: The east features the rocky gorges and cliffs of the Mullerthal region (often called "Little Switzerland"), while the southeast is home to the scenic Moselle vineyard valley.

As a founding member of the European Union, Luxembourg City serves as one of the de facto institutional capitals of the EU, hosting major bodies like the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) and the European Investment Bank. The Head of State is the Grand Duke Henri, who handles formal constitutional rights. The Head of Government is Prime Minister Luc Frieden, who directs executive power through the government. A unicameral parliament known as the Chamber of Deputies, comprised of 60 members elected every five years, handles the legislature. Thus, Luxembourg functions under a unique unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy, holding the distinction of being the world's only remaining Grand Duchy.

It is a highly diverse, cosmopolitan, and multilingual society: The nation has three administrative languages. Luxembourgish is the designated national language; French is the legislative language; and German, French, and Luxembourgish are all used collectively for administrative matters. The population features an extensive foreign-born community making up over 47% of the citizenry. The largest minority groups include Portuguese (13.2%) and French (7.2%) nationals. On March 1, 2020, Luxembourg became the first country in the world to make all public transport nationwide completely free for both residents and tourists.

Vianden Castle (seen here) is one of Europe's largest, most beautifully restored, and most impressive feudal residences from the Romanesque and Gothic periods. Perched majestically on a hilltop overlooking the town of Vianden and the Our River in northern Luxembourg, it has been recognized by CNN as one of the 21 most beautiful castles in the world. Originally built between the 11th and 14th centuries on the foundations of a Roman outpost and Carolingian refuge, the fortress served for centuries as the seat of the powerful Counts of Vianden before passing to the House of Nassau. After being sold off piece by piece and falling into complete ruin in the 19th century, it was transferred to state ownership in 1977 and painstakingly restored to its former glory.

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TRAVEL TUESDAY 567 - SAMOS, GREECE

“Friends are as companions on a journey, who ought to aid each other to persevere in the road to a happier life.” - Pythagoras 

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Samos is a lush, mountainous Greek island located in the eastern Aegean Sea, just a short distance from the Turkish coast. Samos was home to the famous mathematician Pythagoras, the philosopher Epicurus, and the astronomer Aristarchus. You can explore ancient ruins at the Pythagoreion and the Heraion of Samos, which include the remains of a massive temple to Hera and an ancient underground aqueduct, a marvel of ancient technology and engineering . In ancient times, the island was a rich and powerful maritime centre that rivaled Athens.

Samos Town, also called Vathy (shown here), is the main port with traditional houses, shops, and waterfront dining. Pythagorio is a pretty harbour town built over the ancient city, featuring paved streets, a lively marina, and the statue of Pythagoras. Kokkari is a charming northern fishing village popular with visitors for its relaxed vibe and nearby beaches. Unlike drier Greek islands, Samos features thick pine forests, high mountains, waterfalls (like the Potami Gorge), and scenic hiking trails. The island is famous worldwide for its golden, aromatic sweet Muscat wine, produced here since ancient times. Traditional mountain villages like Manolates offer local food, fresh produce, and handmade crafts.

The Samian economy depends mainly on agriculture and the tourist industry which was growing steadily since the early 1980s and reached a peak at the end of the 1990s. The main agricultural products include grapes, honey, olives, olive oil, citrus fruit, dried figs, almonds and flowers. The Muscat grape is the main crop used for wine production. Samian wine is also exported under several other appellations.

Samos is home to many animal species including the golden jackal, stone marten, wild boar, flamingos and monk seal. It is also one of the most lush and biologically diverse islands in the Aegean Sea, home to over 1,000 to 1,500 plant species and rare endemic varieties. Wild thyme, oregano, rosemary, and sage grow abundantly across hillsides and hiking paths. Samos hosts rare plants like Dactylorhiza pythagorae (an orchid named after Pythagoras) and critically endangered species like Consolida samia (Console of Samos), alongside localized blooms like the Samos Crocus.  Wild olive trees, carob trees, cedar, strawberry trees (arbutus), myrtle, and heather are also abundant. Pine trees cover the slopes of mountains, along with dense groves of oak, chestnut, plane trees, and cypresses.

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TRAVEL TUESDAY 566 - DAKAR, SENEGAL

“Music in Africa often contains messages. Music in Senegal, and Africa, is never music for music’s sake or solely for entertainment. It’s always a vehicle for social connections, discussions and ideas.” - Youssou N’Dour

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Senegal, officially the Republic of Senegal, is the westernmost country of mainland West Africa, situated along the Atlantic Ocean coast, with an area of 197,000 square km and a population of 19 million people. It borders Mauritania to the north, Mali to the east, Guinea to the southeast and Guinea-Bissau to the southwest. Senegal nearly surrounds the Gambia, a country occupying a narrow strip of land along the banks of the Gambia River, which separates Senegal's southern region of Casamance from the rest of the country. It also shares a maritime border with Cape Verde. The capital and largest city of Senegal is Dakar.  French is the official language, while Wolof (Ndakaaru) is widely spoken.

Like other African nations, the country includes a wide mix of ethnic and linguistic communities, with the largest being the Wolof, Fula, and Serer people. Senegalese people are predominantly Muslim. As a developing nation, Senegal is classified as a heavily indebted poor country, with a relatively low ranking on the Human Development Index (169th out of 193). Most of the population lives on the coast and works in agriculture or other food industries; other major industries include mining, tourism, and services.

Dakar is the vibrant capital and largest city of Senegal, located on the westernmost point of the African continent on the Cap-Vert peninsula, with a population of approximately 1.28 million in the department, with around 4.0 million in the broader metropolitan area. Senegal is generally safe for travelers who exercise normal to high caution, though certain regions and urban areas carry specific security and health risks.

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TRAVEL TUESDAY 563 - TRIPOLI, LIBYA

“As a young boy in Libya, it was hard to escape the conclusion that the women were the most feeling and most functional part of society.” - Hisham Matar

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Libya is a large, oil-rich country located in North Africa along the southern coast of the Mediterranean Sea. It is bordered by Egypt, Sudan, Chad, Niger, Algeria, and Tunisia. As the fourth-largest nation in Africa, the vast majority of its terrain consists of the Sahara Desert, forcing about 90% of its 7.3 million residents to live in fertile cities along the northern coastline, primarily within the capital city of Tripoli.

Libya is historically and culturally divided into three primary regions: Tripolitania (Northwest): Home to the capital, Tripoli, featuring a Mediterranean climate and the Nefusa Mountains. Cyrenaica (East): Centred around Benghazi, known for the fertile Green Mountains (Jebel Akhdar) and major oil infrastructure. Fezzan (Southwest): A vast, hyper-arid desert region dotted with historic trade oases like Sabha.

Because Libya lacks permanent rivers, it relies heavily on the Great Man-Made River, a massive engineering network of underground pipes that pumps fresh water from ancient desert aquifers to coastal cities.

First inhabited by indigenous Berber populations, coastal Libya was later colonised by the Phoenicians, Greeks, and Romans, leaving behind prominent archaeological ruins like Leptis Magna. Arab forces introduced Islam in the 7th century. The region was later absorbed into the Ottoman Empire from the 16th century until 1911. Italy violently colonised the area in 1911, formally unifying the provinces under the name “Libya”. 

The nation achieved independence as a monarchy in 1951. In 1969, Muammar Gaddafi seized power in a military coup. He ruled the nation with an authoritarian, highly centralized system for 42 years.

Following the 2011 Arab Spring revolution and the fall of Gaddafi, Libya entered a prolonged period of instability and civil factionalism. The country remains politically fragmented. Power is split between the internationally recognized government in Tripoli (West) and a separate administration backed by the Libyan National Army in Benghazi (East).

Libya boasts the largest proven oil reserves in Africa. The economy is completely tethered to hydrocarbons, which constitute over 90% of government revenue. Financial management is highly volatile, overseen by the Central Bank of Libya which devalued the Libyan Dinar to stabilise the economy amid persistent political gridlock.

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TRAVEL TUESDAY 556 - CARTAGENA, COLOMBIA

“In Colombia, everything is an exaggeration – the people, the colours, the festivals, and the stories.” — Jorge Franco

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Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia, is a vibrant, highly biodiverse nation located in the northwestern corner of South America. Nicknamed the “gateway to South America”, it is the only country on the continent with coastlines along both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. It has a population of about 52 million people and the capital city is Bogotá, located high in the Andes mountains.

Cartagena, is a vibrant, historic port city on the Caribbean coast, which is highly attractive for tourists. Famous for its UNESCO-listed walled Old Town, it blends stunning colonial architecture, cobblestone streets, and colourful balconies with tropical beaches, incredible gastronomy, and a lively Afro-Caribbean cultural scene.

Amongst the many attractions are: 1) The Walled City (Ciudad Amurallada) — Wander the cobblestone streets of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enter through the iconic Clock Tower Gate (Puerta del Reloj) to explore historic plazas like Plaza de Bolívar and the Palace of the Inquisition. 2) Castillo San Felipe de Barajas — A massive, strategically built fortress on the Hill of San Lázaro, designed to protect the city from pirates. 3) Getsemaní — Just outside the walled city, this hip, bohemian neighbourhood is famous for its vibrant street art, colorful umbrellas, and trendy, local-heavy bars. 4) Convento de la Popa — Located at the highest point of the city, offering panoramic views of the coast and cityscape.

While the urban beaches in the Bocagrande and Laguito areas are popular, the best pristine white-sand beaches and crystal-clear waters require a short boat trip. Rosario Islands (Islas del Rosario) are a stunning national park located about an hour boat ride away. Perfect for snorkeling, scuba diving, and relaxing. Playa Blanca is located on the nearby Barú Peninsula, offering a classic Caribbean beach experience with a laid-back vibe.

The image is within the walled city and the landmark in the background is the Cathedral of Santa Catalina de Alejandría.

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TRAVEL TUESDAY 555 - SAMOTHRACE, GREECE

“Insula importuosissima omnium. (Samothrace is) The most harbourless of all isles.” - Pliny the Elder

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Samothrace (or Samothraki) is a rugged, unspoiled Greek island in the northern Aegean Sea. Famous for its wild natural beauty—including sweeping waterfalls, 100+ natural rock pools, and majestic Mount Saos—it is the ancient home of the iconic Winged Victory of Samothrace statue (now in the Louvre) and the mystic Sanctuary of the Great Gods (which you can visit on the island).

Unlike the typical sun-baked Greek islands, Samothrace is intensely green. Fed by sixty freshwater springs, the landscape offers lush plane tree woodlands, dramatic gorges, and wild swimming in crystal-clear alpine pools. There are many hiking paths as well as guided tours which you can enjoy under the care of local guides who walk with you and ensure you don’t miss anything of note.

The Sanctuary of the Great Gods (known in Greek as Ieró tōn Megálōn Theōn) on the island was one of the most prestigious, sacred, and enigmatic religious centres of the ancient Pan-Hellenic world. Operating from at least the 7th century BCE until the 4th century CE, it was the home of the famous Samothracian Mysteries—a secret cult whose initiation rites promised protection from shipwreck at sea and a transformative path to moral improvement. Unlike other cities where status dictated power, this cult welcomed everyone, regardless of gender, social standing, or nationality. The deities worshipped there were collectively referred to as the Kabeiroi or simply "The Gods". Speaking their individual names out loud was strictly taboo. The Hellenistic statue of the goddess Nike (circa 200 BCE) was excavated here in 1863 and now famously resides in the Louvre in Paris.

Mount Fengari rises to 1,611 meters and is the highest peak in the Aegean Sea. Myth has it that Poseidon sat on this mountain to watch the Trojan War.  The Waterpools (Vathres) lend themselves to exploration. Canyoning and hiking to the cascading waterfalls and deep rock pools—such as the famous Fonias river—are a staple of any visit. Pachia Ammos is the island's most notable stretch of sand, framed by dramatic cliffs. Chora is the island's main village, nestled in the mountains above the port. It features winding stone alleys, traditional cafes, and a medieval fortress.

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TRAVEL TUESDAY 554 - SAN FRANCISCO, USA

“I left my heart in San Francisco, high on a hill, it calls to me to be where little cable cars climb halfway to the stars…” - Douglass Cross

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San Francisco is a vibrant, consolidated city-county located on a 46-square-mile peninsula in northern California, surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay. Renowned for its steep rolling hills, distinct microclimates, and iconic historic landmarks, it serves as a major cultural, financial, and technological hub for the western United States.

Several iconic attractions make this destination a popular tourist haunt, and amongst them are: Golden Gate Bridge —The world-famous international orange suspension bridge linking the city to Marin County. Alcatraz Island —A historic former federal prison located in the chilly waters of the bay. Cable Cars — The nation's only moving historic landmark, pulling riders up towering slopes. Lombard Street — A uniquely crooked street featuring eight sharp, manicured switchbacks. Pier 39 & Fisherman's Wharf — A bustling waterfront area famous for sunbathing sea lions and clam chowder bread bowls.

The city's strong bohemian and tech-forward culture thrives within various colourful districts: Chinatown — The oldest and one of the largest enclaves of Chinese culture outside of Asia. The Castro — A historic epicentre for LGBTQ+ culture, activism, and nightlife. Haight-Ashbury — The birthplace of the 1960s counterculture movement, now filled with indie shops. The Mission — Known for its rich Latino heritage, vibrant street murals, and famous Mission-style burritos. Union Square — The central shopping hub packed with premier retail therapy options.

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TRAVEL TUESDAY 553 - DUNDEE, SCOTLAND

“The world is neither Scottish, English, nor Irish, neither French, Dutch, nor Chinese, but human…” — Sir Alexander Gray

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Dundee is the fourth-largest city in Scotland. The 2020 mid-year population estimate for the locality was 148,210. It lies within the eastern central Lowlands on the north bank of the Firth of Tay, which feeds into the North Sea. Under the name of Dundee City, it forms one of the 32 council areas used for local government in Scotland. Within the boundaries of the historic county of Angus, the city developed into a burgh in the late 12th century and established itself as an important east coast trading port. Rapid expansion was brought on by the Industrial Revolution, particularly in the 19th century when Dundee was the centre of the global jute industry. This, along with its other major industries, gave Dundee its epithet as the city of "jute, jam and journalism”.

With the decline of traditional industry, the city has adopted a plan to regenerate and reinvent itself as a cultural centre. In pursuit of this, a £1 billion master plan to regenerate and to reconnect the Waterfront to the city centre started in 2001 and is expected to be completed within a 30-year period. The V&A Dundee – the first branch of the V&A to operate outside of London – is the main centrepiece of the waterfront project. Today, Dundee is promoted as "One City, Many Discoveries" in honour of Dundee’s history of scientific activities and of the RRS Discovery, Robert Falcon Scott's Antarctic exploration vessel, which was built in Dundee and is now berthed at Discovery Point.

Dundee is an international research and development hub in technology, medicine and life sciences, with technological industries having arrived since the 1980s. Dundee was named as a “City of the Future” by Cognizant in 2021, the only UK city to be featured. Dundee is also a leading city in AI, cybersecurity, fintech and electric vehicles where the city has one of the largest fleets of electric vehicles in the country. The city was named as the electric vehicle capital of Europe in 2018, and it has continuously been branded as the electric vehicle capital of Scotland and the United Kingdom.

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TRAVEL TUESDAY 551 - MT CONNER, NT, AUSTRALIA

“I was lucky enough to grow up in Western Australia and know that the Australian Outback is vast and spell-binding and heart-stoppingly beautiful, and the characters that inhabit it are unique and hilarious and tough and cheeky.” - Tim Minchin

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Mount Conner – also known as Artilla (or Atila), or tongue-in-cheek as Fooluru (or Fuluru) – is a mesa located in the southwest corner of the Northern Territory of Australia. Mount Conner is located 75 kilometres southeast of Lake Amadeus, in the locality of Petermann. It lies within the Curtin Springs cattle station in Pitjantjatjara country, close to the site of the Kungkarangkalpa (Seven Sisters) Dreaming. Its height reaches 859 metres above sea level and 300 metres above ground level.

Mount Conner was named after M. L. Conner by explorer William Gosse in 1873. Its Aboriginal name is "Artilla" or "Attila", believed to be associated with the "terrible ice-man" story. It is also known by locals as "Fool-uru" or "Fuluru", owing to tourists sometimes confusing it with Uluru. Former schoolteacher Ellis Bankin is thought to have mistaken Mount Conner for Uluru when he was travelling to the latter in 1936. He died and was buried near Mount Conner after suffering from exhaustion.

The summit of Mount Conner, along with the summits of low domes in the Kata Tjuta complex and summit levels of Uluru, is an erosional remnant of a Cretaceous geomorphic surface. It is considered to be a classic example of an inselberg created by erosion of surrounding strata.

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TRAVEL TUESDAY 549 - PORT MORESBY, NEW GUINEA

“Papua New Guinea, a land where ancient customs and traditions harmonise with modernity.” – David Walliams

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Port Moresby (Tok Pisin: Pot Mosbi), also referred to as Pom City or simply Moresby, is the capital and largest city of Papua New Guinea. It is one of the largest cities in the southwestern Pacific (along with Jayapura) outside of Australia and New Zealand. It is located on the shores of the Gulf of Papua, on the south-western coast of the Papuan Peninsula of the island of New Guinea.

The city emerged as a trade centre in the second half of the 19th century. During World War II, it was a prime objective for conquest by the Imperial Japanese forces during 1942–43 as a staging point and air base to cut off Australia from Southeast Asia and the Americas. Due to its population and outsized influence compared to other cities in Papua New Guinea, Port Moresby may be regarded as a primate city.

As of the 2011 census, Port Moresby had 364,145 inhabitants. This grew to 756,754 at the 2024 census. The place where the city was founded has been inhabited by the Motu-Koitabu people for centuries. The first Briton to see it was Royal Navy Captain John Moresby in 1873. It was named in honour of his father, Admiral of the Fleet Sir Fairfax Moresby.

Although Port Moresby is surrounded by Central Province, of which it is also the capital, it is not part of that province but instead forms the National Capital District. The traditional landowners, the Motu and Koitabu people, are represented by the Motu Koita Assembly. Port Moresby hosted the APEC summit in November 2018. However, there were concerns about security, given the capital's reputation for violent crime.

There has been substantial building of housing, office towers, shopping malls and commercial establishments over much of the city. The waterfront area has been completely redeveloped with apartments, restaurants and shopping centres. Hanuabada and Koki are the last remaining stilt villages in Port Moresby, where traditional houses are built on wooden pylons over the sea. These homes, which are central to the indigenous Motu community, are connected by wooden walkways and enjoy a strong sense of community.

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TRAVEL TUESDAY 546 - DUNNOTTAR CASTLE, SCOTLAND

“The gloomy hills of Scotland keep my spirit clean” - Robert Louis Stevenson

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Dunnottar Castle (Scottish Gaelic: Dùn Fhoithear, "fort on the shelving slope") is a ruined medieval fortress located upon a rocky headland on the northeast coast of Scotland, about 3 kilometres south of Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire. The surviving buildings are largely of the 15th and 16th centuries, but the site is believed to have been fortified in the Early Middle Ages.

Dunnottar has played a prominent role in the history of Scotland through to the 18th-century Jacobite risings because of its strategic location and defensive strength. Dunnottar is best known as the place where the Honours of Scotland, the Scottish crown jewels, were hidden from Oliver Cromwell's invading army in the 17th century.

The property of the Keiths from the 14th century, and the seat of the Earl Marischal, Dunnottar declined after the last Earl forfeited his titles by taking part in the Jacobite rebellion of 1715. The castle was restored in the 20th century and is now open to the public. The castle ruins are spread over 1.4 hectares, The site is surrounded by steep cliffs that drop to the North Sea, 50 meters below.

A narrow strip of land joins the headland to the mainland, along which a steep path leads to the gatehouse. The various buildings within the castle include the 14th-century tower house as well as the 16th-century palace. Dunnottar Castle is a scheduled monument, and twelve structures on the site were listed buildings.

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TRAVEL TUESDAY 545 - SANTIAGO DE CHILE

“Mining created Chile. The story of men who go down into the mountain and chip away at minerals in the darkness and then suffer an accident that leaves them at the mercy of that darkness is part of the DNA of Chile, an integral part of the country's history.” - Ariel Dorfman

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Santiago, also known as Santiago de Chile, is the capital and largest city of Chile and one of the largest cities in the Americas. Located in the Chilean Central Valley within the Santiago Basin, between the Andes to the east and the Chilean Coastal Range to the west, it anchors the Santiago Metropolitan Region and its conurbation of Greater Santiago, which comprises more than forty communes and concentrates over a third of the national population and around 45% of Chile's GDP.

Most of the city lies between 500 and 650 meters above sea level, with recent urban growth extending into the Andean foothills. The basin that Santiago occupies has been inhabited since at least the 10th millennium BC, with early agricultural villages established along the Mapocho River and later incorporated into the Inca sphere of influence. During the Spanish invasion of the Americas, conquistador Pedro de Valdivia founded the colonial city of Santiago del Nuevo Extremo on 12 February 1541, laying out a grid plan around the Plaza Mayor (now Plaza de Armas). Despite early food shortages, Indigenous attacks, floods, and devastating earthquakes—notably in 1647—the city consolidated as the capital of the Captaincy General of Chile.

Santiago remained the political centre during the Chilean War of Independence, beginning with the First Government Junta in 1810 and culminating in patriot victory at the Battle of Maipú in 1818, and subsequently expanded through 19th-century railway construction, state-building projects, and the creation of major educational and cultural institutions. The city today is the political and administrative heart of Chile: it houses the presidential palace and the main organs of the executive and judiciary, while the National Congress meets primarily in nearby Valparaíso.

Economically, Santiago is the country's principal industrial, commercial, and financial hub and a regional centre for services, hosting the headquarters of major Chilean companies, regional offices of international organizations such as the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), and several of the nation's leading universities and research institutes. Urban growth has been marked by the emergence of high-rise business districts such as Sanhattan, dominated by Gran Torre Santiago, the tallest building in South America and the second tallest building in Latin America (behind Mexico's T.Op Torre 1). 

Santiago's urban landscape combines a 19th-century neoclassical core and surviving colonial churches with extensive modern residential districts, standalone hills such as Cerro Santa Lucía and Cerro San Cristóbal, and parklands along the Mapocho River, including Parque Forestal, Parque Bicentenario, and Santiago Metropolitan Park.

The city has a cool semi-arid climate with Mediterranean characteristics, warm, dry summers and cool, wetter winters; its location in an enclosed valley contributes both to its scenic views of the high Andes and to chronic air pollution and winter smog. Santiago is served by Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport, a dense network of urban highways, and one of Latin America's most extensive metro systems.

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