Tajikistan’s region of Khorog was a stunner of a discovery. Situated on the very border with Afghanistan and rich in clean air, beautiful mountain views, healing waters, and of course heroin, Khorog amazed me to no end. Despite a three-day bout with food poisoning, and several slightly pants-wetting flights, my journey to Khorog made for one of my most memorable work trips. This picture was taken by my fantastic co-worker Mauro – yes, that is the glory of the Pamir, home to Communism Peak. You might mess with the idea, but you never mess with its height.
My luck landed me in Africa in winter time. Not bad, but I wish I’d brought a sweater. My first question to the taxi driver was – “what month is it here?” “June,” said the driver sporting the best “you idiot” expression I had ever seen. June it was, and Cape Town was gloriously beautiful. But South Africa still wears years of conflict and bloody history on its sleeve – dumpy townships pile up on the outskirts of the city while mansions dot the magnificent ocean front. It was only fitting that I started reading “The Power of One” on the 12 hour flight over.