Countries

This is The Aloof’s archive page. Posts are sorted by country. At the bottom of the page are some posts that aren’t related to locations.

Dates are when the post was published and not when I visited the place. Under each heading, the oldest entry is at the top and the most recent is at the bottom.

Armenia

• A Bumpy Marshrutka Ride from Tbilisi (Georgia) to Yerevan (Armenia) [July 22, 2013]
• Garni, Armenia, Where I Saw a Roman Temple and Fell into a River [July 24, 2013]
• Geghard Monastery: 13th-Century Churches Carved Out of Solid Stone [July 25, 2013]
• Echmiadzin: The Vatican of Armenian Orthodoxy [July 26, 2013]
• Khor Virap Monastery and Mt. Ararat [July 27, 2013]
• Photos of Yerevan (Armenia) and Impressions Armenia as a Whole [August 8, 2013]

Bulgaria

• In Which I Climb Musala, the Highest Mountain in Bulgaria and the Balkan Peninsula [August 22, 2013]

Cambodia

• 13 Photos from the Streets of Phnom Penh, Cambodia [March 8, 2014]
• The Genocide Museum and Killing Fields of Phnom Penh, Cambodia [March 24, 2014]
• What It’s Like to Ride a $35 Bicycle Across Cambodia [August 16, 2014]
• 10 Photos from Otres Beach Near Sihanoukville, Cambodia [September 3, 2014]
• On Falling Out of Love With a Place [September 17, 2014]
• Scenes from a Cambodian Street [September 25, 2014]

China

• Massive Beijing Dust Storm [June 6, 2011]
• Giant Buddhas, Hanging Temples, and Ancient Pagodas in Datong, China [December 12, 2011]

Georgia

• Tbilisi, Georgia: First Impressions [May 26, 2013]
• Tbilisi’s High-Rise Luxury Hotel that Became a Refugee Camp (and Is Now a Luxury Hotel Again) [June 10, 2013]
• The Incredible Cave Monasteries of Davit Gareja, Georgia [June 18, 2013]
• A Visit to Tbilisi’s Version of Stonehenge: The Chronicle of Georgia [June 25, 2013]
• Uplistsikhe: A Pre-Christian Cave City in Georgia [July 9, 2013]
• Visiting Stalin’s Home Town of Gori, Georgia [July 10, 2013]
• Mtskheta: Georgia’s Holiest City and Ancient Capital [July 12, 2013]
• A Brief Trip into the Amazing Caucasus Mountains near Kazbegi, Georgia [July 18, 2013]
• Ananuri, a 17th-Century Castle and Church Complex in Georgia [July 19, 2013]

Germany

• Churches, Islands, and Surfing: Half a Day in Munich, Germany [May 17, 2013]

Kazakhstan

• Photos from When I Lived in Kazakhstan in 2001 [February 24, 2012]

Malaysia

• 10 Photos from My Day in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia [November 25, 2013]

Mexico

• First Impressions: What Is Mexico City Like? [September 3, 2013]
• One Month in Mexico [September 30, 2013]
• Amigo [November 27, 2013]
• How I Grew to Love the Beach [December 15, 2013]
• A Tale of Headphones, Mexican Walmarts, and Panic Attacks [December 17, 2013]
• How Much Does it Cost to Live in Mexico? [January 21, 2013]
• The Time I Was Hit by a Car in Mexico [April 7, 2013]
• A Day in Izamal, Mexico’s Yellow City [April 20, 2013]
• Chichen Itza, Mexico: The Overcrowded Showpiece of the Mayan World [April 25, 2013]
• The Wild East Side of Cozumel [April 26, 2013]
• A Day in the Colonial Mexican City of Campeche [April 27, 2013]
• A Quick Look at Merida, Mexico [May 4, 2013]
• A Look Back on 8+ Months of Living in Mexico [May 8, 2013]
• The Amazing Pyramids and Ruins of Uxmal, Mexico [May 12, 2013]
• Island Living: 26 Photos of Cozumel, Mexico [May 13, 2013]
• Tulum, Mexico: Neat Mayan Ruins in a Spectacular Location (Plus a World-Class Beach) [May 20, 2013]
• A Month in San Miguel de Allende, One of My Favorite Places in Mexico [June 21, 2013]

Moldova

• Chisinau: Capital of the Poorest Country in Europe, Moldova [August 12, 2013]
• Tiraspol, Capital of the Breakaway Moldovan Republic of Transnistria [August 16, 2013]

Myanmar/Burma

• Photos of U-Bein Bridge Near Mandalay, Myanmar (Burma) [June 4, 2014]
• Photos from Mandalay (Myanmar/Burma), One of My Favorite Cities in the World [June 11, 2014]

Nepal

• Why I’m Going Back to Nepal [October 25, 2014]

Romania

• Brasov: Romania’s Tourist Mecca in the Heart of Transylvania [August 15, 2013]
• A Couple of Days in Bucharest, Romania [August 27, 2013]

Singapore

• Impressions and Photos of Singapore [November 7, 2014]

Thailand

• All the Food I Ate in January 2014 [February 2, 2014]
• Doi Inthanon National Park: Waterfalls and the Highest Point in Thailand [March 5, 2014]
• Two Temples, Two Boat Rides, and a Building That Looks Like a Robot [March 22, 2014]
• A Look Back at 7 Months of Living in Thailand [June 19, 2014]
• The Month I Spent Living on Koh Tao, a Tropical Thai Island [August 21, 2014]

Turkey

• Istanbul Is My New Favorite City in the World [September 10, 2013]
• Hiking, Snorkeling, and Exploring Ruins Around Kaş, Turkey [September 16, 2013]

Ukraine

• L’viv, Ukraine [PHOTOS] [February 6, 2012]
• 5 of My Favorite Ukrainian Christmas Carols [April 8, 2013]
• 27 Photos of Kiev, Ukraine [August 7, 2013]
• 30 Photos from My Tour of Chernobyl [August 9, 2013]
• Chernivtsi, Kamianets-Podilskyi Castle, and Khotyn Fortress (Ukraine) [August 10, 2013]

USA

ARIZONA

• Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim Hike in a Day [May 29, 2011]

California

• Climbing Mt. Shasta, the Giant Californian Volcano [PICS and VIDEO] [September 9, 2011]
• Hiking Half Dome and Feeling Claustrophobic in Yosemite [September 27, 2011]
• Climbing the East Face (5.7, 1,000′) of Mt. Whitney, California [February 26, 2012]

COLORADO

• Climbing Otto’s Route (III 5.9-, 350′) on Independence Monument, CO [October 22, 2011]
• Hiking Mt. Garfield (6,765′) in Colorado [October 23, 2011]
• The Most Epic National Park You’ve Never Been To [October 25, 2011]
• Mesa Verde National Park (Colorado) and Four Corners [November 5, 2011]

IDAHO

• Photos from Climbing Borah Peak, the Tallest Mountain in Idaho [August 24, 2011]
• Climbing Idaho’s Longest Sport Climbs in the City of Rocks [February 11, 2012]

MONTANA

• The Highline Trail (and a Quick Mountain Climb) in Glacier National Park [September 21, 2011]

NEVADA

• Wheeler Peak, Nevada (13,063′) Trip Report [September 2, 2010]

OREGON

• My First Visit to Portland and the Oregon Coast [September 23, 2011]

TEXAS

• What do NASA and Sailing Have in Common? [July 30, 2011]
• Spell Check Is a PRORITY [December 6, 2011]

UTAH

NORTHERN UTAH ADVENTURES

• Kings Peak (the Tallest Mountain in Utah) and Dome Peak (17th Tallest) in a Day [September 6, 2009]
• Ice Climbing in Provo Canyon [December 23, 2009]
• First Ascent of the Higbee Gully in Rock Canyon, II 5.7 M3 350′ [January 23, 2010]
• Climbing the Granite Domes of White Rocks in Utah’s West Desert [March 25, 2010]
• Biking Around Utah Lake: My First 100-mile Bike Ride [March 28, 2010]
• 4 Classic Climbs in Little Cottonwood Canyon [April 5, 2010]
• Solo Ascent (In a Day) of Everest Ridge on Mt. Timpanogos [April 21, 2010]
• Crow’s Foot Couloir (Left Toe), Cascade Mountain, Utah [June 1, 2010]
• Black Streak (III 5.10b, 6 pitches), Devil’s Castle, UT [July 21, 2010]
• Horns of Satan (III 5.10b/c, 8 pitches), Devil’s Castle, UT [August 4, 2010]
• Portable Darkness (III 5.9+, 6 pitches), Devil’s Castle, Utah [September 5, 2010]
• The first ascent of Squawstruck (IV 5.11-, 1900′, 22 pitches), a Really Big Rock Climb [October 1, 2010]
• Squawstruck and My Other Climbs in Magazines [January 24, 2011]
• A Winter Ascent of Chair Hill (6,194′), Wasatch Range, Utah [January 14, 2011]
• Step Mountain (6,117′), Oquirrh Mountains, Utah [January 18, 2011]
• First Ascent of “Early Retirement” (II 5.8 R, 400′) in Rock Canyon, Utah [February 15, 2011]
• A Hike Up Frary Peak on Antelope Island, Great Salt Lake [June 16, 2011]
• A Solo Ascent of the South Ridge (5.4, 3000′) of Mt. Superior, Utah [September 17, 2011]
• My 4x Great Grandfather’s Grave, Plus 15 Minutes in Wyoming [September 24, 2011]
• Climbing Little Black Mountain Near Salt Lake City, Utah [November 20, 2011]
• A Failed Winter-ish Ascent of Lone Peak, Utah [December 10, 2011]
• Hiking Up Santaquin Peak (10,685′) and Loafer Mountain (10,687′), Utah [December 11, 2011]
• Virgin Cracks and Half Naked Dudes: First Ascents in Price Canyon, Utah [December 13, 2011]
• Squawstruck Beta, Topo, and First Ascent History [February 3, 2012]
• Rock Climbing Areas in Rock Canyon, Provo, Utah [MAPS] [February 27, 2012]
• The Time I Was Nearly Eaten By a Mountain Lion [March 9, 2012]
• A Solo Ascent of Geurt’s Ridge (5.5, 1,500′) on Mt. Olympus [May 8, 2012]
• A Solo Ascent of the Pierced Nipple, a Cool Tower in Echo Canyon [May 11, 2012]
• Climbing Millstone Slab (5.4, 700′) in Big Cottonwood Canyon, UT [SOLO] [May 22, 2012]
• My 4th Time Up the West Slabs (5.5, 1,600′) of Mt. Olympus [SOLO] [May 24, 2012]
• Climbing Eleventh Hour (5.8, 550′) on Sundial Peak, Utah [June 9, 2012]
• The Triple Traverse (Twin Peaks, Sunrise Peak, Dromedary Peak) [July 4, 2012]

SOUTHERN UTAH ADVENTURES

• Climbing Dark Angel Tower in Arches National Park [November 28, 2009]
• Finger of Fate, The Titan, Fisher Towers [April 2, 2010]
• A Quick Mountain Biking Trip to Moab [April 4, 2010]
• Climbing Death By Chocolate (5.8 X, 1700′), San Rafael Swell, Utah [April 9, 2010]
• Near Hypothermia on an Epic Day of Climbing at Ibex [April 12, 2010]
• Little Wild Horse and Bell Slot Canyons, Goblin Valley SP, and Capitol Reef NP [June 10, 2010]
• Climbing Looking Glass Rock near Moab, Utah [PHOTOS] [March 6, 2011]
• Climbing the North Chimney (III 5.9, 400′) of Castleton Tower, Moab [October 6, 2011]
• Hiking the Chute of Muddy Creek in the San Rafael Swell [November 3, 2011]
• Extreme Hiking: Climbing Parriott Mesa Near Moab [November 12, 2011]
• Climbing The Cheesebox in Southern Utah [November 24, 2011]
• Climbing Mexican Hat in Utah – Trip Report, Pics, and Beta [November 26, 2011]
• Climbing Elephant Butte, the Highest Point in Arches National Park [November 29, 2011]
• A Quick Jaunt Up Round Mountain Near Moab, Utah [December 5, 2011]
• Utter Failure in the La Sal Mountains in Winter [January 4, 2012]
• Climbing Ancient Art, the Most Famous Climb in Utah [January 7, 2012]
• Hiking and Barfing on Ibapah Peak (12,087′), Utah [February 16, 2012]
• Right Chimney (5.10+) of the Three Penguins, Arches National Park, UT [February 17, 2012]
• My Favorite Tower Climb: Honeymoon Chimney on The Priest (Utah) [February 19, 2012]
• U-Turn Canyon Photos and Information [MOAB, UTAH] [April 21, 2012]
• Climbing Led By Sheep (5.7, 800’) on Aries Butte in Zion National Park [April 29, 2012]
• My Second Time Up Ancient Art (5.9 C0, 4 pitches)—Topo and Photos [April 30, 2012]
• The 2nd (?) Ascent of Grumpies, Harkonnen Castle, Arches National Park [May 1, 2012]
• Climbing (and Rappelling) Wilson’s Arch Near Moab, Utah [May 4, 2012]
• Photos from an Ascent of Prodigal Sun (V 5.8 C2) on Angel’s Landing in Zion National Park [May 15, 2014]

OTHER UTAH STUFF

• Photos from Miscellaneous Adventures [June 5, 2010]
• How I Ran a Marathon Without Any Training [July 13, 2010]
• Rattlesnakes, Panning for Gold, Desert Mountaineering, and More [July 30, 2010]
• It Feels Good to Finally Be from Somewhere [August 27, 2011]
• Goodbye Utah [August 30, 2012]

WASHINGTON

• The Toilet with the World’s Most Spectacular View [August 23, 2011]
• My First Time Bungee Jumping [September 7, 2011]
• Lunch at the Space Needle and a Troll Under a Bridge [September 18, 2011]
• Climbing the South Spur on Mt. Adams, Washington [September 20, 2011]
• The Most Beautiful Mountain I’ve Ever Been On: Mt. Rainier [December 14, 2013]
• Bald Eagles and Rainforests on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula [December 17, 2011]

Travel in General

• I Guess I Like Rivers, and That’s Why I Travel [August 19, 2011]
• A Printable List of the Countries of the World and Their Capitals [January 9, 2012]
• What I Miss About the US [June 4, 2013]
• Why My iPhone Is the Most Useful Thing I Brought to Mexico [September 17, 2013]
• What It’s Like to Live in a Foreign Country [September 13, 2013]
• My Long-Term Travel Packing List: All My Stuff and How I Pack It [June 3, 2013]
• Highlights of These Last 5 Months in Eastern Europe [October 18, 2013]

Other

• Stupidity at 17 and My Biggest Regret [May 30, 2011]
• My New Favorite Use for Spare Change [INFOGRAPHIC] [June 7, 2011]
• My Kindle Reading List, May 2011 [June 10, 2011]
• Can, Should, and Need To [June 24, 2011]
• Everything I Own: My ~80 Possessions [July 16, 2011]
• The 12 O’Clock Cell Phone Rule [July 29, 2011]
• The Impatient Person’s Brief Guide to Being Patient [July 2, 2011]
• My Keep-Myself-On-Track Secret Weapon [July 6, 2011]
• Your Brand of Minimalism Is Stupid, and Your Shoes are Ridiculous [July 11, 2011]
• Suicide, Birthdays, and Facebook [July 13, 2011]
• The Dumbest “How to Find Your Passion” Advice Ever [July 15, 2011]
• Remember When You Wanted to Be a War Photographer? [July 18, 2011]
• There IS Financial Security in “Stuff” [July 19, 2011]
• I Just Got My Fortune Told for $5, and It’s Kinda Unspectacular [July 22, 2011]
• Ever Wonder Where the Word “Windfall” Comes From? [GRAPHIC] [August 25, 2011]
• One of the Most Annoying Things Companies Do Without Even Knowing It [September 19, 2011]
• My Goals and Plans for 2012 [December 30, 2011]
• How to Read 34% Faster Without Even Trying (Seriously) [January 11, 2012]
• Inspiration and Theft in Web Design [January 16, 2012]
• I Have a #1 Bestseller on Amazon [January 27, 2012]
• A Look Back at January [January 31, 2012]
• Going Quasi-Carless [February 9, 2012]
• A Look Back at February [March 3, 2012]
• I’m in Climbing Magazine Again [August 20, 2013]
• My Notes and Highlights from the Apple iPhone 5 Launch Event [September 12, 2013]
• My 2012 in Review [January 1, 2013]
• Two Years As a Minimalist [January 18, 2013]
• The Best Thing I’ve Read in a Long Time [February 6, 2013]