The Travelling Singh

Bilbao, Basque Country / Spain

11/9/2023

Summary

Airport Rating *****
Reception of locals *****
Cost: £££

The largest city of northern Spain and the Basque Country, a region known for its unique culture and strong independence movement
City has a temperate climate and doesn't get quite so many tourists as other large cities in Spain
Didn't see a single Sikh and very few non-Europeans, but no issues travelling through the city with very friendly locals
Bilbao has a reasonable cost of living, and there is a lot to see and do
Main Sights: Casco Viejo, Guggenheim Museum, Plaza Nueva, Mercado de la Ribera, Basilica de Begona, Artxanda Park, Bilbao Abando, Estadio San Mames, Catedral de Santiago, Iglesia de San Nicolas

Oviedo, Spain

28/8/2023

Summary

Airport Security *****
Reception of locals ****
Cost: £££

No issues with immigration or airport security when arriving or leaving to Asturias Airport
Didn't see a single other Sikh in Oviedo, but people in the city were generally nice (although they stare)
Walkable city with a beautiful historical core
Quieter than other popular Spanish cities and a lot more cost friendly too
Main sights: Catedral de San Salvador de Oviedo, Plaza del Fontan, Casco Antiguo, Monte Naranco, Santa Maria del Naranco, San Miguel de Lillo, San Francisco Park

5 Gurdwaras to visit: Part 5 North America

14/8/2023

Gurdwaras in North America

For the fifth article in this series, we are moving a little further afield from my home country in the UK and toward an area with a large Sikh population and huge influence in the Panjabi diaspora, North America. There are four large Sikh population centres here (Ontario, British Colombia, New York, and California), although you can find Sikhs across both Canada and the United States. You can read the rest of the series by following these links:

Part 1: Gurdwaras in the Midlands
Part 2: (More) Gurdwaras in the Midlands
Part 3: Gurdwaras in London & the South East
Part 4: Gurdwaras in Europe

Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago

24/7/2023

Summary

Airport Rating *****
Reception of locals *****
Cost: £££

Islands off the coast of South America with a strong Afro-South Asian culture
Stunning landscapes and natural scenery
City can feel hot and stuffy, but there is plenty to see and do beyond beaches
No issues as a Sikh in the city or the airport, but had plenty of reminders to be careful and vigilant
Reasonably priced, with local bars and restaurants significantly cheaper than those made for tourists
Main Sights: Queen's Park Savannah, Maracas Beach, Caroni Swamp, Fort George, Maracas Lookout, Paramin Lookout, second oldest Gurdwara in the western hemisphere

Miami & Palm Beach, Florida

10/7/2023

Summary

Update: I originally posted this in 2017 but I've updated in 2023 following another visit
Airport Rating *****
Reception of locals ****
Cost: ££££

No issues flying in or out of Miami as a Sikh
Palm beach is Trump country but local residents were easy going and welcoming
Miami is a party city with a large Latin community
Fairly expensive during Spring Break
Main Sights: Miami Beach, Wynwood, South Beach, Bayfront Park, Downtown Miami, Mar-a-Lago, Little Havana, Sikh Society of Florida

Astana, Kazakhstan

12/6/2023

Summary

Airport Rating *****
Reception of locals *****
Cost: ££££

A new, planned city that serves as the capital of Kazakhstan
Creative architecture that aims to be futuristic but feels like a vision of the future from 20 years ago
City feels fake, with little character, and reminds me of a smaller Dubai
No issues as a Sikh in the city or the airport and people are friendly
More expensive than Almaty but taxis are still super cheap
Main Sights: Bayterek Tower, Grand Mosque of Astana, Palace of Peace and Reconciliation, Presidential Park, Future Energy Museum,

Almaty, Kazakhstan

22/5/2023

Summary

Airport Rating *****
Reception of locals ****
Cost: £££

The largest and most economically important city in Central Asia
Beautiful landscapes as the city sits beside the Ile Alatau mountain range
Very little English spoken in the city, although greater usage among the younger generation
People are relatively friendly, and I had no problems in the city or the airport as a Sikh
The city is affordable, although it is expensive to fly to, and the cost of food and accommodation was greater than I expected
Main Sights: Ascension Cathedral, Big Lake Almaty, Shymbulak, Kok-Tobe Hill, Green Bazaar, Panfilov Park, Museum of Folk Music Instruments, Almaty Museum, Abay Opera House, Almaty Central Mosque

Istanbul, Türkiye

1/5/2023

Summary

Airport Rating *****
Reception of locals ****1/2
Cost: £££

Culturally and historically one of the most important cities in human history
No problems as a Sikh at the airport or going around the city
Incredible variety of landmarks to visit, and a unique cityscape to see
From the UK - cheap to get to, and reasonably priced food and accommodation
Main Sights: Hagia Sophia, Suleymaniye Mosque, Basilica Cistern, Topkapi Palace, Galata Tower, Grand Bazaar, the Bosphorus, Kadikoy, Taksim Square

Basel, Switzerland

10/4/2023

Summary

Airport Rating *****
Reception of locals *****
Cost: £££££

A medieval city located at the confluence of three countries: Switzerland, France, and Germany
Widely recognised as the cultural capital of Switzerland
No problems as a Sikh at the airport or going around the city
Cheap to get to (if you're from the UK), expensive once you arrive
Main Sights: The Three City Gates, Basel Minster, Tinguely Fountain, Marktplatz, Town Hall, Old Town

Kyoto, Japan

20/3/2023

Summary

Airport Rating *****
Reception of locals ****
Cost: £££££

Just over two hours from Tokyo in a bullet train
Cultural centre of Japan with over 2,000 temples and shrines
Large and unique concentration of Japanese pre-war architecture
No problems as a Sikh getting around the city
Main Sights: Kiyomizu-dera, Fushimi Inari Taisha, Gion District, Yasaka-Jinja, Nishiki Market, Sanjusangendo Temple

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Your Journey starts here

Bilbao, Basque Country / Spain

Summary

Oviedo, Spain

Summary

5 Gurdwaras to visit: Part 5 North America

Gurdwaras in North America

Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago

Summary

Miami & Palm Beach, Florida

Summary

Astana, Kazakhstan

Summary

Almaty, Kazakhstan

Summary

Istanbul, Türkiye

Summary

Basel, Switzerland

Summary

Kyoto, Japan

Summary

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THE TRAVELLING SINGH