Category: Capital Cities

Belize City, Belize

23/12/2024

Summary

Airport Rating *****
Reception of locals *****
Cost: ££ (a little more on the islands)

The only English-speaking country in Central America
A mix between Caribbean and Central American culture
No issues as a Sikh in the airport or around the city
Main Sights: Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker, Museum of Belize, Swing Bridge, Baron Bliss Lighthouse

Panama City, Panama

28/10/2024

Summary

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

One the richest cities in the region and often described as the "Dubai of Central America"
Great city with a lot to do and cheap transportation to get you around
No issues as a Sikh in the airport or around the city
Main Sights: Panama Canal, Casco Viejo, Iglesia de la Merced, Causeway, Ancon Hill, Metropolitan Park

Hanoi, Vietnam: Part II

8/7/2024

Summary

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

My second trip to Hanoi and the surrounding area
The city has gotten a lot busier and a little more expensive but feels safe and the prices are reasonable
An intense experience with a lot of energy concentrated in the city centre
Main Sights: Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Temple of Literature, Train Street, Tran Quoc Pagoda, Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, French Quarter

Ho Chi Minh City: Part II

24/6/2024

Summary

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

My second trip to Ho Chi Minh City, almost nine years after my first
The city feels a lot busier than my last visit, but that's not necessarily a bad thing
No issues as a Sikh in airports or in the city
Main Sights: Cu Chi Tunnels, Independence Palace, Ben Thanh Market, Central Post Office, Ba Thien Hau Temple, Book Street, Landmark 81, Tan Dinh Church, Cafe Apartments, Bui Vien Walking Street

Singapore: Part III

13/5/2024

Summary

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

My third trip to Singapore, almost 6 years after my second, and a decade after my first
There has been a little bit of change in the city, but it largely feels the same and remains expensive - but safe
This trip I focused on the Sikh history in the country
Main Sights: Marina Bay Sands, Gardens by the Bay, Chinatown, Little India, Raffles, Little Korea, Haji Lane, Jewel

Guatemala City, Guatemala

25/3/2024

Summary

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

The capital and most populous city in Guatemala
A gritty city devoid of obvious beauty, but there are pockets of gems dotted throughout
There is a significant crime problem within the city, and it is not recommended to walk around alone at night (particularly in certain areas)
No issues as a Sikh in the city or the airport
Relatively cheap compared to similar sized cities in other parts of the world
Main Sights: Palacio Nacional, Museo Nacional de Arqueología y Etnología, Plaza Fontabella, Mercado Central, Catedral Metropolitana, Mercado de Artesanias, Oakland Mall

Beijing, China

26/2/2024

Summary

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

The most populous capital city in the world, and the second largest city in China
Largely functional and political city (similar to DC) without much the buzz or atmosphere
People are generally friendly and I had no issues at the airport
English is not widely spoken, and local payment applications and a smartphone are essential to navigate life in the city
Main Sights: Great Wall, Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven, Hohai, Beihai Park, Wangfujing Street,

Abu Dhabi, UAE

8/1/2024

Summary

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

A more laid-back and less intense version of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates
One of the more expensive cities in this part of the world
No issues as a Sikh in either the airport or the city
Main Sights: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Qasr al Watan, The Corniche, Louvre Abu Dhabi, Marina Mall, Abrahamic Family House

Doha, Qatar

31/12/2023

Summary

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

One of the best airports in the world, and with a large South Asian expat population, no issues as a Sikh either in the airport or the city although a year after my visit, the city closed down all Sikh Gurdwaras
City built on servitude and near slave labour, but advertises itself as an Arab success story
Much like Dubai, the city feels a little fake, a little like the Truman Show, but less of a tourist trap
It's pretty expensive
Main Sights: Souk Waqif, National Museum of Qatar, The Corniche, Villaggio, Pearl Island, Aspire Park

Vienna, Austria

27/11/2023

Summary

Update: I originally posted this in 2018 but I've updated in 2023 following another visit. Updates in italics
Airport Rating *****
Reception of locals ***1/2
Cost: ££££

It's the capital city of Austria, and a city with an incredibly rich history being located in the centre of Europe.
Austria has had a recent issue with far right nationalism, and although I saw a couple of other Singh's during my time there, and although it was never overtly hostile, there was definitely a feeling of unwelcomness. things felt a little different the second time around although I still got stares it wasn't as bad.
The architecture of the city is very uniform and incredibly beautiful, with few skyscrapers.
The city produced a number of luminaries in the 19th and early 20th century, and the feel of the city almost transports you back to that time - although I felt I was at least 10 years too young to really appreciate the city.
Main Sights: Schonbrunn Palace, St Stephen's Cathedral, Prater, Hofburg, State Opera, Museumsquartier, Hundredwasserhaus, Naschmarkt, Karlskirche

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Your Journey starts here

Belize City, Belize

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Panama City, Panama

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Hanoi, Vietnam: Part II

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Ho Chi Minh City: Part II

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Singapore: Part III

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Guatemala City, Guatemala

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Beijing, China

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Abu Dhabi, UAE

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Doha, Qatar

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Vienna, Austria

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