Category: Capital Cities

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

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

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,

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

Tokyo, Japan

6/3/2023

Summary

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

No issues at the airport as a Sikh
People are generally friendly and polite, but have a distrust of foreigners
Relatively expensive city, and surprising still heavily cash based
Incredible metropolis that stretches for miles, with an endless things to see and do
Main Sights: Asakusa, Akihabara, Ikekeburo, Shinjuku, Harajuku, Ginza, Senso-Ji, Meiji Jingu Shrine, Shibuya Sky and Crossing, teamLAB planets, Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observation Deck, Yoyogi Park, Zojo-Ji, Imperial Palace, Roppongi, Omoide Yokocho, Atago Jinja

Athens, Greece

26/12/2022

Summary

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

No issues at the airport as a Sikh but a few strong stares in the city
A city that feels like an open-air museum with history all around
Excellent night-life near the city centre, and a lot to see and do during the day
Relatively cheap for a European city
Main Sights: Acropolis, Parthenon, Ancient Agora, Roman Agora, Hadrian's Library, Plaka, Temple of Hephaestus, Panathenaic Stadium, Panagia Kapnikarea, Metropolis Cathedral of Athens

Kuwait City, Kuwait

19/12/2022

Summary

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

Small-dated airport, but no issues travelling through as a Sikh
A relatively strict city-state, especially when compared to some of the other countries on the Gulf coast
Not too much to do, main sights are shopping centres, but the locals are friendly
City is quite dull, but there are areas of beauty, particularly along the coast
Not as expensive as the UAE, but certainly not a cheap destination
Main Sights: Kuwait Towers, The Avenues, Souk Al-Mubarakiya, Coastal Walk

Return to Bangkok, Thailand

5/12/2022

Summary

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

Airport loses another two stars since last review with another questionable experience
Bangkok is still sensory overload, in good ways and bad
Public transport is relatively extensive, cheap and easy to use
Things have become slightly more expensive since my last visit, but cost of living in the city remains manageable for those on holiday
Main Sights (this time): Wat Saket, Khlong Bang Luang Floating Market, Terminal 21, Ong Ang Canal, Khao San Road, Sikh Gurdwaras,

Vientiane, Lao

7/11/2022

Summary

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

Not easily connected from the UK, requiring connecting flights from larger neighbouring countries
No issues as a Sikh in the airport, or walking around the city (in fact, I got a lot of positive attention)
Expensive to fly there, but very cheap when you arrive
Lacks the x-factor that some other capital cities in neighbouring countries have
Main Sights: Wat Si Saket, Patuxai, That Dam, Vientiane Night Market

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Doha, Qatar

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Vienna, Austria

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Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago

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Astana, Kazakhstan

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Istanbul, Türkiye

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Tokyo, Japan

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Athens, Greece

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Kuwait City, Kuwait

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Return to Bangkok, Thailand

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Vientiane, Lao

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