Blog Posts

Denver, Colorado, United States

19/8/2024

Summary

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

The largest city in Colorado famous for its natural landscapes and proximity to the Rocky Mountains
Open city with energy spread out over a large area and across many different neighbourhoods
Generally positive experiences as a Sikh with no issues at the airport or the city, but people stare a lot
Main Sights: Coors Field, Union Station, Boulder Mountain Park, Golden, Red Rocks, RiNo

5 Gurdwaras to Visit: Part 6 Rest of the World

29/7/2024

Gurdwaras in the Rest of the World

For the sixth article in this series, we are heading beyond the traditional hubs of the Sikh diaspora into countries with Sikh communities that might be newer, less well established, or slightly smaller. 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
Part 5: Gurdwaras in North America

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

Antigua, Guatemala

22/4/2024

Summary

Airport Rating N/A
Reception of locals ****
Cost: £££

The third capital of Guatemala and one of the best kept cities in Central America from colonial Spanish rule
A truly beautiful, baroque influenced, city that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Feels (and is) much safer than Guatemala City serving largely tourists, and no issues as a Sikh
More expensive than Guatemala City given the tourist focus but remains reasonably affordable when compared to similar places in other parts of the world
Main Sights: Arco de Santa Catalina, Casa Santo Domingo Museos, Cerro de la Cruz, Plaza Central Park, Iglesia de la Merced, Museo del Hermano Pedro, Iglesia de San Francisco El Grande, El Mercadito,

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

Shanghai (and a little Hangzhou), China

11/3/2024

Summary

Airport Rating n/a
Reception of locals *****
Cost: ££££

Largest city in China and a true global city with a relatively large (for China) immigrant population of Asians and Europeans
Shanghai is expensive, perhaps the most costly of Chinese cities that I have visited
Like the rest of China, local payment applications and a smartphone are essential to navigate life in the city
Main Sights: Shanghai World Financial Center, Oriental Pearl Tower, Bund, Former French Concession, Yuyuan Garden, Chenghuang Miao, Nanjing Road

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,

Hong Kong

12/2/2024

Summary

Airport Rating *****
Reception of locals *****
Cost: ££££
Update: I originally posted this in 2019 but I've updated in 2024 following another visit. Updates in italics

An assault on the senses; Hong Kong is a lot to take in
No issues at the airport, and no issues with locals
A city of extremes, with luxury high rise apartments, next to small box rooms in very old buildings
Main sights: Victoria Harbour, The Peak, Kowloon night markets, Tian Tan Buddha, La Kwai Fong, Central-Mid level escalators, Kowloon Walled City Park, Hong Kong trams, Aqualuna, Man Mo Temple

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Your Journey starts here

Denver, Colorado, United States

Summary

5 Gurdwaras to Visit: Part 6 Rest of the World

Gurdwaras in the Rest of the World

Hanoi, Vietnam: Part II

Summary

Ho Chi Minh City: Part II

Summary

Singapore: Part III

Summary

Antigua, Guatemala

Summary

Guatemala City, Guatemala

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Shanghai (and a little Hangzhou), China

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Beijing, China

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Hong Kong

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Your Journey starts here

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Gurdwaras in the Rest of the World

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THE TRAVELLING SINGH

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