Just to put the things we are going to see in perspective, it is good to pay a little attention to the history of Algeria. Of course, as per my introduction, I already knew a thing or two: there were people here in the country’s prehistory, the ones who painted the rocks in the Sahara, … Read more
One of my favourite subjects, followers of this site will know. For an Algerian visa you are advised to apply at least 90 days before your departure. That is not going to happen, of course, much too early. And it takes at least two week to issue. That sounds more reasonable, but we’ll give them … Read more
Right, we do have a plan, but unlike our normal trips, this one depends quite substantially on local partners. First, the disappointment. We had wanted to travel by train to Marseille, in the second half of September, and from there take a ferry to Algiers, a somewhat more romantic way to travel then just taking … Read more
During our West Africa trip in 2023 somebody mentioned that the best rock paintings in Africa were to be found in Algeria. Good reason to go and have a look, also because Algeria is not your foremost tourist destination, a quality that happens to appeal to us. When a retired professor in archaeology specialised in … Read more
Even though I have been working on the site for almost fifteen years now, it is still very much work in progress. Here you’ll find what’s new on theonearmedcarb.com (and when I added it). In September 2026 I switched to a new theme for the site, so it will look different from what you were … Read more
this is the third and last part of a series of entries on the Ruhrgebiet in Germany, the first can be accessed here, and for the second click here. Hansa Kokerei, Dortmund When it comes to rust buckets, one could do worse than visiting the Hansa Kokerei, described as one of the most atmospheric and … Read more
(this is the second of three entries on the German Ruhrgebiet, click here for the first one) Prosper Haniel & Halde Haniël, Bottrop The terrain of the Prosper Haniel mine is not accessible, we are being send back by the guard. But the neighbouring waste mountain, Halde Haniel, can be climbed – well, climbing is … Read more
The Ruhrgebiet (Ruhr region) is one of Europe’s largest urban agglomerations, covering towns like Essen, Dortmund, Bochum, and Duisburg. The discovery of easily accessible coal seams in the early 1800’s was pivotal in transforming it into Germany’s industrial heartland. The mines provided the coal, which was turned into cokes needed for iron and steel production. … Read more
In a busy, rush-hour Paris Metro I had my telephone stolen. Pickpocketed. Precisely that what they warn you for, time and again, in the busy Paris metro. This is already bad enough, but what happens to you afterwards, you don’t want to know. We were on our way to friends, and luckily, with my wife’s … Read more
This post doesn’t really belong to this website, which is mostly about traveling to less predictable destinations, either far away, not so often visited, challenging to get to and/or non-touristic. All of that does not apply to Paris, in France. But I also do include the occasional museum, and quite a few of our travels … Read more