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Travel Obscurer
United Kingdom
Registrace 13. 03. 2019
The Travel Channel that Informs and Inspires - From Caithness to Kosovo and Barrow to Beirut.
Leaving behind a legal career I'm now passionate about making films that shine a positive light on lesser known destinations or change the perspective on those that may be better known - meeting creative people along the way. Come on the Journey - Jonathan
Leaving behind a legal career I'm now passionate about making films that shine a positive light on lesser known destinations or change the perspective on those that may be better known - meeting creative people along the way. Come on the Journey - Jonathan
A Perfect Day In JEDDAH (Saudi Arabia's Cultural Capital is Changing Fast - Get here Now!)
Saudi Arabia is finally open for tourism - and I couldn't wait to get to Jeddah! The "Bride of the Red Sea" is a fascinating city with some of the most beautiful historic architecture in the Middle East. The City is safe and very welcoming to tourists. Share my day!
The day begins at Jeddah airport and its brand new stylish terminal 1. As Jeddah opens up to the world it’s the perfect gateway. From there I head straight for the historic UNESCO district of Al Balad. The architecture of this district is unique and striking. Join me as I wander the streets in the morning and the evening. In between I head for a stroll along the famous Corniche.
Jeddah’s population is approaching 5 million and the city covers a vast area. It’s mostly a low rise urban landscape, very different to Doha or Dubai, which came as a surprise to me. It’s easy to catch a cab, which is just as well as the distance from Al Balad to the top of the corniche is around 30 kilometres. If you attempt it in rush hour you’ll see why Jeddah would really benefit from a metro system.
Now you may not normally like malls but in the blazing Jeddah sunshine let me tell you that a dose of air-conditioning is absolutely essential, and there are plenty to choose from.
Jeddah’s high rise hotels and apartment blocks are found on the famous Corniche, which now hosts the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. With its palm shaded promenade and long pristine sandy beach this is made for sun worshippers but, of course, this is Saudi Arabia. Will these deserted sands look like Bondi Beach in 10 years time, I doubt it, but such is the pace of change here that nothing is impossible.
Saudi Arabia aims to make tourism its second highest revenue stream by 2030. The challenge will be to make sure that districts like Al Balad don’t become overwhelmed by tourism and thereby lose their character. If you can, I’d recommend coming now!
I hope you enjoy this cultural guide.
Filmed November 2023
Jonathan Wheeler
Travel Obscurer
CZcams, Facebook and Instagram
(See also "eye scotland" CZcams channel)
The day begins at Jeddah airport and its brand new stylish terminal 1. As Jeddah opens up to the world it’s the perfect gateway. From there I head straight for the historic UNESCO district of Al Balad. The architecture of this district is unique and striking. Join me as I wander the streets in the morning and the evening. In between I head for a stroll along the famous Corniche.
Jeddah’s population is approaching 5 million and the city covers a vast area. It’s mostly a low rise urban landscape, very different to Doha or Dubai, which came as a surprise to me. It’s easy to catch a cab, which is just as well as the distance from Al Balad to the top of the corniche is around 30 kilometres. If you attempt it in rush hour you’ll see why Jeddah would really benefit from a metro system.
Now you may not normally like malls but in the blazing Jeddah sunshine let me tell you that a dose of air-conditioning is absolutely essential, and there are plenty to choose from.
Jeddah’s high rise hotels and apartment blocks are found on the famous Corniche, which now hosts the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. With its palm shaded promenade and long pristine sandy beach this is made for sun worshippers but, of course, this is Saudi Arabia. Will these deserted sands look like Bondi Beach in 10 years time, I doubt it, but such is the pace of change here that nothing is impossible.
Saudi Arabia aims to make tourism its second highest revenue stream by 2030. The challenge will be to make sure that districts like Al Balad don’t become overwhelmed by tourism and thereby lose their character. If you can, I’d recommend coming now!
I hope you enjoy this cultural guide.
Filmed November 2023
Jonathan Wheeler
Travel Obscurer
CZcams, Facebook and Instagram
(See also "eye scotland" CZcams channel)
zhlédnutí: 160
Video
Gandhara - Pakistan's Buddhist Legacy (Exploring Taxila, Takht-i-Bhai and Shindagar (Swat))
zhlédnutí 36KPřed 14 dny
Explore some of the main sites of the ancient Gandhara civilisation and hear from expert Gul Kalash about what the stones of Gandhara mean to her. PAKISTAN, ONE OF THE LARGEST MUSLIM NATIONS ON EARTH, WITH A CAPITAL THAT TRANSLATES AS “CITY OF ISLAM”, BUT AROUND 2000 YEARS AGO THE PESHAWAR PLAIN IN THE NORTH WEST OF THE COUNTRY AND OVER INTO PRESENT DAY AFGHANISTAN WAS THE MOST IMPORTANT BUDDHI...
LOVE LAHORE! لہور The Capital of the Punjab is a Cultural Treasure Trove! (Enjoy the Travel Guide!)
zhlédnutí 808Před 21 dnem
The most beautiful city in Pakistan? Probably! Experience these incredible sights - - Wagah Border Crossing, Shalimar Gardens, Lahore Fort, Badshahi Mosque, Wazir Khan Mosque, The Walled City, the Royal Hammam, Fort Road Food Street, Haveli Restaurant, and much much more! I only had a short stay in Lahore but I loved every minute! Thank you to Hunza Travel and Rocky Road Travel. Jonathan Wheele...
A Chilled-Out Tour of Barcelona - A Homage to the Catalan Capital - BCN Walking Tour バルセロナが大好き
zhlédnutí 149Před 21 dnem
A narration free musical "Walking Tour" through the streets and squares of Barcelona from early morning to buzzing evening. This film was a labour of love for me - revisiting the city where I lived in the mid 1990s. Much has changed, but much is still reassuringly the same. Un homenatge a la Ciutat Comtal on vaig viure entre el 1994 i el 1997. Un passeig pels carrers i plaçes des de la primera ...
Holy Kerbala, كَرْبَلَاء (Karbala) - Iraq's Sacred Shia City (A Short Cultural Travel Guide)
zhlédnutí 2,1KPřed měsícem
The battle that took place here at Kerbala in the year 680 is central to the schism between Sunni and Shia muslims today. Hussein (Husayn) Ali, the grandson of the prophet Mohammed, was killed by the much larger army of the Umayyads in a war of succession. The history of the division is far too complex for this short film but, at its core, Shia muslims consider Hussein Ali to be the true succes...
An Unforgettable Experience at the Yazidi Autumn Assembly (Lalish, Iraqi Kurdistan)
zhlédnutí 1,8KPřed měsícem
This short film takes you to Lalish in Iraqi Kurdistan - the spiritual home of the Yazidi (Yezidi) Community. I had the privilege of visiting the Autumn Assembly on Day 2 in October 2023 (Jonathan Wheeler). Yazidis are one of the oldest ethnic and religious communities indigenous to the Middle East. The majority of Yazidis (estimated at 550,000 to 600,000) live in the north-west of Iraq, partic...
This is Baghdad! An Exploration of the Legendary & Notorious Capital of Iraq (Cultural Travel Guide)
zhlédnutí 20KPřed měsícem
Baghdad, a city that has risen and fallen countless times over the centuries, is enjoying a period of relative peace. I took the opportunity to walk the streets of a city that I had long wanted to explore. The capital of Iraq has spent much of the last 20 years in turmoil, but there are few more resilient cities in the world. It has rebuilt itself many times over. There has been a settlement he...
ERBIL - IRAQ'S SUCCESS STORY! - Discover the Kurdistan Capital (Cultural Travel Guide)
zhlédnutí 6KPřed měsícem
Looking for a positive story about Iraq? Well, you’ve found one - Erbil is a dynamic city that has fast risen to become the business hub for Iraq. The capital of Kurdistan is one of the oldest cities in the world and for years extended little further than the famous citadel. Now its high rise suburbs stretch out in all directions and construction cranes dominate the skyline. However, the modern...
Fabulous Muscat! Discover why the Omani Capital is a Top Destination (A Cultural Travel Guide)
zhlédnutí 1,5KPřed 2 měsíci
Google asks: Is Muscat a good holiday destination? Is Muscat good for tourists? Answer Yes and definitely Yes!! It's my favourite city of the Arabian Peninsula! The capital of Oman nestles comfortably between the mountains and the sea, welcoming travellers and seafarers as it has done for centuries. It's the perfect destination for a week of culture and relaxation. This film looks at the histor...
Hurtigruten - The On-Board Experience and Frequently Asked Questions (Coastal Express) #hurtigruten
zhlédnutí 8KPřed 2 měsíci
This film took its inspiration from questions and observations raised on the Hurtigruten Insiders Facebook group. My previous films (including the latest - 'The Coastal Express in Winter") focus on the landscapes and ports. This film goes more behind the scenes of the voyage itself and should be particularly useful for anyone debating whether this is the trip for them, or simply to gain more in...
HURTIGRUTEN - Bergen to Kirkenes in Winter! (Travel Guide) #hurtigruten #norway
zhlédnutí 21KPřed 3 měsíci
It is, quite simply, the most beautiful voyage in the world. The coastal express (currently operated by both Hurtigruten and Havila) sails from Bergen to Kirkenes past some of the most jaw dropping scenery that the planet has to offer. This is not a "Norway cruise". The coastal express is a working boat. The length of the stops are determined more by cargo turnaround than tourist requirements. ...
The Travel Channels You NEED To Be Watching This Year!
zhlédnutí 656Před 4 měsíci
My name is Jonathan Wheeler and I would love you to join my channel and enjoy travel films that inform and inspire. Discover places that you may never have heard of or take a more positive look at destinations that tend to appear in the media for the wrong reasons. This short film gives you an overview of my channel "Travel Obscurer" (over 111,000 hours of watch-time and 2 million views since l...
Saudi Arabia's Undiscovered "Petra" - AlUla & Hegra (An Unmissable Cultural Travel Guide)
zhlédnutí 2,6KPřed 4 měsíci
AlUla (Al Ula) is destined to become the best known tourist attraction of Saudi Arabia. Travel magazines around the world have already paraded images of the spectacular rock tombs of Hegra and heralded the "new Petra". The tourists have started to arrive (a trickle now but soon to be a flood) and in this film I'll provide an insight into what lies in store for this new "bucket list" destination...
This is Riyadh - The Desert Metropolis! (A Cultural Tour of Saudi Arabia's Capital City)
zhlédnutí 46KPřed 5 měsíci
Saudi Arabia's vast capital city has remained off the tourist circuit for decades, preferring to restrict visitors to those wishing to do business. However, that situation is changing rapidly as Saudi Arabia opens to the world and Riyadh steps into the limelight as a global sporting, cultural and business hub. I arrived in Riyadh with an image of a dusty city of busy highways and vast shopping ...
SLEMANI/SULAYMANIYAH - Discover Kurdistan's Capital of Culture (Travel Guide) سلێمانی #kurdistan
zhlédnutí 11KPřed 6 měsíci
Known throughout Kurdistan for its historical and cultural importance, Sulaymaniyah السليمانية (Slemani in Kurdish) is a great city for visitors to learn more about the Kurds, from their battles with Saddam to to their love of poetry. It's also a city that has witnessed enormous population growth in recent decades and boasts two thriving universities. The city was founded by the Kurdish prince ...
THIS IS MOSUL NOW! (الموصل): From Ruins to Recovery - Cultural Travel Guide to Iraq's 2nd City
zhlédnutí 13KPřed 7 měsíci
THIS IS MOSUL NOW! (الموصل): From Ruins to Recovery - Cultural Travel Guide to Iraq's 2nd City
Visit the Unique Workshops of the Karakoram Highway #pakistanitrucks
zhlédnutí 1,4KPřed 7 měsíci
Visit the Unique Workshops of the Karakoram Highway #pakistanitrucks
One Crazy Day at the Edinburgh Fringe 2023! (Cultural Travel Guide)
zhlédnutí 1KPřed 9 měsíci
One Crazy Day at the Edinburgh Fringe 2023! (Cultural Travel Guide)
The World's Northernmost Airport! Longyearbyen Svalbard (LYR) - Beware the Polar Bears!
zhlédnutí 5KPřed 10 měsíci
The World's Northernmost Airport! Longyearbyen Svalbard (LYR) - Beware the Polar Bears!
HURTIGRUTEN SVALBARD EXPRESS - Bergen to Longyearbyen - An incredible Arctic Voyage!
zhlédnutí 76KPřed 10 měsíci
HURTIGRUTEN SVALBARD EXPRESS - Bergen to Longyearbyen - An incredible Arctic Voyage!
The Greatest High Arctic Town in the World! Longyearbyen (Svalbard) - A Cultural Travel Guide
zhlédnutí 131KPřed 10 měsíci
The Greatest High Arctic Town in the World! Longyearbyen (Svalbard) - A Cultural Travel Guide
The Airport at the Edge of Greenland - Kulusuk (An Unscheduled Stopover - Reykjavik to Nuuk))
zhlédnutí 6KPřed 11 měsíci
The Airport at the Edge of Greenland - Kulusuk (An Unscheduled Stopover - Reykjavik to Nuuk))
The Pirates and Artists of Penzance! (Cultural Travel Guide to the Town at the "End of the Line")
zhlédnutí 2KPřed 11 měsíci
The Pirates and Artists of Penzance! (Cultural Travel Guide to the Town at the "End of the Line")
Newlyn - Cornwall: Art Meets Fish (Cultural Travel Guide)
zhlédnutí 1,1KPřed rokem
Newlyn - Cornwall: Art Meets Fish (Cultural Travel Guide)
Cumbernauld: Beauty & Brutalism (Cultural Travel Guide to Scotland's Controversial New Town)
zhlédnutí 7KPřed rokem
Cumbernauld: Beauty & Brutalism (Cultural Travel Guide to Scotland's Controversial New Town)
The Sound of Greenland - Discover the Music of the Arctic (Feat. Ejvind Elsner - Atlantic Music ApS)
zhlédnutí 2KPřed rokem
The Sound of Greenland - Discover the Music of the Arctic (Feat. Ejvind Elsner - Atlantic Music ApS)
Devonport - The Gateway to Tasmania (Cultural Travel Guide)
zhlédnutí 2,5KPřed rokem
Devonport - The Gateway to Tasmania (Cultural Travel Guide)
Seyðisfjörður - Discover Iceland's Quirky Eastern Gateway - Cultural Travel Guide
zhlédnutí 6KPřed rokem
Seyðisfjörður - Discover Iceland's Quirky Eastern Gateway - Cultural Travel Guide
Murals Galore! Sheffield, Tasmania (Cultural Travel Guide featuring MURAL FEST 2022)
zhlédnutí 782Před rokem
Murals Galore! Sheffield, Tasmania (Cultural Travel Guide featuring MURAL FEST 2022)
The Great Ocean Road - End to End in 5 Glorious Minutes (Allansford to Torquay, VIC)
zhlédnutí 595Před rokem
The Great Ocean Road - End to End in 5 Glorious Minutes (Allansford to Torquay, VIC)
Is it winter there?
Where ever BUDHISM has replaced HINDUISM these places were captured by ISLAM....Burma.... malayeshia.... Indonesia...Campodia...so on...
I Can’t wait to go here 🤙🏻 Just got back from Iraq 🇮🇶 getting content it was amazing 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
wow first western journalist who didn't try to show us as godless atheists ..... great job man
RESIDUO COLONIAL INACEPTABLE Y ANACRÓNICO. Qué vergüenza para españa
UNACCEPTABLE AND ANACHRONISTIC COLONIAL RESIDUE. Shame on Spain.
Back to life 🎉
This site explanation and video good 💤💤💤
Welcome to all tourists from all countries of the world in the cradle of civilizations. 💙
Indian Culture🙂 'Takshashila'
I think the nonviolent nature of the Buddhist religion has made these places an easy target to the invaders from central Asia, and hence it declined on its strongholds😢
Wish the threads of history are preserved 🎉for the sake of learning .
Buddhisam is not a Religion but it is a Philosophy. Pyramids in Egypts has nothing to do with Isalm I believe but they preserved & saved for generations. Never destruct the Pyramid Culture. culture. One of the best Tourist destination now. Appreciate Pakistan protect Buddhist ruins in their land. Srilankan visit India & Nepal Buddhist places,encourage us to see Old Buddhist ruins in Pakistan.
What a wonderful treasure
Save yazidi community, Love from india 🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳sanatan culture (Hindu) 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰
Today's Khyber pakhtunwa and South eastern Afghanistan is gandhara civilization and gandhara kingdom
Gandhar is not Pakistan's Buddhist legacy. It is India's Hindu and Buddhist legacy. Pakistan only has Muslim legacy
The sites featured are in the modern nation of Pakistan. They are a Buddhist Legacy. Therefore it is perfectly correct to say that Gandhara is Pakistan's Buddhist Legacy.
This is amazing. I’m coming to visit Barrow soon
Islaam and brahminist snaatan are enemies of real history of Indian subcontinents
Thank you for the wonderful video ! In my next live i must go to the Lofoten - perhaps.....!
Nice Explanation By Madam 🎉
You can't even say Furness properly. And you struggle with Barrow
Islam is the cultural destruction of wrost kind indeed. Look at how many beautiful culture they have destroyed, Levant, Egypt, Persia, Afghanistan, Malaysia
I live in Taxila ❤
It's called Takshashila. Just because Greek couldn't pronounce it doesn't mean you shouldn't pronounce it right. Google it. It's not that hard.
@@neutral5793 man ! I know that it was once know as Takshla > Even in some old Chinese script Talk about bolor ( gilgit) And Takshla ( Taxila)
@@neutral5793 read the ancient Chinese ( 600s BC ) old book named Si-yu-ki Where you will find Takshla and baloi. ()
@@Meezan12 Do you know the meaning of Takshashila? Taxila doesn't have a meaning.
muslim diatroe all the history in bbm oakistan
gandara where sanhkuni the evil man from in mahabharata hindusm
Best wishes I am from hindu religion aka sanatana Dharma
Sir Please have a look in to holly mahabhart epic and see the puranic stories behind the places of Hindu religion were in the past, have a good day ❤❤❤❤. Thank you for your good step brought it light for 🌎.
Learn the to pronounce the names bud
Did my best mate - I'm not Icelandic.
We in India still study about Taxila and Gandhara in our schools curriculum. Gandhara painting and Taxila aka ..Takshashila, named after Taksha who was son of Bharat, younger brother of Indian king Ram.
Local people, if they cannot take care, they also don't destroy these ancient figures. All the wrong doing were done by ignorant talibans.
Taliban afghanistan india is the same dna same people it was a common area at a time very simlple and true people live this area at a time but after it devide in country on the name of religion great devine but lod dna are same in land hind
Our fathers leave this nonsense with there hearts he is the only one
Looks like Mandurah WA also way better than Perth
Been looking for updates about Mosul and Iraq after watching a bunch of documentaries, seeing the crazy battles there I'm glad they are rebuilding and looking forward to peace. Great video and narration, I only wish this video was longer!! God bless the people of Iraq and their soldiers who defended their lands.
Thanks. Really appreciate the feedback.
اشتركت في قناتك حظا سعيدا❤
Thank you!
Welcome to Iraq 🇮🇶 ❤
Maybe Beautiful kalash people were those greek Buddhist who later converted to Islam. They have their unique culture, lauguage and blond gestures etc.
Thank you 🦚🌳☸️🌳 For father’s hard work, destroyed by ignorant modern men, very sad
Sanatan Dharma must be revived,,AKHAND BHARAT
Gandhar was a part of India. Buddhist spread from India.
Gandhara never was part of so called Endia, There was no country called Endia before British Empire 0f 1859
Dolo, Then where was " Gandhar"?@@DoloMalo-mw4zl
que viva melilla siempre
Just like Christianity destroyed the ancient religion in Europe in India Buddhism trying to destroy ancient religion in India in the world you see Christianity Islam and Buddhism trying to destroy ancient religion in the world
Nice video
this isn't the only Buddhist site located in Taxila there are many more, Dharmarajika Stupa, Bhamala stupa, Jinna Wali Dheri, Badalpur Stupa, Kunala Stupa (dedicated to king ashoka's son kunala), Mohra Muradu Stupa, Jandial temple also the 3 ancient cities of Sirkap, Bhir Mound and Sirsukh. do visit other sites too every site holds immense history, beauty and importance.
Welcome To Our Country!
What abt many ancient Mesopotamian and libyan ,syrian artifacts destroyed by america nato and the west?
Quenen gandhari [name mentioned in largest epic Mahabharata] gandhar name derived from her name ,she was a queen in gandhar Dynasty during the Mahabharata time
stop lying Gandhara means land of fragrance. Gand means fragrance and Hara means land.
@@losingyouwasnotok8484 proof my statement is wrong Mahabharata mentioned the gandhara place name
Great ❤
How to go about visiting this site. I am in India ?
you have to apply for a visa with Pakistani embassy in Delhi.