On The Far Side of the Earth — Farside Journal

The Blue at the Centre of the World

maurice@farside.earth (Farside) — Sun, 24 May 2026 13:00:00 +0000

For an hour and a half before the tour groups arrive, the Registan is yours alone, and the cobalt changes colour as the light moves.

Issue 004 of the Farside Journal. Four days in Samarkand at the moment of its reopening — five mausoleums with personalities, kimchi at every Uzbek table for reasons I will explain, and a country deciding in real time how much of its old self to keep.

Farside publishes independent editorial about places the world hasn't found yet, and connects travellers directly with local operators who work there.

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At the Gate of Mecca

maurice@farside.earth (Farside) — Sun, 17 May 2026 13:00:00 +0000

For a thousand years, this was the port. Pilgrims came ashore here, were processed, and sent inland to Mecca. The buildings the ships saw first are still standing. Some of them, anyway.

Issue 003 of the Farside Journal. A walk through Al-Balad, the historic district of Jeddah — where Saudi Arabia is, in real time, deciding what to keep.

Farside publishes independent editorial about places the world hasn't found yet, and connects travellers directly with local operators who work there.

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At the Foot of the Thunder Dragon

maurice@farside.earth (Farside) — Sun, 10 May 2026 13:00:00 +0000

The kingdom that chose not to be found.

Issue 002 of the Farside Journal. On trekking through Bhutan's high passes, the valley monasteries, and the hospitality of a kingdom that has carefully protected itself from the industry of tourism.

Farside publishes independent editorial about places the world hasn't found yet, and connects travellers directly with local operators who work there.

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The Lake at the Edge of the World

maurice@farside.earth (Farside) — Sun, 03 May 2026 13:00:00 +0000

There are no roads to Mahale.

Issue 001 of the Farside Journal. Mahale Mountains National Park, Tanzania — where chimpanzees walk the ridge above Lake Tanganyika and the nearest road is 150 kilometres away.

Farside publishes independent editorial about places the world hasn't found yet, and connects travellers directly with local operators who work there.

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