We arrived in Bahrain from Kuwait on the 7th of January, 2026 and stayed for 11 days. We chose to opt for a Bahraini visa on arrival (VOA) instead of an eVisa. Here’s what the process is like, what documents you need to bring, and whether you should choose an eVisa or the VOA. In early 2026, the tourist visa costs between 5 BHD and 25 BHD, depending on your length of stay Contents1 Bahrain Visa Online Research1.1 Where to get the Bahraini visa on arrival?1.2 Where to get the Bahraini eVisa?1.3 Future multiple GCC countries eVisa2 Flight from KuwaitContinue reading
Caucasus + Western Asia
Here you’ll find all the articles and short posts I’ve published about hitchhiking and hospitality in the Caucasus + Western Asia. I traveled in countries such as Georgia, Armenia, Iran, and Turkey mostly in 2014.
- Georgia: my best friend whom I met at university comes from Georgia, so I visited there for the first time for New Year’s in 2012/2013. Then in summer 2014, I hitchhiked from the Netherlands to Tbilisi in five days to attend her wedding. After that, I traveled back and forth to Georgia from Armenia and Abkhazia, living in Tbilisi’s Vake Park with a band of cool people and absolute weirdos.
- Armenia: I visited Armenia twice in 2014. Once with a Polish friend on a short trip, and once on my way to Iran.
- Abkhazia: I visited this disputed territory after getting travel permission in Zugdidi. It was a strange place, but also incredibly beautiful. I had a lot of fun at Stalin’s Dacha and in Gagra.
- Iran: after picking up my visa in Armenia, I hitchhiked around Iran for 28 days in October/November 2014. These were some excellent times!
- Turkey: I’ve been to Turkey four times, of which twice with my family. The last two times I was there speed hitchhiking through to get to that wedding on time. The second time, after Iran, I had more time to explore between Van, Batman, Hatay, Mersin, Northern Cyprus, Ankara, Eskişehir, and İstanbul.
Because of the top-tier hospitality in the Caucasus + Western Asia, I’m longing to return pretty much every day I’m feeling a little uninspired.
Accommodation in Bahrain: Airbnb in Al Fateh + Manama City Hotels
Congratulations! You are in the minority of travelers considering a visit to Bahrain for more than a day trip. Here’s where we stayed for 10 nights in the capital city Manama, alternative hotels under €100 per night, and what to expect of accommodation in Bahrain as a digital nomad Contents1 Al Fateh: Airbnb Close to Food Truck Heaven2 Where to Stay Next in Bahrain: Central Manama + Muharraq3 Day Trips in Bahrain + Tourist Season4 Helpful post? Consider buying me a cup of tea!5 Share with your travel buddies or save for later? Al Fateh: Airbnb Close to Food TruckContinue reading
How to Get a SIM Card in Bahrain: eSIM Options + Batelco, Zain, and STC
We traveled to Bahrain for about 10 days in January 2026. To stay online as a tourist, Jonas used his Global eSIM and I bought a physical SIM card in Bahrain at the airport. Here’s what your options are, starting with the cheapest Contents1 First Choice: Global eSIM or Bahraini eSIM2 SIM Card Options in Bahrain: Batelco, Zain, and STC2.1 Getting the Batelco SIM Card at Bahrain International Airport3 Batelco Bahraini SIM Card FAQ + Internet Freedom3.1 Should I buy a Bahraini SIM card at the airport?3.2 Should I download the app of my Bahraini provider?3.3 How can I top-upContinue reading
Tourist Visa on Arrival in Kuwait: Our Experience + Advice (Get the eVisa)
We entered Kuwait a couple of days before New Year’s 2025–2026. On December 22nd 2025, the government of Kuwait increased its visa fees from 3 KWD to 10 KWD. This applies to both visa on arrival (VOA) and the Kuwaiti eVisa. Here’s our experience getting the visa on arrival in Kuwait Contents1 Late 2025 Visa Costs Increase in Kuwait2 Visa Hall: Filling in Forms + Waiting3 Answering the Visa Officer’s Questions4 Fingerprinting + Iris Scan5 Though Immigration + Arrivals Hall + Taxi Stand6 Our Advice: Get the Kuwaiti eVisa7 Our Departure from Kuwait8 Helpful post? Please buy me a cupContinue reading
Accommodation in Kuwait: Al Salmiya Apartment + City Hotels
I visited Kuwait for 10 days in late 2025 and early 2026. This is what to expect of accommodation in Kuwait as a digital nomad + some hotel recommendations in Kuwait City Al Salmiya: Lavan One Serviced Apartment We chose this condo in Al Salmiya neighborhood close to the coast and one of the places where the ferry to Failaka goes. There was one other contender, but that apartment was next to Winter Wonderland Kuwait. The reviews said that place was noisy into the night. Also, this apartment didn’t say it required proof of marriage for people to stay here.Continue reading
Staying Online in Kuwait: eSIM Options + Kuwaiti SIM Card
Going to Kuwait for more than a few days and don’t have the option to have an eSIM? Here’s what Kuwaiti SIM card to get, where to get it, and what to expect. Contents1 First Choice: Get a Kuwaiti eSIM!2 Last Choice: How We Bought a Physical SIM Card in Kuwait2.1 How we bought a Zain SIM card near the Old Souq3 Zain Kuwait SIM Card FAQ + Internet Freedom3.1 Should I buy a Kuwaiti SIM card at the airport?3.2 Should I download the app of my Kuwaiti provider?3.3 How can I top-up my Kuwaiti SIM card?3.4 How can IContinue reading
How to Get a SIM Card in Georgia (The Country, Sakartvelo)
This Caucasus country is becoming quite popular with travelers and digital nomads. Here’s a handy how-to guide for getting a SIM card in Georgia to stay online from Tbilisi to Omalo. Contents1 Do You Need a SIM Card in Georgia?2 Georgian Telecom Providers2.1 Magti2.2 Beeline2.3 Geocell (Silknet)3 Georgian SIM Card FAQ3.1 Where to buy a SIM card in Georgia?3.2 Documents needed and process3.3 Activation3.4 What to do with the contract they give you and full-size plastic card3.5 MyMagti app3.6 Topping up3.7 Spam messages3.8 SIM Card validity3.9 Tethering3.10 Freedom of internet3.11 What about Abkhazia and South Ossetia (Tskhinvali region)?4 Good info?Continue reading
Bonzur, Mahébourg?! Traveling from Istanbul to Mauritius (Semi-Live Blog)
On the 3rd of December 2021, we’re hopefully flying from Istanbul Airport (IST) in Turkey to Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport (MRU aka Port Louis Airport) in Mauritius. I’m updating this post as we go. If you’re here for the documents checklist to enter Mauritius, click here. Contents1 Booking Mauritius2 Omicron Variant Enters the Stage3 PCR Test in Edirne + Onward Ticket4 Day of Departure to Mauritius4.1 Packing + Edirne bus station + ride to Istanbul Airport4.2 Can we have boarding tickets, please?4.3 Immigration and security4.4 Mandatory time-wasting before the Mauritius flight4.5 Gate reveal and boarding5 Flying toContinue reading
Things to Do in Edirne, Turkiye
We visited Edirne from the 24th of November till the 2nd of December, 2022. Here are some things to do in Edirne and our itinerary for the week we stayed there. Contents1 Why Visit Edirne?2 How to Travel to Edirne?3 Things to Do in Edirne4 Map of Landmarks in Edirne and Karaağaç5 Our Edirne Itinerary6 Good info? Buy me a Turkish coffee!7 Wish to share this post? You’re the best. Why Visit Edirne? Edirne is an old city in the west of Turkiye, in the ‘European’ part of the country on the Balkan Peninsula. The region is also known asContinue reading