David Simpson

08/12/2023

Today…It was off to see the incredible blue mosque of Herat, as good as those in Uzbekistan. After another encounter with the Taliban, we took a dander around some of the markets and managed to get fully kitted for a war with Genghis himself! Our day ends with a walk around the Citadel, home of many of the world’s best leaders including Alexander the Great. So come along and check it out
S03 E27

🇦🇫 Today…It was off to see the incredible blue mosque of Herat, as good as those in Uzbekistan. After another encounter with the Taliban, we took a dander ...

07/12/2023

The Famous Singer Of Bamiyan
S03 E14 Genghis Khan destroyed this city! (Not one survivor)
TODAY… we followed in the footsteps of the original sh***er... Genghis Khan, as we headed to the City of Screams. Obviously back in 1221 when he pillaged the place it was not called this but rather Shahr-e-Gholghola. However after he took control it was said the screams of the people he killed could he heard for miles. A bit of a strange place to walk around considering it's history. Come along and check it out

07/12/2023

Afghanistan’s very own Grand Canyon

06/12/2023

Tonight…It was off to see the incredible blue mosque of Herat, as good as those in Uzbekistan. After another encounter with the Taliban, we took a dander around some of the markets and managed to get fully kitted for a war with Genghis himself! Our day ends with a walk around the Citadel, home of many of the world’s best leaders including Alexander the Great. So come along later and check it out

05/12/2023

The City Of Screams
S03 E14 Genghis Khan destroyed this city! (Not one survivor)
TODAY… we followed in the footsteps of the original sh***er... Genghis Khan, as we headed to the City of Screams. Obviously back in 1221 when he pillaged the place it was not called this but rather Shahr-e-Gholghola. However after he took control it was said the screams of the people he killed could he heard for miles. A bit of a strange place to walk around considering it's history. Come along and check it out
S03 E14

05/12/2023

Today…I learned that every day in Afghanistan comes with a once in a lifetime experience, this time driving a member of the Taliban around the southern reaches of Helmand, the deadliest region during the war. After visiting an old gate from the Silk Road which sites along an old town that Genghis Khan pillaged, we visited the world’s oldest oven, and probably one of the biggest too!

On our way to Herat we stopped at Camp Bastian, what was the main military base for the UK and American forces. This was the 6th busiest UK operated airport during the war! We also had a closer look at one of America’s biggest investments, the 3200km ring road before arriving at the final city of the trip…Herat! So come along and check it out
S03 E26

🇦🇫 Today…I learned that every day in Afghanistan comes with a once in a lifetime experience, this time driving a member of the Taliban around the southern ...

03/12/2023

Another few weeks of stories finally coming up for country number 160…Iraq!

03/12/2023

Tonight…I learned that every day in Afghanistan comes with a once in a lifetime experience, this time driving a member of the Taliban around the southern reaches of Helmand, the deadliest region during the war. After visiting an old gate from the Silk Road which sites along an old town that Genghis Khan pillaged, we visited the world’s oldest oven, and probably one of the biggest too!

On our way to Herat we stopped at Camp Bastian, what was the main military base for the UK and American forces. This was the 6th busiest UK operated airport during the war! We also had a closer look at one of America’s biggest investments, the 3200km ring road before arriving at the final city of the trip…Herat! So come along later and check it out

01/12/2023

TODAY….we were again back on the road and off to Helmand, the area of most resistance during the US occupation.

After another quick game of smash the egg we began heading west and it wasn’t long before we spotted something unique and what has to be the world’s smallest flour mill in the middle of absolute nowhere. But we were not alone, just across the road was a Taliban checkpoint who were keen to ask how I was doing and share some of my watermelon…who would have thought I would be eating watermelon with the Taliban!

After the recent stomach issues it was time to have some comfort food and as this was a fair trek from the major cities I wasn’t getting any pizza or Thai anytime soon. Fortunately after a quick market hunt we found a little shop selling super noodles…brings me back to my uni days! Come along and check it our
S03 E25

🇦🇫 TODAY….we were again back on the road and off to Helmand, the area of most resistance during the US occupation.After another quick game of smash the egg...

01/12/2023

Butcher Street Of Bamiyan
S03 E13 Afghanistan's Bloodiest Street!
TODAY…We headed from Blacksmith Alley to Butcher Street which resembled something closer to the film set of Dead Alive. Sheep heads, chicken feet and Bull ball sacks were all stocked in these establishments, not to mention a sheep which was about to meet it's fate. Come along and check it out

29/11/2023

TONIGHT….we were again back on the road and off to Helmand, the area of most resistance during the US occupation.

After another quick game of smash the egg we began heading west and it wasn’t long before we spotted something unique and what has to be the world’s smallest flour mill in the middle of absolute nowhere. But we were not alone, just across the road was a Tal*ban checkpoint who were keen to ask how I was doing and share some of my watermelon…who would have thought I would be eating watermelon with the Taliban!

After the recent stomach issues it was time to have some comfort food and as this was a fair trek from the major cities I wasn’t getting any pizza or Thai anytime soon. Fortunately after a quick market hunt we found a little shop selling super noodles…brings me back to my uni days! Come along later and check it our

28/11/2023

Blacksmithing In Afghanistan
S03 E12 Visiting Afghanistan's Blacksmith Alley (I worked here)
TODAY…I visited the dark and welcoming street that is Blacksmith Alley where all your metal and hand tool needs are met. I was able to participate and its strange to think someone in some remote farm in central Afghanistan is currently cutting up some crops with the sickle I pounded for a while. No doubt he will be returning it in a few days because its fallen apart. Come along and check it out
S03 E12

28/11/2023

TODAY…we checked out the city of Kandahar, the founding city of the Taliban. Kandahar is in the south western region of Afghanistan and not a place you wanted to be deployed during the war. But this stereotype doesn’t define the people here as they were like everyone else in Afghanistan; warm, friendly and generous.

After checking out the various historic buildings, we visited the mosques frequented by Osama Bin Laden. To think that the world's most wanted man regularly attended a place I was stood at sent shivers up my spine. We were also fortunate enough to drive past the old house of Mullah Omar, the founding father of the Taliban.

After a technical nap used to keep my sh*ts at bay, we visited a local brick factory to learn the process and see how incredibly hard the people of this nation work. Come along and check it out
S03 E24

🇦🇫 TODAY…we checked out the city of Kandahar, the founding city of the Taliban. Kandahar is in the south western region of Afghanistan and not a place you ...

26/11/2023

"TONIGHT…we checked out the city of Kandahar, the founding city of the Taliban. Kandahar is in the south western region of Afghanistan and not a place you wanted to be deployed during the war. But this stereotype doesn’t define the people here as they were like everyone else in Afghanistan; warm, friendly and generous.

After checking out the various historic buildings, we visited the mosques frequented by Osama Bin Laden. To think that the world's most wanted man regularly attended a place I was stood at sent shivers up my spine. We were also fortunate enough to drive past the old house of Mullah Omar, the founding father of the Taliban.

After a technical nap used to keep my sh*ts at bay, we visited a local brick factory to learn the process and see how incredibly hard the people of this nation work. Come along later and check it out "

24/11/2023

TODAY…Our trip continues, this time we head west for the first time and towards the town where the Taliban was created…Kandahar. But first we have a quick stop off at Ghazni where we explore an old Soviet base that was used in the 80's. This is all enjoyed alongside a government official which the Taliban felt necessary for my time here. But no worries; besides drinking all our Chai and wanting a photo he was 100%. After checking out some abandoned soviet military vehicles we made our way through a sandstorm to Kandahar after 14 hours of driving...pure bliss. Come along and check it out
S03 E23

🇦🇫 TODAY…Our trip continues, this time we head west for the first time and towards the town where the Taliban was created…Kandahar. But first we have a qui...

23/11/2023

Women Only Bazaar
🇦🇫 S03 E11 The ONLY Place in Afghanistan Women Can Work
TONIGHT...I took a trip to a place which many would think does not exist, the women's only market, who's shops and stalls are all owned and operated by women only. When I say women only there is that 1 shop owned by a man, not sure why but I suppose its 2023 and shared spaces are becominig a big thing... Come along later and check it out

https://youtu.be/0wBpLs4r4dg?si=BBNtqbEDK-oIqSBQ

22/11/2023

TONIGHT…Our trip continues, this time we head west for the first time and towards the town where the Taliban was created…Kandahar. But first we have a quick stop off at Ghazni where we explore an old Soviet base that was used in the 80's. This is all enjoyed alongside a government official which the Taliban felt necessary for my time here. But no worries; besides drinking all our Chai and wanting a photo he was 100%. After checking out some abandoned soviet military vehicles we made our way through a sandstorm to Kandahar after 14 hours of driving...pure bliss. Come along later and check it out

21/11/2023

Bamiyan Womens Market
🇦🇫 S03 E11 The ONLY Place in Afghanistan Women Can Work
TONIGHT...I took a trip to a place which many would think does not exist, the women's only market, who's shops and stalls are all owned and operated by women only. When I say women only there is that 1 shop owned by a man, not sure why but I suppose its 2023 and shared spaces are becoming a big thing... Come along later and check it out

https://youtu.be/0wBpLs4r4dg

21/11/2023

TODAY…we enjoy a day of mixed emotions in Kabul. First we visited an icon of Kabul, the last box camera of Afghanistan and the only man who can operate it. He showed us how it works which I could not believe - it was literally just a box with a small lens. After a quick photo we took another walk through these amazing markets sampling a few of Afghanistan's treats including some powdered flavorless milk, potentially the worst thing I have tried! Eventually we landed in a bazaar selling nothing but sports equipment and clothes.

After here it was off to a local girls school which was the site of one of Afghanistan’s worst atrocities in recent years – and that’s saying something. Over 90 people were killed during that day and the majority of who were under 15!

To end on a high we took a trip to Kabul's theme park for some fun. I wasn’t too confident how safe these rides would be and I was right. First we went to the haunted house which was basically a walk in the dark but with the worker hit you over the head with something very solid…caught me a cracker! Come along and check it out

🇦🇫 S03 E22TODAY…we enjoy a day of mixed emotions in Kabul. First we visited an icon of Kabul, the last box camera of Afghanistan and the only man who can o...

19/11/2023

TONIGHT…we enjoy a day of mixed emotions in Kabul. First we visited an icon of Kabul, the last box camera of Afghanistan and the only man who can operate it. He showed us how it works which I could not believe - it was literally just a box with a small lens. After a quick photo we took another walk through these amazing markets sampling a few of Afghanistan's treats including some powdered flavorless milk, potentially the worst thing I have tried! Eventually we landed in a bazaar selling nothing but sports equipment and clothes.

After here it was off to a local girls school which was the site of one of Afghanistan’s worst atrocities in recent years – and that’s saying something. Over 90 people were killed during that day and the majority of who were under 15!

To end on a high we took a trip to Kabul's theme park for some fun. I wasn’t too confident how safe these rides would be and I was right. First we went to the haunted house which was basically a walk in the dark but with the worker hit you over the head with something very solid…caught me a cracker! Come along later and check it out

17/11/2023

TODAY…we explore Jalalabad for the last time before heading back to Kabul. I have not had the best time in Jalalabad considering the food poisoning but I was keen to get out and explore the markets, this is always the best place to meet the locals which is always entertaining. After seeing all sorts of things sold here, from tyres to sweets it was time to head back through the valley and I was sure to avoid the same fish shack we stopped at on the way here. Upon getting back to good old Kabul I was sure to stop at the ABC Supermarket to give the guys a taste of the western world! Come along and check it out

🇦🇫 S03 E21TODAY…we explore Jalalabad for the last time before heading back to Kabul. I have not had the best time in Jalalabad considering the food poisoni...

15/11/2023

TONIGHT…we will explore Jalalabad for the last time before heading back to Kabul. I have not had the best time in Jalalabad considering the food poisoning but I was keen to get out and explore the markets, this is always the best place to meet the locals which is always entertaining. After seeing all sorts of things sold here, from tires to sweets it was time to head back through the valley and I was sure to avoid the same fish shack we stopped at on the way here. Upon getting back to good old Kabul I was sure to stop at the ABC Supermarket to give the guys a taste of the western world! Come along later and check it out

12/11/2023

TODAY…I gladly got out of bed for the first time in two days and made my way to the streets of Jalalabad for some much needed sightseeing. Over the last 48 hours I had created an incredible connection with the hotel toilet so it was particularly hard to leave, needs must... I had come here to do many things including exploring the Korengal but food poisoning lost me a few days and 6 kilos. However we still had time to check out the gunmarket and learn a little about the industry. What is sold, how much and who is buying. Some of the vendors were incredibly friendly and for alot of the time we chilled in the stalls and drank copious amounts of chai while looking at their stock of guns. Not a bad way to rehydrate. Come along and check it out

🇦🇫 S03 E20TODAY…I gladly got out of bed for the first time in two days and made my way to the streets of Jalalabad for some much needed sightseeing. Over t...

11/11/2023

TONIGHT…I gladly got out of bed for the first time in two days and made my way to the streets of Jalalabad for some much needed sightseeing. Over the last 48 hours I had created an incredible connection with the hotel toilet so it was particularly hard to leave, needs must... I had come here to do many things including exploring the Korengal but food poisoning lost me a few days and 6 kilos. However we still had time to check out the gunmarket and learn a little about the industry. What is sold, how much and who is buying. Some of the vendors were incredibly friendly and for alot of the time we chilled in the stalls and drank copious amounts of chai while looking at their stock of guns. Not a bad way to rehydrate. Come along later and check it out

07/11/2023

🇦🇫 S03 E19 I got sick in Afghanistan (DON’T EAT THIS!)
TODAY…I had probably the most worst experience of my trip. Actually it was my worst travel experience in years as I finally succumbed to a horrendous dose of food poisoning..both ends no doubt. I don't what it was but I am blaming it on the fish (milk fish) we had on the way into Jalalabad, even the thought of the resto is given me PTSD, wouldn't wish it upon my worst enemy. When you see the video you will know exactly what I mean. But besides that we drove through the the precarious roads of the Lataband Pass. It might have been a dodgy road but the views were lethal. This was actually the very same pass Major General William George Keith Elphinston (his parents must have been jokers) instructed his 16,000 strong army to use during the Kabul retreat in 1842. Out of the 16,000, only William Brydon survived. Goes to show how ruthless the conditions and landscape is. Come along and check it out

🇦🇫 S03 E19TODAY…I had probably the most worst experience of my trip. Actually it was my worst travel experience in years as I finally succumbed to a horren...

05/11/2023

TONIGHT…I had probably the most worst experience of my trip. Actually it was my worst travel experience in years as I finally succumbed to a horrendous dose of food poisoning..both ends no doubt. I don't what it was but I am blaming it on the fish (milk fish) we had on the way into Jalalabad, even the thought of the resto is given me PTSD, wouldn't wish it upon my worst enemy. When you see the video you will know exactly what I mean. But besides that we drove through the the precarious roads of the Lataband Pass. It might have been a dodgy road but the views were lethal. This was actually the very same pass Major General William George Keith Elphinston (his parents must have been jokers) instructed his 16,000 strong army to use during the Kabul retreat in 1842. Out of the 16,000, only William Brydon survived. Goes to show how ruthless the conditions and landscape is. Come along later and check it out

03/11/2023

🇦🇫 S03 E18 Afghanistan's markets will shock you!
TODAY...we check out the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif. This was for a long time the only place westerners could visit during the last few years of the occupation. Its noticeably different to most other cities in the region, it has traffic lights for a start! We do the usual, dander around meet alot of locals who were some of the best during the trip including the bread man of Mazar and eat some of their famous scran. I have to say the Ice cream and cherry smoothie were particularly lethal! Come along and check it out

🇦🇫 S03 E18TODAY...we check out the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif. This was for a long time the only place westerners could visit during the last few year...

01/11/2023

TONIGHT...we check out the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif. This was for a long time the only place westerners could visit during the last few years of the occupation. Its noticably different to most other cities in the region, it has traffic lights for a start! We do the usual, dander around meet alot of locals who were some of the best during the trip including the bread man of Mazar and eat some of their famous scran. I have to say the Ice cream and cherry smoothie were particularly lethal! Come along later and check it out

31/10/2023

History Behind the Buddhas of Bamiyan
🇦🇫 S03 E10 The Taliban can never be forgiven for this
TONIGHT...we have a walk around the famous Buddhas of Bamiyan or rather what is left of them after their destruction at the hands of the Taliban. 1600 years of history gone thanks to their zero tolerance in other faiths. 6 months after they were destroyed the country was invaded by US & coalition forces... Come along later and check it out

https://youtu.be/gNeFVLIi_eA

30/10/2023

🇦🇫 S03 E17 I played Volleyball With The Taliban (They are good!)
TODAY…I had probably the most insane experience of my trip and maybe even my life. After exploring the very conservative (even by Afghan standards) city of Balkh (where hash was invented) we headed to the oldest mosque in Afghanistan and had the absolute pleasure (Facebook going to ban me again) of playing volleyball with the Taliban. Let me say that again; I played volleyball with the Taliban! Don't believe me? Come along and check it out

🇦🇫 S03 E17TODAY…I had probably the most insane experience of my trip and maybe even my life. After exploring the very conservative (even by Afghan standard...

29/10/2023

TONIGHT…I had probably the most insane experience of my trip and maybe even my life. After exploring the very conservative (even by Afghan standards) city of Balkh (where hash was invented) we headed to the oldest mosque in Afghanistan and had the absolute pleasure (Facebook going to ban me again) of playing volleyball with the Talibs. Let me say that again; I played volleyball with the Talibs! Don't believe me? Come along later and check it out

26/10/2023

Trying Bamiyan's Famous Dish Qlukhi
🇦🇫 S03 E09 Midnight BBQ in an Afghanistan forest
Tonight I might have got completely soaked and borderline hypothermia but I had one of my best meals in Afghanistan so far. We had our very own Afghan BBQ in the darkness of the forests of Bamiyan and took over 4 hours but was worth every second. Still prefer my microwave!
https://youtu.be/F-wfs0lqQlU

24/10/2023

Afghanistan Roadtrip Kabul to Bamiyan
🇦🇫 S03 E08 Afghan roadtrip; Kabul to Bamiyan (FRIENDLY TALIBAN)
Today we leave the capital of Afghanistan and head towards the heart of the country and one of the most picturesque and historic places in the word, Bamiyan. I cannot wait to show you this place!
https://youtu.be/npchqaQVxbU

24/10/2023

🇦🇫 S03 E16 Afghanistan's Most Dangerous Roadtrip (4K)
TODAY…we had our first proper Afghan roadtrip. Driving anywhere in Afghanistan isn't easy but when I'm in the driving seat and the trip is 14hours long we expected tough times and several nostril fulls of dust too. After having lunch with the Taliban in the middle of a tank cemetery, we moved on from Bamiyan in the centre of Afghanistan through the Salang mountain pass of the Hindu Kush via one of the most dangerous mountain tunnels in the world, the Salang tunnel. Built by the soviets during the war it hasnt been touched since the 80s and was even questionable back then. Although it might only be a mile or so long, cars have been known to get caught in this for up to 24 hours! Dont worry though, we made it to the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif for phase 3 of the trip, but not before a very unusual experience with a Taliban commander in a quiet room... Come along and check it out

🇦🇫 S03 E16TODAY…we had our first proper Afghan roadtrip. Driving anywhere in Afghanistan isn't easy but when I'm in the driving seat and the trip is 14hour...

22/10/2023

TONIGHT…we had our first proper Afghan roadtrip. Driving anywhere in Afghanistan isn't easy but when I'm in the driving seat and the trip is 14hours long we expected tough times and several nostrilfuls of dust too. After having lunch with the Taliban in the middle of a tank cemetery, we moved on from Bamiyan in the centre of Afghanistan through the Salang mountain pass of the Hindu Kush via one of the most dangerous mountain tunnels in the world, the Salang tunnel. Built by the soviets during the war it hasn't been touched since the 80s and was even questionable back then. Although it might only be a mile or so long, cars have been known to get caught in this for up to 24 hours! Don't worry though, we made it to the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif for phase 3 of the trip, but not before a very unusual experience with a Taliban commander in a quiet room... Come along later and check it out

19/10/2023

Bird Market in Afghanistan
🇦🇫 S03 E07 Afghanistan's craziest markets (9/11 carpets!!)
One (of many) things I love about this part of the world is the number of markets and Afghan has again set the standard. From Bird's market where you can get anything from a pigeon to a parrot to the bizarre chicken street where you can buy that strangest choice of paraphernalia, from antique guns to 9/11 carpets.
https://youtu.be/FSE1PWdTs_E?si=_z706iC2qGrkxgX9

17/10/2023

Afghanistan's Biggest Market
🇦🇫 S03 E07 Afghanistan's craziest markets (9/11 carpets!!)
One (of many) things I love about this part of the world is the number of markets and Afghan has again set the standard. From Bird's market where you can get anything from a pigeon to a parrot to the bizarre chicken street where you can buy that strangest choice of paraphernalia, from antique guns to 9/11 carpets.

https://youtu.be/FSE1PWdTs_E?si=_z706iC2qGrkxgX9

16/10/2023

🇦🇫 S03 E15 Where do the Taliban go on Holiday? (FIND OUT!)
TODAY…we headed to one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen and a regular spot for the Taliban on their days off. After the drive through something that can only be compared to the Grand Canyon we arrived at not only the bluest lake I have seen but also the coldest! From here we visited a village in the absolute f*ck end of nowhere, I thought I went back to 1200 BC. Even Jesus Christ himself would have been shocked, but again the locals here were out of this world as we were invited into a home for some chai and food. It's true, the less some people have, the more generous they are. From there we ended our day at The Red City, another settlement plundered by top Sh***er Mr Genghis and a place used by the Mujahideen during the soviet war. There are still the remains of several anti aircraft guns at the top, which is a bloody hard run when trying to catch the sunset...what amazing views! Come along and check it out

🇦🇫 S03 E15TODAY…we headed to one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen and a regular spot for the Taliban on their days off. After the drive throug...

15/10/2023

TONIGHT…we headed to one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen and a regular spot for the Afghans on their days off. After the drive through something that can only be compared to the Grand Canyon we arrived at not only the bluest lake I have seen but also the coldest! From here we visited a village in the absolute f*ck end of nowhere, I thought I went back to 1200 BC. Even Jesus Christ himself would have been shocked, but again the locals here were out of this world as we were invited into a home for some chai and food. It's true, the less some people have, the more generous they are. From there we ended our day at The Red City, another settlement plundered by top Sh***er Mr Genghis and a place used by the Mujahideen during the soviet war. There are still the remains of several anti aircraft guns at the top, which is a bloody hard run when trying to catch the sunset...what amazing views! Come along later and check it out

12/10/2023

Getting Questioned by the Afghan police
🇦🇫 S03 E06 My Run-In with the Afghan police (George Bush bazaar)
During my time here I am keen to explore and learn as much about the US occupation as possible. This bazaar which was named after George W Bush was the "corner store" for any troops stationed in Kabul. It held everything and still does. However we also came across the gun area where guns are serviced and sold but our video did not last long until we got the attention of the local Taliban Police.
https://youtu.be/kMnsU_j8geE