Hamba Travel Magazine
Stories
From a detour close to home to a long road through East Africa. Pick a part of the world, or read them in order.
All stories
Where do you want to go?
112 stories from our editors. Filter by part of the world, or page back in time.
Europe · Poland · Łódź
Red Brick and Cotton: Inside Łódź’s Manufaktura
At the junction of Ogrodowa and Zachodnia, Izrael Poznański’s former cotton complex sets a long red-brick spinner beside an ornate palace. The factory made the fortune; the palace displayed it. Both still explain how textile work shaped Łódź.
The last push at Soumbédioune
Late in the day, long wooden pirogues return to Soumbédioune, where the beach serves as a landing place, work yard and direct route to the fish market. Once a hull reaches shore, people place rollers beneath it and push the boat across the sand.
Central America · Guatemala · Antigua Guatemala
Water and Stone at Antigua’s Tanque La Unión
Twenty-two stone washing stations stand beneath the arches of Tanque La Unión in Antigua Guatemala. Water still fills the central tank, while the corner around it serves more often as a place to sit, walk, eat and pass through than as a guaranteed daily laundry yard.
Middle East · Iran · Yazd
Flour, Clay and First Light in a Yazd Bakery
Morning bread work in a Yazd neighbourhood bakery moves from soft dough to a hot clay wall. Outside, high mud-plastered walls keep the narrow lane shaded while broken light gathers at the doorway.
Asia · China · Chengdu
Before the Mahjong Tiles Click: Opening Heming Teahouse
Before seven, staff sweep the stone paving at Heming Teahouse in Chengdu’s People’s Park. Bamboo chairs and low tables stand under trees beside the water; soon, hot water will fill porcelain gaiwans and mahjong tiles will begin to click.
Asia · Georgia · Batumi
From a Hauled Boat to Batumi’s Fish Counter
In Batumi, a documented small catch begins with a boat pulled from the Black Sea on wooden runners, not tied to a market quay. Nets and sacks carry the work forward, then scales and scissors finish it in the compact fish market near the port.
Asia · Armenia · Gyumri
Workshop doors on Abovyan Street
A short stretch of Abovyan Street in Gyumri runs from a ceramics workshop at number 182 to a creative workshop at 252 and a tailor at 258/2. Snow, dark tuff and low winter light frame work that continues behind wooden doors and iron gates.
Middle East · Turkey · Kadıköy
Twenty-Five Minutes to Karaköy
At Kadıköy’s tiled ferry pier, the humid air still softens the water and the far bank. Commuters tap through the gates with laptop bags, phones and İstanbulkarts, then step aboard for Karaköy before the day has properly gathered speed.
Along Lüderitz’s Working Harbour Edge
Hafen Street runs beside the fenced commercial quay at Robert Harbour, where fishing vessels, cargo equipment and service lines sit close to Lüderitz’s older streets. The harbour’s compact shape comes from a sheltered bay, a rocky seabed and very little level ground behind the quay.
Europe · Albania · Tirana
Before the Café Tables Fill Pazari i Ri
Around six in the morning, traders at Pazari i Ri begin unpacking produce brought into Tirana from surrounding villages. Apples, tomatoes and freshly cut herbs take their places under the market roof, while the cafés around the square wait for the hours when food and coffee replace the morning trade as the main activity.
Europe · Greece
From Kapani’s Fish Stalls to the Thermaic Gulf
Fish lie on ice beneath Kapani’s low metal canopies. Pepper, cinnamon, oregano and saffron rise from open sacks a few steps away. Then the roofs end, the streets widen, and the Thermaic Gulf takes over the view.
Europe · Italy
Een bui onder de bogen van Bologna
De regen maakt Via Ugo Bassi donker, maar tussen de Mercato delle Erbe en Bass’otto blijft een droge strook langs de gevels open. Onder de portieken gaan boodschappentassen, fietsen en stemmen verder terwijl de straat buiten nat wordt.