Silk Roads & Mountain Peaks
Overcast sky and soft clouds above mountain peaks along the ancient Silk Road, symbolizing calm, resilience, and connection across Asia
Editor’s note: This post will continue to evolve as I do.
Welcome back, travelers, and to those just joining, I’m glad you’re here. The Around the World series is an intentional journey through every country. A quick overview of roughly six at a time, to help familiarize ourselves with the world we share and the stories that shape it.
With Africa now behind us, we move east, where sacred mountains meet ancient trade routes, and history still whispers through valley and passes. This new chapter, “Silk Road & Mountain Peaks,” takes us into the heart of Asia through Afghanistan’s rugged passes, Armenia’s crossroads of culture, Azerbaijan’s fire-lit lands, Bahrain’s island heritage, Bangladesh’s river rhythms, and Bhutan’s Himalayan peace.
Each nation holds a different rhythm. Threads of trade, tradition, and transformation, yet together, they weave one continuous story: the human pull toward connection, even across the highest peaks.
So, lace up your boots and steady your compass. We’re tracing old paths and new perspectives across these six nations that rise between silk roads and mountain peaks.
Hand drawn flag of Afghanistan
AFGHANISTAN
Official name: Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
Pronunciation: af-ga-nuh-stan
Capital: Kabul
Official language: Pashto and Persian
Location: Central Asia in Northern Hemisphere
Surrounding countries: Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, China, and Pakistan
Climate: Harsh, arid continental
Most known for: It’s stunning landscapes
Fun fact: Home to the world’s oldest oil paintings, found in the caves of Bamiyan. For more information, check out Streamline Inside Art page “The Oldest Oil Painting in the World.”
Recent news article: A Layered Analysis of the 2025 Afghanistan-Pakistan Crisis
My knowledge: I am a little familiar but only due to war.
Hand drawn flag of Armenia
ARMENIA
Official name: Republic of Armenia
Pronunciation: aar-mee-nee-uh
Capital: Yerevan
Official language: Armenian
Location: Western Asia in Northern Hemisphere
Surrounding countries: Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Iran
Climate: Highland continental
Most known for: First Nation to adopt Christianity as its official religion
Fun fact: Oldest winery in the world was discovered in Armenia. It’s over 6,000 years old. It’s called the Areni-1 Cave. I did the virtual tour which is available until December 2025. Click here to also do through the Tapestry website.
Recent news article: Armenia to reach record education funding in 2025, minister says
My knowledge: I’m unfamiliar with Armenia
Hand drawn flag of Azerbaijan
AZERBAIJAN
Official name: Republic of Azerbaijan
Pronunciation: trk-meh-nuh-staan
Capital: Ashgabat
Official language: Azerbaijani
Location: In Western Asia in the Northern Hemisphere. But it is also a transcontinental country of both Asia and Europe.
Surrounding countries: Iran, Armenia, Georgia, and Russia
Climate: Subtropical to continental
Most known for: It’s rich history, such as its connection to fire worship, natural resources, and oil reserves with the nickname “Land of Fire”
Fun fact: Has more than the world’s half of mud volcanoes aka “the mud volcano capital of the world.” From Guided Azerbaijan, here is a brief overview of “The Mud Volcano Capital of the World-Azerbaijan”
Recent news article: How Azerbaijan is becoming the beating heart of Caucasus tourism
My knowledge: Other than being familiar with being one of the many countries ending in -istan/-ijan, I’m not all that familiar
Hand drawn flag of Bahrain
BAHRAIN
Official name: Kingdom of Bahrain
Pronunciation: baa-rayn
Capital: Manama
Official language: Arabic
Location: Island country in West Africa, also called the Middle East (part of MENA) in the Northern Hemisphere
Surrounding countries: Near Qatar and Saudi Arabia
Climate: Arid, subtropical desert
Most known for: Was once the leading producer of the world’s finest pearls
Fun fact: Home to “Tree of Life,” a mysterious mesquite tree that has survived for centuries in the desert without any known water source. For more information, here is a blog post from Man vs. Clock: Putting A Time Limit on Fear “The Tree of Life: Bahrain’s Greatest 400-year-old Mystery”
Recent news article: Bahrain’s First Solar Power Plant: 150MW Tender To Power 6,300 Homes & Slash 100,000 CO2
My knowledge: Other than being familiar with the country name/spelling and location, I am unfamiliar with much more
Hand drawn flag of Bangladesh
BANGLADESH
Official name: The People’s Republic of Bangladesh
Pronunciation: bang-gluh-desh
Capital: Dhaka
Official language: Bengali
Location: In South Asia in the Northern Hemisphere
Surrounding countries: India and Myanmar
Climate: Humid, tropical monsoon
Most known for: Ready-made garment industry as they are the second largest exporter.
Fun fact: Known as “Land of Rivers” with over 700 rivers that flow through it
Recent news article: Community Volunteers Working to Safeguard Bangladesh’s Last Wild Elephants
My knowledge: I am not very familiar with Bangladesh
Hand drawn flag of Bhutan
BHUTAN
Official name: Kingdom of Bhutan
Pronunciation: boo-taan
Capital: Thimphu
Official language: Dzongkha
Location: In South Asia in the Northern Hemisphere
Surrounding countries: India and China
Climate: Varies from hot, humid to frigid
Most known for: Gross National Happiness philosophy (GNH). To read more about it, here is the GNH Centre Bhutan webpage, click here.
Fun fact: The world’s only carbon negative country. In other words, the country absorbs more CO2 than it produces and thus, removes more CO2 from the atmosphere than it adds
Recent news article: Chhukha Tshechu Festival to Honor Guru Rinpoche and Celebrate Bhutan’s Culture From October 29 to 31, 2025
My knowledge: I am not too familiar with Bhutan
From Bhutan’s quiet monasteries to Afghanistan’s rugged trails, and the timeless trade winds that once carried silk, salt, and stories, this chapter reminded me that the world’s most powerful connections aren’t built overnight. They’re formed through patience, openness, and the courage to keep showing up where understanding feels hardest.
If there’s a lesson here, it’s that the path worth taking is rarely the easiest one. Travel, and life, both ask us to walk with humility, to listen more than we speak, and to carry curiosity instead of certainty. The peaks and paths we cross, literal or not, shape how we see ourselves and the world around us.
As Around the World journey continues, I hope “Silk Roads & Mountain Peaks” encourages you to explore beyond what feels familiar. To find meaning not just in where you go, but in what you notice along the way.
I’d love to hear from you, if you’re from, have lived in, or traveled through any of these countries, share your experiences below. And if you’re just joining, start from the beginning [click here]. There’s a whole world waiting for you to see it differently.
As a signature of my blog, I’d like to end this post with a suggestion to “Pass on kindness.” There’s no time like the present to Inspire Those Who Inspire You. Acts of kindness, no matter how big or small, can have a direct, positive impact on someone else. Go out there today and change someone’s life for the better!
***These are my personal opinions and may not be those of my employer.***
