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In the final episode of Series 2, we head to one of the most surprising, humbling, and fascinating destinations we've ever visited: Iraqi Kurdistan.

Growing up during the Gulf War, “Iraq” was a word that came wrapped in fear and conflict on the news, so stepping foot there as two middle-aged expats armed with just a couple of curious minds, felt surreal. And magical. And completely unexpected.

Join us as we wander through ancient monasteries, share dinners with locals, and walk barefoot through the sacred Yazidi village of Lalish — one of the most moving travel experiences we've ever had. We also climb up to the atmospheric Citadel of Erbil, reflect on the kindness of everyone we met, and marvel at how different reality is from the headlines we grew up hearing.

Stay with us till the end as answer our season-ending question: What do we wish for each other as life takes us on different paths?

This is an episode about challenging assumptions, embracing curiosity, and discovering the humanity and beauty of a place too often misunderstood.

If you enjoy the episode, please hit like, subscribe, and join us for future adventures in Series 3!

Our guides

Here are the two companies we used for our trip to Kurdistan - escape travels who organised everything and then our tour guide Haval who runs many trips across the country.

Escape Travels

https://www.escape-travels.com/

https://www.instagram.com/escape_travels?igsh=MXNycDZzaTgzbGR0Mw==

Haval - tour guide Kurdistan.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g659505-d14863085-Reviews-Iraqi_Kurdistan_Guide-Erbil_Erbil_Province.html

https://iraqikurdistanguide.com/

https://www.instagram.com/iraqi_kurdistan_guide?igsh=NmZpcmJpZ3kxd3k1&utm_source=qr

Why this episode matters

Kurdistan challenged every preconception we had. It reminded us why we travel: to replace headlines with human stories, to be humbled by unexpected beauty, and to meet people who open their homes, their holy sites, and their hearts.

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Thinking about moving overseas or already living the expat life? In this episode of Bantering Across Borders, Sarah and Tony share their personal journeys of building a life abroad—the highs, the lows, and everything in between. From making friends and handling culture shock to the practical realities of expat living, they explore the benefits, disadvantages, and lessons learned along the way.

Episode notes

Bantering Across Borders – Episode: Building a Life Abroad

In this special episode of Bantering Across Borders, Sarah and Tony step away from their usual trip-by-trip storytelling to reflect on what it really means to build a life abroad. From the funny to the frustrating, they share their personal journeys, lessons learned, and the realities of life as British expats.

Expect honest banter, practical advice, and a peek behind the curtain of expat life—everything from making friends in new places, to battling culture shock, to redefining what “home” actually means. Whether you’re already an expat, considering a move, or just curious about life overseas, this episode has something for you.

Join us as we swap stories, laugh at our misadventures, and share what we’ve learned along the way.

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Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@banteringborders

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Welcome back to Bantering Across Borders! In this episode, Tony and Sarah shine a spotlight on Oman — the Gulf’s hidden gem.

With its chocolate-brown mountains, lush greenery, and vast deserts, Oman is nothing like its glitzy Gulf neighbours. It’s chilled, authentic, and full of surprises for travellers looking to step off the beaten path.

Join Tony and Sarah as they relive their epic road trip across the country — a journey that included following every brown tourist sign, crossing the Tropic of Cancer, and uncovering wadis, forts, and breathtaking scenery (all with the help of a “sexy” GPS system). You’ll also hear about their turtle-watching misadventure in Ras Al Haad, the charms of Muscat, the unique beauty of Salalah during Khareef season, and why camping in the Empty Quarter is something everyone should try at least once.

Expect plenty of laughs, random detours, and the kind of friendship banter that only comes from hours on the road together.

🎧 If you’ve ever wondered what makes Oman so special, this is the episode for you.

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/banteringacrossborders/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@banteringborders