The Great Barrier Reef, Australia
A visit to the Great Barrier Reef is a must do if ever in Australia. The best way to get in touch with this simply magnificent piece of nature is probably diving, but snorkelling certainly comes a very close second (IMHO). Once you’ve experienced its beauty from below the water then take the opportunity for [...]
On the Streets of Santa Clara, Cuba
Tucked away in the centre of this island nation Santa Clara feels like the real deal. Horse and carts act almost like a local bus service clip clopping along the streets passing by all manner of awesome architecture most of which is closer to the crumbling kind than that of shiny restored glory. The park [...]
Best way to see LA in a day
From the skyscrapers of the CBD and iconic Hollywood sign to the mansions of Beverly Hills and sweeping Pacific coastline that stretches from Santa Monica up to Malibu, taking to the skies to see all the major sights of LA by helicopter is an awesome way to spend an afternoon. It’s certainly not cheap [...]
Magical Havana, Cuba
The old city of Havana literally took my breath away with its beauty! Streets and streets of grand architecture – some restored, some faded and crumbling – but all absolutely gorgeous and alive. Small shady public gardens peppered with monuments are tucked away amongst the spectacular array of buildings, giving residents (and visitors) a place [...]
First Impressions of Cuba
Wow, how fantastic is Cuba! It has always been on the list of places I would love to visit but apart from the promise of gorgeous architecture and cool looking old cars I was not really sure what to expect, and have been so busy over the past couple of months I didn’t do a [...]
Lovely Luang Prabang
So frequently it happens that visiting a place which you had enjoyed many years before, you are disappointed when returning to find the masses have discovered your once much less trodden haven, sapping its former wonderful atmosphere and cultural authenticity. Before returning to Luang Prabang recently I feared the worst after having read many comments [...]
Turfan, Xinjiang, China
Being located out in the Taklamakan Desert below sea level it is hard to imagine anything growing in the barren, rocky landscape however Turfan is known for its grapes, melons and the nearby flaming mountains, as well as having the notoriety of being the hottest place in China. Built some 2,000 years ago the ancient [...]
Chengde, China
Although Chengde was always at the end of a long tour its gorgeous temples and wonderful Imperial Resort were a great reward for making the 3-4 hour journey north from Beijing. Back in the Qing dynasty Chengde was developed as a summer getaway for the emperors, with a key part of the landscape the temples [...]
Wonderful Wutaishan, China
With a name that translates to literally mean “five plateau mountain” Wutaishan is one of the 4 sacred Buddhist peaks in China. Home to more than 50 temples and monasteries, Wutaishan was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2009. With some of the temples dating back to the Yuan dynasty and a few of [...]
On the Streets of Yan’an, China
Yan’an in China’s northwest gains its fame for being near to the end point for Mao Zedong’s Long March, with the town serving as the Communist capital in the revolution. For me it was definitely one of the more interesting stops on the tours I led in China, resulting in what was generally a very [...]
Lovely Langmusi
Straddling the Sichuan / Gansu border is the simply wonderful little village of Langmusi. The first time I visited this remote outpost was back in 1997. The location is simply stunning, located up on the sweeping grasslands of the Tibetan plateau. There have been big changes since I first visited, apparently the roads in town [...]
Ancient Pingyao
The old city of Pingyao is simply enchanting – well it certainly was when I visited there during 2001 and 2002. As with most towns and cities the best time to be out and about with a camera was from 6am onwards as this was the best time to catch a real glimpse of local [...]
Colourful Cao Dai
Hailing from Southern Vietnam with saints that include Victor Hugo, the ‘father of modern China’, Sun Yat-sen and Vietnamese Poet, Nguyen Binh Khiem, the colourful Cao Dai have a set of beliefs and teachings that seem to be a bit of a mish-mash of all the major religions. Founded less than 100 years ago on [...]
Holding on to the Past in Yangmei, China
Surrounded by river on 3 sides this seemingly lost ancient hamlet ensconced amongst lush fields of sugar cane and banana plantations just 30 kilometres from Nanning is packed with mementos of a colourful past. Founded in the Song Dynasty (960 – 1279 AD) Yangmei slowly developed over hundreds of years finally transitioning into a prosperous [...]
Shamian Island, Guangzhou
Shamian Island is known in Guangzhou for its beautiful old architecture. This former UK & French concession area is a great place to enjoy an atmospheric stroll amongst colonial styled structures from a bygone era. It also means this picturesque little spot is a draw-card for photographers adding a layer of vibrancy and interest that [...]
Bizarre Bario
This tiny town stranded deep in the Borneo interior near the Kalimantan border is surrounded by mountains and jungle. It is also the home of the Kelabit people, one of Sarawak’s smallest ethnic minority groups. With no where near enough time to spare we booked our flights from Miri which usually has twice daily flights [...]
Tea with an Iban Headhunting Chief
The last thing I expected when meeting an Iban headhunting chief was to sit down with a cup of tea and a biscuit for a chat but that is exactly what we did with the charismatic Chief Bansing of Murat Longhouse in Sarawak. His house is filled with mementos from a long and interesting life, [...]
Magnificent Macau
The sheer contrasts of Macau make it an intriguing and picturesque destination with a unique mish-mash of cultures. Not only does the city continue to grow economically due to its burgeoning gambling industry, but it has physically increased its size by around 170% from land reclamation. A gambler’s mecca with glitzy, shiny, mega dollar structures [...]
Philippine Paradise
48 hours ago I lay stretched out on a wonderful, over-sized beach lounge lapping up the pure delight of being in the gorgeous surroundings of White Sand beach in Boracay (Philippines). After yesterdays sensational sunset wedding this morning we have ventured out of the luxury resort environs and moved around the headland to what I [...]
Charming Hoi An
Hoi An has not lost even one iota of its charm. There have been many but few changes to this ancient World Heritage site over the past 10 years. I still found myself gasping at just how beautiful and appealing the architecture is in the old town. It also took me a day to realize [...]
Cruising in Saigon
Stepping out of Hanoi’s old quarter onto the streets of Saigon is a bit of shock. Saigon is alive with frantic activity. The streets buzz constantly with steady streams of motorbikes and with Sunday night being one of those “out cruising with the family evenings” you see many of the passers by smiling and simply [...]
Happy Birthday Hanoi
It has been 10 years since I last visited Hanoi and I must say it was great to be back. The city seems to retain a traditional vitality and wonderful atmosphere in the old quarter with so many street vendors carting colourful baskets of fruit and flowers amongst the rustic French colonial architecture lining the [...]
Qianmen Street, Beijing
Another new project that caught my attention in Beijing was the redevelopment and refurbishment of the ancient Qianmen street. Located at the southern end of Tiananmen Square the street even boasts a tram car which occasionally whizzes past. Now this refurbishment actually caused me to sit back and ponder a question which disturbs me [...]
The Village South, Sanlitun
Beijing has developed into such a cosmopolitan city over the past 12 years, so much so it is barely recognizable. One of the latest developments I am really enjoying is The Village in Sanlitun. So often these types of developments remain half filled or are full of useless shops that I would never go [...]
