July 24th, 2010 | by admin | published in latest posts, places
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, not [...]
July 15th, 2010 | by admin | published in latest posts, places
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 that [...]
May 24th, 2010 | by admin | published in latest posts, places
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 can [...]
January 6th, 2010 | by admin | published in latest posts, places
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 [...]
January 4th, 2010 | by admin | published in latest posts, places
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 [...]
January 1st, 2010 | by admin | published in latest posts, places
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 labyrinth [...]
December 9th, 2009 | by admin | published in latest posts, places, things to do & see
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 a little [...]
December 6th, 2009 | by admin | published in latest posts, places, things to do & see
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 near but [...]
November 29th, 2009 | by admin | published in featured, latest posts, places, things to do & see
The magnificent Detian Falls located on the China/Vietnam border shines with vivid, jewel like colour and is definitely worth a visit.
So much more attractive than just your standard trickle of water running over a cliff, Detian is some 200 metres wide and has three tiers of water rushing over its various edges. [...]
November 26th, 2009 | by admin | published in latest posts, places, things to do & see
Most of the guidebooks don’t have so much to say for Nanning however I found it to be one of China’s more likeable cities. Green spaces and a population that is incredibly relaxed and happy.
Dancing is a past time that you can see happening most early mornings and evenings all around China however in [...]
