How my post hit 2 million views
A while ago we were driving over a long bridge…
My new book is out!
If you’re remotely interested in literature, you may like this.…
Volunteering in Laos
The charming French villas, the mighty Mekong river and saffron-clad…
Top 10 Things to do in Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang may be small, but it’s packed with things…
Meeting a Living Goddess
Meeting the world’s only living goddess requires some luck. The…
Nepal: what to know before you go
Nepal is one of the world’s most fascinating countries, with…
Meeting a Living Goddess
Meeting the world’s only living goddess requires some luck. The Kumari, as she’s known, lives high in a temple, shielded from modern-day life. There, with a guardian, she remains alone, only occasionally getting to glimpse the bustle of the city beyond her cloistered walls. It sounds like a fairytale but this is 21st century Kathmandu.…
Nepal: what to know before you go
Nepal is one of the world’s most fascinating countries, with stunning natural features (from safaris to the Himalayas) and the warmest of people. It’s also a country that has its own challenges, so based on our own experiences, here’s a guide of what you need to know before visiting Nepal. Getting into Nepal Tribhuvan International…
Nepal: So Much More Than Everest
Traffic jams in Nepal aren’t unusual. However, the cause of this one was odd. As we sat waiting patiently, a rhino walked past. A greater one-horned rhinoceros, to be precise. Ignoring the stares, it turned left into a hotel and headed for some plants. We jumped out of our jeep and followed, watching as it…
Thailand’s Emerald Cave – a hidden gem
My family trips to the beach used to involve jam sandwiches laid out on plastic plates, a Punch and Judy show and, if we were lucky, an ice cream with a Flake stuck in the top. After the food, we would roll our shorts up and wade into the chilly waters of the English North…
More to explore in Singapore
Explore Singapore When you visit most airports, the first thing you look for is the exit sign. However, at Changi Airport in Singapore, they’ve come up with some ingenious ways to keep you there. The Jewel, a 5-minute undercover walk from Terminal 1, is home to an enormous collection of gardens, canopies, shops –…
Top 5 Things to do in Penang
Whoever put a pair of scales in our hotel bathroom really should be sacked. When you’re in Penang, one of the food capitals of South East Asia, the last thing you want to think about is your weight. So, having shoved the scales to the back of the wardrobe, it was time to step out.…
Merging tradition and tourism at weekend markets
Oh Poi Market Through the pre-dawn mist, a horn sounds. The man blowing it is perched at the front of a bamboo raft and standing behind him are five monks, their saffron robes contrasting with the verdant riverbank. The monks stand serenely as the raft gently drifts downriver, the first slivers of sunlight peering through…
O Man! Oman is the Country That Keeps Giving
Oman FAQs – when to go and what to see As we walk towards one of the watchtowers in the coastal town of Sur, we spot four children fishing. With a simple line, they haul in several small fish. Two of the boys celebrate by catapulting themselves into the sea while a girl takes care…
Oman FAQs – when to go and what to do
Oman is a relatively easy place to visit. English is widely-spoken, Omanis are incredibly friendly and it’s simple to get around (if you’re ok renting a car). Here are the other basic things you’ll need to know when planning a trip to Oman. Any links are not sponsored – they’re simply places we visited. …
Barber Bar Barber Oman
There’s a scene in Love Actually where Rowan Atkinson’s character meticulously gift-wraps a present for a time-harried Alan Rickman. Getting a haircut in Oman is a very similar experience. After a few days in Oman, an Islamic country, I realised that it was as difficult to buy shaving gel as it was alcohol. With a…
Kyushu Calling
Akiko clearly loves her job. Our open-top train ride along the Takachiho Amaterasu railway only lasts 30 minutes, but Akiko puts everything she has into it. As we enter the first of two tunnels, there’s the light show. Akiko theatrically points to the ceiling to indicate where a flurry of disco lights are about to…
Our Guide to the Maldives
Jazu pulls a large leaf from a tree, makes a roll-up with it and then drops into a beach hammock. He’s spent the past hour kite-surfing the waves, managing a few jumps and spins. ‘You’re good at this,’ I say as he lights up. ‘Nah, the wind’s not strong enough today; can’t do many tricks…