fresco of a Buddhist monkey God
Asia, Thailand

Inside the Grand Palace, Bangkok • A Photo Diary

The Grand Palace, Bangkok, is every bit as grand as the name suggests. The size of the complex of buildings and temples, the intricate detail on every single surface, and the sheer spectacle of the Thai architecture blew me away. On that sweltering hot day in early May (the temperature in Bangkok was above 40ºC;… Continue reading Inside the Grand Palace, Bangkok • A Photo Diary

flowers at a Buddhist temple in Thonburi
Asia, Thailand

Two Days in Bangkok • (And the world’s your oyster)

"One night in Bangkok and the world's your oyster." What about two days in Bangkok, though? Don't worry pals, I've got you covered on that one. And if you're confused about the 'world's your oyster' reference, that comes straight from the musical Chess, written by Benny and Björn (of ABBA fame) and Tim Rice. The… Continue reading Two Days in Bangkok • (And the world’s your oyster)

Chris Alex and Polis at Amphawa Floating Market
Asia, Thailand

When is a Floating Market Not a Floating Market • Bangkok to Amphawa

I wasn’t sure whether to laugh or cry, although instinct told me to do both at the same time. Night had fallen, and we were standing at a bus stop in a village in Thailand; a bus stop where it was almost certain that no buses would be arriving until the next morning. There were… Continue reading When is a Floating Market Not a Floating Market • Bangkok to Amphawa

sunrise in Ha Long Bay
Asia, Vietnam

A 3 Day Halong Bay Cruise • The Best Way to See Ha Long Bay

Never in my life, did I ever think I'd be waking up somewhere as breathtakingly stunning as this. A sunrise view of jungle-topped stone karsts, rising from a mirror of still water. A soundtrack of silence, permeated by distant birds. This 3 day Halong Bay cruise was full of enchanting moments, rendering me entirely speechless… Continue reading A 3 Day Halong Bay Cruise • The Best Way to See Ha Long Bay

yellow tea cup with Japanese biscuits
Asia, Japan, Reviews

Sakuraco Review • Bringing Japan to My Home with a Japanese Snack Box • Sakuraco Review

Sakuraco review: because if you can't get to Japan, get Japan to come to you! Regular readers of this blog may or may not remember, that in 2020 I was planning on travelling to Japan during one of my breaks from work. Of course, we all know what actually happened that year, and lo and… Continue reading Sakuraco Review • Bringing Japan to My Home with a Japanese Snack Box • Sakuraco Review

Chris boarding the Da Nang to Hanoi train
Asia, Vietnam

Da Nang to Hanoi By Train • Railway Adventures in Vietnam

I've been on plenty of long distance trains before- the Coast Starlight in California, the Glacier Express in Switzerland, the Sunset Limited across the southern states of the USA, and a rather nightmarish ten hour journey from Zürich to Hamburg being just a few of them- with, to be honest, widely varying levels of enjoyment.… Continue reading Da Nang to Hanoi By Train • Railway Adventures in Vietnam

a lantern filled street in one day in Hoi An, Vietnam on a 10 day Vietnam itinerary
Asia, Vietnam

One Day in Hoi An • An itinerary for exploring the ‘Lantern City’

Is one day in Hoi An enough? I only had a day to explore this beautiful ancient city, and in all honesty I could have happily spent at least two more there! But when time is of the essence, here's my suggested, and very much tried-and-tested itinerary for spending one day in Hoi An. *This… Continue reading One Day in Hoi An • An itinerary for exploring the ‘Lantern City’