“Did you know that ours is the only Parliament House in the world that you can get clearance to fly over [in a hot air balloon]?”. I think about this for a moment and I’m not sure whether to be proud of, or concerned by, this fact.… Read the rest
The Pinnacles
Truly a pinnacle of Australian tourism, the Pinnacles Desert is a sight to behold. Located on the coast of Western Australia, 200km north of Perth, it is not a place that is within easy reach of Australia’s estimated 7.5 million tourists per year, many of whom would stick to the Eastern sea board and never make it to WA at all. … Read the rest
The Forbidden City
The only word that comes close to describing the enormity of the Forbidden City is “vast” and even this doesn’t seem to do it justice. It’s hard to comprehend that the Forbidden City (Palace Museum) was built in the Ming Dynasty (around 1420) and served as the primary imperial residence until the fall of the Qing Dynasty in 1911. … Read the rest
Hutongs
This feels like the real deal. It’s drizzling and I’m finally out. In China. The real China. Old certainly meets new here in the Hutongs (narrow street) district where neon sits beside buildings which are hundreds of years old and now protected as the old town historic district. … Read the rest
Eye Spy
Breaching
For many people whale watching is a bucket list item, something to experience once in a lifetime. Off the coast of Brisbane, Australia, with the help of Eye Spy, we’re lucky enough to experience this phenomenon for around 6 months of each year. … Read the rest
Tokyo In 12 Hours
Tokyo in 12 hours! Not ideal, but it’s all I have. I’m on a stopover on the way home and have been awake for 24 hours already, having left the UK yesterday and now landed in Tokyo early this morning with a mere twelve hours to explore.… Read the rest
Brugge Is A Blur – 5 Must Dos
What a whirlwind of a weekend in Brugge (Bruges), it went by in a blur. And not just because of the speed of the Eurostar, the upside of which you can do Brugge in a weekend. But going fast can also be a downside!… Read the rest
Stowe Gardens & Cambridge, A Weekend With Ricky & Claire
My time in London feels like it is disappearing much too quickly, like water down the drain without a plug, I am helpless to slow it down. Work is busy and demanding and just trying to keep up with everything some days (like today!)… Read the rest
Leeds Castle
I love this stuff! Leeds Castle lies 5 miles (7.8 km) southeast of Maidstone, Kent, England, and dates back to 1119, though a manor house stood on the same site from the 9th century. The castle and grounds lie to the east of the village of Leeds, Kent, which should not be confused with the city of Leeds in West Yorkshire.… Read the rest
A Tour of Bath, Stonehenge and Winchester
After an excellent night at El Rincon Latino last night and some tragic late night karaoke, the morning dawned bright. The same cannot be said for me. Still, I made it onto the bus for my tour of Bath, Stonehenge & Winchester.… Read the rest