Ballooning

Canberra by balloon

“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

The Pinnacles Desert

The Pinnacles Desert truly stands as one of the great icons of Australian travel. Set along the wild coastline of Western Australia, 200km north of Perth, this otherworldly landscape feels like a hidden treasure. Many of Australia’s 7.5 million annual visitors never make it to WA, let alone to this remote stretch of desert.… Read the rest

The Forbidden City

The Forbidden City

The only word that comes close to describing the enormity of the Forbidden City is “vast”. 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).… Read the rest

Temple of Heaven: Imperial Walkway Bridge

The Imperial Walkway Bridge (Danbi Bridge)

The Temple of Heaven Park is a vast green space in the heart of Beijing. It has the not-so-green Temple of Heaven, including its Circular Mound Altar structure as its centerpiece.  By no means is the Temple the only structure though.… Read the rest

Temple of Heaven: The Imperial Vault of Heaven

The Imperial Vault of Heaven

The Temple of Heaven Park is a vast green space in the heart of Beijing. It has the not-so-green Temple of Heaven, including its Circular Mound Altar structure as its centerpiece.  By no means is the Temple the only structure though.… Read the rest

Temple of Heaven: Circular Mound Altar

Temple of Heaven – Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests

The Temple of Heaven Park is a vast green space in the heart of Beijing. It has the not-so-green Temple of Heaven, including its Circular Mound Altar structure as its centerpiece.  … Read the rest

Hutongs

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 hundreds of year old buildings. These are now protected as the old town historic district. … Read the rest

Eye Spy

Eye Spy

For many people, whale watching is a bucket-list experience, something to tick off once in a lifetime. Off the coast of Brisbane, Australia, we’re lucky enough to enjoy this spectacle for nearly six months each year with the help of Eye Spy.… Read the rest

Tokyo In 12 Hours

Sensoji main building & gardens
Sensoji main building & gardens

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, I have a mere twelve hours to explore.… Read the rest