It’s dark and I am staring at the most incredible sight, lit up before me like a theatrical set awaiting a cast of thespians and minstrels to perform. Am I dreaming or am I really here? A car goes past behind me, its horn blaring that brings me out of my reverie and back into … Continued
Ancient Dignity Travelling is my passion. It’s the thrill of experiencing the blend of ancient and modern in places like Athens or Rome, or knowing that anything can happen such as having to get off the track outside a village in Thailand to make way for a water buffalo carrying two small children on her … Continued
While planning my trip to visit my brother in the UK, going to Liverpool was top of my bucket list. As a passionate Liverpool FC supporter, I was prepared to do anything to cross this off my list. I made all the arrangements for my trip to Liverpool and spent half of my earnings on … Continued
Anna puts her hand on my leg as I climb into the four-by-four. We’re in the small Moroccan town of Rissani, our final stop before Erg Chebb – one of Morocco’s Saharan ergs. Mustafa, the driver, smiles and says, “Welcome Maroc” – a phrase we’ve heard at least two dozen times in half a dozen … Continued
Serengeti Surprise Charles pulled out the biggest kitchen knife from his box of utensils and laid it out on the makeshift table beside him. It glinted in the early morning sunlight. This was all he had to protect himself. A few hours earlier, this place had been crammed with trekkers: little groups huddled over fires, … Continued
I was always lucky as a child. My family were huge believers in travel and from the day I was born my father had already began mapping out a family trip. Being half Filipino it was to first visit my Mothers family back home. However, no matter how many countries we traveled too when I … Continued
A zoo in winter is a strange place to feel awe. A zoo is a place that symbolizes captivity, leashed freedom. But it’s not the place, although the Menagerie of Paris, France is one of the better zoos I’ve seen. With wide, clean paddocks, there is enough space, but not here. Not for this animal, … Continued
Fall is my favourite season. The smell of the cool fall air is clean and fresh, and I love the crunch of leaves as I crush them against the sidewalk under my shoes. Fall may be my favourite season, but what’s really amazing is that seasons exist. No matter where you go, they’re unavoidable. As … Continued
A Meditation on Paris It’s nearly impossible to write about Paris while sitting in a Café on the Carrefour de L’Odeon, the oldest square in the city. I’ve lived here for nearly a year and everything still seems completely surreal, one big cliché, and there simply is no obvious place to begin. One could write … Continued
The Birds He didn’t want to go. He eyed the fishing boat doubtfully. “What if it sinks?” “It won’t.” What if there’s a storm?” I looked out to sea. It was as still as a millpond. “There won’t be.” “I might get sick.” “I doubt it.” I might get blown overboard.” I sighed. My son, … Continued