I have just returned from a whirlwind, seven-day tour by rail (mostly) of these three great Scandinavian capitals – Oslo, Stockholm and Copenhagen – with Great Rail Journeys. Now that I am relatively recovered from all the extensive walking and sightseeing tours and the challenges of hauling my too-heavy bags from one place to theContinue reading “A TALE OF THREE CITIES: Oslo, Stockholm and Copenhagen by Rail”
Category Archives: travel
From Tulips to Tolerance: Exploring the Dutch Cultural Journey
As my recent trip to the Netherlands revealed, there is so much to discover and admire about this small yet mighty country, notwithstanding the darker elements of its colonial past. These are some key highlights and takeaways. When you think of the Netherlands – or ‘Holland’ as it is often mistakenly called (Holland proper isContinue reading “From Tulips to Tolerance: Exploring the Dutch Cultural Journey”
2024: A Year of Trials and Miracles
Looking back over the year, I see many underlying themes of grace and comfort — not to mention several timely bona-fide miracles — amid what was undoubtedly the hardest year of my life. Even if my only achievement of 2024 has been surviving it despite everything, I have not lost my faith, my joy, my hope nor my desire to carry on
Samurai, Sakura and Onsen Satori: 18 Days in Japan
Japan is a fascinating country; even when you get lost and end up wandering through some residential district as I often did, noticing little details outside people’s houses or seeing one of its many species of swallowtail butterflies or huge ‘bear bees’ grants moments of pure rapture.
Update on novel and upcoming Japan trip
Apologies to my readers as it’s been a while since I posted anything, but I have had quite a lot going on in the past few months, which I’ll explain briefly here – however as I am departing today (finally!) for a three-week trip to Japan, I promise to write a review of my tripContinue reading “Update on novel and upcoming Japan trip”
Sun, sea and salsa: the ultimate party + chill groove at Rovinj CSSF 2023
Every year, the annual ‘peace, love and salsa’ (or sun, sea and salsa) orgy that is the Croatian Summer Salsa Festival (CSSF) sends thousands of international dance revellers back to their respective homes blissfully refreshed, rejuvenated and already craving more.
Questions for my readers: I need your help!
As this post-new year time of coming out of winter and heading into spring is usually a process of reflection and refining, I’d love some feedback from you on which topic(s) interest you most.
Porto-ohohoh!: Reflections on my recent salsa travels #2
Something about this arty, intriguing and deeply romantic city, with its air of failed colonial grandeur, has well and truly got into my veins
Barcelona-ahhh: Reflections from my recent salsa travels #1
With so many competing European salsa events on every weekend, it’s impossible to attend all of them, but I chose Barcelona and Porto because for one thing, the warmer locations would make dancing easier on my knee, and because both are vibrant cities with much to offer culture-wise beyond the dancing fun. I’ll start with Barcelona: city of Gaudi, Modernista (Catalan-style Art Nouveau) architecture and Frank Gehry, the famed Gothic Quarter, long sandy beaches at Barceloneta – and exquisite food!
An Amsterdam All-Sorts
They say if you like Amsterdam, you will love Europe; while every European city is different, it is true that, being a seafaring country and having both a Catholic and Protestant heritage – not to mention all those amazing canals, frequently superior in construction to their Venetian cousins – Amsterdam reflects some elements of nearly every European country.
Small Writer at Large 