This post was originally published in May 2016 and updated in January 2019 March is the beginning of the hot season in Thailand. I’m sure you’re thinking that it’s pretty much always hot in Thailand, and you’re right, but at this time of year the scales often threaten to tip 40 degrees. It was in these … Read more
Here’s a situation I’m sure many of you are in. You’re in Bali (or planning a trip there) and want to head over to the Gili Islands for a few days – but which is the best Gili Island for you? On face value they all look pretty similar – clear blue water, white sand … Read more
This post was originally published in February 2018 and updated in December 2018 If there’s one thing New Zealand doesn’t do so well, it’s cities. I generally advise people to get out of the main centres as soon as possible, as the real appeal of New Zealand lies in its huge variety of (mostly) unspoilt … Read more
When I told people I was going to go out of my way to spend two days in Jakarta the general reaction was…why? It isn’t the kind of place you go to just have a look and see the sights. I’m probably one of the few people who actually went there for the sole purpose of … Read more
If you read my recent post about Ellora Caves you’ll realise that this is basically a sequel, and sequels are never as good (with the odd exception). My day trip to Ajanta Caves started out much the same as my day trip to Ellora Caves, only the bus never arrived and the car I took … Read more
Padangbai is perhaps best known as the port you’ll pass through on the way to Lombok and the Gili Islands. But slip away from the traffic choked streets of the port area and you’ll find a couple of nice beaches and a laid-back little beach town. On my recent trip to Bali I went searching … Read more
People often say it’s the journey, rather than the destination, where the magic of travel truly lays. That’s not always the case in India. Sure, pushing your way onto crowded buses and trains and then being uncomfortable for a couple of hours probably sounds fun, but after the 10th time (probably less, depending on your … Read more
This things to do in Christchurch post was originally posted in September 2017 and was updated after my recent trip the city. Upon entering the centre of the city for the first time since the 2010 / 2011 earthquakes, it became obvious what a long shadow those natural disasters still cast over Christchurch. This city … Read more