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      • All along the Watchtowers
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      • Walking the Line
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      • Hiking: Ghost Brides and Haunted Villages
      • Ping Shan Heritage Trail
      • Salt, fish and the Battle of Tai O Bay
      • The waterways of Tai Tam
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      • Darjeeling Himalayan Railway: The little blue train
      • War, subterfuge and a nice cup of tea
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      • The sweet smell of steam
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      • The Jungle Line
      • Penang’s Living Art Gallery
      • Climbing Mt Kinabalu
      • North Borneo Railway
    • Nepal
      • High as a Kite
    • Thailand
      • Bangkok on foot
      • Historic towns of the Sukhothai Kingdom
      • Sukhothai, The Cradle of Thai Civilisation
      • Ayutthaya, the ancient capital of Siam
      • Simian City
      • Ko Kret: Potters Island
      • Wat Pariwat aka Wat David Beckham
  • A Postcard from …
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      • An abandoned Hakka mansion
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  • Airports
    • Cambodia – Phnom Penh
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    • Thailand – Bangkok, Suvarnabhumi
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    • Vietnam – Noi Bai, Hanoi
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  • Food
    • Tai O Lookout – Hong Kong
    • Beer Republic – Bangkok
    • Glenary’s – Darjeeling
    • Shanak’s – Phnom Penh
    • Som Tam – Some Like it Hotter
    • Chops – Hanoi
    • 80/20 – Bangkok
    • Coliseum Cafe & Bar – Kuala Lumpur
    • Guppy’s – Bangkok
    • Kunga – Darjeeling
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Stories

Historic Towns of the Sukhothai Kingdom
Features Thailand 

Historic towns of the Sukhothai Kingdom

29th February 202020th January 2025 The Mango Road 0 Comments Stories

Historic Towns of the Sukhothai Kingdom Two locations close to Sukhothai that form part of the same group of UNESCO

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Salt, fish and the battle of Tai O Bay
Features Hong Kong 

Salt, fish and the battle of Tai O Bay

22nd February 202015th February 2025 The Mango Road 2 Comments Stories

Tagged with the rather grand epithet, the Venice of Hong Kong, Tai O, in the southwest of Lantau island, has become something of a tourist attraction in recent years.

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Sukhothai, the cradle of Thai civilisation
Features Thailand 

Sukhothai, the cradle of Thai civilisation

8th February 202014th December 2024 The Mango Road 2 Comments Stories

The Sukhothai era is regarded as the cradle of Thai civilisation. It had originally been a trade centre and part of the Lavo Kingdom which was under Khmer rule

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The Jiayang National Mining Park: Walking the Line
China Features 

The Jiayang National Mining Park: Walking the Line

25th January 202013th January 2025 The Mango Road 0 Comments Stories

Only one of the mines remains operational but the steam hauled railway which serves the small mining communities that grew up along its route is still running.

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Kebun Raya, Bogor: Gardens in the City
Features Indonesia 

Kebun Raya, Bogor: Gardens in the city

18th January 202024th April 2025 The Mango Road 2 Comments Stories

He who plants a garden, plants happiness, says the old proverb. When Casper Reinwardt established his botanical gardens at Buitenzorg in 1817 he did just that.

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Simian City The monkeys of Lopburi
Features Thailand 

Simian City: The Monkeys of Lopburi

30th December 201910th August 2024 The Mango Road 0 Comments Stories

It’s early morning in Lopburi, and a monkey has grabbed a bottle of yummy looking yellow liquid and is scampering off along the cables attached to the side of a building.

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A century old sugar mill in east Java
Features Indonesia 

The sweet smell of steam: A century old sugar mill in East Java

22nd December 20193rd April 2025 The Mango Road 0 Comments Stories

With a shrill whistle, a cloud of black smoke and much clanking of steel engine No4, Semeru, with it’s one truck load of passengers chuffed through the gates

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A formula for crossing the road in Hanoi
A Postcard From ... Vietnam 

A formula for crossing the road in Hanoi

10th December 20196th November 2023 The Mango Road 0 Comments Stories

The hotel I stayed at in Hanoi offered this advice with regard to crossing the road: Be relaxed and confident. Look both ways. Walk slowly. Never step backwards

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The living Gallery: Art walking in Prnang
Features Malaysia 

Art walking in Penang’s living gallery

2nd December 201918th February 2025 The Mango Road 0 Comments Stories

One of the joys of exploring Penang’s street art is that new works pop up with no announcement while old works fade or are painted over as buildings are renovated

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The five-foot way: Straits Settlements style
A Postcard From ... Singapore 

Five-foot ways: Straits Settlements style

28th November 201926th August 2024 The Mango Road 0 Comments Stories

Five-foot way refers to the covered walkways that are common in many parts of Asia. The upper floor of a building extends outwards supported by pillars at the

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CONCERTS AND SHOWS


FESTIVAL The Rainforest World Music Festival will take to the stage in Sarawak, Malaysia, from July 20th to 22nd. The event, now in its 28th year, showcases traditional and modern music from around the world, as well as local artists.

The theme this year is “Connections: One Earth, One Love” and heading the show will be Al McKay, Guitarist and Musical Director of the highly acclaimed funk/Soul/Jazz outfit, Earth, Wind and Fire. Also on the bill will be Otyken from Siberia and, representing their home, At Adau, who blend ancestral traditions with contemporary world music.

There are also workshops to encourage greater participation in culture and creativity as well as music and dance. And, of course, there will be some awesome food. More info here and tickets here

The Cotai Strip, Macau. Sometimes referred to as t The Cotai Strip, Macau. Sometimes referred to as the Las Vegas of the East, Cotai is a parcel of reclaimed land given over almost entirely to casinos and hotels. The replica landmarks make it popular place with instagram enthusiasts and wedding photographers.
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#macau #macao #macau_ig #macau🇲🇴 #macautravel #cotai #cotaistrip
#cotaistripmacau #london #paris #venice #casino #hotels #lasvegasoftheeast #instagrammers
A-Ma Temple, Macau. The temple was built in 1488 t A-Ma Temple, Macau. The temple was built in 1488 to honour the sea goddess, Mazu aka Tin Hau, the most revered deity along the South China coastal regions.
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#macau #macau🇲🇴 #macautravel #macauig #macau_ig#china #amatemple #tinhau #mazu #temple #architecture #architecturelovers #architectureporn #travel #travelphotography #travelgram
#hongkong #discoverhongkong #hongkongphotography # #hongkong #discoverhongkong #hongkongphotography #hkig #amazinghongkong #explorehongkong #newterritories #china #asia #asiatravelguide #asiatravel
The crab with the pretty green and black back is p The crab with the pretty green and black back is paraleptuca crassipes or the thick-legged fiddler crab, I’m not sure about the other one but they were both sharing a hole on some tidal mud-flats, though I think it was more to hide from me rather than for co-habitation. If one stands completely motionless for a few minutes they think you’ve gone and gingerly venture out. But the slightest click of the shutter and they dart back in again.
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#crabs #paraleptucacrassipes #fiddlercrab #crustaceans #mangrove #mangrovecrabs #mudflats #wildhongkong #lantau #newterrtories #exploringhongkongsnewterritories #hongkongphotography #explorehk #visualhongkong #discoverhongkong #amazinghongkong #hongkongphoto #discoverhongkong #picsofhk #nature #wildlife #wildlifephotography #earthoutdoors #fantastic_earth #lifeonearth #wildlifeonearth #wildlifecaptures #wildlifelovers #naturephotography #natureshots
The imposing outer walls of San Wai, a walled vill The imposing outer walls of San Wai, a walled village in Lung Yuek Tau which was founded in 1744. The houses within have all since been rebuilt to modern standards with electricity and plumbing, but the village still retains its original layout. 
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A central lane leads from the gatehouse to a communal shrine on the rear wall. The houses on either side are tightly packed into narrow alleys but along the inner walls at the back and sides, there is still room for trees, garden areas and small vegetable plots. The moat, which once surrounded the village, has since been filled in to create space for villagers to park their cars.
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#sanwai #walledvillage #exploringhksnewterritories #taifutaimansion #architecture #architectureporn #archıtecturelovers #building #buildingporn #historicbuildings #historicalplace #hongkonghistory #hongkongphotography #hongkongphoto #hongkong #hkig #discoverhongkong #travel #travelhk #explorehk #visualhongkong #visithongkong #amazinghongkong #ilovehongkong #discoverhongkong #discoverhk #awesomehongkong #picsofhk #newterritories #letsgosomewhere #exploringhongkongsnewterritories
Thamel district, Kathmandu. A warren of small shop Thamel district, Kathmandu. A warren of small shops selling everything from hippy couture to mountain treks as well as massage, balms and oils to soothe aching, post-trek, feet.

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#thamel #kathmandu #thamelkathmandu #nepal #crowds #streetscenes #KaleidoscopeOfCulture #shops #shopping #people #kathmandu_nepal #nepalpictures #ig_captures_people #people_infinity_ #1001people #postcardplaces #hello_worldpics #mostbeautifulplace #welltravelled #traveldestination #travellingthroughtheworld #travel_gram #travel_captures #travel_photo #travelblogger
A hefty strand of spider silk stretched across the A hefty strand of spider silk stretched across the footpath slammed into my face as I set off on my walk this morning. A reminder that Summer is just around the corner and that soon the trees in my neck of the woods will be festooned with nephila pelipes or golden orb weavers. Their name comes from the yellow sheen on the webs of mature spiders.
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They are quite majestic beasts but for those unfamiliar, they are the stuff of nightmares. Fully grown the body is about the size of my thumb with a leg span a little wider than my outstretched hand. The webs are commonly about a metre across, though I have seen some that were easily 1.5 metres, and are spun from some of the strongest silk known. Though they do look very pretty when caught in the sunlight. Multiple spinnerets at the blunt end of the spider mean they are quite capable of making spider rope and they are also able adjust the composition of the silk according to their environment. 
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These huge spiders are always female. The males are a rusty brown color and little bigger than a fingernail. They hang about on the edges of the web waiting, presumably until she has a meal large enough to hold her attention so that he can dart in, do the business and retreat without becoming a light snack himself. I’ve read that a bite can be quite painful but the venom itself is not considered dangerous. I have no plans to put it to the test.
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#spider #spiders #spidersofinstagram #spidersoftheworld #spiderlove #instaspider #bigspider #orbspider #spiderweb #arachnid #arachnidsofinstagram #arachnidsoftheworld #goldenorbweaver #nephilapilipes #nephila #wildlife_perfection #wildlifephotos #wildlifelovers #naturelovers #nature #naturalworld #naturephotography #earthfocus #earthofficial #awesome_earthpix #creepycrawly #lifeonearth #wildasia #asia #hongkong
Wat Phanan Choeng Worawihan, Ayutthaya, Thailand. Wat Phanan Choeng Worawihan, Ayutthaya, Thailand. The 19-metre-high Buddha statue, known as Luang Pho Tho, dates back to 1334 although it has been renovated numerous times since then.
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#watphananchoengworawihan #ayutthaya #buddha #buddhism #temple #thaitemples #faith #religion #thailand #ayutthayathailand #amazingthailand #ig_thailand #loves_united_thailand #loves_thailand #ig_asia #loves_united_asia #super_asia_channel #unlimitedasia #unesco #unescoworldheritage #history #culture #statue #smartphone #igmoment #travel #wanderlust #beautifuldestinations #CreateExplore #stayandwander
Overlooking Stonecutters Bridge with the Hong Kong Overlooking Stonecutters Bridge with the Hong Kong island skyline in the distance.

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#stonecuttersbridge #bridges #bridge #bridgesofinstagram #bridgeporn #civilengineering #cityscape #urbanlandscape #cityview #citiesoftheworld #architecturelovers #skyline #asiancities #asiatravel #china #hongkong #tsingyi #hkig #hkiger #ilovehongkong #discoverhongkong #discoverhk #awesomehongkong #visualhongkong #hongkongphotography #postcardplaces #seetheworld #doyoutravel #traveldeeper #exploringhongkongsnewterritories
Ching Chung Koon Monastery, Tuen Mun, Hong Kong . Ching Chung Koon Monastery, Tuen Mun, Hong Kong
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#ChingChungKoon #temple #monastery #chinesetemple #shrine #taoism #hongkonghistory #tuenmun #hongkongphotography #hongkongphoto #hongkong #hkig #discoverhongkong #travel #travelhk #explorehk #visualhongkong #visithongkong #amazinghongkong #ilovehongkong #discoverhongkong #discoverhk #awesomehongkong #picsofhk #globetrotter #exploringhongkongsnewterritories #traveltheworld #traveladdict #themoderndayexplorer
Queen Victoria Memorial, Kolkata, India . . . #vic Queen Victoria Memorial, Kolkata, India
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#victoriamemorialkolkata #queenvictoriamemorial #queenvictoria #architecture #buildings #architecturelovers #architecturelovers #architectureporn #building #buildingporn #history #heritage #streetsofkolkata #thisiskolkata #ohkolkata #oldcalcutta #kolkataphotography #kolkatadiaries #oldcalcutta #india #travelphotography #travelblogger #travelbloggerlife #traveller #globetrotter #letsgosomewhere #traveltheworld #wanderlustsyndicate #traveladdict #travellifestyle
My latest project is now available in bookshops ac My latest project is now available in bookshops across Hong Kong.

Unlike most guidebooks on Hong Kong, this one delves deep into a region that is often ignored yet is replete with ancient monuments and temples, picturesque monasteries, abandoned villages and a network of excellent, well-maintained hiking trails.

Most of the attractions are free or very inexpensive and can be easily accessed using Hong Kong’s excellent public transport systems, details of which are included.
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#hongkong #discoverhk #newterritories #hongkongheritage #hkheritage #discoverhongkong #awesomehongkong #ilovehongkong #hongkongphoto #ig_hongkong #heritage #historicbuilding #historicarchitecture #historicalbuildings #historicplace #pingshan #pingshanheritagetrail #ancestralhall #temple #lungyuektau #hongkonggeopark #hongkongcountryside #picsofhk #utravelhk #instahk #hongkonginsta  #hongkonger #lantau #lamma #cheungchau
Graham Street, Hong Kong . . . #central #alley #gr Graham Street, Hong Kong
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Ceramic figurines on sale at Cat Street market, Ho Ceramic figurines on sale at Cat Street market, Hong Kong.
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#figurine #ceramic #porcelainfigures #market #catstreet #catstreethongkong #fleamarket #upperlascarrow #shuengwan #hongkong #everydayhongkong #discoverhk #utravelhk #instahk #hongkonginsta  #ig_hongkong #hongkonger #hkheritage #hongkongheritage #hongkong #hongkonginsta #hongkongphotography #ilovehongkong #hongkongphoto #travel_captures #thediscoverer #borntotravel #traveltheworld #travellingthroughtheworld #travel_gram
Cotton grass and limestone karsts not far from Yan Cotton grass and limestone karsts not far from Yangshuo, Guangxi province in southern China.

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Chapel of Our Lady of Penha The church built in 1 Chapel of Our Lady of Penha

The church built in 1622 by the crew of the Portuguese ship São Bartholomeu who, after escaping from Dutch pursuers, vowed to build a church to commemorate the Virgin Mary if they made it back to Macau.

#macau #macau_ig #macau🇲🇴 #macao #church #citynights #addicted_to_nights #nightphotography #nightimages #nightlights #nightphoto #dusk #cityscape #urbanlandscape #urbanromantix #buildings #buildingporn #architecture #architecturelovers #architectureporn #travel #travelphotography #travelgram
A tourist browses colourful silk lampshades in Hoi A tourist browses colourful silk lampshades in Hoi An, Vietnam
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#lamp lampshade #tourist #tourism #nightmarket #silk #traditional #shopping#hoiantown #hoian #discovervietnam #ig_vietnam #vietnamtravel #vietnam🇻🇳 #vietnamtravelers #igvietnam #vietnamese #vietnam #loves_united_vietnam #asiatravel #unlimitedasia #ecotourism #seetheworld #traveldeeper #doyoutravel #traveltheworld #traveladdict #borntotravel #traveltheworld #travelenthusiast
Eastern great egret (Ardea alba modesta) making of Eastern great egret (Ardea alba modesta) making off with the catch of the day.
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#egret #easterngreategret #greategret #egretsofinstagram #egrettagarzetta #egretsandherons #catchoftheday #fish #bird #birdsofinstagram #birdphotography #birdstagram #birdwatching #birding #bestbirdshots #birdphotography #birds #birdlife #featheredfriends #birdsofhongkong #birdsofchina #birdsofasia #nature #wildlife #wildlifephotography  #wildlifeonearth #wildlifecaptures #wildlifelovers #naturephotography #natureshots
It's hiking season in Hong Kong. But beware the ol It's hiking season in Hong Kong. But beware the old abandoned villages are hungry.

#hongkong #hongkongphotography #hongkongphoto #hiking #hikingadventures #hike #abandonedplaces #abandoned #spooky #spookyseason #architecture
Main altar of the Tin Hau Temple, Joss House Bay, Main altar of the Tin Hau Temple, Joss House Bay, Hong Kong.
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One of the oldest and largest temples dedicated to Tin Hau. It was built in 1266 by two brothers who were salt traders from Fujian province. One day their boat was caught in storms and as they were swept overboard they appealed to Tin Hau for help. To show their gratitude they built the temple on the spot where they came safely to land.
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#tinhau #天后古廟 #temple #天后 #廟 #historicbuilding #historictemples #chinesetemple #hongkonghistory #hongkongphotography #hongkongphoto #hongkong #hkig #discoverhongkong #travel #travelhk #explorehk #visualhongkong #visithongkong #amazinghongkong #ilovehongkong #discoverhongkong #discoverhk #awesomehongkong #picsofhk #exploringhongkongsnewterritories #letsgosomewhere #traveltheworld #traveladdict #themoderndayexplorer
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