Five-foot ways: Straits Settlements style
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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Stories
War, subterfuge and a nice cup of tea
Tea arrived in the UK in the early seventeenth century but it had a slow start. It was very expensive and was marketed primarily for its medicinal properties.
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Sunrise over Gunung Bromo and the Tengger Highlands
Sunrise over Gunung Bromo is one of the earth’s great spectacles. I first saw it, in less than perfect weather conditions, over twenty years ago. Back then there
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South Park Street cemetery: Garden of unfulfilled dreams
South Park Street Christian cemetery is an oasis of calm amidst the infernal cacophony of modern Kolkata. But it’s a spooky place, even in the middle of the day
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Climbing Mt Kinabalu via the old Mesilau trail
The name Kinabalu is derived from the words Aki Nabalu which, in the local Kadazan language, means ‘the revered place of the dead.’
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A model business woman
I’d arrived at Ta Prohm early to try and beat the crowds. It opens at 07.30, I had 15 minutes to wait. Of course this left me at the mercy of the souvenir vendors.
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Hiking in Hong Kong: The Tai Tam West Catchwater
A stroll along the Tai Tam West Catchwater and the southern shore of the Intermediate reservoir offers a lovely walk that doesn’t require any hill climbing
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Bagan bike trials
I like bicycles. Pedalling around Asia’s historic sites in an unhurried manner, stopping when I want and lingering for as long as I like is by far the best way to enjoy them.
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The Fire Carts of Xishi
A shrill whistle splits the morning calm and echoes off the two enormous sandstone cliffs that shelter the little town of Bagou. A few moments later, in a cloud of smoke and steam, a train bursts out of a tunnel
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Hiking in Hong Kong: Violet Hill and The Twins
“Violent Hill, I call it,” remarked a former colleague of mine. She didn’t say what she called The Twins, she doesn’t approve of strong language.
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