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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Stories
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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A bicycle ride around Koh Kret: Island in the city
Despite the trappings of modern life around it, the island has remained steadfastly rural and is an oasis of peace just a short hop from the city.
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Anak Krakatau: A giant slumbers
As the sun went down Anak Krakatau woke up. The activity increased surprisingly rapidly and by nightfall I was treated to a firework display like no other.
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Exploring the waterways of Tai Tam
One of Hong Kong’s best-kept secrets is its network of hiking trails. For the visitor, though, these are not always easy to find. One of the easiest and prettiest
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Darjeeling: Mantra for the morning
“Good morning,” they sang like a group of school children welcoming Sir into the classroom. Good morning I replied with more geniality than I ever thought I could muster at 5.00am on a rather chilly morning.
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The North Borneo Railway: Steaming Back in Time
The fireman throws logs into the already roaring fire, a whistle blows, and in a cloud of steam and smoke, locomotive number 6-016 chuffs out into a sun-drenched
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High as a Kite
“Ow ow ow” I yelped as I descended the stairs on my bottom. Not a good start to a trip. But it was not my first time to Kathmandu and I was aware of its rickety
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