Over the two weeks of our journey in Sri Lanka, I slept in a number of different places from upright in a crowded train carriage from Colombo, to a beach by the surf on the south coast. We stayed in…
Waiting in Rabat
I was waiting in Rabat. That is to say we; Linh and I, were waiting. We had stepped off a succession of flights leading from Perth, and now had time on our hands. At some stage later, the parents would…
An afternoon in Amsterdam
What would you do with a day in Amsterdam? The first time I found myself in the Netherlands, I was visiting my then girlfriend’s (now my wife) family to the north. As usual, we had a packed itinerary and only…
The Lake Below the Glacier
We had been in New Zealand for a bit over a week. Our Juicy Camper had carried us from Auckland, through Middle Earth and across the Strait to the South Island. We’d pointed further south along the rugged West Coast…
Parthenon Pinball Wizard
When you think of Athens, there is a fair chance that your mind will wander, fairly directly, to pictures of great architecture beneath stark blue skies. You might picture a buzzing square and a crowded café. You’d be remiss not…
Wars and Walls in Berlin, also a cauliflower.
Berlin has always been a source of curiosity for me. As a student, I studied the city as a centre of conflict and turmoil across two global conflicts and into the Cold War, so naturally, I was eager to spend…
Tea Time in the Sri Lankan Highlands
Tea is one of those drinks that everyone is happy to talk about. Every person you meet has an opinion on it. How to drink it, how to prepare it, when it should be consumed; even how it should or…
Busted Flat…
The song ‘Me and Bobby McGee’ was originally written and performed by Roger Miller, although you might recognize it from Janis Joplin, Kris Kristofferson or any number of other artists. I’ve always loved the song and it is one of…
Einstein’s Barber Shop Itinerary – Japan: Temples, Cities, and Typhoons
Just Deserts.
Deserts are amazing places to be. The idea of being dropped into the emptiness of a sandy ocean is one of my favourite romantic ideals, and it has lead me across the world in the footsteps of T.E. Lawrence,…
Fox Glacier Ice Climbing
I love rock climbing. My rapidly, prematurely ageing frame doesn’t necessarily love that I love rock climbing, but it’s still one of my favourite adventures! The challenge is a thrill, the technical aspect is exciting and beating a route either…
Fes: Lost in the Medina (Part 3 – exploration)
This blog is a continuation of last week’s blog. Haven’t read the first bit? Catch it here! The second bit is here! Having spent a couple of hours investigating the tannery, we changed direction and headed deeper into the walled…
Fes: Lost in the Medina (Part 2 – Tannery)
This blog is a continuation of last week’s blog. Haven’t read the first bit? Catch it here! The next morning, we enjoyed the first of many delicious Moroccan breakfasts in the courtyard as we planned the…
Fes: Lost in the Medina (Part 1 – Arrivals)
We arrived in Fes on our second day of driving around Morocco. The first day took us from the capital, Rabat, via the northern Port of Tangiers on the Mediterranean coast and south to the Blue City of Chefchaouen (you…
An American Musical Itinerary
After any significant trip, I try to post an itinerary that reflects the journey we’ve taken. During our most recent sojourn to the United States of America, however, our main goal was to visit family, so an itinerary would lack…
Two by two in a city of blue
If you have ever considered a trip to the North African country of Morocco, it is more than likely that you’ll have considered a trip to the mountainside town of Chefchaouen. It’s almost equally likely that, considering its remoteness from…
Investigating the Ivy League
One reason (read: excuse) for the pathetic lack of consistency in my upkeep of this little blog project over the past year or so has been my other (or more aptly, actual) job. I spend much of my time pretending…
Einstein’s Barber Shop Itinerary – Morocco: Deserts, Riads, Medinas, and the obligatory Fes!
Itinerary 5 – MoroccoAfrica
Extra Cut! Huge Luge in Rotorua
Rotorua is known for its volcanic activity. It’s also become renowned for the quality mountain biking available right in the city. I don’t ride a mountain bike, so we tried the luge instead!
Head in the Land of the Long White Clouds
I’ve explained my love of the Mackenzie Country in the Canterbury area of New Zealand’s South Island, but in so doing I glossed over a rather important landmark that sits in the northern corner of the region. Don’t worry though…
Extra Cut! Park City Roundup
Utah is known for many things; Mormon churches, salt lake racing, bison and much more, but we went there for the snow. This is some of the powder we found at Park City.
A Picture of Halong Bay
I have seen thousands of pictures of Halong Bay. It is one of the places I think almost every traveler considers at some point. Of all the ‘have you been’ conversations I’ve been a part, it has not only cropped…
Extra Cut! Fox Glacier Ice Climbing
Some things are hard to put in to words. So when words fail, pictures prevail! This is what a day of ice climbing looks like in New Zealand’s South Island at Fox Glacier.
Jealousy and Longing in the Middle East
I miss Egypt. Not just Egypt actually, but the Middle East in general. Forget the modern monoliths of Dubai and the United Arab Emirates, what I yearn for is the excitement of exploration and the thrill of being set adrift…
Salt, Speed, and Utah – Bonneville Salt Flats
Every couple of days, I walk out my back door; forsaking anything that normally catches my attention, and I sit in my tiny shed. I survey the table of parts that will one day become the bike that I have,…