AUSTRALIA | Saturday, 10 Nov 2007 | Views [437]
I chose to fly the 1,500 km. or so that separate Darwin from Alice Springs. From 40 degrees the temperature inexplicably dropped to 17. Apparently this is an aberration for a place that is very nearly a dessert. It is surprising how civilised a town ... Read more >
Tags: Culture
AUSTRALIA | Sunday, 4 Nov 2007 | Views [224]
My gateway to Australia is Darwin. A timezone away from Bali and an obnoxious airport search later, I roll into town at 3 am. It’s dead quiet and I seem to be staying in the back of a parking lot. Next day, I realise that I am in the heart of Darwin at ... Read more >
Tags: Adventures
INDONESIA | Thursday, 25 Oct 2007 | Views [204]
At last! A holiday within the holiday! Bali. The mood is of dolce far niente and the itinerary confined to Lovina beach in the north, one volcano and its lake in the North East, Ubud for a small cultural and luxury immersion inland and Kuta, otherwise ... Read more >
Tags: Beaches & sunshine
INDONESIA | Sunday, 21 Oct 2007 | Views [188]
Indonesia is an overwhelming country. First there is the sheer size and diversity. It spans three time zones and gathers peoples of different languages, origins and religions. Then there is the nature. Dramatic, hostile yet fertile, in parts overpopulated ... Read more >
Tags: Culture
INDONESIA | Monday, 15 Oct 2007 | Views [300]
In Jakarta now and what comes to mind more than anything is Tin-Tin. Tin-Tin and Jakarta are somehow intimately connected. I don’t even like Tin-Tin, come to think of it I don’t much like Jakarta either. What was the nickname again? The “Big Durian” to ... Read more >
Tags: Culture
MYANMAR | Friday, 5 Oct 2007 | Views [424]
I am writing, not because I witnessed any momentous and heart breaking events. I am writing to describe a mood. A mood that carried even us who did not understand the language. A mood that was felt even in the remote and quiet parts, far away from Yangon ... Read more >
Tags: People
MYANMAR | Wednesday, 26 Sep 2007 | Views [327]
We are caught up in history. Myanmar is experiencing its biggest mass protests in 20 years. Protests crying out for desperately needed reforms. Asking for compromise from a military regime that does not understand the meaning of the word. It’s funny being ... Read more >
Tags: Culture
MYANMAR | Sunday, 23 Sep 2007 | Views [370]
The gate is locked and there is not a sign of life in the overgrown, flower filled garden. We are in the Shan Palace in Hsipaw. I wanted to see it. There is a book, a real story written by the Austrian born last princess of Hsipaw. In it she speaks of ... Read more >
Tags: Culture
MYANMAR | Friday, 21 Sep 2007 | Views [325]
Up in the Shan hills and the country is in chaos. Monks have been striking for almost a week asking for reforms. Not that we would know, except that in the last couple of days it has been literally impossible to get an outside line for the phone and the ... Read more >
Tags: Culture
MYANMAR | Thursday, 20 Sep 2007 | Views [350]
Things you learn to do without in Burma
1. Electricity. Whether it is a 5 star hotel, a dingy little café or a store, electricity comes and goes at will. For indefinite amounts of time and business continues as usual with private generators or without.... Read more >
Tags: Culture
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