One Morning in Laos
Luang Prabang is a place of cobbled streets and quiet cafes overlooking the Mekong. The (somewhat faded) French colonial charm provides a counterpoint to the old wooden buildings and the innumerable wats, or temples. Every dawn, the monks leave these wats to partake of Tak Bat, a silent offering of food by the locals.
A Deluge of Tears
A poem from my collection Last Tuesday
Soft drops in the heat herald a deluge
The road steams, and the air fills with that earthy smell
Of a summer storm.
Overlooked in Singapore
Singapore may be a tiny island, but there is still a lot to see and do, some of it a little unusual…
Which Side of the Street?
Which side of the footpath to walk on reflects what country I’m in. It doesn’t always follow the road rules, and being jet-lagged never helps.
The Day OF The Triffids
Published in 1951, John Wyndham’s The Day of the Triffids remains a poet-apocalyptic classic. Written during the tensions of the Cold War, it explores how humanity - and individuals - react when society unexpectedly and suddenly crumbles.
Finding Leonardo in Fiesole
Above Florence is the delightful town of Fiesole, once home to the Etruscans (and a summer retreat for the Medici). In the hills above the town a plaque marks the spot where Leonard, using one of his creations, once tried to fly.
Not in Rome: Diary of A Witch Doctor
When the internet gods think I live in Rome - surely a sign (to be taken whatever way I like…)
A Walk With Dante in Florence
Dante began writing The Divine Comedy while exiled from his beloved Florence. The pain of banishment weaves through his work. The poet never returned to his native city; even the tomb built for him in 1829 in Santa Croce remains empty. Yet were Dante to return to Florence today, much of the city would be familiar to him.
Two Mountains
A poem from Anne Harrison’s collection Songs of a Sad Summer
Anchored by memory I reach out, yearning / But the Bridge of Two Mountains has crumbled
Wandering Hoi An
Wandering Hoi An is the best way to explore and discover this ancient city. The buildings reflect her years as a thriving port; now Hoi An is filled with art galleries, gastronomic gems, ceramics, lanterns, and, of course, the silk for which the town is famed.
Wandering in Venice
No matter how lost I became, I always found something to see in Venice. Simply walking her streets with no destination in mind is an absolute delight.
An Old Armchair
A poem from Anne Harrison’s collection Songs of a Sad Summer, available from her website anne-harrison.com or from Amazon
A Cabinet of Curiosities
A Cabinet of Curiosities — such a delightful term. In Prague’s Strahov Monastery, a few rooms are dedicated to an eclectic mix of curiosities: from unicorn horns to chain mail, from hand-illustrated manuscripts to a dried whale penis. Then, there is also the library.
The Kingdom Of A Million Elephants And The White Parasol.
Luang Prabang was once the capital of Laos. It may appear a sleepy town, but Luang Prabang remains the intellectual and cultural capital of Laos. Everywhere there are statues of the Buddha, and the monks in their robes of orange and saffron remain the enduring image of the town, a reminder of the depth of the culture.