Basket boats of China Beach
The basket boats of China Beach, Vietnam, began life as a tax dodge. These manoeuvrable vessels can be found through South East Asia.
Free things to do in Melbourne
Some free things to do in Melbourne (with a few temptations along the way)
Adventures in Tofu
Tofu is remarkably easy to make - but how was the process of heating soy milk and and adding a coagulant ever discovered?
Snake Season, Hong Kong and Reading Newspapers
It wasn’t till I read an actual newspaper as I ate my breakfast that I realised it was snake season in Hong Kong - indeed, that this land of sky scrappers actually has venomous snakes (although no one has died from a bite since last century).
Some reading suggestions for Florence
After a day of culture and gelato, reading a book set in Florence, or about someone who lived there, can make a welcome change. Here are a few suggestions.
Flowing
The Fastest Knife in the West (End)
In 1800’s London, before the advent of anaesthesia, Dr Liston held the record for the fastest leg amputation - 28seconds.
Memories in My Morning Macchiato
The tidal flats of Mont St Michel, France, provide the backdrop for memories as I sip my morning macchiato.
Camels Along the Silk Road
Camels have walked the Silk Road for centuries. Although no longer used to transport trade. I found some in the foothills of the Himalayas.
Saigon: In The Footsteps Of Graham Greene
Graham Greene’s The Quiet American is a homage to the Saigon that was, where Greene lived for 2 years. Despite the increasing bloodshed and imminent war, the magic of Saigon shines through as Greene explores the conflict between personal and public desires.
Fantômas — A Review
Fantômas is a French classic crime novel, written just before the First World War. It is one of the first crime novels to explore the psychology of the killer, and influenced both Arthur Conan Doyle and Agatha Christie.
Desperately Seeking Dumplings
In the Yuyuan Bazaar in Shanghai, the queue for the Nan Xiang dumplings stretches for a few streets. These famous dumplings are light and delicious, and even include a soup dumpling.
A Bird’s Nest of Prayer Flags
A bird’s nest partly made from Buddhist prayer flags which were hanging outside my house
The Dragon of Halong
The Dragon of Halong: this messenger of the gods created this magical bay as he plummeted from the sky