Adventure is our state of mind
Paper umbrellas, lanterns, cotton scarves, silk pillow covers, table mats, handbags, slippers, Thai spices, herbal remedies, handmade soaps, natural cosmetics, jewelry, Buddha statues, elephant statues, toys, silk ties, clothes, incense holders and … [Read more...]
Security rule no. 6: "When getting lashes or electrification you must not cry at all." A board on the courtyard lists 10 rules for the S-21. The facility, in Cambodia's capital Phnom Penh, was once a school. Between 1975 and 1979 it became the … [Read more...]
I hold it together until I see the Killing Tree, but then it's impossible to stop the tears. The Killing Tree, as the sign next to it explains, is "the tree against which executioners beat children". Previous visitors have attached colorful … [Read more...]
"Sardinia," explains my motorbike-obsessed friend, "is a motorbiking heaven". Here's why: there is little traffic. The roads have lots of curves. There are amazing coastal roads (with lots of curves) and amazing mountain roads (with lots of … [Read more...]
As I park my bicycle next to a 7/11 and a collection of souvenir shops, I realize Ayutthaya is not going to be the step back in time I hoped it would be. It feels more like a history theme park. Before I came to Ayutthaya – the old capital of … [Read more...]
Bonne descente! shouted a man after me and my boyfriend to wish us a good trip down the river. We carried our kayak towards the freezing water in the Ardèche River through a grey and chilled September morning and set out on our second day of … [Read more...]
My first thoughts, when I enter Wat Pho in Bangkok, are extremely non-spiritual. There are too many people. They all stand in my way. Despite big signs that ask visitors to "dress respectfully", many Western women have decided to turn up at a … [Read more...]
I'm feeling quite intrepid. I am sitting on the back of my boyfriend's Royal Enfield motorbike and we have just crossed the third highest motorable mountain pass in the world, Chang La in India's Ladakh. We are heading towards Pangong Tso, a salt … [Read more...]
In the corner of a small, dark room, a monk in red robes sits huddled over a book. In candlelight he shows me pages of neat text in long rows, and explains the writing is Tibetan. The book, like the hundreds of others crammed on the shelves on the … [Read more...]
On the first day the rain was simply romantic. On the second day it did not worry us too much, since our little tent stayed dry and warm. On the third day, the little puddles of water that had appeared on the tent floor overnight were starting to … [Read more...]
