A blog on travel, meditation, geopolitics, philosophy, economics, and everything in between.
The scope might be large, but then again, the world is too.
13 January 2020
The island of Bali is a complete travel destination. Surf, party, or get off the beaten track – there’s truly something for everyone. It’s popular for a reason.
30 December 2019
There are few beaches on earth as pristine as those in Mauritius. It really is paradise. But like many things in life, paradise doesn’t come cheap. Mauritius is hard to visit on a budget.
24 December 2019
Australians love nothing more than to tell everyone how great Australia is. Many repeat the phrase “Australia is the greatest country in the world” like a broken record. Should they?
2 December 2019
We all know about Saudi Arabia’s many shortcomings. But things are changing. The country is liberalising. It hopes to be a global tourist superpower. Will it succeed?
20 November 2019
Madagascar is not all lush rainforests and talking lemurs, which was a big surprise to me when I visited. It is dusty, red, and dry; a truly wild island.
13 October 2019
When you tell people you are going to Iraq, they look at you funny. Perhaps rightly, given the troubles it has faced. Not so for the Kurdistan region, which is a pocket of calm.
19 September 2019
Ever tried a silent meditation retreat? I didn’t think so. Well, a ‘10-Day Silent Torture Prison’ would be more accurate name for it, as I discovered in Northern India.
4 September 2019
Tajikistan stands out in Central Asia for its dramatic mountain landscapes. Its scenery is breathtaking, rugged, and surprising. Who cares if most people haven’t heard of it?
27 August 2019
Japan is my favourite travel destination on the planet. My love for the country grows with each visit. There is something magical and mystical about this land. You have to visit.
19 August 2019
Mongolia is both green and serene. In visiting this magical land, you are met with lush landscapes, dotted with ger huts (yurts) and horses. Lots of horses.
8 August 2019
Portland, Oregon, is a millennial utopia. There are few places on earth with as many craft breweries, independent coffee shops, and kombucha brewers. It’s my favourite US city.
21 July 2019
For a trip into the heart of America and the history of this “tremendous” nation, look no further than Trumpland, aka the Deep South of the United States. Visiting is quite a ride.
10 July 2019
From the pristine Caribbean beaches of its northern coast, to the vibrant streets of Medellin, and trekking to the country’s ancient ‘Lost City’, Colombia packs a punch.
18 April 2019
The Faroe Islands are peppered with lush green valleys, imposing basalt cliffs, and waterfalls plunging into stormy oceans. If you like the scenery from Game of Thrones, visit.
1 April 2019
Algeria is a hidden gem of a country. A two-hour hop from London transports you into a completely different culture and way of life. And introduces you to the friendliest people in the world.
22 March 2019
Ethiopia is one of the most diverse countries on the planet, providing a combination of African, European, and Middle-Eastern influences. The result is breathtaking.
23 November 2018
Surrounded in mystery and isolation, the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan has only opened up its beauty to tourists in the last couple of decades. Anyone who visits is in for a treat.
1 September 2017
It’s hard to talk about Kazakhstan without mentioning Borat, the character created by Sacha Baron Cohen. As the saying goes, any publicity is good publicity.
1 August 2017
Uzbekistan is one of the most underrated travel destinations in the world, with beautiful desert scenery and an abundance of historical artefacts. I’ll excuse the dodgy food.
22 July 2017
Turkmenistan is the lesser known of the world’s two main personality cults. The other being North Korea. It’s a stupendously weird nation. There is nowhere on earth quite like it.
15 July 2017
Azerbaijan, the so-called ‘Land of Fire’, with its glittering capital Baku, is a nation trying to promote a new image for itself on the global stage. I’m not sure it will succeed.
17 February 2017
The stunning and curious Pacific Islands of Samoa, Fiji, and Tonga are rife with pretentious water, rugby, and sexism. And some nice beaches, to boot.
2 February 2017
Vanuatu is regularly ranked as the happiest place on earth, whilst simultaneously being one of the countries most prone to natural disasters. Go figure?
1 December 2016
Chile is one of the most beautiful and geographically diverse places on the planet. For good reason: it’s really long. In terms of natural beauty, it takes the top spot in Latin America in my view.
16 November 2016
What Suriname, Guyana, and French Guiana lack in reputation, they make up for in intrigue. South America’s ‘forgotten’ countries have a lot to offer.
19 October 2016
Having driven from New York to San Francisco in 2011, I thought it was time to do it again. Except this time, going the ‘wrong way’ around. I loved it.
20 August 2016
There are few words that can describe the enigma that is ‘The Democratic Peoples’ Republic of Korea’. So I like to use ‘Silly Korea’. It’s the strangest and saddest place on the planet.
10 August 2016
Seoul is an impossibly large metropolis and the most space-age place I’ve ever been. Particularly when you compare it to its neighbour to the north.
4 August 2016
Taipei, the booming capital city of Taiwan, is a true melting pot of Chinese and Japanese influences. It has a confusing history.
29 July 2016
Myanmar is one of the most varied Southeast Asian countries. It has red deserts, lush rainforests, and tranquil lakes. And annoying ‘traveller’ types, like me.