During 2005, I spent my time travelling between London, Paris and Amsterdam, with the occasional trip to Bruxelles thrown in. Having lived in Amsterdam during 1989, it was a real pleasure to pay the occasional visit - and try and recall my rusty Dutch. Paris, however, was a different kettle of fish. I commuted almost weekly, taking the 16h00 flight from Manchester on a Monday and arriving in my hotel (in Courbevoire) at 21h00 local time. This enabled me to be in the office from 08h00, just a few 100 yards away. Each week, I'd come out of the airport, hail a taxi and practise my French on the taxi-driver as he negotiated the one-way system around La Défense. Arriving at the hotel, I'd always unpack my travel bag and head out to the Thai restaurant ... read more

Returning from Vietnam, I decided to have a few days in Singapore, where I was able to do a little sightseeing and see my old friends and their children. It was a real pleasure to catch up on the news, as well as see what's happening in Singapore from a resident's view point. ... read more

Although I would have liked to have seen much more, I only had a day in Egypt and so it was that I headed off to the Pyramids. I was bowled over. I knew they were big, but not that big! The sight was awe-inspiring ... and the Sphinx ... well ... impossible to take it all in. Having had my mind blown by the complex at Giza, the remainder of the day was spent having my mind blown by the treasures of Tut-ankh-amun in the Cairo Museum. Sadly, one day wasn't really long enough, but that's all I had and one must snatch the opportunity when it's presented.... read more