Ross da Boss

So here are my pics from my six-night break in Tasmania - better known down under as ´Tassie´! Based in Hobart, I sailed to Tasman Island, visited the old penitentiary and convict settlement buildings of infamous Port Arthur (chilling and v spooky - especially the asylum!) and was uber-impressed by Hobart´s surprisingly funky modern art galleries and museums. My only regret was not hiring a car and taking myself off to the likes of Wine Glass Bay and Cradle Mountain. Ho hum - I´ll just have to go back one of these days!! Enjoy the pics. :) ... read more

Inasmuch that not even a technicolour troupe of all-singing all-dancing munchkins were enough to keep poor Dorothy from pining for her dear Aunt Em and a way back home, I was shocked (and am sure you´ll be astounded to learn) that after five months down under in a land affectionately known as Oz - enjoying glorious sunshine, golden beaches and phenomenal vineyards - I involuntarily found myself clicking my Merrell trainer heels and thinking, yup, Dorothy, you were right - ´there´s no place like home, there´s no place like home´!! Shockers, I know!!! :-0 What can I say?? Melbourne just ain´t home. I had a fabulous 5 months. I made some awesome friends. I seriously loved the cafe culture. And I was much impresssed by the vibrant arts scene - never done so much theatre and ... read more

It was the great thinker, Confucius, that said: "when a friend comes from afar, is that not delightful?". The people of Beijing really took those words to heart surpassing themselves by showing extraordinary hospitality and offering an unforgettable welcome during the 2008 Olympics. As soon as we alighted from our train at Beijing Railway Station, there was a veritable taskforce of English-speaking local volunteers offering assistance for getting around and expressing how pleased they were that we'd come to visit beautiful Beijing. Such earnestness, it was hard not to be touched. One of the great themes of the Beijing Olympics was 'One World, One Dream'. In many ways, it was the melliflluous conduct and impeccable courtesy of the volunteers and Beijing people that really actualized those words' meaning. Well done, Beijing! Of course, what made our ... read more

It was a short voyage on the hydrofoil ferry from Hong Kong to Macau but, avast me hearties, the seas were choppy. We had to suffer the sounds of retching passengers for most of the crossing! Thankfully, Kerry and I had good sea legs. Back on land at Macau Ferry Terminal, we passed through immigration and onto tourist information to make enquiries about last minute accommodation deals. We snapped up a bargain booking at the East Asia Hotel where the rooms were comfortable and remarkably spacious - a delightful change from the tiny dimensions of our Hong Kong hostel. You can't possibly mention Macau without talking casinos. What with a Wynn Resort, a Vegas Sands, an MGM Grand resort and a Venetian Macau, you'd think Vegas had led a full scale invasion! But what's most fascinating ... read more

We'd made so many friends in Delhi that when it came to leave, it was a crazed mad dash to wish everyone farewell. Alex, one of the staff at Asha, who had taken such good care of us and had been a real lifeline to us when beset by some of the lows of living in Delhi, was someone with whom parting was especially sad - we really looking forward to meeting up with her sometime in the future. Another significant individual was Freddy Martin, also of Asha, who helped marvellously when poor Kerry suffered her leg injury. He really could not do enough - sending round drivers, food parcels, flowers, etc. An absolute gentleman with a huge heart. As we said goodbye, we wished him and the team every blessing and continued success in the ... read more