Continued hiking along the valley from Ghorepani on undulating scenic paths through colourful pink and red rhododendron forests. Passed green hillside terraces filled with spinach and potato crops greeting friendly locals along the path with calls of "Namaste", and playing competitive "Uno" card games into the evening with an international mix of fellow hikers. Gradually started climbing again, spotting buzzards circling overhead as the weather closed-in. Hiking through chilly rain and crossing the snowline at around 3400m, we slipped and slid our way in the snow towards Machhapuchhure (Fishtail) base camp, watching avalanches thunder down cliffs on both sides of the steep valley. Quickly warmed up in our first heated dining room over a hot chocolate, as we watched the snow gradually piling up all around. Waiting for the snow to ease the next day eventually ... read more

After a brief stopover in Kuala Lumpur arrived to the crazy world of Kathmandhu, its manic, polluted streets full of motor-scooters and buzzing atmosphere providing a stark contrast to the orderliness of Singapore. Visited the central Durbar Square with its impressive former royal palace, intricately carved temples and home of the Kumari Devi living goddess - very young girl brought selected from a local village and periodically paraded through streets until puberty. Explored the palace with its (very) extensive and eclectic museum on the ex-monarchy including numerous hunting trophies and a random selection of personal effects, and climbed tower for some hazy city views. After a brief interlude to fix broken camera (braving more mad streets and enlisting a helpful policeman to cross traffic at one junction), caught a taxi to the atmospheric Swayambhunath Buddhist temple, ... read more

Arrived in Brisbane to blazing hot sunshine and after a refreshing dip in my hostel pool visited an ex-Gatwick colleague, catching-up over a curry and a couple of beers. Headed north through the jagged Glass House mountains, surreally jutting out from the otherwise flat, green landscape. Bravely (?) saw off a large green snake on one of the hikes (disappointingly non-venomous), and encountered a docile kangaroo before climbing to a hilltop lookout. Next day went to the popular Australia Zoo - fed a carrot to an elephant (!), saw a couple of intimidating tigers and watched some "Steve Irwin" style crocodile entertainment. Drove up to Fraser Island and joined a "Cool Dingo" tour - speedily bumping over sandy forest tracks to some fun music and learning lots about the local ecology from our insouciant guide. Played ... read more

Picked up a tough but gas-guzzling 4x4 from Hobart, driving through fire-scarred forests and homes to world-heritage Port Arthur, a 19C penal colony for deported British convicts by a beautiful natural harbour. A fascinating tour to the "Isle of the Dead" graveyard and interactive museum provided brief vignettes of the deportees lives and treatment. Next stop was the wildlife haven of Maria Island, climbed "Bishop & Clerk" mountain for fine views from the vertiginous, rocky summit before racing back to the tree-line ahead of a big storm breaking; found shelter and a very bedraggled Wombat at Darlington penitentiary, and then had a wave-tossed crossing back to the mainland. Headed up the coast to Freycinet National Park for a circular hike to the perfect arc of Wineglass Bay, hiding amongst the rocks from a persistent lunch-snaffling wallaby. ... read more

Arrived at Fiji airport to a wave of tropical heat and a cheery welcoming band. Quickly adjusted to relaxed "Fiji-time" by lazing and swimming at the resort pool with a brief trip to Nadi to see the colourful Hindu temple, stopping for a freshly-cut coconut en-route. Next day hopped on a 5 to-a-row local bus across Viti-Levu to Suva the chaotic capital, staying at the aptly named Raintree lodge on the edge of the jungle. Took a very hot and muggy guided trek through the Colo-i-Suva forest park, slipping and sliding over rocks and muddy paths to waterfalls before visiting the national museum with its giant ocean-going canoes and tales of cannibalism (and dodging the heavy tropical thunderstorms that started to flood the museum !). Travelled up to the Navua valley in the highlands for a ... read more