Buzkashi is awesome. Horseriding is an essential part of daily life for the nomadic Kyrgyz, and they never hesitate to display their skill in competitions. The best of these is Buzkashi, a game only possible in a region as crazy and quirky as Central Asia. It is called "buzkashi" in the sport's home of Afghanistan, and in Kyrgyzstan is "ulak tartysh" or "kok buru". But buzkashi sounds cooler :) And it is now my most favourite sport in the world! For this is the sport that most clearly demonstrates the manliness of men, separates the wheat from the chaff, most emphasises [View Full Entry]

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Here I am, heading into the heartland of the Kyrgyz! I had four days off from my school, and I decided that I would use this precious time to do a simple but not-oft-trodden hike from a village called Kyzart to Lake Song Kol through a couple of valleys. The only downside was that I had to do this 3-day hike by myself because no one else wanted to go, and I'd rather go by myself than not go at all! I did toy with the idea of getting a guide... but, you know. Naryn Oblast (province) and the Song Kol [View Full Entry]

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Put simply, Tibet is one of the most fascinating and captivating places I have ever visited. So far, anyway. And although some of my friends (who shall remain anonymous…) often mock me for such exaggerations, I assure you this is one not without justification. The people are the warmest I have encountered, the culture the most devoted and unique, the nature amongst some of the grandest, and the history particularly poignant and tragic. But the following is simply an account of my experiences in Tibet. Other opinions and accounts on “the Tibetan problem” are already well- [View Full Entry]

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Yunnan has to be one of the most interesting provinces in China. From tropical jungles to rice terraces to glistening lakes to towering mountains to remote villages to quaint old towns; it has everything bar deserts! Additionally, the ever-present Han Chinese are underrepresented for once, having only 50% of this province’s population. Relatively underrepresented, anyway. The remainder comprises a swathe of minorities, giving Yunnan a refreshing cultural diversity and colour. This piqued my interest as it seemed far more interesting compared to the blandness of the east’s co [View Full Entry]

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Nervously I had another look at my shotglass, once empty but now filled with a thick cloudy red liquid and the shadow of something small and solid at its bottom. I knew what it was, but I was in denial. I couldn't help but doubt my infamous audacity. I quickly glanced around at my 3 comrades - daring men and women who had joined me in this quest to the shady outskirts of Hanoi, Vietnam. Their faces told the same story. But in those same hesitant faces I also saw a steely resolve - we had not come here for nothing, [View Full Entry]

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I loved Shanghai from the moment I arrived. I had just stepped off a train, left arm in a sling thanks to my snowboarding mishap in New Zealand. With my obvious disability I was a helpless lamb ready for slaughter to any sneaky taxi driver. China is full of them, and instantly I was hounded by four drivers each trying to rip me off. It was one of Shanghai's hottest days in 60 years - 39°C and with staggering humidity. It was 8:00 in the morning, I had been outside for 5min and was already sweating profusely and my clothes were [View Full Entry]

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"No Ralph, Jesus did not have wheels" But I bet you He has a snowboard. For snowboarding must surely be something done in Heaven. It's amazing how much can happen in just 6 days. What started off as an exciting time merely thinking of going snowboarding in New Zealand, peaked when i did some of the coolest snowboarding yet - and then rapidly disintegrated into me returning home prematurely, battered and bruised - on the outside and also the inside. First of all check out the videos! My favourite is the first one - I forgot to mention in the caption [View Full Entry]

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"Yeah, so I'm going back to New Zealand this winter." "Oh I see. So do you love sheep?" A stupid comment by a stupid person. Sheep are not the only "attraction" that New Zealand has. What about the diverse and stunning natural scenery? The cool, easy-going (yet comparitevely less intelligent) inhabitants? What about all the fun activities that cost heaps of money? After an exciting 2006, my need to travel again has reached eruption point - especially after exams! So here I am, about to embark on yet another journey (albeit short one) to New Zealand. The prospect of once agai [View Full Entry]

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So there it is ladies and gentlemen. Thirteen and a half months later i arrived at Perth International Airport on a 42 degree Australia Day. It contrasted well with the -2 degrees and snow i left in London. I had left Perth a young boy at 19, all to return a man at 21. I was disappointed that my fun exchange student and travelling lifestyle was finished for now. But i was looking forward to seeing my family and my friends. I had not seen them in so long! I had also gone so long not doing the things i loved [View Full Entry]

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Sarajevo One always walks down the cobbled streets of the great Ancient city of Rome imagining how life must have been during those times. You see the Colusseum on the right, Palatine Hill on the left, Trevi Fountain in front of you. All the grandeur, all the glory, all the prosperity that was Rome. Whilst walking the streets of Sarajevo in Bosnia, I tried to imagine the exact opposite. A bullet-ridden wall on the right, a half-destroyed building on the left, a Sarajevo Rose (representing six or more deaths by a mortar explosion) in front of me. All the destruction, all [View Full Entry]

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