Bali I was given an indication of what to expect in Bali while in Sydney waiting to board the flight. Every flight I normally catch has a cosmopolitan mix of cultures and purposed however today my fellow passengers seemed to be exclusively australians going on holiday, giving me a vivid recollection of the few package holidays I have taken in europe. Pre 'Gen Y', 'Ryan Air' 'Easy as you like' world when one packaged foreign holiday was perceived a luxury - squadrons of brits would head to a crowded Gatwick to catch a delayed flight to a Spanish or Greek resort which would provide its guests with English Food, cheap alcohol and guaranteed sunshine. Australia has beaches, guaranteed sunshine and is miles away from anywhere so you could assume there is costa del sol equivalent? While ... read more

It’s probably cheating a little to blog a business trip but Singapore took me by surprise. I had expected a clinical, high rise uncharming city to be a sort of Hong Kong with all the fun taken out -and while Singapore has these element to degree it is certainly has some life, soul and a character of its own... yes it is true that chewing gum is illegal and public nudity is an punishable offense (think Nick Leason) but these really minor details. Singapore is a hybrid of a of democratic and authoritarian system where since gaining independence in the late 50’s only the Peoples Action Party has ever been in power. Free speech is not totally free and not only is capital punishment still practiced Singapore is the highest per cap in the world... even ... read more

Touching down on Bangkok tarmac once again seemed very different to intrepid solo journey I made 7 years ago. For this trip being my fifth to Thailand islands and is now well rehearsed... even still i was a little anxious to make my connecting flight to Samui and from there a little disappointed not to find no means of transport for my final leg to koh p and the Sanctuary. The first night I settled for the cheapest room in Samui I could find but Samui is no longer cheap and upon realising what the room was like I decided my holiday would start tomorrow. Eager to complete my journey I was up early and found a speed boat service to a Koh Pang pier a short pickup truck ride to had rin feeling my journey ... read more

With a two week visit containing one 80th Birthday, one Christening and one wedding, where i would be best man, I was certainly going to be busy back home. Landing on Friday and finding a typical British summers day, just not quite warm enough for shorts & t shirt and intermittent showers. Jet lag fully upon me I only had to wait to the next morning for yet another flight however this time only to Glasgow and not crossing time lines. The Purpose of this visit was my first ‘official function’ which was my Grans 80th Birthday Party. Concerning as it was a garden party it seems the only thing worse than a English summers day is Scottish summers day.... drop the temperature a couple of degrees and add more rain. Uncle John resourceful as ever ... read more

Sydney Big Days out Big Day Out is perhaps the most sought after festival ticket in Sydney and a bit of an Australian institution as it will typically get the best acts and tours round the country. The Sydney fixture it is held in Homebush and was formerly the Olympic village for the 2000 games. Sydney is blessed with many stadiums but this really is an amazing venue everything is build to hold thousands of people and the arenas themselves vary well for size and purpose. The main arena was in one of the stadiums and had two stages so that acts could alternative, the Hot House which is a very steep mini almost amphitheatre and The Boiler Room which is basically a big warehouse. Before the Big day I was really looking forward to ... read more