Stories behind the stories. By Travel Writer, Amy McPherson
I thought I’d counter yesterday’s charity ideas with a post about how to avoid ‘feel good’ charity, a phenomenon that is becoming increasing popular with the western world. What do I define as ‘feel good’ charity? These are activities that tourists can undertake to make them feel good about themselves, but not necessarily benefit the …
A book by William Dalrymple Some say, William Dalrymple is the best writer on India, outside India. I don’t really know any better, but he certainly had me enchanted about India by the end of the book. I didn’t really know what to expect when I picked up this book at the local book store. …
Pinch and punch for the first day of month! It is also the first day of spring and Sydney is glowing. I love this time of the year, for it marks the start of a period where I can really enjoy Sydney’s great outdoors and the many festivals that are about to start. Last week …
The husband looked up at me from his plate of breakfast and said “do you want to do some outdoor activity today?” The question was sudden but not entirely random. It was a beautiful day today in Sydney and it was hard to ignore the great outdoors. So out of the doors we went and …
I’ve spent the past three days in bed, lethargic from lack of eating, suffering from a stomach virus I picked up I don’t know where. There is nothing like a stomach virus that reminds me of being on a great holiday. Seriously. All of the fantastic trips I’ve had in the past, all those days …
I have just spent a weekend up at the Hunter Valley, a wine region two hours drive north of Sydney, again. I have been visiting Hunter Valley for… well, since I could legally drink. It is the most convenient wine region of New South Wales, with a direct train link from Sydney Central station, as well as …
A book by Rory Stewart I seem to have developed a fascination with the Middle East and have been selecting to read books related to travelling in the region. Many of the books, including the previous two book that I’ve read – Talking about Jane Austin in Baghdad and One Upon a Time in Beirut …
I’ve been daydreaming more than usual lately, because I haven’t really done that much travelling in the past ten months. Right now, I am thinking of Saarbrücken, a German city I studied in for a year, a city that will forever remain somewhere special for me. And the reasons are not what most people think: …
Photos by Fiona Yuen Fiona and husband visited Beijing and fell in love with its depth of history and traditional charm. From popular tourist spots such as the Forbidden City, the Great Wall and the Panda Sanctuary, to the streets by the lake, the markets and the growing number of chic cafes and restaurants, it …
This week’s #TTOT got me drooling over memories of street food all around the world. The question was more towards the paranoia of bugs and germs in terms of what’s worse: street food or a dirty hotel room? Overwhelmingly, a dirty hotel room was voted the worse out of the two, as most of us …
As soon as we got off at Circular Quay station, we could already see wave upon wave of people rolling up and down George Street, hovering in front of the numerous stalls with roastery and cafe representations waiting for their cup of caffeine. It was the annual Aroma Festival today and the entire Sydney poured …
Are you a bush (or forest for those who use different terminologies!) or beach person? I admit, while I do love the ocean, enjoy a good scuba dive and have a fascination about the marine life, I am more of a bush person. To me, while the beaches make great backdrop to a holiday photo, …
Photos by William McPherson I was born in Taiwan but having moved to Australia at the age of 10, never really had the opportunity to really understand the country. Back in 2006 when my husband and I visited and backpacked around the island, we found a land that was fertile with lust vegetation, immersed in …
I am not much of a sea-farer. So far, most of my water based travel have been on passenger ferries and scuba boats. I believe my very first experience with water travel was on a family holiday in Hawaii, where we boarded a small submarine to view the fish and corals. I think I was …
Sydney isn’t all about the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge. I find beauty in Sydney’s back streets, where autumn leaves add that extra charm to the backdrop. Here are some corners of Sydney that I love, both in the rain and on sunny days!
Photos by Fiona Yuen Shanghai glows. The skyscrapers that illuminate the night scene are symbols of its economic growth as China’s financial hub yet across the river on the Bund and the ‘Old Shanghai’ are heritage and traditions from a long history of Chinese culture. From temples to art galleries to succulent xiao long bao dumplings, …
A book by Catherine Taylor This is a story of two adventurous young journalists who followed their hearts to pursue a life in Beirut, a city that is often mis-interpreted and mis-understood by many. Catherine and her husband moved to Beirut during their first year of married life and stayed for four years. The …
[Originally posted on old site] Wellington is a socialite’s paradise. Not only is the city full of great cafes and restaurants, its night life is second to none when it comes to quirky hang outs. Wellingtonians enjoy a bit of individualism and there are plenty of night spots that would satisfy even the pickiest drinkers. …
Photos by Fiona Yuen There is something really special and spiritual about Australia’s Red Centre. From the spectacular colours of the sky, to that solidary rock structure that is thee heart of Australia. Read my article on In The Know Traveler: Australia’s Rock Star Ayer’s Rock. About Fiona Yuen Fiona Yuen runs her photography company …
I have a collection of photos where I have found Australia everywhere – or rather, what everyone else thinks is Australian. Fosters for example, is now owned by the poms, and even before the company was sold, no one ever, EVER drank Fosters. This is however, all stereotyping isn’t it? Have you also found references …
Authors: Bee Rowlatt and May Witwit I don’t deny that I get a little nosy sometimes and enjoy reading private email exchanges between people. These digital conversations can sometimes reveal life’s most exciting or intimate details, emotions as well as the writer’s inner desires and fears, and often, through their voice uncover their inner self, …
Photos by Fiona Yuen Kangaroo Island, 155km of the coast of South Australia, is a paradise for wildlife. This is where you’ll find plenty of seals bathing lazily on beaches, koala lounge between forks of tree branches and giant pelicans that slide across the horizon; at dusk, bands of Little Penguins return fro mthe depth …
It wasn’t meant to be, yet I found myself perfectly caffeinated in Fremantle. We had missed the boat to Rottnest Island earlier that day, which was a major disruption to our original plan for the day, so I took solace in coffee at Fremantle’s Cappucino Strip. ‘Freo’, the local nickname for Fremantle, is a short …
It’s the weekend! How has your week been? Are you ready to rest up to tak on another week of adventures? adventure [ad·ven·ture]: an unusual and exciting or daring experience; excitement associated with danger or taking of risks; engage in daring or risky activity. The Mighty Everest was thought to be the ultimate adventure, no one …
