Stories behind the stories. By Travel Writer, Amy McPherson
At first, I was lured here by the romantic images of hot mineral baths from the tourism board of the region. For me, Daylesford had been just that, a place where I can get some soaking in a giant bathtub as well as indulge in expensive day spa treatments. What I didn’t realise, is that …
One thing about the Australian flora is that they are built for tough, extreme climate conditions, with tough evergreen leaves that stays the same shade throughout the seasons. In areas such as Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania where the climate is more temperate than the rest of the continent, European trees thrive and in autumn …
Photos by William McPherson Some hate it, some love it. While it’s just another harbour city, Auckland does have redeeming qualities. Its Parnell district and Devonport districts are so charming that visitors often forget they are in fact in the largest financial hub of New Zealand. My article Charming Parnell of Auckland describes one such …
I had flown up to the Sunshine Coast for the Easter weekend to escape the rat race in Sydney only to find myself stuck in traffic in Eumundi, a small historic town in-land from the Sunshine Coast. Bumper to bumper, we inched slowly into town and watched helplessly as parking spaces decline by the second. …
Noosa on the Sunshine Coast is almost like what I remember from years ago, it is still a holiday paradise with soft waves clashing on the clean sands of Main Beach, and the calm gentle river that feeds inland that is so relaxing to look at. The only difference is that shops and restaurant are …
I am struggling to like Auckland, and it isn’t just an Aussie vs the Kiwis thing. Having came from a harbour city to visit another harbour city, I just couldn’t find anything special about it. The ‘Auckland, Whats On’ guide I picked up at the airport urged me to get on the Auckland Hop on …
Do you realise we talk more about things going wrong than about the parts of our holidays where everything was going according to plan? I do. Every time we have a conversation about our trips, every time we reminisce on the details of our journeys, we always end up talking about the time when the bus …
Either my memories are failing me or Melbourne is starting to clean up. I stood in front of ‘the’ corner of Central Place famed for its gratified dumpster dead end usually covered with the vinegary stench of the human urine and found a brightly lit new entrance to an apartment hotel. (Read: Melbourne: Coffee, markets and long …
These are my own visions of Taipei during my last visit. I was born in Taipei, and have recollections of rice paddies and grey dusty buildings during my first ten years as a child. When I returned as an adult a few years ago, I found the city to be nothing like the city I …
While Kuala Lumpur is on my mind, I want to share this video of the New Year fireworks I filmed. It was for the 09/10 New Year, and with the intention of getting the best seat in the house, we had booked a Twin Tower view room at the Traders Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, and …
“Are you from Malaysia?” is generally the question Malaysians would ask me whenever I start talking about Kuala Lumpur (KL). I know the city like the back of my hand; I know how to work its public transport system, the locations of the best shopping malls, the best streets to hit up for a good …
I love reading, always have, and ever since I got the travel bug, travel books have started to overtake the fiction in numbers on my bookshelves. I enjoy reading other people’s tales and stories, their discoveries and adventures as well as the horrors of things going wrong that often accompany any good trip. Out of …
Beyond the harbour, the beaches and the expensive real estate that lines our shores, Sydney is a melting pot of cultures. It isn’t immediately apparent if you are only spending a few days in the city, but venture out to many of Sydney’s distinct suburbs, it is possible to eat around the world in a …
Photos by Paula Hanasz Mongolia, a land of nomads and expert horsemen, is a country full of beauty and contrasts. While the pristine natural landscape still accommodate some traditional nomadic lifestyle, the city of Ulaanbataar is fast growing into a modern metropolis. Visit during one of the country’s festival and join the crowds cheering on horse and …
Several years ago a friend and I wanted to visit the Great Ocean Road, knowing that it was a great strip of coast hugging highway. We pulled out a map, traced the route with our fingers and found our eyes wandering off the sides… while the Great Ocean Road was the main attraction, we became …
Photos by Bell Chan The ancient village of Hongcun is in Anhui province, situated at the foot of Mount Huangshan. Tranquil, serene and calm, the architecture and many carvings in the village are said to be the best examples of the Qing and Ming dynasties in China. The village became an UNESCO site in 2000, and …
While travelling around Cambodia I noticed a particular “tourism” campaign that locals were feeling strongly about: Many tourists who visit developing and third world countries somehow have this urge to want to visit an orphanage as part of their sightseeing activities. They won’t call it sightseeing, and you’ll find these people coming home boasting about …
Photos by Amy McPherson Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia had exactly 2 modern skyscraper at the time of visit. Tourists flock to the riverside to enjoy the view where the local Tonle Sap river meets the mighty Mekong, where the grand Palace watches over the waters and where cheap beers can be bought. A …
Many people have told me that they were disappointed with the food in Cambodia. To them, the food in Cambodia just wasn’t interesting, and it wasn’t special. I can’t say I agree. Yes, there were many similarities between Khmer cuisine to other Asian cuisines (such as Thai), but that’s because Khmer culture pre-dates Thai culture …
Kap, little sister to the popular Sihanoukville is popular with local holiday makers. Phnom Penh’ers come here on the weekend to soak up some sun and breathe in some sea air and intrepid travellers come here to enjoys its fresh seafood. Especially the crab. In Kampot, I’ve already had a taste of the crab this …
Closer to the coast of Cambodia,is a town made famous by its peppers. Kampot peppers have drawn celebrity chefs from around the world to come and sample its flavour, some made cooking shows along the way. Unfortunately for me, I don’t have the tongue to distinguish between Kampot pepper and the average supermarket ground peppers. …
Photos by Amy McPherson Every time I travel, I remember the people the most. In Cambodia I have met may friendly and kind souls that have welcomed me with open arms into their homes, under their homes or allowed me to use their toilets. Many have very little, but their warm smiles and offers of …
The only thing I knew of Battambang was that Maddox from the Jolie-Pitt gang came from this province, and that there is a foundation in his name for the orphans here. So I was almost expecting to see pictures of Angelina everywhere, or at least, Santa, seeing that it was Christmas day and we haven’t …
Well, I am glad the world didn’t end, as we’ve been having so much fun since the 21 Dec and have had some fantastic experiences out in the countryside of Cambodia since. Tonle Sap, the heartbeat of Cambodia as the locals call it, accommodates many communities that relies on the lake for its water and …
