Travellers’ tales
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Our life in Sichuan: from the everyday to the extraordinary
We spent an academic year in Sichuan, experiencing the highs and lows of everyday life in China while exploring Chengdu and its extraordinary surroundings – from parks and panda reserves to mountains and ancient towns.
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A whistle-stop tour of Almaty, Kazakhstan
Discover Almaty, Kazakhstan, on a three-day stopover: from bustling bazaars and Soviet architecture to mountain lakes, gorges, and hills.
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A day trip to Australia’s Blue Mountains
Just two hours west of central Sydney by train, Australia’s Blue Mountains are a vast expanse of rugged rock, dense forest, and towering waterfalls.
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Three days in Tasmania: a whirlwind tour of Hobart and Maria Island
Tasmania’s capital city often serves as a basecamp for visitors spending a week or more touring the Australian island state. Yet even a short visit to Hobart and its surroundings can provide a rewarding holiday experience – particularly for lovers of nature and wildlife.
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Touring Iceland’s Golden Circle during its coldest winter in over a century
When my partner, Maria, and I visited Iceland to tour its Golden Circle in December 2022, we were prepared for bracing conditions. It was only after arriving that we discovered this was the region’s coldest winter in more than a hundred years…
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New Zealand, land of natural contrasts: part three – the South Island’s wild west
In the third and final entry of this three-part New Zealand travelogue, I reflect on the epic conclusion to the 16-day tour.
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New Zealand, land of natural contrasts: part two – South Island cities and sounds
In part two of this three-part New Zealand travelogue, I recall my journey through the dramatic South Island – from Picton to Milford Sound via Christchurch and Dunedin.
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New Zealand, land of natural contrasts: part one – North Island
In this three-part travelogue, I recount the 16-day bus tour of New Zealand my dad and I took in 2019 – from Auckland in the north down to Queenstown in the south. In the first instalment, I recall our experiences on the North Island.
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A week in West Africa: part two – Senegal
In the second part of this two-part travelogue, I cross the Gambia River by ferry to arrive in Senegal, where a stunning riverside resort and a first safari experience await.
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A week in West Africa: part one – The Gambia
In part one of this two-part travelogue, I arrive in The Gambia, meet some monkeys, and visit an authentic Gambian market.