The last time I was an independent traveller was in Hong Kong in 2011. I didn’t enjoy it. I wandered around aimlessly between a couple of organised tours, not knowing what to do with myself. Argh, I thought. I need to be on a schedule and have someone take care of all the organisation. I henceforth declared myself a terrible…
October 15, 2013
I woke late today, and that stymied my plans somewhat. I was going to head to Orchard Road in the morning, then over to Marina Bay Sands and the Gardens by the Bay in the afternoon. Instead, I just did Orchard Road. As a photographer, I have to say I was not stuck for material. The architecture and people made…
When I first started travelling, I didn’t mind taking a few minutes out of my travel time to help someone – usually a complete stranger – document their travel experience via a photo*. I thought it was the least I could do. A community service, if you will. Good karma, even. The I started noticing something. Not one of these…
It has dawned on me that travel makes you pretty good at connecting. And disconnecting, too, if necessary. Apart from the obvious (flights, transfers, tours etc.) there are the connections you make with other people while you travel. It could be a chat to someone while waiting for a flight, or while taking photos in a mosque, or when walking…
Having only ever transitted through Singapore on my way to somewhere else, I am delighted to be stopping for a number of days. And on my own. No tours or schedules, other than those I book or put myself on. Just me and my Singapore guide books, maps and apps. The first thing I notice about Singapore – apart from…
I arrived in Singapore around eight hours ago, after an early flight from Athens to Istanbul (with a few hours waiting around either side) before a gruelling 12 hour flight from Istanbul. Atatürk Airport is crazy busy for those readers who have never been through there. There are people everywhere, there are not enough seats, and you have to wait…
Why me? As if being harassed on my tour of Greece wasn’t enough, I unfortunately had to share my airport transfer with an Older Idiotic American Who Should Never Have Been Issued A Passport (OIAWSNHBIAP). He was was sooooooo annoying I had to say to him: DO NOT TALK TO ME! First: he said he didn’t recognise me (ah… that’s…
My final day in Athens and I took the bus (i.e. public transport) to Sounio and the Temple of Poseidon. It was almost a four hour round trip, but worth it because it was a wonderful way to spend the afternoon/evening. The sun setting over the Aegean during the drive back to Athens was just breath-taking. A big thank you…
One of the highlights of my cruise last year was visiting the island of Santorini, or Thera, as it’s formally known. I was excited to have the opportunity to stop there again this year and visit Oia, which I didn’t get to last year. Late in the afternoon, I was up on the top deck to watch the approach to…
I was only in Crete for a few short hours, but in that time was enchanted by the city of Heraklion. I thought it was a fabulous place. I walked from the port into the city – about a 10 minute stroll, so around a kilometre. I was rewarded with a view over the marina, cobbled stones, lovely European architecture,…
Rhodes was a pretty cool place, with the (medieval) city tucked away inside a fortress wall. Walking up cobbled streets past the touristic shopping strip, I chanced upon a mosque and also Moslem library, which was housed in a separate building. Both were interesting tributes to architectural and cultural diversity, along with expected Greek ruins. As a traveller, I look…
I boarded the Louis Olympia looking forward to cruising; after all, it has been a full-on few weeks with touring. I wanted pampering, rest and relaxation. My impressions of the ship, however, are less than favorable. This ship has passed its used by date: it is tired, old and shabby. It has certainly seen better days. The engine laboriously chugs…
Arriving late in the afternoon, I wandered around Patmos for about an hour, taking pictures here and there. While it was not quite as picturesque as Santorini or Mykonos, it was not without its own unique charm. There were the same whitewashed buildings, the same shops hawking all manners of wares from shirts, hats and scarves to jewellery, postcards and…
We pulled into the port of Mykonos a little after 6pm on the first day. I’m glad I packed my Gorilla Pod so I could capture the island as the day faded into night. It was a beautiful spot: white washed houses faced the sea, along with shops and restaurants. As the sun was swallowed by the horizon, a crescent…
Well, the land part of my tour has all but finished. A two nighter in Athens, then I’m boarding the Louis Olympia for a four day cruise around the Greek Islands. Greece has been a welcome respite from Turkey, where I think I suffered from a case of “tour burnout“. Highlights Athens I love Athens. It greeted me with warm…
There may come a time when you need to avoid a Creepy Guy while on tour. You can spot him quite easily because he displays the following behaviours: > pays you just a little too much attention and compliments you just a little too insincerely; > remembers details of conversations you had days ago; > constantly and continually follows you…
We drove from Napflio to Sparta through an impressive mountain range. Sparta is nestled in the Evrotas valley, and up on one of the peaks is Mystra, which I knew nothing about. The climb up to the castle was quite steep, and up along an ancient stone path. My effort was rewarded by a breath-taking view of the mountains, Sparta…
I arrived in Athens, tired and worn out from my tour of Turkey. I was over being on the road, being with people, the early starts, the getting in and out of buses, the whistle stop visits and the lightning quick stays, the Whispers, the food. I desperately needed to recharge in time for the next tour*. Athens I love…