The Kingdom Of A Million Elephants And The White Parasol.
Luang Prabang was once the capital of Laos. It may appear a sleepy town, but Luang Prabang remains the intellectual and cultural capital of Laos. Everywhere there are statues of the Buddha, and the monks in their robes of orange and saffron remain the enduring image of the town, a reminder of the depth of the culture.
My Writings This Month
A summary of what I published this month, from the orchid gardens of Singapore to having coffee in an apartment in Florence, from looking over the roofline of Prague to publishing travel journals and notebooks.
Anna Karenina
Anna Karenina is a novel entirely Russian, yet also modern, because of the depth of Tolstoy’s characters and how he develops them. For a work which encompasses such grand themes, the characters are all too human, trapped by the dictums and hypocrisies of their society. Many consider it the greatest modern novel.
Why I loved Nagasaki
Nagasaki was unexpected. Perfect for wandering, uncrowded, with great food and shopping - plus a delightful welcome at the port! It boasts Japan’s oldest arched bridge, and a garden which inspired Puccini’s Madame Butterfly.
An Apartment in Florence
Thoughts on staying in an apartment in Florence above the San Lorenzo Markets. Of course food became a central part of the stay, with the Mercato Centrale just around the corner. Plus the place came with a clothesline hanging out the window.
Memories - A Poem
A poem, Memories, from my collection Songs of a Sad Summer
Eating Japan.
Japan is a land of contrasts - which is reflected in her food. From a traditional breakfast to a meal from a vending machine; instant noodles to a deer curry, not to mention the green tea ice cream: each meal offers a new adventure.
As Salty as the Mediterranean - Not
As I muse on how much salt to add to the water when cooking pasta, I manage to contemplate two of my favourite foods: pasta and coffee.
Mont St Michel
Against the darkness Mont St Michel rose from the sea, unchanged from medieval times when the island became a mystical emblem of the heavenly Jerusalem, an earthly image of paradise. By day the place may be filled with tourists, but stay on the island overnight and you step back in time.
Le Vieux Paris
Where else to begin exploring Paris but where the city began? Walking through the Île de la Cité covers some 4000 years of civilisation, from when the first Gauls settled here, to those living statues who pose each day outside the Notre-Dame for tourists.
Travels With an Epicurean Zombie
When the zombie apocalypse arrives, why not embrace it and enjoy some food along the way, while travelling the world?
My Computer on Holidays
Musings on how, after being unplugged and put to one side for a while, my computer decided to work again - well, enough not to need to a visit to a computer doctor. Had it just needed a holiday?
The God Shot
My search for the God Shot - the perfect espresso. Of course it was in Italy (Naples, to be precise).
Memories of a year gone
Musings on the passing of another year, on the new adventures I made as well as the trusted paths I walked.