Tag: Asia
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The Southern Caucasus: Armenia, Part 2
The sights of Yerevan behind us, today we are driving west from the capital to see some more major sites, mostly of the religious variety. Various buildings and parks are pointed out en route, including a cemetery in which Armenian flags fly over the graves of every soldier who died in the Second Nagorno-Karabakh war…
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The Southern Caucasus, Part 3: Armenia
Well, if Georgia was all about wineries and Orthodox churches and monasteries, Armenia is all about wineries and Apostolic churches and monasteries ‒ with a bit of brandy thrown in. Stage three of my trip to the Caucasus begins with the border crossing into Armenia from Georgia. Another change of coach, guide and driver and…
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The Southern Caucasus: Azerbaijan, Part 2
I am currently on a jaunt in Azerbaijan. Having tasted the delights of bold and busy Baku, the group is now heading into its hinterlands, there to savour things natural. Ateshgah Temple Our penultimate stop today is on the Absheron peninsula, the eagle’s beak, to the east of the capital, to view the Ateshgah Temple…
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The Southern Caucasus, Part 1: Azerbaijan
Covid 19 it was that thwarted my forays to the Southern Caucasus in 2020. I was, at the time, living east of the Caspian Sea and this region lies to the west of the Caspian Sea. It would have been a fairly quick flit across therefore but, frustratingly, postponed. The area is a bit off…
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Laos, Part 2: Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng and Vientiane
Luang Prabang Arrive at nightfall in the town of Luang Prabang. Our hotel awaits us on a quiet side-street. Polished wooden floors and wooden stairs gleaming within and a pleasant little outdoor area in front with chairs and pinkish flowers on tables. Welcoming sort of place. A tidy walk from the centre though. Several of…
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Laos, Part 1: The Mekong River
Considering that I have been up for a substantial number of hours from the morning’s first blush, the mood is sparkling. First an early breakfast overlooking the Mekong from Nam Khong Riverside café on the Thai side of the border. So early that the sun still reflects orange in the river. I am on a…
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Thailand, Part 2: The Bridge over the River Kwai, Kanchanaburi
Valentine’s Day. Not exactly a romantic outing planned for today, more of a sad, sombre and thought-provoking one. I am embarking on a tour to Kanchanaburi where the Bridge over the River Kwai is located, along with the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery and the JEATH Museum. This will be followed by a journey along the infamous…
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Thailand, Part 1: Bangkok
I have often wondered what Thailand, called Siam until 1939, is like. I had heard tales of its splendid golden temples, white sand beaches and vibrant street markets. Some ex colleagues of mine have even bought apartments here. Once I went to a theatre production of the musical ‘The King and I’, set in Siam…
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Singapore
Singapore had been on my wish list for some time. I applied for a job there once but didn’t get it. Some friends were working in the country once but I didn’t manage to visit. All in all, a regrettable omission, which required rectifying. I am met at Changi airport by a mighty waterfall. Known…