Water Puppets in Vietnam
We were in fits of giggles from the appearance of the first water puppet on stage. As the puppet shot across the stage, alternately raising one arm after the other in quick succession, to the cries of hectic musical accompaniment, my brother hissed “Look out! Drunk!” Humorous similarities aside, water puppet shows are a traditional but fun-filled art form in Vietnam and the puppeteers are revered and referred to as artists. More than 400 stories are told through Vietnamese puppetry and one of the best places to see the puppets is the Thang Long Water Puppets Theatre in Hanoi, on the north eastern shore of Hoan Kiem Lake. With an…
Offspring tour of Fitzroy, Melbourne
While living in Australia, I quickly picked up the habit of watching Channel Ten’s show ‘Offspring’. The characters appeal to me, the script is laugh-embarassingly-loud funny but also touching, and it is set in a bohemian and interesting suburb of Melbourne. When I had the opportunity to visit Melbourne, I knew I had to see this neighborhood for myself. For those of you who are not familiar with this fantastic show, Offspring’s crazy characters live their lives around quirky Fitzroy. The series follows the many dramas of obstetrician Nina Proudman, her mostly dysfunctional relationships, and crazy but supportive family. Here’s my guide on where to go if you want to…
Magical ‘Must-See’ Halong Bay Vietnam
What do you imagine when you think of Vietnam? I’m going to take a wild guess that Halong Bay comes to mind. Magical Halong Bay was high on my list of places to visit when I visited Vietnam and it didn’t disappoint. One of the most magnificent sights in Vietnam, and possibly the world, UNESCO World Heritage site Halong Bay should absolutely be visited if you get the chance. When we visited it was overcast and grey, but the area was still stunning. However, I can easily imagine how amazing it would be on a clear day. Halong Bay – Place of legends Halong Bay is not only incredibly beautiful,…
How to save money in Paris
Glamorous Paris has an extravagant and luxurious reputation but you don’t need the Sun King’s budget to be able to enjoy a visit to the City of Lights. Here are my top tips on how to save money in Paris. When to visit Paris Paris enjoys the best bright, sunny weather between June and August. However, if you are looking to keep costs to a minimum visiting between April – May or September – October will mean you are not hit with peak prices. The weather may be more mixed at those times but you can always plan your museum trips for the iffy days. Paris also hosts various events…
How to visit Angkor Wat
The best known temple in Cambodia, and possibly all of south east Asia, Angkor Wat is an atmospheric and awe-inspiring structure to visit, but did you know it is only one of several enormous temple complexes in the Siem Reap area? Here are my tips on how to visit Angkor Wat. Plan your visit to the temples Some of the Angkor temples are better known than others, but there are over a dozen temples, and some of them are vast complexes that take a few hours to explore thoroughly. With a bit of research, you can decide which temples are your priorities and make sure you don’t miss ‘the best…
Things to do in Fiji (beyond the beach)
Fiji has truly amazing beaches that could easily keep snorkellers, watersports enthusiasts and holiday-readers endlessly happy, but what if you want a bit more from your trip? Fiji is such an obvious ‘island paradise’ destination. Still, there are several other activities that visitors might be unaware of. Here are my suggestions of Fiji’s highlights, beyond the beach. Take a scenic flight If you didn’t manage to score a window seat on your flight arriving into Fiji you can still admire the many islands of Fiji, scattered like jewels across the Pacific, from a scenic flight. If you take a seaplane transfer to an island you will get great views from…
Singapore, so much more than a stopover
I have a terrible confession to make. For several years now I have considered Singapore’s Changi Airport to be my preferred stop on long haul flights between Europe and Australia, but do you know what? It was only a few days ago that I arrived in Singapore and actually entered the country. Isn’t that ridiculous? I know the airport so well yet have never been able to make visiting Singapore a priority on any of the journeys made. Well, all I can say is more fool me. Singapore is amazing; here’s why. The culture of Singapore Since becoming a republic in 1965, Singapore must be one of the best examples…
London’s West End – Theatre capital of Europe
London has an enormous range of evening entertainment. Londoners and visitors are spoilt for choice with restaurants offering every cuisine possible, live music performances and nightclubs catering to all tastes and interests, but what makes London so special to me is London’s Theatreland. With around 40 theatres operating in London’s West End (the area between Oxford Street to the north, the Strand to the south, Regent Street to the west and Kingsway to the east) you can be transported to another time or place for the evening at relatively little cost. With so much variety there is a show to suit every taste. Famous screen actors often feature in classic…
The Rodin Museum in Paris and why I love it
The ‘Musee Rodin’ or Rodin Museum is one of my all-time favourite places to spend time in Paris. I never tire of visiting and always recommend friends go there to enjoy the sculpture, art and the peace and tranquility of the gardens in the heart of always bustling Paris. The museum building is compact but the garden surrounding it means it never feels crowded. There are so many galleries and museums in Paris that small establishments can be overshadowed by the larger, more famous galleries such as the Louvre and the Musee d’Orsay. However, if you are a fan of sculpture the Musee Rodin is a must-see. Even if you’re…
Another country, another expat birthday
It was my birthday this week, my third in Australia, and it made me think how different birthdays feel when you are an expat. I’m a strong believer in the many benefits of spending some time living as an expat. However, expat birthdays are not for the faint-hearted. Cultural birthday differences For a start there can be different traditions. In Turkey young boys must approach birthdays with at least a bit of trepidation because, as exciting as a rite of passage might be, being circumcised sounds daunting to say the least. I can’t remember the number of times in Turkey, I would be distracted from whatever I was doing by…
