The Rice Fields of Ubud, Bali
Rice fields are one of the most visually attractive aspects of Bali. Those around Ubud are the location of one of the most beautiful walks I have ever undertaken, with the additional advantage of being easily accessible from the centre of Ubud, either from a path leading from next to the Ibah Hotel on Jalan […]
Bali: Pura Ulun Danu Bratan
Located in northern Bali at a height of 1200m above sea level, the journey to Lake Danau Bratan from the south passes through rice fields and then up into the mountains, towards the richly fertile fields around Bedugul. The temple of Ulun Danu Bratan, dedicated to Dewi Danu, the water goddess, is one of the most important in […]
The Mansion, Ubud, Bali
The Mansion is a luxury hotel and spa, set in lush grounds in the artistic town of Ubud. Oddly, for a leisure resort, The Mansion also has a cosmetic dentist; one way or another you can be sure to leave with a bright smile. The purpose of this post is not to advertise the undoubted […]
Oxford Botanic Garden
There are common pleasures to be enjoyed visiting both Oxford and Cambridge. A city centre radiating from the university buildings, constructed in Jurassic limestone and up to seven or eight hundred years old; a compact layout, best experienced on foot, and a university-owned and maintained Botanic Garden, open to all, within easy walking distance of […]
Maasai Mara - Wildlife
Here are just a few photographs of the wildlife to be seen in the Maasai Mara. All were taken in the space of a two-hour drive and a ninety-minute walk, accompanied by our friendly and knowledgeable Maasai guides. In just three days we saw all of the 'big five'. There is such a variety and […]
Maasai Mara - People
A highlight of my second visit to Kenya was the Maasai Mara, the traditional homeland of the Maasai people that spans the border between Kenya and Tanzania. Although traditionally a nomadic people, the governments of both countries have instituted programmes to encourage the Maasai to abandon their semi-nomadic lifestyle. although Oxfam has suggested that their […]
Vanuatu: Paradise on Earth
Light Bislama Vanuatu has 69 inhabited islands and, remarkably, at least 105 indigenous languages, of which over 90 are in daily use. This represents one language for every 1,600 people, the highest language density in the world. The official languages are French, English and Bislama, a pidgin language, widely spoken and seen on official signs […]
Kenya: Lake Nakuru National Park
I had always thought that a safari-style trip would be boring, that you would drive for days in discomfort, seeing nothing in the way of wildlife, aside from the occasional distant view of animals that would run away at the sight, sound or smell of a vehicle and its human occupants. How wrong this proved […]