Raffles Hotel, like much of Singapore, began life modestly as a 10-room inn in 1887. From there, it grew and expanded, attracting a colourful clientele with the likes of Somerset Maugham, Rudyard Kipling and Noel Coward warming the barstools in the famous Writer’s Bar. Named after British diplomat and founder of modern Singapore, Sir Stamford … More Fables and Fantasy in Singapore
We were so excited to include Singapore in our travels, but we were also prepared for a spendier excursion. Singapore’s reputation as one of the world’s most expensive cities preceded a visit here; an island filled with glass towers and deluxe shopping malls. It is all of that, of course. We saw a sign posted … More Singapore: Nothing Like We Expected!
After the clang and clamour of Kuala Lumpur, it has been a welcome respite to spend a few days in the beautiful coastal city of Melaka. The Melaka River bisects the city and is both representative of its trading past and its tourism future. Back in the 14th century, Melaka began as a major trade … More Melaka: A River Runs Through It
Petronas Towers are to Kuala Lumpur what the Eiffel Tower is to Paris: the instantly recognizable landmark that graces a million T-shirts, keychains, coffee mugs and shopping bags. “They can’t be that great,” I thought to myself, as I have a deep and abiding aversion to tourist traps. In fact, Petronas Towers are pretty great … More Kuala Lumpur: So Much More Than Petronas Towers
It must be said that we are not Tokyo’s target market. We eat lightly, go to bed early, aren’t huge shoppers and have no idea who Monkey D. Luffy is. Nor have we heard of this movie: Anime, manga, cartoon characters – this is the beating heart of Tokyo that belongs to the youth and … More Tokyo: Japan’s Pop Culture Capital
The mountain town of Nikko is remarkable in that it has combined diverse and dramatic natural landscapes with ancient and ostentatiously-embellished shrines and temples – all within Nikko National Park. Our impressions of Japanese temples and shrines so far has been ones of austerity, simplicity and sameness. So we were not prepared to climb up … More Finding Spirit and Nature in Nikko National Park
It is not hard to get around Japan by train and bus, but in some cases where locations are more remote (such as travelling from Natasugawa ( the Nakasendo Trail) to Kawaguchiko (Mt. Fuji), it will require a few tightly-timed connections. To get to Kawaguchiko, we walked 5 minutes from our hotel to grab our … More Chasing Mt. Fuji
We had read a great deal about the Nakasendo Trail during our research and increasingly, this stood out as being a place that would probably be a highlight of our trip. Its origins go back to the Edo Period (1603-1867), when it served as a pathway for samurai and travellers between Kyoto and Tokyo. Most … More The Nakasendo Trail: A Glorious Walk in the Woods.
Maybe it goes back to my smoking career, which ended over 40 years ago, but it I catch a cold, it worms right into my lungs and grabs hold for days and days. I’m almost better now, but my wheezing, coughing, phlegm-y self cost us both what should have been a full-on eight days in … More Sick, but still standing, in Kyoto
Okayama is a city that has somehow escaped the tourist hordes, which was a blessed relief. In a way, it makes sense, as the cities of Osaka and Kyoto are close by and have more obvious appeal. If you’re on a limited time frame, you might not consider a stop here. What drew us to … More Okayama: The Land of Peaches, Denim and Canals.
Leaving Ourselves Behind 