See the World Differently
A constant stream of worshippers made their way up the stone stairs to the split gate that marked the entrance to the temple. The men wore white headbands. The women sported sashes and carried huge woven baskets on their heads. Everyone had a brightly coloured sarong wrapped around their waist. Even the statues lining the […]
“Hello, Rishikesh?” The cry heralded the arrival of yet another tuk-tuk. This driver, like all the others we encountered in Haridwar, seemed intent on taking us to Rishikesh. It didn’t seem to matter that it was already 10pm. What better time to embark on a lengthy journey into the mountains? We were curious to find […]
At the heart of the Grand Palace in Bangkok lies the most sacred temple in Thai Buddhism. Inside the main hall, Wat Phra Kaew, the translucent green statue known as the Emerald Buddha sits atop a golden pedestal. Each tier of the Buddha’s pedestal is smothered in gold and adorned with glittering statues, silver branches […]
“No! No! Don’t sit!” the driver bellowed at the bewildered woman as she made a move towards the nearest empty seat. “But where can I sit?” she replied, clearly wondering how seat allocation might be managed on this curious mode of transport. “Anywhere” came the gruff but not overly helpful response. This general state of […]
The trolley creaks and strains under the teetering mountain of bags. One struggles to push while the other catches any falling debris. With an audible grunt they heave each bag onto the scales while the airline staff, unable to conceal their contempt, politely explain the hefty excess luggage fee. You’ll see this couple again after […]
At the first sight of enemy aircraft, the watchman hammered out a rhythm on the hunk of bomb casing. The clanking of the homemade gong warned the villagers of the impending attack and they ran for the nearest trench. Hidden beneath the undergrowth, the trenches led to the tunnels where families could safely wait out […]
The eel garden stretched out before us, hundreds of slender bodies waving like blades of grass as their tiny heads bobbed to the beat of their own drums. As we cruised above them, the garden eels slowly slipped deeper into their burrows until only their heads were visible. After we had passed by, they regained […]
Splashing across the wet concrete at Khlong Toei Market, we regretted our choice of sandals and wondered if wellies would have been more sensible. We stopped suddenly as another stall holder sloshed a bowl of fetid water across our path. Browsing the seafood section, we passed piles of whole prawns and live crabs with their […]
We spotted the dragon stomping towards us with a confident reptilian swagger. Its broad shoulders flexed and its heavy tail swung back and forth with every step. The snake-like face was complete with a long forked tongue that flicked in and out as it tasted the air. Komodo dragons are unique to a handful of […]
With it’s heavily defended natural harbour, Chuuk Lagoon was one of Japan’s main naval bases during the Pacific War. Dozens of ships passed through these waters providing much needed supplies for the warships, submarines and aircraft deployed throughout the South Pacific. At the first hint of an American attack on Chuuk, the majority of the […]