See the World Differently
Notting Hill Carnival: parade, party and all round celebration of Caribbean culture. We’d seen pictures. We’d heard stories. And we still weren’t quite sure what to expect. Arriving at the parade, we joined the sea of people stretching as far as the eye could see. The giants really stood out. Towering over everyone, they marched […]
The rugged peak of Sangeang Api rose above the trees and dry grass that dominated the lower slopes. Clouds of white steam billowed from the crater. Even when diving, we could hear constant rumbling deep within the bowels of the volcano. However, despite the prolific volcanic activity, this island is inhabited. We took a walk […]
As we walked into the old city in Jodhpur, silence fell. Suddenly there were no homeless people sleeping in the street. There were no dogs. There was nobody at all, which for India is really unusual. Walking further into the maze of alleyways, unsure exactly which way to go, we finally saw some people up […]
As soon as we stepped out of our minibus, the man appeared. He had wild black hair and piercing eyes and held out his hand as he waited impatiently for payment. With a fist full of dollars, he set off along an overgrown path into the jungle. We followed. After a short but sweaty walk […]
Partway up the hill we came across a small, grassy plateau. A row of people stood in silence, bent double with their heads between their legs. Coloured banners flapped in the breeze, each adorned with a cartoon-like character demonstrating the same inverted pose. We joined the line, turned our backs to the sea and assumed […]
Bright flowers bobbed down the Ganges in leafy baskets, each with a tiny flame flickering in the centre. The incense from the offerings wafted across the water to the crowds seated on the riverbank. The devotees raised their arms as one, chanting along with the preachers. Across the river, holy men crouched on the steps […]
The timid young girl carefully extracted a strip of the pink, fish-flavoured treat from the bag. Every furred head turned, with envious green eyes transfixed by this highly coveted reward. They moved as one, a wave of fluff and claws sweeping across the floor of the cat cafe, enveloping the hapless girl’s feet in a […]
The French knight screamed in agony as his arm was hacked off, fingers still tightly curled around the shaft of the English standard. Thomas D’anyers wasted no time in retrieving the Black Prince’s standard and rushing to his aid. Sir Thomas’ reward for this act of bravery included the land now occupied by Lyme Park. […]
As the lid was lifted off the basket, the snake’s head wove upwards. Its beady unblinking eyes were cautiously alert, its hood flaring out in a defensive display. The head continued to weave in time with the haunting tones of the pungi, a curious wind instrument made from a gourd. The snake charmer was clad […]
As we approach in the pre-dawn gloom, the foreboding metal gates of the temple are chained shut, an unexpectedly tangible barrier on our path to enlightenment. Buchi san guides us to an unlocked side gate and we creep into the tranquil gardens, careful not to disturb the air of calm. Among the shadows, silent shapes […]