Background I first arrived in San Salvador in 1991 as a humanitarian during the civil war. San Salvador served as a centre for Spain until its independence in 1821. Its history has endured many challenges, including devastating earthquakes, political upheaval, and periods of intense violence. Amidst the visible conflict, I fell in love with this crazy capital. The war pitted the Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front (FMLN) against the government and military forces. Horrific human rights abuses and civilian disappearances characterised this war. I narrowly escaped my death in this city, a chilling reminder of…
No More Currency Confusion: The iPhone Calculator Hack I Love
My life is spent juggling currencies. I have clients who pay me in four currencies, I bank in two, and I spend money in 22 currencies. I can do many transactions in my head, but I’m always frustrated by existing currency app options. Changes- and that’s where my iPhone has become a lifesaver. With Apple’s latest iOS 18 update, the Calculator app had a built-in currency converter! Now that I have started using it, I can’t imagine managing currency conversions any other way. How to enable Currency Conversion on the iPhone Calculator You can use…
Exploring Yala, Thailand’s Least-Visited City
Thailand is renowned for its well-organised tourism industry, offering diverse options from backpacker hostels to luxury resorts. The country attracts visitors with its rich culture, friendly locals, stunning beaches, lush forests, and numerous adventure activities. In 2024, Thailand welcomed approximately 36 million foreign tourists. However, most visit a select few of the country’s 77 provinces. Four provinces get the lion’s share of overseas guests: Bangkok, Phuket, Chonburi (Pattaya), and Chiang Mai. I have been to 45 of the 77 now and can attest that many receive very few overseas tourists and feel much more isolated.…
Mind-blowing Experience on Thailand’s most Perilous Rail Route
I have always had a passion for trains and train travel. Over the years, I’ve ridden trains in 76 of the 90 countries I’ve visited, from Finland to Morocco to the USA, Chile, and New Zealand. A few years ago, I made it my mission to ride every rail line in Thailand, leading to incredible adventures—from bustling Bangkok to cities like Chiang Mai, and serene rural stations. However, the southernmost railway line had eluded me for a long time. This line connects the border town of Sungai Kolok to one of the most isolated cities…
Crossing a Border Few Dare to Walk—What Happened Next
“Bpai nai krub?” The immigration officer asked robotically as I handed over my passport. (Where are you going?) “Klap bahn krub,” I replied. “Bpai tee Krung Thep.” (I am going home, sir. To Bangkok.) My accent, coupled with my Australian passport, caught his attention. He looked up at me, momentarily surprised. Clearly, I was an anomaly—utterly different from the usual processing of Thai and Malaysian passports or border passes. I was the only non-Thai or non-Malay in the immigration hall. “Klap bahn, bpai tee Krung Thep?” he repeated, flipping through my passport.“Yes,” I confirmed in…
Malaysia’s Jungle Railway: From the Heart of the Country to the Sea
The Jungle Line (Malaysian East Coast Railway) was one of the most stunning and enjoyable train rides ever! Time flew by, and I got off the train feeling like I had completed an adventure. Summary Yesterday, I outlined how to ride Malaysia’s rail system. The country has two main rail corridors, in addition to the rail network around Kuala Lumpur.The first, the West Coast railway (red line), connects most major Malaysian cities along the country’s western side. The other is the far less busy, much more remote “East Coast Railway” (blue line), which connects the…
How to get around: Exploring Malaysian and Kuala Lumpur Transport Networks
Malaysia spans approximately 1,300 km (808 miles) from north to south and 800 km (497 miles) from west to east, covering around 330,803 km² (127,724) square miles. This is about the same size as Finland, Norway, and Vietnam. It is slightly bigger than New Mexico in the USA and Victoria in Australia. Getting around can involve flying, driving or using the train system. Riding the rails is my focus today. Malaysia’s transport network consists of three key components: 1. West Coast Line from Johor Bahru/Woodlands in the south to Padang Besar on Thai border (red…
New Month, New Travels, New Challenges— One Unforgettable Border Crossing
My busy travel schedule kicks off this month! This year, I will visit Brazil, China, Colombia, Finland, Japan, Nigeria, Norway, Panama, South Africa (first time!), Switzerland and the USA amongst a few other places. January has included air and rail journeys through Malaysia and Thailand… January included a stingray attack amidst a relaxing time in Krabi, my first flight with Batik Air, and completing all the rail routes in Malaysia and Thailand—every station, every line. Posts are coming this week. I also crossed by foot from Malaysia into Thailand’s Deep South which was anything but…
Being Captured by Captivating Krabi: Thailand’s Cultural and Natural Paradise
I just had to share some photos from my recent trip to the southern Thailand province of Krabi, where I spent a few days. Located along the Andaman Sea coast, Krabi offers visitors picturesque islands such as Phi Phi Islands, Railay Beach, and Ao Nang. The province is known for its stunning natural beauty, including rugged mountains, lush forests, limestone cliffs, clear waters, sandy beaches, and abundant marine life. Over the years, Krabi has gained international popularity due to these natural attractions. The province’s history dates back centuries, and its culture is influenced by Thai…
80 Years Later: Why we must remember the Holocaust
Today, 27 January, marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz concentration camp in 1945. This day is now recognised as International Holocaust Remembrance Day, or the International Day in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust. I have now visited three Nazi-era concentration camps: Sachsenhausen-Oranienburg (1936–1945), Auschwitz (1940–1945), and Dachau (1933–1945). Each visit left me with different emotions, but Dachau (pic below), in particular, was the most emotional for me. The Holocaust resulted in the genocide of six million Jewish people, along with countless others from marginalised groups, including Gypsies, homosexuals, Jehovah’s Witnesses,…
Recent Comments