An introduction to Tintin and his Geneva When I was a child, I was obsessed with the adventures of Tintin, a fictional reporter from Belgium who traveled to almost every continent (we never saw him make it to Australia). On his travels usually accompanied by his dog Snowy, solving crimes, spy-rings and flying to the Moon. The series author Herge was fanatical about real historical detail (after his first three terrible books!) In “The Calculus Affair,” engulfed Tintin in cold war intrigue, spy rings and sonic weapons in Geneva. Hergé’s detailed illustrations brought Geneva to…
Revisiting the Market Shooting: Memories, Fear and Hope
Today’s post contains images and descriptions about extreme violence. Reader caution is advised. I wrote previously about how I was unwittingly caught up in a mass shooting at Bangkok’s premier market: Or Tor Kor. Its been six weeks since Monday 28 July, a day I will never forget. On that day, a gunman killed five people before turning the gun on himself. I left Thailand a few days after that event and now I was back on my current RTW trip. Back in the city, I retraced my steps at the market, Steps that I…
To The Giddy Heights: I Ride The World’s Steepest Rails
I have travelled extensively across Switzerland, by every means possible (foot, train, tram, bus, ferry, cogwheel railway, aerial cable car, and funicular). Until recently, though, one spectacular ride eluded me: the Stoosbahn, the world’s steepest funicular, connecting Schwyz with the car-free mountain village of Stoos, 1,300 metres above sea level. NB Although Stoos is officially car-free, there are motorised taxi services and working vehicles. The Stoosbahn achieves gradients up to 110% (about 47 degrees), taking passengers up 744 metres of elevation over a 1,740-metre track in about minutes. This new line, opened in December 2017, replaced a system that had operated since…
Round the world in 72 days
After one of the busiest and and stressful years of my life, I’m taking off on a true bucket-list journey that will see me crossing four continents: Asia, Europe, the Americas, and (my home base in Australia), completing the set! This trip will take me back to some familiar favourites — Malaysia, Thailand, Finland, Switzerland, Turkey, Panama, Colombia, and Brazil — while also adding two exciting new countries: South Africa and Botswana. I am working in a couple of spots and then vacationing but what I am most excited about are the “pinch myself” moments ahead: As always, I’d love to…
I have now flown into Airport #293: Outback Town -Which Airport will be 300th?
I just flew into and out of my 293rd airport: ISA which serves the remote Australian outback town of Mt Isa. I travelled from Brisbane about two hours on Qantas) and back with Virgin Australia. The landing and take off gave excellent views of the town! There are also hops from Mt Isa to Cairns, Cloncurry, Doomadgee, and Longreach—some flights so short that by the time you fasten your seatbelt, you’re already preparing to land (16 minutes to Cloncurry). Classic outback flying! When Qantas, the Australian flag carrier flew its first passenger, it was from Longreach…
Surviving the Gunfire: How Tragedy Changed My Bangkok Life
Today’s post contains images and descriptions about extreme violence. Reader caution is advised Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, home to around 14 million people is known for its canals, food, parties, temples, culture, and massage. I know the city well. I have spent five years here over the last 12 years. I have many favourite spots. One of them is a fruit and produce market called OrTorkor, voted by CNN as one of the ten best markets in the world. The market is opposite our condo in Bangkok. It’s gate is a short walk from…
12 Secrets to Staying Human on Long Flights
I talked yesterday about my 203 “long-haul” flights over eight hours. That works out to around 20 weeks inside a metal tube flying around the world. I have learnt a lot in that time. Here are my top tips. Any other long haul survival tips? Related Posts
My Lifetime Of Ultra-Long-Haul Travel- and what’s next?
What’s your longest flight ever, in hours and distance? It always bemuses me when colleagues complain about a “long haul” six-hour flight. With close to half of my flights originating out of Australia, six hours is only getting started! Out of the 1730 flights in my life, I have now racked up 203 “long haul” (over 8 hours) flights, of which 72 were over 12 hours long as seen below: My longest flight was an epic 18 hours and 8 minutes earlier this year, on the world’s longest scheduled commercial flight: Singapore Airlines’ nonstop flight…
Seconds After Takeoff – Air India Crash, the First 787 Disaster
I am shocked and dismayed to hear news that Air India AI 171, operating from #Ahmedabad (AMD) to London Gatwick (LGW), was involved in an accident after take-off on Thursday, 12 June 2025. The Boeing 787-8 aircraft departed Ahmedabad at 1338 hrs (local time) with 242 passengers and crew on board. The passengers included 217 adults, 11 children and two infants. There were 169 Indian nationals, 53 #British nationals, 7 #Portuguese nationals, and 1 Canadian national. Air India flight AI 171 broadcast its last signal at 13:38 51 local time, at an altitude of just…
Riding the Spectacular Flåm Railway
I’ve been sorting my 161 photos of “one of the world’s most beautiful train journeys.” National Geographic Traveller magazine called the Flåm Railway one of the top 10 train journeys in Europe. Lonely Planet went even further, naming it the best train journey in the world. The famous Flåm Railway, the world’s steepest non-cog railway, climbs 864 metres over 20 km from the fjord-side town of Flåm to Myrdal, 866 metres above sea level, which is perched in a remote mountain pass with no road access. Max gradient at 5.5% (1:18). Top speed of 40…
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