When people ask me to describe Malé, the capital city of the Maldives I say “it is like no other place on earth“. Maldives, in fact, means “the islands of Malé’”. It was the King’s Island, the seat of the Maldivian Royal family from (at least) 1117 until 1968 with a couple of interruptions for republics and regencies. The Maldives are made up of 1192 tiny islands with a total land area of 298 sq km sitting in 90,000 square kilometres (35,000 sq mi) of Indian Ocean. Almost 400,000 people live in the country with about one-third (about 130,000) living in…
Place Reviews (Thursday)
Category Archives for Place Reviews (Thursday).
Exploring Thailand’s Koh Samui – Review and Tips
I have been wanting to visit Koh Samui, Thailand’s second-largest island (after the famous Phuket) for ages. A spare weekend and a crazy desire to get to an airport that has a code starting with “U“ gave me the opportunity! Seriously! Like the other places I have visited, I have rated key aspects of the place. We chose to stay in the Bo Phut area which is a quieter part of the island and includes one of the most popular tourist attractions: The Fishermans’ Village. The other popular tourist areas on the island: Chaweng with the…
Exploring the Red Centre of Australia
Uluru (also known as Ayers Rock) has a deeply special significance for me and thousands of others. Along with The Sydney Opera house and the Sydney Harbour Bridge, it would have to be the three instantly recognisable symbols, of Australia: If coming to visit, I recommend at least three days in the Centre. Many of the 300,00 annual visitors come in and out for one single day as part of a “whistle stop” Australian tour. One day at Uluru is not enough time to experience this magical place. This last visit was my fifth and I could come back another fifty.…
Beautiful Blue Mountains: Review and Top Things to do
West of Sydney are one of the most beautiful and most visited parts of Australia: The Blue Mountains. This week must have been close to my 100th since I first visited The Mountains a baby! (half a century ago). As always, my review attempts to go beyond the superficial glimpse that many visitors have of this amazing place from their bus window! Aesthetics: 87% The Greater Blue Mountains are not just beautiful. They are stunning. Grand sandstone cliffs, twisting forest tracks, gorgeous waterfalls, peaceful glens, cute creeks all fill the 11,400 km² area of “The Mountains”. If the Blue Mountains…
My Top 40 cities.
I am fast closing in my 200th city that I have visited with over 100,000 inhabitants. With each city, I rate their: Natural and Built aesthetics Their liveability Their Culture Crime rates and safety Transportation Their “Vibe 12 of my favourite cities are in Europe, nine in the USA, five in Asia,four in the UK, two in Canada, four in Australia, one in New Zealand, one in South America and two in the Middle East. My top 40 cities ranked are: 1 Paris 2 Berlin 3 Barcelona 4 San Francisco 5 Melbourne 6 Adelaide 7 Stockholm…
Second Run for 2016 in Melbourne, Australia
My second 10km run for 2016 was along the coast of the beautiful Mornington Peninsula, outside of the city of Melbourne. The Australia Day Fun Run starts at Safety Beach and hugs the coast before going through a semi forested campsite and ending at a Village Green. I knocked off three minutes from my last time to come in at 1 hour 2 minutes 15 seconds. Related Posts First Run for 2016 in Hobart, Australia
First Run for 2016 in Hobart, Australia
I am attempting to do a fun run in a different city each month for 2016. The first run was a 10km (six mile) run in Hobart, Tasmania which is part of the Cadbury Marathon. The Cadbury Chocolate Company are a key part of the city’s economy with a presence there since 1922. They have sponsored this race for about a decade, I think. The 10km run starts and finishes at the Cadbury factory and runs past the famous Museum of Old and New Art (MONA). The last section of the race includes a steep climb back…
Lindisfarne – The Holy Island
One of my fascinations is tidal islands-islands that are cut off for part of the day. I am not sure how many there are in the world but I have now visited three: Mont St Muchel in France Mount st Michael in Cornwall Most recently Lindisfarne off the North East Coast of England I was so excited to travel 1.6km (1 mile) from the British mainland to the island via a causeway that goes under water twice a day when the North Sea sweeps in and cuts Lindisfarne off from England. We went past warning…
My Favourite Markets
On business trips, one of the ways I develop some semblance of “normality” is by visiting markets. On vacations, markets for me, are a must. Either way, a half hour or hour strolling amongst locals and visitors gazing, eating and bargaining is a great way to connect with a destination. This week, I have been trying to make a list of my favourite markets around the world! Where is your favourite market? Here are my top 25: Asia and Middle East Ladies’ Market,TungChoi Street, Hong kong Cicada Markets, Hua Hin Chiang Mai Walking Street Markets Chatuchak…
Mindil Beach Sunset Markets
Whenever and wherever, I am travelling, I always try and squeeze a market in. Just enjoyed a beautiful sunset which accompanies the Dry Season Mindil Markets in the Northern Australian City of Darwin. The setting of these markets has to be one of the most spectacular in the world! There is almost every type of Asian food available, along with exotic meats like camel burgers and croc steak sandwiches, frozen bananas and local mushrooms! Lots of Aussie trouristy type stuff including didgeridoos, crocodile leather purses and wallets, stock whips and local jewellery. Tonight was the first market…
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