An ancient, crumbling, Arabian nights fairytale island, surrounded by the brightest turquoise water I have ever seen. Once a major trade capital for spices, silks, slaves and more, it’s the original melting pot, mixing ancient Africa, Arabia and India, with the Chinese and then the Portuguese following in later centuries. It’s a very visceral history [...]
There’s no shortage of colourful neighbourhood street festivals in San Francisco every summer, but the most eye-popping is definitely the Folsom Street Leather Fair – and no, this is not some industry apparel convention! I wondered whether the festival patrons might be a bit annoyed having a camera toting tourist in their midst, but I [...]
I found this by accident yesterday, I have no idea how long its been around, but I think it is the best gadget ever! “Big call” I hear you say. Yes it is. How many times over the years have I ruined my low light photos by hand holding my camera and getting camera shake? [...]
It would be a much shorter list to write down what I don’t love about Havana (ATMs don’t work?), but what’s the point of that when there is so much to love? Of course, in addition to this list, there is another underlying pleasure of being in Havana, and it’s that feeling of being naughty, [...]
Our friends call from the door of our casa particular and we go out and join them, strolling down the rough cobblestoned street in our summer dresses. We have had a delicious three course dinner in our casa, and now its around 9pm, a bit early yet but its time for some rum and dancing. [...]
Its the second day of the new year festivities so we allow ourselves a sleep-in – departing for the far flung temples at the advanced hour of 7am. All the guide books talk about staying extra days, getting outside the “inner circle” of temples and escaping the crowds, and that is exactly what we are [...]