One of the joys of living in central Portugal is to go up into the hills in the summer and swim in the lakes and rivers. Not just for us but also our dogs Betty and Jussi. Although it was only a half hour drive we sometimes camped on the side of the Cabril Reservoir. Near one of our favourite spots we heard that there was some land for sale so in May 2013, almost on a whim we bought…
This website contains photos from some of the most exotic destinations on the planet. Controversially (at least to my family) one exotic destination was missing up till now – the island where I was born and grew up. Although I live abroad, I go back every summer. Perhaps my time away means I appreciate it even more when I come back. Anyway, here are a few snaps of my last trip back. Apparently it was one of the worst summer’s…
I spent a long weekend in Jerusalem in July 2009. It would only be a couple of hours drive from Amman with no borders but with the bloody-mindedness of the Israeli border guards to contend with means that the journey usually takes about six. It took me 5 hours to get there and 8 to get back. However, once there, there were no problems. A bit shocking seeing spotty faced youths carrying machine guns but apart from that security seemed…
We were living in Jordan and had been on holiday to Portugal (finding our new home in the process) and having flown Turkish Airlines via Istanbul, we thought it only right that we spend a few days in this beguiling city. It’s a place I’ve always wanted to go as I am fascinated by Islamic architecture and love wandering around local markets and Istanbul has both in spades. Combined with its magnificent situation straddling Asia and Europe how could anyone…
Just a snapshot of a page really taken during a one week training course for the British Council in March 2009. Coming in to land The Spanish Steps Entrance to the British Council BC meeting room Classroom ceiling! Getting down to work The Pantheon Piazza Navona St. Peter’s Square Ceiling of the Sistine chapel Castel Sant’Angelo and a statue on a nearby bridge
I spent just over a week in Morocco. As time was of the essence I had to choose my destinations carefully. One was chosen for me – Rabat, as it was the reason for coming – a business trip. Having said that it’s a nice enough place and built in a similar fashion to most of the cities of French North Africa having a modern French town (la nouvelle ville) and an old Arab town (the medina). The French town…
I went on a business trip to Athens for a week in May 2008. Overall I was quite impressed by the place. The main tourist area in central Athens is La Plaka. It’s a very old area of Athens and the narrow streets and lanes have been extensively pedestrianised. The old houses have been on the whole tastefully renovated and many have been converted into tourist shops and pavement cafes. The old squares are now almost completely filled with restaurants…
Jordan is a great place for birdwatching especially in Spring and Autumn when many migrants are passing through on their way to and from Africa and Europe. Along the King’s highway is a great spot for bird watching – especially in spring. We saw a number of migrants on their way to Europe for the summer. Another good spot is the Azraq wetlands reserve. Although it is no longer that wet, it does have the only drinking water available for hundreds of miles. And…
The following pictures were taken while on holiday in Jersey in August 2007. They present just a small snapshot of what this beautiful island has to offer. St. Catherine’s breakwater St. Catherine’s Bay Jersey shark Jersey cow St. Helier’s victorian market a quiet square in St. Helier, the capital
The first time I visited Penang Island was in 1989 on a backpacking trip through South East Asia. Returning in 2005, I was a bit concerned that the charming old town of Georgetown might have been bulldozed in line with the headlong development taking place in the rest of Malaysia. My worries were beginning to be confirmed in the taxi from the airport as we were whisked along concrete scalextric tracks with views of the latest Tesco Lotus superstores and…