Travelogue
Let the Games Begin - 3 October 2010
The Commonwealth Games are here. Terrorism, racism, burning effigies, exploitation, poverty, masses of security and, oh yeah, then there’s the sport.The XIX Commonwealth Games are about to get underway in the Indian capital, New Delhi, but not without more than it’s share of problems associated with hosting multinational sporting events. The preparations for the games has received criticism in the news media in India and abroad due to issues including bad weather, infrastructural problems (including the collapse of one new bridge), preparation delays, the withdrawal of prominent athletes, and allegations of widespread corruption. Much has been made in the media of the lack of readiness of the athletes’ quarters and the fact that anyone staying in the village risks dengue fever due to hosting the games in the monsoon season. One would have to ask hadn’t they thought of that when the timing of the games was set down eight years ago? Long time India observer and author, William Dalrymple, reports that flooding is so bad the “rivers have turned into lakes and the lakes have turned in seas” bringing with them clouds of mosquitoes to plague the visitors. New Zealand’s chef-de-mission, Dave Currie, formed part of the Kiwi vanguard inspecting the venues a fortnight before the games were due to commence. The accommodation wasn’t ready he reported. Rooms that were finished weren’t clean, the toilets were filthy and not up to “Western” standards
Driving in New Zealand - 1 September 2010
Never mind the traffic in Ho Chi Minh City or murderous roads in Bolivia, driving in New Zealand can be just as lethal. New statistics show New Zealand road deaths are among the highest in the world per capita, alongside Cambodia, Malaysia, Lithuania and Slovenia.Per capita, Kiwi road deaths last year were the ninth highest, with 8.9
Boca Juniors - The Chocolate Box and the Cake Tin - 24 August 20
The Wellington Phoenix football team has only been around for a handful of years playing against teams from Australia in the Hyundai-sponsored A-League. For a team with a mix skilled squad they recently managed a remarkable feat, beating a team with one of the greatest pedigrees, Boca Juniors from Argentina. Granted Boca
Ayutthaya - Venice of the East - 12 August 2010
Ayutthaya (or Ayuthaya, or even Ayodhaya. No matter how you spell it, its pronounced ah-you-tah-ya.) was the former royal capital of Siam from the mid-fourteenth century until the late eighteenth century. You wouldn’t know it to visit it, but the city is more-or-less an island bisected by a myriad of canals. Located an
Luang Prabang - The Jewel of Laos and UXO - 19 July 2010
Luang Prabang, the jewel of Laos, a UNESCO heritage site, situated at the confluence of the Mekong and Kham rivers is home to 32 pagodas, and famous chill out place for overseas visitors. Once the capital of Lane Xang, the Kingdom of a Million Elephants, Luang Prabang is the old royal city of Laos. The peaceful town beside the Mekong
Kratie - Dolphin City - 20 June 2010
The city of Kratie is 300 kilometres by road north of Phnom Penh, on the Mekong River. Aside from some spectacular sunsets viewed over the river, the town is known for being home to some of the rarest dolphins in the world. Tourism, so often the harbinger of extinction for so much and so many, has probably, to some extent, saved these
Phu Quoc Island - The Isle of Dogs - 6 June 2010
At Ho Chi Minh City airport the woman from Vietnamese Airlines, resplendent in her national costume of white trousers with ankle-length dress split to the waist, struggled with an elderly Russian couple. “Do you speak English?” They spoke none and no Vietnamese either, not a word, so communication was reduced to sign language.
Cat Ba Island
Wednesday 26 May 2010Richard was from southeast London, “the good part” he said, though I was unable to decipher which part that was. South was pronounced “sarf” but with two “F’s”. He and his girlfriend traveled light, they one bag each the size of a day pack. After the cruise they would head from Hanoi to Laos via Dien Bien Phu. He had a
Ha Long Bay - The Bay of Descending Dragons - 25 May 2010
Ha Long Bay is a World Heritage site and the number one tourist attraction of the Vietnamese north east. This natural wonder is often touted by the Vietnamese as the Eight Wonder of the World. Following the advent of “Doi Moi” –Vietnam’s policy of opening its economy to foreign trade – tourists can now visit the bay, and come they do in
