OCTOBER 2006… Our last stop in Italy was none other than Venice. Venice is really a lagoon of 118 islands, but you’d never realise that unless you checked it out on Google maps (which happened to be what I did). Kudos to the city government for a magnificent job linking up the various islands with… Continue reading Venice: A City Like No Other
Florence: A Charming Scene
OCTOBER 2006… If Rome left you a bit overwhelmed, Florence will be a welcomed change. Compared to the relentless crowds of Rome, the Florentine scene had a more laid-back charm. Not to mention it was another bounty of Renaissance art and sculptures. The story of a cathedral, a tower, a river and a statueThe skyline… Continue reading Florence: A Charming Scene
Vatican City
OCTOBER 2006… One unique attraction of Rome is the existence of an independent country within its borders. Yes, you read right. Probably the most famous example of a country within a city (and the only one at that), Vatican City is also the smallest country in the world at approximately 44 hectares with a population… Continue reading Vatican City
Rome: The Living Archive
OCTOBER 2006… “All roads lead to Rome”, as the saying goes. And “when in Rome, do as the Romans do”. The fact that these phrases still exist today is testament to the influence of the Roman Empire. Even after its heyday was over, the Roman Empire left behind a treasure trove of architecture – some… Continue reading Rome: The Living Archive
The Edge of the World
So… this is what being on the edge of the world feels like. The knowledge that there is nothing between you and the horizon on the far end. The feeling that you can ride out into the sunset and enjoy miles and miles of clear blue skies and deep blue seas. The realisation that humans are so insignificantly small compared to Mother Nature. It would be the perfect place to sit and relax, to savour the sea breeze and contemplate about life… if not for the boisterous tourist crowd.
Welcome to Cape Point, South Africa, the southwestern-most point of the African continent. Of course, we all know the earth is round and riding out into the sunset will eventually get you to Antarctica. But hey, we could all do with a little bit of imagination sometimes…
Read more about my trip to Cape Point in:
Cape Town Part 1: Table Mountain & the Cape of Good Hope
Cape Town Part 3: The Garden Route
DECEMBER 2005… This is the epic road trip to take if you are in Cape Town. A near 200 km scenic route tracing the south-eastern coast of South Africa starting from the town of Mossel Bay about 400 km east of Cape Town to Storms River on the other end. Most travellers drive themselves on… Continue reading Cape Town Part 3: The Garden Route
Cape Town Part 2: Groot Constantia & Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
DECEMBER 2005… Heading to Cape Town and not tasting the local wine is like visiting Paris and not seeing the Eiffel Tower – you just weren’t there. The South African wine industry is the 9th largest in the world today and goes all the way back to the 17th century. Today, there are over 200… Continue reading Cape Town Part 2: Groot Constantia & Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
Cape Town Part 1: Table Mountain & the Cape of Good Hope
DECEMBER 2005… Cape Town, South Africa was the first independent trip of my adult life. Independent meaning making my own plans, spending my own money and taking charge of myself (yes, I had been freeloading on family trips). I must admit that given my leisurely and unadventurous nature today, I might not have made the… Continue reading Cape Town Part 1: Table Mountain & the Cape of Good Hope
The Grand Canyon
MARCH 2009… I have decided not to document my travels based on when I was there, but rather, on how much inspiration I came home with. On the top of my list, with truckloads of inspiration, is none other than my “big picture”, the Grand Canyon. The Grand Canyon, to the uninitiated, may look like… Continue reading The Grand Canyon
The First Post
See the big picture, enjoy the little things… “Enjoy the little things” is a quote we are all familiar with. Stopping to smell the roses, savouring that cup of coffee, taking time to watch the world go by and so on. But what is the big picture, you may ask. Well, I guess the short… Continue reading The First Post
big picture little things 