Tripping
Koh Yao Noi – The Paradise Resort
Now usually I wouldn’t divulge my most favourite places until I’d swooped in and secured the real estate at a decent price, but I feel compelled to share this one right now. I love holidaying in Thailand, and I’ve recently discovered another little gem that joins the River Kwai and Khao Sok in my list [...]
Khao Sok – stunningly simple
Once again, Thailand comes up trumps with an easy long-weekend getaway from Hong Kong. Khao Sok contains the oldest rainforest on the planet, and together with Klong Saen and Klong Nakkha wildlife sanctuaries, and the smaller adjacent parks of Sri Phangnga and Klong Phanom, it encompasses a huge protected area of 4,400km² – four times [...]
A long weekend in Gibraltar and my twisted sense of style
One of the facts I like most about Gibraltar is that the tiny enclave gave us the word gibberish. The Spanish/English version of our own dear Chinglish here in HK. Thank you Gibraltar. Another fact, for those of you who didn’t go to school, is that the Rock of Gibraltar is the northern Pillar of [...]
Courchevel – Rappers, Hookers, Oligarchs and Lords
Review: Biggest rip off in the French Alps. Just don’t bother staying in Courchevel unless you are the type of person who thinks it’s cool to show off to your mates that you can afford to waste thousands of dollars in a hooker Disneyland. Yes you can avoid the horrible restaurants and tacky nightlife by [...]
Dusit Thani Cairo – easy access to the airport.
Review: I’m not sure what it says about a hotel that has now had a soft opening that has lasted for over a year, but it’s certainly a good excuse for not providing 5 Star service at a 5 Star hotel. However, the Dusit Thani Lake View in Cairo is certainly well on the way [...]
Lyon, France: a few tips for this gastronomic heaven.
There are two things I never realised about Lyon before I found myself there earlier this year. 1) The old city (Vieux Lyon) is a UNESCO heritage site. 2) It is the culinary capital of France. These two facts together mean that Lyon is a great place to visit for a few days of eating, [...]
36 Hours in Verona – great place for a romantic weekend getaway, or foodie jaunt.
Not a lot of time to do stuff in 36 hours, but that’s long enough for two evening meals, and scoot around the city sites and shops. We ended up in Verona by chance after discovering rather belatedly (we rarely plan our trips) that the Italian lakes were completely shut up for the winter. I’m so [...]
Venice in winter – the only time to go.
And so to Venice. There are only two things you need to heed if you are planning on visiting Venice: Go in winter Stay in Venice. Do not go as a day-tripper. Why number 1? Venice is a stinking, teaming horror-pit in the summer. By contrast, in winter the day trippers are still numerous but [...]
Skiing in France’s 3 Valleés – Courchevel vs Les Menuires
Review: I’ve been skiing in the 3 Valleés for three years now, and so far out of my limited experience of other ski-areas (Crans Montana and surrounding area of Valais, and St Moritz both in Switzerland being the only other places I’ve been), I really do enjoy the vast number of runs and different locations [...]