Day 12- 17 April 2011 – Match Day

Updated October 2021 Manish, our host from Friday’s meeting, had agreed to take us sightseeing today but our plans were significantly disrupted due to the death of Jaipur’s last maharaja, Bhawani Singh, who was 80. The...

Pembrokeshire: Wales’ wild and rugged west

I fondly recall many, and sometimes wet, summer holidays as a child in West Wales.  If you allow it, Pembrokeshire will immediately capture your heart.  Purple-grained sea cliffs fall abruptly to sea caves, golden...
Sky Tower, Auckland, New Zealand

10 Of My Favourite Bars and Restaurants With Stunning Views

Updated: September 2021 What could be more elegant than sipping cocktails on a roof-top bar?  Or dining in a restaurant that has the most amazing killer views? Whether you're perched, eagle like, above a neon-lit city;...
Taj Mahal the travel dude

Day 7 – 12 April 2011 – Birthday Cake and Taj Mahal

Updated October 2021 Wow, wow and triple wow.  That sums up today. It was Rhys’ 17th Birthday today and we would be hard pressed to top this.  I can’t remember what I did for my 17th! We...

Taieri Gorge Railway – Combining History and Charm

Updated November 2018 I braced myself against the safety rail at the end of the carriage and squinted as the wind and splashes of rain caught my face. Nevertheless, I was determined to take a photo....

August Absurdity: A Whirlwind 3-Day Shimla Escapade

Namaste, Shimla. Ever wondered what happens when you mix a dash of India’s August heat, a sprinkle of hill station charm, and a spoonful of peculiar travel instincts? Well, buckle up, fellow adventurers, because I've...

Hamburg: An Insider’s Guide to This Stress-Free City

Hamburg, nestled northern of Germany, is proud to call itself a “Free and Hanseatic City”. According to one recent survey, it’s one of the world’s least stressful cities. It...

The Crown of Palaces – The Taj Mahal

Famous globally for its breathtaking beauty and mirror-like symmetry, the Taj Mahal is India’s most famous landmark. Located in Agra, it reportedly attracts more than 6 million visitors each year. The Crown of Palaces The Taj...
Tipsy Tea Tale cocktail served in a delicate floral china teacup at Sura in Jaipur

Cocktails in Jaipur: The Good, the Bad and the Overpriced

Updated: 20 October 2026 From inventive Indian flavours to questionable service, a few years of Friday nights in Jaipur's cocktail bars. My cocktail arrived in a delicate floral china cup. The sort that Grandma kept safely...
Postcard featuring attractions from an 8-day West Rajasthan cultural tour, highlighting forts, palaces, deserts, and vibrant cityscapes

West Rajasthan Cultural Tour: 8-Day Guide

Rajasthan, where history whispers through every stone, is a land of ancient palaces, golden dunes, and sacred temples. A West Rajasthan cultural tour unveils the timeless charm of this desert kingdom, inviting you to...