La la la Laos By Georgia Keighery I have to say this – when we arrived in Vang Vieng, Laos, after a five hour drive from Luang Prabang, I was completely underwhelmed. Luang Prabang, in Northern Laos was a divine little enclave of easy pace, cliffside temples, and handcrafted silver in picturesque night-markets. Conversely, arriving [...]

Berlin Zoo By Thea Easterby It was definitely love at first sight.  The moment I walked into the Berlin Zoo and laid eyes on my first giant panda, I was in love. Luckily my timing was perfect.  For Bao Bao, it was feeding time.  After snacking on an apple, it was onto the main course [...]

The next best thing to being in a country is finding a restaurant that excels at its cuisine. On my bus ride to work in the morning, I pass African, Turkish, Italian, Peruvian and even Scandanavian restaurants (try the Viking Glogg – it’s just like mulled wine but with sultanas in it – yum!). Now, [...]

There was a funny story that ran on news.com.au yesterday about an Indian man named Kashi Sammadar who has allegedly taken the worst travel photos ever. To see the full story, please visit http://www.news.com.au/travel/news/are-these-the-worst-travel-photos-ever/story-e6frfq80-1225807015544 What struck me about this story was not that Mr Sammadar’s photos were crap (and believe me, they were). What deeply appealed [...]

I am a stickler for GPs that bulk bill and for this reason, I have run the gauntlet of semi-retired, semi-insane doctors that work at these government-funded practices. The doctor that shuffled into the surgery on the day in question was no exception. I have seen him before and his world weariness combined with his fragile grasp on the Queen’s language make you feel a [...]

It’s only ten days until I go to Africa for the first time. I just finished reading Swahili for the Broken-Hearted by Peter Moore (thanks Mici) and it has given me a bit more perspective about what I am in for. Peter travelled from Cape Town to Cairo so I will only be experiencing a [...]

One thing that I always associate with travel – or more accurately, holidays – is swimming. Ever since I was a little girl, I have been obsessed with it. There is a photo of me, taken when I was about four years old, that is incontrovertible proof of this fact. I am wearing swimmers and a snorkel [...]

Dance floors can be dirty, dangerous places, as illustrated by this tongue-twisting phrase: Dutch: Uw ongecoordineerde dansbeweging doodde bijna die persoon achter u. English translation: Your uncoordinated dance move almost killed that person behind you.

Name: Bev Malzard Age: An interesting age. Occupation: Journalist/travel writer/magazine editor Favourite travel destination? Why?: Vietnam: the food, the people, scenery, the history, especially recent history. I was against conscription when Australia was sending boys to Vietnam to fight in that futile, unwinnable war; the energy of a nation working, rebuilding and with a dogged [...]

Name: Tennille Duffy     Age: 27 Occupation: Lawyer/Consultant for Human Rights NGO (non-government organisation) Where do you live?: New Delhi, India. Why did you move there?: For this job.  I applied for the experience and the adventure of living overseas. What do you love about your town/city?: The energy of the place is manic – you [...]