FROM THE VENICE OF THE EAST TO CHIANG MAI BY OVERNIGHT TRAIN Historically Bangkok was crisscrossed by klongs (i.e. canals), and so gained the nickname “Venice of the East”. These narrow waterways were once used for transportation and for floating markets, and were an iconic symbol of the […]
WELCOME TO SIAM! We made it! We’re in Thailand and, aside from a little travel fatigue and heat-induced stupor, we’re already loving it. The moment we landed it was obvious we were somewhere new and profoundly different; aside from the obvious heat and humidity, the very air here […]
BIDDING EUROPE FAREWELL AS WE HEAD TO THE FAR EAST… We’re in the midst of a long travel day at the moment, sitting on a flight bound for Bangkok. It’s a Lufthansa flight we caught from Frankfurt after a short hop from Madrid, and we’re sharing the flight […]
AN AUSTRIAN IN MADRID For 40 years Spain was ruled by an Austrian: Carlos I (Charles I). Grandson of the famed Catholic monarchs, Isabella and Ferdinand, and a Habsburg, Charles I made Madrid his capital and shaped the city more than any other Spanish ruler. In his honour […]
ALL SAINTS’ DAY IN MADRID Today happens to be All Saints’ Day and here in Madrid, as in the rest of this profoundly religious country, people spent the day honouring their deceased relatives. On this day Spanish people buy flowers and gather in the cemeteries to regale their […]
Wandering Soles 