Go to gate 50

After leaving Sri Lanka I flew to Abu Dhabi for a couple of days. I had booked the Marriott however the pool was closed so I rejected it and headed for the Beach Rotana hotel. It was a good move.…

Having said I wasn’t particularly taken with Kandy, I took an early morning stroll around the lake and the city redeemed itself. It was delightful watching the sunrise over the lake. The group left on foot to visit the Temple…

After three easy days in Bangkok at the Skyview hotel, I flew to Sri Lanka, three hours away. I have to say the airport experience in Bangkok was shockingly efficient. From check in I was through in 16 minutes, and…

After a glorious sunrise over the Mekong, we crossed the border into Laos across the Friendship Bridge. There are currently four such friendship bridges linking the two countries with a fifth about to open in 2025. Laos means “Land of…

I’d paid for fast track through the airport because the lines at Suvarnabhumi can be somewhat challenging for my patience levels. Rinda was waiting with my name on a board. That’s not me making fun of the way Asians pronounce…

We crossed over the border between India and Nepal on Saturdayand we all felt an immediate difference. Nepal is a country the size of England and Wales with a population of 31 million. I thought India was bizarre with a…

We arrived in Khajuraho somewhat traumatised. I’m not sure any of us were prepared for the overnight train in 3rd class. After dropping our bags off at the semi-rural Payal Hotel, we headed for an assortment of Hindu and Jain…

I arrived at the hotel about 2 am and everything was closed. I had to wake up the night porter to gain access. My room was typical for an Indian three star. All the hotels are chosen by the tour…

I chose the public transport option to get to Heathrow during rush-hour, and I have to say, Bully was right about the overground Heathrow Express from Paddington. Clean and efficient - even the Germans would applaud. It was an overnight…

Another late blog that will be brief due to technical difficulties. This was my first time on a cruise over the festive season, and also the first where I was away from family and friends. The only new country visited…