The whole reason for my travels this time have been to get to Greece and specifically the islands. I had done My Family and Other Animals for O level and as a result had got into Gerald Durrell in a big way reading many more of his books. So when I arrived by ferry onto… Read More »
I had heard a while ago about Montenegro but I was uninformed about the place so that when I got here the beauty of the place was a shock to me. As the bus descended the mountains of Bosnia the bus passengers all got their phones out to take photos of the coast. It’s the… Read More »
Selemani is often found mending fishing boats on the beach. I have known him him a year or so and he made me a fantastic model ngalawa – a traditional fishing boat. I had an idea of how I could help him make some easy money from tourists. They have been returning to Tanzania in… Read More »
I just checked and I didn’t go to Zanzibar at all during 2020. The whole place was full of COVID at that time anyway thanks to the pane loads of Russians and Eastern Europeans which we welcomed with open arms. Come to our paradise and bring your diseases, we don’t care as long as you… Read More »
Kilwa is famous for its ruins and it’s nice for a change to take in something other than lions or a beach. So when my Turkish friend suggested joining them and their friends in Kilwa for a few days I was happy to go along. You have to have a guide to get to the… Read More »
It’s hard to find anything to buy here which is not tourist tat and I was keen to have something unique and meaningful to take home when my time is done. When I am sailing we are often in the same area of the fishing boats and canoes and I watch as they sail past.… Read More »
Beaches in Tanzania are busy places. More foten than not, there are fishermen with their wooden boats bringing in their catch or preparing to set sail. It is common to see men sitting on an old car tyre or piece of driftwood mending their nets and laying them out to dry. Old and broken fishing… Read More »
It’s hard not to stop staring out to sea and watch the dhow boats sails or being punted past. When the sun goes down and I am at Waterside Bar with my friends, the sight is beautiful. The wood from old and broken dhows is valuable as a source of wood to make craft items… Read More »
I thought I’d walk along the beach to The Slipway to get my haircut. It was a hot day (when is it not!) and the tide was out. The distance didn’t look too far, anyway I didn’t have much else to do. Skipping over the rubbish left behind by the receding tide, I soon came… Read More »
The Sumatran tiger is critically endangered and this summer I spent a couple of weeks setting camera traps to see how many of these magnificent creatures are still alive. Pekanbaru is one entry to Sumatra and from KL it’s only a 40 minute flight. But you cannot imagine a place so different to KL with… Read More »