Archive

Khao Luang Cave, Phetchaburi, Thailand There’s a sudden commotion in the cave. A monkey has snuck in and is scurrying across the rock floor to the corner where the large Buddha sits. The monkey makes a grab at a bit of food that’s been left on the altar as an offering. Before it can make ...

An Indonesian Klotok Proboscis monkeys sit in the trees, high above us, and look down nonchalantly. They’re probably wondering what is this strange contraption floating along the river beneath them. It’s not an unusual sight – dozens would pass the monkeys every day – but it does have a strange noise. It’s not like the ...

Kew Gardens, London, England In the world of conservation, there’s a lot of emphasis put on the survival of endangered animals. The idea of an entire species being wiped off the planet forever because of the actions of humans makes most people feel an impotent meld of despair and anger. But, of course, animals are ...

Koyasan, Japan To appreciate the beauty, you must endure the hardships of the journey. That seems to have been the ethos of the ancient Japanese who built the shrines and temples in the south of the Kansai region. These old strongholds of religion were the destinations for pilgrims of the time but there was much ...

Bonsai art, Japan It’s odd. Normally the idea of growing a tree is to make it as large as possible. Or, at least, allow its potential to fill the space available. It seems counterintuitive to intentionally try to stunt the development of a plant, to twist its branches and manipulate its growth in such a ...

Cherry blossoms, Japan For centuries, the Japanese have gathered underneath the clouds of pink and white flowers. With the trees in full bloom, the people let their joy and admiration flourish too. For the cherry blossoms are more than just flowers in Japan – they are a symbol of nationhood and the patriotic spirit. It’s ...

Trekking in Cambodia Yesterday I wrote about the Cambodian village of Chi Phat, a community which is developing an ecotourism business to help save the environment and improve the lives of the residents. They offer cheap accommodation and local meals – but the real reason tourists are now starting to go to Chi Phat is ...

Chi Phat, Cambodia The young Cambodian girl drives me the last kilometre on her motorbike to my guesthouse. Although to call it a guesthouse is misleading. It’s really the home of this girl, who turns out to be 15, and it’s been a long journey to get here. Her family has converted a building on ...

Inle Lake, Myanmar The beauty of Myanmar’s Lake Inle comes not just from the nature but from its relationship with the people who live on it. Towns growing from the islands, houses suspended above the water, and floating commerce that takes place between them all. The lake is the livelihood of these people – the ...

Erawan National Park, Thailand Thailand’s Erawan National Park is named for the highest of the waterfalls within its boundary, which is said to resemble the mythical three-headed elephant, Erawan. Cascading down from there, the water passes through six more falls – none of which are named after imaginary animals. Erawan National Park is about an ...