En Route to the Land of Happiness

Taking Druk Air from Bangkok via India and on past the Himalayas as I head to the Land of the Thunder Dragon – Bhutan!

Bhutan

The Greek Parliament in Athens (#96)

“There is only one good, knowledge, and one evil, ignorance.” ― Socrates

The Blue Hole – St Barts (#88)

A short hike around the north peninsula of Saint Barthelemy leads to two lovely crystal clear pools, constantly filled and refilled by the crashing waves of the Atlantic.

Saint Barthelemy

“As You Were” at Tokyo International Film Festival

Went to the World Premiere of “As You Were” by Singapore’s Liao Jiekai at Tokyo International Film Festival. The film explored the failing relationship of childhood sweetheart’s as they discover that time apart during their formative years, during which they are separated, has seen them develop in to different people that can no longer connect.

Though almost a silent film, the tale had a lot to say about how shared memories construct false realities that don’t always empower the here & now with the weight or meaning that they appear they should. Thus, we must always communicate with people from the past with respect and honesty, but never be afraid to live for the present.

A flawed film narratively, but it struck a chord.

FilmSingapore

Discovering Habitat 67

An Indian summer in Montreal means a chance to wander and explore on foot, and I couldn’t resist a stop by Moshe Safdie’s Habitat.

Canada

Love in the Shadows – Toronto, Canada #33

Safekeeping feelings at the Distillery District, Toronto…

Canada

The Gooderham Building – Toronto, Canada #33

Lining up the skylines of 1892 and 2014 on Front Street in downtown Toronto, where the Gooderham Building stands as testament to the era of Flatiron buildings.

Canada

Propaganda Cafe – Vietnam #73

While in search of the Saigon’s Independence Palace, I felt like a small bite in a local eatery. The bright colors pulled me in to this charmer, where a mural celebrating the communist ideal of rural life adorns the walls. It’s suitably named – Propaganda Cafe.

Vietnam

Shrimp, clams and crabs…

Found fresh food at a restaurant on stilts above a lake on the way to Danang in central Vietnam (#73). The procedure was simple, point at various creatures swimming in randomly spread buckets on the floor, and eat them a few minutes later.

FoodVietnam

Down by the river in Hoi An, Vietnam (#73)

It was the first stop on my adventure across Vietnam, the UNESCO-listed town of Hoi An. Its tiny size enhances the feeling of it being clustered with tourists, but down by the river, its possible to find calm and quiet to imagine its heyday as a trading port.

Vietnam

Peace in Prasat Tao, Cambodia (#72)

After meeting a local Cambodian, took an adventure to visit their family in Kong Stueng Saen, central Cambodia. With uncles, aunts, nephews and nieces, we went for a picnic in the forest, and found Prasat Tao of the Pre-Angkorian temple complex of Sambor Prei Kuk sitting peacefully, with no-one else around.

Cambodia

An Island’s Island. Exploring Atauro, East Timor (#71)

At 15,410 sq km, East Timor is itself one of the world’s smallest countries. The temptation to make one more step over water to an even smaller island is strong though, and so on my third day exploring, I got up at 5 a.m. and prepared for a morning “ferry” over a crevasse that dips 3500 meters below sea level, to Atauro.

East Timor

Ermera, East Timor (#71). Where your Starbucks coffee comes from…

Timor Leste, as it is known locally, has become a major producer of coffee. Yet the people who grow it live in extreme poverty. I went to explore the mountainous regions to see for myself the life of coffee bean pickers.

East Timor

#70 Maldives – Olhuveli

Spent a week on the lowest lying country in the world for a spot of diving and relaxation. Have uploaded some of the images I managed to capture in “Photography.”

Maldives

Discovering My Wings

I discovered the vibrant 798 Art Zone in Beijing in January, between 50-year-old military factory buildings. As well as galleries and cafes I stumbled across a 3-D trick art museum, ideal for those with aspirations to become heavenly creatures!

China

Kyoto’s Kamo River

Oh Kyoto… My favorite city. Beautiful blue sky over Kamo river right now.

Japan

Interview in The Independent

The Independent’s Arts section interviewed me about Japan’s declining music market bringing down global sales. I let them know, things aren’t exactly as they appear…

InterviewJapan

Westland National Park, New Zealand

The enormous Fox Glacier in Westland national park after a morning hike.

New Zealand

Shirakawa Village

The UNESCO-listed town of Shirakawa-go in the Japanese Alps.

Japan

Southwark Architecture, London

Discovered an upside down shop and building in Southwark, London. Impressive detail.

UK