Those half-Asian-half-European women are the hottest in the world, so when a bloke I met in a pub told me about a city that's half in Asia, half in Europe, I knew I had to go there. Next thing I know, I'm in Istanbul, Turkey, marvelling at what is a bloody great city. The sprawling … Continue reading A Goose in Turkey
Category: Asia
Drunk and Jobless: The Comic
A few years ago I went on an epic journey through China, Malaysia and Brunei. I almost fell off the Great Wall, got into a fight with violent Hong Kong kung-fuists and passed out under more palm trees than you've had hot dinners. When the proud people of these wonderful Oriental nations finally decided they'd … Continue reading Drunk and Jobless: The Comic
An Intimate Close Up of a Street Punk in Candidasa
The three weeks I've spent in Candidasa have been more fun that a barrel full of greased-up monkeys. Apart from the 25 hours spent cruising the clear, blue skies of Bali, my days and nights have been filled with heavy drinking, good eating, frantic dancing, mesmerising snorkelling, brutal violence and even a touch of romance … Continue reading An Intimate Close Up of a Street Punk in Candidasa
The Hamster Rides Again
After a few weeks spent tearing up the skies above Nusa Dua and keeping the fine folks who brew Bintang in business, Alan and I packed up our gliders and headed to the gorgeous Balinese village of Candidasa to continue our adventure. Within minutes of hitting town we were up on the hill, launching out … Continue reading The Hamster Rides Again
Thelma and Louise Go Flying
If there's a more inspirational film than the 1991 classic Thelma & Louise, I'm yet to see it. The tale of two lesbians who smoke some poor bloke and then travel all over the place in a fancy car before driving it off a cliff provides lessons that we should all live by. Also, Geena … Continue reading Thelma and Louise Go Flying
Back in Balangan
After three weeks back in Australia, I was sick of winter and ready to head back out into the big wide world, so I hitched a ride on a Qantas jet and zipped over to Bali to go paragliding and chase backpackers for a month. Actually, it wasn't quite that easy - some Islamic terrorist … Continue reading Back in Balangan
Reflections on Dubai
I'm at 35,000 feet with a beer in my hand and another seven under my belt, on my way to the Democratic Republic of South Africa. It's there that my journey will truly begin - not only will I be wrestling rhinos and gulping malaria tablets so that I don't die, but I'll also be … Continue reading Reflections on Dubai
Capital Punishment
Abu Dhabi is the capital of the UAE, which means it's their version of Canberra. But instead of being freezing cold and overflowing with brilliant footballers, it's blazing hot and loaded with skyscrapers. Oh, and the beaches are a bit better than Canberra's, too. The city is a two hour bus ride from Dubai, and … Continue reading Capital Punishment
Sheikh, Rattle and Roll
Yesterday I took on Dubai's ancient streets, and today I explored the newer side of things. The symbol of this rapidly-evolving desert metropolis is the Burj Khalifa, an 828m-tall skyscraper that is the tallest structure on the planet. It really is an incredible building, and standing at the bottom and looking up at it left … Continue reading Sheikh, Rattle and Roll
“Dubai… is that in Africa?”
My plane touched down in Africa just as the dirty orange sun was slinginging itself over the nearby skyscrapers, and proceeded to battle jetlag as I battled the crowds onto the train that would take me into the heart of the city. As it sped through modern buildings and past beautifully-manicured gold courses, I couldn't … Continue reading “Dubai… is that in Africa?”