White Russia (Bel -a – Rus) – Where the hell is Bobruisk??

The short answer is Bobruisk is a very sublime and extremely bizarre city in the eastern part of Belarus (White Russia). The real answer is that the day I left Moscow for a flight to Minsk (which I favoured due to money and time constraints over the train option), I had no idea how on Read more about White Russia (Bel -a – Rus) – Where the hell is Bobruisk??[…]

Backpacking in Russia: Stranger in Moscow and the 1917 Revolutions

One of the few things I remember from a school history lesson on the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics was the Bolshevik revolution of 1917. The whole USSR/Russia/Soviet always held an interest in me. It was a massive country (the USSR/CCCP) which endured the horrors of Stalin and carried someone’s communist dream into the Read more about Backpacking in Russia: Stranger in Moscow and the 1917 Revolutions[…]

Foreigner in Beijing, People’s Republic of China

All those days of living in Northern Ireland and trying “a chinky” (local slang for Chinese food and a tad derogatory if truth be told, I’m using it tongue in cheek here by the way) of a Friday night had given me some kind of inspiration to want to visit the world’s most populated (and polluted) Read more about Foreigner in Beijing, People’s Republic of China[…]

Malaysia…Kuala Lumpur In Transit

So I got to spend about 6 hours in the country of Malaysia, in Kuala Lumpur Airport, which is voted the best airport in the world. The city is the home of the Petronas Twin Towers! Unfortunately I was actually on a connecting flight from Auckland – Kuala Lumpur – Beijing so couldnt really stop Read more about Malaysia…Kuala Lumpur In Transit[…]

I Left my Dreams in Taupo, New Zealand

The bus journey from Rotorua to Lake Taupo passed by really fast, again fab countryside. I think it took about an hour. I also love the way in New Zealand ordinary bus drivers just talk away to you. In England they can be very rude and ignorant!  Before I left Rotorua, I had a quick Read more about I Left my Dreams in Taupo, New Zealand[…]

Backpacking in New Zealand: Relaxing in Hamilton, North Island

After the madness of Rotorua and Lake Taupo, I decided to stay in Hamilton, which is a bigger city, and less touristy. It was an ideal place to relax, chill out and meet some cool people. I stayed in J’s Hostel near Hamilton Gardens, with two decent pubs nearby. Beck from J’s Hostel even picked Read more about Backpacking in New Zealand: Relaxing in Hamilton, North Island[…]

Backpacking in New Zealand: Is this the way to Rotorua?

I decided I should head south of Auckland and explore some more of the North Island. Obviously in the short time I was spending in New Zealand, it would be hard to see both islands, so I decided pretty swiftly I would leave the South Island out and do a mini tour of the North Read more about Backpacking in New Zealand: Is this the way to Rotorua?[…]