Travel
A Spot for Writing in Paris
Paris exudes artistic inspiration. It is the sort of place that makes you want to pause, reflect and create. It’s probably why I find myself spending an inordinate amount of time with my journal every time I’m there. Here are 6 of my favourite spots to write in Paris.
The Muted Delights of Colonia del Sacramento
I slowly made my way through town in the late afternoon glow, photographing kitschy little boutique shops and old, crumbling buildings harkening an era of grandeur. Diners gathered around tables set out on the cobble-stones, the sharp clink of cutlery cutting through the sounds of laughter and conversation. I migrated towards the buzz of activity by Puerto Viejo the small yacht harbour, where throngs of young people sat around amidst clouds of cigarette smoke, drinking and talking. Someone had put on music, prompting the congregation to sway to the beat. I found myself a low wall and sat down to absorb the vibrant atmosphere. The sun dipped over the horizon, setting the sky aflame and prompting a stupendous round of applause. My confusion must’ve been blatantly obvious as the artist seated besides me leaned over his easel to explain that it is Uruguayan tradition to applaud the setting sun. A fitting response to the climatic finale of my time in Colonia del Sacramento!
The Barrios of Buenos Aires: Part III – La Boca & San Telmo
In a serendipitous twist of fate, I found myself living in Buenos Aires. With little over a month and accompanied by my young family, I set about immersing myself in all that this beguiling city had to offer.
The Barrios of Buenos Aires has been split into three parts: Monserrat & City Centre, Palermo & Recoleta, and La Boca & San Telmo. This is the third and last installment in the series.
The Barrios of Buenos Aires: Part II – Palermo & Recoleta
In a serendipitous twist of fate, I found myself living in Buenos Aires. With little over a month and accompanied by my young family, I set about immersing myself in all that this beguiling city had to offer.
The Barrios of Buenos Aires has been split into three parts: Monserrat & City Centre, Palermo & Recoleta, and La Boca & San Telmo. This is the second installment in the series.
The Barrios of Buenos Aires: Part I – Monserrat & the City Centre
In a serendipitous twist of fate, I found myself living in Buenos Aires. With little over a month and accompanied by my young family, I set about immersing myself in all that this beguiling city had to offer.
The Barrios of Buenos Aires has been split into three parts: Monserrat & City Centre, Palermo & Recoleta, and La Boca & San Telmo. This is the first installment in the series.
Hanga Roa – Launching Pad for Visiting the Moai
My eyes fell on a tiny speck on the world map spread out before me. Easter Island. One of the most remote inhabited islands in the world. I leaned in to inspect the map closely and came to a jarring realisation – Easter Island was a territory of Chile, a country that was on my itinerary! In my ignorance, I’d always thought it as a largely inaccessible Polynesian island! But wait! If I was going to be in Chile, was there even the slightest possibility of visiting? And with that seed firmly planted in my mind, I began my lengthy, almost neurotic research on getting to a place I’d only ever dreamed of.
The Vineyard by the Sea
As our taxi wound its way down the wide avenues of Santiago, our driver, despite his rudimentary English, regaled us with his vacation stories. “Viña Del Mar! Very good! Nice beach! Nice food! I go on weekend,” he announced excitedly, as he fumbled in his pockets while stopped at a red light.
As part of my fortnightly travel column “South of the Equator,” I write about relishing in the serenity of Viña Del Mar.
Discover Dhaka
Dhaka – crowded, colourful and cacophonous, the metropolis is a melting pot of culture, heritage and religions. Any tour company worth their salt will offer whirlwind tours of vibrant Old Dhaka which can trace its roots back to the pre-Mughal era. These 5 companies, however, offer tourists unique and intimate experiences of the city, showcasing sights and sounds that they wouldn’t have otherwise been privy to.
Football Fever: Watching the World Cup in Latin America
Travelling through South America during the World Cup, I succumb to football fever and find myself trying to explain to locals Bangladesh’s blind obsession with Brazilian and Argentinian football.
Vibrant Valparaíso
As the setting sun cast an orange glow over the hilltops, the multi-coloured houses lit up, as if by technicolour magic. 19th century funiculars, still in operation, rattled up and down the hills, ferrying passengers up ridiculously steep terrain. Below, the plains stretched out to the harbour, the shimmering water dotted with an array of ocean going vessels, all painted ginger by the setting sun. An Instagrammer’s dream, the scene made me itch to paint, but alas I had none.
As part of my fortnightly travel column “South of the Equator,” I write about falling in love with the dog-poop infested city of Valparaíso.