Tagged: trip

Joss sticks (incense sticks) ageing in a factory, North Vietnam.

Making Incense, Vietnam

Incense is part of daily life in Vietnam. Joss sticks are offered at the altars which grace every business and almost every home, sold by...

The Reunification Express

The Reunification Express

We flew from Manila into Saigon last week, the day after Ho Chi Minh’s birthday, and rode the Reunification Express 1600km or so upcountry to...

I Heart Cambodia – Part 2

It’s still uncomfortably early when we debike and hit some blessed calm at Kbal Spean, the River of a Thousand Lingas. The mile-long path to...

View from cell at S-21, Phnom Penh.

S-21: Genocide for Beginners

“Kneel down, mum,” Z says. “Close your eyes.” He fumbles with my hair. We are in the courtyard of Tuol Sleng prison, Phnom Penh, Cambodia,...

Does My Mum Look Big in This?

“I think you should wear something a little more slimming tomorrow, mum,” was tactfully meant. “God, mum, your tummy sticks out almost as far as...

On Binbags and Plastic Crap

On Binbags and Plastic Crap

Just under 48 hours to go to takeoff, and I am ploughing through the leisurely accumulations of two lives. Endless bits of plastic to be...