Various vegetables

Moving swiftly away from the grisly meat end of the market, I’m back on more palatable ground in the colourful vegetable section of Bac Ha market. Mountains of jewel bright carrots, onions, courgettes and bitter gourds tumble to the ground wherever you look. Tiny, scorching chillies, quail eggs and all the fresh herbs you couldContinue reading “Various vegetables”

Buddha tooth relics

We’re still pootling around Chinatown, heading for the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple. But naturally get distracted on-route by plenty of colourful sights. From incredible street art like the traditional theatre scene above to the many stalls selling the very pungent durian fruit – an acquired taste that has been compared from anything from vomit toContinue reading “Buddha tooth relics”

China town

Singapore’s Chinatown is known as Niu che shui which literally means ‘ox car water’ This is due to the fact that Chinatown’s water supply was principally transported by animal-driven carts in the 19th century. We’ve entered Chinatown via Pagoda street, a hectic, shop and restaurant lined thoroughfare. Pagoda street takes its name from the Sri MariammanContinue reading “China town”

Colourful chaos

One of my favourite things to do in a new city is just to mooch around and soak up the sights. In Singapore’s Little India district you are besieged by sights, sounds, smells and colours. From gorgeous floral garlands for use in temples, weddings and special occasions to piles of fresh, mouth watering produce. MyContinue reading “Colourful chaos”

Sauntering around the Seine

There’s plenty to see just wandering around the alleyways and markets on the banks of the Seine. Including this sumptuous flower market that I dragged the reluctant hubby around. Here he is looking particularly unimpressed with the delights on show! The riverbanks are lined with little stalls full of curios, postcards and paintings. Below postersContinue reading “Sauntering around the Seine”

It’s all over…..for now . . .

It is with a heavy heart that I finally come to the LAST EVER POST ABOUT JAPAN!* It has taken a whole year to document our amazing trip and it is fitting that it is almost exactly a year since we set off on our odyssey. So lets’s take a last romp through Osaka’s colourfulContinue reading “It’s all over…..for now . . .”