We all suffer from conversational leakage. It is almost impossible to stop, like a dripping tap or besetting incontinence. We try in vain to cut off the flow or absorb it before anyone sees it. But we are all doing it, and if my casual observations are anything to go by, we are doing it…
Category: Travelling
Dogs on Trains
Have you ever shared the quiet coach on the train with a dog? I did last Friday. I don’t really “do” dogs, so I have no idea what species or breed it was. It was quite large and yellow-ish with floppy ears. Does that help? It was – to be fair, and unlike most dogs…
Tick Tick Tick Tick
We are in that strange limbo never-never land between Christmas and New Year. The present-buying and opening is done, the food mainly consumed and we have 6 days to fill before the New Year. Life seems to switch to slow motion. Many working people take up the irresistible Christmas promotional offer of 3 days leave…
Canaries Christmas
Strange, in the third week of December, to be sat round a pool in the blazing heat, concerned about burning rather than work and Christmas presents. Work can manage without me (I have to accept). My blackberry is switched off and safely locked in the room safe. And the presents will take care of themselves…
Business and Pleasure Abroad
This is my second consecutive week abroad, with a brief interlude at home in between. In both cases I have been staying in posh hotels in warm sub-tropical climates. Last week was India, this week is Tenerife. But that is where the similarity ends. India was mainly business, Tenerife is entirely pleasure. Don’t get me…
Order and Chaos in Dubai and Delhi
This is my third trip to India, and the place no longer makes the same impact on me as before. I vividly remember the impression Delhi made on my first visit – the shock of the noise, car chaos and endless number of people. Even on my second trip, the traffic experience as we drove…
Passage to India – Saturday- Trip to the Taj (2)
We were to enter the Taj by the VIP gate. More western privileges? Nope – there are 4 gates, so we were just like 25% of the tourists, most of whom were Indian. As ever in India there was security.
Passage to India – Saturday – Trip to the Taj Mahal (1)
We husbands really shouldn’t have favourite wives. However, Shah Jahan – occupation Emperor (Mughal) – clearly favoured number three. Mumtaz was a modern woman – keeping her maiden name, Mahal – but unfortunately not quite liberated enough to exercise any sensible birth-control.
Passage to India – Tuesday – IT, Elephants and Humanity
After my early morning walk on the beach in Trivandrum (including a small dabble in the Arabian Sea much to the consternation of the locals) I nibbled through a very pleasant breakfast in the hotel alongside the blue pool. Not unlike breakfast on Tracey Island but without the strings or the risk of TB1 disturbing…
Passage to India – Monday – Mumbai & South
Landing in Mumbai, the airport (this time) seems like any other. What hits you as you emerge is the oppressive warm blanket of of heat, the crazy chaos of cars and the unrelenting politeness. Suitcases are whisked into cars, doors are opened, and deference is dispensed, with no fuss, no sulkiness and no attitude; other…
Unwrapping The World 