Author: Tom Rooney

Lombok … a real surprise packet!

A fortnight in Lombok has been quite the surprise packet, after the all too familiar chaos and charm of a return visit to Bali. A long drive out to Padang Bai is required to board the fast ferry across the Lombok strait, and it can … …

Gee 20 – Indonesia 2022

The rich and powerful have descended with much fanfare on beautiful Bali for the G20 summit, which is being hosted by Indonesia for the year 2022. Perhaps it’s just a coincidence, as your humble travel correspondent has embarked on a five week adventure to this … …

I love Thailand, even when it’s raining!

Koh Tao is a diving mecca famed throughout the world, and also known locally as Turtle Island. It’s been a long held dream to visit this magical little island, and finally I have the opportunity to add Tao to my ever expanding list of places … …

Learning through travel

It’s astonishing to realise just how much I missed all that is learnt from travelling the world. It’s one thing to immerse yourself in a book, but nothing compares to the life experience and knowledge gained from travel, where there is the opportunity to interact … …

Finally coming back to life!

Throughout the course of human history free men have always resisted the authoritarian dictates of overbearing rulers. To be honest, dear reader, the last few years have collectively taught us a great deal about human nature, with almost none of it being good. Nevertheless, I … …

Australia’s iconic red centre

The Kimberley region in the far north of Western Australia is rugged, beautiful, and stunningly remote. The population is sparse and the distances are vast, but there is an option to explore the East Kimberley region from a gorgeous little base, and that is the … …

Life’s better in Bora Bora

From the moment the plane touches down on a small outer island that plays host to the airport of Bora Bora, travellers know they’ve arrived at a special destination. This place is famous throughout the world, and the first glimpse of the magic of Bora … …

We’re putting the band back together!

I would never have imagined there’s a backpacker trail of sorts through the islands of French Polynesia, but the multi-island flight packages offered by Air Tahiti ensure travellers continue to bump in to each other. For me this has always encapsulated the magic of travel, … …