It's apparent the future of an independent Taiwan will remain uncertain, with the spectre of their giant and powerful neighbour China sure to exert an increasing influence over this small island. Nevertheless Taiwan is an economic powerhouse of the region, specialising in the high tech sector and striving to maintain economic prosperity for the country in to the future. Despite my extensive travels throughout Asia over the years this is the first visit to Taiwan, and I'm thrilled to have near on two weeks to explore the island and get to know the people. The world is full of fascinating destinations to visit, and finally I can add Taiwan to an ever expanding list of countries I've been privileged to…

Macau was handed over to the Chinese on 20 December 1999, thereby concluding 400 years of Portuguese rule in what had become the last European colony in Asia. The catalyst for the changeover stemmed from the return of Hong Kong by the British two years earlier. Once again I'm curious to visit for the first time since Chinese rule was established, just as I did recently in Hong Kong. It should be noted Macau has a similar arrangement with the Chinese to the one with Hong Kong, where for 50 years post handover the region will operate under the one country, two systems arrangement ceasing in 2049, two years after Hong Kong is fully integrated with China. It's common knowledge…

Have you ever come across a blog from a traveller who last visited Hong Kong during British rule, well before the handover of the territory to China in 1997? Well, dear reader, if you haven't I urge you to read on. I've been at the airport since, which by the way didn't exist when I last was last in Hong Kong proper, but always in transit on the way to other exotic destinations. Of course I've heard anecdotes from travellers about Hong Kong under Chinese rule, but I believe the best way to form an impression of a destination is to get there in person and explore. It goes without saying the skyline of Hong Kong Island has changed from…

In February of this year the government of Belarus introduced an option to visit the country without the requirement of a visa in advance. It's understood the initiative may be expanded in the near future, nevertheless the current offer is a good fit for my itinerary this time around. There are restrictions on the visa on arrival; it's only valid for flights in to Minsk airport, and can't be accessed from a land crossing at this stage. Immigration will accept visitors for a maximum five day stay, with the only requirement the purchase of compulsory medical insurance at the airport at a cost of a few dollars. How good is that, I have the opportunity to visit Belarus without jumping…

Everyone is talking about Georgia of late, and it's a privilege to join the summer hordes exploring the county, along with eight million or so of my closest friends! Although the distances in Europe are not vast between countries, booking flights is often problematic as it's rare to purchase a ticket without a stopover on the continent. Often the better part of a day is taken up at airports, so you can imagine my delight at being able to secure a direct flight from Odessa across the Black Sea to Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia. It was an effortless two hour commute, and though Georgia is technically part of Asia the country feels very much European from arrival at the…

Perhaps I've lived a sheltered life, as I can honestly say I've never experienced anywhere like Odessa. It's important to stress I'm not being negative about Ukraine, as travel adventures drive personal growth. After all, it's travel that reminds us we're inextricably linked by a shared existence on this wonderful planet, and the unique cultures and interactions are to be treasured. To be honest I'm amazed to be even posting from Odessa, as the beautiful city wasn't part of my itinerary during the planning stages for this trip. However, after spending a long period in the big Eastern European capitals of Moscow and Kiev, I was craving the opportunity to get to the coast and have a swim in the…

Finally I have the opportunity to visit Ukraine, an exotic and fascinating destination for an Australian traveller. And judging by the incredulity of the friendly locals, the great southern land is just as exotic and fascinating to Ukrainians. It seems we have a budding mutual admiration society about to spring up! Obviously the country has been in the news for all the wrong reasons following the ousting of the Russia friendly former President in the 2014 revolution, and the subsequent three year conflict with Russian separatists in Eastern Ukraine. But the conflict seems to be from a distant land when visiting Kiev, and travellers are sure to get a friendly welcome in the beautiful and historic capital city. Kiev has…

One feels it could take a lifetime to unravel the mysteries of Mother Russia. The land of this vast nation of 140 million people seems to stretch on forever, and you can ride the Trans Siberian railway for over a week to complete the journey from Moscow to Vladivostok. When you add the countries of the former Soviet Union, there are over 300 million native Russian speakers in the world today. Russian is one of the six official languages of the United Nations, and along with English, is the official language at the International Space Station. While often portrayed as the bogeyman by western nations, Russia will continue to be a major player on the world stage well in to…

It was ten years ago your intrepid travel journalist paid an inaugural visit to Russia, making the journey from Helsinki, before crossing the Finnish border and journeying on to St Petersburg. Prior to the Bolshevik revolution of 1917, this glorious city was the capital of Russia. After his rise to power, however, Lenin had security concerns as St Petersburg is geographically close to rival European powers, and made the decision to move the capital to Moscow. Ever since that visit to St Petersburg in 2006 I've dreamed of visiting Moscow, a European powerhouse and by far the largest city on the continent. The official population of the city is 12 million people, however with illegal immigrants surging to the capital…

Luxembourg is one of the founding members of the European Union, taking it's role in the continuation of a peaceful and cooperative future seriously. The Micro State is strategically positioned in the centre of Western Europe, sharing borders with Belgium, Germany and France. Having been in the centre of the horrors of the Second World War, Luxembourg is committed to a peaceful Europe, particularly between it’s two powerful neighbours France and Germany. Although the country is one of the smallest independent countries in the world, Luxembourg punches well above it’s weight as an influential player in post war Europe. The banking sector is one of the most powerful in the world, with a strong manufacturing and agricultural sector also playing…