There was a time when I would never have dreamed of embarking on a journey to Greenland, but like everyone else, travellers will inevitably change as the years continue to roll by. Now it seems the most natural thing in the world, however it's certainly placed a strain on my finances. Flying to Greenland is burning a hole in my pocket, seeming to flush away my wallet and all it's contents. I mean, let's be honest, Greenland is a very expensive travel destination, with prohibitive airfares from Iceland and internally. Also the accommodation options range from extremely pricey to even pricier! This is an obvious impediment to many travellers visiting the Arctic region, but I'm pleased to have taken the…

The sun is becoming increasingly bashful as winter begins to take hold in the Arctic. Iceland's days are getting shorter at the alarming rate of eight minutes per day, and the shortest day of the year is fast approaching on 21 December, when there will be just four hours of daylight. At this time of year the sun begins to rise to a respectable level in the sky, and just as quickly decides it's time to duck back down under the horizon. This has led to an interesting dilemma when it comes to photography, as my shadow is always wanting to make an appearance, somewhat akin to an uninvited guest at a party. Normally the last thing I want to…

Don't mess with Iceland, as the locals are wont to say with a wry smile. We may not have cash, but we've got ash! And ash and more ash when it comes down to it. In fact the land of fire and ice has around 130 volcanic mountains, so it's perfectly understandable if the locals are prone to getting a little hot under the collar. But actually this isn't the case, and the welcome I've received from the Icelandic people has been wonderful. The term going off has more than one meaning, so leaving aside the extremely volatile volcanoes it proves to be an apt description of the nightlife in gorgeous Reykjavik. This city of 120,000 people has a legendary…

The calming influence of water has been known throughout human history. Mankind appreciates the role of water in providing a fundamental necessity of human life ... indeed if we don't drink, we die. Perhaps this elementary law of nature is the catalyst for our deep yearning for water, as our collective spirit strives to be in the presence of the ultimate life giver. So if now's the time to get a little wet, there can be few better destinations than glorious Inle Lake in the Mandalay Region. There's more to visiting Myanmar than enjoying big cities, pagodas, monasteries and the famous historical architecture of Bagan, despite their clear and obvious charms. The country also provides visitors with an insight into…

The Plains of Bagan are dotted with pagodas, temples and monasteries in every direction. If one were to turn back time a thousand years, history buffs would discover Bagan at the centre of the Pagan empire which unified the country for the first time, and set the stage for what has become modern day Myanmar. During the height of the empire there were over 10,000 religious sites, proving to be an incredible achievement. In modern times there are still over 2,000 sites standing, and considering this is a major earthquake area in Myanmar that's a mighty impressive number. Bagan is heavily geared towards tourism, and most travellers to Myanmar have a visit near the top of their travel itinerary. The…

I determined early in the trip that I would enter Myanmar with an open mind, in fact it was almost blank. Er, perhaps that should read ... a blank canvas! I didn't want excessive research to impede a voyage of discovery to this unique travel destination in South East Asia. Of course I'm aware of Myanmar's recent history, as the country has just awakened from forty years of almost total isolation. Nowadays countries like Myanmar are becoming rare as we live in such an interconnected world, so I got to thinking it's time to experience Burmese culture before the country is completely overrun by tourists, as in neighbouring Thailand. An Aussie guy in the Bangkok hostel was stunned to hear…

Psy recently filmed the most watched video in the history of YouTube but may need to have his song's hook amended, for in Thailand there are many sexy ladies! The country is the party capital of the world, and justifiably famous for the good times on offer. There's a cure available for sceptics that goes by the name of 'I'm resistant to the party capital of the world'. It comes in a simple pill form, and the medicated dosage is sure to take effect before you know it. But let's move on from the party scene, and focus on what humans enjoy most (aside from some extra good loving of course) and that's got to be glorious food! In Thailand…

Personally I've never seen the attraction in leaping out of a perfectly good aeroplane, or climbing to the summit of a Himalayan mountain as high as the aforesaid plane's crusing altitude, but mountaineers and adventurers are a breed apart. In fact mountaineering in the Himalayas would have to be the ultimate test of endurance, will power and physical supremacy. So I guess that means you can count me out! There's much to admire, however, in these extraordinary people, and gripping reads such as Into Thin Air, No Way Down and Touching the Void leave an indelible impression on the reader down here at habitable altitudes. The perils climbers must overcome at extreme altitude can hardly be imagined, and taking on…

The strength of the Nepalese is one of the most incredible phenomena in nature. When travelling in this mountain country one should not be deceived by appearances, as the load bearing capabilities of the locals are nothing short of prodigious. As an example, let me introduce my young guide Rajan from Green Valley Tours. He started with the company as a porter at the tender age of 18, embarking on long treks along the Annapurna ciruit and to Everest Base Camp, while carrying 35 kilos on his back for 12 days or more. As you can appreciate this means walking all day, while rising up to altitudes of over 5,000 metres with all the gruelling climbing that entails. I asked…

Landing in Nepal marks a personal milestone for your intrepid travel correspondent. Finally I'm in a position to celebrate 100 countries visited and still going strong! It's my dream that given continued good health and prosperity I can add further to this tally, and trust you will come along for the ride. Travel has become an all consuming passion, and long may the journey of life continue! It seems incredible as I look back at the starting point of this amazing journey commencing in 1986, when a young university graduate took a life gamble that entailed leaving friends and family behind and flying to San Francisco; a somewhat unilkely starting point for an incredible life of travel so far! How…