People, places and food are just some of the things that inspire me most when I’m on a trip. I’m led by my nose to places. As I am to the best markets, street food and small cosy local restaurants. My map is my gut feelings … to an extent. The best travel stories, like the best travels, are inspired by – surge from – spontaneous tripping. All of these published clippings to follow arise from those adventures and ventures into unknown territory.
Working out of France and Australia as a foreign correspondent, I’ve written travel stories as well as reporting on breaking news. Nowhere, for me, will ever be as exotic as away. The world is a kaleidoscope of infinite colours and shades, there for the taking. Or rather sampling … and experiencing. Respecting and wowing.
People Places and Food: Brunei
The clouds in the jungle canopy of Brunei weave their early morning magic through the trees.Brunei’s golden domed magic as the sound of evening prayers spread over the night sky of the capital BSB (Bandar Seri BegawanI guess I fall into the category of vintage travel writer by now. Writing about travel since my first published story on trekking in Yosemite in the Herald Sun in the early 90s. For almost two decades, I’ve been writing about West Malaysia, Borneo and Brunei as the author of the Bradt Travel Guide to Borneo.
People Places and Food: Malaysia
Dividing my life for three decades between France and Australia, my midway base has been Malaysia. From the forested island of Borneo on which I have been a guidebook author for years – to the pulsing capital KL. The people, cultures, critters, way of life and flavours of Malaysia blow my mind!
Malacca, a crossroads of Malay, Baba Nonya (Singapore Peranakans, Chinese) and Portuguese heritage in building, place, people and flavour.Malaysia, truly Asian, as the jingle goes. Seductively exotic and diverse. Connect magazine.Malaysia, the home of the most incredible crossroads cuisine, perched amid a rich melting pot of Malay, Indian, Chinese, Mamak and Nonya flavours.The contrasts are no greater than in the holy months of Ramadan, when long hours of fasting turn to a spiritual frenzy of feasting in the streets at dusk.Don’t mind the monkeys … Colourful Hindu deities at the entrance to the Batu Caves near Kuala Lumpur.
Malaysian Borneo (Sabah & Sarawak)
Steamy, sultry, gorgeous biodiversity hotspot thriving with animal and plant life – and sweltering hot with humidity.The iconic proboscis – long-nosed (and that’s not all) Bornean primate. A miracle to see in its mangrove habitats yet very shy and evasive.
