Thaipusam: Feast of Cleansing & Renewal

Today marks the eve of Thaipusam, an annual religious festival celebrated by Hindus in the Tamil month of Thai. Over the past week, devotes have been trickling into the Batu cave temple to participate in ceremonies and prayers. For many, this festival is a culmination of a period of fast and abstinence. Various forms of…

Weekly Photo Challenge: Variations on a theme

Savoury delight The Signature Dynasty Xiao Long Bao is popular at the Paradise Dynasty restaurant in the neighbourhood of Bangsar in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia. There are eight flavourful bite size baos: Signature, Ginseng, Foie Gras, Black Truffle, Cheesy, Crab Roe, Garlic & Szechuan. More pictures on this week’s photo challenge theme: Variations on a Theme

Weekly Photo Challenge: Variations on a Theme

Festive Galore: An array of bright red lanterns adorn the streets, homes, stores and malls all over Kuala Lumpur ahead of the Chinese New Year celebrations in mid-February. It’s the year of the dog this year according to the Chinese zodiac calendar. See more on Variations on a Theme at: Variations on a Theme  

Liverpool: Maritime, Migration & Music

Liverpool is steeped in history, owing to a vibrant port that served its surrounding towns, cities and farms especially during the industrial revolution and Britain’s colonial era. Through Liverpool, a variety of goods manufactured in Britain made their way out to markets all over the world. Likewise, the exotic spices, textiles, tea and an array…

Weekly Photo Challenge: Silence

The silence & serenity of the hills and jungle surrounding Kellie’s castle masks a tragic tale. One that involves travel, adventure and lavishness, that sadly ends as a desolate dream. For more on the tragic tale behind Kellie’s Castle: Kellie’s Desolate Dream Chasing Ghosts: Birth of the Kellie Saga For more pictures from this weeks…

Macau: Last Colony of the East

As you step off the Cotai Jet onto the Taipa ferry terminal in Macau, signs to the main terminal and exits are displayed in four languages – Mandarin, Cantonese, English and Portuguese – the first signs of this peninsula’s Portuguese heritage. The Portuguese settled in Macau in the late 1500’s when the Ming Dynasty leased…

Chasing Ghosts: Birth of the Kellie Saga

Based on what we were up to, one would expect a “Booooo! Instead of the”Mooooo!” we got as a greeting when we pulled into Kellas Estate located in the rural district of Dallas, Scotland. “You’d really look good on my plate right now … a nice juicy steak!” exclaimed an exasperated Terence as we passed…