How to transfer in comfort at Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport

How to transfer in comfort at Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport

Have you ever transferred through Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport (IATA Code: SAW) ? If so, how did you find it?  If you are heading from Europe to destinations in the Middle East and Asia on a budget,  you may inevitably pass through it at some 

The honest Diary of a new Scuba Diver

The honest Diary of a new Scuba Diver

You may wonder, what does a new scuba diver have to say, other than… “just do it!” Well, if it’s no more than that, and if this post just encourages one other person to take up diving, I will be happy. The sea has always 

Treasure Hunting in Arita

Treasure Hunting in Arita

Treasure Hunting in Arita  was dream come true. I love Japanese ceramics and porcelain.  Many years ago, trips to the now defunct Oriental City were a wonderful respite from  toiling away in a laboratory. Years later, my already decent Japanese tableware collection was supplemented by 

Okawachiyama, the Beautiful Village of the Secret Kilns

Okawachiyama, the Beautiful Village of the Secret Kilns

When you love Japanese ceramics, visiting Saga Prefecture on Kyushu Island is highly recommended. I studied in Nagasaki this year , so a trip to the kilns of Arita and Imari was pretty high on my wish list. When I wrote my Japanese Ceramics Dream trip 

My 2024 Travel Plans

My 2024 Travel Plans

Time to make 2024 travel plans! Looking back at my 2023 Travel Plans, I am  pleasantly surprised how many of them I turned into actual trips. My end of year post if full of pictures and good memories, and as is tradition with many in 

“A Red Letter Day”: My 2023 travel year review

“A Red Letter Day”: My 2023 travel year review

So, the end of the year is near… let’s write a wrap-up of  the years travels. The  traditional “between the years” 2023 travel year review. As the title suggests, it was a pretty good one! And, in the words of my teenage favourites, the Pet 

Artificial Intelligence and Blogging or: The bot  went to Ravenna and came back with the ultimate scrumptious word salad

Artificial Intelligence and Blogging or: The bot went to Ravenna and came back with the ultimate scrumptious word salad

The first time I heard of Artificial Intelligence (AI)  and Machine Learning was a while ago. I think when I watched Stanley Kubrick’s “2001” for the first time, I got a better grip on its implications – not in a nice way as those who 

Fabric Shopping in Uzbekistan:  Gorgeous ikat and vibrant colours

Fabric Shopping in Uzbekistan: Gorgeous ikat and vibrant colours

Fabric Shopping in Uzbekistan is brilliant. I mean, definitely if you are into traditional ikat pattern or very glitzy colourful material. I am not going to say visit Uzbekistan for fabrics alone, but if you plan to visit and if you are into sewing or 

A Day in the life of a “German Doctor” – My Dhaka Diary, Part 4

A Day in the life of a “German Doctor” – My Dhaka Diary, Part 4

Aside from getting as much sightseeing in in our spare time, I primarily came to Dhaka to work! And whatever reservations I had in the beginning, I honestly and thoroughly enjoyed my first mission as a doctor serving disadvantaged communities, and if you are in 

The best Eastern German Christmas Goodies

The best Eastern German Christmas Goodies

Some amazing things come from Eastern Germany but are below many people’s radar.  Eastern German Christmas goodies are one such thing, and it is a real shame they are not celebrated worldwide. And as a proud Eastern German, I see it as my job to 

Eastern German Christmas Markets – the best and most underrated Christmas Markets of Germany

Eastern German Christmas Markets – the best and most underrated Christmas Markets of Germany

Hallo! Proud Eastern German here, and now the festive season is approaching, let’s take a look at Eastern German Christmas Markets.  Time to do a post about the most common travel reason to Germany in the cold and dark season: Christmas Markets! Indeed, hardly anyone 

Fabric Shopping in Bursa: From gorgeous silk to beautiful cheap cotton

Fabric Shopping in Bursa: From gorgeous silk to beautiful cheap cotton

As far as I can see, there is no blog post on fabric shopping in Bursa yet – but if you are a sewist and find yourself in Istanbul or the Marmara region, I highly recommend a trip out to Bursa. Bursa is well worth 

My Dhaka Diary, Part 2: Packing for Dhaka

My Dhaka Diary, Part 2: Packing for Dhaka

Fast forward six months from the initial placement offer, I am about to fly to Dhaka for six weeks, where I will live and work in a textile workers district near Dhaka. Before my Dhaka Diary continues to the actual trip, let’s talk about what 

A splendid two week Uzbekistan Itinerary

A splendid two week Uzbekistan Itinerary

Another  Uzbekistan itinerary! Sorry, couldn’t help it. I know I know, there are plenty on the internet already. In fact, this Uzbekistan Itinerary, like most, includes the classic Silk Road destinations of Samarkand, Buxoro and Xiva and starts in Tashkent, but id adds the Fergana 

Hotel Review: The Lodge Hotel, London  – Stylish in  Suburbia

Hotel Review: The Lodge Hotel, London – Stylish in Suburbia

Another London post!  I like to visit London a few times a year, and finding lovely, stylish accommodation that isn’t crazily priced is becoming harder.  My answer to that: The Lodge Hotel.  It involves going out to the suburbs. Doesn’t bother me –  I love