All Articles (Page 68)
Although Andrew and I were disappointed to leave the Taj Kumarakom so soon, we were looking forward to our last day in Kerala. About a year ago, I read an article, in a travel magazine, about exploring the Kerala backwaters by houseboat and I was excited to spend our final day doing just that.
Expat life can be lonely (Photo via istock)
I often get emails from people considering becoming expats. I try to present both the good and bad sides of expat life, for a balanced view of what they can expect. Here on CheeseWeb, you will usually find a positive view of expatriation, because for me, the benefits of living life abroad far outweigh the negatives.
Intricate carvings in the Veerabhadra temple, Lepakshi
One of the highlights of our recent travel to India was visiting some of the spectacular Hindu temples. While staying in Bangalore, I was invited to join a girls-only outing to Lepakshi, to visit the 16th-century Veerabhadra temple.
Nirvana – The Taj Kumarakom
Our luxury experience at the Taj Kumarakom Hotel in Kerala, India was a resort stay we’ll never forget.
The in Flander’s Fields Museum, Ypres, Belgium
If the battlefields around Ypres give you a sense for the landscape in which the First World War was fought, the local museums provide the background and realities of the fighting. There are many museums along the front specializing in a particular battle, a type of weapon, or a specific military unit. However, in the Ypres area two museums provide a solid overview of the war and I think they complement each other well. These are the In Flander’s Fields Museum and the Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917.
German Trenches at Bayernwald
I’ve been interested in the history of war for 20 years. Although my initial interest was the Second World War, you cannot escape the impact the First World War had on Europe, world politics, and the start of the Second World War. I’ve read many books and watched a lot of films about both wars, but nothing compares to visiting the ‘front’. Alison knows I have more than a passing interest in the wars of the 20th century, so she booked us a trip to visit the battlefields around Ypres for my birthday. This may sound like an odd way to celebrate a birthday, but it was something I really wanted to experience.
Candolim Beach, Goa, India
For many, Goa, India still conjures up images of hippies, all-night raves, drugs and drunken debauchery. This side of Goa still exists, or so I’m told, but it’s certainly not the Goa we experienced. For us, Goa was a place of laid-back relaxation, fresh seafood and drinks on endless sandy beaches. In a word, Goa was restorative, but not without its own lessons on surrendering to India.
Is this a great hotel room?
Andrew and I have been travelling quite a bit recently and that means spending our nights in hotels. We’ve been fortunate to stay in a few really fantastic hotels over the years; Castles, beach resorts, incredible cottages, even a church. But normally when we travel, the hotel itself is not as important as the destination. We just want a clean, affordable place to lay our heads at night.
Purple Jacaranda trees in Cubbon Park
Despite being India’s 3rd most populated city, Bangalore is not typically on the tourist trail. That doesn’t mean you should overlook it as a place to visit.
