Travel Insurance: Three Mishaps, One Broken Toe and a Rather Important Lesson
I’ve been bitten by a dog in Bali, injured my heel on Fraser Island and broken a toe after a pub crawl in Sydney. And people still ask …
Andi
Fifty Shades of Blue: Chasing Color in Paradise
I have been trying to explain the blue of Tetiaroa since 1997. The photographs have been trying too, with equally limited success. Every time I look at one, …
Life Is Now: The Journeys That Never Happened
Updated October 2026. Two lives, four weeks, and the plans that never had a chance to become memories. We’ll Do It When We’re Older How often have you …
Tetiaroa: Marlon Brando’s Atoll and the Place That Kissed My Soul
Tetiaroa’s lagoon, its Marlon Brando connection and my memories of the old hotel years. An introduction to the atoll that kissed my soul—with visiting information for today.
Phi Phi Island in 1992: I Found Paradise—and Somehow Got Bored
In 1992, I went to Phi Phi Island and found the sort of place people dream about. Clear water. Limestone cliffs. A quiet beach. Very few people. And …
Reflecting on Hong Kong: A Journey Back to 1992
In March 1992, I spent four days in Hong Kong. I was 22, the city was still under British administration, and I had the distinct impression that everyone …
My First Journey into the Free World: A 1991 Adventure in Sri Lanka
In September 1991, I arrived in Sri Lanka at the age of 22, ready for my first journey to a faraway destination. The world had opened up, and …
Diverting Attention in Turbulent Times
Some days, I look at the news and wonder whether the people running the world have been left unsupervised for rather too long. Another argument, another crisis, another …
Flying 30 Years Ago vs. Today: The Evolution of Long-Haul Travel
On a long-haul flight, reaching your destination is only part of the challenge. The other part is finding something to do until you get there. Books, conversations, a …
A Unique Sri Lanka Adventure: The Menstruation Party
Beruwela, Sri Lanka, September 1991. I woke to what I thought was gunfire. By the following evening, I was at a family celebration, trying to eat dinner with …