Cuba is a country of contradictions, complications and compromises, where instead of providing answers, visiting only poses more questions and uncertainties about the fascinating mix of people and cultures. To speak about the beauty and generosity of the people, the lushness of the forest, the idyllic turquoise and white beaches and the [...]
Mzansi madness: the world embraces South Africa
As one of the many, many South Africans abroad, it has been painful to be absent from the country during the FIFA World Cup 2010. Thanks be to satellite television then, and to the soccer-mad spirit in both Canada and Cuba (neither of which are competing).
Imagine, if you can, how surreal it is (after living [...]
The magical melting pot: NYC part 4
Why is New York so unique? You now know about all the places to go, the things to see and the people to meet. But what is it that makes it such a success of a city, a desirable place to live, and a keeper of dreams? It features as a character, not merely a [...]
Living the New York life: NYC part 3
General lifestyle is just one aspect of what makes the Big Apple so appealing. As one of the biggest and most significant cities in the world, anything you could think of is available – only a phone call or taxi ride away. Although often thought of as a concrete jungle, the parks and gardens and [...]
New York: the bucket list continued
There are things that you have to do at least once in your life, whether you are a visitor or New York native. Here’s my list. If you’re confused as to why there are some obvious gaps (read Central Park) they’ll be included in my do-over-and-over-again as part of a New Yorker lifestyle column next [...]
New York part one – “The Lights Will Inspire You”
As I write I can see the two black and white photos of New York on my desk –one of the Empire State and surrounding buildings, the other my own picture of a sign at the intersection between Broadway and Wall Streets – the American Flag hanging proudly above the entrance to the Stock Exchange [...]
Slackpacking: the slacker’s way out?
Some travellers are in their element when roughing it, and indeed take pride in how rustic their travel conditions are. Whether it’s schlepping sans porter along the trails of Tibet or wearing the same clothes for the duration of a trek to Machu Picchu in the name of travelling light, hardy travellers base the success [...]
A taste of Canadian class: Fairmont luxury in the Rockies
The eyes of the world have recently been trained on Whistler, host of the skiing events in the Winter Olympics 2010. Just the other side of the mountain range, however, as it tips from British Columbia into Alberta, are the ski resort towns of Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper. The three areas are divided by [...]
Madrid magic: a city of surprises
As a European destination, Madrid is often passed over for cities with more international cache – Paris, Amsterdam – even its own counterpart – Barcelona. Yet, as a favourite hangout of Ernest Hemingway, this is a city of living, eating, partying and shopping. Madrid contains all the things one might want from a European city [...]
Voluntourism – blessing or curse?
The current zeitgeist swings madly towards altruism. We saw this at the Oscars in hit films The Blindside and Precious; George Clooney and Simon Cowell showed how it’s done as they raisied millions of dollars for Haitian earthquake victims and Angelina and Madonna’s ever increasing broods have been discussed, quite literally, to nausea. Not to [...]
