Mongolian Adventure

4 am Monday morning and the team, half-awake, gathered at Chenggis Khaan International Airport, Ulaanbaatar, soon reinvigorated by strong coffee and ready for the journey west. That was after paying some thousands of Mongolian Tögrög for excess baggage, but in reality, only a few pounds each. We flew over an empty country – a population […]

The Night Train to Mombasa

‘Which is the train to Mombasa?’ I asked the inspector at the barrier. He wanted to see my ticket, then pointed to the long green and white coached train stationary at the adjacent platform. My question was not really necessary since it was the only train, except for the one that went the other way […]

South American Adventure

A man with a moustache and worn face signalled to us as we walked uncertainly along a grim concrete corridor that was like a prison block. Moving towards him, we were relieved to see our names in bold felt-tip pen on the card he was holding. It was Captain Gua. He nodded to airport officials, […]

The Day of Living Dangerously

The pieces of rock felt good to hold, their rough vuggy surfaces reminiscent of a fiery origin, and totally out of place in this immaculate room with its electronic curtains. I wondered what the maid would think as I placed them on the cherry wood desk. The dust from my rucksack still carried the sulphurous […]