minalism travel

Did you miss the supermoon a few days ago? I missed the moon set on Monday morning and the moonrise on Monday night, which I was a little bummed about, but managed to wake up for the moon set on Tuesday. And it was honestly worth every minute of that pre-crack of dawn rise! The November 14th supermoon was the second of three supermoons this year, and was more like an extra special super moon, being the closest the moon has been to Earth since 1948. This means the moon appeared much bigger and significantly brighter (in fact it was 14% larger and 30% brighter!) at the point of perigee – when the moon is closest to Earth. This was certainly a supermoon of a generation, which can be appreciated by moon lovers around the world, as we won't be seeing a moon like this until 2034! Here's a really cool and short (3 minute) video from the LiveScience Team and NASA explaining in more detail about what we just witnessed a few days ago.               ...

Change.  We all go through it, even though most of us try to avoid it. Change is uncomfortable, especially the older you get. You've spent most of your life "learning" who you are. When you reach adulthood you feel like you know everything there is to know about your own identity. Your beliefs, your ethics, morals, and how you see the world. But the reality is, this is not true. Although your self-learning may feel slower than it used to be as you were "growing up," that doesn't mean you have stopped growing... developing... learning.  I used to always be afraid of change, trying to stay as far away from it as I could. I've been lucky to have a life rich of love, friendship and meaning. And honestly, I thought it was always going to be that way. Throughout my teens, I struggled with the conventional norms of life, but had a generous network of people around me to help me understand and work through my issues. When I hit my 20's, I can honest...

Visualisation: A postcard I picked up 7 years ago – Photograph from minalism It's been a while since I last wrote here. So this is going to be a little re-cap of the time in between. My life has been a constant adventure, and I'm blown away by how much more I learn about myself each day, week and year that goes by. It's been 1 year, 6 months, 14 days, and 3 hours since I set sail onto a whole new part of my life, moving to one of my favourite Thai islands, Koh Samui.  What most of you don't know is that this last move has been a small dream of mine, since I was in my early 20's. I still have the postcard I found in a travel magazine 7 years ago, of a beautiful beach scene with the name of the beach written on the bottom right hand side of the card, "Haad Rin, Koh Phangan."  I kept that postcard with me, throughout every move, from London to Hong Kong, and then to Bangkok, moving from one bedroom mirror to another, or being blue tac'd...

Holiday birthday drinks and a spectacular view of Bangkok's stunning skyline from The Sky Bar @Lebua State Tower , April 2010 – Photograph by minalism  Moving to Thailand brought a very necessary calm to my already provoked senses, bringing the balance that I had been seeking. Bangkok being Thailand's hub of commercialism, classism, wealth, tourism and modern culture, like any big city it can certainly be quite a bitch at times. Admittedly, I have more than often escaped Bangkok craving the serene and peaceful ways of life that other parts of Thailand endlessly boasts. But even amidst all the madness and chaos, Bangkok still serves up a daily hum that cannot be replaced in this region of the world, with its comparatively free, liberal and hedonistic society. Bangkok's city skyline from The Sky Bar @Lebua State Tower , April 2010 – Photograph by minalism The first day that I ever set foot in Bangkok at none other than Khaosan Road , April 20...

Women enjoying cycling, circa 1900 – Photograph by Cycling History Blog "[Bicycling] has done more to emancipate woman than any one thing in the world. I rejoice every time I see a woman ride by on a whe el. It gives her a feeling of self-reliance and independence the moment she takes her seat; and away she goes, the picture of untrammelled womanhood." Susan B. Anthony (1820-1906) was a prominent 19th century American civil rights leader and women's rights activist during the emergence of a women's suffrage in the New World. Back in Susan's day the idea and sight of a woman peddling a single seater bicycle must have indeed been tremendously empowering, and a monumental statement for society. But today, when I read this lovely quote of her's, all I can think of is,         "... and away she goes, the picture of untrammelled womanhood. Until someone comes along in their bus, van, car, motorbike or bicycle and smacks that woman right off her se...

Some friends invited me over to their new abode for a house warming slash Chinese New Year dinner. Delighted, off course I accepted the invite to an evening of Chinese culinary perfection which surpassed any of my expectations, and left me at the end of the night wishing that I had asked for a doggy bag to take home. All the ingredients were bursting with fresh flavours. And most importantly, all ingredients were traditionally Chinese. Having a home cooked Chinese meal was a new experience for me and definitely something I would not pass up if I ever get the chance to have it again! Simply... the Menu (my interpretation of the menu at least. Apologies for any mistakes!) A variety of mushrooms including oyster, enokitake, dried shitake. Oysters. Sea cucumber. Freshly steamed chicken. Steamed fish. Sweet and sour pork with peppers and onions. Fish ball strips with green leaves sautéed in garlic. Grilled king prawns in a sweet soy sauce. Plain white rice. ...