minalism travel

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. ...

My secret patch of grass land. Thank goodness I found this place. If you know me well, you'll know that I need grass to survive! It calms me down when I'm feeling stressed, it helps me memorise and cram before exams or presentations, it grounds me in those moments of confusion and helps me connect with the Earth. It is my zen. So this was a big find for me, already feeling claustrophobic with all the grey, black and white of a concrete jungle. This is going to be my secret go-to when I'm feeling a bit anxious, or want an escape from my concrete neighbourhood. Although, I must say the grass is really itchy to lay on... but whatever, I can deal with it. A small cost to pay for a big reap!  ᐂ

Repulse Bay in the Southern Part of Hong Kong Island I t's Wednesday, mid-week and the weather is still roasting. When the weather is like this all I can think of is being by the sea. So why not? I texted a few friends and fixed up a beach date at Repulse Bay . My last and only visit to Repulse Bay was on a random night out, with some crazy people, drunk and tumbling about looking for a BBQ site to have a late night feast. So I was definitely interested in spending some time at this beach during the day.  No one knows exactly how the bay got its name, as there is no circumstantial evidence to prove which story tells the true events of the bay. One popular belief is that in 1841, the area was being used by pirates as a base to disrupt trading between foreign trader ships and China. Due to the damaging consequences of the pirates positioning, they were 'repulsed' away from Hong Kong by the British Naval Fleet. The beach was artificially extended under the Br...

Tears are like rain. they loosen up our soil so we can grow in different directions.                                – Virginia Casey Monsoon season is upon us and the rain gods have ripped open the skies. I've always been a sucker for storms... especially in the tropics. The storm winds blow the rain horizontally which literally creates a multi-directional wall of rain pouring out of the sky. Almost as if a billion buckets filled with water was being simultaneously poured out by rain giants. A few things I love doing when its raining: ... Standing or dancing outside, day or night in the thick downpour of the warm humid monsoon rains. It's the only time you can get drenched to the bone and not freeze your arse off afterwards... unless, you're a drunk fool prancing around in the torrential rain on the top of the IFC towers , at the snazzy rooftop Red Bar + Restaurant  (which ...

Singapore Changi Airport – Photograph from transturk.com.au So this is a nice surprise... I have been booking so many flights recently that all the different flight details seem to be merging into one. I'm on my way to Lanka and boarded my first plane not really checking or noticing any details about the flight route... I knew I had one stop over which I thought was in Bangkok. But alas here I am in Changi Airport, Singapore. Love these kind of random surprises. Time to go explore, so chat to you on the other side.  ᐂ