minalism travel

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...