Newsflash: Biologists studying the unique flora and fauna of the Borneo Jungle recently reported a highly unusual sighting of a bizarre nocturnal creature which is indigenous to the islands of Great Britain, fuelling speculation that backpacking badger's location had finally been discovered. Conflicting reports, however, suggest that backpacking badger is currently living an aquatic existence amongst a colony of rare dugongs (or sea cows).So - for the past few we...

Newsflash: Our contacts in the Asia-Pacific region have just received vital information as to backpacking badger's most recent whereabouts: Our last confirmed sighting was in 'Tropical Island Paradise', where she appears to be communing with an unprecedented number and variety of aquatic species. So life in the Philippines is good (although not entirely without its ups and downs - see below) - and it's certainly a country which has pleasantly surprised me with i...

Newsflash: It appears that backpacking badger has crossed yet another border and is currently semi-comatose and positively horizontal on the beaches in the Gulf of Thailand. In somewhat of a meteoric turnaround, she also appears to be eating her own bodyweight on a daily basis... For the last 6 weeks or so I have found myself in the rather pleasing situation of being in absolute culinary-seventh-heaven-bliss, so here's why: Som tam (in Thailand) or tam maak ...

Newsflash: Following a brief sojourn in the world's most populous nation, local sources have informed us that backpacking badger has entered the warmer climes of South East Asia through Laos. After some doubt as to whether she was actually moving at all, our radar informs us that her speed of travel has now reached an unprecedented low. After an ardous (!) 5 months (what happened to the time?) I have finally hit the intense heat and soporific humidity of South E...

Newsflash: The Chinese police have indeed confirmed their sighting of backpacking badger; she was detained for several hours before being released without charge. She is now at large and roaming the country although we are receiving reports that she is still complaining about the weather... Ok, so I like signs. Especially ones with terrible English. 'Chinglish' is, so far, one of my favourite embodiments of appalling use of the English language. Here's the lis...