I had read that Koreans, and particularly older Koreans, love to walk. They do it not only as a form of entertainment and socialising, but they also believe strongly in the health benefits that come with it. And they do it in style. Fully decked out in the latest outdoor fashions you see them everywhere. City streets, parks, mountain trails. Groups, couples, singles, they are out there and striding along with purpose. What I don't understand is that they d...

Welcome to Busan, South Korea. Mexico City - Dallas - Tokyo - Busan. It was a lot of flying but made somewhat more comfortable thanks to my upgrade to Premium Economy from American Airlines. My friend Megan met me at the airport and the 45 minute trip to her apartment gave me my first taste of Busan's subway system. And it's good. Fast, comfortable, clean and cheap - about $2 for the trip. As I soon learn, any standard trip is 1300Won ($1.70) and longer trips ...

Well back in Oaxaca for the third year running. I really do like this place - it just has a special feeling to it. And this time there was an added meaning. Last year I was involved in a photography project with an organisation from the USA called Memory Project. I photographed just over 500 children (4 photos of each). These photos were then given to art students who produced portraits of each child based on the photos. In addition they added a personal me...

Auckland has many similarities with Sydney. A huge harbour that is criss crossed continually with ferries, a commercial port right on the city's edge, a naval dockyard, streets that head in random directions, 19th century architecture and a skyline that is dominated by an imposing communications tower. None of which is a bad thing. My Airbnb is in Queen St, which is the heart of the city and therefore a great place from which to head out. Like most large cit...

The Coromandel Peninsula is a narrow peninsula with a mountain range running down the middle. Whangamata, where I'm housesitting, is on the east side and has been voted as having the best beach in NZ. From my perspective it is certainly a pleasant change to be able to stroll along the sand in the middle of June. The weather here is so different to what I have experienced the last 2 weeks, it's hard to believe I am in the same country. And I have graduated fro...