First stop, Silk Market, a large modern shopping centre that opened in 2005, replacing the old alley-based Xiushui Market. Not for the feint hearted, over 1,700 vendors test your bargaining skills to the max. From shopping heaven (or hell, depending on your point of view) to the Forbidden City. Our afternoon was spent exploring this wonderfully preserved imperial palace which was forbidden to ordinary people when it was home to emperors of the Ming and Qing Dyna...

I love this airport. If I lived in Singapore and had a couple of days off I would come here for a holiday. In transit, not only do you get a chance to stretch your legs wandering around looking at all the interesting things on offer, you also get to have a great foot massage. The foot massaging machines are heavenly (and free). I never have enough time at this airport.

Home may be where the heart is, but even hearts need holidays. My heart is now beating to a countdown rhythm - less than 3 weeks to go till I depart on a life long dream of traveling the Trans-Siberian Railway. Work is winding down and I am savouring the anticipation. Anticipation is always an exciting part of any journey. I love the planning, the packing and yes, (do I dare admit it?) even the long plane journey to get almost anywhere from our isolated continen...