In the jungle of Kalimantan, formerly Indonesian Borneo, I went off in search of orang-utans by taking a klotok – traditional boat – along the Sekonyer River. Discovering the primates in the rainforests is one of the highlights of Indonesia, a country which also has amazing temples, lively cities and wonderful beaches.
Author Archives: mark
Travel Mail: Fishing on the remote lakes of Ontario
For peaceful isolation, where the wildlife is black bear, moose, mink and eagles, the remote lakes of Northern Ontario offer the perfect location away from the bright city lights. I spent a week fishing and wildlife watching, staying at Errington’s Wilderness Island Resort on Wabatongushi Lake and at Killarney Mountain Lodge. See my article from the trip on the Travel Mail website:
EDP series charting Norfolk’s naval and RAF history
Running on the Eastern Daily Press website is my six-part series looking at RAF Marham, the new Lightning-II strike aircraft and Norfolk’s naval history. The new warplane to be based at Marham from 2018 will be flown jointly by RAF and Royal Navy personnel. As a result this series, which also features video footage, looks at Norfolk’s long naval and RAF history and charts how from the earliest days of the navy and the air force, they will come together at RAF Marham
http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/norfolk-maritime-history
New book on The Hoste hotel in North Norfolk unveiled
Delighted to see my new book on The Hoste hotel at Burnham Market unveiled. It looks at the long and varied history of the hotel in North Norfolk, the marvellous landscape in which it sits at the heart of the county’s Royal Coast and also its association with maritime figures, particularly Lord Nelson who was a regular visitor and Captain Sir William Hoste who gave the hotel – previously known as The Pitt Arms – its present name way back in 1811. The book is now available from The Hoste (www.thehoste.com) at £15.
Travel Mail: Ghoulish London
Want a blood-curdling tour of London? There’s plenty of attractions to visit that will give you a scare, ranging from the London Dungeons to Jack the Ripper tours and tales of executions, torture and treachery in a guided walk around the Tower of London with a Beefeater. Find out more in my Travel Mail feature…
Incredible India article shortlisted at British Travel Press Awards 2013
Very Happy to discover that my travel article entitled Incredible India and focussing on New Delhi has been shortlisted in the British Travel Press Awards 2013. The piece appeared in Places & Faces magazine – very much looking forward to the awards evening in London on November 20.
Travel Mail: Pilgrim’s Progress to Santiago de Compostela
Santiago de Compostela in the north west of Spain, one of the world’s great pilgrimage sites as the final resting place of St James, is also a fabulous city break destination with history, culture and mouth-watering cuisine (particularly if you like octopus). While the area hit global headlines with the tragic rail crash of July 24, take a look at my feature on the Travel Mail website – it is a city break destination I can recommend and with idyllic coastline, great beaches and historic towns across the region, you may wish to stay longer.
Cruising to the midnight sun aboard P&O’s Oriana
Just back from a cruise from Southampton to the very top of Norway aboard P&O’s Oriana. It’s a fantastic way to see the country, particularly at this time of year when it is virtually daylight 24/7. Cruise took in Stavanger, Flam, Alesund and Trondheim en route to the Nordkapp at the very top of the country. I can highly-recommend the P&O Land of the Midnight Sun cruise
My piece on Cuba features on Travel Mail website
Article from a great trip to Cuba with Journeys of Distinction is featured on the Daily Mail’s Travel Mail website. Cuba is a real eye-opener with fascinating cities – particularly the capital Havana – and small towns, stunning beaches and great food and drink. But now is a perfect time to visit as it feels like a country on the cusp of change.
Excellent trip to Cuba
Just spent eight days in Cuba. Havana is a fascinating city of flaking architecture and old American cars – Buicks, Chevrolets and Plymouths from the late 1950s cruise the streets. But it is a city trapped in an economic and social time warp, though one that is also on the cusp of change. Away from the capital, the pace of life is laid back and truly timeless in Trinidad, a colonial town that still reflects the Spanish architectural influence with pastel buildings lining cobbled streets where the only traffic in the old part of the town are cycle rickshaws or horse-drawn carts. For refreshment, Cristal beer is really good, or go for a Mojito cocktail with Havana Club rum. Cuba also has some great coastline and white sandy beaches – enjoy resorts such as Varadero. I travelled to Cuba with Journeys of Distinction on assignment for Travel Mail.