We had an hour until check out time. Giant was packing his bag with army precision, swiftly folding tops and placing them neatly in his bag. I was laying on the crumpled bed messaging a friend, and had managed to move my gear into a relatively ordered pile to sort through at some point. ‘I... Continue Reading →
A Mystifying Massage in Sri Lanka
He sat directly opposite us, his shirtless and sarong-ed figure on display as if we were viewing some sort of Ron Mueck sculpture. His belly was bloated like a man who needed to get his stomach drained after years of alcohol abuse, and his breasts laid on top like two pancakes resting on a basketball,... Continue Reading →
Singapore Slings Mum/Daughter Duo Good Vibes
‘Bring wine!’ the SOS message pops up from my mum. Next text: ‘It’s very expensive to drink here’. Mum had been told by a shop owner, ‘It’s very expensive to be an alcoholic in Singapore’. Her words had obviously instilled mum with a gnawing sense of fear, hence the emergency text messages. I don’t know... Continue Reading →
The Great Darwin Croc Hunt
One morning in August 2016 I was sitting at my desk at work, and I thought to myself 'f**k this s**t, I need a holiday!' (okay, I think this most days but I only occasionally act on it). I’d recently broke up with someone, and wanted to escape for a few days/forever/into a giant hole... Continue Reading →
What’s happening with Odettessey?
It's been an interesting few months, and as always in life, plans can change in the blink of an eye. My well thought out (somewhat) idea of working at a hotel part-time, and doing my masters in writing this year seemed like the perfect idea. I'd secured the job at a hotel, and started my... Continue Reading →
South Korean Templestay: To zen or not to zen
During the tea ceremony, temple staff member Moon looks at me and translates what the monk is saying: 'there are 5 main greeds in life: money, fame, laziness, sex, and food'. She expands on the laziness: 'we only need 6 to 7 hours sleep a night, anymore is unnecessary', and then food: 'we only need... Continue Reading →
Living Like a Mongol: The Finale
For part one click here. Part two click here The following morning the group whiled away the time idly before we needed to get back on the demon horses. There was an air of apprehension after Michael's fall yesterday, however since I felt that every time I hopped on a horse, it wasn't too much... Continue Reading →
Living Like a Mongol: The Journey Rides On
For part one click here We arrived at our first ger site of the five we would be staying at during our trip, and were greeted with bowls of noodles, cabbage and potato. The meat eaters had mutton. This would be the first of many meals of mutton and potatoes for us travelers. We would... Continue Reading →
Living Like a Mongol: The Genesis
At the introduction dinner our G Adventure tour guide Oyuna asked us why we chose to come to Mongolia. Mine was the lamest answer. Perhaps closely followed by my partner Alex, who had come because I asked him and he’s always up for a random adventure. It was not something on my non-existent bucket list,... Continue Reading →