Battersea Power Station, the iconic brick building with four white chimneys located on the south bank of the River Thames in southwest London, stood abandoned for nearly four decades. Today, however, it has fully reemerged as one of the capital’s most ambitious redevelopment projects, welcoming millions of visitors each year as a major retail and leisure destination, and a popular stop on many food tour London itineraries. Following a 9 … [Read more...]
Salt, Spice, and Silence: Why You Shouldn’t Have to Choose Between Seychelles and Zanzibar
There is this specific kind of magic that happens when the Indian Ocean meets the shore. Honestly, it is not just about the blue water or the white sand. It is more about the way the air feels thick, almost heavy, with the scent of salt and spice. You know that feeling when you are sitting at your desk, just staring at a spreadsheet and dreaming of an escape? For me, two names always pop up. Seychelles and Zanzibar. But here is the thing. … [Read more...]
Game Your Way Around the World
Travel and gaming may seem like separate worlds, but they share a common thread immersion, exploration, and the thrill of discovery. Just as games transport players into new environments, travel offers the chance to step into real-life worlds that echo the themes and atmospheres of favourite games. Whether you love epic adventures, high stakes excitement, or relaxed social play, your gaming preferences can inspire the perfect holiday … [Read more...]
Chinese Fashion: As Obscene and Perplexing as Ever
Originally published via Armageddon Safari: “Horrendous” also applies here, but I didn’t want to oversaturate the headline with adjectives. (Tucker Carlson’s “more verbs, less adjectives” mantra is the best writing advice perhaps ever dispensed.) Often, in East and Southeast Asia, picking out the Chinese based on purely physical features is more of an art than a science. Related: My Gold-Standard Expat Memoir: Back and Better Than … [Read more...]
Bacolod: The City of Smiles
At first glance, Bacolod might seem like just another bustling Philippine city, but beneath its modern veneer lies a sweet soul that earned it the moniker "City of Smiles." As our plane descended over sugarcane fields stretching to the horizon, I began to understand why this capital of Negros Occidental province has become a vital stop on the Filipino food trail. The city's connection to sugar runs deep – quite literally. For generations, vast … [Read more...]
Mississippi Delta Culture and African American History
CLARKSDALE, MISSISSIPPI–MARCH 2026–For more than 150 years, Coahoma County has been home to vibrant Black communities that have been central to the development of the Delta. They played key roles in the farms that were the engine for region’s the economy, in transforming the music that created Clarksdale’s lore as “ground zero” for the Blues and in the Civil Rights Movement that changed America. Clarksdale, Mississippi, is in Coahoma County, … [Read more...]
Cynthia Rothrock, Martial Artist, Actress and Adventurer
Cynthia Rothrock is an American martial artist and actress known as the “Queen of Martial Arts Films.” She holds black belts in multiple disciplines and was a world-champion competitor before starring in her first Hong Kong movie, Yes, Madam, co-starring Michelle Yeoh. Her recent work includes Black Creek and the upcoming horror film Steel Donkeys. Q. I grew up watching Hong Kong action films in the late 80s and early 90s. You were a very cool … [Read more...]
Zamboanga City: Asia’s Latin City
The morning sun cast golden rays across the waters of the Basilan Strait as our ferry approached Zamboanga City's port. Known as Asia's Latin City, this historic settlement on the southwestern tip of Mindanao held the promise of a unique cultural tapestry woven from Spanish, Muslim, and indigenous influences. My journey began at the iconic Paseo del Mar, where the salty breeze carried whispers of the city's maritime heritage. Local families … [Read more...]
A New Era Lifts Off: STARLUX Takes Delivery of Taiwan’s First A350-1000, Powering Long-Haul Expansion
New flagship joins the luxury carrier’s all-Airbus fleet as STARLUX Chairman pilots delivery flight, supporting future growth in North America and Europe Taipei, Los Angeles, and Toulouse, January 6, 2026—Marking a major transcontinental milestone, Taiwan-based luxury carrier STARLUX Airlines today took delivery of its first Airbus A350-1000 wide-body aircraft, becoming the first Taiwanese airline to operate the aircraft type. The aircraft, … [Read more...]
48 Hours in Oslo, Norway: The Perfect Weekend Itinerary
Oslo in winter doesn’t try to impress with postcard-blue skies. It seduces with low grey light, the smell of woodsmoke drifting over the fjord, and the quiet satisfaction of knowing the city was built for this season, not in spite of it. Two days is barely enough to scratch the surface, yet it’s perfect for feeling the vibe, and slipping into the rhythm of a place that treats darkness like an old friend. I have escaped to Norway twice, … [Read more...]