Waking up on a train speeding through the Thai jungle is one of the most incredible experiences I’ve ever had. We jumped on an overnight train last night in Bangkok at around 6pm, and woke up around 5.30am the next day in the northern Thai jungle. The overnight train is probably the nicest one I’veContinue reading “Chiang Mai & Chiang Rai”
Author Archives: michaelaweston
What to do in Beijing
The city guides are your one stop shop for recommendations and suggestions. Rather than talking about my experiences, I’ll tell you how to get around and what to do.
Planes, Trains & Automobiles: Getting around China
It seems like a paradox that one of the geographically largest countries in the world is also one of the easiest to travel around, but it’s true. China has an exhaustive network of trains and airports, which mean you can get between almost any two cities at the click of a button (or through signContinue reading “Planes, Trains & Automobiles: Getting around China”
What the bao? Ultimate guide to eating safely in China
If you haven’t grown up eating Chinese food, looking at a menu for the first time can be daunting. If you go off the beaten track, sometimes they’re not in English and you’re trying to work out the difference between a pot sticker dumpling and a pan fried dumpling… Well never fear. If you’re carefulContinue reading “What the bao? Ultimate guide to eating safely in China”
Drums and Warriors in Xi’an
Well, we survived the first overnight train. I think survived is a key word. Crammed into a four berth ‘first-class’ carriage, it was definitely not the best night’s sleep either of us has ever had. However, it was an efficient use of time in terms of travel. Also, cheap. We made it to Xi’an aroundContinue reading “Drums and Warriors in Xi’an”
Ni Hao Beijing!
Beijing is an incredible city. In one place, you feel the concrete might of the Chinese government next to the towering skyscrapers of modern China, all surrounded by a healthy dose of smog. Our first activity in Beijing was to try and orient ourselves with the Forbidden City. After walking several kilometres, we found theContinue reading “Ni Hao Beijing!”
Back to the Middle Kingdom
Sometimes in life, fate strikes and it becomes clear that certain things were just meant to happen. This trip to China was one of those moments. My little brother (Tom) and I had been planning an end-of-HSC backpacking trip around China since June. We’d booked almost everything, timed it to be across the Schoolies periodContinue reading “Back to the Middle Kingdom”
Back in my happy place
Vietnam has got to be one of the most incredible countries on earth. One minute you’re walking through Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) surrounded by a whirlwind of colour, noise and people, assaulted by the smell of street food on every corner, ducking and weaving in and out of traffic. The next you’re floating downContinue reading “Back in my happy place”
The tale of two ankles
Well, it’s officially been twelve months since I fell over in Laos while walking from a market to my hotel room. And to celebrate – I had a second surgery. Okay yes, this one is nowhere near as major as the last one and also hurts a lot less at the moment (hold that thoughtContinue reading “The tale of two ankles”
Highlights of Hangzhou
Also the name of an elective offered at Zheda, for the whole three weeks that we actually showed up to our elective classes before realising they weren’t assessable… **IF YOU DON’T WANT TO READ A WHOLE NOSTALGIC MEMORY POST THEN PLEASE SKIP TO THE KTV STORY NOW, I PROMISE IT IS WELL WORTH YOUR TIME**Continue reading “Highlights of Hangzhou”
One Rainy Monday 