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Tanjung Benoa, Bali: Robin Bower

Travelling to Bali – some tips

Many people ask me where to go and what to do in Bali. I’ve written about a few favourite places and some of the things I love about the place. I recommend you get the current Lonely Planet guide too. Dollar amounts are US dollars. Bear in mind that prices and places change rapidly in …

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Chamberlain Gorge, El Questro, the Kimberley: Robin Bower

Travels to the Kimberley desert

Having travelled the world rather than my own backyard, I thought it was time I visited the North of Australia (Western Australia and the Northern Territory). I knew that the experiences and images were unique to this part of the world called the Kimberley. Green, tepid waters invite the unwary traveller to a number of ways to die – sharks, crocodiles, …

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Doris Duke's pool and water feature, Hawaii: Robin Bower

Doris Duke’s Hawaiian Shangri La

Few locals knew who owned the house with the pillars high on Diamond Head. Facing an intolerant Pacific, a giant limestone barricade protected the home’s foundations from the constant waves, and its owner from unwelcome intruders. A reclusive tobacco heiress with an eternal love of Hawaii, Doris Duke began construction of her winter retreat on …

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Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Robin Bower

Kuala Lumpur — a city in transition

The first thing that hits the weary journeywoman escaping the Asian Manhattan of Hong Kong is that KL* doesn’t appear to be finished. Has there been an air strike that has demolished those burgeoning constructions for transportation in a once-booming economy? Or has the Indian subcontinent decided to use Petaling Jaya for its latest nuclear …

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Mount Everest, Nepal: Robin Bower

Seeing Everest in the footsteps of Hillary

Mystery, adventure, sunset on snow-capped mountains – isn’t it everything you dream of in a holiday? Throw in some physical exertion, lots of deep breathing, views of yaks’ rears, plus the most spectacular and inspiring scenery in the world and you’re on the trek to Everest in Nepal – the top of the world. The …

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Moona, India: Robin Bower

Eternal Benares and the lure of the Ganges

Stranded in a dark, unknown street in the middle of Varanasi at three in the morning could be a daunting prospect for some. We were eleven hours later after a hot and dusty bus ride from the border, and wanted only to settle in a cool place for the night. Out of this Indian night …

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Ecuador courtyard: Robin Bower

Cayambe calling

‘There’s an active volcano near Quito, you know,’ my travel agent informed me when I was booking my ticket. There were warnings of political unrest, poverty inspired crime and a dislike for gringos. Outpourings of ash from the volcano resulted in the closure of Quito airport a week before my departure. But there were plenty …

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Lamu Island, Kenya, Africa: Robin Bower

Calling the winds of Africa

I think of Africa and I think of huge, open spaces covered in the sparse stubble of a barren land, waiting only for the change in the breeze and the rain. The sunsets are bright orange and red with the dark haunting shapes of the fragile trees silhouetted against the glow. The slowness and speed …

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