Riding high in WA’s Kimberley region
Horsing around can’t hide an almost spiritual side to Western Australia’s magnificent Kimberley region “I’M BACK in the saddle again. Out where a friend is a friend . . . ” I can’t get Gene Autry’s signature tune out of my head as we jokingly …
Trapped in Matakauri Lodge … and loving it
The weather gods forced Brian Crisp to spend yet another luxurious night or two at Matakauri Lodge Monday, August 15. Memo to boss Dear John, I can’t make it to work today as Queenstown is snowed in. No flights until Wednesday. Maybe Friday. The good …
Fostering an elephant in Kenya
Fostering an elephant in Kenya and returning it to the wild helps reverse the drastic effects of poaching MEET Naipoki, the newest member of our family. She was three months old when she fell down a well in the Namunyak Conservancy in northern Kenya. Unable …
Meeting Macau’s famous fortune teller
THERE’S something strangely reassuring about meeting Macau’s famous fortune teller who has 30cm-long sprouts of hair protruding from parts of his face. As he stares at me above his thick glasses, I’m at least confident that he looks the part. It’s not what he says …
Whistler turns my world upside down
Brian Crisp returns to Whistler to investigate how the mountain has changed post-Olympics lIT IS 10 days before Christmas and my world has turned upside down. My shorts, T-shirt and thongs traditional Australian summer couture to cope with the 35C heat have been replaced by …
Take me way to Marseilles
Marseilles has lots of attractions, but it helps to have The Angels on your side, writes Brian Crisp MY ITUNES playlist has often come to my rescue when travelling. When the journey is long, I search for inspiration in songs about the places I’m either …
Loire Valley cycle ride proves a test of stamina
THE pace of life on the Loire Valley is slow. In Roman times, the canals and rivers were a major transport lane – a busy, bustling broadway. Today the Loire Valley is a pleasure playground for bike riders. It’s not quite the Tour de France, but it …
Peru’s Sacred Valley reveals its Earth Mother
Brian Crisp pays tribute to the Earth Mother in Peru’s Sacred Valley IT IS early morning and I’m sitting under a tree by a river in Peru’s Sacred Valley with Lucas Checa. He is a paq’o. A holy man. A healer. An Andean shaman. In …
Green Thunder captures Carnival’s Spirit
THE thumping beat of AC/DC’s Thunderstruck fills the air and the sky is dark. The air moist. It feels as if danger is present all around and I’m in panic mode. I don’t like rides. I don’t like heights. Why am I doing about the …
Paris dining experience worth the wait
A Paris dining experience can provide much more than just a good meal. OH THE French! You can’t help but love them. No, No, No? The night was to start with champagne on the 56th floor of the Tour Montparnasse which, according to the internet, …