The night after I returned from my first visit to China, from labyrinthine Beijing, charming Xi’an, and neurotic Chongqing, I went for a drink with Matt. I told him about…
Where the Ice comes South
I’ve often talked about the unusual geography of Japan. It stretches like a string of pearls dangling from frozen Kamchatka to the North, over rugged mountains and dense cities, all…
China is Big (and Empty?)
This should come with the important caveat that I’ve only spent limited amounts of time in China, and that I haven’t seen the whole country. Nonetheless, I’d like to share…
Trust scribbled on a leaf
Long before I ever made it to Thailand, I visited the North-African countries of Morocco, Tunisia, and Egypt. The latter was a blast, accompanied by my Arabic speaking friend Marnix,…
What even is South Korea?
After living in Japan for a year, it was very difficult not to see it constantly when travelling to Seoul. From the food, architecture, and music, strong connections are everywhere….
Visit the Church and Become the Lord
A couple years back, during the week running up to Old Year’s Eve, I pestered my mate almost incessantly, asking how we’d spend the night. He has a more laid…
China is Modern
I tread the five longest escalators I’ve ever descended on my way from the metro’s entrance to its far-off platform. But after a mere minute in the monorail, the carriage…
China is Friendly
Twelve hours on a night train and between hundreds of Chinese travellers to Xi’an, I am the only foreigner. I don’t mind, in fact, it’s part of why I’m here….
China is Safe
To be totally honest with you, Beijing cuisine didn’t blow me away. It’s made up of beans, grease, and a distinct muteness of flavour. After a tiring day, even the…
The Colony
Up until about 1870 Japan lived in a state of relative isolation. After centuries of bloody civil war, the military Tokugawa government ensured the unification of Japan, bringing peace and…