Vietnam

Two amazing weeks travelling up Vietnam from south to north. I started and ended my journey in two typically crazy Asian cities: Hoi An and Hanoi. But the real Vietnam, the one that makes you want to go back and soak up a bit more of the culture, is the towns that lie between the two cities. Even the busiest towns have a feeling of calm bustle about them. There is a definite sense this is a developing country, everyone has their own little plan for a brighter future, but there are no signs of leaving behind their traditions in the face of development; as the cliche would have you believe. Vietnam is exactly what you expect from South East Asia, and one over on Thailand for having a smaller tourism industry.  

Singapore

Strong contender for the most glamorous place on Earth. Not the best place for a backpacker to meet people or save money, but certainly a civil place to get through jet lag.

Singapore, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Bali

It's been a long time since my last post. A lot has happened, perhaps the most exciting was my first time travelling. With my 60 litre backpack on, an empty SD card in my camera, and a tearful mother at Heathrow, I ventured out on my own. Most people can't believe I went alone. Even on the plane on my way to Asia I was warned against travelling alone: "cause you're a woman, it's too dangerous". Shame that this is the way we are taught to live. I wasn't alone really, I was on 14 strong backpacking tours some of the time and traveled with a friend at one point. I was only "alone" alone for 12 days (Singapore and Bali). Funnily enough I learnt the most about myself in those days, as the cliche goes.

Travelling to the Wonderland

This installation at V&A is one of the best I have seen in a while, the more you look the more details you find. It's by Xu Bing who was inspired by a Chinese fable called Peach Spring Blossom where a lost fisherman discovers a wonderland behind a mountain where the inhabitants live in harmony with nature.

A Pair of Human Hands

A film Chrissie Clark, Simon Roach and I made for our Masters course.

The Jam Jar

 

Jam Jar Florists found in Peacock Yard. http://jamjarflowers.co.uk 

The Yards are full of studio spaces that house crafts people and artists, like Jam Jar Florists and Lute-makers Sandi and Stephen who we made a film about. See it here   

Kew

Neighbourhood Watch

Long Live Southbank

Pretty bits from Edinburgh