Sunset Mekong River Thailand

When I went abroad to English-speaking countries as a teenager from Germany, I always had to snicker when I read “Drugstore” on the pharmacy signs. In Germany, the word ‘drug’ refers solely to the illegal stuff. If you mean the pills, powders and liquids your doctor prescribes and treats you with, you say ‘medicaments’. Two different words to describe two completely different purposes, while the original substance used might actually be the same.

Opium for the masses – a visit to the Hall of Opium museum in the Golden triangle

Sunset Mekong River Thailand

When I went abroad to English-speaking countries as a teenager from Germany, I always had to snicker when I read “Drugstore” on the pharmacy signs. In Germany, the word ‘drug’ refers solely to the illegal stuff. If you mean the pills, powders and liquids your doctor prescribes and treats you with, you say ‘medicaments’. Two different words to describe two completely different purposes, while the original substance used might actually be the same.

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Oslo Freilichtmuseum outside

When we arrived in Oslo, the weather forecast announced that we would have a sunny day and a rainy day during our stay in Norway’s capital. Ever the brilliant organisers we decided we would cleverly visit all the outside sights on the sunny day, and the inside sights on the rainy day.

And even though we have had our fair share of the weather forecast being completely wrong at times, this time everything went according to plan!

Discovering Oslo, Part I: outside

Oslo Freilichtmuseum outside

When we arrived in Oslo, the weather forecast announced that we would have a sunny day and a rainy day during our stay in Norway’s capital. Ever the brilliant organisers we decided we would cleverly visit all the outside sights on the sunny day, and the inside sights on the rainy day.

And even though we have had our fair share of the weather forecast being completely wrong at times, this time everything went according to plan!

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Portrait of the Artist at Work by @artboy11211

I’ve been very much enjoying Instagram since it was released onto Android in 2012, and have discovered a great many fine artists on the platform. So I was delighted when the opportunity to interview one of my favourite Instagrammers arose. And with nearly 40,000 Instagram followers, I’m not alone when it comes to enjoying his work.

Instagram tips: an Interview with Larry Closs

Portrait of the Artist at Work by @artboy11211

I’ve been very much enjoying Instagram since it was released onto Android in 2012, and have discovered a great many fine artists on the platform. So I was delighted when the opportunity to interview one of my favourite Instagrammers arose. And with nearly 40,000 Instagram followers, I’m not alone when it comes to enjoying his work.

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IMG_20130320_200549

Remember when I was all like “We’re going on an adventure around Europe with Eurail and HostelBookers!”?

Well, that adventure is now over, and what a lot of fun we had. From the moules and frites of Belgium to the snow swept streets of Oslo, we managed to take in seven countries in 21 days, which was a lot of fun.

An Instagram tour of Europe

IMG_20130320_200549

Remember when I was all like “We’re going on an adventure around Europe with Eurail and HostelBookers!”?

Well, that adventure is now over, and what a lot of fun we had. From the moules and frites of Belgium to the snow swept streets of Oslo, we managed to take in seven countries in 21 days, which was a lot of fun.

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Waterfall Khao Sok Laurence Norah

The only encounter I’ve had with leeches, prior to my trip to Khao Sok National Park in Thailand, was in Australia of all places. Friends and I were visiting the Barrington Tops National Park, a range of mountains on the east coast, a couple of hundred kilometres north of Sydney. They are supposed to be rather beautiful.

Khao Sok National Park – Leeches, lakes and jungle

Waterfall Khao Sok Laurence Norah

The only encounter I’ve had with leeches, prior to my trip to Khao Sok National Park in Thailand, was in Australia of all places. Friends and I were visiting the Barrington Tops National Park, a range of mountains on the east coast, a couple of hundred kilometres north of Sydney. They are supposed to be rather beautiful.

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Paying the bills