Feature

Kish Island, Iran There was a basic difference of opinion. I wanted to see Kish Island while my guide wished to drive off-road. Actually, off-road in Kish may sound exciting but is little more than lurching past low-lying scrub as an occasional gazelle-like creature dashes for cover when surprised. I have generally found that off-road in the desert is fun for the driver but sick-making for the passengers in a very big way. Kish would be no different, of that I was sure, and anyway I was in tourist mode big-time and[...]

Manchester, United Kingdom Imagine the scene. You will know it well; the exasperating hotel check-out. There I was, stood side-by-side with many hopefuls, each trying to be served first while pretending not to be in a hurry. I would shortly be headed to my London-bound train, my fellow receptioneers no doubt had their own agenda. All I had to do was pay the extras, as my hosts were taking care of the remainder. The reception clerk, a cheery Jamaican with a half-dreadlock-half not-so-sure-what-to-call-it hairstyle, was swaying rhythmically from side to side as[...]

Edale, United Kingdom Something is happening to the British railway system and this time it is not all bad. You see, I was brought up on endless delays, unkempt carriages and a complete inability to understand why two people could buy a ticket at the same price yet one passenger would be seated and the other obliged to stand. The familiar, red double arrow sign that gives directions to railway stations throughout the land long ago justifiably earned its nickname of the arrow of indecision. For ages, it appears, British Railways has[...]

Dubai, UAE I ask you. Who would wish to be a camel? Don’t they look so glum? Whether I go near one, and camel proximity is an occupational hazard in Dubai, I frequently sense the poor creature is depressed. Out here you see dozens of the so-called dromedary or Arabian camels. They are the single-humped beasts that look at you through half closed eyes, chewing thoughtfully and being sure you are not misbehaving. They are distinct from Bactrian camels, the two-humped ones from Asia, who seem to handle cold much better than[...]

Blackpool, United Kingdom Oh dear. We have done it again. We Brits appear never to excel with our seaside resorts. You see, I have just been to Blackpool, one of the benefits – if you might call it that – of being a lecturer and asked to motivate intelligent but hungover audiences the morning after the night before. By the sound of things, I was lucky to have anyone sat in the auditorium at all as the conference dinner, which I had – clearly wisely – declined to attend had finished at[...]

Tripoli, Lebanon We have a Safe Area in our apartment, a place you are meant to run when the proverbial hits the fan. I presume that is when you lock the door, close your eyes and pray the baddies do not find you. It is certainly a daily reminder that however blue the skies outside, however broad the locals’ smiles, for any humanitarian worker there remains a permanent threat and risk. The figures are quite daunting. In the last decade, the risk of injury or kidnap to humanitarian staff has increased tenfold.[...]