December 18, 2025 I went to Koh Laan (above) on a day trip. On that day I caught a sawngthaew (สองแถว) from my hotel near the Runway Market to Bali Hai wharf, then a boat to Tawaen beach on Koh Laan, and then returned the way I came. At the coffeeshop near my hotel, aboutContinue reading “Koh Laan, Thailand”
Tag Archives: travel
Train to Pattaya
December 13, 2025 I’m in Thailand. Above is my view from my balcony on the 7th floor of the Krungkasem Srikrung Hotel, around 7am. The Bangkok (Hua Lamphong) railway station is on the extreme left. Another view of the canal, the Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem. According to Wikipedia in order to serve as a new outer moatContinue reading “Train to Pattaya”
Sydney Fish Markets
December 7, 2025 On Sunday, I made a last-minute decision to visit the Sydney Fish Markets, as part of my plan to go to sites very popular with tourists. The itinerary is superimposed over the Google Map above. From Circular Quay, I took the ferry to Pyrmont Bay wharf; caught the light rail to theContinue reading “Sydney Fish Markets”
Bathurst, Australia
November 26, 2025 I’m back in Sydney. My 2-year visa had expired, and the Mandarin Training Center refused to give me another. However, I discovered that I can go back to Taiwan without a visa and study Chinese, though I have to depart in 90 days. I’ll be doing this for, hopefully, some years. ButContinue reading “Bathurst, Australia”
Manly, Australia
August 26, 2025 I’m in Sydney for a week, in between my MTC classes. I’ve been doing the classic tourist sightseeing in Sydney. This journey I decided to go to Manly. I started at Circular Quay (pronounced “Key’) in the Central Business District, took a ferry to Manly Wharf on the harbour side of Manly,Continue reading “Manly, Australia”
Datong District, Taipei
Note: I will be travelling to Thailand and Cambodia in February 2026. If you are interested in meeting there, even if only for a week or two, respond in the comments below. August 10, 2025 Jenny is coming to Taipei. I met Jenny 35 years ago, when we were both undergraduates at Sydney University. SheContinue reading “Datong District, Taipei”
Coogee Beach, Sydney
May 30, 2025 I’m back in Sydney for a week to see my mother. While in the Central Business District in the center of Sydney, on a whim, I decided to visit Coogee Beach. The route, courtesy of Google Maps, goes by light rail (tram) to Randwick where the tram lines end. Then I wouldContinue reading “Coogee Beach, Sydney”
Want to go to Thailand or Cambodia?
From December 2025 to February 2026, I will be in Thailand and Cambodia. The reason is that I will reach the end of the Taiwanese government’s two-year Chinese language qualification in December. So, I will take a three-month holiday in South-East Asia, then in February come back to Taiwan and re-enroll at the same ChineseContinue reading “Want to go to Thailand or Cambodia?”
Dajia Mazu
April 5, 2025 While I was shopping at Huì Guó Market, someone mentioned the Mazu pilgrimage, a huge festival down south near Taichung. I was unenthusiastic, but I said to myself, in a few years I’ll be glad to have gone. So I looked up the temple and found a “Dajia Mazu Pilgrimage Day TourContinue reading “Dajia Mazu”
Sydney Opera House – from Wandering Richard (http://wanderingrichard.com)
February 28, 2025 I’m back in Sydney for a week, between MTC Chinese courses. I’m staying with my parents. My mother has just finished the initial period of chemotherapy; I went with her to her last session. I thought I’d see Sydney as a visitor would see it. Being born in Sydney, I didn’t getContinue reading “Sydney Opera House – from Wandering Richard (http://wanderingrichard.com)”
Wandering Richard 