Dispatches

Baseball in Japan is more than a sport, it’s a cultural experience. This photo captures the excitement inside the iconic Tokyo Dome, home of the Yomiuri Giants. The stadium is alive with the chants and drums of orange-clad fans, creating an electric atmosphere. With meticulous organization, vibrant energy, and a true sense of community, Japanese baseball brings together tradition and passion, making every game feel like a festival of sport.

Hidden in Tasmania’s north, nature unfolds in its purest form. A gentle waterfall cascades over mossy rocks, surrounded by towering ferns and eucalyptus trees. The air is crisp, the sound of rushing water and the dappled sunlight through the forest canopy makes it feel like a soothing, secret world. A perfect escape for those seeking tranquillity and a reminder of the raw, beautiful magic Tasmania holds.

In the heart of Tarragona, Spain, stands the Monumento als Castellers. This breathtaking statue is a tribute to the centuries-old Catalan tradition of human towers. Rising high with teamwork and balance, this bronze sculpture captures the spirit of community where every role matters, from the solid base to the daring climber at the top. A must-see landmark, very moving

A call out to the street food vendors and sidewalk makeshift eateries that create that colourful obstacle course of smells, drawing on the temptation of hunger to snare the passerby. This is how you learn to weave in and out of plastic chairs being placed at tables as the early diners get in before the rush. The locals know where to eat as queues will no doubt form at certain vendors stalls and other vendors will make what they can from the constant movement of people looking for sustenance. 

The sunlight hits hard in Cadiz as the sandstone walls add to the mustards and the golds; a flash of bright white from the buildings delivers summer. A city that takes all comers from cruise ships to holiday makers from Madrid. Let the sunrays reinvigorate the skin as pastie days under dull strobing fluorescent office lighting seems like a distant memory. Spot the blue water of the Gulf of Cadiz and float away, last chance before you board the plane or train back to reality.

Melbourne owns the coffee crown! In Fitzroy’s Smith Street, I caught a coffee devotee lost in a book, soaking up city life. The stroll blends experience and culture, with eclectic shops adding charm. Order a “Magic” Melbourne’s own coffee creation and taste the city’s rich, caffeinated soul.

Jump off the train at Hommachi and head east into a grid of streets alive with a culinary and cultural adventure. Seventeen blocks down and five blocks across are full of restaurants for the choosing, leading you to the famed Dotonbori, where the Glico running man shines over tourists devouring Takoyaki. Finish the evening by discovering the quieter backstreets of Osaka for a nightcap and dessert.

Terelj unveiled a wild beauty of rolling hills, granite cliffs, and whispering forests. We hiked to the serene Ariyabal Meditation Temple and visited Turtle Rock; a natural, turtle-shaped formation. Meeting nomadic families offered a glimpse into their enduring way of life. Holding an eagle, riding horses and camels, and trying archery made the day unforgettable. Full story in the next magazine.

A traveller on tour stumbles upon a foodie’s dream destination, a quirky food truck oasis! Picture a simple location: tiled floor, tin roof with creative thatching on the underside, tables and chairs waiting. Fifty menus tempt you with global flavours. Fast, cheap, and full of goodness; why visit just one eatery when you can tour a whole world of taste? Every dish comes with a friendly smile and a dash of culinary adventure.

When in Hong Kong, hop on a “Ding Ding” tram for a front-row seat to city life. From the top deck, watch crowds, neon lights, traffic, and glimpses of Victoria Harbour rush by. The tram’s steady clang and winding route through vibrant neighbourhoods make it more than just transport, it’s a cultural experience. Discover hidden eateries, local scenes, iconic destinations and more as you ride the rails through the heart of this dynamic city. Ding! Ding!

Jakarta may be hot and chaotic, but its galleries offer a cool, calm escape where creativity thrives. From a crumpled VW Beatle to a spasm of colour on canvas to carvings from indigenous crafty types. These are experiences that stir thought and curiosity. Places like Art:1 New Museum link local talent with global ideas, proving Jakarta deserves a spot on the international art stage, don’t overlook the emerging new world.

Zooming around the streets of Tokyo is nothing short of liberating. Sure you look silly, that’s the whole idea. Tokyo can be serious, all business, polite and quite, then a colourful pageant of go karts flash by to the sound of high pitched motors and laughter. The same with the night life as the Salarymen loosen the corporate ties for comradery into the early hours of the morning. Small wheels big fun pay attention you just might enjoy yourself.

A week in Lasenta Boutique Hotel overlooking the rice field was colonialism bliss. After an early morning swim, a coffee, it was out to explore for both a lunch and dinner spot. Restaurants run the full gambit of styles from a concrete floor, four posts, a flat tin roof with a kitchen comprising of a camper top gas burner through to a teak laden fit-out high end kitchen ready to pamper the guests in luxury. They all have two things in common great food and a welcomed smile all hard to leave.

Red, Blue & Yellow from 1930’s Dutch painter Piet Mondrian hints can be seen throughout the city. Discovered this houseboat on travelling trails looks fresh, modern, as if finished being built only yesterday. Bicycles dominate the roads, not the type you find in the Tour de France more of a practical flower basket carrying style. The back canals are worth a look some groovy coffee shops that spin vinyl or grab a stroopwafel, mmmmmmmm…. stroopwafel.