Antipodeanblog

LATEST ARTICLES ( 143 )

• St Petersburg

  

  I wasn't sure what to expect from the Russian overnight train between Moscow and St Petersburg. What I definitely didn't expect was a luxurious private cabin!... Read more

  Posted on 19 January 2012 DESTINATIONS, TRAVEL

• Last Day in Moscow: Ice and Snow

  

  We opened our windows this morning to a glorious sight:We packed up and checked out quickly, eager to see how the night of snowfall had altered the landscape.Th... Read more

  Posted on 19 January 2012 DESTINATIONS, TRAVEL

• New Year, Red Square

  

  There was a point when I was genuinely concerned that we wouldn't make it in.The crowd was thick and pushy. There were more Russian military than I ever... Read more

  Posted on 18 January 2012 DESTINATIONS, TRAVEL

• Day Two in Moscow: Serendipity

  

  Our second day in Russia was all about serendipity. After dismally failing to see ice sculptures the night before, I had googled my little heart out and... Read more

  Posted on 16 January 2012 DESTINATIONS, TRAVEL

• Life Lesson #39 - Ice, Ice Baby

  

  Ice sculptures. That's how I ended up in this park in the middle of nowhere in Moscow. Ice sculptures. My best friend came here ten years ago and raved. There... Read more

  Posted on 15 January 2012 DESTINATIONS, TRAVEL

• Day One in Moscow

  

  The guy who picked us up at the airport looked like a James Bond villian. This was my first thought after laying eyes on the optimistic looking elephant... Read more

  Posted on 11 January 2012 DESTINATIONS, TRAVEL

• Review: Jerusalem

  

  When Mark Rylance won the Tony Award for Best Actor earlier this year, I was kicking myself for not seeing him in Jerusalem on Broadway when I had the chance. Read more

  Posted on 06 January 2012 DESTINATIONS, ENTERTAINMENT, MOVIES

• Life Lesson #38 - Globetrotting Roast

  

  On our last night in London before Christmas, we had our friends Rose and Rowley over for a massive turkey roast.As always, there was loads of food left over.... Read more

  Posted on 05 January 2012 TRAVEL

• Venice

  

  Jammed into a tiny cabin with six people, I woke at 5am on Boxing Day en route to Venice. The sun was rising somewhere over the Italian countryside.Venice... Read more

  Posted on 05 January 2012 DESTINATIONS, TRAVEL

• Snowflakes in Salzburg

  

  Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes. That's what I wanted for my first winter Christmas. The London weather reports indicated a mild winter with no... Read more

  Posted on 30 December 2011 DESTINATIONS, TRAVEL

• An Antipodean Christmas

  

  It's my first Christmas on the other side of the world. It doesn't feel much like Christmas because it's so cold! I think I'd be able to wrap my head around it... Read more

  Posted on 23 December 2011 DESTINATIONS, TRAVEL

• Review: Cheap Flights

  

  Fascinating Aida have been around for 30 years. Their niche is fans of both comedy and vocal groups.Part of their appeal is the surprise of seeing three properl... Read more

  Posted on 23 December 2011 DESTINATIONS, TRAVEL

• Sheffield for a Show

  

  Two weeks ago, I asked my Facebook friends to help me decide whether it was worth going to Sheffield (a five hour return high-speed train trip) to see a show. Read more

  Posted on 22 December 2011 DESTINATIONS, TRAVEL

• Review: Company

  

  Sondheim is (almost inarguably) the greatest living musical theatrecomposer. Everyone can hum a tune from one of his shows. My favouriteis one of the lesser... Read more

  Posted on 22 December 2011 DESTINATIONS, TRAVEL

• Life Lesson #36 - The Swiss Grift

  

  Today I learned that you can’t lie to a Swiss train guard. That they are humourless is no urban myth.I'm ashamed to admit that it was a calculated decision... Read more

  Posted on 21 December 2011 DESTINATIONS, TRAVEL

• A Night in the Slammer

  

  I spent my first night Switzerland in prison. And the second, actually.Lucerne turned its Jail into a hotel about 15 year ago, and given the price of... Read more

  Posted on 20 December 2011 DESTINATIONS, TRAVEL

• A Weekend in Lucerne

  

  First time in Switzerland. And it feels fantastic!We flew into slick Zurich airport, and are staying an hour away in Lucerne. The Swiss transport system works... Read more

  Posted on 20 December 2011 DESTINATIONS, TRAVEL

• Review: War Horse

  

  War Horse won the 2010 Olivier in London and the 2011 Tony in New York for Best Play. It's been selling out so far in advance that we booked our tickets in earl... Read more

  Posted on 13 December 2011 DESTINATIONS, TRAVEL

• Review: Noises Off

  

  Michael Frayn's classic English farce is, in my opinion, the funniest play ever written.The action centres around six overbearing actors who can't get on,... Read more

  Posted on 06 December 2011 CULTURE, DESTINATIONS, THEATRE & OPERA, TRAVEL

• A Weekend in Berlin

  

  A few years back, I made a starring turn in the show Cabaret as 'guy #2'. Thought my performance was less than memorable, it did awaken a desire to visit the... Read more

  Posted on 06 December 2011 DESTINATIONS, TRAVEL