Eclectic crime fiction & informed, irreverent non-fiction from Asia & beyond
Very happy to report that the 17th edition of the 900+ page Reise Know How Thailand handbook, c0-authored by Rainer Krack and myself and photographed by Rainer Krack and Aroon Thaewchatturat, is in the shops in the German speaking world, just as I am finishing up the update to my Angkor guide in Siem Reap […]
Continue ReadingMy latest story with French journalist Laure Siegel on Odisha, one of India’s least visited states, and its fledgling tourist industry, published in the Nikkei Asian Review. PURI, India — “Jay Jagannath! Jay Jagannath!” A sea of people chants the sacred mantra while pulling on thick ropes hauling three massive, 14-meter-high wooden carts decorated in […]
Continue ReadingCambodia: Journey through the Land of the Khmer , photographed by Kraig Lieb, with my text, is doing well in Siem Reap bookshops. Blurb: Cambodia: a Journey through the Land of the Khmer throws the doors to this small Southeast Asian kingdom wide open and invites both visitors and armchair travelers on a trip through […]
Continue Reading“A detective should have facts, but sometimes, you just had to dance to the song playing on the jukebox, work the instinct routine, wherever it takes you.” James Newman is cutting his anchors and leaving the shore. He probably sails under a black flag and his destination is rather undefined. He’s not concerned with […]
Continue ReadingI’ve recently reviewed six hotels in Kandy, Sri Lanka for The Daily Telegraph. Kandy House, the former home of the last king of Ceylon, now a stunning hotel property amidst jungle and paddy fields outside of town, was a particular highlight.
Continue ReadingMy latest story with Laure Siegel on government censorship and the arts in India, focusing on theater on Mumbai and Delhi. MUMBAI/NEW DELHI — “First they come for the movies. Then for the books. Theater will be the last to be hit, but the clamp-down is coming,” said Anish Victor, a founder of Rafiki, a […]
Continue ReadingA copy of Sacred Skin has found its way into the hands of action actor and martial arts wizard Steven Seagal, via the incredible Sak Yant master Arjanneng Onnut Sakyant!
Continue ReadingGandhi stayed here and Paula Yates loved it. A handsome mansion built in the 1930s, run by the eccentric Helga De Silva, the property is now a faded but incredible Alice-in-Wonderland-meets-Hammer-Horror bohemian ghost ride experience. If you are looking for conventional accommodation, don’t stay here. Hotels don’t get any more unique than Helga’s Folly. Every […]
Continue ReadingHere’s my new and very slick professional profile at Clippings.me. Thanks for taking a look. Sure beats LinkedIn.
Continue ReadingI have been traveling in Sri Lanka recently. it was a blast and my first time on the island. Mellow people, so long as you don’t dig into the war (and I was not there for that), luscious green hills, great food, wonderful festivals and no stress. I did a bunch of hotel reviews for […]
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