Hello :) This is part three of an overview of my recent trip to the Caucasus region of Eurasia, and covers the four days I spent in Armenia. I talk about why Yerevan feels quite Soviet, why Armenia and Azerbaijan don't like each other, and the architectural legacy of being the world's oldest Christian country. Topics discussed in this episode are: * Asexuality Interview with an unexpected newspaper * Local Elections * How to spend 7 hours in Yerevan with a backpack * The Yerevan Cascade(s) * The Soviet vibe of Victory Park * Kond Historic District * The Cathedral of Saint Gregory the Illuminat ..read more

Hello :) This is part two of an overview of my recent trip to the Caucasus region of Eurasia, and covers the five days I spent in the country of Georgia, mainly the capital city Tbilisi. I also talk about far too much cheese and garlic, the worst beer I've ever had in my life,  Topics discussed in this episode are: * Audio quality of recent episodes * Problems when your debit card gets cancelled * Arrival in Tbilisi * First experience with Georgian food * Transport in Tbilisi * The Georgian National Museum * Beer and bars in Tbilisi * Uplistsikhe - the city built into a sandstone hill * F ..read more

Hello :) So, as you know, I've recently been away for two weeks, ostensibly to attend the Traverse Travel Blogger Conference, which this year took place in Tbilisi, in Georgia. I've never been to that party of the world, and it'd always been on my list. I clearly went at the wrong time of year, but that's just what happens sometimes. This is going to be the first of a couple of pods about the trip, and concentrates mainly on talking about the conference itself, the background to why I went, and on my first couple of days travelling, mostly spent in Azerbaijan. Topics discussed in this episode ..read more

Hello :) It's coming up to Valentine's Day (and Quirkyalone Day), so this feels like the right time to issue an episode all about love, sex, and illicit encounters while travelling. Obviously there's content warnings in here, mainly for, well, sex and kink, but I do always try to keep it quite light-hearted. One might well ask how an AroAce can talk so much about this subject. Well. Topics discussed in this episode are: * Full Swap Radio * Meeting people in backpacker hostels * Dating apps * Why I don't use dating apps but might use hookup apps * Staying safe on the road * Interesting hookups ..read more

Hello :) Of course it’s the New Year, and as such, the travel world is plastered with lists of ‘where to go in 2024’, ‘best places to visit in 2024’, and the like. Now, I have to say I’ve never been terribly fond of these sorts of things on a fundamental level for a number of reasons. I mean, sure they provide a good quick way of inspiring people, especially people who are relatively new to travel, but sometimes I feel that they tend to be quite … well, have a listen and see if you agree with me. Topics discussed in this episode are: * Back to Glasgow for re-coloured hair * My eyes are getting ..read more

Hello :) And so to the second part of 'let's make a podcast that's going to cause more unfollowers than followers'. Mind you, let's be honest, I've had several podcast episodes like that, and nothing untoward has happened. Maybe I should be more controversial. There again. I wasn't originally sure what to do for this episode. I toyed with the idea of doing one on 'ancient and mediaeval Travel Bloggers you need to know about', but I realised it would require far too much research in the time I had available. However using the very first one, Hanno The Navigator, as a 'hook', I realised I could ..read more

Hello :) Well, you may be pleased to know I survived my trip to SE Asia. But it was a close-run thing as you'll hear at the start of this episode. Anyway. It's Christmas. I should do a pod about this time of year. And this is one I've cobbled together at the last possible moment. I think I might well whine a bit more than usual in it. But it's fine; this isn't my time of year by definition. Topics discussed in this episode are: * The most 8 minutes I've ever had on a plane * My Christmas is low-key * 100 Countries by Age 50 * American Christmas Music Radio * Whamageddon! * Christmas trees * Au ..read more

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Hello :) As I'm currently away on a backpacking trip around South-East Asia, it makes sense to issue a podcast episode about the previous time I went to this part of the world (mainland, anyway, not the many islands off the coast) - back in 2012 to Laos and Cambodia. This episode is specifically about the Laos part of the trip; the subsequent Cambodian adventure will be my featured in next podcast. A PDF transcript of this podcast will be available when I return, for ... admin reasons. As always, if you have anything to say about the topic, or indeed about my podcasting in general, leave a com ..read more

Hello :) Well, that was an unexpectedly long break. To be honest I wasn't planning it but I did kind of need it. But just in case you needed confirmation: Everything Has Been All Right. So far at least. Anyway, this episode is a short one, just in part to let you know I'm still alive, partly to give you an indication of what to look forward to in the new series of episodes, for a given definition of series, and mainly to give you a housekeeping life update. There's also a call-to-action for future episodes. Normal service will be resumed next time. For a given definition of normal.  A PDF ..read more