I love it when you have no idea what a destination holds then you are stupendously surprised by the experience. Cruising into Pago Pago harbour was just the beginning of a tremendous day in travel finishing with a fabulous Sail Way parked in the Sunset Bar of the Celebrity Eclipse. 

I had wanted to travel to Burma since I came across the Schwedagon Pagoda as a teenager. Finally had the opportunity in 2019 as part of a scenic river cruise along the Irrawaddy. First things first, we had to get there and there was a bit of relief surrounding this photo encompassing a couple of days travel, a dodge hotel and a taxi ride..... ahh the taxi ride! We were in Mandalay and loving it. 

Some days travelling are just a bit better than others. Walking up on an Avalon river cruise in Linz, I wandered into the attractive city centre as the sun rose illuminating the city's multiple spires before returning for breakfast. 

My wife, Kath and I had wanted to take our boys, Alex and Liam to some slightly challenging travel destinations just to make sure they were reasonably well equipped to look after themselves when the time came for them to head off by themselves. They breezed through Vietnam and clearly not too much bother with India!

Travel sometimes involves a bit of luck. On the day we saw this magnificent animal our transport was late and fair to say Kath and I weren't impressed as it meant we would be behind every tourist in the park. As the fates would have it we had to take a different route to the preferred one as there were too many on it .... 5 minutes later we come across a tiger, the only one seen in the park that day.

Adventure destinations have always been my passion, seeking the seemingly unattainable and finding a way. As an overland guide for 6 years on the road I circumnavigated Africa, South America and the Middle East showing people the wonders of the world in some of the remotest destinations on earth. 

Cruising has become part of my travels over the last decade with a particular fondness for river cruises. I am a CLIA Cruise Master, the highest qualification available in the cruise industry. Having cruised in Europe, Asia and the Pacific by river and ocean I have an intimate knowledge of a variety of cruise options.