Destination Java: (1) The Rebirth of Jodipan

A little over a decade ago, the neighbourhood of Jodipan (in the East Java city of Malang) was deemed beyond hope. Hugging the Brantas River, the area was considered squalid and unsanitary, with dreadful living conditions and severe infrastructure issues. The only solution for the local authorities was to demolish the whole site and relocate […]

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Meeting the Komodo Dragon!

There have been occasions (not too many though) when a travel destination has left me a tad underwhelmed. I had VERY high expectations this time – and (rest assured!) – the experience was as good as hoped for! Getting to the Komodo Islands sounds more complex than it actually is. From Dublin, it means two […]

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Close Encounters with the Legendary Komodo Dragon

There are bucket lists and there are … well … BUCKET LISTS! A while ago now – 2004 to be exact – I first encountered the Komodo Dragon in Sydney Zoo. I’d no idea such creatures existed. Then, much later, I discovered there was a place called KOMODO ISLAND!!! Just imagine! I never seriously thought […]

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