What is happiness? It’s a question that has vexed humankind for millennia. Marketers would have us believe it’s the latest phone, watch or handbag. Self-help books prescribe everything from stoicism to nihilism. One country that appears to have figured it out is Finland, which has topped the World Happiness Report rankings for the past eightContinue reading “Searching for contentment in the world’s happiest country”
Author Archives: Rob McFarland
Vegas without the hangover
“Wow,” said a colleague, after taking a sip of my drink. “You’d never know that didn’t contain alcohol.” We were sitting in F1 Arcade Las Vegas, the flagship outpost of the high-energy Formula 1 franchise, which opened last year inside The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace. The slick venue has 87 hi-tech racing simulators, threeContinue reading “Vegas without the hangover”
The unsung Nordic foodie capital
“Shall we sit outside?” asks guide Heather Domeney. “It’s a lovely day.” Originally from Tasmania, Domeney has lived in Helsinki for 23 years and has clearly adapted to the Nordic climate. While not actually raining, it’s so misty I can barely see the other side of the harbour. Still, it’s the ideal weather for aContinue reading “The unsung Nordic foodie capital”
The underrated US city with a “mini-Grand Canyon”
There are two ways to reach Colorado’s Rattlesnake Canyon, home to the world’s second-largest concentration of natural stone arches. The first is by tackling a steep, strenuous 25-kilometre round-trip trail that squirms through rock-walled canyons, skirting steep ledges and sun-baked sandstone slabs. The second involves an exhilarating 4WD trip through Colorado National Monument followed byContinue reading “The underrated US city with a “mini-Grand Canyon””
The best travel guide for Korea? K-dramas
You’ve no doubt heard of “set-jetting”, the practice of visiting a destination because it featured in a TV show or movie. Well, I’d like to propose a new trend: “re-stream”, where you research a destination using shows and movies on a streaming service. Admittedly, I may need to work on the name. Gone are theContinue reading “The best travel guide for Korea? K-dramas”
Testing the jet lag cure developed for US Navy Seals
You know the feeling – the knee-buckling wave of tiredness that hits you mid-afternoon. The nodding dog syndrome during dinner. Waking up bright as a meerkat at 3am. Jet lag is a fickle mistress. Some people are annoyingly unaffected (“Oh, I never get jet lag”); others (like me) can be burdened for weeks. The mostContinue reading “Testing the jet lag cure developed for US Navy Seals”
Junee Roundhouse Railway Museum, NSW
Unless you’re a rail enthusiast, the thought of visiting a railway museum might not fill you with heart-thumping excitement. It certainly didn’t for me. But I’d challenge anyone not to be charmed by the nostalgic glimpse of yesteryear offered by the Roundhouse Railway Museum in Junee. Located roughly halfway between Sydney and Melbourne, the facilityContinue reading “Junee Roundhouse Railway Museum, NSW”
Food tour in Riga, Latvia
“We are going to start with dessert,” declares Anda, placing two slices of cake in front of me. The first is a Napoleon cake, a Russian derivative of the French mille-feuille, with multiple layers of buttery pastry and decadent whipped cream. The second is a honey cake, a traditional Latvian dessert made using honey, sourContinue reading “Food tour in Riga, Latvia”
Utah’s lesser-known natural wonders
It’s a stark contrast. Thirty minutes ago, I was standing on the rim of Utah’s dramatic Bryce Canyon, looking down at a labyrinth of pink-hued hoodoos, pinnacles and buttresses. Now, I’m on an elevated plateau in nearby Kodachrome Basin State Park, admiring dozens of towering sandstone chimneys. The difference? In Bryce Canyon, every trail wasContinue reading “Utah’s lesser-known natural wonders”
The nine things you should do in Gdansk, Poland
THE ONE HOTELYou can find grander and more luxurious hotels in Gdansk, but few are as well-located and character-full as Hotel Krolewski. Housed in an imposing 17th-century brick granary on Olowianka Island in the Motlawa River, it’s a short stroll from the city’s major attractions and enjoys a delightful waterfront locale. The 30 rooms areContinue reading “The nine things you should do in Gdansk, Poland”
Paros, Greece – the Cyclades’ lesser-known gem
It’s not every day you get to follow in the footsteps of a saint. But the reason we’re here on Paros, the third largest island in the Greek Cyclades, is the same one that forced Saint Helena here in the 4th century – the meltemi, an angry wind that roars through the region in August.Continue reading “Paros, Greece – the Cyclades’ lesser-known gem”
Polar snorkelling in Antarctica
“Not for the faint-hearted” is how Aurora Expeditions’ website describes polar snorkelling. Which is concerning because when it comes to near-freezing temperatures, I am most definitely faint of heart. Yet, here I am, fumbling awkwardly with a pair of fins on the rocky shoreline of the Antarctic Peninsula while steeling myself for water that’s hoveringContinue reading “Polar snorkelling in Antarctica”
Cross-border cuisine in San Diego and Tijuana
Ask a San Diego local where to find the best Mexican food, and they’ll probably say “Mexico”. The border is only a 45-minute tram ride away and, contrary to public perception, is easy to navigate. After passing through an uninviting prison-style gate labelled “TO MEXICO”, I fill in a simple immigration form, show my passportContinue reading “Cross-border cuisine in San Diego and Tijuana”
Ramen tasting tour in Tokyo, Japan
Traveller, Sydney Morning Herald, Australia – Nov 30, 2019 Frank Striegl is a walking advert for the nutritional merits of ramen. As the author of one of Tokyo’s leading ramen blogs (5amramen.com), the fit, lean 35-year-old eats around 350 bowls a year. Clearly, that wasn’t enough because in 2017 he started offering ramen tasting toursContinue reading “Ramen tasting tour in Tokyo, Japan”
A week in the Peruvian jungle
Traveller, Sydney Morning Herald, Australia – Nov 16, 2019 I’ve decided I’ll call it Mothy McMothface. Apparently, if I find a new species of moth at this light trap deep in the Peruvian jungle, I can name it. I approach the illuminated white sheet with my jam jar feeling quietly confident. Since Rainforest Expeditions startedContinue reading “A week in the Peruvian jungle”
Review of White City House, London
Traveller, Sydney Morning Herald, Australia – Dec 20, 2018 White City House is the latest instalment in Soho House’s global empire of private members’ clubs. In fewer than 25 years the group has blossomed from a single “house” in London’s Soho to a sprawling network of 23 properties, mostly located in Europe and north America.Continue reading “Review of White City House, London”
Sunset Hummer tour in Moab, Utah
Traveller, Sydney Morning Herald, Australia – Dec 1, 2018 “It’s OK to scream,” says Mike. Good to know because I’m about to start wailing like a teething toddler. Ahead of us is a steeply plunging wall of sandstone and we’re going down it. Fast. I can’t see what’s at the bottom but I’m fairly sureContinue reading “Sunset Hummer tour in Moab, Utah”
Tea time in Hong Kong
Traveller, Sydney Morning Herald, Australia – Nov 24, 2018 As someone who grew up in England, I’m no stranger to tea. The Brits take their tea seriously, using it as a national remedy for almost any stressful event (Lost a leg? You’ll feel better after a nice cuppa). However, they are mere amateurs compared withContinue reading “Tea time in Hong Kong”
America’s best restaurant – Highlands Bar & Grill in Birmingham, Alabama
Traveller, Sun-Herald, Australia – Nov 18, 2018 According to the James Beard Awards, the prestigious annual celebration of America’s culinary excellence, the US’s best restaurant is not in the gourmet capitals of New York, Chicago or LA, it is in – are you ready? – Birmingham, Alabama. In May, the awards declared Highlands Bar &Continue reading “America’s best restaurant – Highlands Bar & Grill in Birmingham, Alabama”
Cycling the Waterford Greenway, Ireland
Traveller, Sun-Herald, Australia – Nov 4, 2018 Few cities are as synonymous with a product as Waterford in south-east Ireland. The renowned crystal maker was based there from 1783 until 2009, when its owning company, Waterford Wedgwood, went into receivership. Hundreds of manufacturing jobs were lost and tourist numbers dwindled. As Phil Brennan, owner ofContinue reading “Cycling the Waterford Greenway, Ireland”
Rob McFarland 