Features
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Paddling the NileThe first ever paddle down the Blue Nile from source to sea. 5,000km through wild rapids, war zones, crocodile and hippo infested waters, disease, terrorists, guns, arrests; the works... |
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Chinese AdventuresNewly married amongst the neon glow and dumpling vendors as we bumble our way trying to figure out the world's most populous nation at this exciting time in it's history... |
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The Great Canadian Bike Trek23 years old and naive, I set off in the middle of Canada's barbaric winter perched on a woolskin seat-cover peddling solo from one side of Canada to the other... |
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Welcome to MarkTanner.com where you'll read about the first ever paddle from the source of the Blue Nile to the sea, an ancient Viking treasure hunt, midwinter biking across Canada and Chinese adventures. There's tasty Sudanese recipes, a Chinese Haka Video, beatbox downloads, Nile Floods, rat trapping, a Nile River trivia quiz, photos of Wellington and lots more. Enjoy!
May 12, 2013 |
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In the sky there is heaven, on earth there is Hangzhou, so the old Chinese saying goes. Steeped in history, Hangzhou was one of Seven Ancient Capitals of China, reining as capital of the Wuyue Kingdom from 907 to 978. Today it’s a prosperous city of more than 6 million people, spoilt with its picturesque West Lake, countless parks, and surrounding lush hills and mountains. It’s less than a one-hour fast train ride from the concrete grit of Shanghai, but a world away. It’s hard not to feel at ease amongst the peace and tranquility of one of China’s most famous lakes.
Hangzhou’s beautiful West Lake
El Nido, Palawan, The Philippine’s Absolute Stunner
April 5, 2013 |
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Philippine’s ‘Last Frontier’, Palawan Island, is the westernmost point of the Philippines archipelago. Once the realm of pirates, it’s now a relatively popular spot for sun, scenery and turtle seekers. On its northern tip, along with 45 islands nearby, is the municipality of El Nido.
El Nido’s landscape is simply breathtaking. Dotted with dramatic limestone cliffs humping everywhere, dropping down to countless sandy beaches. It looks like something between Jurassic Park and Robert Louis Stevenson ‘s Treasure Island. The golden sand, blue sea, green mangroves, palms and other foliage felt especially vivid coming from a slightly smoggy Shanghai in the winter.
El Nido’s stunning island scenery
Why I’d rather be born in the Year of the Snake than the Dragon in China
February 1, 2013 |
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2013 Year of the Snake
It began around April 2011, those subtle winks and prods between couples, before slipping out early from the KTV bar with plenty of new accessories from the 7-11 counter. Lights were out across China as hopeful parents pwapped like crazy to hit the 12 month window of a dragon kid. The 17 million new babies picked to be born in the Year of the Dragon are said to possess passion, courage, luck and strength like no other, so they’re a pretty good bet for your shot at securing retirement funding. Or are they?
Burma: Nice Spot, But Overrun With Tourists Unless You’re Happy Sweating
January 9, 2013 |
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Burma seems to be Southeast Asia’s latest hotspot. The ‘opening up’ of Burma’s and talk of it being like Asia 30-years ago (not the first time that one’s been used) has seen tourists flocking to get a piece of the action before it’s overrun with tourists. Unfortunately that’s already happened. In 2012, Burmese tourism soared 43% and its infrastructure is struggling to keep up.
Hot air balloons take to the sky at sunrise in Bagan
There’s little wonder tourists are coming to Burma. The people are charming, smile at ease and, unlike some with of its neighbouring countries, you feel comfortable that they’re not going to be ripped off every time you slip your hand into your money belt. There are some big-hitting sites to see too. The scale of Yangon’s crumbling colonial grandeur is matched by few cities in Asia, maybe just Mumbai. The bizarre one-legged-paddling fishermen, floating villages and surrounding vineyards of Inle Lake are cool, although one does get a little souvenir-shop fatigue. And cycling between the 4,000+ temples that dot the grassy paddocks amongst goat herders and ox-pulled ploughs is right up there with Amritsar’s Golden Temple as my favourite things to do in Asia, or pretty much anywhere.
More interesting views & info about China»
