Author Profile: Emily Plank

What is the first thing you think of when someone says the word ‘Egypt’ or ‘Cairo’? If it’s the pyramids, you certainly wouldn’t be alone (yes, the pyramids are technically in Giza, but that’s still greater Cairo). If you do one thing in Cairo, it obviously has to be the pyramids, and I will be writing a separate blog post on my personal experience there in due course. BUT, if you have more time after ticking the pyramids off your bucket list, here are a few other things I saw, and...   view more

When thinking about things to see in Siem Reap, most people’s minds immediately jump to the obvious choices such as Angkor Wat (it is the 8th Wonder of the World, after all), other incredible Angkor temples like Ta Prohm and Bayon, or the famous Pub Street with its colourful lights and vast array of restaurants and clubs. But if you’re looking to go beyond this and experience what else the beautiful town of Siem Reap has to offer, I’ve got some great recommendations that include artisanal...   view more

‘Azerbai-WHAT?’ Tell most people you’ve chosen to holiday in Baku, Azerbaijan, and you’re likely to be met with glazed eyes or, at best, quizzical looks. While it does resonate with a small handful of Eurovision or Formula 1 fans who have seen the city host those respective events, it’s fair to say it is not on most people’s radar, leave alone travel bucket list. I, on the other hand, had been inexplicably fascinated by this obscure, faraway place for some...   view more

I’d like to preface this by saying that 2 days in Taipei is most certainly not enough to experience everything Taiwan’s vibrant capital has to offer. I had actually planned to have a bit longer there, but unfortunately a flight cancellation out of Australia meant I got there much later than planned and had less time in the city than I would have liked. But I’m using my experience to share some ideas for things you may want to do on a stay in Taipei, especially if you’re short on time, as...   view more

The rise of Qatar Airways over the last decade has seen Doha, the capital of Qatar, become a major Middle Eastern aviation hub. Its state-of-the-art Hamad International Airport is right up there rivalling its Gulf neighbour Dubai International Airport, and even took out the coveted title of ‘World’s Best Airport’ in both 2021 and 2022. Qatar Airways’ expansive network, aided by a home base whose enviable location facilitates numerous non-stop flights to every inhabited continent, means...   view more

Athena, daughter of Zeus, the sky and thunder god in Greek mythology, is indeed widely believed to have got her name from the city itself, rather than the other way around. I, in fact, like to think of them as one and the same – the city as a goddess itself, standing strong and proud, regardless of the trials and tribulations thrown at her. Athens is one of the world’s oldest cities, having been continuously inhabited for over 3,000 years. It is indeed rightly considered one of the cradles...   view more

‘When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life’, as the saying goes – and it’s hard to argue. The list of main tourist attractions in this city is long enough in itself (see my Classic London post), and these may indeed be all that can be crammed into the itineraries of first-time tourists who are only in town for a few...   view more

Argentina is famous for its meat-loving culture, and what better way to recover from a long flight and jetlag than to top up the reserves with some hearty empanadas (essentially pastry pockets filled with beef) and a slab of juicy Argentinian...   view more

At one point I thought I may not even make it to Beijing, given the debacle we had flying in there. What was supposed to be a 2-hour flight from Shanghai saw us on the plane for 7 hours – 5 of which were spent sitting on the tarmac at Shanghai airport with no idea as to why we weren’t taking off. We were among the few non-Chinese passengers onboard, and announcements were largely only in Chinese (and what English ones there were did little to enlighten us as to what was going...   view more

The first city I ever visited in Japan was Osaka. Unlike for many other people, who usually start their Japan travels in Tokyo, my inaugural taste of the Land of the Rising Sun came in the form of the grittier, more laid-back, yet no less vibrant ‘little’ sister, Osaka. And what a fabulous choice that...   view more