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Dusk Demons, Chocolate Babies and Scams
Nepal Part 2 It was November 2019 and I had just arrived back from a five-day trek in the Himalayas in the Annapurna region. The main Annapurna trek is about 14 days, but I opted for the “ah, seems a bit long. I’ll go here instead” option. Which had several benefits. Firstly, it was only… Read more
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Pre-Ducks, Mamas and Corn-Picking Prodigies
Vietnam Part 2 The Chicken Man cancels! He forgot he had something on. The chicken lives to berkaaark another day, Death goes back to playing Sudoku and grumbles to himself “I’ll see you soon enough”. I seek out a local specialty Bún chả cá, rice noodles in a fish broth with fish balls. I wrote… Read more
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Midnight Phở
Vietnam Part 1 I hit the streets. That exotic combination of charred meat, motorbike exhaust and tropical fruits coated the air, tingling my nose hairs sending wise messages through my olfactory system that my brain interpreted as: “I need a beer.” I catch a whiff of Durian, king of the fruits, the acquired taste that… Read more
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The Real Story of Christmas #1
Chapter 1 Late again! God dammit how did I miss the time? I got carried away with that damn Rubik’s cube, or was it those Sudoku’s? Ah, it doesn’t matter. Gotta run. Brush my teeth? Comb my hair? That’ll have to wait. I absolutely cannot miss this. So much responsibility I have been given—I can’t… Read more
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Breathe In Love, Breathe Out Forgiveness
Nepal Part 1 It was October 2019 and Covid wasn’t even a sparkle in the biochemist’s petri dish. I had just arrived at the airport unslept and perfectly lubricated after my cousins wedding and the subsequent nightclubs after. I had 3 different flights ahead of me and would experience all the wonderful stages the body… Read more
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One Man One Duck
It was Wednesday, and Geoff’s disability payment had just come through. He thought about brushing his teeth but the thought of winning big on a few lottery tickets was far too seductive. “Fuck it” he told himself “I’ll buy new teef, when I’m rich”. There was not a clear distinction in Geoff’s mind between the… Read more
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Gary the Wombat’s Diary entry #2
It’s been about a week now. Susan still hasn’t said a word to me. I fixed the entrance to the burrow. I’m sure she’s noticed, but she still hasn’t said anything. Why do I need to put up with this crap? I should just scoot, leave town, find another burrow, start another life just like… Read more
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Gary the Wombat’s Diary entry #1
I arrived back at the burrow. “Ah shit!” I said to myself. “I forgot to fix the entrance to the burrow, Susan’s gonna be pissed.” Better face the music. I entered the burrow and found the room where Susan was nursing little Gary Junior. “Mornin’ love,” I said sheepishly. “It’s the afternoon,” she returned coldly.… Read more