• Field Report:  The Seonjeongneung Royal Tombs, Seoul, South Korea (09 February 2016)

    Field Report: The Seonjeongneung Royal Tombs, Seoul, South Korea (09 February 2016)

    Much has been sacrificed – unwillingly or otherwise – in the name of Seoul’s rapid development, with sacred grounds and historic sites that have survived war or occupation unable to withstand the Korean capital’s virtually unstoppable drive to expand. Yet here and there, one finds pockets of seemingly untouched architectural treasures and natural beauty in…

  • Field Report:  Warming up on a winter day in Seoul, South Korea (08 February 2016)

    Field Report: Warming up on a winter day in Seoul, South Korea (08 February 2016)

    The experiences I’ve chronicled in this post took place exactly one year ago, but I still remember that day quite vividly. It’s amazing how fine architecture and tasty treats – with a drop of hot soup in between – can work in concert to render a tiny episode in one’s existence almost indelibly memorable.

  • Field Report:  Ancient by day, modern by night in Seoul, South Korea (07 February 2016)

    Field Report: Ancient by day, modern by night in Seoul, South Korea (07 February 2016)

    Seoul is one of my favourite cities in the world, not least because it offers such incredible historic and architectural rewards for the minimum of effort. Even a simple walk in the park can turn into an archaeological expedition, as I discovered one chilly winter’s day almost exactly a year ago.

  • Field Report:  An Afternoon Stroll around Dongdaemun, Seoul, South Korea (06 February 2016)

    Field Report: An Afternoon Stroll around Dongdaemun, Seoul, South Korea (06 February 2016)

    I’m off to Seoul this coming weekend, which makes today’s blog post especially timely. Come along as I relive the sweet – and bitterly, bitterly cold – memories of another winter holiday in the Korean capital that took place almost exactly a year ago. Today’s mission: an afternoon stroll around Seoul’s historic Dongdaemun gate.

  • Field Report:  Takamatsu Castle, Japan (10 July 2015)

    Field Report: Takamatsu Castle, Japan (10 July 2015)

    Sometimes, it takes a bit of work to seek out the historic gems scattered across your typical Japanese metropolis, hidden as they are behind decades of unrestrained development and bland concrete modernity. But here in Takamatsu, a short stroll from the central railway station is all a visitor needs to discover one of the city’s…

Quote of the week

"People ask me what I do in the winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring."

~ Rogers Hornsby