Category Archives: Asia

Maps Too

Posted on August 7, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

The other day we shared a group of wonderful, whimsical original travel posters created by Toronto-based artist JazzberryBlue . Who knew that there was also a fantastic series of equally colorful and amazing abstract maps of the world’s great cities. … Continue reading →

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Visit Twin Peaks

Posted on August 6, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

It’s so rare these days to see original travel poster art. So, I am really digging these wonderful original works by the Toronto-based artist who goes by the name Jazzberry Blue. Visit the self-taught artist’s website for more colorful travel … Continue reading →

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Taksim Square Book Club

Posted on July 4, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

After weeks of demonstrations and clashes between protesters and police across Turkey, a new type of civil disobedience has emerged—the Standing Protest. Turkish performance artist Erdem Gunduz started it off by standing with his hands in his pockets facing the … Continue reading →

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Every Airport Needs One

Posted on June 23, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

Singapore’s Changi International Airport has planted an enormous digital “Social Tree” to help entertain and connect flyers. Situated in Terminal 1 Central Piazza, the tree is nine meters tall and eleven meters wide, with sixty-four HD TV monitors and eight … Continue reading →

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How Orwellian

Posted on May 6, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

Some perplexing news out of India this week reporting that George Orwell’s birthplace in Motari, Bihar is being developed into a memorial site—but to Mahatma Gandhi not Eric Blair. The little bungalow, where Orwell was born and lived until he … Continue reading →

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All the Beer in China

Posted on April 27, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

The always entertaining and informative website Buzzfeed created this clever video that demonstrates how much food one can purchase with the equivalent of $5 US in various countries around the globe. “How Much Food Can You Buy For $5 Around … Continue reading →

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Looking at a gift horse

Posted on March 31, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

One of the perks of running this little travel/book/art blog is that I receive lots of free books. Some are advance reader copies, some are uncorrected proofs and others are just pre-release copies. I’ve been sent novels, memoirs, reference books, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Africa, Asia, Books, Canada, Europe, Middle East, South America, Tourism, Travel Writing, USA, Writing | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Geography Is Always In Fashion

Posted on March 29, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

We have featured diverse and miscellaneous maps and cartographic forms, but this is probably the most fashionable use of maps to date. London-based artist and designer Elisabeth Lecourt painstakingly created her marvelous series titled “Les robes géographiques” from prints of historical … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Asia, Europe, History, Maps, Middle East | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Start Saving Your Pennies

Posted on March 25, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

VeryFirstTo is a British upscale product and experience website whose motto is “Be the very first to know about and have newly launching luxury products and experiences”. Now they are offering the world’s most expensive vacation package: a £990,000, two-year … Continue reading →

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Watch Where You Walk

Posted on February 17, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

When we travel, it’s easy to overlook the quotidian elements of local infrastructure, such as the lowly manhole cover. But visitors to Japan who watch where they walk are treated to a veritable art show. Japanese manhole covers once looked … Continue reading →

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