Related topics:TravelAuthorsBooksAdventure TravelMore Notes from an authorNotes from an author: Pico Iyer on finding the ancient spirits of Koyasan, JapanAfter half a century of travel writing, Pico Iyer reflects on the power of Koyasan, the temple-filled town at the spiritual heart of his adopted home, Japan.Notes from an author: Timothy Phillips on the Iron Curtain Timothy Phillips traces the path of the Iron Curtain to the German coast, where East met West on the curious, Cold War frontier of a nudist beach.Notes from an author: Sophie Pavelle on Dartmoor's wild, inspiring landscapesSophie Pavelle journeys around Britain in search of species threatened by climate change and finds magic in Dartmoor’s fierceness and fragility. Notes from an author: Will Ashon on Staten IslandThe lesser-known New York borough gets short shrift from both locals and visitors, but it provided Will Ashon with a revelation that led to his latest book. Notes from an author: Sylvie Bigar on cassoulet, southwest France's iconic dishSylvie Bigar’s cassoulet-inspired odyssey across southwest France results in revelations about her family tree and a travelogue celebrating the rustic stew. Notes from an author: David George Haskell on EcuadorDavid George Haskell explores the sounds of the South American rainforest, a glorious tumult that reveals the hidden rhythms of life. Notes from an author: Stuart Turton on how a mysterious 17th-century voyage inspired his most recent novelA voyage to 17th-century Java inspires Stuart Turton to write a historical murder mystery set on the high seas. Notes from an author: Rebecca Lowe on Iran's compelling contradictionsA 7,000-mile journey of discovery through the Middle East by bike reveals a region of stark contradictions, notably on the road to Tehran. Notes from an author: Nanjala Nyabola on being fearless in HaitiA trip to the troubled Caribbean nation proves to be a revelatory experience — a thought-provoking, enlightening journey in the face of nameless fear. Notes from an author: Arifa Akbar on returning to Lahore, PakistanA trip back to a former childhood home in Pakistan reveals a city shaped by both the realities of modernity and the unshakable mythology of memory. Notes from an author: Delphine Minoui on Istanbul's resilient Syrian communityEven in the face of turbulent politics, many Syrians proudly call the Turkish metropolis home, finding sanctuary in its food, music and sense of community. Notes from an author: Lizzie Pook on Western Australia's intriguing pearl-diving heritageHome to milky, turquoise seas and wild, red landscapes, the Kimberley Coast is shaped by hair-raising tales of the hunt for treasured pearl shells.Notes from an author: Catherine Raven on finding solace in the wilderness of the American WestAn unexpected kinship with the wild landscapes of the West inspires a US park ranger to find peace and a place to call home in America’s subalpine zone. Notes from an author: Tharik Hussain on Muslim heritage in the Western BalkansA trip through the Western Balkans, home to Europe’s largest indigenous Muslim population, shows how marginalised cultures can coexist. Notes from an author: Patrick Nunn on Fiji's vanishing islands Geological mysteries and myths of the gods are revealed when sailing in the ghostly shadows of the Pacific Ocean’s vanished islands. Notes from an author: Calla Henkel on Berlin's ever-evolving späti sceneAs nightclubs and bars closed, the city’s long-popular, late-night convenience stores, spätis, became a focal point for al fresco fun in the German capital. Notes from an author: Catrina Davies on Portugal's surf-battered Costa VicentinaA return visit to Costa Vicentina throws up memories of a formative solo journey on foot, when freedom was more easily found.
