The variety, and sheer geographical spread, of Asia is as fascinating on the inside as it is from the outside. From Turkish souks to the hubbub of downtown Delhi, there is lots to savour and experience. And also lots which isn’t immediately obvious to travellers.
I’ve documented lots of forgotten or unknown stories, and I’m fascinated by the way in which Asia and Europe shaped each other.
Asian articles, by country
Select one of the countries to drill down and see articles and stories connected to it.
All my Asia articles
- A Medieval Marriage That Never Was January 2, 2026 - The idea that noble medieval families' marriages were all political is neither new nor surprising. It's rare to see situations where the wife-to-be is the one who ended up benefiting… Continue Reading
- When Napoleon Conquered Malta in 72 Hours December 11, 2025 - Think the fall of powerful nations takes months? Napoleon Bonaparte dismantled 268 years of Knights' rule over Malta in three days. If you want to understand how empires truly fall, keep… Continue Reading
- The Phantom Time Hypothesis October 29, 2025 - There are dark corners of the internet where I've found mentions of "The Phantom Time Hypothesis". This suggests that the years between 614 AD and 911 AD didn't exist. But… Continue Reading
- Creating the Emirates June 5, 2025 - The United Arab Emirates exist because of a reaction to Britain's loss of power, post-Word War II. That power, in turn, came about because of geography, rather than outright politics.… Continue Reading
- Allied Military Government of Occupied Territories February 5, 2025 - During World War II, the USA and UK plotted to place France under Allied administration after the war, instead of restoring the French government. Why would they consider this, and… Continue Reading
- The Maltese Rosetta Stone September 19, 2023 - The Cippi of Melqart, discovered in Malta, are priceless because they were the key to deciphering Phoenician script. This article explains who Melqart was, what cippi are and what this… Continue Reading
- The lost cathedral of St Nicholas December 2, 2022 - In Famagusta, Cyprus, there is a building that used to be a cathedral dedicated to St Nicholas. It saw major events of the country's history and is now a mosque. Continue Reading
- Russian exiles in Malta October 15, 2022 - Mentioning exiled Russians these days suggests pro-Ukrainian protesters or anti-Putin demonstrators. Malta's reputation as a haven for Russians goes back more than 100 years before Putin's antics. Continue Reading
- The ultimate story of Czech heros February 1, 2021 - Many countries have memorials to fallen heros, and stories of bravery from wartime. Czechia is unusual in that it has heros from both sides of World War II. Continue Reading
- Why does St Margaret always appear with a dragon? September 28, 2020 - I’ve have a keen interest in iconography and imagery. Regular readers will know I often write about these things. Sometimes I spot something I haven't before and, curiosity piqued, I… Continue Reading
- The Soviets wanted to ‘protect’ Czechoslovakia August 17, 2020 - Following the fall of the Iron Curtain Soviet troops started to leave Europe. Czechoslovakia, as it then still was, was happy that the ‘temporary deployment’ of Soviet troops was coming… Continue Reading
- Learn how Portugal helped Malta in its time of need July 20, 2020 - If you ask people how Malta fought against French occupation, most will talk about how the British helped the Maltese out. Few know that the Portuguese navy played the decisive… Continue Reading
- The powerful Anglo-Egyptian Bank in Malta May 4, 2020 - In the 19th century an offshore British bank in Malta issued its own banknotes. It's unusual to think of a private company issuing banknotes, more so in a small country… Continue Reading
- The Battle of Ferozeshah April 20, 2020 - British forces fought wars all over India in the 18th and 19th century. Between tribal feuds, and the British, there were many sources of conflict. This article describes the Battle… Continue Reading
- Italian political prisoners in Czechia March 30, 2020 - One of the most dangerous secret societies in 19th century Italy was the Carbonari. Fighting for a united Italy, many across Europe feared them and what they represented. This article… Continue Reading
- Preserving Malta’s money supply March 23, 2020 - European geopolitics in the 1930s caused plenty of uncertainty. The British worried about riots in the Middle East, and the possibility of another major war with Germany. They hatched a… Continue Reading
- Why Delhi’s iron pillar doesn’t rust March 16, 2020 - The world is full of magnificent stories and this website is a testament to some fascinating ones. When I travel I always look for these sort of unexpected finds and… Continue Reading
- The mystical messianic troglodyte of Comino January 20, 2020 - One early scholar of Kabbalah was a 13th century mystic called Abraham Abulafia. He had visions, tried to convince the Pope of his reasoning and lived in Malta. But who… Continue Reading
- The Punctation of Olomouc: Prussia vs Austria October 21, 2019 - The small town of Olomouc in Moravia is the place were the issue of German unity became a sore point in the 19th century between expansionist Prussia and dominant Austria.… Continue Reading
- The Lasting effects of the Thirty Years’ War November 26, 2018 - I've written plenty of articles about the effects of the 30 Years' war on Prague and Czechia in general. I knew bits and pieces of the story so I decided… Continue Reading
- How did the British take control of Malta? October 8, 2018 - I often discuss Maltese history with others and have written about unusual parts of it here. Often people claims that ‘the British illegally took control’ of the Maltese islands. This is… Continue Reading
- The Fall of Constantinople & the Siege of Malta September 19, 2016 - On 29 May 1453, the Ottoman Empire captured the eastern capital of the Roman Empire, Constantinople. On 18 May 1565, the Ottoman Empire advanced on the tiny island of Malta… Continue Reading
- Istanbul’s Galata Tower March 21, 2016 - Like any self-respecting city, Istanbul is not short of towering city blocks providing incredible views. One of the oldest towers is the Galata Tower which overlooks the Bosphorus straits. This tower… Continue Reading
- Slapping a French Empress in Turkey February 15, 2016 - Once you cross the Bosphorus Straits from Europe to Asia, one of the first places you can visit is Beylerbeyi Palace. This is where you would slap a French Empress… Continue Reading
- Crossing Continents, the Quick and Easy Way December 28, 2015 - I looked up from my newspaper in down-town Şişli. I shrugged into my jacket to keep the worst of the cold wind at bay as I prepared myself. It's not everyday… Continue Reading
- The Land of the Rising Sun in 10 days December 14, 2015 - While planning a trip to Japan, I faced a conundrum of sorts - should I spend all my time in Tokyo or should I travel the country? Experience different aspects… Continue Reading
- Magically Entering a Parallel Universe November 16, 2015 - My only excursions to Asia were to China in 2008 and Japan earlier this year. (Let's ignore a few airports whilst in transit to and from Australia). As a European, being… Continue Reading
- The Best Places to View a City from November 9, 2015 - If there is one thing that fascinates me about cities, it is the view from the top of a skyscraper. Nothing quite beats the moment of "Good Grief!" that hits… Continue Reading
- The Significance of a Japanese Shrine (to a Westerner) October 19, 2015 - Unaware of the significance of Buddhism, I didn't know what to expect from Japanese shrines. I suppose it's like being a non-Christian foreigner visiting cathedrals in Europe. I was visiting… Continue Reading
- Evidence of The Prussian Invasion of Prague August 17, 2015 - The Seven Years' War took place between 1756 & 1763 when Prussian troops invaded Bohemia under King Frederick II. The story behind most wars is usually found in history books… Continue Reading
- Revealing my 5 Ambitious Travel Resolutions June 8, 2015 - Over the New Year, while I was peacefully driving through the hills and valleys of Andalusia, it occurred to me that I had not really made any fixed plans for… Continue Reading
- How to Drink Coffee Like a Local June 1, 2015 - You can study the tourist guide as much as you like, you can make sure to avoid looking at a map when you're on holiday and you can even perfect your… Continue Reading