Lightning at Twilight

This is an English Electric Lightning - an old RAF jet from the 1960s and a veteran of the cold war. Although no longer airworthy, the Lightning is kept in running condition by a team of enthusiasts at Bruntingthorpe, Leicestershire. This event was a twilight run - to see those spectacular afteburners to best effect. Technical troubles (flat battery) meant that the aircraft took longer to get started than planned, so the 'twilight run' became an 'almost in the dark run'. This is the first of two runs - the noise was amazing.

The Great Wall of China

Freezing conditions at the Great Wall made for very slippery surfaces in some sections.

Costumes of Ethnic Minority Groups in China

China is a multi-ethnic country consisting of 56 different ethnic groups. Each group has its own traditional style of costume with distinct characteristics, due to the influence of culture, traditions, and geography.

Heroes of The Republic

On the surface China appears to be like any other bustling capitalist economy, but there are still emblems of the past - and possibly the future - dotted around Beijing. I read that some European economies have a greater proportion of state ownership than China. So what exactly makes for a state-controlled economy these days?

Shanghai World Expo mascot hijacks Father Christmas

The World Expo will be held in Shanghai next year starting May 1st - but the location is still one massive building site. This blue thing is the mascot called Haibao - and for some reason he seems to have hijacked Father Christmas. Which is ironic really given that Santa Claus has hijacked Christmas.

Out and About in Shanghai

Jin Jiang amusement park - giant ferris wheel.

Jin Jiang amusement park - screamers!


Kerbside pet shop - bunny anyone?


Giant teddy bears for sale on the street late at night!

School Projects in Taoyuan Airport, Taipei

Decorated hats...

...and decorated cows!

Wedding Limo - Taiwan Style