Keris: Smithing a Sacred Dagger in Bali
Travel writer Ronan O'Connell crafts a ceremonial dagger, or keris, with a 9th generation blacksmith on Indonesia's most fascinating island. ...
Ronan O'Connell
Beomeosa: Busan’s Temple of Fighting Monks
Nestled amid dense forest, Beomeosa famed for its fighting monks and the unique martial arts skills that helped repel Japanese invasions....
Rediscovering the Mysteries of Angkor Wat
The great ancient Khmer capital is a wonder of the world and beloved by 2.5 million tourists a year. But how did it come to be abandoned? ...
Magic and Ghosts: A Short, Odd History of Himeji Castle
Four hundred years of myth, superstition, bloodshed, and glory reverberate through the 83 buildings of this hilltop fortress. This is Himeji Castle....
Beauty and Bedlam in Mumbai’s Hectic Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus
More like a cathedral than a train station, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus is one of India's most fascinating places to see the many sides of Mumbai....
Review: Putting on the Ritz at Phulay Bay in Krabi
Inside Ritz-Carlton's Phulay Bay in Krabi deep in Thailand's idyllic south, there are private beaches, luxury spas, and the best sunsets anywhere in the kingdom. ...
Ao Dai: A Short History of Vietnam’s Most Popular Dress
For 300 years now, the ao dai has been a symbol of Vietnamese femininity. Since that time, however, it has evolved. ...
Sunthon Phu: The Bangkok Museum for Thailand’s Greatest Poet
Sunthon Phu was Thailand's greatest literary mind, and visitors can get a taste of his legacy at a little-visited museum in central Bangkok. ...
Reverie Review: Inside Saigon’s Most Extravagant Hotel
When it comes to Saigon, there isn't a better room to be had anywhere in Ho Chi Minh City than at the Reverie, with an extravagant Italian design and world-class amenities....
Shopping on the Streets of Manila
Manila is a whirlwind, and nowhere is this more apparent that the swirling markets of the capital, from the bustling streets of Chinatown to the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene....
Drug Lords, a Princess, and the Gardens of the Golden Triangle
A botanical garden in the Golden Triangle tells the story of how Princess Srinagarindra took on the drug lords and their private armies with coffee, fruit, vegetables, and flowers....
Al Fahidi: Dubai’s Haven of History and Culture
Yes, there are the skyscrapers, Burj Khalifa, and man-made islands, but there's still some culture left in Dubai, and you'll find it in Al Fahidi....
Ronan O'Connell
Ronan is an Australian journalist and photographer with 15 years' experience as a reporter. After nine years working for daily newspapers he went freelance and has since contributed to more than 50 media outlets across the world including CNN, BBC, The Guardian, San Francisco Chronicle, Toronto Star, The South China Morning Post, and Australian Financial Review. He is based in Ireland, Thailand, and Australia.