A change in latitude, does wonders to my attitude.

Although Mechelen is sometimes overlooked, it is definitely not a boring city. It is a compact, historic Flemish gem featuring an atmospheric medieval center, the iconic St. Rumbold's Cathedral, cozy terraces and plenty of cultural events. Whether the city can turn your "meh" feeling around depends entirely on what you are looking for. I gave it a chance and found a few surprising spots and experiences which I'm definitely promoting to my future visitors. Historic walks ; Stroll through the entire city with a digital map with points of interests ( Download the Mechelen App or the paper versions are available at the Tourist office in town or at your hotel ). And if you are like me, afraid to miss out.. follow through from points 1 to 45. Or do the Femish Masters-Rubens-chase. Seven churches, important landmarks and stately homes signify the importance of this city during its heydays. And yes, lots of instagrammable spots too. Food and Drinks : Plethora of coffee...

The hunt for a Berliner or Krapfen, which is a doughnut ( with no central hole ) made from sweet yeast dough fried in lard or cooking oil, usually with a jam filling and dusted with powdered sugar, proved to be a herculean task in Berlin. Eaten in many parts of Europe and known by different names, the history of this humble pastry actually has a page on Wikipedia! In the US, jam or Boston cream filled doughnuts are just another sugary, high carb staple, you'll find in any corner bakeshops and supermarkets. Did you know that it was immigrants from Central Europe who settled in the United States in large numbers during the 19th century who introduced these filled doughnuts to America? In some parts of the Midwestern United States, Boston, and Alberta and Saskatchewan in Canada, these are called "bismarcks" or "bismarks". History of Food.. but that's another topic. Funnily enough, there are many Dunkin Donut franchises all around Berlin with the unmistakab...

We finally took the plunge to see the Amalfi Coast in Italy, even though the trip would present itself with a hefty price tag. I remembered the wood inlaid decorative wall hang, it was the first souvenir purchase for my family. The lovely peach colored coral cameo pendant for my mum and the iconic wind-up musical box with a pop up ballerina to the tune of "Isle of Capri". Hence, this trip was very much anticipated with excitement. In Sorrento, I came across an atelier selling inlaid wood wall hangs and gingerly pointed to a muted colored wall hang and asked the price. The shop proprietor exclaimed that I had good taste as that piece was a heritage piece from her grandfather and is now worth around 800 euros! She showed me other colorful modern inlaid wood wall hangs, retailing around 100 euros, but i was not interested. The plainer one closely resembled the piece I bought 40 years ago when i visited Sorrento as a 17 year old on a school trip. And I am very certain that i d...

Starting the day early on a fish farm is just another day for Messers Ah Poh and Maung. Along with two marmalade-colored mongrels, Char-bor and New New, they guard the farm against maurauders... and pirates! Pirates in the form of Brahminy Kites who occasionally swoop down into the glistening sea and into the floating fish enclosures for an easy catch. There are juvenile tilapia and snappers, ready-for-market mangrove jacks, lobsters and prawns. Clusters of fat green mussles cling onto the ropes, nets, barrels and everything that hung in the water. Today's maurauders were of the two-legged kind, gingerly balancing on wooden rafters and floating drums, peering into the twenty or so fish pens. As we sheltered from the sun under the zinc-roofed shed, we watched anglers on small boats and kayakers bobbing in the sea. Hugging the outer tidal islands are clusters of mangrove trees which provide food and shelter for fingerlings, mud-skippers and little critters. It is so nice to be abl...