He’s bold, unapologetic and opinionated. He’s not one to be ripped off.
Often politically incorrect, yet more observant than the most seasoned traveler, here’s here to whinge.
And no one does it better than The Whinging Pome!
The Whinging Pome is the creation of travel retail (Duty Free) pioneer Paul Topping, a well-known and respected figure in the industry. With this unique character, Topping releases many grumbles, keen insights and ridiculously good-humoured insults on the unsuspecting participants of his varied travelling experiences. Taking no prisoners, yet never personal, The Whinging Pome is your definite guide to travel – especially if you want to know what NOT to do!
Meandering along roads less travelled, spanning 18 countries over 45 stories, the Pome carries on whinging, not least about his wife’s inexhaustible shopping habits. Yet beneath the humour, one sees the truth and often a glimpse of the unique character of the author, as he relays his experiences in life along the journey. ‘The Whinging Pome To The Point’ is relevant whether you wish to leave the confines of a comfortable couch or grab a book as the perfect reading companion on your own journey.
The Whinging Pome is back on the road with his often brusk Britishness, humour and whinges. Accompanying him is his slightly eccentric, shopaholic wife “Jezzabel”, whose outlook and influence can be extremely diverting, sometimes jeopardizing the Pome’s well laid out plans, and landing them in fresh adventures.
This is a collection of 53 short stories, that reveals the Whinging Pome’s personal experiences and encounters across 17 countries, from Japan to Uruguay, to France and India. The somewhat irrational confrontations with incomprehensible people along the way has led to the creation of Whinging Pome’s Random Rules, 230 (and counting) witty one-liners and opinionated interpretations on life, travel and people.
Take a journey with the Whinging Pome. Discover what a taphophile does – researching and enjoying visits to cemeteries as the Pome tracks down another field of dead bodies or a famous person’s last location. (Some call it “black tourism“). Establish if you have coddiwompler tendencies (i.e to travel in a purposeful manner towards a vague destination.)
This book is also a type of guide to making the most of life and being positive despite “Brick Backs”.
Just across the bridge in what some people think is “never-never land”; i.e. the Port City Colombo, there are people who have dreams, aspirations and a vision. One such person is Ineke. I have known her for twenty years, for
The Monarch Group meets up for an evening at Sugar Bistro, Crescat Shopping Mall. The deck, or as they say in New Zealand the “dick” has a lovely bar and we have a breezy night to catch up and share
This newly opened up-end Chinese restaurant situated on Duplication Road in the Astoria complex is worth checking out. Felicia Sorensen of renowned cuisine fame takes us to the restaurant where she has already been and has a rapport with one
Every day we are in Colombo, we try and do a walk down the Galle Face Green and the waterfront development area. (see story: Walking tours around Colombo’s highlights and history with The Whinging Pome) Then we return after an hour’s
I had never been a big fan of cricket. As a kid in Zambia, we played French cricket where your legs act as stumps and you use a softball with fielders/bowlers standing in a circle around you. Fast forward to
We hear from Texas, 21 people killed,19 of them kids in yet another mass shooting in the USA. I start another day with a heavy heart and tears in my eyes and I don’t know a single victim and I’ve
Having lived here in Colombo for over two decades, I’m always looking for new places to go. One evening some months ago I was invited to the Monarch apartment poolside, for dinner. To my surprise, I’m attending a Serbian Orthodox
– Sent to me by a concerned citizen – As the country’s thugs ran amok at the Galle Face Green in Colombo beating peaceful protesters; the police watched on doing NOTHING. Sri Lankan democracy stands at a crossroads. Who are
Like many responsible people in Sri Lanka, I have joined the rallies and demonstrations against the current political regime, asking to stop the widespread corruption and asking where all Sri Lanka’s money has gone. It is predominately the youth of
January 8 : Book Signing at Sarasavi Bookshop One Galle Face
February 11 : Wine night at DBU
November 17 : The Whinging Pome WIne Tasting at Botanik
November 24 : The Whinging Pome – On The Road Again Book Launch at Barefoot Garden Café
November 27 : Book Signing at The Barefoot Bookshop
December 10 : The Whinging Pome – On The Road Again Book Launch at at Kandy
December 16 : Guinness Beer launch at In On the Green
December 18 : Book Signing at ODEL Alexandra Place
December 20 : Guinness Beer launch at Rodeo Pub Negombo
December 22 : Pimm’s and The Pome night at Fire Beach Galle Face Hotel
January 29 : Wine & Supper evening
August 27 : Wine, Wedges & Whinge at Rodeo Pub & restaurant – Negombo
January 18 : Rooftop Whinge at Fairway Sunset Galle
January 19 : International Whinge Day at Peddlers Inn cafe Galle
January 21 : InterNations Colombo Official Event at OZO Colombo
February 21 : Wine & whinge at OZO Kandy
April 3 : Wine & whinge at Colombo Court Hotel & Spa
June 13 : Wine & whinge at The Dutch Burgher Union
August 22 : Eat, Drink & Laugh at The Manchester
January 4 – 14 : Delhi World Book Fair
January 6: ODEL Book Signing
January 25 – 28 : Galle Literary Festival
January 26 : Sun Downers with The Whinging Pome at Galle
February 1 – 9 : Book Club / Rotary Club Events
February 10 : Book Signing at Barefoot
February 13 – 18 : Argentina
May 7 – 10 : Singapore Book Launch
May 26 : Gin & Whinge Night
July 17 : Wine & Whinge at OZO Colombo
July 19 : Pome & Perfection
August 20: The Whinging Pome at The Irish
October 17: Gin & Whinge Night at The Irish
October 30th – September 4th : Frontier Awards 2018
December 8: Book Signing at Barefoot
November 28 : Book Launch at Barefoot
December 13 : Born to Travel, Born to Gin
