After 23 hot, sticky and sweaty years in Singapore, Shawn made for the cooler climes of Melbourne and found his way into Lonely Planet, where he’s still pinching himself to see if he’s dreaming. After starting his writing career as a hack for Singapore magazines such as Marie Claire, he went on to co-author Lonely Planet’s Singapore, Malaysia & Brunei guide and South East Asia on a Shoestirng. His constant mantra on the road: 'I'll try anything and eat anything, at least once.' When Lonely Planet offered him a chance to visit China for Roads Less Travelled, he jumped at it faster than a ‘made in China’ bootlegged DVD hits the streets. His adventures in the People’s Republic brought about a renewed sense of belonging to his grandparents’ homeland and rekindled his desire to seek out the house that his grandfather built. So one trip ends and plans for another begin.