Book Review: The Red Rucksack by Ben West

It’s time for another book review on Don’t Stop Living. As you’ve probably read from my previous book reviews, I love reading REAL LIFE travel books (such as Lisa and George’s “Travelling in Sin”), OK as well as a bit of fiction 😉 – Mike Delwiche’s “The Liar’s Guide to South America“. I recently came Read more about Book Review: The Red Rucksack by Ben West[…]

Sunday’s Inspiration: 10 Ways to get Noticed (and the Day I…Scored a Hat-Trick)

“Don’t be someone who they forget” – Melanie Chisholm. The Spice Girls were pretty big weren’t they? They were huge in fact. They were noticed. They won’t be forgotten. Neither should you strive to be the forgotten one. I hate anonymity. It grills me. It’s almost fake. Standing back and hiding yourself. Do you dress Read more about Sunday’s Inspiration: 10 Ways to get Noticed (and the Day I…Scored a Hat-Trick)[…]

long term backpacking

20 Tell Tale Signs You’ve Been Backpacking Too Long

OK so I hit the 12 year mark last year of being away from my hometown (Bangor, Northern Ireland), and whilst I have had a few bases (such as Bournemouth, Bishkek, Hong Kong and Parramatta), I have been backpacking for most of it, and somehow this is my lifestyle now and I’m used to it. Read more about 20 Tell Tale Signs You’ve Been Backpacking Too Long[…]

Watching Football in Manchester, England Without a Season Ticket

Time for another wee football post on Don’t Stop Living, and it comes from a city drenched in the sport…Manchester, England. I wrote about my trip to Old Trafford in 2005 before – on that occasion I watched Northern Ireland play England. Manchester is the home of two of England’s “best” (debatable at the time Read more about Watching Football in Manchester, England Without a Season Ticket[…]

northern ireland newtownards

Friday’s Featured Food: Morning Coffee and Scones in Knotts, Newtownards, Northern Ireland

When life takes you back to the town you were born in after backpacking incessantly to 188 countries around the world, you do often wonder what sparkle your original home has left for you. Straight from my adventures in the Middle East (touring Iran, Iraq, Azerbaijan etc.), I headed back with my Mum for a Read more about Friday’s Featured Food: Morning Coffee and Scones in Knotts, Newtownards, Northern Ireland[…]

Easy Ways to Recognise a Good Boarding Kennel and Keep Your Dog Safe While You’re Away

Travelling away from home can become a bit more complicated when you have a dog that you need to leave behind. More than likely, one of the options you’ll be considering to ensure that your canine is comfortable and well cared for while you’re away is a boarding kennel somewhere in your area. Most cities Read more about Easy Ways to Recognise a Good Boarding Kennel and Keep Your Dog Safe While You’re Away[…]

world borders

World Borders: How to Get From Pyongyang to Dandong by train (North Korea🇰🇵to China🇨🇳)

My recent visit to North Korea was with the cheapest North Korean tour company out there – YPT also known as Young Pioneer Tours (through my travel blog you get 5% off). The tours to North Korea have options of either flying or taking the train (except for US citizens who have restrictions and can Read more about World Borders: How to Get From Pyongyang to Dandong by train (North Korea🇰🇵to China🇨🇳)[…]

backpacking travel

Five Steps to Buying a Suitcase (By a Backpacker!!)

You might be somewhat surprised at my decision to write about suitcases as I’m almost always seen with a backpack, I’m very much a backpacker but do you know that I did the opposite to most people? I started off with a suitcase when I first “went suitcasing” instead of “backpacking”! Yes – it’s true!! Read more about Five Steps to Buying a Suitcase (By a Backpacker!!)[…]

Save Money and Travel the World by Nannying

For those who are suited to the job, being a nanny can offer you boundless opportunities to earn money, travel internationally at no cost, and gain worldly experience and references to your heart’s desire. It is one of the most fortunate and lucrative possibilities out there for individuals of all ages who have the temperament Read more about Save Money and Travel the World by Nannying[…]