arrival in ethiopia

Back in Africa: Hong Kong to Addis Ababa to Kilimanjaro

If you read Don’t Stop Living in its early days, I used to just write about exactly what I was doing, and in some kind of logical order with no frills. And despite my more recent posts on tips, advice and visa issues etc., it’s time for a return to the “old school Don’t Stop Read more about Back in Africa: Hong Kong to Addis Ababa to Kilimanjaro[…]

Pink and White Elephants in Yangon, Myanmar

Yangon is full of surprises and I’ll name check my Swiss travel buddy Michael (who I met on the Yangon Circle Line train) for this little welcome diversion which saw us visit firstly the Marble Buddha and secondly three pink and white elephants! Yes, albino elephants in Yangon as I backpacked through Myanmar last week. Read more about Pink and White Elephants in Yangon, Myanmar[…]

sam long travels

World Travellers: Sam Long From Sam’s Shenanigans

In my latest World Travellers interview I catch up with Sam Long, one of the youngest guys to feature so far in the series. Despite being only 23, he’s already done a load of travelling and is gagging for more! Who are you? I’m Sam Long, a 23 year old Sport Journalism graduate, who has Read more about World Travellers: Sam Long From Sam’s Shenanigans[…]

jonny blair in soweto shebeens

Off to Africa! The Biggest Break from Don’t Stop Living in Ages!

Hi one and all, as you may have known or noticed, I’m posting new stuff almost every day and have been since about October 2012. It’;s been pretty full on and I’ve loved taking my travel blog one step further than it was in its first five years or so. I’ve been working my ass Read more about Off to Africa! The Biggest Break from Don’t Stop Living in Ages![…]

magaluf majorca lads holidays

Thirsty Thursdays: Lads Holidays in Magaluf, Majorca, Spain

If the lads are reading this it might jog a few memories from back in the day. Rather than “backpacking in Majorca”, we partied in Majorca, spending a week in the party hub of Magaluf. Thirsty Thursdays today takes me back to 2001, while keeping you in touch with the present. Magaluf it seems it Read more about Thirsty Thursdays: Lads Holidays in Magaluf, Majorca, Spain[…]

arconada armstrong 1982

Working Wednesdays: Writing for “Arconada…Armstrong!” as a Teenager in Belfast, Northern Ireland

I’ll talk about my first ever job on today’s Working Wednesdays, a job which was unpaid but I got free football fanzines out of it, and I was helping support my country’s international football team. Aged 15, I wrote articles for and helped sell the Northern Ireland football fanzine, Arconada…Armstrong! Named after the ITV commentary Read more about Working Wednesdays: Writing for “Arconada…Armstrong!” as a Teenager in Belfast, Northern Ireland[…]

jonny blair dont stop living car at airports

Tuesday’s Travel Essentials: Leaving Your Car at Airports

On today’s Tuesday’s Travel Essentials I’m talking about leaving your car at airports. It’s something that families do a lot and it might surprise you to know that I have owned two cars in my lifetime, and frequently used the easy option of parking at airports (I’ve even slept in my car at an airport!). Read more about Tuesday’s Travel Essentials: Leaving Your Car at Airports[…]

Monday's Money Saving Tips: How to Stay in a 5 Star Hotel for Cheap as a Budget Backpacker

Monday’s Money Saving Tips: How to Stay in a 5 Star Hotel for Cheap as a Budget Backpacker

If you follow my stories on here you will know that I am a tight assed cheapskate backpacker. Monday’s Money Saving Tips are all about that. In terms of places to stay, friends flats, tents, hostel dorms and sleeping on airport benches are my forte as I backpack round the world. But the travel lifestyle Read more about Monday’s Money Saving Tips: How to Stay in a 5 Star Hotel for Cheap as a Budget Backpacker[…]

backpacking in yangon shwe dagon pagoda

Visiting the Shwe Dagon Pagoda in Yangon, Myanmar

“A constellation once seen over Royal David’s City” – Tim Wheeler. One of the major sights in Yangon is the impressive Shwe Dagon Pagoda. This gleaming golden complex is a feast for the eyes, whether you’re a Buddhist or not. I visited it this week, here’s an overview of visiting the Shwe Dagon Pagoda in Read more about Visiting the Shwe Dagon Pagoda in Yangon, Myanmar[…]