Random Rant: Fake Travel Blogs

“I’ve seen all the disciples and all the wannabes. No-one wants to be themselves these days” – Jon Bon Jovi. “In a land of fakes and small time petty thieves, must be the wrong place” – Tim Wheeler. “What position should I wear? Cop an attitude? (You faker)” – Michael Stipe. I don’t do many Read more about Random Rant: Fake Travel Blogs[…]

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windsor bar bangor local pub

Thirsty Thursdays: The Windsor Bar Bangor, Northern Ireland (My Local Pub)☘️🔴✋

In life, at least where I come from we all have a “local”. “Down the loke”, “down the wins”, “see you in the local” are all phrases we use to describe that one pub or bar where we feel at home. We know the staff, we know the customers, it’s our local. Most of my Read more about Thirsty Thursdays: The Windsor Bar Bangor, Northern Ireland (My Local Pub)☘️🔴✋[…]

Podcasting Travel Writer: The Best Podcasts I Have Been On

Working Wednesdays: Travel Podcast in front of a room full of backpackers in Yerevan, Armenia

It’s been quite a crazy year for me but not just travel, the amount of side projects I’ve been involved with. In the past year, I’ve worked with the BBC, Vadovia (iPad app), Asia Rooms, Wanderlust and the County Down Spectator (newspaper in my hometown). But a recent highlight was the time I took part Read more about Working Wednesdays: Travel Podcast in front of a room full of backpackers in Yerevan, Armenia[…]

tuesdays travel essentials driving licence

Tuesday’s Travel Essentials: A Driving Licence

Learning to drive is something I recommend for any would be travellers. Sure, it’s not cheap and it’s not easy to learn when you’re a teenager, but it will stand you in good stead for when you get older and travel. These days I admit I rarely use my driving licence, yet I carry it Read more about Tuesday’s Travel Essentials: A Driving Licence[…]

pound a drink inferno bournemouth

Thirsty Thursdays: One Pound A Drink Nights in Inferno, Bournemouth, England in 2014

I re-visited my old town of Bournemouth on the south coast of England again this year and this meant more reunions than could ever be counted, more nights out, lots of reminiscing and a certain sadness attached to the town I left behind in 2009. I moved to Bournemouth in 2003 and it kickstarted my Read more about Thirsty Thursdays: One Pound A Drink Nights in Inferno, Bournemouth, England in 2014[…]

My Visit to the Birthplace Of The World Cup: Museo Del Futbol, Estadio Centenario, Montevideo, Uruguay

As a football fan, you have to agree that the World Cup is the greatest international tournament in the world. For that very reason I was so excited to be visiting the Uruguayan capital city of Montevideo back in 2010. It had been a dream of mine to actually step foot inside Estadio Centenario. The Read more about My Visit to the Birthplace Of The World Cup: Museo Del Futbol, Estadio Centenario, Montevideo, Uruguay[…]

jerusalem pub crawl abraham hostels

Thirsty Thursdays: Abraham Hostel Pub Crawl in Jerusalem, Israel

It was time for another crazy pub crawl on my travel corridor! I’ve had some crazy ones down the years, notably Buenos Aires, New York, London and Christchurch. But how about a night on the town in Israel’s ice cool capital city. It had to be done and thanks to the awesome guys at the Read more about Thirsty Thursdays: Abraham Hostel Pub Crawl in Jerusalem, Israel[…]

soroche jonny blair

Tuesday’s Travel Problems: How to deal with Soroche (Altitude Sickness)

Today on my ongoing series of Tuesday’s Travel Problems, I look at altitude sickness and the best ways to avoid it, deal with it and get through it. Altitude sickness is also known as soroche. It is common of course in areas of HIGH altitude. Places such as Tibet, Nepal, Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru are Read more about Tuesday’s Travel Problems: How to deal with Soroche (Altitude Sickness)[…]

jungle maasai tribe tanzania

Dinner and Dancing with the Maasai Tribe in Osupuko Lodge, Tarangire National Park, Tanzania

My African safari experience took me to three of the best national parks in Tanzania, including staying overnight in the totally ace Osupuko Lodge in Tarangire National Park. Our tour was expertly organised by Shadows of Africa – the best safari company on the continent and after a day of game driving in Tarangire National Read more about Dinner and Dancing with the Maasai Tribe in Osupuko Lodge, Tarangire National Park, Tanzania[…]