It was an odd but yet refreshing feeling when I headed back to Amsterdam in the Netherlands earlier this year. It completed a total full circle for me in life and in truth freaked me out a bit. The story dated back 23 years… I first visited Amsterdam back in 1991 – in fact it Read more about Staying in Amsterdam’s Red Light District: Durty Nelly’s Irish Pub, Amsterdam, Netherlands[…]
I admit my working Wednesdays series is months behind – I was writing so much stuff recently about travel that I neglected my usual regular features and lifestyle posts. My return to the town of Bournemouth after a 5 year absence recently made me think of my time there working as a barman in Bournemouth Read more about Working Wednesdays: Barman at Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre, England[…]
In my ongoing quest to visit every Province in China, I recently headed to the Hunan Province which is probably most famous for the fact that Chairman Mao Ze Dong comes from this province. Also famous is the scenic area at Wulingyuan which was made famous by it’s inclusion as the location for the film Read more about Top 5 Sights When Backpacking in Changsha, Hunan Province, China[…]
I’m here to help all my fellow travellers, that’s my duty and my job. I should have posted this one ages ago as it’s something that I get quite upset about. The reason is, lots of people have asked me questions like “how can you visit North Korea?” and “I thought it was a closed Read more about How to Get a North Korean Visa[…]
“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[…]
It’s a long time since I wrote anything about Belarus (even though I once wrote a chapter for a book on my trip there). And as it’s yet to feature on my Friday’s Featured Food series, I thought it was time to recollect that day I tried Belarussian Porridge in the drab city of Bobruisk. Read more about Friday’s Featured Food: Belarussian Porridge in Bobruisk, Belarus🇧🇾[…]
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)☘️🔴✋[…]
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[…]
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[…]
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[…]