Category: Europe

Backpacking In Stan: Completion Of Them – I’ve Been To All My Recognised Stan Countries

Posted on by Jonny Blair

“My tea’s gone cold, I’m wondering why” – STAN! (By Eminem Featuring Dido) Firstly this is no raconteur rhetoric, it’s just a reflection of a journey which took me 17 years from the first Stan (Stansted) to the last Stan (Pakistan). Yes, Iran-borderic Pakistan 🇵🇰 was the last of my FIFA 🌏🏆⚽️Stans when I finally Read more about Backpacking In Stan: Completion Of Them – I’ve Been To All My Recognised Stan Countries[…]

20 Years Later: How My Life Changed Forever 26th September 2003

20 Years Ago Today: How My Life Changed Forever On Friday 26th September 2003

Posted on by Jonny Blair

“What you leave behind, you don’t miss anyway” – Paul Hewson. Friday 26th September 2003. That’s twenty years ago today. Madness. This was the day when life unknowingly all changed for me. It did for me and it could for you too and you will never expect that. I certainly wasn’t ready for a new Read more about 20 Years Ago Today: How My Life Changed Forever On Friday 26th September 2003[…]

Backpacking In The Isle Of Man🇮🇲: My Stay At The Glen Mona

Backpacking In The Isle Of Man🇮🇲: My Stay At The Glen Mona Hotel

Posted on by Jonny Blair

“I don’t know what tune that the orchestra played but it went by me, sickly and sentimental” – Crowded House. Here I was, 203 countries deep into my wacaday adventure around the world and I was finally in The Isle of Man!! This lesser ventured country is the fifth closest country to my home country Read more about Backpacking In The Isle Of Man🇮🇲: My Stay At The Glen Mona Hotel[…]

Backpacking In Kazakhstan: Staying At The Hostel Bro, Astana

Backpacking In Kazakhstan🇰🇿: Staying At The Hostel Bro, Astana

Posted on by Jonny Blair

“Stand in the place where you are” – Rapid Eye Movement. My first ever night in Kazakhstan was a cold and memorable one way back in December 2015. Life was pretty good then and I knew what I wanted. I was on a journey through the Stans (I’ve now visited them all) and on that Read more about Backpacking In Kazakhstan🇰🇿: Staying At The Hostel Bro, Astana[…]

A Guide to Exploring Iceland during the Off-Season

Posted on by Jonny Blair

While summer might be the peak tourist season, there’s something truly enchanting about experiencing this Nordic gem during the off-season, which typically runs from late September to early April. Visiting Iceland during this time offers a unique and tranquil perspective on this incredible island nation. Benefits of Off-Season Travel Traveling to Iceland during the off-season Read more about A Guide to Exploring Iceland during the Off-Season[…]

Reminiscing My Childhood: Cookies🍪And Cream🍶🤍Ice Cream🍦At Morelli’s, Portstewart, Northern Ireland💚🔴🤚☘️

Posted on by Jonny Blair

“Just when I thought our chance had passed. You go and save the best for last” – Vanessa Williams. August 2023 saw a return to the Port Hat-trick. This meant Portballintrae, Portrush and Portstewart. After catching crabs in rockpools at Portballintrae and riding the Ghost Train at Barry’s (Curry’s) in Portrush, I completed the Port Read more about Reminiscing My Childhood: Cookies🍪And Cream🍶🤍Ice Cream🍦At Morelli’s, Portstewart, Northern Ireland💚🔴🤚☘️[…]

The Lost City: Playing Crazy Golf At Yorkgate, Belfast, Northern Ireland

The Lost City: Playing Crazy Golf🏌️💀⛳At Yorkgate, Belfast, Northern Ireland🔴✋☘️

Posted on by Jonny Blair

The Lost City: Playing Crazy Golf At Yorkgate, Belfast, Northern Ireland “Chip Beck. Tiger Woods. Davis Love Hat-Trick” – Golfers Names. I used to play golf a lot when I was younger. Dad had a set of clubs, I had a set of plastic clubs as a kid, and later I had some real golf Read more about The Lost City: Playing Crazy Golf🏌️💀⛳At Yorkgate, Belfast, Northern Ireland🔴✋☘️[…]

Reminiscing My Childhood: Ghost Train At Barry's (Curry's) Portrush, Northern Ireland

Reminiscing My Childhood: Ghost👻Train🚂At Barry’s (Curry’s) Portrush, Northern Ireland 🔴✋️☘️

Posted on by Jonny Blair

“And I’ve been riding on a ghost train, where the cars, they scream and slam and I don’t know where I’ll be tonight but I’d always tell you where I am” – Mark Knopfler. On my August 2023 return to Northern Ireland, I ticked off some of my childhood memories, 40 years later, to reminisce Read more about Reminiscing My Childhood: Ghost👻Train🚂At Barry’s (Curry’s) Portrush, Northern Ireland 🔴✋️☘️[…]