Travel and Lifestyle Blog
Do I qualify for The Book Snob Tag and perhaps the Book Addiction Tag? Yes – well I’m definitely a bookworm, so book additive behaviour certainly applies, and I probably am a bit of a book snob, since I’m quite particular about certain bookish things. I came across The Book Snob Tag other day via […]
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Affluenza the status and consumption virus plaguing society, can we spot the symptoms and help reduce the spread?
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So you want to make sure your unwanted clothes go straight into the hands of someone who really needs them? Here’s five ways to do just that!
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She exits the UK, sets up a holiday rental in rural France. Hates cleaning, loves some of her guests and can’t wait to see the back of others. Read all about it in Swallows and Robins!
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So it turns out there used to be a bit more to ankle bracelets than meets the eye!! Just an innocent fashion statement? Well maybe more so today, but history shows a very different story around the world.
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Are charity shops just second hand and cheap? Do the neediest people buy your donated items? A testimony from a Big Issue seller helps shed some light!
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Secrets of a private flight attendant vs making fires and foraging for things to eat in the mountain forests. Glamour in the high skies, seeing the world through a champagne glass vs growing vegetables and fishing for you supper.
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Musical departure gates, baggage claims chaos… Past travel shenanigans are still amusing to look back on, I wonder what new amusements and annoyances will emerge as travel opens up again…..
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U turns, big life changes, new priorities? The pandemic has led some of us heading down new paths and in new directions, and perhaps inspiring others while we’re at it.
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Thankful to be nominated for this the Outstanding Blogger Award, but it’s always hard to pick nominees – every blogger deserves a spotlight.
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A winter walk in London’s biggest park, famous for its deer, and never-ending walking trails.
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Warning: May contain sarcasm.
15 Christmas movie favourites, with a twist, read on for the bits missing from the official synopsis.
A couple of book reviews, one about a 10 day galavant around Tokyo, the other about an Indian rags to riches journey.
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What have you witnessed from a hotel room window or balcony that has stayed in your thoughts, that you’ve never forgotten, outrageous or not?
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Gift Ideas for the travel addict can quickly turn to the predictable and cliche, but with a bit of extra thought, you might just strike it lucky!
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It’s amazing what a little bit of imagination and a few travel memories can do!!
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When conversations with strangers lead to catching flights to India with them the same week, racing Tuk-Tuks amidst good old Indian traffic!! Have you or would you ever…?
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This time we talked packing for flights, bottles of rum, house prices and baking cakes. Conversations with strangers can work more wonders than you’ll ever know!!
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A huge thank you to Chocoviv at Chocoviv’s Lifestyle Blog for this nomination!!
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A bit less show business and a bit more Lenny Kravitz. Reflections from the man himself on growing up, family and the beginnings of a musically fuelled career.
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Road rage, maybe there should be a highway code sign for this, placed strategically on certain junctions, and anger hotspots!! My poor taxi driver nearly exploded, that time when…..
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On the last day of a holiday, are you wishing you could stay a bit longer or raring to get to the airport? I think its probably a sad day for many – but I’m curious to hear whether you agree.
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A walk in the park, St James Park, where pelicans steal the limelight and squirrels steal the nuts.
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Warm hugs and a big thank you to ‘Travel and Share’ for this Liebster Award nomination – very kind of you!!
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Robotic airport staff, robotic luggage, and robots that can go on holiday on your behalf!! The evolution of AI is sweeping the travel industry in its wake, especially on the back of Covid 19.
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Thank you to blogger Juvie at ‘Paradigm Shifter’ for nominating Cherrylsblog.com for a One Lovely Blog Award, a lovely and much appreciated surprise!
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Mary L Trump gives us her take on Uncle Donald Trump, from childhood to present day in her ‘tell all’ book.
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Imagine having to shake the hands of 250 people all waiting for you on a beach, or jumping over a herd of cattle to prove your manhood. Ladies – how about having three husbands at once? Perhaps you’d be up for a nomadic tent-life in freezing cold snow storm territory. These are just a few interesting highlights from the some of the world’s lesser well known tribes and indigenous populations. Curious?
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So what’s your position, do you hate going on holiday, is the agro of planning and packing all too much, or is that all part of the fun? Are you a holiday hater?
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Of all the things I could have bought in Cuba, I didn’t think a beach bar would end up on the shopping list!! Its interesting to look back at some of those forgotten holiday souvenirs, many of which I treasure all the more now!!
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There’s more to Jamaican patois than ‘irie’ and ‘yeah man’. If you want to get a better grip on Jamaican patois, this funny little book gives you some common words and phrases written with a Jamaican dialect and pronunciation.
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Heathrow bound? Fancy more than a mere 40 winks before or after your flight? The Renaissance London Heathrow Hotel gets a thumbs up from me. Here’s a quick look!
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Push the guide books aside, here’s my first hand round up of thoughts and observations after a first and very worthwhile trip to India.
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Snapshots from the iconic Indian Pink City, loved for it’s royally dressed elephants, pink palaces, chamber of mirrors, and endless shopping bazaars.
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Well it’s undisputedly a fantastic work of art, one of the world’s seven wonders and perhaps the selfie capital of India, however….
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The other two Indian hotels were just as lovely, delicious food, a good nights sleep and welcoming staff.
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There’s far less exciting things you could do than stalk tigers on a jeep safari through India’s Ranthambore national park, taking in an array of wildlife and beautiful scenery while you’re at it. Just saying!!
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I felt an almost unbelievable sense of being in an entirely new world, a world with ‘ways’ that are not to be labelled or ridiculed, but simply accepted as ‘the way’ for where we were – a different way to what I was used to seeing or experiencing.
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A quick glance at a couple of Indian Hotels, The Vivanta by Taj Dwarka in Delhi and The Clarks Shiraz Hotel in Agra, near the Taj Mahal.
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Traffic in India is not for the faint hearted – its a bikers paradise, a barrage of beeps, the rush hour seems ceaseless, and chaos might just be the new calm.
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Are you curious about India? India and colour go hand in hand, vibrant and flamboyant, cheerfully extrovert. Dull and dismal doesn’t seem to feature. The people, buildings, flowers, the food. When the sun’s out and everything twinkles and gleams, the colours are dazzling and India will certainly give your camera a run for its money!!
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Taking a solo trip to India was a welcome escape from the UK’s winter weather and long month of February (even though it’s technically the shortest month, lol). India had been sky high on my bucket list for a very long time and I can honestly say it was everything I’d hoped for and more […]
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An autobiography by Sir Trevor McDonald, with detailed insights into his journalistic escapades, world politics, childhood memories and reflections on his media career.
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One night at the Courtyard Luton Airport Hotel was very pleasant indeed, with a few ‘little things’ that made it a particularly comfortable stay. It’s the first time I’ve stayed here and I’d definitely recommend it. I arrived quite late in the night to very friendly and helpful reception staff. The next morning I had […]
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Calm and quiet, untouched by mass modernisation and tourism – Malta’s sister island of Gozo is proudly held as something of a national treasure, and here’s a little snapshot….
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Before heading off on your Malta holiday, here’s a few observations, tips and bits of info that might interest you or prove useful to know if you’re curious about Malta, since the guide books don’t tell you everything!!
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More of Malta’s nooks and crannies!! Bugibba vs Paceville, they couldn’t be more different. One attracts a very lively, club/pub crowd whilst the other appeals more to those seeking a quieter life.
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Looking for some peace and quiet? Soak up the rugged costal views of Malta’s Blue Grotto. It’s busy with boat trips in the summer, and featured in the Hollywood blockbuster, Troy.
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The old is being quickly replaced with the new in Sliema Malta, so wander it’s inner streets to capture what’s left of it’s original charm before the high-rise hotels and apartments take over completely. Malta is evolving, with Sliema leading as the modern tourist hub of Malta.
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There was a storm brewing in Malta, cooking itself up since the night before, growling with thunder, pouting grey mist and bringing back Sliema’s floods.
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Malta’s biggest fishing village sports its most colourful boats, and turns into a mega market every Sunday, with a secret beach tucked away around it’s little corner!!
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Shopperholics listen up! Sliema has the giant shopping mall, Valletta’s brand names will pass some time and Marsaxlokk is the mother of all Maltese markets.
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Sliema and Valletta, the siblings that couldn’t be more different, staring each other out across the harbour. Valletta could well be the Vatican’s little brother, while Sliema seems more like the Manhattan of Malta.
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Interesting pies, unusual doughnuts, pastries, rabbits and octopus, with plenty of Turkish kebabs thrown in for good measure. Welcome to Malta!!
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Forget taxis, and drive if you dare. The easiest and cheapest way to get around Malta is by bus.
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A Valletta show that leaves you staggering out of the cinema, a church with enough gold to go head to head with Buckingham Palace (no doubt) and those iconic streets of Valletta that seem to come alive at night – interested? Then read on.
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It used to be the capital of Malta, and has the mood of a bygone era, or a film set. The Silent City of Mdina feels like a hidden world, and a must if visiting Malta for the first time.
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The miracle bomb and Mosta Rotunda church is a popular tourist attraction when visiting Malta.
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Are you due for some time out? I’m talking about taking a break, getting away, an escape from the daily grind – a much needed mental and perhaps a physical rest. Maybe some time alone to flop around with no demands on your attention. The freedom to think, read, write, daydream and explore creative ideas. […]
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Morocco and sardines – not something I would ever have thought of as having anything significant in common, but they do!! Morocco is a global sardine giant, and clearly very modest about it because they never seem to mention it.
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Want to win a tripod to improve your travel photography? Share your funniest travel moments to enter the prize draw and you could be a winner!!
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Cuban photography by Andrew Moore is a little different to your typical cuban tourist photographs of vintage cars, Varadero beaches and people smoking cigars. Moore’s cuban photography goes beneath the surface Moore captures scenes that the average tourist probably wouldn’t see unless they ventured away from the predictable tourist traps – this is what drew […]
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Apparently, a red sky at night really is a shepherds delight because it means the weather will be good the next day. The photographs below capture a sunset one evening on the west coast of Barbados. Without a camera, these sights would have so easily been forgotten – it doesn’t bare thinking about. I love […]
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The guy in the picture above doesn’t look very comfortable, one false move and he might tear! Let’s sink into that nice deep soft sofa, feet up and relax while we have another natter about nothing in particular – just crazy clocks, newspapers and a message about germs!! Tell it like it is: The News […]
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Even if you’re not going for a hike, the misty mountains of Snowdonia will certainly take you mind for a walk – away from the stresses of the day to day rigmarole. Snowdonia in North Wales is a very popular national park in the UK, with its mountainous, scenic views, pretty woods, waterfalls and the […]
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A rainy night in Tobago, up in the thick green tropics of Mount St George, wasn’t quite the soothing experience I imagined it would be. There’s a noticeable trend for metal roofs in Tobago, roofs that have that crinkle corrugated effect – so when the rain pelts down at night, you know about it. A […]
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I learned a few things at a recent Gary Younge Guardian Masterclass, Gary’s a popular columnist and broadcaster, amongst other things. I’m curious about writing and writers, their quirks and creativity – so this kind of offering was hard to resist. The session was three insightful hours long, entitled ‘How to Find Your Voice as […]
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On the north easterly side of Tobago, the higher up Mount St George you go, the thicker, greener and more lush the forests become, and with that there are plenty of mosquitos, I came home with plenty of bites to prove it, and I remember hearing the mosquitos buzzing around my ears at night, making […]
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If you’re off to Morocco for the first time you might want to note a few things, including the weather, cats, haggling and ‘Morocco belly’
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On a quiet night in Tobago, I sit out on the upstairs veranda and look heavenwards into the ink black abyss above. The sky offers a sparkly shelter, with stars shimmering like jewels in the light, it’s the kind of sky that hypnotises, and locks you in a ‘starry eyed’ trance. I see a shooting […]
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The mysterious business of sleeping and dreaming is full of unanswered questions, like the meaning of dreams, and how we can be deeply asleep when the brain is wide awake!
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So what are the most expensive mistakes you’ve ever made? Some mistakes cost us physically – like stepping on an upturned plug or chewing raw chillies. Other mistakes may take an emotional toll, but today we’re talking about the mistakes that hit us hard in the purse and wallet, like a nuclear torpedo. The expensive […]
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Pigeon point is the beach that seems to gets all the attention on the Caribbean island of Tobago.
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Eleuthera is a charming island in The Bahamas, with beaches that will leave you speechless and a peacefulness that makes it hard to leave.
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Window shopping, and more conversations with strangers Sometimes I wonder where these conversations come from! This time I found myself talking to a sales assistant in a department store – I’ll call her Belinda. Belinda is a great sales person I might add, not pushy at all – she convinced me to buy something I […]
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Another one of the UK’s great city centres, Liverpool oozes history, diversity, shopping and breezy air!
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Fancy a trip to Vietnam, Cambodia, and China? Sue Perkins will take you there in this book, sharing her wit and charm as she leads us through South East Asia to film a documentary.
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Let’s head up North and go for a wander around Leeds City Centre, admiring the majestic town hall and red brick buildings.
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Covent Garden and street performers go hand in hand – they always have and probably always will. Covent Garden sits in the heart of London’s theatre district, and just a stones’s throw from the Royal Opera House. Performance and theatrics float through the air, and have settled into Covent Garden Square.
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An early start That morning, I had breakfast with a stranger, not something that tends to happen often; maybe it happened because I was in the ‘friendlier north’ of the UK, where speaking to a stranger isn’t seen as being quite so weird. “Sorry, I nearly sat in your seat” she said. We were both […]
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I’ll start with a huge thank you to fellow blogger Image Earth Travel for nominating me for a Sunshine Blogger Award, it’s a huge compliment and quite an honour. Thank you very much indeed!! 🔆💛 I must also offer an equally huge apology for only just getting around to properly accepting it. Honestly, it means […]
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Trying to overcome writer’s block is a bit like keeping a car engine running smoothly before it starts to seize up – it regularly requires a good run, good oil and good fuel. Similarly, a writer’s mind runs on a similar principle – it needs feeding with ‘things’ that help pump the creative engine and […]
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Windswept raindrops sweep across the passenger window as we drive past a wet and soggy Hyde Park. The sky compliments the concrete in hues of grey and the pavements gleam with wet reflections throughout the rainy morning drive. The outdoor seats of cafes are abandoned, lacking any hint of life. Looking up, the high rise […]
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British summer time goes hand in hand with a trip to the seaside – and this time I found myself pottering around Margate beach in Kent. When I think of Margate, I instantly think of All 4’s ‘Location Location Location’ since ‘Kirstie and Phil’ always seem to be filming the programme in this popular home […]
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This month marks the fourth birthday of Cherryl’s Blog, and I thought it was about time I said a heartfelt thank you to all of you who have taken the time to read any of my posts, leave comments, give me a like or even done me the huge honour of following the blog 🙏😊 […]
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The Bahamas has a lot more to it than just beaches – including pineapple festivals, pirates, wine cellars, and snow.
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A few ideas to help you plan your Bahamas list of things to do; such as mingling with flamingos at the Adastra Gardens and Zoo, shopping in Bay Street, and wandering through the aquarium at the Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island.
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Calm, relaxed and at peace, that’s how I feel when I’m near the sea, hearing the waves, feasting on an infinite ocean view, my mind is clearer and thoughts come to me more easily. The sea seems charged with emotion, sometimes it’s still, unassuming and beckoning, then within hours, minutes even, it develops an almighty […]
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The Modern way is the ‘logged on way’, social media seems to have gripped society into a tight vice. We’re living in an era of ‘cyber kids’, who hang out with cyber friends, talk cyber talk and travel for free throughout a never ending cyber world. Social media marketing is leaving TV and radio behind […]
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Do you ever feel trapped by your doubts and fears – like you just can’t move past them? Are you stuck in a psychological rut? Get out of your prison….the metal bars are your own anxieties, your own thoughts. Give yourself a ‘get out of jail free card’ by shifting the way you think.
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So where in the world have you been that turned out to be completely overrated? Share your views and help us avoid wasting our time – maybe!
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Like the tide, life’s moments come and go Sometimes fast, sometimes slow Sometimes gently, sometimes with intensity Like the infinite horizon, life’s possibilities are endless The choices we can make, and actions we choose to take Like the grains of sand, we are many, spread far and wide, the human race Like the creatures beneath […]
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Sometimes you struggle to recognise that when someone lets you down, it’s not necessarily about you. It’s not ‘because’ of you or anything you did or didn’t/should or shouldn’t have done. Very often, it’s about them – their baggage, their mentality and their maturity level. In effect, they have let themselves down, you just happened […]
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Get the kettle on then, grab those biscuits and get comfy, it’s time for another random chat. Tea The tea I’m drinking is from a decorative box of Sri Lankan tea that someone brought back for me as a gift from their holiday there, before the Easter massacre in Sri Lanka, thankfully. There have been […]
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Farewell Morocco, I’ll always have fond memories from our time together, from the Sahara to the souks, High Atlas Mountains, snake charmers, belly dancers and generous tagine!
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What you need to know about Morocco before your first trip – lets examine the hype. I found most of these 22 rumours to be true!!
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More Moroccan snapshots to inspire your next visit to Morocco; it’s such an interesting country, with something interesting to see or experience wherever you go.
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Loved by movie makers and tourists alike; take a walk through the narrow clay community. Ait Benhaddou is home to a small number of Moroccan families and was used as the setting for a long list of big screen films.
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A complete contrast from Marrakech and its crazy souks, the High Atlas Mountains take you a world away with breath taking views and a community of berber families living a different way of life.
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If you’re visiting Marrakech, curious about African history and berber life with a soft spot for cosy museums crammed with lots of interesting things, you’re going to really like Maison Tiskiwin.
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A pretty palace in Marrakech decorated with impressive mosaics , imposing doors, high arches and artistic ceilings.
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Women busy crushing nuts all day, a spot of wine tasting and some hand made ceramic souvenirs.
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Dinner in a riad will leave your belly bursting with the endless servings of food, and the goats looking down at you from Argan trees will leave you wondering how they get up and down again!
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One of the most fantastical dining experiences you’ll have in Marrakech., dark, glamorous and intense!
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Extreme haggling is highly likely in Marrakech, it wore me flat out – and I think the souks should come with warning signs for getting lost and suffering from haggle exhaustion.
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So you want to go camping with Moroccan nomads in the sand dunes of the Sahara Desert, ride camels for transport with a camp fire warm you up and the stars to keep you entertained at night. Well you can in Zagora, Morocco.
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Essaouira is quite literally a breath of Moroccan fresh sea air, known for its hippy vibe and grecian looking buildings.
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We all have moments where we’re out of steam, lacking a bit of zest or doing silly things that we”d likely scoff at if it was anyone else, so try and take the hint the next time you find yourself pouring fruit juice on your cereal!
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Why the heck would you want to exasperate your wife, and read a book that teaches you how. It the author serious? ‘How to Exasperate Your Wife” No Way! That’s the title of the book I saw a man reading on the train a few weeks ago, he knew very well that we could all […]
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The other day I spotted one of those charity fundraising reps whilst walking through a shopping mall, they were all in uniform, they had a stand set up and there were about four of them; (I’d had a long day and just wanted to grab something quickly from the supermarket and get home – there […]
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Over packers united!! This book is for all the travellers out there who do not travel light. It’s a quick and entertaining read from someone who does not ‘underpack’
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The notion of a fourth age, what an interesting and very relevant topic!! I’m probably not the only one noticing the not so subtle increase in self service machines and reduction in humanly manned check out tills in shops/banks/post offices these days, or the general creeping momentum around all things ‘smart’ and the ushering in […]
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A few more snapshots. Mont Choisy Beach A more low key version of Flic en Flac beach. Views from the highest point on the island… Just around the corner – a craft and specialist cashmere outlet.
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Let’s talk trains, bugs, migrants, rain and tea while we have a natter about Mauritius.
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La Vanilla Nature Park in Mauritius, is home to all sorts of animals including crocodiles, racoons, monkeys, bats, giant tortoises and a range of tropical plant life.
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