Lifestyle and Travel Blog
Picture this… You fly off from London’s Heathrow and land in Peru with your crew and cameraman, heaps of luggage and technical equipment. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to trek the best part of the Amazon rainforest, via mountains and forest, using the river as your guide. You will meet and […]
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Apparently, Wales consumes more oven chips than any other part of the UK, and Mount Everest was named after a welshman – interesting facts!! Here’s more from my welsh galavants this summer……. The UK’s smallest city – St David’s St David’s is more like a village but technically it’s a city because of it’s catherdral. […]
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Living on island time in the caribbean
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Adventure junkies, beach bums, sun seekers….whoever you are, how do you cope with the lull when there’s no trip in sight?
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Fidel Castro to Cuba is like Mandela to South Africa – you just can’t get into any meaningful conversation about Cuba without discussing Fidel Castro and his impact on shaping Cuba, it’s culture, values and politics. To understand Cuba better, let’s go back and get to know this iconic figure a little better. Author […]
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Antalya is a popular tourist region in Turkey framed by snow topped mountains and amazing blue seascapes. Stray cats and dogs shelters Farewell Turkey SaveSave SaveSave SaveSaveSaveSave SaveSave SaveSave SaveSave SaveSave SaveSave SaveSaveSaveSave SaveSave SaveSave SaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSave SaveSave SaveSave SaveSave SaveSave
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Manavgat Waterfall The morning started with a quick stop at this very impressive Turkish waterfall, with it’s powerful current and beautiful blue hue. Next stop: Dikmen Textile Outlet A holiday rep described this as being the TK Maxx of Turkey, and he wasn’t wrong. Practically every sports brand and commonly known designer labels were in […]
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Well actually the weather was pretty good considering it was still the latter part of the Turkish winter season (March/April). This was a very last minute Easter getaway and the sun had his hat most of the time, thankfully! It was cold and pelting down with rain in London as my plane took off – […]
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A few nights in Cuba’s Varadero to lap up those beautiful beaches wasn’t such a bad idea, though I can see why many people detest Varadero – it portrays very little of the history, character and unique beauty of the ‘real Cuba’, so make sure you explore other parts of the island (perhaps via an […]
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My favourite part of my trip to Cuba were the days spent in the Cuban town of Trinidad. The pictures may not convey this but ‘what a dramatic place’ frozen in time and bursting with life, colour and charisma. The atmosphere is just fantastic, live music and vibrancy everywhere you look. I loved Trinidad instantly, […]
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The Gran Iberostar Trinidad Hotel has to be in one of the best locations in Trinidad, centrally located and surrounded by lively cobbled streets buzzing with locals and tourists alike. This was the final hotel incorporated into the Cuban Experience tour.
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More insights from the beautiful island and people of Cuba. Cienfuegos actually means ‘one hundred fires’. Cienfuegos is where the revolutionary uprising against Fulgencio Batista took place.
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Walking on water! I saw three men walking on water – it’s not brilliant but watch the hastily filmed clip! I’m not sure if he stepped on a jellyfish or what but something startled him…..in Cayo Ensenachos. I tried to rescue a Jellyfish This is the first jellyfish I’ve come face to face with, it […]
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San Juan de Los Remedios is one of the oldest colonial towns in Cuba. Just mind yourself when you’re crossing the wonderfully busy roads….. The sugar mills are interesting, but the sight of those locomotive trains was show stopping; they’re just huge, mighty and seeped in history – beautiful! The roar of the steam and […]
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I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘An Accidental Tourist’ by Jason Smart, it was like really good reality TV on paper. Jason records his travel escapades, highs and lows, and points of interest in this easy to read book. The book brought back memories of some of my own caribbean travels, making for some interesting comparisons. Jason’s […]
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After lunch at the Los Tainos restaurant at the Hotel Los Caneyes, Santa Clara – we were on the road again heading for the small Cuban off-shore island of Cayo Ensenachos to the Iberostar Ensenachos Hotel. It’s quite secluded, there is no nearby town to walk to – just beautiful beach and plenty of mangroves, […]
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You won’t be short of taxi options in Cuba, that’s for sure. I’ve never seen so many variations in one place – talk about spoilt for choice!! There’s a taxi type for all tastes – short of a flying taxi…
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Cuba is sometimes playfully referred to as a the sleeping crocodile, if you look at it’s shape on the map that’s what it looks like. When I arrived in Cuba it was raining – and the airport staff were hard to distinguish properly because some of them were formally dressed whilst others were in their […]
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Originally posted on Repeating Islands:
Just over a week ago the US administration published new regulations governing travel and trade between the US and Cuba. Their effect is to partially reverse elements of the more liberal policy towards Cuba adopted by President Obama, and to setback relations. Caribbean Intelligence reports: They turn into law a range…
Granted, there may be something to be said for the thrill and adventure of organising a travel itinerary with all your own connections and accommodation yourself, either as you go or all in advance. On this occasion I accepted the offer of a little help and a bit less to have to think about so […]
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We all know Havana is the capital of Cuba, a metropolitan hub of tourists, beautiful buildings and classic vintage cars. Havana is bustling and busy with interesting sights on every turn. To go to Cuba and not visit Havana would be a crime, but there is certainly more to Cuba than Havana, so I would […]
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I never normally bothered with these things as I actually used to like the buzz of wandering around crowded airport shops and having a nice proper cooked breakfast in some crowded eatery before a flight. A very good Virgin travel agent managed to do some effective arm twisting so I can now say I’ve given […]
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Before I went to Cuba I had a very limited idea of what to expect, based mainly on what you see in magazines: Cuban cigars Big vintage statement ‘cuban looking’ cars Hot weather Exotic looking people speaking spanish White sandy beaches Salsa music Lots of colour Before I went to Cuba I was fascinated by […]
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My favourite part of any plane ride is take off. The exhilaration and adrenaline rush, coupled with that final feeling of actually ‘going’ to wherever it is, the build up is over and its time to sit back and relax. All the better if it’s a miserable day when I take off, leaving it all […]
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Join me for more random chatter over a cuppa tea!
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Well I didn’t actually go skiing. After a hearty lunch in Kalambaka, I found myself in Metsovo, part of a Greek ski resort area in Epirus, which in a few more weeks would be white with snow. It was a flying visit really (as part of a wider excursion), but it was lovely to get […]
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A perfect Greek Getaway
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Valtos Beach hotel is a small family run resort daintily placed in a mountain hill surrounded by lemon and olive trees with fabulously relaxing views onto the bay, ocean and nearby castle. As with most businesses around Parga – it’s a family thing, and you will see names of families hung up outside restaurants […]
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Perhaps the prettiest place I’ve ever had lunch – shielded by the golden shimmer of the trees against the sun as the odd leaf drops and floats down the river. The sound of the water was the only music needed – and the clinking plates as we ate in the woods felt magical! Out and […]
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More beach chatter…
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The human body is far too ‘switched on’ not to notice you have been surfing above the clouds at high altitude (which interferes with your oxygen levels) and super strong UV rays for hours on end, and that your entire sleep pattern and usual bodily functions have been turned upside down and flipped around all […]
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Licking a fire lollipop and warming it up where the sun doesn’t shine…. Sal, Cape Verde talent
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Soak up the atmosphere of this small fishing village in Sal, Cape Verde
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Bursting at the seams, a busy Sunday at a local church in the main hub of Santa Maria, Sal.
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Santa Maria in Cape Verde centres around the beach…
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Watch the fish come in fresh off the boats as locals prepare and sell them against a back drop of blue seas, and Santa Maria beach surfers.
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Some of the animals have been rescued from poor/unfortunate conditions.
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It’s amazing what you can do with a few bottle tops!
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You will be encouraged to go for a dip in one of the salt lakes, and experience the feeling of the dead sea – you won’t sink. The salt and minerals in the water are good for your skin too. I had my swimsuit on under my clothes, fully intending to get in, but it […]
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An all inclusive hotel in Sal, Cape Verde.
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It’s not all turquoise beaches and tourist resorts. Cape Verde is slowly developing and building its tourist industry, but still suffering deeply with poverty. The buildings are very colourful, there never seemed to be two buildings the same colour side by side. The roads are not all typical tarmac, sometimes a left or right turn takes […]
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As usual, I spent a lot of time scouring reviews and reading up on this destination well before my holiday. Desperate for some winter sun, Cape Verde seemed like an ideal choice from the UK, not quite long haul but plenty of hot sunshine, apparently. Funny how two people can go to the exact same […]
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Val-deri,Val-dera, Val-deri, Val-dera-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha Ok that’s enough of that. Bargain time! Knapsacks, more commonly known as rucksacks or back packs are the ultimate in hands free bags. There is no need to succumb to the big bulky mountaineering style back packs of old; nowadays there are a whole host of stylish variations to suit a range of […]
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Seize moments, grab opportunities, have faith, be courageous, pursue your goals, live your dreams. Each sunset symbolises the promise of a new tomorrow, so start as you mean to go on. It seems like motivational quotes have come the new ‘thing’ on social media; we can’t get away from them, and sometimes they seem repetitive, […]
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The capital of Barbados, a hub of busy hustle and bustle, compared to a lot of other caribbean islands, Barbados seemed to have very big ‘town centre’ with lots of little back streets and side shops. If you’re an avid browser, you can on and on in Bridgetown, as long as you can take the […]
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Soaking up more sights around Barbados.
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Taking it all in, Barbados.
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From large blue government owned buses to small privately run white mini buses, you won’t be waiting long for a ride. Mini bus drivers will often beep at you and call out to see if you ned a ride if they see you walking (no chance of that back at home lol!). A few short […]
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Once you’ve had enough of the hustle and bustle of the shops and heat, head over to the harbour (aka ‘Deep Water Harbour’) for lunch and drinks by the boats and watch the water glisten in the sun! Bridgetown may be the capital city of Barbados, but it still manages to pull of a chilled, relaxing […]
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Designer shops and a more quiet side of Barbados
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I’m a stickler for reviews, Trip Adviser etc…and was really impressed with the overwhelming positive feedback on this hotel. Furthermore, it’s very reasonably priced in comparison to the big east/west coast, all-inclusive resorts. If you’re on a tight budget, or want to claw back more money for spending, you could easily spend your entire holiday using […]
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If souvenir shopping hasn’t satisfied your retail therapy needs, head over to the Sheraton Mall. If you’re not driving, just agree a pick up time with your taxi driver, a couple of hours should be enough!
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Oistins is a fishing village in Christ Church, Barbados (not far from St Lawrence Gap). Oistins fish fry is an absolute must, especially when you’re in Barbados for the first time. The food may not be free but you pay nothing for the music and atmosphere. The vibe here is buzzing, with music and smells […]
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Looking for a lively night out in Barbados, well look no further!
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Sometimes you just get a feeling about something, someone or somewhere. There is no logic to the feeling, you only know the feeling is real and strong. For me, the grounds leading to Harrison’s Cave felt like a scene from a James Bond film; I’m not sure which film but I could just picture Bond running around […]
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A true account of the realities of the luxury hotel industry by Matthew Brace
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There are definitely a few things about us that change when we’re on holiday, (apart from reduced stress and being blissfully relaxed) and if we’re honest with ourselves, we know it. Here are a few I think I can hold my hands up to: Talking to and smiling at strangers, because it just feels right! […]
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Since I’d never been on a submarine before, and I adore tropical fish – this seemed like really good excursion to cross off the list whilst in Barbados. Now we cross over from our boat to the submarine Down the hatch (not for the claustrophobic) Know your fish. At this point or commentator starts to suggest […]
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Anyone who knows anything about Barbados will be familiar with all the hype surrounding St Lawrence Gap. Party scene Clubs Bars Restaurants Nightlife Street vendors All things touristy Down to earth Affordable hotels Lively vibe Dover beach Close to Oistins and Bridgetown It just wouldn’t be right not to spend at least a few nights in the […]
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I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in Antigua and Barbuda, and wouldn’t hesitate to stay at the Verandah Resort & Spa again in the future, a nice little hideaway. I’ll miss the butterflies, and pretty beaches. Farewell Antigua, until next time….. 😘
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A black women’s account of her career with British Airways Cabin Crew.
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Devil’s Bridge on the atlantic coast, with plenty of crashing waves Betty’s Hope Sugar Plantation Roots Views of Montserrat in the distance
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Shirley Heights is one of the most well known tourist spots on the island of Antigua, within the English Harbour area, visited for its beautiful views of the island from the most southern point. Live music is played every Sunday evening, drawing a regular crowd for food and dancing. It certainly ‘is’ on the steep […]
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Turner’s beach is quiet a beautiful powdery beach on the west coast of Antigua, perfect for a day of lounging if you don’t require much shade. The guide books advise you to avoid this beach during the cruise ship/peak season as the beauty of the beach is spoilt with all the crowds and commotion. Fortunately […]
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Nelson’s Dockyard is a national park, a historic site restored from 1743; it forms part of the English Harbour area of Antigua and is also an operational Georgian naval facility. British ships used to be repaired, restocked or disposed of here. Marinas and boats on a backdrop of blue water always make for a lovely […]
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The joys of sand and a few life guard observations.
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It’s not just robins that sport a red chest…
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Interestingly, Antigua and Barbuda used to be one whole island until floods/rising sea levels ended up separating them. The journey takes approx 90 minutes via Barbuda Express ferries Barbuda feels like a deserted Island, very untouched and unspoilt by tourist trade. Barbuda feels like a […]
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Just a few minutes walk from the Verandah Resort & Spa takes you to Long Bay beach. The white sand and turquoise water looks far better in real life than it does in the pictures below. Click here for Bloglovin’ link SaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSave
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A taxi drive down to the western side of the island takes us to Antigua & Barbuda’s capital, St John’s. Lots of people, traffic, shops, colour and day to day hustle and bustle. Antigua and Barbuda’s first prime minister, Sir Vere Cornwall Click here for Bloglovin’ link
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Well you go to some hotels and get virtually no entertainment in the evening, but not at the Verandah! I was super impressed with the amount of effort the resort staff put into organising a fashion and talent show during my stay – they didn’t just organise the entertainment, they ‘were’ the entertainment. Hats off to the […]
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I think Antigua should be renamed ‘Butterfly Island’ because I have never been to a place where butterflies are swarming the air like confetti. I noticed this on the drive to the hotel and initially thought it was some sprinkling from nearby flower petals blowing in the breeze, but no – it was hundreds of […]
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All packed and ready to go. Upon leaving Grenada I was greeted with yet more rude staff at the LIAT check-in desk this time, I can’t even leave without another dose. Our driver had taken special care to bring our luggage into the airport and place it at the front of the queue to make […]
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A tiny crescent island off the coast of mainland Carriacou, Grenada. An isolated island with a rustic charm. Uninhabited. The crabs featured at the end of the clip were quite something. There seemed to be hundreds of them all living under a big pile of old fallen coconut tree leaves. As soon as our […]
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Snaps of the beautiful caribbean island of Carriacou
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A quiet little boutique hotel.
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Carriacou is one of Grenada’s sister Islands, and delightful contrast. The second largest of Grenada’s Tri-Islands. As well as the SVG Air flight, it is also possible to sail via Osprey Ferry from Grenada’s capital, St George or book an organised tour. I had always vowed never (under any circumstances) to fly in a light aircraft, […]
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Art is anything that inspires creatively, or exudes a creative flare, there are no rules, it’s a free for all. Grenada certainly showers you with bursts of colour as you wonder around. “Look at the beautiful things in life” Click here for Bloglovin’ link
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Music: Aaron Duncan – Can You Feel It 2016 Soca Click here for Bloglovin’ link SaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSave
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The bus ride into town: Vibrant Colourful Fishing boats Local produce Hustle & bustle Steep narrow streets Vendors on the side walk The waft of spices in the air Spices for sale on every corner Locals going about their daily chores Picturesque views from Fort George and around the marina St George, the capital of […]
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A great day long tour, highly recommended. Concord Waterfall View of Carib’s Leap Lunch at the Belmont Estate River Antoine Rum Distillery (1785) Pearls Airport Grand Etang National Park & Crater Lake And of course the Gouyave Nutmeg Processing Station was also included in this tour : Spice Up Your Life: Grenada […]
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So we decided to eat like the locals and pop into a restaurant/cafe in the hustle and bustle of St George. Sample some local cuisine I thought, give some custom to local businesses (who you’d think would appreciate it more than your bigger more flourishing hotel empires), surely this couldn’t go horribly wrong. Surely not. Well sadly it […]
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The nutmeg aroma is fragrant throughout the tour, as you would expect. There is a very calm, peaceful atmosphere throughout as everyone gets to work. Courtesy of the Grenada Sunsation Tutti Frutti Tour. Click here for Bloglovin’ link
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A quiet hotel on Grand Anse beach. The staff are generally friendly and polite (with the exception of one housekeeping lady who beat on my hotel room door one evening, with such force and persistence I thought maybe the hotel was burning down or the police had some urgent matter to discuss with me) – but oh […]
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After long flight, and landing at Maurice Bishop International Airport, nobody expected to be greeted with the rude and hostile attitude of some ‘female’ immigration staff we encountered. What a welcome, and how embarrassing on their part. Perhaps these staff did not wish to encourage tourism into Grenada and preferred for us to return home to our […]
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Fish and chill!
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Tobago snapshots.
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Close to the airport, small private beach and cosy rooms.
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Most of us are probably a mixture of types, depending on where we are, the mood we’re in, and who we are with. On the whole, I’d say I’m the ‘photographer type’, I just can’t stop taking pictures of everything when I’m on holiday. I carry about 20 memory cards, external hard drive, countless fully […]
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Rick’s, one of the coolest spots to hang out in Negril. Pull up by road or boat (try both). Get drinks Watch daring divers Be a daring diver Listen to live music Watch the most amazing sunsets Job done. Click here for Bloglovin’ link
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Stuck for something to do on your Jamaica holiday? Black River in St Elizabeth is one of the longest rivers in Jamaica and very popular with tourists for the close up sighting and feeding of crocodiles at a leisurely pace. Just board the boat and have your camera ready!
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When it comes to Jamaica, we hear about ‘Dunns River Falls’ to no end. It’s the ‘bees knees’ according to all the brochures and travel guides. Here is a lesser well advertised waterfall, in a lovely lush park – YS Falls in the parish of Saint Elizabeth. You can go swimming , have a picnic, […]
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In a nutshell. This hotel was clean, spacious, generously catered for food, with a good range of entertainment each evening. Rooms are spread over four blocks along the beach strip The holiday reps are very hyper, all day, but they work exceptionally hard – especially with all the entertainment routines they put on throughout the […]
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Margaritaville is a 5 minute drive down Norman Manley Boulevard from the Riu Negril resorts. Some hotels, like Riu Negril, will call the Margaritaville bus to come and pick you up from your hotel and the drop you off again at scheduled times throughout the day/evening. Here you will find miles of beach to wander, […]
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Want to avoid looking like a tourist?
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Built by William the conquerer in 1068 and still standing tall. The majority of of this attraction has been turned into a theme park for children, but the main tower is where you’ll see historic exhibitions of how things would have looked. The video below (not great I know, but it might give you an idea of […]
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A place where people tend to flock, gather and potter. The National and Portrait Galleries are conveniently located in the square. On weekends there’s always some ‘Trafalgar Square-esk’ things going on to amuse you: Musicians (e.g. guitarists steel, band players) Magicians Illusionists Various kids’ entertainment (giant balloon blowing, break dancing etc..) Artists Protesters (on various matters) Tourists […]
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The first time I watched Alamar I wasn’t sure what to make of it until toward the end. I didn’t get the point of it and thought it was a bit strange, long winded and lacking in any sort of meaty storyline. Where is this going, I asked? Now I get it. Alamar is a true/real life […]
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So after reading this book years ago and then again recently I thought I should spread the word on it in case it appeals to your interests! The book is written as a work of fiction in order to protect the aboriginal tribe concerned, but based on their real life experiences. An American white caucasian […]
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Firstly, the answer is no. Right now, I am not making any serious plans to go on a cruise, I merely went along last weekend out of curiosity and I must say, I came away rather inspired. River cruises are all the rage, the ‘new black’ if you like! Honestly, river cruises are appealing to […]
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Camden is a great place to go for lots of reasons. If you enjoy idly wandering around and feasting your eyes on a ridiculous array of shops, winding allyways rammed tightly with stalls, some weird some wonderful; food stalls and eateries galore, and you don’t mind a thick crowd, then Camden Town is a […]
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Given my obsession with fish and aquariums, it will come as no surprise that the London Aquarium is an old favourite of mine. Does anyone else feel like they’re in one of the ‘Alien’ film spaceships when you walk through Westminster tube station, it looks/feels very space-age-esk!!! Take Exit 1 and turn left- cross at […]
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A small quiet caribbean island, physically separate from Trinidad. An island for relaxation, bird watching, rainforest hiking and beach lounging. At certain time of the year, in line with breeding cycles, turtle watching becomes a major attraction. Be certain to take strong insect repellent, the strongest you can get your hands on. You will certainly […]
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The Bahamas is made up of over 700 small islands and cays. Following a comfortable British Airways flight, the Bahamas proved to be a relaxing destination. There is a very simple beauty to it, that is refreshing and quite charming. Highlights: Cable beach (with a direct view of the island owned by Eddie Murphy) Fort Charlotte, one […]
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Despite the frightening March 2015 incident that took place in Tunisia’s capital a week before, we went ahead with our all inclusive holiday to Sousse (just under 2 hrs from the capital, in one of the quieter tourist areas). On reflection we thought it was probably one of the safest times to visit as security […]
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Beside the seaside, beside the sea…
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