Travel and Lifestyle Blog
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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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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The other two Indian hotels were just as lovely, delicious food, a good nights sleep and welcoming staff.
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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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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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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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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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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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The miracle bomb and Mosta Rotunda church is a popular tourist attraction when visiting Malta.
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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The Mauritius ebony rainforest sits in he south of the island, home to the protected ebony tree, the forests are in the Chamarel region. It’s incredible to think that almost all the island used to be covered with ebony trees, before the Dutch exploited it in the 17th century. It was a cloudy, rainy day, […]
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Port Louis, the capital of Mauritius is a bustling world away from the idyllic white beaches and turquoise waters we know and love. Tall office blocks, locals out shopping and working in the city is more the Port Louis scene.
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The Coin De Mire Attitude is a boutique hotel set in garden style plot, just a stones throw away from a beach that offers views of Coin De Mire Island. On arrival you’ll receive a very warm and personal welcome, which extends throughout the stay as it seems the staff can’t do enough to make […]
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Next, a quick visit to one of the best sugar factories I’ve see on my travels so far, (well actually it wasn’t quick, it was a pretty long visit given the size of the factory and outside grounds) an interesting tour at the L’Aventure du Sucre (Sugar Adventure), in Pamplemousse Mauritius. You’ll learn some of the history behind […]
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All this sightseeing works up quite an appetite, so it’s time for some lunch, followed by a bit of rum and jam tasting in Chamarel. The jam was more my thing, I couldn’t resist coming home with a few jars – the guava jam was really really good!
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More sightseeing in the south western region of Mauritius, enjoying the views from the popular Black River Gorges National Park, with it’s vast expanse of rainforest before taking in the wonder of the seven coloured earth, at Chamarel. Seven Coloured Earth, Chamarel. Black River Gorges National Park
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What a beautifully written story, a true story. The author of ‘The Amazing Story of the Man who Cycled from India to Europe for Love’ by Per J Andersson and uses such rich and vivid description that I felt like ‘I was there’ with the characters right from the opening chapter, absorbing the sounds, their […]
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Well all the guide books, blogs, reviews and word of mouth echo the same thing really – ‘when in Mauritius, Flic en Flac beach is the beach of choice’, it’s on the west coast and rated as one of the best beaches in Mauritius and a must on your list of places to go whilst […]
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First stop, first impressions – beautiful, and a welcome sight after an 18 hour haul. The Veranda Grand Baie in Mauritius is set amongst lush green surroundings and giant palm trees. Rooms look like little cottages (reminiscent of the Veranda Resort & Spa in Antigua). A huge selling point with this hotel is it’s proximity […]
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This small fish market on the mauritian sea front of Grand Baie caught my eye with the dazzling rainbow of colours laid out beautifully for sale, local fishermen gather here most afternoons to display and sell their day’s catch.
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So you’re thinking about a holiday to Mauritius? Who can blame you, it’s a little slice of irresistible paradise. Lets start with Grand Baie, probably one of the most talked about shopping hubs for tourists. Grand Baie is very touristy, yes that much is true but it still feels very down to earth with plenty […]
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Amazing Isn’t it amazing that we live in an age where we can just hop on a plane and go more or less anywhere on the planet in matter of hours, or pick up and leave one country and choose to start a new life in another…. Our ability to move around the world is […]
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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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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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The history of Cuba can’t ignore the influence of Fidel Castro. Ignacio Ramonet interviews Castro and compiles it in this book.
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When in Turkey’s Antalya region, be sure to head down to the city harbour and take in the blue ocean and mountain views, as well as a spot of souvenir shopping and a boat trip if you fancy it.
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The TK Maxx of Turkey, and the roaring Manavgat waterfall are popular things to add to your travel itinerary for Antalya, Turkey.
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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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Tourist trap? Varadero might be beautifully beachy, but if you want to experience Cuba properly you need to venture away from this artificial beach strip, and explore the ‘real’ Cuba.
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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 Iberostar Grand Hotel Trinidad Cuba, 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. It’s an adults-only hotel and serves more as a city-stop type of accommodation, since there was no outdoor areas or pool – probably because you should […]
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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 more than just cigars and vintage cars – it’ relationship with the rest of the work still raises questions about it’s future in terms of trade and tourism.
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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 head full of vintage cars, cigars and salsa dancing. I’d only ever taken a superficial interest in this very unique Caribbean island – until now!!
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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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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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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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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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Bursting at the seams, a busy Sunday at a local church in the main hub of Santa Maria, Sal.
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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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A few snapshots taken while wondering around the Santa Maria, the main tourist hub in Sal, Cape Verde. SaveSave SaveSave SaveSave
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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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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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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 go on and on in Bridgetown, as long as you can take […]
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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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Budget friendly, highly praised and value for money I’m a stickler for reviews, Trip Adviser etc…and was really impressed with the overwhelming positive feedback on the Yellow Bird Hotel Barbados. 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 […]
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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 fish fry is an absolute must, especially when you’re in Barbados for the first time, along with the likes of Harbour Lights. Oistins is a fishing village in Christ Church, Barbados (not far from St Lawrence Gap). The food may not be free but you pay nothing for the music and atmosphere. The vibe […]
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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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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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