Bangalore: Thoughts and Helpful Hints

India had never been a place that held much appeal for me and I didn’t have plans to ever visit. However, when a close friend was sent there on business and asked me to tag along at the expense of his company I jumped at the chance. My destination was Bangalore in the south of the country, affectionately known as the Garden State. This article covers my thoughts and experiences in the city and offers a few suggestions to help you prepare and survive if you decide to follow in my footsteps.

Bangalore: Eat, Drink and Stay

Places to eat and drink

Queen’s (Indian)

As lost and confused foreigners in hectic Bangalore, my friend and I asked a local about his favourite place to eat and he was kind enough to take us here. From the outside Queen’s Restaurant looks pretty rundown and unremarkable but once you step in and give the food a try, you’ll find that looks can be deceiving. It turned out that the local person’s recommendation was a very good one indeed!

Hong Kong: Eat, Drink and Stay

Places to eat and drink

The Butchers Club (Burgers)

I stumbled upon the Butchers Club during one of my failed attempts at replacing my faulty camera. My photographic search may have been fruitless but at least I managed to find an interesting food joint that caught my eye. I immediately went back to my hostel, grabbed my pal and forced him here for dinner.

Thimphu: A Jaunt Around Bhutan’s Capital

Thimphu is Bhutan’s capital and most densely populated city with roughly 91,000 citizens residing there. It is the base for the country’s government and houses the palace of the current king and queen. When you arrive you will get your first chance to see the traditional design of Bhutanese homes, all of which must follow a certain theme as set by royal decree. Sights here include the impressive Tashichhoe Dzong and the Buddha Dordenma statue which offers some glorious bird’s-eye views of the capital nestled in the valleys below.

Lake Windermere, Bowness and Ambleside

For many people tourism in England begins and ends in London. Those unadventurous and unlucky souls don’t know what they are missing out on! The North of England has an almost endless list of interesting landmarks and places of outstanding natural beauty.  The famous Lake District National Park houses a great number of these spots. Of all its awe-inspiring bodies of water, Lake Windermere and its surrounding towns and villages are, for me, the most beautiful and inspiring.

Top Tips to Best Enjoy Japan

Japan is a great place to visit. It has a lot to offer and there’s enough to do in Tokyo alone to fill ten holidays. Some travellers might be taken in by the bright lights and futuristic appearance of the big cities and forget to look beyond the boundaries of these bustling metropolises. Some people might be turned off a visit entirely owing to the fallacy of unavoidably high costs within the country. Some folk might be overwhelmed by the innumerable choice of activities available to them and struggle for a place to start. I have put together this list of ‘top tips’ (picked up when I lived in the country) to assist any potential visitors to Japan. I hope they come in handy and go some way to helping you plan and enjoy an unforgettable holiday in one of the best countries on earth!

Kiev

I’ve always been morbidly fascinated by end of the world scenarios, even going as far as writing a book based on the subject. Chernobyl has captivated me for the longest of times, ever since I discovered photographs of the area taken by a biker group many years ago. Of all the places in the world, where else would offer a more genuine glimpse at life after the apocalypse? When I found a return flight to Kiev for £80 late last year I decided it was an opportunity I couldn’t miss out on, despite the unstable political situation in the country at the time.

Kiev: Eat, Drink and Stay

Places to eat and drink

Slavutych Shato Brewery (Ukrainian)

In Kiev you rejoice when you stumble upon a place with an English menu. Shato is one such place. Although it is pricey by Kiev standards it is definitely worth a visit thanks to its English speaking staff, English menu, great view for people watching and tasty beer. You’ll recognise it easily owing to the giant pint glass sign hanging above its entrance!

Siem Reap

If you plan to visit Angkor Wat and its surrounding temples you will likely find yourself staying in or around Siem Reap. Whilst Siem Reap is relatively small, it has plenty to offer. There are a wide range of restaurants to choose from serving all kinds of cuisine (Khmer to Swiss to American and even insects!) and plenty of opportunities to grab some souvenirs or unwind with a full body massage or spa treatment.

Siem Reap: Eat, Drink and Stay

Places to eat and drink

Bugs Cafe (Insects)

When I discovered the Bugs Cafe on TripAdvisor prior to my trip to Siem Reap I thought, well, just think of the photographs I can get from that place when I go to Cambodia! I set my mind on going. I told all my friends about it. I promised them I’d be telling them all the gory details once I’d eaten all those weird creepy crawlies.