Myanmar General Information

Are you interested in coming to Myanmar for a visit? If so you have come to the right place. In this blog entry I have pulled together what I believe to be useful information for anyone planning to come here, gathered over the long weeks I have spent living in Yangon and Mandalay. I have attempted to be as truthful as possible in my analysis of the country and what it can offer, so read on to find out about the good and bad aspects of a trip to Myanmar.

Da Nang and Hoi An: Travel’s Version of Beauty and the Beast

After reading plenty of gushing online articles about how Da Nang in Vietnam was an upcoming tourist destination well worth checking out, my travel companion and I decided to start our trip around Vietnam  from there. It pains me to admit that, in my opinion, the articles about Da Nang being a city full of things for visitors to do are very wide of the mark.

The Long Hard Road to Machu Picchu

Getting to Machu Picchu on a budget is not as straightforward as you might think – the journey to this wonderful site can be a real challenge and, at times, is certainly not for the faint-hearted! If you want to visit while spending as little cash as possible be prepared for arduous walks, nerve-shredding drives and times of overwhelming exhaustion. Read on to find out how I sorted tickets and travel arrangements before I made my way from Lima to the mountain citadel via Cusco and Aguas Calientes.

South America: Thoughts and Helpful Hints

As I travelled across Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Chile and Argentina I was constantly jotting down little facts and titbits that I thought might be useful to share with other would-be travellers when I got home. In this short blog article I share a few of the things I noted in the hope that other folk will find them useful when preparing for their trip to South America.

My Food and Drink Guide to South America

Let’s be honest, you don’t go to South America for its culinary delights and, once you return home, it’s unlikely you’ll go out of your way to find a Peruvian restaurant near your home. That said, there are a few dishes and snacks that are worth keeping an eye out for if you do decide on a lap of the continent. On the other hand, each country has their own unique beverages which are well worth trying. In this blog I’ve listed a few of my favourites foods and drinks from my recent South American trip.

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.

Q&A: Is Bhutan for me?

Thinking about a trip to Bhutan but unsure if it will be worth it? Getting to the last Shangri-La is admittedly pricey and, owing to the manner in which you have to pay, it can be a chore to arrange. However, you are guaranteed to come away with lasting memories from one of the world’s most unique and untouched cultures. I have put this Q&A together to better help people decide if a visit to the Kingdom of the Thunder Dragon is truly for them.

Jack Daniel’s Distillery Tour

My travelling companion and I were passing through Tennessee as part of our road trip of the US when, out of nowhere, an idea popped into my head. ‘Isn’t Jack Daniel’s made in Tennessee? Why don’t we call in and do a tour?’ It was thus decided that, at the very last moment, we would alter our course and head to the Jack Daniel’s Distillery. It was a close shave, but we just about made it in time for the day’s final tour. Phew!