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.

Paro: In and About Town

Paro, although not a must visit destination in Bhutan, still has a number of interesting places worth a look. There are a number of dzongs in the vicinity of the tourism-oriented town, including one of the oldest temples in Bhutan, and it also claims ownership of the country’s National Museum, International Airport and the valley that houses Bhutan’s most wondrous treasure, the Tiger’s Nest.

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.

Punakha: aka the Place with all the Penises

Our second day in Bhutan involved a long and arduous drive to the district of Punakha. Although the distance between Thimphu and Punakha is only 70km or so, the drive took us well over three hours due to the terrible state of Bhutan’s mountainous road network. Punakha is famous for its picturesque dzong which is situated between the meeting point of two raging rivers and Chimi Lhakhang otherwise known as the Temple of the Divine Madman. There was, however, a far more juvenile reason for my excitement for this leg of the trip…