2017: The Year I Stopped Travelling Selfishly

Another year is coming to an end and 2017 has been one of the busiest for me in terms of travel. Last year I travelled solidly for a number of months, thanks to quitting my job. But this year I've been in full-time employment and squeezed the life out of my annual leave in order to continue seeing as much of the world as I can. This year I've done 14 trips, comprising of 11 countries (including seven brand new ones!), across five continents, but for once, a lot of these trips haven't all been about me.

How to Spend 24 Hours in Reykjavik, Iceland

Something to be aware of immediately when planning a quick long weekend in Iceland, is the amount of sunlight you'll be getting. If you're travelling in winter to increase your chance of seeing the Northern Lights, you need to keep in mind that the sun doesn't come up until around 10am and it starts setting again at around 3.30pm. This meant pretty meticulously planning out our time, but with Reykjavik being so small, it's super easy to get around on foot and tick a lot off your list.

Nine Amazing Street Foods You Should Eat in Japan

Japan, to my surprise, isn't really a street food country. World-famous for its cuisine, I was surprised that there wasn't stall after stall of vendors selling their wares in every city we visited, especially since nearby South Korea is FULL of them. It could be down to the fact that it is considered incredibly rude to walk along the road whilst eating; most places will either have a bin next to them so you can eat and dispose immediately after purchase, or they'll insist that you sit in a physical premises. Although they might not be as plentiful as other Asian countries, there are street food stalls to be found, and these ten items where my ultimate favourites:

Everything You Need to Know About Finding the Northern Lights in Iceland

It's difficult when the highest thing on your sightseeing list in a particular country isn't something you can just waltz up to and take a photo of. The whole reason I wanted to visit Iceland was to get a glimpse of the elusive Northern Lights, and I was overwhelmed by the advice online about how to see them. So we doubled up on our efforts, deciding to DIY it and also book a tour for another night too. I came away with a clear preference of how to hunt for the Northern Lights, and this is what to keep in mind when planning your trip:

How I Show My Love of Travel in My Home Decor

First row: Cork globe / Hand painted globe / Wooden globe
Second row: Upcycled vintage plate / Embroidery loop / Enamel mug
Third row: Reykjavik skyline print / Mickey Mouse Christmas decoration / Oui Madame print
Fourth row: Pressed silver fern / Jamaica bamboo tray / Kakapo print

Do you swear, every year, that THIS year will be the year that you have a calm December? I absolutely do and then always end up laughing at how positively stupid I must be, because the last 31 days of every.single.year are always mental. In 2015, I had jury service, quit my job and went to Berlin. In 2016, I was a bridesmaid at a wedding and randomly decided to go to South Africa. And 2017? 16 days before Christmas, I'm moving house.

How to Survive an Early Flight When You HATE Mornings

When you're on a constant quest to travel as much as possible, budget airlines are the answer to curing your wanderlust without bankrupting yourself. However, an affordable flight often means departing at an unholy hour of the morning. It's the ultimate internal conflict for this holiday-hungry night owl, but just like when I'm flying long-haul, I now have a routine that gets me through the pain of a 4am alarm.

An Indian Brunch at Cinnamon Bazaar, Covent Garden

Brunch in London can be a stressful affair. The city's obsession means you often need to book weeks in advance or queue with the masses to get your bacon and bellini fix. On a rare, quiet Sunday, our only plans were to hit up TK Maxx for some thermal socks for our upcoming trip to Iceland, and wondering through Covent Garden I was surprised to see Cinnamon Bazaar looking relatively empty. It's been on my to-eat list for a while, so I ditched plans of seeking out French toast and went in.

Why We Should All Visit Places of Political Importance Abroad

When you travel to a new destination, what do you want to see? Nature at its finest, incredible cityscapes, traditional ways of living, maybe some local art? Travel makes me happy and experiencing the unknown is always where I'd rather be, but what about experiencing the cold hard truth about the history of the country you're in? To be a well-behaved tourist and an ethical global citizen, I believe it is my responsibility to know the background of where I am, even if it makes for an uncomfortable visit.

An Afternoon at The British Library for Harry Potter: A History of Magic

It's hard to believe that Harry Potter has been a part of my life for 20 years; my love of the series has spanned a time longer than most of my non-familial relationships, and conjures memories of late-night binge-reading under-the-duvet way past my bedtime and being OBSESSED when the next volume was due to be published.

A Solo Traveller's Guide to Taking Selfies

It's all well and good to have photos of the places you've visited, but sometimes it's nice to appear in them yourself. I like having photographic proof of my presence somewhere, especially when I've travelled half way across the world to see something spectacular. It's not just for Instagram (although I won't lie, I obviously want it for that too), but I want to send it to my mum and say, 'Look where I am!', or to have it put in a frame for memories. Travelling solo means you might not always get a great photo of yourself, but here's how I manage it:

Visiting the Floating Torii Gate of Miyajima, Japan

Prior to visiting Japan, I didn't know the name of the island that is home to the famous floating shrine. Rather like my visit to Himeji Castle, I knew the emoji symbol and the fact it looked pretty in photos, but it was only with some research that I realised it would be feasible to visit it on a day trip from Osaka, and that the island it lives on is called Itsukushima, but is commonly known as Miyajima.

Steak Frites at Flat Iron, Denmark St

There's a whole heap of places on my London to-eat list that I haven't made it to yet because I just cannot be arsed to queue. Gradually, no-reservation eateries are starting to become less rare, but I do get it with smaller places. Flat Iron on Denmark Street is limited on space which means demand is high, and explains why it's taken me so long to actually eat there.

Just Go

If the topic of my three-month solo travel adventure ever crops up (or rather, if you can stop me from talking about it), there's a few routes that the conversation could go down. There are people who simply have no interest in travel, and especially not the long-term type, so they'll ask why I'd even want to embark on something so alien to them. I had my reasons, as I've written about before, but for the most part, the responses are more positive, and they go something along these lines:

How to Spend 24 Hours in Osaka, Japan

Before heading to Japan, I was told by everyone who'd been before me that Osaka was their least favourite city, but within moments of being there myself, I knew I'd disagree with them all. OK, it's not the huge bustling, modern metropolis that Tokyo is, or has the history of Kyoto, but it is vibrant, friendly, and it's wonderfully easy to lose yourself in its warren-like streets.

Three Ways to Eat Dim Sum in Hong Kong

Dim sum was my first foray into Chinese food, way back when I was still a fussy eater (can you believe I was ever anything but a never-ending stomach?!). It's bite-sized food filled with all sorts of delicious things; it's canapés that have been souped up and they are generally more plentiful than the food you'd be served up on a silver platter, too.

It was the first traditional food I ate there during my first trip back in 2014, but each time I've been back, I go in for so much more. No matter what your budget or palate, there's a way for you to enjoy dim sum in Hong Kong:

Seven Things British Transport Could Learn From Japan Rail

When my friends and I were planning our trip to Japan, we knew we wanted to cram in as many places as possible within our two-week itinerary. Bullet trains are synonymous with the Land of the Rising Sun, and it was the obvious way to travel so that we could see as much of the country whizzing by as possible as well as tell people how fast they are (my ears popped and I felt dizzy on our first one, so BIG TICK there!).

A Photography Walk with Air BnB Experiences

I've lived in London for long enough now that I do that annoying, pretentious scoff when somebody suggest I haven't done something that everyone has done, ESPECIALLY if it's in my North London hood. Air BnB is such a good way of finding a 'hidden gem' in a new city, but an experience in my own hometown? What could they really be showing me that I didn't know already?

How to Pack for a Multi-Destination Trip

Packing for a holiday when you know you'll be staying in the same accommodation for the whole trip is easy-peasy. You can unpack, hide your suitcase under the bed and not see it again until you're frantically re-packing an hour before your airport transfer arrives to take you home. With a multi-destination trip, there's no such luxury. Organisation is absolutely key, and the type of luggage you carry around with you will make or break your sanity.

Here's some questions to ask yourself when you're packing for a multi-destination trip:

Eating Kobe Beef in Japan at Wakkoqu, Kobe

As much as a country may be well known for certain dishes, if you dig a little deeper, you'll always find regional specialities that locals are super proud of. Here in the UK we have exactly that, from Yorkshire puddings to Cornish pasties, but the legend of Kobe beef was a whole new foodie step for me. I'm a street food hunter; a dingy side-alley-restaurant-with-questionable-hygiene dweller. I've been known to dress up and splash out, of course, but this is the first time I've allocated a chunk of my holiday budget to a specific meal.

Breakfast at Sunrise at Duck & Waffle, London

I'm not a morning person, which is predominantly why it's taken me so long to getting around to having one of London's most iconic breakfast spots. Duck & Waffle, at the top of the Heron Tower in the City, is infamous for being open 24 hours a day and is rumoured to have some of the best views in London.

A Day at Himeji Castle, Japan

Himeji Castle has a lot to answer for. Its iconic structure and shape has been the blueprint for literally hundreds of imitation buildings across Japan and the world. You might not know it by name, but I bet that as soon as you see it, you know it. Or at least have referred to the emoji it's influenced as 'that Japanese castle'. And to be honest, if it's famous enough to have its own emoji, well, consider me in. I realised it was only an hour away from Osaka, my first stop in Japan, and as I had a day to kill before the rest of my travel buddies arrived, it became cemented into my itinerary.

Now I'm 29

And so I enter the last year of my 20s.

28 was the most difficult year of my life. There's no gentle way of describing the shitstorm that has ensued over the last 365 days, and I also don't want to dwell on it, but from September 2017 to now, I had to battle a lot. A diagnosis of anxiety and my first experience of panic attacks and therapy (the latter, by the way, I cannot recommend enough because just talking to somebody impartial is so cleansing); crippling self-doubt and lack of confidence brought on by a mentally-destructive relationship finally coming to an end; and, worst of all, losing my dad unexpectedly just over three months ago.

The Fastest City Zip Wire in the World at Zip World London

When I was told there was a birthday surprise in store for me, but that before going, I'd have to sign a waiver, my brain went into meltdown. Waivers mean 'dangerous', right? What could I be doing?! I'd been on the world's biggest swing in New Zealand, so began to think that my boyfriend had planned something similar and convinced myself I'd be heading up the ArcelorMittal Orbit slide in Stratford.

Six Awesome Photography Tricks I Learnt on a Photo Walk With Jessops

I've owned my precious little Olympus Pen E-L7 for almost two years now. I did the ultimate blogger cliche of purchasing a 45mm lens last year, and as an early birthday treat for 2017, I've nabbed myself a 25mm lens too. I read up on photography tips online, quiz professionals (two of my best mates happen to be married to photographers), and just test and learn as I go, and I feel like my pictures really are improving.

A Distressing Visit to Rila Monastery, Bulgaria

I've started thinking bigger when it comes to city breaks. After a successful trip to Vianden Castle from Luxembourg City, and regretting not making it to Transylvania when in Bucharest, I did my research before going to Sofia and the internet was united screaming the words RILA MONASTERY my way.

Why I Love Using Guide Books to Plan My Trips

Back in February 2014, I was excitedly preparing for my first trip to Australia. I was working there for a few weeks, followed by a trip to Hong Kong on my way home, and in anticipation, I bought a couple of guide books. Flipping through them at my desk, a colleague leant over, took a look at them and said, 'Guide books? That's very....analogue of you.'

How to Spend a Day in Bath, Somerset

Let me just start by saying that the way to spend a day in Bath is by booking the correct train tickets, so that you don't have to depart London at 6am like I did. On the plus side, it meant we arrived before the crowds did, but also meant that by about 4pm we were so tired, we had to go and have a nap in our hotel in a nearby town.

Hiking the Incredible Franz Josef Glacier, New Zealand

There's something beautiful about seeing mountains in winter, when the snow is fresh and thick, the skies are blue but the air has a bite. The cold seasons in New Zealand, and especially on the South Island, transform the rolling green landscapes we all know from those films into icing sugar-dusted peaks instead. I was told that 60% of hikes going up onto Franz Josef Glacier are cancelled due to poor weather, so as we drove to the area, my eyes were firmly on the skies.

Six Tips For Eating Well When Backpacking

Travelling for a long period of time is exhausting. Lugging a rucksack from place to place, on every mode of transport you can imagine and then eventually hitching up at a hostel where there's zero food to chow down on. It's so easy to end up snacking on convenience food and getting takeaways, but really, if you're on a multi-month, multi-country trip, that is NOT the way to be saving money. Eating well on the road is easy, cheap and healthy with just a bit of preparation. Here's how I managed it on my trip from Malaysia to New Zealand:

The Beginner's Guide of Where to Shop in London's West End

I know the streets of the West End pretty well after almost seven years of living in London; so it is super rare that I actually spend a day in the area, rather than powering through it with my earphones in whilst I snarl at tourists. But as I've said so many times before, you don't have to go off the beaten track to have a great travel experience, so I set out to explore my own city, embracing the West End's 'London is Open' message, and had a full day of hitting actual shops rather than just adding to my never-ending ASOS order. 

If it's your first time to this area, here's where you should head to:

An Indulgent Brunch at Angelina, Paris

Finding the place to eat the famous foods of Paris is like finding a needle in a haystack. There's baguettes and macaroons and red wine on every corner, but that obviously doesn't mean it's good, which is why I insisted on returning to Angelina during my most recent visit to France.

Three Things to Do in Runaway Bay, Jamaica (That Go Beyond Your All-Inclusive Hotel)

The contrast between the rural area of Jamaica that my family are from compared to the shiny tourist resorts is staggering. I've said before that the tropical island paradise that is so frequently associated with the country was a stark contrast to what I first experienced when I went to St Elizabeth, but spending a couple of days in Runaway Bay, I saw the shiny, picture perfect hotels that draw people in from around the world.

Flying Business Class on British Airways

I've never turned left on a plane before. I've been lucky enough to not always be squidged up in Economy, by going one step up to Premium Economy, which I've loved every time for just a bit more space and the fact that you're allowed an actual glass to drink out of. But I've always been jealous of those in the front of the plane; the ones who get to actually lie down when the cabin lights are turned down.

A Weekend in Poole, Dorset

My childhood holidays were 99% UK based, which means I've seen a lot more this fair isle than most. But, as with some places I visited before I truly valued my travels (Berlin, I'm looking at you), I want to start going back and appreciating them as an adult. So, in the face of adversity (re. RAIN), I went adventuring in the Dorset town of Poole.

A Day Trip to Vianden Castle, Luxembourg (or, OMG That Looks Like Hogwarts)

It became clear pretty quickly, that as much as Luxembourg City was fascinating and beautiful, it was also very, very small. After a full Saturday there, we began to realise that, as in many places in Europe, it would be a ghost town on a Sunday. Our Luxembourg Cards allowed us transport out of the centre, so early the next day we got a rail replacement bus followed by a short train journey out to the tiny town of Vianden.

One Day in Paris: Where to Eat Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Gosh, we're lucky here in the UK. The fact that a casual day trip over to France is a) feasible and b) affordable, is a luxury that I certainly don't take advantage of enough. With Eurostar pinging you straight from St Pancras into the centre of Paris, you can get your culture on easy-peasy AND stuff your face with deliciousness at the same time. I walk everywhere in Paris, so I need the fuel; here's where I'd happily eat three meals a day, every day:

A Magical Evening at the Launch of Wizarding Wardobes at Warner Bros. Studio Tour

OK, so maaaaaaaaybe I have a slight obsession with the Warner Bros. Studio Tour in Leavesden. The thing is, they keep reeling me in with shiny new exhibitions, giving me even more insight into the Harry Potter movies that I love so much. This time, there's a focus on the costumes and make-up that bring the best-loved (and hated) characters from the films to life, with Wizarding Wardrobes*.

An Incredible (Budget Friendly) Safari in Kruger Park, South Africa

My long haul travels are only feasible because I do them on a budget, but with every one I save a little extra to do something special: a few nights in a nice hotel or eating at an incredible restaurant. For my trip to South Africa, I kept costs low with careful planning specifically so I could go on my first safari.

Rotisserie Chicken and Deep Fried Courgetti at Chicken Society, Finchley Central

Not a week goes by that I don't hear about a new place to eat in South London. I'm not talking about London Bridge or even Brixton - I mean places that I never go to: Dulwich, Peckham, Tooting. But I live in North London and I'm lazy, so it's rare I'll go that far from home for dinner, which is why I was genuinely excited to hear about Chicken Society*. Yes, it's alllllllllll the way up in Zone 4, but actually not that far from home, which is the perfect excuse to try the entire menu.

How to Spend 24 Hours in Sofia, Bulgaria

After my long weekend in Bucharest earlier this year, I've found a new obsession with Eastern Europe. It's a relatively untapped treasure trove for my own travels, but with a rich history (much of it surprisingly brutal and very, very recent) and super affordable flights, it's an area of the world I'm very keen to explore more of. And that's how I ended up in Sofia.

Discovering My Roots in Saint Elizabeth, Jamaica

Before I flew to Jamaica, I told my friends and family that after that one trip, I would never go back. Having to visit the country for the worst reasons meant that I only associated it with misery, and knowing that any future visit there would remind me of that meant I'd already ruled out returning. But it turned out to be a journey of unanticipated self-discovery, leaving me with a strange sense of belonging and a renewed love of the place I come from.

My Three Favourite Brunch Spots in Melbourne, Australia

Brunch has become a staple part of my social life at home in London, but the Australians really nailed it first. I'm not a smashed avo on toast cliché, but early mornings aren't my thing either so this new tradition means a lie-in followed by coffee and carbs, and the people of Melbourne sure do know how to start the day off right.

Five Things to Know For Your First Eurostar Trip

When I go to an airport, I arrive with hours to spare, laptop out and ready for the security checks, nothing over 100ml in my cosmetics bag. When I get a train, I rock up with maybe 15 minutes to spare so I can grab my ticket and a coffee and leg it to the platform, forever surprised that I'm running late again. So I had no idea how to prepare for my first trip on the Eurostar*.

My journey to Belgium from St Pancras was one of the most comfortable, simple and enjoyable travel experiences I've ever had. If you're prepping for your first Eurostar, here's everything you need to know:

Where to Find Stunning Coastal Views on South Africa's Garden Route

Although our journey along South Africa's Garden Route was 1000km long, we covered it all in quite a short period of time. Before setting off from Cape Town, we had some stop-offs planned but took a chance on others depending on how we felt at the time and what our guide books suggested. The route is known for its spectacular views of the South African coastline, so that's exactly what we drove to seek out in between the beautiful little towns we'd found along the way.

The Four Biggest and Best Thrill Seeking Rides at Disneyland Paris

My main priority when visiting Disneyland Paris was to wear Minnie Mouse ears, spot some princesses and see Sleeping Beauty's castle. It has a reputation of being an attraction for children, but the park has some huge thrill rides for adults to go wild on. It's been years since I've been on a proper rollercoaster so I was giddy with excitement as we made our way around to each one. If adrenaline is your sort of thing, here's the rides you absolutely must try.

Ping Coombes' Breakfast Club at Chi Kitchen, London

Food has this amazing way of triggering memories, don't you think? Apple pie reminds me of my mum (because her homemade one is the best ever), goulash make me think of my losing bet on Hungary for Eurovision 2014. So often I'm reminded of places in the world when I happen to stumble I've eaten abroad here in the UK, and Ping Coombes' Breakfast Club at Chi Kitchen took me right back to my favourite foodie destination: Singapore.

Travelling by Ferry Between New Zealand's North and South Islands

The day I boarded the ferry over to New Zealand's South Island, I wasn't feeling too pretty. A 6am departure meant getting up super early, but it also meant leaving behind beautiful Wellington - a city that I had shown some serious love the night before in the form of many, many gin and tonics. I don't know what it is about boats but they make me much more nervous than planes. A few weeks before I'd travelled on an overnight ferry from Tasmania to Melbourne and remembering those 11 hours of rough seas certainly didn't put my mind at ease.

Craft Beer Tasting at Hof Ten Dormaal Brewery, Leuven

Imagine a brewery and what kind of place comes to your mind? Metal containers, huge vats and a sterile environment. Sure there might be a great bar attached to it, but from my experience, breweries are either in an industrial estate, or somebody's garage. Hof Ten Dormaal* is absolutely NOT what I've come to expect. More reminiscent of a beautiful vineyard, the rustic setting makes it pretty clear that what you'll taste from their barrels is undeniably unique.

The Trip I Really Don't Want to Take

I've always been proud of my heritage. As I grew up, I always knew the privilege of being half-Jamaican; experiencing a different culture from the day I was born, albeit second-hand. Despite knowing my background and being pretty well-travelled, I've never been to Jamaica. My dad moved back there almost two years ago and I've always planned to visit and see it through his eyes. Instead, today, I'm flying out there to say a final goodbye to him, and the country I've always longed to visit is now tainted.

Traditional Claypot Rice at Four Seasons, Hong Kong

Hong Kong is a city that fascinates me in its juxtaposition of modern and traditional, and there's no expression that shows that any more clearly than in the variety of food available. I've had wonderful brunches in Hong Kong that epitomise western culture, and just like London, they love a food trend (the unicorn toastie was my particular favourite). But I always try and search out traditional meals in Hong Kong too, and claypot rice was a new one for me on my most recent visit.