February 2012
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January 2012
2 posts
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December 2011
5 posts
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My ABC Of Travel
I subscribe to a lot of great travel blogs. Lately, a few of them have participated in a cool travel-related meme which recalls travel experiences via the magic of the alphabet. So, I thought I’d have a go too. This’ll be the first meme I’ve ever participated in. I know, shocking!
A: Age you went on your first international trip
I was probably around 8 or 9 years old. We used...
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Eating Out: L’As du Fallafel, Paris, France
Last weekend, I was in Paris, France. What with a direct train connection from my hometown to London St. Pancras International station and an onward connection by Eurostar to central Paris, it’s really easy for me to get a short ‘fix of français’ whenever I need it.
I arrived at lunchtime at Gare du Nord. Naturally, I was hungry (I always am, but I’m particularly so...
November 2011
5 posts
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Hyvää Joulua! - Finnish Church of London Christmas...
My campaign of immersing myself in the culture of other nations continued at the weekend with a visit to an early Christmas Fair at the Finnish Church of London (or, Lontoon Suomalainen Kirkko, to call it by its awesome Finnish name). There was no hiding the fact that this was a money-making scheme. You could tell by browsing the large supermarket they had set up in the church itself. A medium...
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In Pictures: Occupy London Stock Exchange
“We expect political democracy. Why not economic democracy too?”
I’m keen to avoid getting too political in this post, particularly as I don’t feel I’m terribly clued up about what the Occupy movement is all about and thus, airing my views about economic equality isn’t going to be useful to anyone. So, I simply present these photos as a way of documenting my...
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Postcard From Po Lin Monastery
One of the more remarkable excursions during my week in Hong Kong was to the Ngong Ping Plateau on Lantau Island where the Po Lin Monastery nestles in mountains draped in thin wispy cloud. Getting to the monastery is an adventure in itself. The ride by gondola takes 25 minutes.
Of all the religions, Buddhism surely has the best merchandise.
The main reason people go to the monastery...
October 2011
5 posts
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Danmarks Bedste Pølser
Please stand to attention and salute the magnificent culinary chaos that is before you. Eating hotdogs in Denmark is almost a national pastime. Wherever you are in the country, you won’t be far from a ‘Pølsevogn’ or hot dog stand, where delicious and inexpensive treats await. Though an ordinary hotdog is certainly nothing to be sniffed at, the Danish thought they could better...
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Review: Y-Loft at Youth Square, Hong Kong
Funky, modern, good value accommodation for students and travellers on a budget.
Having spent 5 weeks staying in dorms and hostels in Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand, I needed to treat myself when I arrived in Hong Kong. I needed some space, some privacy and some comfort. Money was getting tight though, so I also needed somewhere that offered all of this but for as little money as...
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Review: Hangout @ Mount Emily, Singapore
A cool, comfortable, clean & convenient base for your explorations in the island state.
Searching for somewhere to stay in Singapore actually took longer than I expected. What I was looking for was somewhere that offered me a lot for my restricted budget. My accommodation searches revealed that on the whole, you get what you pay for in Singapore. It seemed the cheaper the place, the less...
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September 2011
7 posts
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A Central London Malaysian Feast
If you’d have called me a few evenings ago, I wouldn’t have been able to answer, for I was in Trafalgar Square in London, filling my big, stupid grinning face with Malaysian food.
The most famous of city squares was once again playing host to a celebration of Malaysian food and culture. For one night only, Londoners could sample food from around 30 different stalls whilst being...
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Te Paki Sand Dunes
Look at that naive fool in the photo above. That’s me, about the climb the 100 metre high Te Paki sand dunes at the northern tip of the North Island in New Zealand.
See how I playfully paddle through the shallow water at the foot of the dunes, shoes and socks off. Little do I realise the tortuous anguish that’s about to befall my inexperienced & asthmatic self.
Perhaps I...
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Tour of Britain 2011
Hundreds of thousands of cycling fans turned out in central London over the weekend for the final stage of the the Tour of Britain 2011. And I was one of them.
I’ve been going to the London stage for around 5 years and have seen the event mature and grow in stature each time. Having been to the final stage of the Tour de France in Paris a few times and seen how huge an event that is, I...
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Breakfast At Changi Airport
I’ll always remember this breakfast. It was a great way to say goodbye to Singapore.
Hot Milo (a malty chocolate drink that also comes ice cold), two soft boiled eggs (fun to eat with those big spoons) and Kaya toast (Kaya is a sugary spread). About £1.50.
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Hong Kong Street Tucker
As is abundantly apparent from reading my trip notes, I consider food to be a major part of the travel experience. Trying new things is what it’s all about. It’s this policy that lead me trying Puffin (with Blueberry sauce) in Iceland.
Hong Kong’s cuisine isn’t as varied or exciting as perhaps Singapore’s, but there are still plenty of new things to try. Causeway...
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August 2011
12 posts
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First Flight Out Of Hong Kong
In which my epic journey comes to end and I run out of things to say, to the extent that I just start listing tv shows and films.
19 April 2011 - 0505 Hong Kong
Just arrived at Hong Kong International Airport which is completely dead. There’s no staff & nothing’s open. I’ve never seen an airport like it. Mine is literally the first flight of the day so as a result,...
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Reflections On A Big Trip
In which I wrap-up my time in Hong Kong and the trip as a whole.
18 April 2011 - 2050 Hong Kong
So, my time in Hong Kong is coming to an end. It’s a good time perhaps to reflect on my time here.
I think what will characterise my visit will be the people. By my standards, they’re generally rather rude here and always in a rush to get somewhere. The pace of life here is rapid,...
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Jellyfish, Pandas & Cablecars
In which I go to Ocean Park, get amazed by Jellyfish and have some Sichuan Soup.
19 April 2011 - 1005 Hong Kong
My last full day of this trip. Boooo! Today I’m at Ocean Park, Hong Kong’s nautically-themed amusement park. The Chinese obsession with taking photos of one another in front of ordinary and mundane objects has become an annoyance today. Thrice I’ve been asked to...
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Lazy Day In Hong Kong
In which I do very little and am disappointed… twice!
17 April 2011 - 1132 Hong Kong
Bit of a chill-out day today. Out early this morning for shopping and breakfast. At a shopping mall waiting for Fortress World (an electronics store) to open. The exchange rate is so good, I’m going to take advantage and buy an iPad. It’s about £200 less here than it is in Britain....
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A Turbo(JET) Visit To Macau
In which I spend a day in the bizarre, yet very special Administrative Region of Macau, China.
16 April 2011 - 1100 Hong Kong
In five minutes, the TurboJet hydrofoil ferry I’m currently sat on leaves for Macau (or to give it its full title, Macao Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China), my last territory on this trip. I’m really looking forward to...
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A Visit To Mong Kok Markets
In which I visit the very Chinese Yuen Po Bird Garden and get shouted at in a goldfish shop.
15 April 2011 - 1802 Hong Kong
Yuen Po Bird Garden and the nearby goldfish markets were a little bit horrifying if, like me, you find looking at animals being kept in tiny cages and tanks a little off-putting. Thing is though, there was palpable love for the animals. Owners were bringing the birds...
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July 2011
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Snow Fungus Cake At Po Lin Monastery
In which I take a 25 minute cable car ride to the beautiful Po Lin Monastery where I soak in the atmosphere and try Snow Fungus Cake.
15 April 2011 - 1155 Hong Kong
Currently sat inside the Po Lin Buddhist Monastery. It’s all rather nice. Very atmospherically Chinese. Lots of Chinese architecture and signs. Makes for great photos. It took 25 minutes to get here via cablecar. Longest...
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Victoria Peak & Hong Kong Zoo
In which I take the Peak Tram to Victoria Peak, visit Hong Kong Zoo and watch some undesirable behaviour.
14 March 2011 - 1239 Hong Kong
Just had a spot of lunch at Food Republic, a food court run by a Singapore firm. It was okay. Nothing special. £3 though for chicken, rice and soup so no complaints.
Has to be said, people here are damn rude. People blatantly push in front of you in...
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Star Ferry Does A Dangerous Dance
In which Matt does his laundry, laughs at the Symphony of Lights and nearly capsizes on the Star Ferry.
14 April 2011 - 1013 Hong Kong
Sitting outside the in-house laundry mart waiting for my clothes to dry. I have a view of the surrounding neighbourhood from up here on the 12th floor. Bit clearer today so I’m heading to Victoria Peak by tram to check out the skyline.
Went to see the...
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Getting The Grumps On Nathan Road
In which I spend my first full day in Hong Kong and I repeatedly get offered tailor-made suits and watches.
13 April 2011 - 1021 Hong Kong
Well, here I am in Olympic Park in Hong Kong Park on Hong Kong Island in Hong Kong in the People’s Republic of China. The flight yesterday was a bit of a slog and fairly bumpy but I think I’ve more of less cured my panicking over turbulence...
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Barren, Unique & Colourful Wai-O-Tapu
In which Matt shouts at some Japanese people, goes to see Lady Knox and samples some Kiwi ales.
9 April 2011 - 0028 New Zealand
That’s it! I’m sick if this place (Crank Backpackers). There are some Japanese dudes in the room next to mine who won’t shut up. They keep bursting into spontaneous laughter and talking. They were playing music but I banged on their door and told...
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Partiers Annoy While Maori Delight
In which I get the grumps, meet some Maori people & eat their food and stand in the eggy steam of some more geothermal features.
8 April 2011 - 0132 New Zealand
No climbing. Serge the Ukrainian was too tired for it, which is completely understandable. I don’t know why I wasn’t too tired really. I’m tired now. Trying to sleep but a local bar is insisting on playing music...
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Egg, White-Water Rafting & Chips
In which I take in the sulphurous air, cascade down the world’s highest commercially rafted waterfall and regain my appetite.
7 April 2011 - 1120 Rotorua, New Zealand
Just had the best sandwich of the trip. A delicious pastrami, Swiss cheese, salad and gherkin sandwich on incredible seedy brown brown. I’ll be going back there again. Yummers! I’m eating early as I’m...
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Life Is Good In Roto-Vegas
In which I go to ‘Roto-vegas”, take a gondola up a hill and luge my way back down again and visit another thermal zone.
6 April 2011 - 0912 New Zealand
Off again this morning. A thankfully short 1 hour journey this time to Rotorua.
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And thank god it was an hour. Due to a clutch problem, we were squeezed into a tiny little bus. There was no room for my legs so I had to keep...