American Road Trip – National & State Parks Edition
In this blog post, we travel to four National Parks across three States over two weeks including Death Valley, Zion, Bryce Canyon and the Grand Canyon as well as visiting other State Parks, clocking up over 1,400 miles along the way. Day 1 – Death Valley National Park The second part of our American RoadContinue reading “American Road Trip – National & State Parks Edition”
What happens in Vegas, stays in Las Vegas… well mostly
From the bright lights of the Strip, to some of the best casinos and entertainment shows in the world, Las Vegas was everything that I imagined it to be. It is a gamblers paradise. And for someone who likes to have a bet, I definitely enjoyed my time here. However, there is a lot toContinue reading “What happens in Vegas, stays in Las Vegas… well mostly”
Four Days in Los Angeles & Beverly Hills (inc Universal Studios Hollywood)
We arrived in Los Angeles after stopping off in Monterey, San Luis Obispa and Santa Barbara overnight along the way. The drive along the coastal route of ‘Big Sur’ was the best highlight of our journey to LA after our time in Yosemite National Park. The aforementioned towns were used to recharge our batteries. ToContinue reading “Four Days in Los Angeles & Beverly Hills (inc Universal Studios Hollywood)”
How to maximise two days in Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site and Natural Wonder of the World. Renown for its waterfalls, giant sequoia trees and Tunnel View – the iconic vista of towering Bridalveil Fall, granite cliffs of El Capitan and Half Dome, make visiting very, very worthwhile! Things you should know before visiting Yosemite National Park: TimedContinue reading “How to maximise two days in Yosemite National Park”
How to spend 72 hours in San Francisco
After finishing Contiki’s tour of Canada & the Rockies, we had two chilled out days in Vancouver. To read about our time on the tour, click here. In order for us to be able to travel back to the United States, we required a negative COVID-test. It cost us $65 p/p to get a rapidContinue reading “How to spend 72 hours in San Francisco”
Contiki Canada & The Rockies Tour – Banff & Vancouver (Days 6-11)
Before getting into this blog post, I’d like to say thank you to everyone who joined Em and I on this epic adventure of Canada & the Rockies. I’ve made friendships and memories that will last for a lifetime. To read about our first five days on Contiki’s Canada & The Rockies tour click here.Continue reading “Contiki Canada & The Rockies Tour – Banff & Vancouver (Days 6-11)”
Contiki Canada & The Rockies Tour – Whistler & Jasper (Days 1-5)
This is the first tour of our 10 months away. Previously, we have been on tours with G Adventures and One Life Adventures, but this was our first experience with Contiki. Day One We made our way to the meeting point and it didn’t take long for everyone to start mingling. The Canada & theContinue reading “Contiki Canada & The Rockies Tour – Whistler & Jasper (Days 1-5)”
The perfect way to spend 3 days at Niagara Falls & Toronto
We arrived in Toronto on 3 May having caught a very short 1hr 40min flight over from Chicago. In honesty, we flew to Toronto predominantly to visit the famous Niagara Falls, which is only a couple of hours drive away. There weren’t too many sights in Toronto other than the CN Tower that we wantedContinue reading “The perfect way to spend 3 days at Niagara Falls & Toronto”
Chicago – The Windy City
Chicago – renown for its chilling winds, amazing pizza and for depicting Gotham City in the Batman franchise. 13°C and 16°C were the temperatures for the three days we were here, which would be considered warm and probably shorts weather back home in the U.K. but here, it was freezing – layers were needed! ScenesContinue reading “Chicago – The Windy City”
The perfect proposal in Central Park
Ever since we started planning our travelling again, I knew I was going to propose to my girlfriend, Emily. We have been together now for eight and a half years, so it was probably about time! I’d spent hours looking for the perfect engagement ring and days stressing about where and when I would doContinue reading “The perfect proposal in Central Park”
The bright lights of New York – Times Square, The Empire State Building, Broadway & More (Days 1,2 & 3)
Day 1 After boarding an Amtrak train lasting a little over three hours, we arrived in New York around 15:30PM. We walked the short distance from Penn Station to our hotel, which is literally a stones throw away from the iconic Times Square. Keeping in touch with family is a priority of both of ours,Continue reading “The bright lights of New York – Times Square, The Empire State Building, Broadway & More (Days 1,2 & 3)”
First Stop – 72 Hours In Washington D.C.
On 21 April, after both testing negative for COVID-19 (thank god) we made the journey down to Heathrow and stayed in an airport hotel overnight. We were up at the crack of dawn the next day ready to catch our flight at 11:15 direct from Heathrow to Washington with British Airways. There were, of course,Continue reading “First Stop – 72 Hours In Washington D.C.”
Travelling is back on!
After 763 days, Emily and I are finally continuing with our travels! This time our planned route is a little different. For those of you that didn’t know about our original travelling itinerary, you can read about it here. We spent six amazing weeks in South Africa, India and Sri Lanka before we were forcedContinue reading “Travelling is back on!”
An Update (17/06/20)
Today marks 3 months since Emily and I landed back in Manchester after we were forced to abandon our planned 10 months away because of the Coronavirus pandemic. A lot has changed in the world, in particular with regard to the Black Lives Matter movement and with the fight against COVID since we caught anContinue reading “An Update (17/06/20)”
Sri Lanka Day 4 – 9 | Tea Picking, Train Ride & Nine Arch Bridge
You can read about my first three days in Sri Lanka by clicking here. The next day, we visited Kandy’s sacred Temple of the Tooth; picked and tasted tea from a functioning tea factory in Katukitula and took the train from Nuwara Eliya to Ella, which has been dubbed as the best journey in theContinue reading “Sri Lanka Day 4 – 9 | Tea Picking, Train Ride & Nine Arch Bridge”
Sri Lanka Day 1 – 3 | Hiking Pidurangala & Sigiriya Rock, Safari & Cooking Class
In this and the next blog post, I’ll be detailing the amazing 9 days we had in Sri Lanka. On our first day, we visited the Dambulla Caves, before climbing Pidurangala in the evening. The views of Sigiriya Rock (which we climbed the following morning) were absolutely spectacular and great for getting the ‘perfect InstagramContinue reading “Sri Lanka Day 1 – 3 | Hiking Pidurangala & Sigiriya Rock, Safari & Cooking Class”
Coronavirus halts our tour of the world
It saddens me to say, that after just 38 days of our planned nine months away, Emily and I have been forced to put our travels on hold and fly home because of the Coronavirus pandemic. It comes after our 12-day tour of Sri Lanka with One Life Adventures was cut short by three days,Continue reading “Coronavirus halts our tour of the world”
Golden Triangle – Jaipur & Pachewar
I’m going to summarise everything we’ve done in India over the past four days briefly because there’s too much to talk about! You can read about our first three days sightseeing in New Delhi by clicking here, as well as our visit to Agra and the Taj Mahal here. Over the past eight days, EmilyContinue reading “Golden Triangle – Jaipur & Pachewar”
Golden Triangle – Delhi & Agra
Admittedly, we booked onto G Adventures trip of India’s Golden Triangle (Delhi, Agra & Jaipur), primarily to see the Taj Mahal – one of the Seven Wonders of the World. However, we’ve also experienced from a unique perspective what the life of a child is like growing up in India; a cafe run by femaleContinue reading “Golden Triangle – Delhi & Agra”
Sightseeing in New Delhi, India
New Delhi is a city like I’ve never experienced before. As you will know clashes have been taking place in the capital for several weeks over a new controversial new Indian citizenship law. However, we are staying in Greater Kailash, in the south of New Delhi, – well away from the riots and protests inContinue reading “Sightseeing in New Delhi, India”
Top 10 must-do activities & must-see attractions in South Africa
1. A Safari at a National Park, South Africa South Africa is home to ‘the big 5’ (African Elephant, Cape Buffalo, Lion, Leopard, and Rhinoceros. Seeing these animals (and others) roaming freely in their natural habitat, brazing, and grazing and hunting for their next prey is completely different from seeing them at the zoo. WeContinue reading “Top 10 must-do activities & must-see attractions in South Africa”
OPINION: Etihad Airways is overrated and us Brits are too nice
I’ve come to the conclusion after flying from Johannesburg to New Delhi via Abu Dhabi that Etihad Airways aren’t what they’re made out to be and that Brits are too nice. Let me explain… I’m not stereotyping all Brits, but I know I’d choose to keep quiet rather than putting someone in their place. ItContinue reading “OPINION: Etihad Airways is overrated and us Brits are too nice”
Pilanesberg National Park Safari
In this blog post, I’m going to let the pictures and videos do the talking of our incredible 4-day safari in Pilanesberg National Park. During our 4 days at The Ivory Tree Game Lodge, we went on six game drives. We managed to sight four of ‘the big five’ – the African Elephant, Cape Buffalo,Continue reading “Pilanesberg National Park Safari”
Full-Day Tour at Addo Elephant National Park with IntoTours
First and foremost, for anyone reading this article, who are planning on visiting Addo Elephant National Park, be sure to book your full-day visit with IntoTours. ‘Addo’ – as the locals call it, is South Africa’s third-biggest National Park (1,640 km²) and is home to over 600 wild African Elephants. It’s also the only park inContinue reading “Full-Day Tour at Addo Elephant National Park with IntoTours”
Stormsrivier, Tsitsikamma National Park
After a mammoth 11 hour journey on the Baz Bus, we reached our overnight hostel –Tube ‘N Axe Backpackers in Storms River in the beautiful Tsitsikamma National Park. This was the first hostel I’d ever stayed in, so it’s fair to say I was feeling fairly apprehensive. However, as soon as we arrived everyone welcomedContinue reading “Stormsrivier, Tsitsikamma National Park”
Waving goodbye to Cape Town and hello to South Africa’s Garden Route
Our time in Cape Town has come to an end after an incredible and unforgettable seven days. On our penultimate day, we went on a CitySightseeing Tour to Cape Point National Park, Cape of Good Hope and Boulders Beach. At Cape Point National Park we climbed to a lighthouse at the top of a mountain,Continue reading “Waving goodbye to Cape Town and hello to South Africa’s Garden Route”
Seals, Sunsets and Sex on the beach…
I’ve fallen in love with Cape Town and the Capetonian people. Over the past few days, we’ve travelled to Hout Bay to visit Seal Island; watched the sunset from Signal Hill; visited Nelson Mandela’s prison cell on Robben Island and sipped cocktails on Camps Bay overlooking Lions Head. For anyone visiting the Mother City, I’dContinue reading “Seals, Sunsets and Sex on the beach…”
Visiting Table Mountain + V&A Waterfront
After only having a few nights sleep on the flight to Cape Town, I slept like a baby and had a much needed 12 hour sleep. We planned the evening before that it would be a good idea to see the city via the big red city bus, which they have in most major citiesContinue reading “Visiting Table Mountain + V&A Waterfront”
Flying halfway around the world to Cape Town
The morning has finally come after months of planning and it was an eventful first day. Typically, we couldn’t have picked a worse day to travel halfway around the world, as Storm Ciara ripped its way through the country. However, both of our flights to Istanbul and Cape Town were scheduled with no delays. TheContinue reading “Flying halfway around the world to Cape Town”
Travelling the world…
The next nine or so months will see my girlfriend, Emily and I travel around the globe with flexible flights to 12 different countries. After I finished my Masters in Sports Journalism, I was at a crossroads in my life. I applied for the position of Media Assistant at Rochdale FC – a perfect entryContinue reading “Travelling the world…”