As the bus from the airport passed each Catholic Church the old lady next to me, wearing a rain bonnet akin to a shower cap, bowed her head and did the sign of the cross. I had arrived in Dublin. 90% of Irish residents here declare themselves Catholic and interestingly 41% of the country are also under 25. However, I found the best thing about my time in Ireland (Guinness aside) was the warm, friendly and generous locals who let me immerse themselves in their culture, stay in their homes and serve me delicious home-cooked food. Not only is Dublin the [View Full Entry]

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Scotland has always conjured up images of kilts, bagpipes, Braveheart, whiskey and Sean Connery. However, it seems that I was a stranger to perhaps the most important Scottish icon, the National dish - 'Haggis, neeps and tatties'. Not for the faint hearted, haggis' basic ingredients include sheep offal (heart, liver, lungs) and a range of spices traditionally boiled in the sheep's stomach and served with neeps (turnips) and tatties (potatoes). A delicious meal I found! Another surprise for me was that the men here really do wear kilts, even as they go about the most mundane of tasks like f [View Full Entry]

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'Here's your ticket love, have a nice day', said the smiling Underground ticket vendor at Heathrow. I could have cried. Two months in non-English speaking countries, only three hours sleep and not only was someone speaking English to me, they were smiling, friendly ... Arriving in London, was almost as good as arriving back home. I met my friend Sally at the trendy gastro pub she manages in Hammersmith (gastro - referring to the gastronomic delights they serve, rather than an unpleasant stomach bug) and we walked over the Thames to her house in the posh little suburb of Barnes. The [View Full Entry]

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Key Learnings from Russia: 1. Too much 'wodka' on the train invariably leads to a hangover which is further enhanced by the rocking sensation of the train. Not recommended. 2. A pack of wet wipes and ample application of deodorant in the toilet cubicle of the trans-mongolian, is no substitute for a real shower or banya (particularly evident on day 4). 3. Money cannot buy style - as demonstrated by those rich Russian women who think the highest heels, biggest hair and brightest 80s get-up equals style. 4. When travelling with the same group day in, day out where strange food [View Full Entry]

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My short time in Beijing only allowed for a brief taste ... but it really was delicious, right down to the Peking (Beijing) duck we feasted on for my birthday dinner. Having arrived in Beijing from India, a few things became immediately apparent. The air was cool and crisp (down to approx 15 degrees from 45 when I left India) - quite a relief, as I was struggling to fit my winter clothes into my pack! As part of the planning for the 2008 Olympics there were trees being planted all around the city, blossoms were in bloom and everything was [View Full Entry]

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Leaving India was both sad and an utter relief. Sad because India had truly embraced me with its amazing experiences, new friends and plain lunacy! However, I was tired, exhausted and more than excited to escape the dirty and hot streets of Delhi. My plan for Nepal involved some time in Kathmandu to unwind and slow down after the hectic pace of India, then a trip to Pokhara - the gateway to the Himalayas for hiking and other adventures. My trip was off to a great start when I secured the ultimate ('rock star') Himalaya/window seat position and had a sensational [View Full Entry]

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India really is incredible. A country of bold bright colourful saris, mouth-watering cuisine (just one more garlic naan please) and brilliant hospitality. You really do feel like a royal guest - addressed as 'madam' and greeted with smiles, flower garlands and waves everywhere you go! They say that Indians are the the Italians of Asia - which is spot on. Italians are the only other culture I've encountered with the same enthusiasm for guests, fine food and festivals. However, India also has a certain smell which grows on you - an overwhelming stench of animals, severage, people, dust, i [View Full Entry]

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