An Experiment in Writing to Myself Like a Friend — Intro Sometimes, because writing is a form of therapy for me, I will read back my travel journals and be shocked at how much I’ve complained and moaned. When I’m in a negative spiral, I need to spill that negativity out onto the page, otherwise, it ends up swirling round and…

Express kidnapping in the caves of Tam Coc — We were walking around Tam Coc in Northern Vietnam, a scenic little place of limestone karsts and caves along a gorgeous green river. I would refer to it as the inland Halong Bay. Along the way, we spotted a little cave and we decided to poke our heads in. Before…

Mole and the unique dishes of Oaxaca, Mexico — On our walking tour of Oaxaca, we met a fantastic collection of people and we all met up for dinner that evening. Tommy, a brilliantly funny scouser ordered a famous Oaxacan dish, mole with turkey. It arrived at the table and he exclaimed: “Where’s me mole?!” “It’s right there.” “Nah…

Hierve el Agua. A Waterfall Frozen in Time — The drive through the mountains was both breath-taking and vomit-inducing. I panickily pulled my stiff seatbelt whilst imaging the bus rolling over the edges of the cliff with my head bashing against the metal sides like a pinball. …

What’s the difference between a traveler and a tourist anyway? — All too often on my travels, I’ve been with a group of backpackers to a crowded place and they will turn up their noses in disdain and lament “Urgh there’s so many tourists here!”. As if they aren’t one of them. It’s like complaining about all the cars in traffic…

The good, the bad, and the ugly of doing a full-day tour — Intro This was the one thing in Mexico City that I was truly excited for, the Xochimilco Canals. A boat party and I don’t mean the kind of boat party you might go on in Malia ala the Inbetweeners. No drinking fish bowls and throwing up overboard, before snogging a questionable…

And one that you definitely should! — Intro We were excited about a lot of things about Mexico but as avid foodies, the chance to try Mexican food in Mexico was the real deal. This was our first stop on the trip and we were ready to throw ourselves in head (mouth) first. …

Ancient Mexico uncovered — Only an hour outside of Mexico City lies the Teotihuacan Pyramids, an impressive and vast archaeological complex. On the bus ride there, we passed giant cactuses and colourful favelas littering the green rolling mountains like discarded boxes of pastel smarties on a grassy lawn.

Is this city really as terrifying as everyone makes out? — The announcement that you are heading to Mexico is often met with curiosity and excitement, but almost always with a tinge of fear and trepidation. Trembling lips quiver the sentiment to “be careful” and “stay safe”. I tried to bat these away with the news that we are traveling to…