Be my guest: the awkwardness of local hospitality

Ever been served up a cow’s vertebrae? Or a pile of deep-fried crispy Tarantulas? 

That time I accidentally exchanged money on the black market

‘All fur coat and no knickers’ is how I’d describe my hotel in Uzbekistan. A northern England expression describing something, or more often someone, that is all style over substance.

How did this nervous traveller land himself in Uzbekistan?

Arriving at a foreign airport unable to speak the language or read any of the airport signs is daunting. Shit-scary but thrilling too for this nervous traveller.

Is a Bucket List a good idea?

Bucket Lists are incredibly popular. But by creating one you may be setting yourself up for disappointment. This post explains why.

Hull UK City of Culture viewed from Down Under

Hull UK City of Culture received extensive press coverage in the UK. What about other parts of the world? Australia for example?

Unusual things to do in Canada: prison accommodation

Looking for unusual things to do in Canada? Visiting Ottawa? You should try incarcerating yourself in a real prison. I did.

My biggest travel disappointment

Aged 22 I travelled around the world. A 4 week bus trip across Canada was the final leg. Here I was to experience my biggest travel disappointment.

The 5 top murals in Newtown (Australia)

Visiting Sydney? When you’re done with the harbour, beaches and Opera House, drag your tired, tourist ass over to Newtown to see the murals.

South King Street: the rough end of Newtown, Sydney

South King Street, previously the rough end of Newtown, has taken the well-trodden path to gentrification. But isn’t playing by the usual rules.