The Start of an Adventure

For various reasons my boyfriend and I found ourselves at home for an extended period of time with nothing to do - unemployed you might say - so about 7 weekends ago, sick of the English weather and bored out of our minds, he proposed a little jaunt that in the end would see us visiting 2 countries and 4 islands, taking 13 planes and 5 weeks. 

The country was decided on the Saturday, flights booked Sunday, and then Tuesday off we were on a jet plane for 14 hours flying to the island of Cebu in the Philippines.

Island 1 - Cebu, Philippines

The Philippines is a country made up of over 7000 islands, but you've probably only ever really heard of the capital Manila. 

Boy, is the Philippines poor (apart from Manila, which is like another world). Driving through the city from the airport to our rather wonderful hotel, you see shacks and sheds for housing, the families full of smiles cooking in their front garden, doubling as their shop where they sell the stews to passing tourists or other Filipinos. 

And did I feel bad once we had arrived at our little odyssey, a piece of luxury and paradise compared to what those outside see. Every service at our whim and every request catered for. However this was our holiday (probably my only one this year) and I was going to love it.

Jet lagged and disorientated, we chose this slightly sleepy place as our first stop on our epic journey. We stayed where we were the first 2 days, getting to grips with our new lives for the next few weeks.
However it was time to have some fun. Cebu is gaining a name for itself though. The second largest island in the Philippines (and most important to the government after Manila, of course) is home to a number of luxury hotels and malls, and restauranteur extraordinaire Jason Atherton will soon be opening a new "Social" restaurant there. 

Our first stop in Cebu was Oslob, a 2 hour drive away in order to swim with whale sharks (!!!!!). Whale sharks are harmless to humans. They eat teeny tiny fish and have giant mouths. However they are huge (7m long) and have rough skin, which is the only part of them that can hurt us. 

They also look like a really scary shark, so personally I think it is totally understandable to say I was scared when this giant thing swam up underneath me and the adrenaline kicked in and I was able to hoist myself back up on to the boat, using what little arm strength I have. 

This was an experience I'll never forget, and one that most people can probably say they will never do. However, it did feel a little built around tourists as it was absolutely packed, we had to wait about an hour to get in to see the sharks, and we alo later found out that they lure the sharks in with food and then secure off the area so they can't leave. One thing I do have to give credit for is that they are extremely environmentally aware. They care so much to make sure there is not too much litter and the sea life especially (as it is their only income) is well-respected. We were told to not wear suncream, or wash off anything we did have on as it affects the ecosystem for the wildlife. Fair enough. Just make sure you take a t-shirt and shorts if you go. There is not much shade over there...

It was here that we discovered that food in the Philippines is basically girlled meats with a vinegar and soy sauce mix. All food. Every meal. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing but it does make you crave something else once in a while...Called Adobo and Tocino Pork.

That very same day we headed to an area to do "canyoning". Our bus was late so in the end we hopped on the back of two motorcycles (my first time ever - terrifying at first) to take the hours joiurney off to wherever it was we were going. This is basically a natural adventure playgorund where within a gorge-like rock formation, you jump off cliffs, slide, go caving underground, climb, swim and crawl your way to the waterfall at the end. This was so much fun and one of the best things I've ever done, let alone that we did on the trip. We splashed about in the waterfall.

After the canyoning trip, we probably had the best meal of the entire trip. We sat at a little roadside bbq and ate grilled chicken and pork (with soy sauce and vinegar marinade obvs) with tons of rice. We ate it like we hadn't eaten that day. And the whole meal for 3 people cost about £7. 

I wouldn't just stop at any roadside bbq however we did have a guide that knew his way around. We ended up getting home around 10 o'clock, and since we'd been up since 4.30, we were absolutely knackered. 

We were planning a trip to another island close by, Bohol, where you can see the phenomena of what they call the "Chocolate Hills" however, after the best sleep in the world and not looking forward to another 5am start, we decided to just sleep on the beach for our last day in Cebu. It was perfect. 

The hotel had been nurturing marine life in the ocean and we were extremely lucky to see all manner of fish just snorkeling off the shore. Clown fish, fire fish, stone fish, long nosed fish, starfish and all sorts. The Philippines is renowned for its marine life, which I guess is why they take such good care of it as it is what drives tourism in the area.

Our hotel was wonderful. Breakfast included every cuisine you can think of - the amount of delicious congee I ate on the trip!! - freshly made eggs, any style, sushi, noodles, anything you could fancy, they had it. Dinner was much the same with 3 restaurants to choose from and a huge variety of meals.

Shangri-La, Mactan is a wonderful resort and great to stay in if you plan on visiting Bohol. However if want to do a lot of activites in the West of the island (for instance Oslob or go canyoning) then it is perhaps better to stay over there as journey time is always 2-3 hours drive.

After 4 days, off we were (on a tiny plane!) to Boracay!

A Weekend in Paris, Part One.

I've never been to Paris before.

I know I know it's like 2 hours away (quicker to get to than where I went to uni in York), but I've just never made it over there. And it's like always been my dream to go. The romance, the beauty the chic women, the pastries and patisserie!! The Louvre, the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe! Oh and stripes and moustaches of course. I wanted to see it all.

Finally, a few weekends ago, I ended up going. I was praying I didn't get that Paris Syndrome that Japanese tourists get when they go to Paris because they're so disappointed that it's not like the movies. I had however heard about, and prepared myself for shit-covered pavements and rude waiters.

Arriving Friday evening after work, I was swiftly whisked away for dinner at a gorgeous little wine bar/restaurant called O Divin! Found after hours spent perusing blogs about Parisienne restaurants (the reputation in London is that the food there isn't great) I decided on this one from the great Paris restaurant blog, The Paris Kitchen.

We sat outside in a little courtyard on a very balmy evening and ordered the 6 course set menu (which changes weekly) along with a delicious wine pairing.

So, I can't remember what this is (or most of the dishes, we didn't have a written menu) but what I do know is that the first two dishes were interesting and ok, but not outstanding. However what followed was the best food we had in Paris!!

A Quick Weekend Getaway to Almeria, Spain

Desperately in need on sun and a recharge, we looked up flash holiday deals on Wednesday....and Friday that week we were away to Almeria in Spain. 

I immediately spotted the Central Mercardo, my favourite place in Valencia if you remember. I was once again in heaven. Jamon as far as the eye can see, boqueones, wines, salted fish and fruits as big as my face.

My boyfriend is such an addict to Jamon Iberico, he bought a shoulder of ham and took it home with him - as in back to England. In his suitcase. Hand luggage, I might add.

Longest Day of The Year

I was walking across Tower Bridge on the longest day of the year just at dusk and I had to stop and take photos. I'm sure it offers some of the best views of London, seeing the mix of old and new buildings along with the Thames. The view where I stood was absolutely breathtaking.

Barbados.

Before you say anything, I know I am one very very lucky girl.

Way way back in May - blogging has taken a backseat lately - I went to Barbados with one of my best friends.

I knew just from where we were staying that we were in for a treat. It turned out to be one of the holidays of a lifetime. It is bursting with beauty and the people are so friendly and wonderful.

I swam with sea turtles, went on a rum-filled cruise and ate as much sea food as I could possibly fit into my tummy, saw sands whiter than white and a sea the most perfect crystal blue.

I've just posted my favourite pictures from what we did including my favourite restaurants we visited, a boat cruise I would most DEFINITELY recommend and my favourite sites to see. 

Take a look at paradise. 




We saw the most incredible sunsets.

Valencia

I found it really difficult to write this blog post, mostly because I really wanted to do Valencia justice. I thought it was one of the most beautiful places I've ever been and completely fell in love with the place. So here goes....

I had my doubts before I went to Valencia, I have been to Spain previously and never really liked it, having been to the tourist-laden areas void of any real Spanish culture.

However having only spent a couple of hours in Valencia, all the old memories of Spain were wiped away. 

It is an astonishingly beautiful city, every building is reminiscent of it's grand old days, each with some magnificent painting or masonry. Most also have the most incredible, huge double doors at the entrance, probably with the original wood and metal nuts and bolts. I think I annoyed S with amount of times I said "Look at that DOOR!!!"

The weather is pretty much guaranteed over there and Valencia also lies right next to the beach so those, like me, who need a Summer break with some sea in it too, it is perfect.

From what I can tell, Valencia, the 3rd biggest city in Spain, has not been affected too badly by the recession and the troubles of the Eurozone. Designer shops, extremely well-dressed women and men in suits all litter the streets, so it is still a fairly bustling and rich city in the grand scheme of things.

There is an area of bars and clubs in Valencia, (you'll know where it is from the direction hoards of people are travelling) but during the day it is does not look seedy or dirty at all. It is a nice area, we even ate there one night (where we also happen to see the most gorgeous man in the history of the world. Seriously, he was not real).

Things you HAVE to see (after the jump!) :

Oh I do like to be beside the Seaside....

On a recent sunny weekend, my sister and I took the opportunity to spend the day in Brighton!!

Deck chairs ahoy.

Brighton's train station

First thing's first we headed straight for a cafe. And you thought I was going to say the beach. Oh no, we have our priorities straight. We's already done research into the independent coffee shop scene in Brighton and luckily there were plenty of places to choose from!!

We headed to Marwoods, seduced by their promises of "Kick-arse coffee and life-changing cake". An eccentric-looking place with an eclectic decor of crazy posters, mismatch furniture (including old Mac computer for stools and old doors as tables) and slightly creepy dolls....

But pretty great, right?!

Coffee was pretty kick-arse. They live up to that one. The selection of cakes and pastries was impressive, they all looked incredible.

We had a peach, halloumi and balsamic salad for some healthy to balance the cake. Very refreshing for a Summer's day. One I shall be recreating!

Cake chosen, for me a HUGE brownie with white chocolate chunks and a white chocolate, lime and courgette - yes courgette - cake.

My brownie was life-changing, I won't lie. I did have a little epiphany. It was a little underbaked I reckon, (not a bad thing at all! Just how I love them and how I bake them myself) because it was unbelievably moist and gooey. I don't think I've ever had a gooey-er brownie and I've had a lot of brownies. It was incredible. Unless of course they just have the recipe for the most gooey brownie ever, in which case I need that recipe. The white chocolate chunks were harder, so lended to a delicious change in texture.

The cake was tasty, but a little on the heavy side as it was quite dense in texture and therefore very filling. Also I couldn't taste much of the courgette, which is a shame as I was excited to see how that would work. Slice was huge though too, which also could have helped to filling us up so much of course!!

With happy tummies we headed to the beach!!

Brighton is so cool. It has so many cute vintage and independent shops. When I decorate my house I am buying everything from the shops in Brighton. So many cute things for decorating and for crafts.

I CAN SEE THE SEA!!!

It reminds me a bit of York, with all the cute shops and indies, a little of a small town or village, with its small winding streets and tiny houses and a little of East London, with all its cool.

Plus...it has the sea. So perfect.

It was so relaxing to breathe sea air and just sunbathe.

There are so many cute things to be seen walking along the sea front.

The famous bandstand with couples dancing:

Own made cakes, anyone?

The expensive part, Brighton's bit of Notting Hill.

Sadly, after exploring the shops, it was time to head back to the looming clouds in London, as could be seen from the train.