Author: Nicola Dunkinson

August 21, 2013 Australia, Camping and Glamping 6 Comments

Australia here I come…

I am heading to Australia in under a month and I am so very excited about it!  This will be my first visit down under and I can’t wait to actually be there!  My husband Matt and I are flying out from London Heathrow via Bangkok, spending two nights there and then flying on to Sydney.  We have a hired a campervan through Jucy rentals and are going to work our way up the east coast, starting from Sydney and ending in Cairns.  With the flights and van booked I am now in the process of drawing up a rough itinerary of where we want to stop off and what we want to see and do.  I almost love the planning stage as much as I love travelling and going away itself!  I love purchasing travel books and researching the destinations I am heading to.  Itineraries, list making, research, you name it, I love the build up to a trip away.  Not to mention buying books, magazines, toiletries, beachwear, flip-flops etc.  Although having said that I need to be pretty good in what I pack as we will be living out of a van.  My challenge will be to pack as little as possible…
I would love to hear your recommendations and tips on things to see and do on the east coast, as well as any advice on camping spots.  Please let me know 🙂

 

August 18, 2013 Bermuda 2 Comments

Brunch in Bermuda….

I am currently staying in Bermuda at the Fairmont Hotel in Southampton.  It is a beautiful hotel with stunning views of the island.  Sunday is a great day to be here as in the morning breakfast turns into brunch.  I love food, so this is the perfect Sunday morning for me!  With views of the ocean and more food than you can imagine it is a real treat.  Breakfast and brunch are both buffet style, so you can help yourself.  It’s a tough choice knowing where to start, there is an omelette station, with a chef who will cook your omelette to order, A smoothie station which I love as you can request whatever you would like in your smoothie – I chose mixed berry, yum!  There are waffles, bagels, fruit, cereals, a huge selection of pastries and cakes and cooked options such as eggs benedict and bacon.  Yes, this morning I was in heaven!  Moving onto brunch, if you have enough room after all that there is a wonderful selection of meats, with ham and beef carved for you, salads, fish cakes, macaroni cheese…the list is endless.  I just had to share this as if you ever visit Bermuda, even if you don’t stay at this hotel you should definitely visit for breakfast or brunch, you will not be disappointed!

August 3, 2013 USA Post a Comment

Viva Las Vegas!

I visited Las Vegas for the first time last week, what a crazy and exciting place it is!!  Watching the fountains in front of the Bellagio I felt like I was in a scene from a movie!  Exploring all the incredible hotels was a fun experience, where else can you visit Paris, Rome, Venice and New York all in one day?!  I also had heart stopping fun on the rides at the top of the Stratosphere.  These rides are definitely not for those of a nervous disposition!  I love theme park rides but these were amongst the scariest I’ve been on, I guess it has something to do with being dangled over the edge of a building 983ft above the ground!  With incredible views of The Strip and the surrounding area it is worth going up to the observation deck even if you don’t go on the rides.  I recommend jumping on a Deuce bus for sightseeing along The Strip, you can buy a ticket for $8 for 24 hours, bargain!  I also got to see Rod Stewart in concert at Caesars Palace, I grew up listening to his music as my Dad is a big fan, so it was fantastic to see him live and at such an amazing venue too.  I was only in Vegas for 72 hours but got to see and do so much while I was there, the only thing I didn’t get to do was a trip to the Grand Canyon.  This will be the plan for my next visit…
June 4, 2013 Hong Kong Post a Comment

5 Things to do in Hong Kong….

The Tian Tan Budhha, Lantau Island, should be on your list of things to do in Hong Kong

Things to do in Hong Kong

Hong Kong is a wonderful mixing pot of east meets west.  One minute you could be on a street full of swanky cocktail bars, the next you could find yourself wondering down a side street with markets full of fruit, vegetables and strange unrecognisable dried things!  I spent a few nights in Hong Kong with my husband, Matt on our honeymoon before heading to Bangkok.  We flew from London Heathrow with Qatar Airways via Doha.  I loved so much of this exciting city but have narrowed it down to my top five things to do while you are there:

1.  A trip to Victoria Peak is a must; the steep peak tram ride up is a great experience!  On arrival go to the viewing deck at the top of the peak tower, it has fantastic 360° views of the city.  Best visited on a clear day, buy the Peak Tram Skypass which enables you access to the viewing deck and return trip on the tram.

2.  I thoroughly recommend a trip to Lantau Island and the Tian Tan Buddha.  At 34 metres tall it is the largest seated outdoor Buddha in Asia.  From Hong Kong Island you can jump on an MTR train, which is easy as most of the signage is in English.  Once there you take a 30 minute cable car ride up to Ngong Ping village and the Buddha.  The views of the airport and surrounding Hong Kong are brilliant from the cable car.  Climb the 268 steps up to the Buddha, it’s worth it, this was one of my favourite experiences.  Also take a look inside the monastery, it is beautiful.

3.  The famous Symphony of Lights is a must see while in Hong Kong.  Catch the Star ferry from Hong Kong Island across Victoria Harbour to Kowloon and watch the impressive laser and light show illuminate the city skyline to music.  The ferry is very cheap, and you get great views of the harbour and the city.  The light show is on every night at 8pm and is free.

4.  The mid-level of Hong Kong is a very exciting experience, escalators transport you up above the city’s street level to trendy bars and funky restaurants.  Look out for Feather Boa, a bar on Staunton Street in Soho; it’s a bit sneakily hidden but if you find it you are in for a treat of tasty cocktails!

5.  Visit Stanley Market, this is the place to grab yourself a bargain.  You can get there on the MTR, by ferry or taxi.  The market has all sorts from clothes, to jewellery and those all important souvenirs.  Stanley also has some temples, great places to eat, and nice beaches.

What are your favourite things to do in Hong Kong?  I’d love to hear your thoughts….

 

March 15, 2013 USA 1 Comment

New York – Upper vs Lower Manhattan

I love nothing more than visiting New York in the winter.  It’s a great city to visit in any season but there is something about it in the winter that is just so magical.  I love the Rockefeller Christmas tree, along with all the glitzy decorations and twinkley window displays that adorn Fifth Avenue.
On my most recent trip I arrived on New Years day, what a great way to start 2013!  Having visited a few times before I wanted to spend sometime exploring other parts of the city that I hadn’t visited yet.  So here are my recommendations on different areas to explore in this wonderful metropolis:
Upper West Side:  I stayed at a great boutique hotel called Hotel Belleclaire, only ten minutes walk from Central Park it’s a really nice area.  There are some great grocery stores; I am a total foodie so exploring local produce stores is right up my street.  West Side Market, just around the corner from the hotel and Fairway a short stroll away, were my favourites.  Both had great deli counters, a huge selection of cheeses and a brilliant variety of fresh fruits lined up outside.  Of course this isn’t necessarily what you will have come to New York for but as I’ve mentioned in past blogs I love immersing myself in local cultures and discovering what people eat in other parts of the world.
There are plenty of options for breakfast or brunch in this part of town, my favourite being Viand Café.  With a classical American diner feel this was my favourite spot for a big hearty American breakfast.  A great menu with all your typical American style breakfasts such as buttermilk pancakes with maple syrup, waffles, eggs any style or for a healthier option, granola.  All reasonably priced I can’t think of any other way to start the day in this wonderful city.
A cool place for a drink or meal is the Amsterdam Ale House, it had a really nice atmosphere and pub feel and being British I felt right at home!  The food was superb and reasonably priced with interesting mains such as tuna and bison burgers on the menu, I would describe it as posh pub food and a definite winter warmer.
From our hotel it was easy to walk to Central Park and down to Fifth Avenue.  On the edge of the park on the West Side sits the American Museum of Natural History, its well worth a visit.  Once in Central Park stroll past the lake and the popular Loeb Boathouse restaurant, a nice café to stop off for a coffee and a warm up.
Lower West Side: Greenwich Village, found on the Lower West Side of Manhattan has got to be my new favourite area of New York City. With its trendy village feel, I don’t know why I didn’t visit sooner!  Greenwich is about a ten minute cab journey from Times Square. Being a small suburb it has a slightly quieter feel than the hustle and bustle of central Manhattan.  With lots of boutique shops it kept me occupied for quite sometime, even if it was just window shopping…
Bleecker Street is a perfect place to start exploring, first things first you must head to Magnolia Bakery, their cupcakes have to be the best I have ever tasted!  This popular bakery can get very busy, but don’t be put off by the queue the cupcakes are definitely worth it.
Blind Tiger Ale House (You will notice there is a theme with me here!) is a short walk from the bakery.  With a list of twenty-eight draught beers and a cosy open fire it is the perfect retreat from the cold.  The staff are very friendly and knowledgeable and will happily let you try the beer before you buy.  The rustic dark wood interior and old school cash register give this place a very homely feel.
The beers we tried on our two afternoon visits were: (These may have changed since my visit)
No 28 – Lagunitas Pilsner from California
No 23 – Original Sin Cider from New York (My favourite, I love Cider!)
No 20 – Bear Republic Racer 5 IPA from California
If you fancy a bite to go with your beverages the bar snacks were marvellous and perfect for sharing.  Coconut curry squash ($7) and Cajun Mac & Cheese ($7) were our favourites.
This is clearly a popular drinking establishment with locals and tourists alike. One afternoon I overheard a great conversation between an English couple and a local New Yorker discussing Scotland. The local pronounced Edinburgh in a very funny way, as you can imagine this caused a lot of laughter at the bar!
Murray’s Cheese Bar is also worth a visit, this is a restaurant with a twist, cheese being you guessed it at the centre of the menu, Brilliant!
Brooklyn Bridge: Brooklyn Bridge is on the Lower East Side and connects Manhattan to Brooklyn.  Built in 1883 it stretches for just over a mile across the East River.  It is a lovely scenic walk with views of Central Manhattan; you can see the Empire State and Chrysler Building to name just a few.  Look the opposite side and you can see the Statue of Liberty.  If you like taking photos you can get some cracking shots from here, and the bridge is magnificent.  Wrap up warm though as it is very chilly in the winter.  I was fascinated to see all the ‘love locks’ attached to various parts of the bridge and took a bit of time to look at the initials and messages engraved on them.
The Highline: Located on the west side in Chelsea, just above Greenwich Village sits the Highline, an old railway line that is now a public walkway. Raised above the busy streets, the Highline weaves in between buildings and has wonderful views of the Empire State Building and the River Hudson. Along the walkway there are some interesting art installations, food vendors and benches to sit and watch the world go by. Stop off at Chelsea market for quirky shops and cool restaurants. The milkshakes at Creamline are the best! For more head to my blog post all about it: Walking the Highline in New York…
I have to say there is no competition between the Upper and Lower Sides of Manhattan. Both have so much to offer, if I was going to choose I think my favourite is the Lower West Side.  With its small village feel and boutique shops I would definitely like to stay in this area on my next visit to ‘The Big Apple.’
September 16, 2012 Camping and Glamping, UK 5 Comments

Campervan Living….

Campervan Living

I love spending time with my husband Matt down on the South West coast of England in our campervan.  We quite often go to North Devon and stay in campsites around Croyde and Woolacombe, our favourite being Incledon Farm campsite.  It’s a working farm with chickens roaming freely and the farm cat prowling around.  With two small fields for camping it is never overcrowded and always peaceful.  Situated in the sleepy village of Georgeham with just a shop and two pubs all within walking distance, it’s exactly what we love!  A ten minute drive and you’re at the beaches ready for a surf.  Saunton Sands is my favourite place to surf, the sand dunes behind the beach stretch for miles and create an impressive backdrop.  With such a long stretch of water it is easy to spread out and have the waves all to yourself.  The last time we were there, although small the waves were clean and perfectly formed.  Putsborough is another great surfing spot, the views are unbeatable from the car park which looks straight onto the beach, you can walk all the way along the shoreline to Woolacombe from here too.  Our days of campervan living would go something like this…a big breakfast cooked alfresco, then to the beach for surfing and sunbathing, followed by a post surf cider or two at the Red Barn in Woolacombe.  Ending the day back at the campsite with a barbecue, and an early night ready to do it all again the next day….Perfect!

 

August 6, 2012 Mexico 1 Comment

Things to do in Cancun….

Cancun beach sign, Mexico

Things to do in Cancun:

Nightclubs and food

Cancun as a holiday destination has the best of both worlds, partying and ultimate relaxation.  I recently spent three nights there and only sampled a small slice of what it has to offer.  Lets start with the nightlife, even if you are not into partying the night away you have to experience it just once while you are there!  Coco Bongo is a nightclub with a difference and famous for its exciting shows, Superman, the Matrix characters and Austin Powers all make an appearance throughout the night; suspended from the ceiling or flying high above the audience.  There are a range of different tickets most drinks are included all night are included with most of them.  A little pricey but well worth it as it’s a great night out.  Señor Frogs, a favourite bar of mine serves tasty food and cocktails in exciting glasses which you can take with you.  Ok, it’s a slightly tacky holiday souvenir that you will probably pack in your case and then wonder why you bought it home, but definitely fun all the same!  Their branding is funky and if you are with a group of friends, the bar staff come around to your table and play party tricks with you!!  Maybe not so fun if you are with your better half but it is still an entertaining place to go for a drink.  Being in Mexico, of course you should eat Mexican food, but for something a little bit different I really recommend the Japanese restaurant Mikado at the CasaMagna Marriott hotel.  It’s a great place to go with a group of friends, book one of the tables where the Teppanyaki chef cooks your food right in front of you.  Flames, hearts made from rice and an onion train are just a few of the entertaining tricks that appear whilst your meal is prepared!

Relaxing in Cancun

If you just want to relax then aside from the nightlife you are without a doubt in the right place.  The beach along the hotel strip is lovely, although the rip currents can be quite dangerous so I wouldn’t recommend swimming there.  Also as the title ‘hotel strip’ suggests you are surrounded by hotels.  Isla Mujeres is the perfect escape,  I love this place!  The beaches are a lot quieter, the water is calmer and getting there couldn’t be easier.  From the hotel strip you can jump on a bus, let the driver know that you want to stop a Playa Tortugas and from there you can catch a boat. The company is called Ultramar and ferries run all day with the last one leaving Isla Mujeres at 1730.  Once there if you fancy exploring you can hire a golf buggy for the day, it’s a great way to explore the island and a fun mode of transport.  Check out the turtle sanctuary and the Mayan Temple at the southern end of the island.  The main town is also nice to explore, with small side streets and brightly coloured buildings.  If all the exploring gets too much then head to one of the beaches, the one at the northern end is my favourite.  It has calm crystal clear waters and a great bar called Charlie’s, I had an amazing Red Snapper salad here for £3.50 and a beer for 50p at the time of writing!  Next door is Chi Chi’s, a cool little bar with swings attached to it, sit on them while you sip your beer!

Another great trip to do in Cancun is to swim with Whale Sharks, June to September is the time to do this.  It’s not cheap but it is a once in a lifetime opportunity, something I may think about next time I go.  With so much to do around Cancun and everything being so easily accessible everyone should visit!  On that note I am already planning my next visit out there….A trip to Tulum is definitely on the cards.  This beautiful place is two hours on a bus from Cancun, you can stay in huts right on the beach and there are Mayan ruins to explore, again right on the beach front.  Watch this space….