Once the leaves started falling, I was rejoicing. New projects to undertake, new hobbies to try out, and new spots to check out for cosying up during the colder months. The start of a new season also means another batch of house movers.
Continue reading “home bound | items to jazz up your new gaff (that is not from ikea)”
Since I have been jetting in and out of the country non-stop since last summer (taking about 20+ flights since), my carbon emissions have not exactly been the lowest. Whilst I adjust to routines and everyday living (graduate job applications aren’t too thrilling, in case you are wondering), I look back on my many air travel experiences in different countries, sharing with you below ways in which I made it as low waste and sustainable as possible.
Gone are the days where preserves and peanut butter are the only things one would spread on toast. The market for nut butters has been experiencing a huge surge in the last decade or so. They’re delicious and versatile sources of fat and protein for vegetarians and vegans. What’s not to like?
Similar to the idea of a township tour whilst I was in Cape Town last summer, a slum tour in Mumbai, an espionage into a poverty-stricken area, seemed like an uncouth thing to do. Taking part in Reality Tours’ Dhavari slum tour was far from that, however. What I saw was a tight-knit community which worked hard, earned their living honestly, operated with sustainability in mind, and quite possibly, some of the most enterprising groups of people I have encountered.
Continue reading “What is it really like inside Mumbai’s biggest slum?”
Varanasi is the epitome of India many people think of before they touch the soil: it is dirty, crowded, loud, noisy and crazy. When I arrived from an overnight train from Khajuraho, the tuktuk drivers proceeded to harass my friends and I; when we finally got a good deal on a pair of tuktuks (it took a lot of haggling), we passed through narrow streets littered with trash, which was also where skinny cows seemed to loiter around.
Continue reading “A boat ride around the Ganges in Varanasi”
Bangkok in June: it’s hot and sticky, and the start of the monsoon season. Having arrived from an equally humid city (Manila, Philippines), it was fantastic to experience a little rain whilst I waited for my Uber to arrive. To my delight, it was a humble Mazda kitted as though it was a sports car: many different dials in the macho red and black colours, free wi-fi on-board and bottles of distilled water. I liked Bangkok already. What’s more, the security officer by the airport gate was ever so helpful in talking to my cab driver through the phone, kindly informing him of my exact whereabouts in the large arrivals bay of BKK.
Thankfully, the 30-minute ride was short-lived as we drove up to the back alley that paved the entrance to Good One Cafe Bar & Hostel. The monochromatic and bright interiors of the establishment glowed in the early morning darkness.
Continue reading “Art, coffee + pretty young things: Bangkok’s Good One Hostel Café + Bar”
My stopover in the dessert city was as colourful as the city is multicultural. I was fortunate enough to be there whilst Sikka Art Fair dominated the Al Bastakiya area. In contrast to the modern vibes and expatriate-heavy culture of Sikka, the Heritage Village gave a wonderful insight into Dubai’s past in pictures and architecture. Of course, a trip to JBR will not be complete without spending Saturday on the Kite Beach, suffering from a Barasti hangover, and overlooking the mighty Burj Al Arab, the epitomic symbol of the city’s luxurious offerings.
It is long known that hostels are the best type of accommodation around to meet fellow travellers if you’re going solo. They’re inexpensive, located in the major backpacking spots in India, and you’re guaranteed a different experience in each location. Though not as cheap as guesthouses, the friendly atmosphere often created by social spaces and lounges, and probability of finding other solo travellers make it worth the extra rupee.
Continue reading “A Solo Female Traveller’s Guide to Zostels in India”
India was at the top of my travel bucket list for as long as I can remember. I’m not sure why or how I became fascinated with this South Asian country, but the promise of a colourful adventure was very appealing. Rick Stein’s latest programme on India and its cuisine re-affirmed my desire to visit the country. I just had to go.
Continue reading “Two Months in India: Solo Female Travels on a Budget”
Singapore has been getting a lot of press lately in the travelling community: it is a bustling hub in the heart of Asia, a perfect stop-over for many, particularly those travelling to Australia/New Zealand. It has been dubbed the world’s most expensive city – but it does not have to be.
Below, I share my experience in the Lion City, with budget-friendly and alternative, off-beat options for the everyday traveller.
kalemoss. 