I’m not terribly upset to see 2018 go. Especially because my partner and I are setting out on 10 months of travel and to live life a bit more slowly in 2019. That being said, 2018 definitely hasn’t been all bad. I traveled to amazing places, spent time with family and had more friends visiting London than I can count. I also feel like London has become more of a home and I have a really kind and supportive community here.
“Snorkeling with seals in South Africa, truly is a wildlife adventure that brings you nose-to-nose with playful and inquisitive wild animals in their natural habitat, and affords you the privilege of viewing them on their own terms.” – Animal Ocean Seal Snorkeling Tour Agency
I know what you are thinking – “Are you crazy! Snorkeling with Seals in South Africa! What about the sharks?!”. I had the same thoughts at first and certainly every friend told me I was crazy for wanting to do it. And considering Cape Town’s popularity for Great Whites, it does sound like a crazy thing to do.
For many people, the city of Amman is just a stop over on the way to the more famous sites of Petra, the Dead Sea and Wadi Rum.
But Amman has so much to offer visitors! It’s a mix of old world and new world with its modern cafes, art galleries, ancient ruins, hip bars and bustling souks. I would recommend spending atleast two days exploring the city during your time in Jordan. It’s also a great jumping off point for a lot of days trips. Check out my 2-week itinerary for visiting Jordan which includes day trips from Amman, as well as other tips.
Just outside of Cape Town, nestled between the cliffs of Chapman’s Peak and the Atlantic Ocean is the majestic boutique lodge, Tintswalo Atlantic.
The setting is what truly makes Tintswalo what it is. Located in Table Mountain National Park, the property was designed to blend in and be in harmony with nature. From the famous and beautiful Chapman’s Peak drive above you can barely see the lodge located down a long and windy road at the base of the ocean. While it feels like you’ve escaped it all when you are at Tintswalo, it’s also only a 20-minute drive from vibrant downtown Cape Town.
Visiting Cape Town provoked a lot of emotions in me.
I was visiting the home and family of my partner, Josh, for the first time (all of the nerves!). Cape Town is also one of the world’s most exciting travel destinations and a city loved by so many. It is vibrant, filled with incredible beaches and nature, not to mention, the stunning backdrop of Table Mountain which seems to always be looming beautifully over the city. Cape Town also has the most amazing food and perfect summer weather. Sounds like a dream, right?
Give me the sun, the sea and a little spot to be…
Located on the east coast of Sri Lanka is Arugam Bay, or A-Bay as it is also known. A small beach and fishing town with an eclectic mix of cultures – from the more conservative local Muslim community to the hippy vibe of all the foreign surfers who flock to the area. You’ll see brightly colored board-shorts and surfboards next to traditional ox carts carrying fruit. The pace is slow in Arugam Bay and it’s easy to lose track of time while you’re there. It’s the perfect spot to spend a few days unwinding on the beach. But don’t worry! If you are like me and love lots of activities while on holiday, there is still plenty to do. In this post I’ve detailed 12 things to do in A-Bay!
I’m sitting half naked surrounded by a group of Palestinian women, many of whom would traditionally be covered with a hijab and jilbab. It feels very much like I’ve stepped into some hidden world. It’s 100 degrees (40 Celsius), and I’m sweating and drinking hibiscus tea in a hammam steam room in Ramallah, Palestine. The women are all singing and clapping. I can’t tell if this is the normal hammam experience or if they are celebrating an engagement or impending wedding. It’s an odd experience to be sitting with them like this. All of us sweating half naked as they celebrate and we attempt to speak and interact. My broken Arabic isn’t getting me far but we laugh and smile at each other through the steam anyways.
Located southeast of India and northeast of the Maldives, the small island of Sri Lanka can easily be over looked. But, despite it’s size, Sri Lanka has it all – jungle beaches, mountain hikes, interesting wildlife, temples, surfing, friendly people and the most amazing street food. This country definitely deserves to be on your bucket list!
“Sri Lanka is an island that everyone loves at some level inside themselves. A very special island that travellers, from Sinbad to Marco Polo, dreamed about. A place where the contours of the land itself forms a kind of sinewy poetry.” – Romesh Gunesekera
Walking out of the airport we were hit with a wall of humidity, touting taxi drivers, endless honking and the wild dustiness of Colombo city streets. Once we escaped the chaos of Colombo, we saw the Sri Lanka we had heard and dreamed about. A tiny island of jungle beaches, melancholy hills, an array of curries and street food, colorful fishing boats, tuk tuks and wildlife. And despite it’s complex past, both in terms of the still very recent civil war and detrimental tsunami, people were incredibly friendly and open. Tourism has really started to kick off in Sri Lanka and hopefully the country manages to keep its small island charm!