The Galapagos Islands – how exciting… whether you’re a seasoned globetrotter or a first timer, it’s always helpful to have a guide of what items you may want to pack and not pack.
I’m always a big packer and I really had to restrain myself for this trip. One exception – you are allowed to take LOADS of photo storage!
You’ll need a few more things too, so packing for the Galapagos… Read More
We enter our Parisian apartment in Montmartre, conscious of the French old building smell and home cooking filling the air. Our apartment is light and airy with double opening doors out of the living space and bedroom. All of the rooms face south (remember we are in the northern hemisphere so this is good!) and are flooded with light, something that is very important to us.
Now enter the Aladdin’s cave of Parisian Patisseries with me: patisserie cases overflowing with the most delicious looking sweet treats around every corner. It is too hard to resist not getting a daily fix of flaky, melt-in-your-mouth pastry or chewy macaroons.
My favourite is Mille-feuille: This pastry’s name literally means “thousand sheets” and is a pastry made from many layers of puff pastry alternating with a sweet filling of pastry cream, whipped cream or custard. Read More
As soon as we arrive in Paris, we hit the French cuisine starting with foie gras with crusty farmhouse bread and Confit de Vin (wine jelly) and let it melt in our mouths.
By the end, we still haven’t lost our love for the delicacy and are forgoing other French cuisine to eat foie gras not just as a starter but for lunch and dinner, with lots of pink wine. Read More
Although meals in France are not too dis-similar from those in the rest of the Western world, one is always aware how important food and the art of dining is to the French.
It is all the more exciting to fully participate in the traditional and day to day experience of devouring French food. Food is very much a part of the social fabric of French family life. Read More
Paris the city of lovers, the most romantic place on earth, the nuances of love echo from the language of the Parisians, music to the ear. We know we are in the city of Paris.
With so much love around, we are bound to enjoy our time here. Slowly does it and we are living like Parisians, in a gorgeous apartment, 250 yards from Sacre Coeur on Montmartre hill, even if only for one month. Read More
Like any city you will inevitably find there are always the cheats and scammers. In many ways, it pays to stay well out of their way. Recently in Paris we couldn’t resist having a bit of fun with them, and in some cases spoil their fun by warning other tourists of their errant ways.
Never for one minute, back in 2002 when I joined Tear Fund in sponsorship, did I think that I would meet our sponsored child.
It was a ‘Small investment for Life’– our sponsored child’s life; and also their families life as well. What a treat this visit has been for us. Unfortunately I am unable to publish any photos of our fun together in order to respect her privacy. Read More
Ok, so for our hike of the Inca trail, we hire the red army and no, this is not a Japanese army.
This is Llama Path – a guide company, and the most amazing team of men I have ever seen. Our Inca trail group is made up of five hikers, a guide and eleven Porters! Read More
Choosing to hike the Inca Trail in Peru is not a decision that should be made without foresight and thinking ahead.
It is up to you to ensure that you are fully prepared for what the hike will involve and know what items you need to bring.
Here is some advice from those of us who have gone before… Read More
