tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2858761429400981482024-03-06T00:47:12.467-08:00We Are Not Lost BlogSticky (Steve and Vicky) originally started this blog as a fun way to stay in touch with family and friends whilst we fulfilled a lifelong dream and travelled the world. Now we are back in the 'real world' aka Blighty and embarking on our next chapter. Our new base is Leeds, a small but perfectly formed and vibrant city in the heart of Yorkshire. This is a British lifestyle blog full of food and travel adventures with a healthy dose of beauty tips for fellow thirty somethings.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10269229704031041251noreply@blogger.comBlogger67125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-285876142940098148.post-52838512904777415632016-08-17T01:53:00.000-07:002016-11-21T03:24:41.361-08:00Breakfast Recipe: Speedy Bircher Porridge <div class="p1">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4TjAf4Vxnaan2wvM7bNZeBoEgp3XuSYWQwr0ivvA3YacLWUyTyBL7VfY863Qpt9WBU2lDCxlRoyYEwh2cbCZC5XfuDprNGKSEn3RSwUORGHkRB3gcNtFBPMvPsBHkM6i0B7skpP0Gpz8/s1600/speedy+bircher+porridge+recipe.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img alt="speedy bircher porridge recipe" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4TjAf4Vxnaan2wvM7bNZeBoEgp3XuSYWQwr0ivvA3YacLWUyTyBL7VfY863Qpt9WBU2lDCxlRoyYEwh2cbCZC5XfuDprNGKSEn3RSwUORGHkRB3gcNtFBPMvPsBHkM6i0B7skpP0Gpz8/s1600/speedy+bircher+porridge+recipe.jpg" title="speedy bircher prroidge recipe" /></a></div>
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Breakfast is the most important meal of the day but its often not the most exciting. Particularly on weekdays for those of us who work in an office and dash out the door each morning with seconds to spare. </span></span></div>
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">A midweek breakfast needs to be quick and satisfying enough to keep busy hands out of the cookie jar for the rest of the morning.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="p1">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">I’ve never really been a fan of cereals other than bran flakes and eating them for breakfast five days a week gets dull very quickly, plus they contain lots of hidden sugar. As for toast, I wish I could eat this everyday but I cant stand that bloated feeling anymore and bread really does not agree with my digestive system.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="p1">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="p1">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">About six months ago I discovered bircher muesli - raw oats, seeds and fruit soaked in the fridge overnight that are ready to eat the next morning. This increasingly popular healthy breakfast hails from Switzerland. I find the traditional recipes a bit fiddly (who has time to grate apples?) so I’ve simplified to six ingredients to create a speedy, nutritious and filling breakfast. Also, I only allow a couple of hours in the morning for soaking which is plenty of time to soften the oats.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="p1">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">To make one serving of my speedy bircher porridge you will need:</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="p1">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">1 200ml jam jar</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="p1">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Rolled oats</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="p1">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Almond milk (unsweetened)</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="p1">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">1 TBSP sunflower seeds</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="p1">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">1 TBSP pumpkins seeds</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="p1">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">1 small banana</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="p1">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">A handful of strawberries, blueberries or raspberries</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="p1">
</div>
<div class="p1">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">1 TBSP ground flax seed (optional) </span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="p1">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMS3U_HeQ_2SAriB5-9aQj5_GupEqSJGDxf2REAppiDxsQe1sPab5LO30JbaYdEsCC5DLE7w65ga9pyoajhDfy8KfVkw4dEVwDCK6ieutIFt8-ThiW4ElhLs4ezrqzMGkBYXjeQF1-cfQ/s1600/speedy+bircher+prridge+recipe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="speedy bircher porridge recipe" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMS3U_HeQ_2SAriB5-9aQj5_GupEqSJGDxf2REAppiDxsQe1sPab5LO30JbaYdEsCC5DLE7w65ga9pyoajhDfy8KfVkw4dEVwDCK6ieutIFt8-ThiW4ElhLs4ezrqzMGkBYXjeQF1-cfQ/s1600/speedy+bircher+prridge+recipe.jpg" title="speedy bircher porridge recipe" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">1. </span></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Fill your jam jar about two thirds full with your rolled porridge oats and top with your sesame seeds. Pour in the almond milk to cover and add a little extra if you’d like your porridge a little runnier. Stir well, seal and leave to soak.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="p1">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="p1">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">2. If you’re heading to work pop your berries and seeds in some tupperware ready to serve later. </span></div>
</div>
<div class="p1">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="p1">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">3. After one to two hours of soaking your oats are ready to eat. Simply top with your berries, seeds and sliced banana - and enjoy!</span></div>
</div>
<div class="p1">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="p1">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">This creamy nutty porridge with sharp berries and banana is a tasty and filling start to your day. It's the easiest dish to experiment with to find your favourite flavour combinations and I’m yet to get bored of it. Try adding cinnamon, honey or your favourite nut butter during the soaking phase or mix in grated apple or pear. For toppings your combinations are endless!</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="p1">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="p1">
</div>
<div class="p1">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">At weekends and on colder mornings I heat the oats and almond milk in a sauce pan, then top with fruit, nuts and seeds. Remember to keep your porridge healthy and only sweeten with natural sweeteners. </span></span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10269229704031041251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-285876142940098148.post-42297810622316261322016-07-06T22:16:00.000-07:002016-11-23T08:51:41.773-08:00A Viennese Whirlwind Weekend<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Noteworthy Light'; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisLI8s09mtn2DAl_US83IIYVPN7GGDL15fLEWdJOf3g-8jD1ZQW7HxkCQlfDSOtHpguLB_s_yQNigRFKymr86EMoyYpjCnmFHfFiglD_dr3YHOEzaSJ-RbYRFMUz4jJdVAAr0nHe8d6Tk/s1600/vienna-city-view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="city view of vienna" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisLI8s09mtn2DAl_US83IIYVPN7GGDL15fLEWdJOf3g-8jD1ZQW7HxkCQlfDSOtHpguLB_s_yQNigRFKymr86EMoyYpjCnmFHfFiglD_dr3YHOEzaSJ-RbYRFMUz4jJdVAAr0nHe8d6Tk/s1600/vienna-city-view.jpg" title="city view of vienna" /></a></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Vienna, Austria's capital city is affectionately known as the 'city of music’ as it was once home to numerous famous classical composers from Beethoven to Vivaldi. Today, the city's musical heritage lives on and you’ll often see Mozart impersonators touting classical concerts to flocks of tourists. Our visit was inspired by music but of the 21st century kind - Muse were in town and rather than catching their Drones tour in Manchester a weekend in Vienna </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">sounded much more fun. </span></span></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"></span></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Our home for the weekend was the <a href="https://www.falkensteiner.com/de/hotel/margareten" target="_blank">Falkensteiner Hotel Wien Margareten</a>, a modern design hotel and central enough for lots of exploring. Once checked in, we enjoyed a welcome glass of fizz in the courtyard and then headed out in search of food as we were ravenous from our early start.</span></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8iRPEqKI_1HCFZ1GfhV9pNgnXZOSltKiJBDPS2S7sSrdJ-ZeV4yxvssJL-5kLZqamcG777oFT2BNphxT_00PYpgWLVFpVxl3BUfeHRtdOxKbg4evJNER06PAfH-CM9JGfczBttCqzUzo/s1600/die+burgermacher+vienna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="die burgermacher vienna" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8iRPEqKI_1HCFZ1GfhV9pNgnXZOSltKiJBDPS2S7sSrdJ-ZeV4yxvssJL-5kLZqamcG777oFT2BNphxT_00PYpgWLVFpVxl3BUfeHRtdOxKbg4evJNER06PAfH-CM9JGfczBttCqzUzo/s1600/die+burgermacher+vienna.jpg" title="die burgermacher vienna" /></a></div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Like most European cities Vienna (Wien) is experiencing something of a burger and craft beer surge, the city is now home to quite a few burger bars. We made our way to <a href="http://www.dieburgermacher.at/" target="_blank">Die Burgermacher</a> in Burgasse rumoured to make the best burgers in town and they didn’t disappoint! We couldn’t have chosen better place to refuel for our first day in Vienna. </span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguaw8rmTsUr_5syshGJb2XvFbAy4RL8U3yXf7eYaiXuqH69Swa7cjIg73Saze7eKLLIIAoStl-KjBrK_TB46xid2SwT5vk3llIR9sZ2jee6cw8HJeSNFsYKSUuKR-d9ZSnkNZzSh88FGU/s1600/thumb_IMG_7006_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="happy hour beach bar vienna" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguaw8rmTsUr_5syshGJb2XvFbAy4RL8U3yXf7eYaiXuqH69Swa7cjIg73Saze7eKLLIIAoStl-KjBrK_TB46xid2SwT5vk3llIR9sZ2jee6cw8HJeSNFsYKSUuKR-d9ZSnkNZzSh88FGU/s400/thumb_IMG_7006_1024.jpg" title="happy hour beach bar vienna" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Noteworthy Light'; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style>
</div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Next we headed to Strandbarr Herrman a popular beach bar on the bank of river Danube, it was a beautifully sunny spring day and we managed to bag a couple of deck chairs just in time for their late afternoon happy hour. With toes in the sand we sipped on G&T’s and happily people watched until eventually we gave in to our tiredness.</span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF65wnfb3tdXjAYMtIv5RPPcHxUGkRqINONH3c4RMil4fy-k7YAEmu0NB3JXBGHjarbHi8h2i-cAZqRHjRaRvh4onV0wNj8KcLBcCWtILUdSSYT5wYHu7OYDvu8jGRuSCoaHi7gMJlZ0g/s1600/hot+rod+helmets+vienna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="hot rod helmets vienna" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF65wnfb3tdXjAYMtIv5RPPcHxUGkRqINONH3c4RMil4fy-k7YAEmu0NB3JXBGHjarbHi8h2i-cAZqRHjRaRvh4onV0wNj8KcLBcCWtILUdSSYT5wYHu7OYDvu8jGRuSCoaHi7gMJlZ0g/s1600/hot+rod+helmets+vienna.jpg" title="hot rod helmets vienna" /></a></div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Noteworthy Light'; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style>
</span></span></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Vienna boasts a rather unique way to do your sightseeing - a self drive <a href="http://www.hotrod-citytour-wien.com/homewien/" target="_blank">hot rod tour</a>. Despite Steve’s doubts over my driving ability, we decided it was worth the risk and pre-booked on a group tour for the chance to be Penelope Pitshop and Mutley (sorry Steve - must be the beard) for a few hours. </span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiorcr1tL6RjhBcZOneP5PU1mpGsgAGsycL3BgWLuwnd69S0dFgimzWNOhyphenhyphenYC9ZH1FYD7WZMJX8FTsgVOIwH0Sx7baDAFpzevcsLJ_aL7lnuAhJJj1QzcRefoWAOHUka7n4U8LrBX08TH8/s1600/wien+hot+rod+city+tour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="vienna hot rod city tour" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiorcr1tL6RjhBcZOneP5PU1mpGsgAGsycL3BgWLuwnd69S0dFgimzWNOhyphenhyphenYC9ZH1FYD7WZMJX8FTsgVOIwH0Sx7baDAFpzevcsLJ_aL7lnuAhJJj1QzcRefoWAOHUka7n4U8LrBX08TH8/s1600/wien+hot+rod+city+tour.jpg" title="vienna hot rod city tour" /></a></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">It was hilarious, right from the moment we arrived in the shop to get kitted up in our retro helmets and earpieces. </span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL6God2w-0rPAwaej-gIkvQvkxATSQ4YvAxCU7k4RmqD9Lv2cKrGgcsCPCfrbLl5Ur8eqMUX1KZGgCJBeJCc4aEQhAUsbKoXp5jT_6ohtINT2YJM2yxOFqADTLHcAoqQe-i49DYPPJShs/s1600/vienna+hot+rod+city+tour+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="vienna hot rod city tour" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL6God2w-0rPAwaej-gIkvQvkxATSQ4YvAxCU7k4RmqD9Lv2cKrGgcsCPCfrbLl5Ur8eqMUX1KZGgCJBeJCc4aEQhAUsbKoXp5jT_6ohtINT2YJM2yxOFqADTLHcAoqQe-i49DYPPJShs/s1600/vienna+hot+rod+city+tour+.jpg" title="vienna hot rod city tour" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Professionals.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">As soon as we looked like hot rod drivers we were allowed to hone our hot rod driving skills, it’s literally stop and start so super easy and loads of fun! </span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9RLj1k7cOeYPwA1PWvOzvdAL_FgyJR5hWXIZ-zxIiMxkU3v6TOxvEbenzw5OpZPG28D1apDAGgNRI-SxikKno5-3J05ydF0efzuvtGP0_Ckz53URBYKYjL_Anj3vR7BB9HMw0qyyT8FY/s1600/thumb_IMG_7030_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="hot rod driving vienna" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9RLj1k7cOeYPwA1PWvOzvdAL_FgyJR5hWXIZ-zxIiMxkU3v6TOxvEbenzw5OpZPG28D1apDAGgNRI-SxikKno5-3J05ydF0efzuvtGP0_Ckz53URBYKYjL_Anj3vR7BB9HMw0qyyT8FY/s400/thumb_IMG_7030_1024.jpg" title="hot rod driving vienna" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">After a few laps of the underground car park, and lots of photos, we were in a convoy of seven weaving our way up to the exit to hit the busy streets of Wien.</span></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Z4vs2t7Ovk0ffsLyi-KVhElwAGC-gkAcUMX4NgXcf3aoQn_M9W1YyckKMLmQ3wJC3ixLdcf9Tp0wP_T7EuiNn40f6yYVOlYOwEnihuWQnU1uBiUTjeIBWgMQ9edPmX4gy45p99wA874/s1600/thumb_IMG_7039_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="hot rod driving vienna" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Z4vs2t7Ovk0ffsLyi-KVhElwAGC-gkAcUMX4NgXcf3aoQn_M9W1YyckKMLmQ3wJC3ixLdcf9Tp0wP_T7EuiNn40f6yYVOlYOwEnihuWQnU1uBiUTjeIBWgMQ9edPmX4gy45p99wA874/s400/thumb_IMG_7039_1024.jpg" title="hot rod driving vienna" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">The next two hours were action packed and we never stopped grinning. It’s a very surreal experience driving in a tiny car alongside full size traffic. The aim is too stick tight in a single line so that other cars cannot break the line and when you’re at the lights to double up like in mario kart. </span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKo_3HYqj-g-Alr58QiCLOUsk1VN2AtT8nHuC9WcQh0xtmauwt_ecCf-6Eh3JvUVQs5w49i_13AWx4UBoAnbO4PZakwq8jAHp033ffln9dSKDxJRF0gHeZm4Gjy-YK6YhK6EUqdj_oMSg/s1600/thumb_IMG_7040_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="hot rod driving vienna" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKo_3HYqj-g-Alr58QiCLOUsk1VN2AtT8nHuC9WcQh0xtmauwt_ecCf-6Eh3JvUVQs5w49i_13AWx4UBoAnbO4PZakwq8jAHp033ffln9dSKDxJRF0gHeZm4Gjy-YK6YhK6EUqdj_oMSg/s400/thumb_IMG_7040_1024.jpg" title="hot rod driving vienna" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">In reality it doesn’t happen like this especially in the first twenty minutes whilst we’re all wondering if we’re crazy. </span></span></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjtDsdn0ydvLouv-ko5UW9ZzpylwnKYAAIffkr7WdW-1quLxnqwufGSoE2rdqjcwF_636nNFTC__EJ_9d4nxZnQezjhZY9uvtzw8wAESagUG1seCVCW76Z-zvHDjAx8GNGJXGZs0gsPRs/s1600/hot+rod+city+tour+vienna++austria.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="hot rod city tour vienna" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjtDsdn0ydvLouv-ko5UW9ZzpylwnKYAAIffkr7WdW-1quLxnqwufGSoE2rdqjcwF_636nNFTC__EJ_9d4nxZnQezjhZY9uvtzw8wAESagUG1seCVCW76Z-zvHDjAx8GNGJXGZs0gsPRs/s1600/hot+rod+city+tour+vienna++austria.jpg" title="hot rod city tour vienna" /></a></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Not long into the tour I overshot some traffic lights after getting confused between the super easy stop-start functionality I mentioned earlier. Quite scary yet I live to tell the tale!</span></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid7uQZn0Im7irDmysie2q08AAVIsU4aC2lkoRui6n8D05HSfiZleHlS8XBytejaBkn6A5X8vMra4iOeFW0m79kAiaXEW3mv29eopDDuPIlRJCqnJBAk33dDtcl0iQDrNcvvRO-QFc83hs/s1600/hot+rod+driving+vienna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="hot rod driving vienna" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid7uQZn0Im7irDmysie2q08AAVIsU4aC2lkoRui6n8D05HSfiZleHlS8XBytejaBkn6A5X8vMra4iOeFW0m79kAiaXEW3mv29eopDDuPIlRJCqnJBAk33dDtcl0iQDrNcvvRO-QFc83hs/s400/hot+rod+driving+vienna.jpg" title="hot rod driving vienna" width="332" /></a></div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">The day of our tour coincide with a half marathon so a lot of main street were closed. Steve embraced the opportunity to high five the refreshments team at the side of the road though like he had just won the grand prix. </span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigHjztIX0GeNoSPm2AQBycUIZprP-5n8lpGOne-xAf0uo3nQcRFWn8va_Bu965Nq6hzU5Zg5b5ZHAHLbm4SfcXtK_p-1c1A8PrZi41GcaQVCequ2ZYVOQb556W83coWnc7P_EFTvVa4xg/s1600/hot+rod+city+tour+vienna+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="hot rod city tour vienna" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigHjztIX0GeNoSPm2AQBycUIZprP-5n8lpGOne-xAf0uo3nQcRFWn8va_Bu965Nq6hzU5Zg5b5ZHAHLbm4SfcXtK_p-1c1A8PrZi41GcaQVCequ2ZYVOQb556W83coWnc7P_EFTvVa4xg/s1600/hot+rod+city+tour+vienna+.jpg" title="hot rod city tour vienna" /></a></div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">The hot rods are a welcome novelty and you have great fun waving and beeping at everybody you pass.</span></span></div>
<div class="p2" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">At one point we were accosted by a drunk whilst stationary at some lights, no idea what that was all about and at least we got to see all the sides of the city.</span></span></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8a9tYIREvAO7BYm7RHwmFVoegvdQEc_wK-Jilpk6UeFAXtudM6O5r8yeDx9X2BqLuc4IjmEIPgQDpCIPrh3M2xv6F1on7bfSlFyAi87rftEA-9BAqqAaPNnwfb4l-0PIcPsyzIPW7LwA/s1600/thumb_IMG_7062_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img alt="hot rod city tour vienna" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8a9tYIREvAO7BYm7RHwmFVoegvdQEc_wK-Jilpk6UeFAXtudM6O5r8yeDx9X2BqLuc4IjmEIPgQDpCIPrh3M2xv6F1on7bfSlFyAi87rftEA-9BAqqAaPNnwfb4l-0PIcPsyzIPW7LwA/s400/thumb_IMG_7062_1024.jpg" title="hot rod city tour vienna" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Noteworthy Light'; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Noteworthy Light'; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000; min-height: 19.0px}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style>
</span></span></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Due to some road closures we got to venture quite far outside of the city centre and did a few kilometres on a busy dual carraigeway where we sped up to 60kmph!</span></span></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicwdofKtt590NSZzFlx2bH6AcgOB74blQqqMuIgBG0jYsg2Zm3b9_59Mlb8X95cuLHopdJIy-NLeNrtL4z1mS2M8Mh5VthxWfOfQDomLh-62YsvaJ9KbkL3B0juq7mUJ7UA-FMW9hk-Wg/s1600/thumb_IMG_7055_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="hot rod city tour vienna" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicwdofKtt590NSZzFlx2bH6AcgOB74blQqqMuIgBG0jYsg2Zm3b9_59Mlb8X95cuLHopdJIy-NLeNrtL4z1mS2M8Mh5VthxWfOfQDomLh-62YsvaJ9KbkL3B0juq7mUJ7UA-FMW9hk-Wg/s400/thumb_IMG_7055_1024.jpg" title="hot rod city tour vienna" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">"Does my head look big in this?"</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"></span></span></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">So whilst we didn’t get to see all of Vienna’s key sights we did have a very exhilarating ride! </span></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-tD-u-hbQyP-8e4prdOUKEg_gS7n1zEzggs1-0mieGhMatCA-81J_oYXFPOO-PJpQEu1jp8SeHjJwR9f2UdnZ91hnCNSX7MH5FhiD3ECzoO4gSuaeXh1yPn_lxlXTWFsjIeZcAUY9eKg/s1600/end+of+hot+rod+tour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="city hod rod tours in vienna" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-tD-u-hbQyP-8e4prdOUKEg_gS7n1zEzggs1-0mieGhMatCA-81J_oYXFPOO-PJpQEu1jp8SeHjJwR9f2UdnZ91hnCNSX7MH5FhiD3ECzoO4gSuaeXh1yPn_lxlXTWFsjIeZcAUY9eKg/s1600/end+of+hot+rod+tour.jpg" title="city hod rod tours in vienna" /></a></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">After our extended tour of three hours we were glad to be back on two legs and hot footed it to the city beach for some chilled beers. </span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBte44auUD1TvLrPa9YW49sgJ1YWUWbSZhU8AleOFp4nmm5vkCE9rK19HwHR-1BTe0G8w7jal7C40wnmbCahSthrogAfP8nJuMFgUnTGKXGEjfammGe4Orxhhf1AW3l8zqOjWjd4WDueI/s1600/the+city+beach+bar+by+the+danube+vienna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="he city beach bar by the danube vienna" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBte44auUD1TvLrPa9YW49sgJ1YWUWbSZhU8AleOFp4nmm5vkCE9rK19HwHR-1BTe0G8w7jal7C40wnmbCahSthrogAfP8nJuMFgUnTGKXGEjfammGe4Orxhhf1AW3l8zqOjWjd4WDueI/s1600/the+city+beach+bar+by+the+danube+vienna.jpg" title="he city beach bar by the danube vienna" /></a></div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Vienna also has a decent pub scene and a favourite of ours was <a href="http://www.brickmakers.at/" target="_blank">The Brickmakers</a>, its a friendly spot for sampling local craft beers and has a tasty, american BBQ inspired menu. It gets very busy so arrive early evening to </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">get a table.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEips7Ko5vfEXWN0MOnaRmNK_Awzf0gqo3G8PfPrlVPFyJ7IA7_IAx8zzBGPFxreScg827fO-34Qn5-ac_5Uq8ffAaORJzfQr__ZUC8SGI5nmFUsqAJlyOLwbEejoi8ntZq8ctPmxk5EeTc/s1600/museumplatz+sign+wien.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="museumsplatz sign wien" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEips7Ko5vfEXWN0MOnaRmNK_Awzf0gqo3G8PfPrlVPFyJ7IA7_IAx8zzBGPFxreScg827fO-34Qn5-ac_5Uq8ffAaORJzfQr__ZUC8SGI5nmFUsqAJlyOLwbEejoi8ntZq8ctPmxk5EeTc/s1600/museumplatz+sign+wien.jpg" title="museumsplatz sign wien" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">The museumsplatz (museum quarter) is the culture hub of Vienna and home to the cities largest art galleries. Just remember to check the opening times before you visit, we were gutted that the Mumok was closed.</span></span></div>
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ4mlz2nXi4ZnqWKzBXNd2k0Q5k6i8qZ4AGjV6t8WB9ug1B-DQOKmwb5bfD5sZJ5IsXYloVxvLhrJTkCUyjgyb2qxc04u2j7Y09ezWMIAaU25U1S095-3VQMx_4Lm7Gqh_X7rCpdFXDMA/s1600/mumok+vienna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Wien mumok gallery" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ4mlz2nXi4ZnqWKzBXNd2k0Q5k6i8qZ4AGjV6t8WB9ug1B-DQOKmwb5bfD5sZJ5IsXYloVxvLhrJTkCUyjgyb2qxc04u2j7Y09ezWMIAaU25U1S095-3VQMx_4Lm7Gqh_X7rCpdFXDMA/s1600/mumok+vienna.jpg" title="Wien mumok gallery" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The Mumok</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Thankfully, the Museumsplatz is </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">the ideal district to wander aimlessly.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr-uGrPI6XgFSwxrLMNysbQrlYaY3yPXbK2URho_o-cZHobbeJam1aLee1as6QDyXe-ahWjRTAMyk6zwQdeDV_bjaZkDAUW5V_-a_jM0iomQ_cxh-8sw-6xDioFuPmSOUL00Z5HPijK00/s1600/msueumplatz+wien.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="central vienna " border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr-uGrPI6XgFSwxrLMNysbQrlYaY3yPXbK2URho_o-cZHobbeJam1aLee1as6QDyXe-ahWjRTAMyk6zwQdeDV_bjaZkDAUW5V_-a_jM0iomQ_cxh-8sw-6xDioFuPmSOUL00Z5HPijK00/s1600/msueumplatz+wien.jpg" title="central vienna " /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">There are plenty of grand Baroque buildings and perfectly pruned gardens to admire.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguPWU11gbjdhJIEUdsPvGk0HjwFvQ14yQ0pasUTi8wwEbspmsxaDcT-8AS6hOguypD5EPMDH2KRNaB0Oh7LgcBrHIAu_Ks14o95iVWuM8rr02kQ_LAilXUIEvjHGQGDd5n9G-Bcd8lhTU/s1600/museumplatz+vienna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="vienna baroque building" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguPWU11gbjdhJIEUdsPvGk0HjwFvQ14yQ0pasUTi8wwEbspmsxaDcT-8AS6hOguypD5EPMDH2KRNaB0Oh7LgcBrHIAu_Ks14o95iVWuM8rr02kQ_LAilXUIEvjHGQGDd5n9G-Bcd8lhTU/s1600/museumplatz+vienna.jpg" title="vienna baroque building" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">We even discovered another beach, yes the landlocked Viennese love the yellow stuff.</span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"> All ages visit these man-made beaches and there is always a characterful beach bar to keep you hydrated.</span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKTu6biIiHHxKdcod81JpNYFpJyXhMIQQKWD9L99pCV9qiHe_Ttd1JYfksTVjlG_uEW7EjclB-iNagnBx4yCakRkQTNGg0fVXXNAX-OjN5M2t3gfMloNoj_Oo0vIcYLazIKbXR-Kv0GJ0/s1600/motto+am+fluss+restaurant+wien.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="motto am fluss vienna" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKTu6biIiHHxKdcod81JpNYFpJyXhMIQQKWD9L99pCV9qiHe_Ttd1JYfksTVjlG_uEW7EjclB-iNagnBx4yCakRkQTNGg0fVXXNAX-OjN5M2t3gfMloNoj_Oo0vIcYLazIKbXR-Kv0GJ0/s1600/motto+am+fluss+restaurant+wien.jpg" title="motto am fluss vienna" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Love those tiles!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Noteworthy Light'; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style>
</span></span><br />
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">For lunch, we had a reservation at Motto am Fluss a 'trendy' restaurant in a rather unique boat-like like setting on the River Danube. </span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW0pwMMs7tKC_khwHSWzEZZQxutj5vb4SckBPjggj8Ie0LydkzbbdU9zKIpYANIpIicSOg53_3GcD9va5Vr1vr4mzxlkh0gX-sBky48LPbXHuUxlwweFO7uBZBUMLkdkgRWSOhYfwmJmo/s1600/thumb_IMG_7144_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img alt="motto am fluss vienna" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW0pwMMs7tKC_khwHSWzEZZQxutj5vb4SckBPjggj8Ie0LydkzbbdU9zKIpYANIpIicSOg53_3GcD9va5Vr1vr4mzxlkh0gX-sBky48LPbXHuUxlwweFO7uBZBUMLkdkgRWSOhYfwmJmo/s400/thumb_IMG_7144_1024.jpg" title="motto am fluss vienna" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Each table boasts a river view and reservations are essential. Service is efficient, rather than friendly, and the food is creative and beautifully presented.</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8lUPbM6rDuopilvA93rucUyX7dZ0xR6qNlM4BN1NVjJbYmR-QmEiTPyij1x3l54FTeyXrvSAR9hhw5mHXF9v41YW3Xd9hcblTb_pv5A2tuBHQ_UQqSidvqrczh9GNi1jvIbCts8f_ams/s1600/starter+motto+am+fluss+vienna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="motto am fluss vienna" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8lUPbM6rDuopilvA93rucUyX7dZ0xR6qNlM4BN1NVjJbYmR-QmEiTPyij1x3l54FTeyXrvSAR9hhw5mHXF9v41YW3Xd9hcblTb_pv5A2tuBHQ_UQqSidvqrczh9GNi1jvIbCts8f_ams/s1600/starter+motto+am+fluss+vienna.jpg" title="motto am fluss vienna" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Too pretty to eat? Nah!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIi7R7G0EvMEoeS4cIQ5mQxJ3_FzUC-cwnAwkvjnC20-NvvutRPur-Vd7T3vIh4RHxFLkN0aSeLLBX9dKodW4E9JDCRsrLLXMWSXk46M6cYuEWj5olh1KVXK8NvA9UCtDCCHFfllVhtvc/s1600/lunch+motto+am+fluss.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img alt="motto am fluss vienna" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIi7R7G0EvMEoeS4cIQ5mQxJ3_FzUC-cwnAwkvjnC20-NvvutRPur-Vd7T3vIh4RHxFLkN0aSeLLBX9dKodW4E9JDCRsrLLXMWSXk46M6cYuEWj5olh1KVXK8NvA9UCtDCCHFfllVhtvc/s1600/lunch+motto+am+fluss.jpg" title="motto am fluss vienna" /></a></div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYAl7zUnQrmdp2QKVZ5e79Ot1NaGMA0-Qw5Cjsw7MGtXHnx4KIx4n3NIT3dO9svXypBYc1tcTKNCOyKELR6fNxnM0EY4uL969J5CUcLn6qC826ZipvKe-H4j-XjdGYQJZLGVPiSjqS9Vk/s1600/thumb_IMG_7130_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="motto am fluss vienna" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYAl7zUnQrmdp2QKVZ5e79Ot1NaGMA0-Qw5Cjsw7MGtXHnx4KIx4n3NIT3dO9svXypBYc1tcTKNCOyKELR6fNxnM0EY4uL969J5CUcLn6qC826ZipvKe-H4j-XjdGYQJZLGVPiSjqS9Vk/s400/thumb_IMG_7130_1024.jpg" title="motto am fluss vienna" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Strawberries and cream, Viennese style.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">There is also a pretty cafe on the upper deck for drinks and light snacks.</span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzfUxRnDLNAYy0RFh9mI-fM8yeUWmDGToWwmyEfnIMRXj4xif3ARPf-8lWYURxZ0Agi6AQ09oAalPalpXcE5eQaSTdctT3Xu8bvJA2zOSr8j8CvwSreAa0xgmq2ynsYaTNvxPvq7Ets8Y/s1600/motto+am+fluss+cafe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="motto am fluss vienna" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzfUxRnDLNAYy0RFh9mI-fM8yeUWmDGToWwmyEfnIMRXj4xif3ARPf-8lWYURxZ0Agi6AQ09oAalPalpXcE5eQaSTdctT3Xu8bvJA2zOSr8j8CvwSreAa0xgmq2ynsYaTNvxPvq7Ets8Y/s1600/motto+am+fluss+cafe.jpg" title="motto am fluss vienna" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">A cafe with a view.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Not many cities boast a giant ferris wheel and theme park so it was only fair that with a few hours to kill on a Monday afternoon we went to check it out.</span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFXO4kvE5f6UJTUmUukcOi9_Y_hOQoPdKWhWEaN6MMc9fTsfpk-8forn9sOAQDH4tBKEfOfblZ1P-QYwnhRk0d0rZiyJRE9wT_9NEfjYw-qXT80p3Z9H3QTWTvK5W8l2y9EMGzeZcud-Q/s1600/ferris+wheel+vienna+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="wiener reisenrad wien" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFXO4kvE5f6UJTUmUukcOi9_Y_hOQoPdKWhWEaN6MMc9fTsfpk-8forn9sOAQDH4tBKEfOfblZ1P-QYwnhRk0d0rZiyJRE9wT_9NEfjYw-qXT80p3Z9H3QTWTvK5W8l2y9EMGzeZcud-Q/s1600/ferris+wheel+vienna+.jpg" title="wiener reisenrad wien" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">It's as old as it looks.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Once the tallest ferris wheel in the world Das Wiener Riesenrad is an iconic landmark in Vienna.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgshWD-XQKWCebCeHD_OdMsMRgsm0JZzE0gCEUqEPMG0zw2koKpmlUDyoO4M59LwrUA7ETWkqFjGqww3_2v65CuBRqy49hbMXdVobRknfR3ziMI5asgq58pw-K2cHQnJ9Vcgk_Y6a8YxL0/s1600/ferris+wheel+vienna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="wiener reisenrad wien" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgshWD-XQKWCebCeHD_OdMsMRgsm0JZzE0gCEUqEPMG0zw2koKpmlUDyoO4M59LwrUA7ETWkqFjGqww3_2v65CuBRqy49hbMXdVobRknfR3ziMI5asgq58pw-K2cHQnJ9Vcgk_Y6a8YxL0/s1600/ferris+wheel+vienna.jpg" title="wiener reisenrad wien" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">It's worth a ride for the views and is also</span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"> located in the Prater amusement park there are much more high-octane rides on offer too.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghla0o5s-_x24CBAx9DtjajPlAAVQ-Z1_O91ElvFjIuwp4dISnoj0AzItRrZHSHRgzFBxyl1Syx6Lu-7r4LwrhaNxe_U0as9NbgCaARw5XlnHXv2twjw-DlCjBCKytsb9K7dxbk6taNfY/s1600/prater+themepark+vienna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="rapids prater amusement park vienna" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghla0o5s-_x24CBAx9DtjajPlAAVQ-Z1_O91ElvFjIuwp4dISnoj0AzItRrZHSHRgzFBxyl1Syx6Lu-7r4LwrhaNxe_U0as9NbgCaARw5XlnHXv2twjw-DlCjBCKytsb9K7dxbk6taNfY/s1600/prater+themepark+vienna.jpg" title="rapids prater amusement park vienna" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="p1">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Like teenagers we giggled our way around this almost deserted playground. </span></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">First we rode the rapids where I received the biggest soaking and then we bounded between a loop-the-loop, haunted house and rollercoaster in the dark. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoTh8iRiXIhiyGrkN16CwwE1phqMUuJ67RaHTzBv4QYrL0ej1D9E-blVARl7aQGTPsFQOyHDsNXCd8VVjc0MAuWD11IP_VcOYWdQFektSvU9VVJiFc0y0nUOX7Nr6W20Hm8dFYBcbdWyg/s1600/olympic+rollercoaster+vienna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="rollercoaster prater themepark wien" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoTh8iRiXIhiyGrkN16CwwE1phqMUuJ67RaHTzBv4QYrL0ej1D9E-blVARl7aQGTPsFQOyHDsNXCd8VVjc0MAuWD11IP_VcOYWdQFektSvU9VVJiFc0y0nUOX7Nr6W20Hm8dFYBcbdWyg/s1600/olympic+rollercoaster+vienna.jpg" title="rollercoaster prater themepark wien" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">How many loops?!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Eventually my stomach couldn't take anymore so we headed back to our hotel for a quick change before the Muse gig. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Muse, blew us away at the Stadhalle. For a large arena its so much more fun than in the UK, you can stand or sit wherever you like and you don't have to venture more than twenty steps to find a bar - they are at the edge of the dancefloor not in a corridor</span></span></div>
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1FsylMQxXWifYKrmZtxIc-n3jIV3VJTA3JLDKEeFPglP2fP4_fSp4AahrTFNOd3Si__04gGN7c6ldh9jQ6bld76vFJdb9OjTnDsH4ALelcB5IV2W1OG3iYT7ojLtXXFJbDnkSBxw9c1o/s1600/muse-drones-tour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="muse drones vienna" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1FsylMQxXWifYKrmZtxIc-n3jIV3VJTA3JLDKEeFPglP2fP4_fSp4AahrTFNOd3Si__04gGN7c6ldh9jQ6bld76vFJdb9OjTnDsH4ALelcB5IV2W1OG3iYT7ojLtXXFJbDnkSBxw9c1o/s1600/muse-drones-tour.jpg" title="muse vienna" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">We sang along and danced in a lively crowd. It was funny being native English speakers in a predominantly German speaking crowd, partly because we knew all the words and partly because Steve likes to lock eye contact with strangers as he sings. My face ached from singing and laughing.</span></span></div>
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_YUroXyaixNLnZINSUOYCY43nHjbhkuuopoUwWU6ZPpW4QBwiEjYOvpuBd2IM-HyOTRF3maR0523YH_XztGGzS6iy53OEPcG4SJT8LS56brXlPMDoztDk-NdTdNk3xUe1ZwsFHDzmJnY/s1600/muse+drones+vienna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="vienna muse drones tour" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_YUroXyaixNLnZINSUOYCY43nHjbhkuuopoUwWU6ZPpW4QBwiEjYOvpuBd2IM-HyOTRF3maR0523YH_XztGGzS6iy53OEPcG4SJT8LS56brXlPMDoztDk-NdTdNk3xUe1ZwsFHDzmJnY/s1600/muse+drones+vienna.jpg" title="vienna muse drones tour" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">After a full on four days we were glad it was just two stops on the metro back to our hotel. Thanks for the memories Vienna, I hope we are lucky enough to visit again. </span></span></div>
</div>
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Noteworthy Light'; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Noteworthy Light'; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000; min-height: 19.0px}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
span.s2 {text-decoration: underline ; font-kerning: none; color: #9e4a2f; -webkit-text-stroke: 0px #9e4a2f}
</style>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10269229704031041251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-285876142940098148.post-38440249651658849942016-06-03T12:00:00.000-07:002016-07-05T13:22:39.147-07:00A Beauty Review: Neal's Yard Rejuvenating Frankincense Refining Cleanser<div style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 16px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGvAeqocK_lCNe-PIAh_bzZzGHZ3YybKL7jBA59N1blN2lzaryzoO-YHczKXVEJ_oDthaxo0wteg21obm2F-fO3BEuy7uZ9tvIjvM3SW1hfRPJm_hv4LKqGUHkHbayZOTcikJMMSO-MUc/s1600/nealsyard-cleanser.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="neals yard refining cleanser review" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGvAeqocK_lCNe-PIAh_bzZzGHZ3YybKL7jBA59N1blN2lzaryzoO-YHczKXVEJ_oDthaxo0wteg21obm2F-fO3BEuy7uZ9tvIjvM3SW1hfRPJm_hv4LKqGUHkHbayZOTcikJMMSO-MUc/s1600/nealsyard-cleanser.jpg" title="neals yard refining cleanser review" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Every</span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"> morning I look forward to using this cleanser because put simply, its just so lovely. It's true. I’ve been using <a href="http://www.nealsyardremedies.com/skincare/organic-facial-skincare/facial-cleansers-and-washes/0081.html#q=francinsense&start=10">Neal’s Yard Rejuvenating Frankincense Refining Cleanser</a> religiously f</span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">or the past 12 months and I’m hooked. Experts say if you make it past a year it must be a match so no</span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">w feels like a great time to introduce you...</span></span><br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Seriously, I should have told you about this sooner. It's taken me many years to find a cleanser that gives my pores a deep cleanse and doesn't leave my skin feeling tight immediately after use. I have</span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"> dry skin so often find cleansers are either too gentle or too harsh.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">The Rejuvenating Frankincense Refining Cleanser is my first product from <a href="http://www.nealsyardremedies.com/">Neal’s Yard Remedies</a>. I only tried it because a make up </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">artist recommended it and I'm so glad I did - finally a balanced cleanser for dry skin. </span></div>
<div style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 16px;">
<div style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 16px;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 16px;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">This creamy two-step cleanser is a beautiful blend of luxurious natural organic ingredients. As the name suggests it's enriched with anti-ageing frankincense to firm and tone your skin. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">The light texture feels super luxe on your </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">skin. It gives a deep cleanse to remove all traces of make up and leaves my pores much more refined.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new", courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new", courier, monospace; font-size: large;">It also smells divine and never leaves my skin feeling dry or tight, just smooth and super soft thanks to the organic cocoa butter. This is such a wonderful cleanser. </span><br />
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">To use: simply massage the cream on to dry skin with your fingertips and then remove using a hand-hot, damp muslin cloth in circular movements. </span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">It’s £20 for 100g (including a free organic muslin cloth) and one tube lasts me about two months when I use it once a day. </span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">NYR are something of a cult beauty brand: organic, ethical, British and pushing against the synthetical approach to skincare since 1981! </span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">To be honest their branding and packaging is a bit dated but, don't be put off, their products are very deserving of the numerous beauty awards they have won. With over 30 years experience they are experts in the natural beauty field and have an extensive range of 'no nasties' based products for all your skincare and body needs. Any ideas which NYR products I should try next? They all sound divine... </span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 16px;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10269229704031041251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-285876142940098148.post-77152006652157064672015-09-17T11:18:00.000-07:002016-11-21T03:47:23.115-08:00A Honeymoon in Florence<div style="line-height: 16px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJhwMmAbMYhAxi2MZ7w2F7PwQ5sjra723d8tzWP0iv1WUXTTb2ZtOJztggGsssUY4KmhpYJHxra08rgAo0Ctn9CzjqVwhaV2PpXvOj8nnqy935_gcqzWdveugIo4KmOkPWyyGGOInaNTM/s1600/wedding+bride+and+groom+black+white.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="wedding bride and groom balloon black white" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJhwMmAbMYhAxi2MZ7w2F7PwQ5sjra723d8tzWP0iv1WUXTTb2ZtOJztggGsssUY4KmhpYJHxra08rgAo0Ctn9CzjqVwhaV2PpXvOj8nnqy935_gcqzWdveugIo4KmOkPWyyGGOInaNTM/s1600/wedding+bride+and+groom+black+white.png" title="wedding bride and groom balloon black white" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Hey there, stranger! I've been a little quiet </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">on the blog front lately. Life became rather hectic a few months ago with a new job and the big party that was our wedding happening simultaneously. It’s been a fun summer, lets catch up.</span><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidai5mMHip45eQca9JPxvhOiGkputuubgdWUgW9CDjcLMeiDd5ZcxmU84AaPANOATYrpliOpwns8zo8kFNxhEgSEq-VbWVZHr6_5nq1r2PpHNh2uS6sdcDG97xcFFv2xYWsrvuC0foqO0/s1600/wedding+group+blue+and+blush.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="wedding group shot blue blush" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidai5mMHip45eQca9JPxvhOiGkputuubgdWUgW9CDjcLMeiDd5ZcxmU84AaPANOATYrpliOpwns8zo8kFNxhEgSEq-VbWVZHr6_5nq1r2PpHNh2uS6sdcDG97xcFFv2xYWsrvuC0foqO0/s1600/wedding+group+blue+and+blush.png" title="wedding group shot blue blush" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4sLzK8zZcSW8ujpt4HGKsjVNz7n3UhD2141Uqnn2NwQBBfcwhfKGZ4QJeB3ydmIp_YYZVgbSxBb24VRkKn8LjWDcfFNrjXId6MhsKdgqkEi3kk3ko-haH5RvsH2dLVwKZMJo-MxKj1lA/s1600/wedding+portrait+black+and+white.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="wedding bride groom portrait black and white" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4sLzK8zZcSW8ujpt4HGKsjVNz7n3UhD2141Uqnn2NwQBBfcwhfKGZ4QJeB3ydmIp_YYZVgbSxBb24VRkKn8LjWDcfFNrjXId6MhsKdgqkEi3kk3ko-haH5RvsH2dLVwKZMJo-MxKj1lA/s1600/wedding+portrait+black+and+white.png" title="wedding bride groom portrait black and white" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">First up, our wedding which was held on a breezy and sunny midsummers day at The Mansion in Roundhay Park, Leeds. Yes, we did it! After ten eventful years together we finally got hitched.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeeJhPQFM141QVhafDMXHPQ99zdpCzbwBu1gRNxFF-NtVdHH-hzcGpytdBllJWJ0jNJ1HYq4xl-Wi_fpVpPXGZGa_wAN33OIRm7wjEqRoNMo7IegqKQ4I4fDSOi1ueiV_VtEor4ZaXhYA/s1600/wedding+groomsmen+in+blue+blush.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="groomsmen blue suit summer wedding" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeeJhPQFM141QVhafDMXHPQ99zdpCzbwBu1gRNxFF-NtVdHH-hzcGpytdBllJWJ0jNJ1HYq4xl-Wi_fpVpPXGZGa_wAN33OIRm7wjEqRoNMo7IegqKQ4I4fDSOi1ueiV_VtEor4ZaXhYA/s1600/wedding+groomsmen+in+blue+blush.png" title="groomsmen blue suit summer wedding" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">We had a beautiful day, shedding tears of joys and laughter with the people we love the most. Noel Edmonds made a special guest appearance, and we dance until our feet hurt with our fantastic wedding band, <a href="http://thedeevines.co.uk/">The Deevines</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 16px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN292N1gAWe3i9YoNpLab-t_96J94aV8G9yV-m_LZleTo5T_myRVoMRjVT_byaAE6eAbTYErn28pNIAJS5DWMGmGl6cSJYI2Fp4EEdRQGdsRVm4Z5sIp-GzY7z6EWes5GFjPg3IleySzw/s1600/wedding+bridesmaids.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="wedding portrait bridesmaids blush pink" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN292N1gAWe3i9YoNpLab-t_96J94aV8G9yV-m_LZleTo5T_myRVoMRjVT_byaAE6eAbTYErn28pNIAJS5DWMGmGl6cSJYI2Fp4EEdRQGdsRVm4Z5sIp-GzY7z6EWes5GFjPg3IleySzw/s1600/wedding+bridesmaids.png" title="wedding portrait bridesmaids blush pink" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">And, importantly we’ve got plenty of incredible photos that captured the day naturally, thanks to our lovely wedding photographer Craig at </span><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.mr-and-mrs-wedding-photography.co.uk/" style="font-family: 'courier new', courier, monospace;" target="_blank">Mr & Mrs Wedding Photography</a><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: medium;">. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">After every wedding, comes the honeymoon. A time for newlyweds to talk about anything other than the W word and indulge, guilt-free, in whatever they please.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirKOntoPqWdKaTMH7BDbWryl6WemjaX-aFJ_TQPCVWp7-i_3WKMUk9FOh_wOczWzEuMTHifVWPE1tLSJW-0vYgMfNI7YnGwwCR7LPlmspelFyHf7vByMaTykfyjQ7kS-gQzK-ubjqzbXo/s1600/bride+groom+confetti.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="bride groom wedding day confetti" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirKOntoPqWdKaTMH7BDbWryl6WemjaX-aFJ_TQPCVWp7-i_3WKMUk9FOh_wOczWzEuMTHifVWPE1tLSJW-0vYgMfNI7YnGwwCR7LPlmspelFyHf7vByMaTykfyjQ7kS-gQzK-ubjqzbXo/s1600/bride+groom+confetti.png" title="bride groom wedding day confetti" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">We decided on a luxurious European city break and Florence instantly caught our attention as our perfect honeymoon destination. It’s beautiful, steeped in history, and neighbours the famous Chianti wine region. Also, carbs would definitely be on the menu after weeks of abstinence.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYWZxf5hJ0XQx3Iq64kmQNL67s4WgWbEBuCkZGpK9XaBmWI1OEDorG_vTSm1hcmYZvnTUIrgja7RV1LMIbl9yAA5vWjHGe7WkPKPWA4IGtKb4m7vJE7ohdvS3f4PUqIhDZyrv701pIj6o/s1600/bride+groom+wedding+garden+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="wedding bride groom garden" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYWZxf5hJ0XQx3Iq64kmQNL67s4WgWbEBuCkZGpK9XaBmWI1OEDorG_vTSm1hcmYZvnTUIrgja7RV1LMIbl9yAA5vWjHGe7WkPKPWA4IGtKb4m7vJE7ohdvS3f4PUqIhDZyrv701pIj6o/s1600/bride+groom+wedding+garden+.jpg" title="wedding bride groom garden" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Shall we go to Florence, darling?</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Getting to Florence requires a slight detour via Pisa airport and about an hour on a coach. Not the most glamorous of journeys yet a route well travelled so very straightforward. We arrived at the coach station in central Florence, Firenze to the locals, a little light headed from the plentiful amounts of bubbles consumed since our arrival at Stansted. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Within a few minutes, unsurprisingly, we got sidetracked by an ancient looking trattoria with a huge clay oven standing proudly inside it's doorway. It was a time for a pizza pie! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Our first pizza in Florence had the thin, crispy crust that's tricky to find done well in the UK. It was perfection and not a bite was wasted despite its daunting size. Steve opted for Nona’s (aka Grandma’s) Tuscan boar stew with gnocchi which was equally tasty. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFOYjsWWjbIYen2nMOU-OHdm5kpT2RgPX7i3p5d_fX0AiwrF-RHy5vUoxSeA2kQMlx53DUijyJ1XkA_z8BH5-z4TFDW9wp9GDMk2Qw4LGAT0J4tx_SjXhdGffEKio0SyO6m9TefiR9G10/s1600/2015-07-26+17.23.33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="classic fiat 500" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFOYjsWWjbIYen2nMOU-OHdm5kpT2RgPX7i3p5d_fX0AiwrF-RHy5vUoxSeA2kQMlx53DUijyJ1XkA_z8BH5-z4TFDW9wp9GDMk2Qw4LGAT0J4tx_SjXhdGffEKio0SyO6m9TefiR9G10/s400/2015-07-26+17.23.33.jpg" title="classic fiat 500 " width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">An Italian classic!</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">After our authentic Italian feed we headed to our luxury suite at the newly opened </span><a href="http://www.palazzocastri.com/it/" style="font-family: 'courier new', courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">Hotel Palazzo Castri 1874</a><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">. This boutique hotel is quite simply stunning. The building dates back to Florentine Impressionism and has been exquisitely refurbished to become a super chic, elegant and luxurious place to stay in central Florence. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFE8ppe5Vz3QOZ0-PZzhbSY64JR0IP5KepfKp-WfhjznOPGhM1SqIvR99ItatMBk25HB32f-KKMLFVD12CrsiPil9Pr96Z8nZLm2ZtrMkqvNlGovgYKZoOjiS3MO_A5r_ZqUfI9LaNARc/s1600/2015-07-24+09.06.39-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="hotel palazzo castri" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFE8ppe5Vz3QOZ0-PZzhbSY64JR0IP5KepfKp-WfhjznOPGhM1SqIvR99ItatMBk25HB32f-KKMLFVD12CrsiPil9Pr96Z8nZLm2ZtrMkqvNlGovgYKZoOjiS3MO_A5r_ZqUfI9LaNARc/s400/2015-07-24+09.06.39-1.jpg" title="hotel palazzo castri" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The pretty courtyard of our hotel.</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">A dapperly dressed waiter delivered chilled prosecco </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">to our room and we toasted the start of a beautiful few days in Florence - and the rest of our lives!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">On our first evening we took advantage of our central location and meandered through the picturesque cobbled streets to the main square. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBDwj_i6YLWXmeLk0GF8sgn6agTM9jZJ_0endk0oL6yLqA2wvd-vk1mWJv9eCqJvgIzR5MQgRrXm1NMt0cdfDttZpf_z7vKMCGdaCDUtsBlbgIP5G2QRZkIwETaFqL9RosMaTrj5grahs/s1600/2015-07-26+16.23.03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Santa Maria del Fiore cathedral" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBDwj_i6YLWXmeLk0GF8sgn6agTM9jZJ_0endk0oL6yLqA2wvd-vk1mWJv9eCqJvgIzR5MQgRrXm1NMt0cdfDttZpf_z7vKMCGdaCDUtsBlbgIP5G2QRZkIwETaFqL9RosMaTrj5grahs/s400/2015-07-26+16.23.03.jpg" title="Santa Maria del Fiore cathedral" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>What a beauty!</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Our first sight of the Santa Maria del Fiore cathedral was literally breathtaking, its right up there as one of the most beautiful buildings I’ve ever seen. </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">We’d done very little research into the sights of Florence, so we turned a corner and had this beauty dazzle us. </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">It’s grand not only in size but also in colour and detail: pink, white and green marble facade, anyone?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgArWo9oxkNFydfQ1DaJf-oNxmY-Z9YS3vDyPAjv_5Z8CfuW_wR7QY31VgUTzcxslEo5oZK5oHmUQcpKh4bMh-RHjow1o0e_EYdX0ejhXpP-cqWz2Uu5mzMHCxqER626_gEEwmbysa09rE/s1600/2015-07-23+19.11.19-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="santa maria del fiore florence" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgArWo9oxkNFydfQ1DaJf-oNxmY-Z9YS3vDyPAjv_5Z8CfuW_wR7QY31VgUTzcxslEo5oZK5oHmUQcpKh4bMh-RHjow1o0e_EYdX0ejhXpP-cqWz2Uu5mzMHCxqER626_gEEwmbysa09rE/s400/2015-07-23+19.11.19-1.jpg" title="santa maria del fiore florence" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The perfect view for our first dinner date in Florence.</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">On day two we went on a private tour of the Trambusti family vineyard in the picturesque Tuscan countryside, a little treat organised by Steve. We do love wine tasting, just last year we were sampling some very fine wines in </span><a href="http://wearenotlostblog.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/fine-wine-fabulous-food-in-mendoza-argentina.html" style="font-family: 'courier new', courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">Mendoza</a><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">, it was a given that we’d want to explore the Chianti region and sample the local vino. When in Chianti...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="p1">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjho7IN1OTbd4HXDcAwYlBmSnWaD9PERsu38suw3RDvi2km8le2yCdyqCDgs_Mlmda2Wnd_9DPOaq7zZ6oGzoNzCbyzd-GL96VYOd1rgHx2fHlQvv1VIIBK5vhxQQVmrNJzcqWmMj6bnfU/s1600/wine+barrel+chianti+classico.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="trambusti wine barrel" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjho7IN1OTbd4HXDcAwYlBmSnWaD9PERsu38suw3RDvi2km8le2yCdyqCDgs_Mlmda2Wnd_9DPOaq7zZ6oGzoNzCbyzd-GL96VYOd1rgHx2fHlQvv1VIIBK5vhxQQVmrNJzcqWmMj6bnfU/s1600/wine+barrel+chianti+classico.png" title="trambusti wine barrel" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Their family vineyard was situated right in the heart of the Chianti Classico region. It's less than an hours drive from central Florence and well worth checking out, especially if you fancy taking taking the scenic route to Siena. The landscape is beautiful, tiny tracks dissect the rolling hills of vine after vine lined fields.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxIsRVxcvebnL5X7zYYrq6F4GeXhQcrEm-jXPmaKfIMC-yUH0-feQkOdsoSUSmWvo6FF5s69Gw5-9WgVuWJdkeV_EET7-ij8IAnREE7c7FkumckjfhSNmcyy0Xp9zbJlQFP3drMskUx2Y/s1600/chianti+vineyard+tour.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="vineyard chianti tuscany" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxIsRVxcvebnL5X7zYYrq6F4GeXhQcrEm-jXPmaKfIMC-yUH0-feQkOdsoSUSmWvo6FF5s69Gw5-9WgVuWJdkeV_EET7-ij8IAnREE7c7FkumckjfhSNmcyy0Xp9zbJlQFP3drMskUx2Y/s1600/chianti+vineyard+tour.png" title="vineyard chianti tuscany" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Look out for the cockerel emblem on your next bottle of Chianti and treat yourself to this ruby red nectar from a very traditional part of Tuscany. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">We toasted our scenic morning with a bottle of prosecco, and</span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"> our guide Tomasso, at his grandfathers beautiful home and tried to make friends with their pet peacock. On the drive back to Florence we gained some invaluable tips on the cities unmissable sights and bars.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">For lunch we headed to </span><a href="http://www.trattoriazaza.it/en/" style="font-family: 'courier new', courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">Za Za’s</a><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"> in central Florence, and despite its </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">touristy vibe we soon understood what made this place so popular for the past 37 years - their delicious, homely Italian menu.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjueHhVHhcktiMs4R3XZ7ikTCO8EKXyo1-H2iTnzevgYDHkdQhL0fosAByLYZAWpkzkxRg0YtlHZo9sM20Igbi8RRVNivcK_clvvY2aeKWSHZY_eyrsDIGmJ1AqnqFnUTQ-yWsLcZIS7A/s1600/fiorentine+steak+florence+zaza+restaurant.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="lunch zaza florence" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjueHhVHhcktiMs4R3XZ7ikTCO8EKXyo1-H2iTnzevgYDHkdQhL0fosAByLYZAWpkzkxRg0YtlHZo9sM20Igbi8RRVNivcK_clvvY2aeKWSHZY_eyrsDIGmJ1AqnqFnUTQ-yWsLcZIS7A/s1600/fiorentine+steak+florence+zaza+restaurant.png" title="lunch zaza florence" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">"Mmm... steak"</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">This traditional trattoria has an extensive menu of fresh, simple and very tasty Italian dishes. It's quite dark inside, the wall art is on the quirky side but you can see and feel the buzz from the chefs in the kitchen. </span><br />
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">We opted for a regional classic of Florentine steak with shavings of parmesan and artichokes, and we couldn’t be in Italy for more than 24 hours without tucking into a hearty portion of homemade lasagne.</span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Oh, and lets not forget the tiramasu, or Chianti classico! </span></span><br />
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJh2YHOjobA0QJffTWV7wqKRHtMxTvT4t0NMFTfOLOA84JtNu-XGo8zfiTFx3WqaarEaaiBV6E-0P-jgpP3WlPNnJz6NzLh49Brg28BXc_6ZoOi4BNANS8jkS80vG50F5fcYyy21L_7zw/s1600/tiramasu+zaza+restaurant+florence.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="the ultimate tiramasu" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJh2YHOjobA0QJffTWV7wqKRHtMxTvT4t0NMFTfOLOA84JtNu-XGo8zfiTFx3WqaarEaaiBV6E-0P-jgpP3WlPNnJz6NzLh49Brg28BXc_6ZoOi4BNANS8jkS80vG50F5fcYyy21L_7zw/s1600/tiramasu+zaza+restaurant+florence.png" title="the ultimate tiramasu" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Lunching in Florence is the best. La Dolce Vita springs to mind a lot.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"> </span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx6al9dQYStFvSfN2Dc7P3VmdJXUnb8SIqTe7x0NuaCB3adiXB5RkSz11IyHZX-VUrLhiZtbzf9aEXjacuYtG9PksoDuB0Bm09fG0qlN33tJzMD80HlWiibs-L6Two2lO-AHXaZCdeYMQ/s1600/la+menagere+restaurant+florence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="la menagere restaurant florence" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx6al9dQYStFvSfN2Dc7P3VmdJXUnb8SIqTe7x0NuaCB3adiXB5RkSz11IyHZX-VUrLhiZtbzf9aEXjacuYtG9PksoDuB0Bm09fG0qlN33tJzMD80HlWiibs-L6Two2lO-AHXaZCdeYMQ/s1600/la+menagere+restaurant+florence.jpg" title="la menagere restaurant florence" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>Another fab lunch spot: La Menagere</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Dinner is also a highlight of any day in Florence. We had reservations at </span><a href="http://www.ilpalagioristorante.it/" style="font-family: 'courier new', courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Il Palagio</span></a><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">, the Four Season hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant lead by chef Vito Mollica. </span><br />
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">The setting was poised for romance: candle lit tables in a trellis covered garden, handsome waiters and a cheery guy on a keyboard effortlessly schmoozing out the ballads from the past fifty years. We gazed adoringly into each others eyes...</span></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8OnFBQvpfKv5NIptckuUCV2mhL5S16ayMWeKvP7wCS9uleoYi-UP2gvR-aFP16s_iuGTgGXY7XsnzTbxCa5X2lFxZ07fXSTNg9-0hSnzh4hOa-k0bn9MptaeaRvmOsHZXsXicqLqukDY/s1600/four+season+florence.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="il pallagio four seasons florence" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8OnFBQvpfKv5NIptckuUCV2mhL5S16ayMWeKvP7wCS9uleoYi-UP2gvR-aFP16s_iuGTgGXY7XsnzTbxCa5X2lFxZ07fXSTNg9-0hSnzh4hOa-k0bn9MptaeaRvmOsHZXsXicqLqukDY/s1600/four+season+florence.png" title="il pallagio four seasons florence" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Erm. Okay, we didn’t do that (for long) but we did drink champagne and work our way through four very delicious courses of fine Tuscan cuisine.</span></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">We sat in Florence’s largest courtyard garden for almost four hours and found plenty to keep ourselves, and our tastebuds, amused.</span></span><br />
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj00MMlyVelm8JN7e4nGGUeWL589-s_Y7PLT0ZT08dThKU2KszJGbk89dLPA5cWHdfIqdFvRbH3JuigIUJdiz4CKpy5-0RMg10WCBI-2BW7ZDsZVKvO3asFlQHZBWrhUnbLNjF9LvIoWK0/s1600/amuse+bouche+il+palagio+florence+.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="amuse bouche" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj00MMlyVelm8JN7e4nGGUeWL589-s_Y7PLT0ZT08dThKU2KszJGbk89dLPA5cWHdfIqdFvRbH3JuigIUJdiz4CKpy5-0RMg10WCBI-2BW7ZDsZVKvO3asFlQHZBWrhUnbLNjF9LvIoWK0/s1600/amuse+bouche+il+palagio+florence+.png" title="amuse bouche " /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>An amuse bouche</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">The highlight of the evening was when the waiter arrived at our table with a silver dome. He lifted the lid, turned to Steve and said ‘Sir, your pork bladder.’. After fifteen puzzling seconds, he closed the lid turned and walked away.</span></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">By this point Steve’s jaw had hit the floor. The pork bladder was raw, pink and not dissimilar in size or appearance to a party balloon. </span></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Mmm, tasty. </span></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Or maybe not, it’s safe to say he was regretting his menu choice.</span></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">I was in fits of giggles. We had no idea what was going on. Was this the moment for Steve to cancel his adventurous choice or confirm his approval of such a fine looking bladder?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Steve’s daring dish arrived thankfully without the raw bladder. Just four dainty chicken wings, masterfully marinated and scrumptious. Phew!</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">The next day we crammed in some sightseeing between rain showers. Florence is the perfect sized city for getting around on foot and burning off calories.</span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuLmiVduYDKr80wqgo57H-GPwc2stkscq_uGr3Wrg7s3U46YtB5htkQTMipPp4CL73yJq8whCg72xrDnGhMLavAk6Tk6EAGy7zvAnas93W8DRKSnlzHpurxu8Kvbtf5lK5KsQrn-aXn7Q/s1600/river+arno+florence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="river oro florence" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuLmiVduYDKr80wqgo57H-GPwc2stkscq_uGr3Wrg7s3U46YtB5htkQTMipPp4CL73yJq8whCg72xrDnGhMLavAk6Tk6EAGy7zvAnas93W8DRKSnlzHpurxu8Kvbtf5lK5KsQrn-aXn7Q/s1600/river+arno+florence.jpg" title="river oro florence" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>The beautiful River Oro</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">First we checked out the Gucci museum and admired the gallery of statues on Palazzo Vecchio. </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiChiFDhk3W7mR1_M9ngLTOBVeKj0ZD0YLODrEwfpthC9cHcpbFlCyYK_urjnqOalD4E0UhymiyT7jbBWwAzBmrpm-un4-gc4JT2nQ8r-LfWk6Hw3H2eaPskSoSR2SO0bKSm4OF7OuDTRI/s1600/palazzo+vecchio+central+florence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="palazzo vecchio florence" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiChiFDhk3W7mR1_M9ngLTOBVeKj0ZD0YLODrEwfpthC9cHcpbFlCyYK_urjnqOalD4E0UhymiyT7jbBWwAzBmrpm-un4-gc4JT2nQ8r-LfWk6Hw3H2eaPskSoSR2SO0bKSm4OF7OuDTRI/s1600/palazzo+vecchio+central+florence.jpg" title="palazzo vecchio florence" /></a></div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Soon enough the heavens opened so we made a dash for lunch and stumbled into the cutest little trattoria to while away a couple of hours.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO9GnuYz_PrXgtiOQ5pGK5wgbk5r-9ryj9w1RaZJiJxYms3ksduE4apd6Yssobx76MU7zkhYy-CY0rL6tFZn0Evd_xcQnVjypQdaSXimGB2EVFq7VhaM4FpLkzif_HIOdXn2FN_7ggyqQ/s1600/honeymoon+in+florence+blog.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="honeymoon florence " border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO9GnuYz_PrXgtiOQ5pGK5wgbk5r-9ryj9w1RaZJiJxYms3ksduE4apd6Yssobx76MU7zkhYy-CY0rL6tFZn0Evd_xcQnVjypQdaSXimGB2EVFq7VhaM4FpLkzif_HIOdXn2FN_7ggyqQ/s1600/honeymoon+in+florence+blog.png" title="honeymoon florence" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">More fantastic Italian wine!</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Once the rain had cleared we made a beeline for the famous Duomo, the must-climb tourist attraction in Florence. Daunted by the queues we decided to climb to the top of the Giotto's bell tower on the opposite corner of the cathedral, it was a sweaty but rewarding climb and the view at the top was incredible. </span></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsJ1-pFkORjW2YGcIgd7ETzq_HlXGL1yE4XajrzRRKQ_XtIhKHmxOcPmo5a8Ys4SQI5RQR1KKHwTxqRrCB4Pi29MQrTbWeRjSnPLEToAI347qAur4ruWREN8-BW5iPgGcuzTjlKqUZto0/s1600/2015-07-25+17.06.06-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="duomo view from bell tower florence" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsJ1-pFkORjW2YGcIgd7ETzq_HlXGL1yE4XajrzRRKQ_XtIhKHmxOcPmo5a8Ys4SQI5RQR1KKHwTxqRrCB4Pi29MQrTbWeRjSnPLEToAI347qAur4ruWREN8-BW5iPgGcuzTjlKqUZto0/s400/2015-07-25+17.06.06-1.jpg" title="duomo view from bell tower florence" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Florence’s terracotta rooftops are picture perfect.</i></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">We now had taste for Florence’s famous panoramic views so that evening we headed to Piazella de Michelangelo on the south bank to watch the sunset. Our plan was to enjoy cocktails at the trendy Flo bar but the view was little too cloudy so we ended up on the tiny terrace of the cafe in the carpark. </span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOY1hWKtw37Jhtq7u9a7Aj3yQzFcNgjOlWNs6sKjCnZvWzuaauV1L1D-Ic8yN5pBgQ1DELREIOzTjnN7zSLJJHK_cYsWo8z5TXvIZlOJbETWxLZ-rKEYOzlGdqFwdSOdCFj8pJmNtmabM/s1600/sunset+in+florence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="sunset florence" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOY1hWKtw37Jhtq7u9a7Aj3yQzFcNgjOlWNs6sKjCnZvWzuaauV1L1D-Ic8yN5pBgQ1DELREIOzTjnN7zSLJJHK_cYsWo8z5TXvIZlOJbETWxLZ-rKEYOzlGdqFwdSOdCFj8pJmNtmabM/s1600/sunset+in+florence.jpg" title="sunset florence" /></a></div>
<div class="p1">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Tip: Take our own prosecco and drink like the locals do from plastic cups perched on the wall.</i></span></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">It was Saturday night and when we got to the popular Oltrarno neighborhood it was impossible to get a table. So, we wandered back across the river and managed to find a more than satisfactory pizza and bottle of chianti at a popular pavement restaurant serving till late. </span></span><br />
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvOmBqtNeQS_6MU42a6S-uKe7Lth_xu9xNxaSb9CbB5KJwAA-5_SmFsQ9KLYfQylf_c9eHvLAZxjGpnwplVUy9uOBa0-f2V_FG13_ZEPb7Z7kWOLXnHBrVFUoz7EzrOONSH21-clJzOFY/s1600/2015-07-25+20.15.38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Piazella de Michelangelo florence" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvOmBqtNeQS_6MU42a6S-uKe7Lth_xu9xNxaSb9CbB5KJwAA-5_SmFsQ9KLYfQylf_c9eHvLAZxjGpnwplVUy9uOBa0-f2V_FG13_ZEPb7Z7kWOLXnHBrVFUoz7EzrOONSH21-clJzOFY/s400/2015-07-25+20.15.38.jpg" title="Piazella de Michelangelo florence" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Given our busy day we were soon ready for our beauty sleep and skipped a nightcap at the neighbouring rowdy bars.</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">On Sunday, we seized the opportunity to venture to the top of the Duomo and were very pleased that we only queued for 30 minutes before heading inside. </span></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkDUy6UTnuNTDXKkDDvuatWNrQ0W2Ca-nYHvrAEckRJz_YKulnE52jHndWgzjHgaYaQNZ6at-qDeY7S8T8v_mjn6o7IrxZabfS8VQKQ1akGWrL3Gz3BbjOLPIJtnTfj-YYyp7Xd660qWE/s1600/2015-07-25+16.59.39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="climbing the duomo florence" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkDUy6UTnuNTDXKkDDvuatWNrQ0W2Ca-nYHvrAEckRJz_YKulnE52jHndWgzjHgaYaQNZ6at-qDeY7S8T8v_mjn6o7IrxZabfS8VQKQ1akGWrL3Gz3BbjOLPIJtnTfj-YYyp7Xd660qWE/s400/2015-07-25+16.59.39.jpg" title="climbing the duomo florence" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Pause and pose for a mid-climb selfie.</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">The climb to the top was sweat inducing, mostly due to the heat but it wasn’t as narrow inside as we’d feared. If you’ve ever been inside the duomo at The Vatican you’ll be pleasantly surprised.</span><br />
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRz_XiWT4jLdTG2bny9wzyCeW73A8AmwRlQWaKKXzTwP7DSog5BCnKqMcN_ScZuOsiuehykL5z-Fg2vdNeRNwAusoGNGlh8zI49WmuMLLxsrO9z13Q0Plau6V6U-F_TIxkf1L01MAB_8M/s1600/honeymoon+florence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="honeymoon in florence" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRz_XiWT4jLdTG2bny9wzyCeW73A8AmwRlQWaKKXzTwP7DSog5BCnKqMcN_ScZuOsiuehykL5z-Fg2vdNeRNwAusoGNGlh8zI49WmuMLLxsrO9z13Q0Plau6V6U-F_TIxkf1L01MAB_8M/s1600/honeymoon+florence.jpg" title="honeymoon in florence" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">The views from the top of the duomo are wonderful but the downside is that it is a little bit cramped on the viewing platform due to the number of tourists up there. We had to queue a little to get back down and I doubt there is ever a quiet time to visit.</span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX8zaRQXEx2mdpPlmuugzZY7wRvGflc02wU9mregnMlsxtKhM_Su41PN2mjJ6M2MMUzWh5I3z1bbX_aAWLnadETIDj9hyphenhyphenz0IDFPx6qLRESArD3AB5Zy2WhrQWyWH7wyjMyjShC-WvFCIg/s1600/santa+marie+novella+church+florence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="santa maria novella church" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX8zaRQXEx2mdpPlmuugzZY7wRvGflc02wU9mregnMlsxtKhM_Su41PN2mjJ6M2MMUzWh5I3z1bbX_aAWLnadETIDj9hyphenhyphenz0IDFPx6qLRESArD3AB5Zy2WhrQWyWH7wyjMyjShC-WvFCIg/s1600/santa+marie+novella+church+florence.jpg" title="santa maria novella church" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><i>The pretty Santa Maria Novella church</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="p1">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLNZbbLlYG2rZcSaEVKij0Hk12fZxDYW_t96SfaWfKeWpY4Z9tdYOK4FAFT0zh9mIPBBujE4-yiw_4PtZxzyh7QW1_QdMFeMfLS6i-wr9Z6IfOOx84rlvqR4KIp1lkl-2fd6XgoqYwbTs/s1600/2015-07-26+11.11.32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="santa maria novella church" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLNZbbLlYG2rZcSaEVKij0Hk12fZxDYW_t96SfaWfKeWpY4Z9tdYOK4FAFT0zh9mIPBBujE4-yiw_4PtZxzyh7QW1_QdMFeMfLS6i-wr9Z6IfOOx84rlvqR4KIp1lkl-2fd6XgoqYwbTs/s400/2015-07-26+11.11.32.jpg" title="santa maria novella church" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">We also visited <a href="http://www.smnovella.it/" target="_blank">Officina Profumo Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella</a>, the most beautiful pharmacy in all of the land! </span></span><br />
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8yAnXosvqm87MkdV3v-RLhzCdOGs4kc9rfb4n52b2ShDq0XzruMIidT08UJ2HywkuH0yl8ItEIIdeGTtXzpcK9vHP3EhXmSakQqW4_AB9NGxt8mEo4etSfsSFotmqP02nMVQ4u2bpBzo/s1600/Officina+Profumo+Farmaceutica+di+Santa+Maria+Novella+florence.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Officina Profumo Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8yAnXosvqm87MkdV3v-RLhzCdOGs4kc9rfb4n52b2ShDq0XzruMIidT08UJ2HywkuH0yl8ItEIIdeGTtXzpcK9vHP3EhXmSakQqW4_AB9NGxt8mEo4etSfsSFotmqP02nMVQ4u2bpBzo/s1600/Officina+Profumo+Farmaceutica+di+Santa+Maria+Novella+florence.bmp" title="Officina Profumo Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella" /></a></div>
<br />
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">As a beauty product obsessive I was in heaven and left with an impressive haul of bath oils and a clay pomegranate infused with pomegranate oil.</span></span><br />
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpHd1KXgK_evtcEZK_O8ydk4uiMDEqkw97sPNJi8NRxu13D_Yqu-7dtJgVHImJHG7q5kgJO-0utSInQAPwP6tNSWerNjajhsFygjhNavvPUZl_YVp7bXh1dADSgZohHo9ozxVJpMpaxO8/s1600/2015-07-26+12.18.31-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="beauty product haul florence" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpHd1KXgK_evtcEZK_O8ydk4uiMDEqkw97sPNJi8NRxu13D_Yqu-7dtJgVHImJHG7q5kgJO-0utSInQAPwP6tNSWerNjajhsFygjhNavvPUZl_YVp7bXh1dADSgZohHo9ozxVJpMpaxO8/s400/2015-07-26+12.18.31-1.jpg" title="beauty haul florence" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Any excuse for another trip to Florence!</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Next we headed the Ufuzi gallery, another of Florence’s must visit attractions. We hot footed it through this enormous gallery in under 30 minutes, if religious art is a passion then you’ll love this place, if its not then you probably don’t need to visit and can save yourself 30 euro.</span></span><br />
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfUY_iAm4FFSGgSc9PNCcu4J5qPJLLz-U5qTChb_i5WHKH1Nkt3ghueHd6GsNabdykBopZhCs34ZKZ0mP1uyRLL6pedAwaX7AWtm6eeAnY4RLz0rikyeTikOLaS_LLHW8deV_e3v1bpQ0/s1600/renaissance+ceiling+florence.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="ufuzi florence" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfUY_iAm4FFSGgSc9PNCcu4J5qPJLLz-U5qTChb_i5WHKH1Nkt3ghueHd6GsNabdykBopZhCs34ZKZ0mP1uyRLL6pedAwaX7AWtm6eeAnY4RLz0rikyeTikOLaS_LLHW8deV_e3v1bpQ0/s1600/renaissance+ceiling+florence.png" title="ufuzi florence" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">We heard that there was a another incredible view of Florence not to missed. </span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkx3mg7ZAOFQLsdT_8GxEv8zkV9P0NUoKL2w3UwmUpjYAAgVnPB68epRBiaqzai23jgeMWE_1kMAlS2IOLGA13GhRMT811AwjHEAMX40Kt4UQXWs3BcvNrANMSR5GJcPNs_muyg4i-n0o/s1600/rooftop+view+florence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="early sunset river oro hotel excelsior hotel florence" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkx3mg7ZAOFQLsdT_8GxEv8zkV9P0NUoKL2w3UwmUpjYAAgVnPB68epRBiaqzai23jgeMWE_1kMAlS2IOLGA13GhRMT811AwjHEAMX40Kt4UQXWs3BcvNrANMSR5GJcPNs_muyg4i-n0o/s1600/rooftop+view+florence.jpg" title="early sunset river oro hotel excelsior hotel florence" /></a></div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Watching the sunset over the River Oro from the rooftop of <a href="http://www.westinflorence.com/" target="_blank">The Excelsior</a> was the perfect activity for our final evening.</span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuj4WJN-6VcHBmI59t1kNugfgAibWvC6d9hF1SL4UYLmpzMnIcV8e4yGH3y83hheBeAEyhqj11CsCkDzoa6SFHY_he6zQB4I4kZOxSHCi4aj9v0JcKn2wv8_Dja34bSr0-iGReCw79JGQ/s1600/sunset+river+arno+florence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="sunset river oro florence" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuj4WJN-6VcHBmI59t1kNugfgAibWvC6d9hF1SL4UYLmpzMnIcV8e4yGH3y83hheBeAEyhqj11CsCkDzoa6SFHY_he6zQB4I4kZOxSHCi4aj9v0JcKn2wv8_Dja34bSr0-iGReCw79JGQ/s1600/sunset+river+arno+florence.jpg" title="sunset river oro florence" /></a></div>
<div class="p1">
<br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">With cocktails of course!</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsubXxLDBu7Qy-CkQ4O9l069BLXv0SVl9FTrWVJ4-QkU5OpQJJBdVNvZ3cIad_iOwpNc_xdookpXkvOOQlhr60X-M0OffRtJa1ghtE6rRY-JelE1i68zon-EAbPSYQl_Ld9nrgw-aRHFw/s1600/2015-07-26+19.33.18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="sunset cocktails florence" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsubXxLDBu7Qy-CkQ4O9l069BLXv0SVl9FTrWVJ4-QkU5OpQJJBdVNvZ3cIad_iOwpNc_xdookpXkvOOQlhr60X-M0OffRtJa1ghtE6rRY-JelE1i68zon-EAbPSYQl_Ld9nrgw-aRHFw/s400/2015-07-26+19.33.18.jpg" title="sunset cocktails florence" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Florence is all about the views and it boasts many fabulous ones, however its just as beautiful at street level as it is from the rooftops.</span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Every street boasts beautiful renaissanc</span></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">e architecture and is full of character.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivFfnbX5sOCRUupFMlG59qfGwlk75CTE6pjxTe9CU1DtagXzGPombtgXwduWnZErSB8vyUCKlg-ah6COMYbnX4Tly7DZRedhvNAbPzxbhWeLsgLuvwYRiJbkGhNO4ici2zhMS9MGzOOdQ/s1600/2015-07-23+19.17.55-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="city guide florence" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivFfnbX5sOCRUupFMlG59qfGwlk75CTE6pjxTe9CU1DtagXzGPombtgXwduWnZErSB8vyUCKlg-ah6COMYbnX4Tly7DZRedhvNAbPzxbhWeLsgLuvwYRiJbkGhNO4ici2zhMS9MGzOOdQ/s400/2015-07-23+19.17.55-1.jpg" title="city guide florence" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Our honeymoon in Florence was simply dreamy, relaxing and romantic with no stress to tick off an endless list of sights. It was all about the company and the ambience that this wonderful city provides.</span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfENdeSNHrTZ0MuHS7ThvLCa1EkfjbP_BUd8D98B3tM0S9wE04ONy2i9L90ex1P7rTRQ22BChGZLaTDFhGH477fmFbwA-i6Ct2Ezcx2cyekSnzuRm2QMIrSQ8OhUq4s-zqQeBQTqxeEPA/s1600/2015-07-27+20.08.37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="honeymoon florence" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfENdeSNHrTZ0MuHS7ThvLCa1EkfjbP_BUd8D98B3tM0S9wE04ONy2i9L90ex1P7rTRQ22BChGZLaTDFhGH477fmFbwA-i6Ct2Ezcx2cyekSnzuRm2QMIrSQ8OhUq4s-zqQeBQTqxeEPA/s400/2015-07-27+20.08.37.jpg" title="honeymoon florence" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"> Mio amore xxx</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">After five fabulous days of La Dolce Vita it was time to head back to Yorkshire and embark on a new chapter called ‘Married Life.’</span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10269229704031041251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-285876142940098148.post-66661957803549355042015-04-07T08:40:00.000-07:002015-04-07T11:00:43.879-07:00Delicious Raw Cacao Balls<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; line-height: 16px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisUt0_GZ91y3RjMmZWKDu_iE4z3k4vYn0gocNhXX82cT2kXBDdb-6mipS17ImFtAg5A5mHzZn_Pok0gG3mHidXor0Q4JNJ9HjlqUe_PHG-7PbY_UhZGdHWH6P5ppy1b28FwEQLf_QN4jg/s1600/delicous-rawcacao-balls-recipe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="raw cacao balls recipe" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisUt0_GZ91y3RjMmZWKDu_iE4z3k4vYn0gocNhXX82cT2kXBDdb-6mipS17ImFtAg5A5mHzZn_Pok0gG3mHidXor0Q4JNJ9HjlqUe_PHG-7PbY_UhZGdHWH6P5ppy1b28FwEQLf_QN4jg/s1600/delicous-rawcacao-balls-recipe.jpg" title="raw cacao balls recipe" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 16px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 16px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Do you regularly crave chocolate or a sugar fix? Me too! After every savoury meal. I also lack the willpower to suppress my inner sugar-addict for more than a couple of days. I often give into temptation and have just one chocolate cookie or just one row of galaxy which inevitably leads to another, and another etc etc. Yes, I’m that weak! Recently I’ve been researching healthy sweet treats that are low in sugar but still give my tastebuds a satisfying sweet kick.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 16px; text-align: justify;">
<a name='more'></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 16px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 16px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Enter: raw cacao balls. My new favourite chocolate snack.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 16px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 16px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Raw cacao is basically cocoa beans that have been cold pressed into powder. It’s full of antioxidants and minerals including iron and magnesium. Your favourite chocolate bar doesn’t have these healthy attributes and instead contains lots of refined sugar and refined cocoa. Unsurprisingly raw cacao is having a moment in the world of healthy eating and amongst former sugar monsters.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">After some mild scepticism I’ve spent the last few weeks perfecting batches of ‘healthy’ yet ‘delicious' raw cacao balls. Despite the main ingredient being dates, which are far from my favourite fruit, I’m delighted to report that they taste nutty and chocolatey. My sweet tooth is very satisfied. And each bite is almost guilt-free as they are way healthier than a chocolate biscuit. Plus, they take less than ten minutes to make.</span></span><br />
<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">To make a batch of 10 - 12 raw cacao balls you will need:</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 16px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">200g organic medjool dates pitted</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">1 tablespoon raw cacao powder</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">2 tablespoons ‘all natural’ peanut butter</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">40g hazelnuts</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">40g almonds</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">1 - 2 tablespoons of ‘all natural' honey</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="line-height: 16px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe4fFHisj1AdzcMyZghiAnBdw468rZFTXQ7QxtyDb9XJ0Uo5S4rNxoEf5Aspd0rqXrWMSxPKJFFM65wpO8iXhucGyLTA9KIR7wxO_XQM099SgisGNqlnRBuhBKSE9HWf1T2mz6vjbVfjE/s1600/delicious-raw-cacao-balls-recipe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="delicious raw cacao balls recipe" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe4fFHisj1AdzcMyZghiAnBdw468rZFTXQ7QxtyDb9XJ0Uo5S4rNxoEf5Aspd0rqXrWMSxPKJFFM65wpO8iXhucGyLTA9KIR7wxO_XQM099SgisGNqlnRBuhBKSE9HWf1T2mz6vjbVfjE/s1600/delicious-raw-cacao-balls-recipe.jpg" title="delicious raw cacao balls recipe" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>"No added sugar."</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="line-height: 16px;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">1. Put the dates, raw cacao powder and peanut butter in a food processor and blitz for a couple of minutes until you get a paste. It will start to clump together, if it firms one big dough ball just separate it with your fingers.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 16px;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 16px;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">2. Add the nuts and pulse until they are quite fine and speckled throughout your ‘dough’.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 16px;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 16px;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">3. Add a teaspoon of honey and mix again. Add more if your mixture looks dry. By this stage your ‘dough' will form easily into one big ball and is ready to roll into 12 equal sized balls.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 16px;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 16px;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">4. For maximum pleasure pop your raw cacao balls in your fridge for at least two hours before tasting.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 16px;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 16px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large; text-align: justify;">You can store them in your fridge for up to a week, however, its extremely unlikely they’ll last that long as they are super moreish. </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large; text-align: justify;">Hopefully you’re in agreement with me and my sweet tooth - raw cacao balls are indeed delicious! They give a great little energy boost pre workout and are ideal treats for children.</span></div>
<div>
<div style="line-height: 16px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large; line-height: 16px;">Unfortunately we cant trust food labels that shout 'low fat' or 'low calorie' as they typically mask a fat-inducing level of sugar. So, other than fresh fruit an honestly healthy sweet snack is difficult to find on the supermarket shelf. Put down that 'diet friendly' biscuit and grab a raw cacao ball or two.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 16px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 16px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Happy healthy snacking! </span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10269229704031041251noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-285876142940098148.post-25225764983797470372015-03-09T07:52:00.000-07:002015-03-13T03:08:52.980-07:00In Search Of Winter Sun In Egypt<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkx5lCbGMdDlpBITZk4xvrQrdcbmpiSGF5mS36nPl-o898Bq7QQw-cmmXYTLd9LurmfoYSYXZ0-vBptfqBadJQtyEWecKhlxzrtLRlp_MTbyxHbpzgNc98TklvgBqBS4ZDllNXWiuK8iE/s1600/winter-sunset-sharmelsheikh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="winter sun holiday sharm el sheikh egypt" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkx5lCbGMdDlpBITZk4xvrQrdcbmpiSGF5mS36nPl-o898Bq7QQw-cmmXYTLd9LurmfoYSYXZ0-vBptfqBadJQtyEWecKhlxzrtLRlp_MTbyxHbpzgNc98TklvgBqBS4ZDllNXWiuK8iE/s1600/winter-sunset-sharmelsheikh.jpg" title="winter sun holiday sharm el sheikh egypt" /></a></div>
<span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">British winters are cold, dark and last for half of the year. Yorkshire winters are colder, darker and longer - well, at least that's how it has seemed to us. This time last year we were travelling through <a href="http://wearenotlostblog.blogspot.co.uk/#uds-search-results" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Argentina</span></a> without a snowflake in sight! Our last snowfall was in early 2013 and we’ve naively forgotten how cold and depressing winter in the UK can be. By January our pasty white faces were desperate for warm sunshine, blue skies and happiness injecting vitamin D. The question was where should we go for some winter sun?</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a name='more'></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="line-height: 16px;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Sharm el-Sheikh on Egypt’s Red Sea coast quickly became our best option for a winter sun holiday in February. Sunshine could almost be guaranteed and it was only a five hour flight away. However, the choice of hotels was overwhelming and it took us a long time to sift through and find what we were looking for. There are hundreds of hotels in Sharm, as its affectionally known, to satisfy the demand from the hundreds of flights carrying sunshine-thirsty Brits every week. </span></div>
<div style="line-height: 16px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 16px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">It’s hard to believe that this tourist resort is only 10 years old. Back in the 1970’s adventurous Egyptians would pitch a tent on the unspoilt and undeveloped Red Sea coastline to enjoy a weekend of world-class scuba diving. </span></div>
<div style="line-height: 16px; text-align: start;">
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Si8Xv4RJrEk3mDoUXBRzYh1WwDrk466myk0l6kvFUe6qeK__LKvBk35AkxvdydrF2gca8u0ltbgN1iNbMAALceY3FoHXaS1qjEtF06NWOckPrSE8gyoXhVGC8dS9l-W8zQLHVxoa8do/s1600/holidaycoctailsharmelesheikh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="winter sun holiday le royale sonesta sharm el sheikh" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Si8Xv4RJrEk3mDoUXBRzYh1WwDrk466myk0l6kvFUe6qeK__LKvBk35AkxvdydrF2gca8u0ltbgN1iNbMAALceY3FoHXaS1qjEtF06NWOckPrSE8gyoXhVGC8dS9l-W8zQLHVxoa8do/s1600/holidaycoctailsharmelesheikh.jpg" title="winter sun holiday le royale sonesta sharm el sheikh" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 16px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Our home for the week was Le Royale Sonesta and we enjoyed a thoroughly lazy stay in this luxurious boutique property. The hours of research really paid off as we’d found ourselves an all-inclusive gem with beautiful bedrooms, relaxing pool areas and delicious food. </span></div>
<div style="line-height: 16px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 16px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">We had everything we needed in our marble tiled and impeccably manicured resort. Each day was gloriously sunny and we whiled away the hours on mattress lined sun-beds reading. And that’s pretty much it so it was pure bliss!</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 16px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBylmnIaYSaKuhYa0nWmokKdo3W_3T18_m8eTCLow5gxftCUAP7ASD9vwG2RsDn_P4Op_L_P1hPhko5YTNYL__eCPpf2-tcorSmnKsMc8C5spX6BZwIal_63RZnqqoYVFUYoQ199Xi1Po/s1600/relaxing-winter-sun-holiday-egypt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="winter sun holiday sharm el sheikh" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBylmnIaYSaKuhYa0nWmokKdo3W_3T18_m8eTCLow5gxftCUAP7ASD9vwG2RsDn_P4Op_L_P1hPhko5YTNYL__eCPpf2-tcorSmnKsMc8C5spX6BZwIal_63RZnqqoYVFUYoQ199Xi1Po/s1600/relaxing-winter-sun-holiday-egypt.jpg" title="winter sun holiday sharm el sheikh" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Busy doing nothing...</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 16px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 16px;">The poolside bar kept Steve watered with beer and 2 o'clock soon became know as gin o'clock. Balearic style beats played from the speakers to keep our ears happy and toes tapping. There was a refreshingly laid-back vibe to this hotel and when the shadows grew longer over the pool we headed to our private beach for sunset and G&T's.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 16px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ2dX9-P61oGcimb37VEmXaXTl2ayLt7HMF94uy18ybt1F93J5TBTaErJONHYvyFbY9lZ2MZ1twmCvWJb3_xV7iQLaSOO3H1twXsBO29rUj4R109n7alad7gIyH5MAWXmbGwbb70Sc89I/s1600/gin-o-clock-sharmelsheikhegypt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="winter sun holiday sharm el sheikh" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ2dX9-P61oGcimb37VEmXaXTl2ayLt7HMF94uy18ybt1F93J5TBTaErJONHYvyFbY9lZ2MZ1twmCvWJb3_xV7iQLaSOO3H1twXsBO29rUj4R109n7alad7gIyH5MAWXmbGwbb70Sc89I/s1600/gin-o-clock-sharmelsheikhegypt.jpg" title="winter sun holiday sharm el sheikh" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">It's gin o'clock!</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 16px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 16px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Before our arrival we were very skeptical of the food, staying all-inclusive is the norm in Sharm-el-Sheikh and food poisoning is common. We had no reason to worry though as we were spoilt for choice with freshly prepared local and European dishes at every meal time. It wasn’t award winning but there was lots of choice and meals were tasty. The salad bar and dessert table supplied the highlights of most meals. The Egyptians baklava style treats were amazing. </span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 16px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 16px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">In the evenings we sidestepped the entertainment at the adjoining Sonesta Beach hotel and retreated back to our room for a little more gin and a film. We rarely made it to the final credits, chilled out days are surprisingly exhausting and we had to get up early to play ‘my towel, my sun-bed' with our fellow British tourists. </span></div>
<div style="line-height: 16px;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbRfDBL_TsL1xmzpKN8qqenDFb3h31-hhiHKwRWquOjvCI0P0Q4wCnCS0NUaEpHnC7_IfpX2X8IdMK_76Y8tFWYGNQoBxwUXHzyQHpyHyoEoDuBo8kyTWLRsEPka-3tKkrjCM6-S6pViQ/s1600/Winter+Sun+Egypt+Pool+View.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="winter sun holiday sharm el sheikh" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbRfDBL_TsL1xmzpKN8qqenDFb3h31-hhiHKwRWquOjvCI0P0Q4wCnCS0NUaEpHnC7_IfpX2X8IdMK_76Y8tFWYGNQoBxwUXHzyQHpyHyoEoDuBo8kyTWLRsEPka-3tKkrjCM6-S6pViQ/s1600/Winter+Sun+Egypt+Pool+View.jpg" title="winter sun holiday sharm el sheikh" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 16px;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">The neon lights of Naama Bay were only a five minute drive away but they held very little appeal for us. Would we find better food down in Naama Bay? We certainly couldn’t go shopping for souvenirs given our suitcase was overweight and we’d been those people at Manchester airport frantically putting shoes and books in our hand luggage to reduce the weight. SO embarrassing! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE_k6bZMYIZKk-AFGfIY1ydTOn-fUwDZHqX-AgDZ1xqWgWHCOYCiiJhiiUEztzQSVIgz_2oqS7gVcVSRlR3jcfPGMTQjG91eVpRB2gBoJTp687NOSIFUl3ttbAZ5Js2VSpwIDrfBb41Rw/s1600/leroyalesonesta-sharmelsheikh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="winter sun holiday sharm el sheikh" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE_k6bZMYIZKk-AFGfIY1ydTOn-fUwDZHqX-AgDZ1xqWgWHCOYCiiJhiiUEztzQSVIgz_2oqS7gVcVSRlR3jcfPGMTQjG91eVpRB2gBoJTp687NOSIFUl3ttbAZ5Js2VSpwIDrfBb41Rw/s1600/leroyalesonesta-sharmelsheikh.jpg" title="winter sun holiday sharm el sheikh" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">If you’ve ever read any of our travel blogs before you will know that this is not the way Sticky travel, we love adventure and culture. It’s extremely rare for us to opt for a ‘package holiday’ but the purpose of this trip was to relax and enjoy some sunshine. Which is exactly what we did and we’re finally understanding why people opt for these kind of holidays.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcsHnVjr718pTsv9sDQZBa2FrovNH8sjZ0F0xx4QVV2NckGvekqpHmBfGgQGW_I6TfQ_Mbz76-IKakYjMlMnKhkyuP-5kgsqG7-6DrI-49hXH0yVKo3i6J2FZ5TZFA520N2dZvRjnzWdM/s1600/sunset-sharm-el-sheikh-egypt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="winter sun holiday sharm el sheikh" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcsHnVjr718pTsv9sDQZBa2FrovNH8sjZ0F0xx4QVV2NckGvekqpHmBfGgQGW_I6TfQ_Mbz76-IKakYjMlMnKhkyuP-5kgsqG7-6DrI-49hXH0yVKo3i6J2FZ5TZFA520N2dZvRjnzWdM/s1600/sunset-sharm-el-sheikh-egypt.jpg" title="winter sun holiday sharm el sheikh" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">We booked our holiday via </span><a href="http://www.lowcostholidays.com/" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">lowcostholidays</span></a><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> and paid £520pp for a seven night all inclusive stay at Le Royal Sonesta including return flights from Manchester. If you’re looking for ideas for winter sun or summer holidays especially last minute their site is well worth a look.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; text-align: center;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-PiORTVDhHu2_C0jtx6wuduOYatNSC4doqtqiesvaHZlgbBaQytcKZHea8g0p8L3Xhc5xgzQV_twT5ymN_cwbP2LaDJ3d9ENNThhrkNeXvY5fKZo47vDfjisB_9WyjSU-hfG3C1BTUhs/s1600/holiday-essentials-sliders.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="holiday packing tips sliders" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-PiORTVDhHu2_C0jtx6wuduOYatNSC4doqtqiesvaHZlgbBaQytcKZHea8g0p8L3Xhc5xgzQV_twT5ymN_cwbP2LaDJ3d9ENNThhrkNeXvY5fKZo47vDfjisB_9WyjSU-hfG3C1BTUhs/s1600/holiday-essentials-sliders.jpg" title="holiday packing tips sliders" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Don't forget your sliders.</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; text-align: center;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large; text-align: center;">Which are your favourite destinations for a winter sun holiday?</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00969932035860339295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-285876142940098148.post-31957574883266338782015-03-03T08:52:00.000-08:002015-03-13T03:10:38.270-07:00Zucco For Me, Zucco For You<div style="line-height: 16px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEN3dvyxrpa-5bCfctBCMl6S_pfhnntrqfHrwdvLeZMDN_yfFiGO5gs6lEYLPhQ2uGhJwRpF1qGugfwTYGq-wu_b13W6U-th0SthShGVcWu5Qqkb_VB8CPjbv38280LQ6doUpBbT-gER4/s1600/zucco-leeds-restaurant-review.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="zucco restaurant review leeds" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEN3dvyxrpa-5bCfctBCMl6S_pfhnntrqfHrwdvLeZMDN_yfFiGO5gs6lEYLPhQ2uGhJwRpF1qGugfwTYGq-wu_b13W6U-th0SthShGVcWu5Qqkb_VB8CPjbv38280LQ6doUpBbT-gER4/s1600/zucco-leeds-restaurant-review.jpg" title="zucco restaurant review leeds" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large; line-height: 16px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large; line-height: 16px; text-align: justify;">I’ve become a bit of a regular at this quaint Italian and have been meaning to share it with you for months. Zucco offer a winning concept of small Italian sharing plates, each freshly prepared to bring an authentic taste of Italy to North Leeds. It’s exactly my kind of dining experience, I'm always filled with food envy at dinner and will always take you up on that offer of a bite. This is tapas done the Italian way, think small-ish dinner plates bursting with big Mediterranean flavours. And not a tiny terracotta bowl in sight.</span><br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; line-height: 16px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">The plates are a 'light main' kind of size and three to four plates will easily feed two hungry people. After starters of course - you don’t want to miss out on those. The marinated white anchovy crostini will get your dinner off to a tasty start and whet your appetite for more mouthwatering dishes. </span></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 16px;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Every Italian restaurant offers pizza and Zucco are no different. Pizzetta is a slightly lighter version, however, it’s just as filling and the perfect size to share. Most importantly is tastes great. It’s crunchy thin base is homemade and topped with delicious blends of cheese and herbs. My favourite is scamorza affumicata (a smoked cheese) with olives and caramelised red onion. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYucsjMUO01zHgF4fJLT4xfRRkY-9_J_U0ddn40eLMCsvaCT0tDfg2pSVwI_K7vaHQWkNXyxA8ss7w3sCeYC2KY_cBY5rCeSHxgx1ji1sNy_N_9WpmhYpxLdyPJitjMBxQxxVZ_6_gLeA/s1600/IMG_1208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="zucco restaurant review leeds" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYucsjMUO01zHgF4fJLT4xfRRkY-9_J_U0ddn40eLMCsvaCT0tDfg2pSVwI_K7vaHQWkNXyxA8ss7w3sCeYC2KY_cBY5rCeSHxgx1ji1sNy_N_9WpmhYpxLdyPJitjMBxQxxVZ_6_gLeA/s1600/IMG_1208.JPG" height="400" title="zucco restaurant review leeds" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Sharing optional.</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">The main reason to dine at Zucco is their homemade pasta. Two dishes that really standout are the baccala (salt cod) ravioli and braised beef pappardelle (thick pasta ribbons). Both are amazing and surprisingly light when you share them! Which conveniently leaves room for a portion of deep-fried zucchini with mint - a deserved customer favourite. Thin slices of courgette in even thinner batter create a tasty rather than healthy veggie side. Warning: they are VERY moreish and you probably won’t want to share</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Another reason to visit Zucco is the wine list, they boast a fantastic selection and are very reasonably priced. The processo goes down very well and again is very moreish! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">It’s a real pleasure to eat at Zucco, its the kind of place you don’t want to leave and you will your body not to get full so that you don't waste a bite. It really is that nice and its not just down to the food. The staff are friendly and efficient. I’ve never felt rushed to order, the staff are pretty patient when it comes to indecisive diners and I hope they take it as a compliment to their delicious menu. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">On one occasion at Zucco I’ve made it through to dessert. It was date night with Steve and as always he was full of encouragement to take on another course. Either he finds a big appetite sexy or he’s hoping I wont’t be able to finish so more for him. It’s definitely the latter. Unfortunately for him I made swift work of the lemon tart but as he’d ordered the 'sharing tart’ designed for two I didn’t feel too glutenous and it was so worth it!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Dinner for two is around £60 including three courses and drinks (excluding tip). It amazes me that you can eat this kind of quality food for such a fair price and in a lovely, relaxed setting. </span></div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 16px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 16px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Zucco is an ideal choice for both lunch and dinner either with your mates or a romantic date. Just make sure you book ahead as they are always fully booked, even on week nights. Somebody even attempted to table jack us on our last visit. It’s seems that some people will try anything for a table at <a href="http://zucco.co.uk/#_=_" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Zucco</span></a>. Book yours pronto!</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 16px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 16px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Read more <a href="http://wearenotlostblog.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Restaurants" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">restaurant reviews</span></a>...</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10269229704031041251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-285876142940098148.post-33493419542192344192015-02-12T12:38:00.000-08:002015-03-13T03:11:09.429-07:00A Beauty Review: ESPA 24 Hour Replenishing Eye Moisturiser<div style="line-height: 16px; text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZPsmC4j2wwK6YRRX2hCp_btNMGtzLn83rFIEa4gJM71x34otMtuaPY0wdZQh_iT5o8iN7KTFCfhOMjxD1zGF_VLflWgf-GHWO3qbMHU4YU8OfT1eUUMUFnal2EJGFiJ1YDRxSufQNiMw/s1600/IMG_0844.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="espa 24 hour eye moisturiser" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZPsmC4j2wwK6YRRX2hCp_btNMGtzLn83rFIEa4gJM71x34otMtuaPY0wdZQh_iT5o8iN7KTFCfhOMjxD1zGF_VLflWgf-GHWO3qbMHU4YU8OfT1eUUMUFnal2EJGFiJ1YDRxSufQNiMw/s1600/IMG_0844.JPG" height="400" title="espa 24 hour eye moisturiser" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">ESPA first landed on my radar whilst celebrating my 30th birthday at the beautiful <a href="http://www.stives-harbour-hotel.co.uk/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">St Ives Harbour Hotel</span></a>. I was treated to the most indulgent body scrub and facial - ever! My skin was silky smooth from head to toe thanks to this award winning natural skincare brand. Oh, and their products smelled divine too.</span> </span></div>
<div style="line-height: 16px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 16px; text-align: justify;">
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">In Autumn I joined a Virgin Active gym and was super excited to see ESPA as their spa brand. Over the summer I’d been concerned about my under eye area, it had become dull and my skin was crepey for the first time ever. I knew I was using the wrong eye cream even though it had been good to me a couple of years before, so it was the perfect opportunity to get some much needed advice.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 16px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">My busy schedule doesn’t leave much time to indulge in spa treatments but when it does I always opt for a facial. ESPA facials are simply wonderful and I can’t recommend them enough, they are tailored to your skin so the results are instant. My therapist confirmed that my eyes were dehydrated (I wasn't an old hag just yet!) and worked her magic to quench my thirsty under eye area. I left the spa glowing and with a generous sample of </span><a href="http://www.espaskincare.com/face/eyes/24-hour-replenishing-eye-moisturiser" style="line-height: 16px;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">ESPA 24 Hour Replenishing Eye Moisturiser</span></a><span style="line-height: 16px;">, four months later I’m on my second bottle and absolutely love it.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 16px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 16px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Honestly, it’s so amazing. It’s a lightweight lotion that absorbs quickly and my eyes feel hydrated even into the late evening when I remove my make up. I haven’t tested it but I do think I’d still feel hydrating 24 hours later!</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 16px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 16px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">My under eye skin is now smooth and radiant. ESPA 24 Hour Replenishing Eye Moisturiser is formulated to hydrate and protect to help prevent the signs of ageing, and for my skin it really is. I’ve never had an eye product that is so effective, at £36 its fantastic value as one bottle lasts me about three months.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 16px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 16px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">I’m a bit of skincare geek so I love that their packaging lists the ingredients and benefits of. Gingko biloba, mimosa and evening primrose are three of the amazing natural ingredients that are packed into this wonder moisturiser. And if you visit the ESPA website they have whole A to Z of <a href="http://www.espaskincare.com/ingredients/ingredients-a/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">natural beauty ingredients</span></a>. </span></div>
<div style="line-height: 16px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 16px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">The delicate eye area falls victim to dreaded ageing first and investing in an effective eye moisturiser will keep those crows feet in the very distant future. When trying to prevent your skin from ageing, hydration is key so ignore any of those firming products that are actually formulated for mature skin. </span></div>
<div style="line-height: 16px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 16px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">I’m always listening out for beauty recommendations, if you have ESPA or skincare tips please share them in the comments below.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 16px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 16px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Discover more <a href="http://wearenotlostblog.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Beauty" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">beauty product recommendations</span></a>.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10269229704031041251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-285876142940098148.post-63813719338096238742014-12-12T12:17:00.000-08:002015-03-13T03:11:33.528-07:00Beer and Veggie Bites at Bundobust <div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRoJ2k8E9uVBNNgyKR-qhtRCyZHtxky3Up5pYae5zPUFS7RKuJZF2l9-BGD6FeED5PFMF7FynTxeMJlSF_0XoH0eZZPirDtdNTl8Jd3pwGqMkuhbJ2K6jiXO0JOBgd0w65ixIEjmSVvEs/s1600/10849813_10152971902098000_8428217668277716009_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="bundobust leeds review" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRoJ2k8E9uVBNNgyKR-qhtRCyZHtxky3Up5pYae5zPUFS7RKuJZF2l9-BGD6FeED5PFMF7FynTxeMJlSF_0XoH0eZZPirDtdNTl8Jd3pwGqMkuhbJ2K6jiXO0JOBgd0w65ixIEjmSVvEs/s1600/10849813_10152971902098000_8428217668277716009_n.jpg" height="400" title="bundobust leeds review" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Trying to get a devoted carnivore, like Steve, to accompany me to a vegetarian restaurant can be a tricky task that needs much persuasion. However, with a creative Indian street food menu and a bar of eclectic craft beers, a visit to <a href="http://www.bundobust.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Bundobust</span></a> proved instantly enticing. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a name='more'></a><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Bundobust proudly offers a laidback drinking and dining experience in the centre of Leeds. The decor is shabby in an authentic Indian street canteen kind of way. The walls have been hastily pinned with plain wood chipboards and the erm, ugly, tables are accompanied by sociable wooden benches. It’s a deceivingly large space that feels airy and I love the coloured wooden door pieces that add to its 'thrown together' kind of feel.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Since our first visit we’ve been a few times on a Sunday afternoon, it’s the perfect pitstop after an afternoon of shopping or a couple of hours on a train. And, rumours are that it's the perfect warm up bar for a night out on the Leeds tiles given its cool, lively indie soundtrack and newly opened beer garden. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Their innovative bar snacks are based on popular street food from the homeland of spice, India. Each dish is equally tempting in my opinion. However, my favourite is their Bundo Chaat, it’s fruity tamarind sauce is sweet, spicy and balanced perfectly with crunchy pastry and earthy chickpeas. Their spiced okra fries are great for sharing, a little on the salty side but the batter is light and non-greasy. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Even though the prices are not quite at the Indian rate, (I have fond food memories of devouring hot potato samosas in Rajasthan for just 4p), £3 to £6 a dish is actually a really refreshing price. Portion sizes are generous, and most importantly the flavours are fresh and very moreish. The growing trend amongst street vendors to charge £8 for just-another-average-burger is becoming a bit boring now. Or is that just me?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">There are plenty of craft beers and Indian Pale Ales to wet curious palettes for a couple of hours or more. As an unenthusiastic beer drinker even I loved their bespoke coriander infused beer. Thankfully there is also a decent wine list and a few classic cocktails on offer too to hold my interest past pint number one.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Bundobust arrived in the centre of Leeds over summer and everybody is raving about it. I’ve been super lax blogging lately and have visited a few times to date, its definitely one to watch and a welcome addition to Leeds’ thriving foodie scene.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Arrive hungry or arrive full, I guarantee that you won’t visit Bundobust without trying at least one paper cup full of Indian spiced veggie deliciousness and a beer or two. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><a href="http://wearenotlostblog.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Restaurants" target="_blank">Want more restaurant ideas?</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10269229704031041251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-285876142940098148.post-19921730786073125552014-11-17T12:20:00.002-08:002015-06-22T10:41:55.012-07:00Nutty On-The-Run Breakfast Bars<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Time in the morning seems to tick away too fast and I never have time for breakfast before I dash out of the door. Cereal has been off my breakfast menu for about six months as I've stopped drinking milk. Calves milk is difficult for humans to digest and can lead to outbreaks of red flaky skin on your face, trust me - not attractive! Since I’ve been making my own granola bars, breakfast has become tastier and my skin is much smoother too.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig_azC8nEVp4tpmcGF5GDHR2VaUqLal-YQUJGOjcA7NWpTAux4CH3qWS-YAw1Zqj1y1kl2tqDV_dZDdryMRrkzx1e099J-v8eKyKd9JI-YDxI_JD42yUup8Gv8ik5WQe4wVD1No5yrSuA/s1600/IMG_1965.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="raw granola bar breakfast recipe" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig_azC8nEVp4tpmcGF5GDHR2VaUqLal-YQUJGOjcA7NWpTAux4CH3qWS-YAw1Zqj1y1kl2tqDV_dZDdryMRrkzx1e099J-v8eKyKd9JI-YDxI_JD42yUup8Gv8ik5WQe4wVD1No5yrSuA/s400/IMG_1965.JPG" title="raw granola bar breakfast recipe" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Unless you are allergic to nuts there is no reason not to try out this recipe. And for my fellow gym bunnies they are a great pre-workout energy booster too. </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Making a batch of these healthy snacks is super easy as there is no baking(!) plus, each ingredient is natural, nutritious and oh-so-good for you! </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><u>The Ingredients</u> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">50g dried cranberries</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">50g almonds</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">50g cashews</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">100g rolled oats</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">a handful of macadamia nuts</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">a handful of pistachios</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">50g sunflower seeds</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">1/2 cup of pure honey</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">1/2 cup of melted 100% natural almond butter </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Feel free to substitute any of the nuts for another kind and if you prefer you could use dried apricots or blueberries. This recipe will make 10-12 bars.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">1. Blitz the nuts and the fruit in a food processor for about 30 seconds. You want a mixture of dust and large chunks. Pistachios are my favourite so I like to keep these whole.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">2. Add them to a large mixing bowl with the oats and sunflower seeds. </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Pour in the honey and mix well. The mixture will start to get a bit clumpy and sticky, keep stirring until the sides of the bowl are clean.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">4. Melt your almond butter in the microwave for about 30 seconds and then add to granola. Stir well until the mixture clumps together and doesn't stick to the side of the bowl.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">5. Line a rectangular roasting tin with baking paper and pour in the mixture. Press it down very firmly and try to get it about half an inch thick with even edges.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">6. Pop the tray in the freezer for at least an hour. Remove and slice into 10 - 12 equal portions. Wrap each portion individually in kitchen foil and return to the freezer. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">In the morning grab one before you leave the house. They’ll be ready to munch in five minutes and will be gone in two! </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">This recipe requires minimal 'kitchen time', in less than 30 minutes you’ll have made yourself breakfast for almost two weeks. That’s pretty efficient by any standard!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyj5aVscmzxnAoXSpOjWbm9LXHR0p_VYbAYD0avbMtTnaO20BM92oAjCQiZ3AQ06IXggHBcwEL8NK-J4sRY8VjV1UcKf5XHci4HKqlmamEc_tH7uGXz9em6jczq5-4RSud12p5dwHnIIQ/s1600/(null).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="healthy nutty breakfast bars" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyj5aVscmzxnAoXSpOjWbm9LXHR0p_VYbAYD0avbMtTnaO20BM92oAjCQiZ3AQ06IXggHBcwEL8NK-J4sRY8VjV1UcKf5XHci4HKqlmamEc_tH7uGXz9em6jczq5-4RSud12p5dwHnIIQ/s1600/(null).jpg" title="healthy nutty breakfast bars" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">"Nutty goodness!"</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">You probably shouldn’t eat too many of these granola bars in a day as they are quite calorific at approx 200 per bar. That's roughly the same as a low-fat bowl of cereal, but the nutritional benefits do not compare. Nuts are a fantastic source of vitamins, calcium, fibre, protein and more - especially in their raw format. Nuts are high in fat but the majority is good fat (hurray) that’s heart-healthy and any balanced diet needs some fat in it. Its great for our skin, hair and nails too. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Want more healthy <a href="http://wearenotlostblog.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Recipes" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">recipes</span></a>?</span></div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10269229704031041251noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-285876142940098148.post-47908952807291469652014-10-07T00:11:00.000-07:002015-03-13T02:53:58.515-07:00The White Sands of Playa Blanca<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">The weather has turned pretty gloomy the last few days and as they say north of the wall “Winter is coming!”. This summer we haven’t travelled and have spent many sunshine filled days enjoying the rolling hills of Yorkshire with our beautiful dog, Poppy. I’m actually surprised that I’m not itching to get away again, our backpacking adventure definitely cured my travelling bug! However, with the season finally turning to Autumn, and my recent return to full time employment, the phrase “I need a holiday” is edging closer to my lips. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbjeYQd4fqXg5X1BiQPw6rCHi24pEymlpW5XewLIOGe2nvZAoMcvvxcRE6PXQqL3mamPPyOMNJnRFUpHfVxTPy90zsOC1IHOGwv1oYWvUcW2ZN7WDSz9QEVaNSz8ztTmmfTt6dHnPxGks/s1600/playablancacolombia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="playa blanca cartagena colombia" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbjeYQd4fqXg5X1BiQPw6rCHi24pEymlpW5XewLIOGe2nvZAoMcvvxcRE6PXQqL3mamPPyOMNJnRFUpHfVxTPy90zsOC1IHOGwv1oYWvUcW2ZN7WDSz9QEVaNSz8ztTmmfTt6dHnPxGks/s1600/playablancacolombia.jpg" title="playa blanca cartagena colombia" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Technically, I don’t </span><i style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">need</i><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> a holiday. Just five months ago I was on one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, in Colombia, a country I‘d never associated with Caribbean sands before.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Playa Blanca is a peninsula of gorgeous white sandy beaches just south of Cartagena, easily reached in less than an hour by speedboat or a couple of hours by bus. There were very few blogs about this beach and those who’d visited its shores were mesmerised by its beauty and tranquility. Playa Blanca offers a rustic beach experience due to its lack of running water and electricity, only a few visitors choose to stay overnight.</span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> Most tourists visit for a couple of hours in the afternoon as part of an island hopping day cruise from Cartagena that also takes in the Islas del Rosario. As soon as they depart, about 4pm, tranquility reigns. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpFeD_htQ8vm9MIU6u88JkZoUJITVOCmK6jr3JAL-JDO2ZGtGOCIAxz2FdvSVcFnH0Q78AYiiVnkwcJhIAvEtx4hE5CoZPWmZ9cE93umb0U6loeuI-5XP_LQMgPKbxRuniolRQAK1FPPs/s1600/cartagena-harbour-colombia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="playa blanca cartagena colombia" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpFeD_htQ8vm9MIU6u88JkZoUJITVOCmK6jr3JAL-JDO2ZGtGOCIAxz2FdvSVcFnH0Q78AYiiVnkwcJhIAvEtx4hE5CoZPWmZ9cE93umb0U6loeuI-5XP_LQMgPKbxRuniolRQAK1FPPs/s1600/cartagena-harbour-colombia.jpg" title="playa blanca cartagena colombia" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>"Drilling for....?"</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Whilst we were staying in <a href="http://wearenotlostblog.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/eating-cartagena-colombia.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Cartagena</span></a> we decided to venture to Playa Blanca for a couple of days. We were staying at Casa Ebano and made plans to leave our big backpacks with our hosts and only take a few essentials with us. The morning of our departure we experienced a major drama: we could not open the safe in our room. Inside were our passports, bank cards, camera, cash aka</span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> our life! Over breakfast we decided not to panic and looked away when the owner turned up with a *gulp* massive hammer.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">We’d built up a good rapport with the ladies at Casa Ebano, they offered to lend us some cash and promised to have the safe open on our return from the beach. Playa Blanca sounded irresistible so we accepted their offer and rushed off with just a book, bikini and some pesos. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB1-KCLdGKLOQMfevY2lagxNKw43pG_cB3aKn9v03dmoiuDymYFyQTyQNmDEiqVB6IubFzG0MOKA22_aIbtOo552RoYRa_QkEoIyWBPuLVNA76G2BCMnjbo8B1GIZP-CJJMxGR4N8o93w/s1600/Playa-blanca-speedboat-colombia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cartagena harbour playa blanca" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB1-KCLdGKLOQMfevY2lagxNKw43pG_cB3aKn9v03dmoiuDymYFyQTyQNmDEiqVB6IubFzG0MOKA22_aIbtOo552RoYRa_QkEoIyWBPuLVNA76G2BCMnjbo8B1GIZP-CJJMxGR4N8o93w/s1600/Playa-blanca-speedboat-colombia.jpg" title="Cartagena harbour playa blanca" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Our original plan was to get a boat from Cartagena’s unofficial harbour and get a cheaper boat, our taxi driver had other ideas and took us to the main harbour where his friend would sort us out. She was very helpful so we haggled our way on to her speedboat of island hopping tourists and within 40 minutes we were jumping off the boat into the warm, shallow, turquoise Caribbean waters! It wasn’t even 10am and there was only handful of people on the beach. We made our way up the beach in search of a bed for the night.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcmYh80xamZlBii1Z10bcd8Fgv1Rj1v28oZ4VQ81ZDF3PkfXfeY_8UfdLZGHEN-OS5WpuMJY0xPok_gn7CJvQ0hyphenhyphentT39pizhDoTsspZPmdN-NOOoEHksmgR96pFUEY1CkxyWrbct8JiL0/s1600/beach-playablanca-colombia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="playa blanca cartagena colombia" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcmYh80xamZlBii1Z10bcd8Fgv1Rj1v28oZ4VQ81ZDF3PkfXfeY_8UfdLZGHEN-OS5WpuMJY0xPok_gn7CJvQ0hyphenhyphentT39pizhDoTsspZPmdN-NOOoEHksmgR96pFUEY1CkxyWrbct8JiL0/s1600/beach-playablanca-colombia.jpg" title="playa blanca cartagena colombia" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">"How to decorate a dead palm tree."</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">We quickly realised that prices had increased a lot in the last two years, with many charging about 80,000 pesos a night (£24). That’s almost as much as our room in Cartagena that had cable TV, bathroom and air con! It was really poor value for money especially as we were expecting to pay a tenner a night. We walked quite far up the beach and our search led us to the brightly coloured Zion. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9hVS4Ww6w3cOlk8HRj94f6nvFE3FCg5Hx5nGArRGA_WSV-M7nCChAI7CENVX95IXK7DBKAlw13_u-OArNY6zoItPah4C__9PFDkc_FlaBSinCJ5547PuVOIuMmfe3PmQ6yvIgRoQYVGo/s1600/cafe-loco-playa-blanca.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="playa blanca cartagena colombia" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9hVS4Ww6w3cOlk8HRj94f6nvFE3FCg5Hx5nGArRGA_WSV-M7nCChAI7CENVX95IXK7DBKAlw13_u-OArNY6zoItPah4C__9PFDkc_FlaBSinCJ5547PuVOIuMmfe3PmQ6yvIgRoQYVGo/s1600/cafe-loco-playa-blanca.jpg" title="playa blanca cartagena colombia" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Working front of house was a quirky American-Colombian and an equally quirky tree house style room that we instantly loved. And at just 50k a night, it was a bargain. It was very simply furnished too with just a bed and a table. There was no mosquito net or fan but we were assured that it was too cool at night for either. Entry to our room was via a wooden ladder and saloon door. Our room price also included 5L of water per person to pour over our heads, also known as showering. The other plus point of Zion was that the shared loos were the best on the beach i.</span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">e. clean.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwXmcq6D66XUNtbBe7Fc3t_yrp4b9TLxfWcLuxlYEH-lDUkbRGr2Tim76Fm1Me9HiM4psfGcGMmMbjkv7Pv6zLZYKwOihyJaL42ilV5avZDNnlJXW28XEpm4a7kW0SQpQ6gjViEmlmUhw/s1600/playablanca-colombia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="playa blanca cartagena colombia" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwXmcq6D66XUNtbBe7Fc3t_yrp4b9TLxfWcLuxlYEH-lDUkbRGr2Tim76Fm1Me9HiM4psfGcGMmMbjkv7Pv6zLZYKwOihyJaL42ilV5avZDNnlJXW28XEpm4a7kW0SQpQ6gjViEmlmUhw/s1600/playablanca-colombia.jpg" title="playa blanca cartagena colombia" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Our plan was to stay for two night but we quickly realised the money we’d borrowed was not going to last that long, we fancied beers and a seafood supper - and they didn’t come cheap on Playa Blanca.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6HAwyTewqGaCA0o5JmdAKP6hVnHDAgTQYRWhR1fpMSK5DEwnFHtE6hqJRQCm99UhKBtNzaIwSNbtmV1sJqzpHhJTcBhyphenhyphenYA3qjl0X-_mFzrp496R3Cj3uyK2gKWUbs3tIZsUpXpOMsEhQ/s1600/playablanca-beach-colombia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6HAwyTewqGaCA0o5JmdAKP6hVnHDAgTQYRWhR1fpMSK5DEwnFHtE6hqJRQCm99UhKBtNzaIwSNbtmV1sJqzpHhJTcBhyphenhyphenYA3qjl0X-_mFzrp496R3Cj3uyK2gKWUbs3tIZsUpXpOMsEhQ/s1600/playablanca-beach-colombia.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">The rest of our stay was pure bliss. We read, sunbathed and were in awe of the sea, it was so gorgeous we dipped in and out every 20 minutes! Our spot on the beach was really peaceful too with no day-trippers in sight.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW1VJvAJyWFhIs_nbYuS5Pi_f99DPsKjNbE09FkoKi9QxNXWuL6ChOXT3Z-vjAMo5u-v1L9I84WCiuqtI8NUdRTpysLOImZPMVtOYEGQKEXtE1yVNPwBGeDdSVD0KDElkGABkMzVkHk6o/s1600/playa-blanca-beach-colombia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="playa blanca cartagena colombia" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW1VJvAJyWFhIs_nbYuS5Pi_f99DPsKjNbE09FkoKi9QxNXWuL6ChOXT3Z-vjAMo5u-v1L9I84WCiuqtI8NUdRTpysLOImZPMVtOYEGQKEXtE1yVNPwBGeDdSVD0KDElkGABkMzVkHk6o/s1600/playa-blanca-beach-colombia.jpg" title="playa blanca cartagena colombia" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">We also made friends with a lovely British couple, Nick and Maddie who we’d later travel a little with too. Unfortunately their journey to Playa Blanca took a little longer than ours. They had arrived via the giant cruise ship which took four hours and sounded pretty hellish. A word of warning to future travellers: make sure you get on a small speedboat otherwise you’re going via the tacky dolphin show island and will have to endure a hot, sweaty wait on the boat. The drunken 11am pole dancing sounded a little funny though.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglI4tknyHHF2fdhyphenhyphengWVz50hh-BkCP4xGe4ky1uxVT7azen9Fjo-iog22SR3DRXwuUxAAXonPiQIk6lGAb4OldnhUjvIESontDlBUaFUHw4xJv03f5oY37Mz6dhyphenhyphendhdUwxN1MHku1jDyK8/s1600/lunch-playa-blanca-colombia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="playa blanca cartagena colombia" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglI4tknyHHF2fdhyphenhyphengWVz50hh-BkCP4xGe4ky1uxVT7azen9Fjo-iog22SR3DRXwuUxAAXonPiQIk6lGAb4OldnhUjvIESontDlBUaFUHw4xJv03f5oY37Mz6dhyphenhyphendhdUwxN1MHku1jDyK8/s1600/lunch-playa-blanca-colombia.jpg" title="playa blanca cartagena colombia" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">There was very little difference between menus on Playa Blanca and options were limited. We’d read tales of freshly grilled crab and lobster but found none. We did find BOGOF cocktails though and Zion served delicious grilled fish and pizza. </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">That night wasn’t a late one as we were all counting our pennies and retired to bed at a sensible hour. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Uv0YI-qnB0S2KwLUlqr3B3qTdNQtwgXafd1LdEHHfZeBbdYAOBEsyWyM6Wg-l3fhi98-5rIGqL9xwiGkxQQMloDupniJjiu7M2tyv1tunyMKdKHwozX3KS2dg3PLPGM86Sobu2ojB1k/s1600/sunset-playa-blanca-colombia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="playa blanca cartagena colombia" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Uv0YI-qnB0S2KwLUlqr3B3qTdNQtwgXafd1LdEHHfZeBbdYAOBEsyWyM6Wg-l3fhi98-5rIGqL9xwiGkxQQMloDupniJjiu7M2tyv1tunyMKdKHwozX3KS2dg3PLPGM86Sobu2ojB1k/s1600/sunset-playa-blanca-colombia.jpg" title="playa blanca cartagena colombia" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>"A dreamy pink sunset!"</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">A heavenly morning of sunbathing and swimming followed. We were all in awe of Playa Blanca’s beauty. It would have been nice to stay longer but we were down to our last few pesos with just enough for our boat fare back to Cartagena. Getting back was easy and cheap, there were men touting seats on their speedboats for just 15k each. It was super quick too and we were back in Cartagena in about 30 minutes.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBwnAceGiPdK_CFY-09e1WQ5i4w6dLpvatpEJxs6YeUvFJQJ_srJAIDE6cJrKzMFkm4siT89WkUUUDLewU_F433Fp_UtLWvhFRKnR5DIIqrSH0pVtpHJ0ycPTDrgw0cAXT6yrdEg_vFZw/s1600/beach-playa-blanca-colombia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="playa blanca cartagena colombia" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBwnAceGiPdK_CFY-09e1WQ5i4w6dLpvatpEJxs6YeUvFJQJ_srJAIDE6cJrKzMFkm4siT89WkUUUDLewU_F433Fp_UtLWvhFRKnR5DIIqrSH0pVtpHJ0ycPTDrgw0cAXT6yrdEg_vFZw/s1600/beach-playa-blanca-colombia.jpg" title="playa blanca cartagena colombia" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Playa Blanca was definitely worth the effort as it's beyond beautiful. We enjoyed over 24 hours of beachy bliss and got to immerse ourselves in the gorgeous Caribbean Sea for the very first time. Playa Blanca has developed rapidly in the past two years yet still holds its rustic charm. Sadly, there are rumours of hotels taking over this serene patch of beach soon so our advice is to get there quick! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">We're glad to report that our hosts at Casa Ebano opened the safe and we got our valuables back exactly as we’d left them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/12834821/?claim=hmgeqaunv73"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</span></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10269229704031041251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-285876142940098148.post-8401434988360747362014-09-28T08:15:00.000-07:002014-10-12T02:42:55.259-07:00Hello, Meat Liquor Leeds!<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: #222222;">Let me introduce you to the newest arrival on the Leeds, steadily expanding, burger scene. Leeds, Meat Liquor. Meat Liquor, Leeds. I'm a big fan fan of this cult London born brand, much loved for its burgers and cocktails, and couldn't wait to check out their newest branch. We visited during their opening week on a Friday evening and expected to queue for a while. To our surprise there was no queue and no customers inside the clinical looking diner. Were we in the wrong place?</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAwyH4eR5KNxJdsmoETs_8jKSge__F4EXhNLWpp69SvRs7BQ3bpVVenIW6BWPA3lnnjXx4dghPV_W0LgumPWYNU8GnHKfsuu2b_zjUrwOcAk0bUQMEKQt6ZKiInKfisGomMGMj3CiFGdM/s1600/Meat_Liquor_Leeds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><img alt="meat liquor review leeds" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAwyH4eR5KNxJdsmoETs_8jKSge__F4EXhNLWpp69SvRs7BQ3bpVVenIW6BWPA3lnnjXx4dghPV_W0LgumPWYNU8GnHKfsuu2b_zjUrwOcAk0bUQMEKQt6ZKiInKfisGomMGMj3CiFGdM/s1600/Meat_Liquor_Leeds.jpg" title="meat liquor review leeds" /></span></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Scott, one of the co-founders, was on hand to explain the Leeds Meat Liquor concept to us. It turned out that at Meat Liquor Leeds you can make reservations! Not sure how we managed to miss this? The space is split over two levels with s</span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">eated dining in the basement for the full Meat Liquor experience, and a 'fast food' friendly area upstairs that serves the full food menu with a very limited cocktail menu.</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">After a brief wait upstairs and despite the fact they were fully booked we managed to snag a table for three in the basement. Downstairs we felt underwhelmed by the decor. </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">We didn't feel like we were in the Meat Liquor we know and love. </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">The low ceiling and wooden section dividers are suited to any generic chain restaurant. They only have a small space to work with and its by no means unpleasant, it's just not WOW! Dim the lights, add some neon signs and paint more supersize graffiti - that's what we expect from Meat Liquor.</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Quickly our drinks arrived, for the boys cans of hobo beer and my first cocktail was some kind of grog. This rum punch was too sweet and lacking in rum for me so I swiftly moved on to a Yorkshire Tea. This cocktail was my favourite, I've never had tea infused Tangueray before and the flavours blended surprisingly well, especially when served with refreshing pink grapefruit juice! Dangerously good, tea will never be the same.</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Weirdly, my cocktails were served in ugly glass tankards so they didn't look sexy and inviting like a cocktail should. They we</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">re pretty pricey too at £7.50 - £10, so I'd expect the presentation to be on a par with Leeds' more premium bars. I'm not sure if this is some kind of bizarre nod to Yorkshire, but for the record we drink from martini glasses "oop north" too! </span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Our food and service were spot on! Once we were seated comfortably, with our drinks, we collectively drooled over the menu and debated how much, rather than what, to order. We were all ravenous and predictably ordered a banquet of food: tobacco fried onions, chilli cheese fries, hippie fries, bingo wings, a dead hippie burger and two green chilli burgers. The latter we were advised, just had a "kick of chilli."</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: #222222;">When we were first seated there were a few empty tables around us but they soon filled up and the place was buzzing. Even with full tables our waiter was never too far away to replenish our drinks and entertain us with his Yorkshire wit. Soon our food arrived, casually presented 'diner' style on two red and white paper lined trays. My grainy photo does not do it justice, the food looked perfect and we couldn't wait to get stuck in. </span></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Eating at Meat Liquor can be a messy affair and we were grateful for the kitchen rolls on the table. Each dish was super tasty and not greasy as you'd expect with American food. My favourite was the bingo wings, the hot pepper sauce is just incredible and soooo moreish - sticky fingers guaranteed!</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Each burger was juicy and delicious, grilled to be pink in the middle aka. perfection! I like that they are not too huge and I don't fall into a sleepy comatose state post consumption. In my humble opinion, Meat Liquor serve up the best burgers and I'm so happy they are now available in Leeds!</span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: #222222;">Lets recap on that green chilli burger with afore mentioned "kick of chilli". The green chilli butter was very spicy, so that "kick" was actually a big and powerful one! It was fun trying to eat it all but in the end I gave up on the top part of my bun but my determined burger buddy succeeded. </span></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Meat Liquor's chilli cheese fries are also pretty special, as are the hippie fries - their hippie sauce is cheesy with a mysterious, tangy twist. The new tobacco onions arrived in a mini mountain form so we didn't manage to finish them, I think only an army of onion lovers could. </span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: #222222;">We left once we'd finished our meal rather than staying on for more drinks like we usually would at Meat Liquor. Overall the food was fantastic but the dining experience didn't quite match our expectations. We'll definitely be back for our burger fix and those new to the Meat Liquor brand should definitely pay a visit.</span></span></div>
<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/" style="background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; line-height: 0; min-height: 20px; min-width: 40px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/" style="background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; line-height: 0; min-height: 20px; min-width: 40px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10269229704031041251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-285876142940098148.post-30139434495996556672014-09-12T09:17:00.001-07:002014-09-12T09:19:49.542-07:00The Best Cheap Eats In London<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Shockingly it's been almost a year since we moved out of our lovely garden flat in London’s Crouch End to embark on our round the world adventure. Even more surprising is that it took us almost three months, since returning to the UK, to visit our beloved capital. However, we recently enjoyed four fantastic days reacquainting ourselves with much missed friends and London’s best bits, without the stress of working there. As former adopted Londoners with seven years experience eating our way around the city we've compiled a list of our favourite cheap yet cool restaurants in London. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-HO19edpVRBvtPCGCGUKPPOiD4s1QFisFW-FztU87NAtGCRHVDcdjdNj6TKLGkxPGpIGOMB4xxgY2Y10IoQc3_zyYBgOSL6ckxgsHB9Fp6_uKaQvfUPPdaQ3MdYwj-YoXcSErAKqFCT0/s1600/539482_10151230272073000_1138986311_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="cheap restaurant London Dotori" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-HO19edpVRBvtPCGCGUKPPOiD4s1QFisFW-FztU87NAtGCRHVDcdjdNj6TKLGkxPGpIGOMB4xxgY2Y10IoQc3_zyYBgOSL6ckxgsHB9Fp6_uKaQvfUPPdaQ3MdYwj-YoXcSErAKqFCT0/s1600/539482_10151230272073000_1138986311_n.jpg" height="400" title="cheap restaurant London Dotori" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">These are the places we visit time and time again for consistently tasty food at decent prices, well worth a look if you’re ever in their neighbourhood.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g186338-d1382719-Reviews-Dotori-London_England.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b>Dotori</b></span></a>, Finsbury Park </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">We miss this intimate, traditional Japanese and Korean restaurant sooo much! In our humble opinion they serve the best sushi and king prawn tempura, ever! It’s tiny so expect to be seated very close to other diners and thats if you can get a table. We advise you to book a day or two ahead as they are always full. They have an extensive menu of authentic Japanese and Korean dishes, from Bibimbap to countless sushi varieties. Each dish is made fresh to order and you can watch the very efficient and always smiling chef, in the mega tall hat at the back, make fine work of his sushi. We’ve been here so many times and never leave disappointed. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5pY6BBrC75jtZjPN3C_NMaVX9nI-JlfrXSlHpwtGiNeIBQf2KGOt-95bgLI8WUu_iTY8px5HRR4NJ5Wt7lRRgi2KXvcHVj3OXObpLa_5Dp1lsQTIGCF6pdWsoSGy8PxuCfv5ix9jp1iw/s1600/dororiLondon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="cheap restaurants london dotori" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5pY6BBrC75jtZjPN3C_NMaVX9nI-JlfrXSlHpwtGiNeIBQf2KGOt-95bgLI8WUu_iTY8px5HRR4NJ5Wt7lRRgi2KXvcHVj3OXObpLa_5Dp1lsQTIGCF6pdWsoSGy8PxuCfv5ix9jp1iw/s1600/dororiLondon.jpg" title="cheap restaurants london dotori" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">"Delicious Dotori!"</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Favourite Dish: Set Menu C with Prawn Tempura, Gyozas, Special Sushi, Sashimi and Chicken Teppanyaki Bento Box. </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Cost for two with drinks around £45.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://ladivina.co.uk/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b>La Divina</b></span></a>, Angel</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">This small, independent family run Italian restaurant is always busy thanks to its friendly staff and affordable food. We love the Italian memorobelia overload, inside the walls are covered with retro movie posters and adverts, and there’s even a Vespa and half a red car on the wall. What makes La Divina really special for us is their pizza, made fresh with quality, Italian ingredients and never a soggy middle. They taste divine with their amazing chilli oil too! With pizza for under a tenner and a quirky decor, La Divina is a cool, cheap restaurant to begin your evening on Upper Street.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Favourite Dish: Pizza! A two course dinner for two with drinks costs around £45.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://busaba.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b>Busaba Eathai</b></span></a>, Soho, Old Street and more!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Probably one of the first restaurants we ever visited in London and it still remains a favourite. The selective menu boasts fresh, flavoursome Thai noodle, curry and stir-fry dishes. We really like the casual dining concept here as diners are seated together on huge wooden benches but still with enough space for a private conversation. Busaba Eathai is a great option for lunch and dinner, service is always quick but expect to queue at peak times and busier branches.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Favourite dishes: Thai Beef, Pad Thai and Thai Calamari. Cost for two approx £50.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b><a href="http://brixtonmarket.net/brixton-village/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Brixton Village</span></a></b>, Brixton</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The eclectic mix of small independent restaurants make this covered market a unique, always buzzing venue for food, drinks and music. We don’t know all of the names in here but expect everything from burgers to jerk chicken, to French and Thai food. We definitely recommend The Joint who are serving up some mouthwatering shredded chicken sandwiches with probably the best beer battered onions rings in London! The village has gained in popularity over the past few years so expect to wait for your table. Many places are BYO too making it a cheap night out, and it’s open all year round just make sure you wrap up in Winter.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Favourite Dishes: Asian Shredded Chicken and beer Battered Onion Rings at the Joint. Most meals cost under a tenner.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://www.wahaca.co.uk/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Wahaca</span></b></a>, Angel, Soho and more!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">A colourful and quirky restaurant, co-founded by a former Masterchef, serving Mexican street food, tapas style! Everything is made fresh from seasonal, local produce and the menu is much more interesting than your standard Mexican restaurant. The food is delicious and great for sharing with friends, the cocktails are pretty special too. Wahaca is an ideal place to start a night out, especially as this London chain now has a branch in multiple postcodes.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Favourite Dishes: Chicken Tinga Tacos, Ceviche Tostados, Frijoles and Tamarind Margaritas. Expect to pay about £25 per head including drinks, leave feeling full and a little tipsy!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://www.meatliquor.com/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Meat Liquor</span></b></a>, Covent Garden, Hoxton and W1</span><br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">We first encountered Meat Liquor in their original form as the Meat Wagon at Glastonbury in 2010, suffering a typical hangover. Their delicious meat patties instantly resurrected us for another day of dancing and festival antics. On our return to reality we discovered that the Meat Wagon was a takeaway down in Peckham Rye. Today Meat Liquor is partly responsible for London’s “burger boom” and offers the best burgers in town! It’s by no means a healthy dinner, but the taste definitely justifies the calories and heart attack inducing saturated fats. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKPSxsiw3b4Gmxh4dVW1Su7Hd-_9fYCRLXtooGuwO8J110yUtcbowda7eXHRYE0T9IcFkRbZAbXrq-6gZD2S8Y8wR7rfP1_CFiO_zKKdQnL6Xh3ikR85zErXj4FRUp8HHPQLURgJudQcU/s1600/meatliquor_london.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="cheap restaurants london meat liquor" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKPSxsiw3b4Gmxh4dVW1Su7Hd-_9fYCRLXtooGuwO8J110yUtcbowda7eXHRYE0T9IcFkRbZAbXrq-6gZD2S8Y8wR7rfP1_CFiO_zKKdQnL6Xh3ikR85zErXj4FRUp8HHPQLURgJudQcU/s1600/meatliquor_london.jpg" title="cheap restaurants london meat liquor" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Inside is a dark American diner, with high ceilings and walls of in-your-face graffiti and neon signs, with a loud rock and roll soundtrack. Staff are not surly or “too cool’ but attentive, friendly and fun. The downside is the queue which can sometimes take over an hour, however, the wait is justified as you’ll stay for a couple of hours. Meat Liquors philosophy is to “Come Hungry, Leave Drunk” and thats usually the case!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqs8YYHZsK3LKLvAR7GSGjfMojcwZnowFq1NLoyBOiwpWb7RTgJQ6YSeIf5iSxzZF9Pp2U9b7_8zLaC33Zgoh-lK4MaRTLr8NNAP1ZfBZkfMB_3-pwWgybLYbh_i3pXndQaquPO0IbQ5A/s1600/Meat+Liquor+London.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="cheap restaurants london meat liquor" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqs8YYHZsK3LKLvAR7GSGjfMojcwZnowFq1NLoyBOiwpWb7RTgJQ6YSeIf5iSxzZF9Pp2U9b7_8zLaC33Zgoh-lK4MaRTLr8NNAP1ZfBZkfMB_3-pwWgybLYbh_i3pXndQaquPO0IbQ5A/s1600/Meat+Liquor+London.jpg" title="cheap restaurants london meat liquor" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">"Before the food coma."</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Favourite Dishes: Bingo Wings, Chilli Cheese Fries, Dead Hippie Burger, Onion Rings, Slaw and the cocktail list. Price for two including drinks around £50. Not in London? Meat Liquor now has branches in Brighton and Leeds!</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://www.rasarestaurants.com/rasa_maricham.php" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b>Rasa</b></span></a>, Stoke Newington</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Situated on Stoke Newington’s lovely Church Street with amazing food hailing from Kerala (our favourite Indian state), Rasa is our most recent and exciting cheap restaurant discoveries in London. There are two small, cosy branches with bright pink fronts on the same street, one vegetarian (Rasa N16) and one not (Rasa Travancore). Everything at Rasa is homemade to traditional Kerala village recipes, expect fresh and fragrantly spiced dishes that you’ve probably never tried before - each is mouthwateringly described on their menu too! It's very cheap to eat here with mains at Rasa N16 starting at just £4.50.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Favourite Dishes - Mysore Bonda, Kappayum Meenum Vevichathu and Malabar Paratha Bread. A two course meal for two (excl. drinks) is around £30.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: start;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://www.waterpoet.co.uk/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">The Water Poet</span></b></a>, Spitalfields</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Its surprisingly hard to find a pub that consistently serves a great Sunday roast, we’ve had so many instances of fantastic one week and overcooked beef or forgotten orders the next. The Water Poet is one of our favourites and like most good pubs on a Sunday its extremely popular. Get there early to enjoy your favourite meat, as once they're gone they’re gone! A fantastic choose all year round due to its cosy interior, airy dining room and spacious beer garden. And after a filling lunch you can head to the nearby pubs and bars of Commercial Street or Shoreditch.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Favourites Dishes: Roast Beef Sunday Roast £16.50. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">North Londoners should head to <a href="http://www.metropolitanpubcompany.com/our-pubs/the-old-dairy/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b>The Old Dairy</b></span></a> a beautiful pub in Finsbury Park that serves delicious British food all week and hearty Sunday roasts with a fabulous wine selection, desserts and board games too!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">So there you have it, our favourite cheap restaurants in London that cover the world’s best cuisines! Every Londoner or visitor to London has their own set of favourite restaurants, which are yours?</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/12834821/?claim=hmgeqaunv73">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a><br />
<br />
</div></div></div></div></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00969932035860339295noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-285876142940098148.post-17537872625894231442014-09-04T09:25:00.003-07:002014-09-04T09:25:53.290-07:00Authentic Tom Yum Soup<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">You like spicy? Then you will love this hot and sour soup recipe that I learnt in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand! Tom Yum is a delicious broth that combines all of my favourite flavours from Thai cuisine: coriander, lemongrass, lime and chilli. It’s very spicy and comes pretty close to blowing your head off - consider yourself warned. Still reading? Great! Tom Yum is easy to make and cooks in under thirty minutes, plus its low fat as there is no coconut milk or oil in this recipe. It’s one of my favourite soups as it smells fantastic and is full of flavour.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKyH3IUCmLGJoMfTXNMYbQzYFHQojZSvd4ALp716-6UAGX3w8dNCtl8Eg-q1TVYLT6LISXb4UBBjJINKpf8tnFj02HtXsFNBd2jfDJkB8wlJSxqnJisZU9LX912Qhk3iM7uXrlw8Tr38k/s1600/spicy-tom-yum-soup-recipe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="authentic tom yum soup recipe" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKyH3IUCmLGJoMfTXNMYbQzYFHQojZSvd4ALp716-6UAGX3w8dNCtl8Eg-q1TVYLT6LISXb4UBBjJINKpf8tnFj02HtXsFNBd2jfDJkB8wlJSxqnJisZU9LX912Qhk3iM7uXrlw8Tr38k/s1600/spicy-tom-yum-soup-recipe.jpg" title="authentic tom yum soup recipe" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a name='more'></a><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Typically Tom Yum is a seafood soup made using prawns but its often made with chicken or tofu too. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><u>The Ingredients</u></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">1 ltr cold water</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">300g free range chicken breast cut into bitesize pieces (RSPCA Freefrom/Soil Association approved) or raw king prawns or tofu</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">4 lemongrass sliced</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">8 kaffir lime leaves</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">3 red birdseye chillies sliced and smashed (or small red chillies)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Juice of 3 limes</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">4 teaspoons of palm sugar (or any sugar)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">4 tablespoons of chicken/vegetable stock</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">4 tablespoons fish sauce</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">4 teaspoons of Thai red chilli paste (available at Asian supermarkets)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">2 tablespoons of dried or fresh Galangal (approx half the amount of lemongrass)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">4 tomatoes quartered</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">1 large onion cut into large chunks</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">4 spring onions sliced</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">bunch of coriander chopped </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">This recipe serves four and once you’re ingredients are prepped its ridiculously easy to make:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; text-align: left;">1. Add the water, stock, kaffir lime leaves, lemongrass, galangal and chillies to a large pot. Bring to the boil and wait until you can smell the amazing herbs.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVTCJEbnuyZpxqpXqqZ7kGkpQMhFCxZ7XExYOSRMdGok4vhFk33kBs0JzZA9-KjQEp2t1Fs2_enYGzMeuJXPsPIN6T-EIsTchHvxhOMc4mE7M_r-buht1wIPlzF0MwNrF_mt67Kaf6Kw8/s1600/tom-yum-soup-recipe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="authentic tom yum soup recipe" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVTCJEbnuyZpxqpXqqZ7kGkpQMhFCxZ7XExYOSRMdGok4vhFk33kBs0JzZA9-KjQEp2t1Fs2_enYGzMeuJXPsPIN6T-EIsTchHvxhOMc4mE7M_r-buht1wIPlzF0MwNrF_mt67Kaf6Kw8/s1600/tom-yum-soup-recipe.jpg" title="authentic tom yum soup recipe" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; text-align: left;">2. Add the tomatoes, onion and chicken and lower heat to simmer.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(If you’re using prawns you might want to add them to the pot later so they don’t overcook)</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">3. Add the fish sauce, sugar, Thai chilli paste, lime juice. Simmer for about ten minutes.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">4. Add the spring onions and coriander. Simmer for another five minutes. Now your broth should be a rusty orange colour.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Serve everything into bowls, including all herbs (just don’t eat them all), and enjoy!</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLvW2SbYaODJzvggWTBPPzPRL6zHCCYtmlnrLtpmJzfvkNPE_XbMDRrZmBj8AVGKud0Wu7kCtfFWEaVSCmqsaoaE05-ZijdoScZJ1eI5UdkW7r42FygG9Krs_zeZWK6RAzZOSen7SGLZ4/s1600/tom-yum-soup-closeup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="authentic tom yum soup recipe" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLvW2SbYaODJzvggWTBPPzPRL6zHCCYtmlnrLtpmJzfvkNPE_XbMDRrZmBj8AVGKud0Wu7kCtfFWEaVSCmqsaoaE05-ZijdoScZJ1eI5UdkW7r42FygG9Krs_zeZWK6RAzZOSen7SGLZ4/s1600/tom-yum-soup-closeup.jpg" title="authentic tom yum soup recipe" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">"Close up Tom Yum, yum!"</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://wearenotlostblog.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Recipes" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Want more recipes?</span></a></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10269229704031041251noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-285876142940098148.post-18849237900826592882014-09-02T09:45:00.002-07:002014-09-02T09:53:46.507-07:00A Beauty Review: Lush Fresh Face Masks<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">As I recently discovered, when it comes to your beauty products you can’t find fresher than the gorgeous smelling goodies you find instore (and <a href="https://www.lush.co.uk/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">online</span></a>) at Lush. They have so many luscious treats on offer too, much more than the slightly naff and frequently copied bath bombs. You always smell a Lush store before you see it and one rainy afternoon my Mum and I ducked inside for shelter. I’m so glad we did as I connected with this innovative brand for the first time, and found a new favourite beauty treat - Lush’s Sacred Truth Fresh Face Mask.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoAx2lSAiD_K-pA8o4aJI4VU2gVR0ZhVPlQM6USUmWHRupyFeX0GjCA6jbDPa_XgcObc8W3_dDUuIZRi6hI9JljAJbM8d2tzkLDT8haqp_emQ7aPwwblENxupJG_SICPK5kzCVQdjl9i0/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="lush fresh face masks review" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoAx2lSAiD_K-pA8o4aJI4VU2gVR0ZhVPlQM6USUmWHRupyFeX0GjCA6jbDPa_XgcObc8W3_dDUuIZRi6hI9JljAJbM8d2tzkLDT8haqp_emQ7aPwwblENxupJG_SICPK5kzCVQdjl9i0/s1600/photo+3.JPG" height="400" title="lush fresh face masks review" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; text-align: start;">Inside we were intrigued by an ice filled bar dotted with pots of curious coloured lotions and got chatting to a friendly member of staff. Even though they’ve been around for years the ‘fresh face mask’ concept was exciting news to me. Lush make their face masks at each store using only fresh ingredients such as chocolate, honey, oats, papaya, and seaweed, plus a catalogue of carefully selected herbs and oils. As you can imagine they smell fantastic and they come in various colours, textures and promises of beautiful skin. After many questions and sniffing my Mum and I settled on a pot of The Sacred Truth each.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">It's not rocket science to use a face mask: massage a thick layer onto a clean face and wait 10 minutes before a rubbing off with warm water and your fingertips. The Sacred Truth is a dull khaki colour but it smells of delicious, fresh papaya. However, the bonus feature for me was that it came straight out of the fridge, so it felt cooling and refreshing on my skin - instant 'aaahh'!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMgQJaJFde8LanI_xO30Da9CasGjTg9pZ9aeqmYUQ7lK0BKHCyyQVumQbpu4GZQ79AkK4NpmBiklFKML0btrph0LvHibu37llcBluod1tSDAFaXV3MF6rY880TEq0QmN9X60aR_09BPrA/s1600/lush_thesacredtruth_freshfacemask.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="lush fresh face mask the sacred truth review" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMgQJaJFde8LanI_xO30Da9CasGjTg9pZ9aeqmYUQ7lK0BKHCyyQVumQbpu4GZQ79AkK4NpmBiklFKML0btrph0LvHibu37llcBluod1tSDAFaXV3MF6rY880TEq0QmN9X60aR_09BPrA/s1600/lush_thesacredtruth_freshfacemask.jpg" title="lush fresh face mask the sacred truth review" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">"Holy beautiful skin!"</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Prior to my first use I’d had a few late nights in a row so my skin was looking a bit dull and red in patches, it definitely needed a boost. Once I’d washed off the mask I was happy to see a much brighter complexion and an even skin tone. This wonder mask had also given my pores a deep clean, my skin looked plumper and felt silky soft. The frown lines between my eyebrows had even disappeared, sadly not permanently, just for the next couple of days but hey, I’ll take that!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I mistakenly put my usual moisturiser on straight away, but my dry skin had had its thirst quenched so much that it took a few minutes to absorb. Thankfully I was all set for a much needed night in so me and my shiny face beamed only at the telly that evening. From that first use I’ve been very impressed with The Sacred Truth, the results are always instant - maybe its the 28 fresh ingredients that do it? I like to try products for a while before I recommend them and this mask has been perfect for my skin.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">For comparison I also tried Brazened Honey which is an excellent polisher and exfoliant although not as nourishing. It has a much thicker consistency with big grains that feel quite harsh on my skin. With Lush’s Fresh Face Mask range you’ll find ten delicious masks, with at least one for every skin type or concern, I recommend heading instore to check them out and find your perfect blend.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">As these masks are fresh they last for three weeks in your fridge. If like me you always have your head in the fridge looking for snacks, this cute pot may just catch your eye and tempt you to feed your face in whole new way! Expect 4-5 masks per pot for a next to nothing £6.50. Cheaper than any fresh homemade mask and much more effective! I also love that each pot has a sticker with a date stamp of when it was made and who made it. And keeping inline with Lush’s ‘naked packaging’ policy each pot is reusable and when you return five empties to the store you get one free fresh face mask.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Shopping at Lush is a lot like buying your beauty kit at your local deli counter, everything is minimally packaged and the staff are helpful in a non-mechanical and genuine way. And since this recent visit I’ve developed a slight Lush obsession. I’ve no idea how I missed their brand tagline ‘Fresh Handmade Cosmetics’ so here are a few reminders about why we should shop at Lush:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Fighting Animal Testing</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Ethical Buying</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">100% Vegetarian</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Handmade</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Naked Packaging</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Oh and let’s not forget that the Leeds store has a Spa downstairs, I cannot wait to visit!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i><a href="http://wearenotlostblog.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Beauty" target="_blank">Discover more of my favourite beauty treats</a>...</i></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10269229704031041251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-285876142940098148.post-35979464387607233142014-08-28T06:19:00.002-07:002014-09-08T14:03:04.544-07:00Spicy Guacamole And Homemade Tortilla Chips<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Last night I made tortilla chips for the first time and teamed them with a Mexican inspired bowl of spicy guacamole. Holy Mole - it was pretty delicious! The fresh, punchy flavours in the guacamole and crunch of the tortillas were so much better than the pre-made, fat-filled nachos and dips at the supermarket. I feel pretty confident as I write this that once you try this recipe, you’ll never go back to the likes of Doritos for your nachos fix again. They're so easy to make, as in less than 15 minutes, and great as a starter or snacking in front of the TV!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1SWarZNmQdoJmUYMRuPSbgdYszx-dWz2jO5PNzCsnVb6xgl8-utIpsLcm4dw7tbetR_wMkUfbra635wXopA3zplex7HNlYoWq9J3k05e-L8yh5IK0DrtqlzCgwZ3oUMNpZonhFSWHNg4/s1600/Spciy-Guacamole-Tortilla-Recipe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1SWarZNmQdoJmUYMRuPSbgdYszx-dWz2jO5PNzCsnVb6xgl8-utIpsLcm4dw7tbetR_wMkUfbra635wXopA3zplex7HNlYoWq9J3k05e-L8yh5IK0DrtqlzCgwZ3oUMNpZonhFSWHNg4/s1600/Spciy-Guacamole-Tortilla-Recipe.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><u>The Ingredients</u></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">2 plain tortilla wraps</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">50g cheddar cheese grated (optional)</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">1/2 white onion </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">2 tomatoes from the vine</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">1-2 red birdseye chillies</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">2 handfuls of coriander</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Juice of 1 lime</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">1 teaspoon of ground cumin</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">water</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">salt</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">3 small ripe avocados</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">1 tub of half-fat crème fraîche</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">This recipe will make eight large tortilla chips each for two people and plenty of guacamole. It's easily scalable too for more people or big appetites! Follow these six easy steps to your own healthier Mexican nacho feast:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">1. Pre-Heat your oven to 200ºC/gas mark 7. Stack your tortilla wraps and slice into eight equal sections. Separate the tortilla chips and layer, without overlapping them, on baking trays.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">2. Roughly chop the onion, tomatoes, chillies, coriander and put them all in a food processor. Add the lime juice and cumin, then blitz everything until you get a dark green paste.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;"><i>(If you don't have a food processor you can pound all the ingredients together in a large mortar and pestle.) </i></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">3. Meanwhile, pop your tortilla chips in the oven for approximately eight minutes until they are golden and crispy. If you want cheesy tortillas take a few pieces out halfway through cooking and add a small pile of grated cheddar to each before returning them to the oven.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">4. Return to your paste and taste it. Don't be alarmed by the heat of the chillies, its intense especially if you've used two! Add a little cold water to loosen the paste and season with salt. Blitz again for thirty seconds.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">5. Cut your avocados in half, remove the stone and scoop out the soft, green flesh into a large bowl. Mash them together with a spoon or fork until almost smooth. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">6. Add about two thirds of your green paste to your avocados and mix gently. Taste, and add a little more or the rest of the paste to suit your tastebuds. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Serve your spicy guacamole and tortilla chips in separate bowls with some cooling creme </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">fraîche to counteract that kick from the chillies.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">As you can see there is no fat added to this recipe - well, except the cheese and creme! I'm sure you will taste the difference in eating fresh and not miss having cheesy Dorito fingers. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Enjoy!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Did you know know that avocados are one of nature's healthiest foods? They help you maintain a healthier heart through 'healthy fats' and the vitamins inside keep your skin glowing. Not bad for a fruit that tastes so amazing too!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://wearenotlostblog.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Recipes" target="_blank">Want m</a></span><a href="http://wearenotlostblog.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Recipes" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;" target="_blank">ore recipes?</a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10269229704031041251noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-285876142940098148.post-86269934240731212272014-07-29T07:37:00.001-07:002014-08-14T06:13:11.889-07:00A Beauty Review: Merumaya Melting Cleansing Balm<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I’m huge fan of cleansing balms and since discovering them for the first time about 12 months ago I've enthusiastically incorporated them into my daily beauty regime. When it comes to cleansers I'm very anti makeup wipes, they are the ultimate lazy (or, tired) girl accessory and they don’t do any good for your skin. The other option is a cream or water based cleanser but I find the whole cotton wool thing takes forever until I'm satisfied my face is clean. And then who has time to be bothered with a separate eye make up remover?!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL1TcfLN7JIV9Ndpf-4opW1po2G-udWNgPCG_3J1QyXGlUOiCdXOMWnvWKp34_GYzjunDQGjx8Ck3TbhvQ4nGdXs7YXpMV2tLbjPVs4YSuzs0tNE71wk2EeHlzBynt6NsChVH8SgXJGvQ/s1600/merumayameltingcleansingbalmreview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Merumaya Cleansing Balm Review" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL1TcfLN7JIV9Ndpf-4opW1po2G-udWNgPCG_3J1QyXGlUOiCdXOMWnvWKp34_GYzjunDQGjx8Ck3TbhvQ4nGdXs7YXpMV2tLbjPVs4YSuzs0tNE71wk2EeHlzBynt6NsChVH8SgXJGvQ/s1600/merumayameltingcleansingbalmreview.jpg" height="400" title="Merumaya Cleansing Balm Review" width="400" /></a></div>
<a name='more'></a><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Enter the cleansing balm. Just a fingertip size blob of balm will melt away daily dirt and make up, including a tough mascara like They’re Real by Benefit. Balms tend to be much more nourishing for your skin too as they are enriched with fab smelling oils. These luxurious oils also mean that cleansing balms are a great anti-ageing skincare solution. And, don’t worry they’re not the kind of oils that cause dreaded blemishes or breakouts. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I've been looking for a new cleansing balm to try and <a href="http://www.merumaya.com/product/melting-cleansing-balm" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Merumaya’s Melting Cleansing Balm</span></a> came highly recommended by beauty journos and bloggers alike. Merumaya’s effective skincare range specialises in products that help prevent signs of ageing and reduce existing signs of ageing. As I’m obsessed by my own fines lines I knew Merumaya was a brand that I needed to try.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Merumaya’s Melting Cleansing Balm is enriched with Sweet Almond Oil and Echium Seed Oil so it not only feels fantastic, it smells refreshing and citrusy too. I found the balm quite runny compared to others I've tried but the thinner formula went a long way. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">To use: simply massage the balm all over your face to melt away dirt and makeup - be prepared to look like a panda for a few seconds. Then wipe everything off gently with a warm, damp Muslin cloth. Et voila! You have super clean, glowing, soft skin and not a trace of mascara left behind. The best bit for me is that my skin doesn’t feel dry or tight afterwards as I loathe that feeling on my face. Merumaya recommend you repeat the cleansing process twice but for me once is enough.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">At £13.95 for 100ml it's excellent value compared to others on the market and gets a big thumbs up from me. I look forward to trying more from Merumaya! The only downside is that Merumaya is only available at John Lewis or their <span style="color: #3d85c6;"><a href="http://www.merumaya.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">online store</span></a> </span>where delivery is a little expensive (free if you spend £40).</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">My advice, if you’re not using a cleansing balm get one pronto, and give your skin a gorgeous glow!</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10269229704031041251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-285876142940098148.post-62417842980613924482014-07-15T09:43:00.000-07:002014-08-06T05:15:57.899-07:00Date Night At Tharavadu<div class="im" style="background-color: white;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Kerala was the first stop on our round the world adventure and we are extremely fond of this small state on India's south west coast. Every day we delighted in the fantastic spices, seafood and hospitality of this region. <a href="http://wearenotlostblog.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Kerala" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">Kerala</span></a> is famous for its beautiful backwaters, evergreen jungle and Arabian Sea coastline of golden beaches.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWEHBObpFdaSWBjIJybafBHA0WmFwnAsu3VipkZQ6ex60gGm7OK_FGcaoBHc7jRear9uhTN-bjxGdDwid9wt_XkZb_hOfQpeI7MjFRcU2VjHqe2L_Xf7RO72MdFdqti-Ji0qPIYyhErV8/s1600/review-tharavadu-leeds-fish-curry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="review tharavadu restaurant leeds" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWEHBObpFdaSWBjIJybafBHA0WmFwnAsu3VipkZQ6ex60gGm7OK_FGcaoBHc7jRear9uhTN-bjxGdDwid9wt_XkZb_hOfQpeI7MjFRcU2VjHqe2L_Xf7RO72MdFdqti-Ji0qPIYyhErV8/s1600/review-tharavadu-leeds-fish-curry.jpg" title="review tharavadu restaurant leeds" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>"Authentic Kerala fish curry (in Leeds!)" </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">We had a chance encounter with Tharavadu, their shop front claim as 'The Home of Kerala Cuisine' shone out to us like a beacon from across the street and immediately we were intrigued. From friends we learned that it was Leeds newest 'curry house' and online, we read promising reviews. With 'Date Night' a little overdue we headed down one busy <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_641246801" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Friday</span></span> night without a reservation.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Lucky for us we managed to get a table and were seated by a very friendly waiter from Cochin in Kerala. Inside the restaurant was quite dark and the decor clean and simple. Every table was taken and the atmosphere was buzzing from the mixed clientele. From couples to multi-generation families, many were taken by Tharavadu's appeal.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The menu was overwhelming in a good way. Each dish sounded delicious even though the actual spices were not always listed and there was no indicator of heat. As this is Kerala cuisine you can expect lots of coconut, chilli, ginger, and tamarind. Just like when you are in India you order a little blindly which is part of the fun!</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPe8n85gSokpvwADPtsMY0ySKUwhxHgofJI-pyXJHh6dAlKqJ1VRbu-T6RHU9arLDrTnIWqH3d5YSnQ7q_dfFhC6pIzQn2pJ24cgAqeI1ntL8OdjmyLO2mQPPI2tevPDgCsfysqNgjFMM/s1600/review-tharavadu-restaurant-leeds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="review tharavadu restaurant leeds" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPe8n85gSokpvwADPtsMY0ySKUwhxHgofJI-pyXJHh6dAlKqJ1VRbu-T6RHU9arLDrTnIWqH3d5YSnQ7q_dfFhC6pIzQn2pJ24cgAqeI1ntL8OdjmyLO2mQPPI2tevPDgCsfysqNgjFMM/s1600/review-tharavadu-restaurant-leeds.jpg" title="review tharavadu restaurant leeds" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;"><i>"A very festive looking plate of <span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;">Dahi Battata Poori"</span></i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">We were pretty ravenous after cocktails at Angelica and Distrikt earlier so starters were called for. The Dahi Battata Poori looked very appetising even if we weren't expecting the cold dish we received. The deep-fried potatoes balls were beautifully spiced, but the yoghurt sauce they were smothered in was overpowering and a little excessive. </span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">We also tried the Cherayi Koonthal, again the Kerala spices were great but the squid rings were just not crispy, a little on the floppy side. </span></div>
<div class="im" style="background-color: white;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLcM79e2lywiqfsMZynr4RCrjhM3cdPomHf9XMzJmwPJdBC9veIx67S3WoOVr9FIFnYBdpKTYoWjzwZ50Cj-L97S2FYsGx-dh2poK1uUCcMPSxGkG3wi_QoJAET1_-_0FZsXhJo-4X6dk/s1600/review-tharavadu-leeds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="review tharavadu restaurant leeds" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLcM79e2lywiqfsMZynr4RCrjhM3cdPomHf9XMzJmwPJdBC9veIx67S3WoOVr9FIFnYBdpKTYoWjzwZ50Cj-L97S2FYsGx-dh2poK1uUCcMPSxGkG3wi_QoJAET1_-_0FZsXhJo-4X6dk/s1600/review-tharavadu-leeds.jpg" title="review tharavadu restaurant leeds" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">As we were dining on dishes from South India, a fish curry was a must. There were a few equally tempting options on offer and with a little advice from our waiter we opted for the Meen Koottan, a spicy fish curry Kerala style. It was one of the best we've ever had, the creamy sauce was full of flavour and the heat of the chillies packed quite a punch. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">'From the Butcher Shop' we ordered a Kerala version of a lamb and spinach curry. It was delicious and the meat cubes melted in our mouths. Our mains were accompanied by perfect Paratha bread, its so hard to find good paratha outside of Kerala, this layered bread is particularly difficult to execute well. Thravadu's was flaky, stretchy and non-greasy. We loved it! The chapattis and coconut rice were also cooked to perfection.</span></div>
<div class="im" style="background-color: white;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The main dishes here were the main event for us and we savoured every mouthful.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Throughout dinner the staff were attentive, friendly and knowledgable about their menu. For a restaurant just a few weeks old they seem to have perfectly balanced their menu, their spices and their service.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Kerala cuisine is lighter than the North Indian or Bangladeshi dishes we've lovingly adopted in the UK, but the flavours and spices are just as bold. <a href="http://www.tharavadurestaurants.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">Tharavadu</span></a> has rendered up a big, tasty kiss from Kerala straight into the heart of Leeds. Our verdict is to go and try it! Your tastebuds will definitely thank you for it.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>A two course meal for two with drinks cost £50 (excluding tips).</i></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00969932035860339295noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-285876142940098148.post-35932822157132972702014-06-17T01:45:00.000-07:002014-09-08T14:03:43.337-07:00Skinny Spicy Cauliflower Soup<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The latter half of our seven month trip was in South America and the effects of a high carb, meaty diet are really showing as I can no longer fit in to my favourite J Brands. Sob! So, for the past week since returning from our epic round the world adventure I’ve been trying to cram as many vegetables into my diet as possible. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmNp6M06tKK1pUKmAhRREvp7JupaXIPn21A98t4ah_unfEDOLZ5iQQjdOUmoYq_UbGA6OnCTUgjrrV70Z6m2OUJoACzULvKza_iDvwwberUaIR6SkmQTnESR5bjyBNo5efE46UgG3hEVo/s1600/CAULIFLOWERSOUPRECIPE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="skinny cauliflower soup recipe" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmNp6M06tKK1pUKmAhRREvp7JupaXIPn21A98t4ah_unfEDOLZ5iQQjdOUmoYq_UbGA6OnCTUgjrrV70Z6m2OUJoACzULvKza_iDvwwberUaIR6SkmQTnESR5bjyBNo5efE46UgG3hEVo/s1600/CAULIFLOWERSOUPRECIPE.jpg" title="skinny cauliflower soup recipe" /></a></div>
<br />
<a name='more'></a></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">One of my favourite ways to eat healthy is with tasty homemade soups. Soups are really easy to make, basically you chuck a load of fresh ingredients into a pan and leave to simmer whilst you get on with other important things like watching Eastenders or walking the dog. I’m sharing one of my favourites with you, a spicy cauliflower soup recipe that is low carb and low fat but still really filling and of course, tasty!</span></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><u>The Ingredients</u></span></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Olive Oil</span></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">1 large cauliflower</span></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">1 large white onion</span></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander</span></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">1 teaspoon ground turmeric </span></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">1/2 teaspoon ground cumin</span></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">1/2 teaspoon ground ginger</span></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">1/2 teaspoon crushed chillies/chilli flakes (optional)</span></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">1.5L vegetable stock</span></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Plus, low fat <span class="s1">Crème fraîche</span> or sour cream, and fresh coriander to serve.</span></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPLUCPICo0VgTCBSLq0Y1GOcF7gmq7aFYF0SbQ1zkhoIGSrE85Dti_yMzC4y5lyczwH-Fe2KtMFAKvwEThg0khPSKECY6jpc28bWbIlX3ajBpkzlOFeL5ip8s7nA3JUIb1rRgfkfNRE0U/s1600/SKINNYCAULIFLOWERSOUP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="skinny cauliflower soup recipe" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPLUCPICo0VgTCBSLq0Y1GOcF7gmq7aFYF0SbQ1zkhoIGSrE85Dti_yMzC4y5lyczwH-Fe2KtMFAKvwEThg0khPSKECY6jpc28bWbIlX3ajBpkzlOFeL5ip8s7nA3JUIb1rRgfkfNRE0U/s1600/SKINNYCAULIFLOWERSOUP.jpg" title="skinny cauliflower soup recipe" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">"Get souped up!"</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">This recipe will make 4-6 generous bowls so any leftover portions can make a healthy lunch at work the next day or freeze them to enjoy another day. Follow these five easy steps to cook your own skinny spicy cauliflower soup:</span></div>
<ol class="ol1">
<li class="li2" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Roughly chop the onion. Cut the cauliflower in half and break off all the florets.</span></li>
<li class="li2" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan and when its very hot add the onion and cauliflower, stir them for a few minutes until the onion softens.</span></li>
<li class="li2" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Add all of the spices and stir again for a couple of minutes to evenly coat the veg.</span></li>
<li class="li2" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Pour in the vegetable stock and turn down the heat to simmer for 45 minutes.</span></li>
<li class="li2" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Using a handheld blender or food processor blitz the mixture until smooth. NB. You might want to let the it cool for a few minutes before you do this.</span></li>
</ol>
<div class="p2" style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Ladle your soup into bowls and top with a generous dollop of <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Crème fraîche</span> or sour cream and a few leaves of coriander. </span></div>
</div>
<div class="p3" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p2" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Bon Appétit!</span></div>
<div class="p3" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="p2" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Vicky x</span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10269229704031041251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-285876142940098148.post-12372752713956062762014-06-01T16:36:00.000-07:002014-07-19T12:08:58.572-07:00Ten Travel Essentials For Female Travellers<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;">After seven eventful and fulfilling months backpacking across India, South East Asia and South America there are a few things in my backpack, well, ten to precise, that I would struggle to travel without. Unless you're flashpacking or a journalist for Condenast Traveler backpacking is a very unglamorous life, you literally carry everything you need/own with you as you go. </span><span style="background-color: white;"> Yes, whatever you decide you 'need' you're going to have to carry so the idea is to travel as light as possible and the selection process of what to take is very daunting. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9TBkHXlwsFqBfalgD2RHG7XkFQI6Yl9Sfw8Y55JK1ezWTddx0wvwVNQxTRu9zrpb8mFkCi5W4C46ka-50Hl_CH5KmM8j-D7r4Eb8TwQZmEsKpkQPN1ft7d0k5FX1Zp5uGAyoCIprLMgs/s640/blogger-image--1417618417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9TBkHXlwsFqBfalgD2RHG7XkFQI6Yl9Sfw8Y55JK1ezWTddx0wvwVNQxTRu9zrpb8mFkCi5W4C46ka-50Hl_CH5KmM8j-D7r4Eb8TwQZmEsKpkQPN1ft7d0k5FX1Zp5uGAyoCIprLMgs/s640/blogger-image--1417618417.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a name='more'></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">It took me at least five attempts to satisfactorily fill my backpack and begrudgingly leave my hairdryer, nail varnish, dancing heels as well as other 'essentials' behind. Yes, I admit there are a couple of things in my backpack I haven't used like those shorts I love that are never going to fit or that cropped tee that <i>maybe</i> one day my abs will be ready for</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">! Below are ten essential items that I'm so grateful I have with me.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><u>1. Kiehls Activated Sunscreen For Face</u></b> If you’ve read my <a href="http://wearenotlostblog.blogspot.com/2014/02/six-beauty-must-haves-for-female.html?m=1" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Six Beauty Must-Haves For Female Travellers</span></a> you’ll know </span><span style="background-color: white;">how much I love this product. It's been my go to sunscreen for this entire round the world trip and at £26 its such a bargain. Even if your daily moisturiser contains SPF you will still need an extra layer of sunscreen, when the climate gets humid you´ll sweat your moisturiser off in an hour. A thin layer of Kiehls will give you protection all day and u</span><span style="background-color: white;">nlike most suncreams its lightweight and oil free so won't lead to any outbreaks.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br style="background-color: white;" /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><u>2. Sarong</u></b> Ask any female traveller and they will tell you that a </span><span style="background-color: white;">sarong is an essential piece in their backpack. It’s so true! My </span><span style="background-color: white;">sarong is not only a beach cover up its also my beach towel and when </span><span style="background-color: white;">there is nothing else its my bath towel, blanket and pillow too. I bought mine </span><span style="background-color: white;">in India for £3 at the start of our trip and its been there for me in </span><span style="background-color: white;">so many situations from freezing overnight train journeys to beyond basic mountain lodges in Nepal. I’m very attached! Just think what you can pack into that space where a bath or travel towel would be.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br style="background-color: white;" /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><u>3. Maxi Skirt</u></b> On flights and long bus journeys I always wear a maxi </span><span style="background-color: white;">skirt. It’s so comfortable and dare I say stylish! I’ve noticed </span><span style="background-color: white;">that most women like to travel in leggings however with a maxi you can layer both</span><span style="background-color: white;"> if you get really cold. And </span><span style="background-color: white;">take them off again when you get too hot, typically when the </span><span style="background-color: white;">sun is blaring through the curtains of the bus at </span><span style="background-color: white;">6am</span><span style="background-color: white;"> or the AC breaks </span><span style="background-color: white;">at </span><span style="background-color: white;">midnight</span><span style="background-color: white;">.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br style="background-color: white;" /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><u>4. Day Rucksack</u></b> To be honest I actually find rucksacks pretty gross but it’s </span><span style="background-color: white;">difficult (and vain!) to travel without one. I’m really not into the </span><span style="background-color: white;">sporty look so a branded sports one was not an option for me and </span><span style="background-color: white;">it took me ages to find one I liked. Two days before we flew out of </span><span style="background-color: white;">the UK, ASOS delivered a cute Mi bag to me and its perfect as my</span><span style="background-color: white;"> carry on luggage for flights, boats, buses etc Plus, I use </span><span style="background-color: white;">it for overnight or two night stays when I can’t take my big backpack i.e. </span><span style="background-color: white;">jungle lodges, remote island. It’s amazing how much I can squeeze inside </span><span style="background-color: white;">especially the overflow from my big backpack after a shopping trip.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br style="background-color: white;" /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><u>5. Headscarf</u></b> Perfect for bad hair days (of which I've had many) when humidity and frizz strike </span><span style="background-color: white;">or when you’re unable to wash your hair.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> Simply fold corner to corner and tie around your hairline either knotted or tucked </span><span style="background-color: white;">under. Choose cotton as it has more </span><span style="background-color: white;">friction with your hair and will stay in place longer. I always keep one in </span><span style="background-color: white;">my daypack and use it as an eye mask for sleeping on buses, flights and/or in </span><span style="background-color: white;">light rooms. I lost my eyemask within a couple of weeks but for some reason these multi-tasking pieces don't manage to escape me.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br style="background-color: white;" /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><u>6. Denim</u></b> At home you’ll always find me in skinny jeans, obviously these </span><span style="background-color: white;">don’t work well in hot, humid climates but I do have a pair of boyfriend fit jeans </span><span style="background-color: white;">with me and they are perfect for cooler </span><span style="background-color: white;">climes. Denim shorts are a big cliche but </span><span style="background-color: white;">they are so comfy and versatile and I wear mine every few days. And </span><span style="background-color: white;">the more worn they get the better I like them so they have lasted the </span><span style="background-color: white;">entire trip. A lightweight denim shirt makes an excellent cover up </span><span style="background-color: white;">when its cold or the mosquitos are out in force, they look great over pretty much everything </span><span style="background-color: white;">and work with all colours and prints. You can never have too much denim! </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="ten packing essentials for female travellers" border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaWgj-s_vrydo3nmECE7TTYgpb7nFiYwg5nzsTDjCxxDeWP_6MulzCfHpqRlUvDvxFJo04gIC73bb3VWperVzc4vh0uxjF51w3N8CAWASfxDd4BMBK9fuI2r_Jrz-IfvMoSZI1mT1PYWA/s400/blogger-image-1368880527.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="ten packing essentials for female travellers" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">"These are a few of my favourite prints..."</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><u>7. Prints</u></b> I have the basic white and black tees like </span><span style="background-color: white;">any other traveller but to dress these up is tricky as flaunting your jewellery (even the cheap stuff) is a big </span><span style="background-color: white;">no no in most countries especially in South America where muggings are common. So, </span><span style="background-color: white;">to liven up my wardrobe I love to wear prints! </span><span style="background-color: white;">Don’t worry about packing lots of printed pieces as </span><span style="background-color: white;">you’ll find them as soon as you land, head straight for the market and </span><span style="background-color: white;">enjoy the fantastic shopping at backpacker budget friendly prices.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br style="background-color: white;" /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><u>8. Folding Toiletry Bag</u></b> As a fairly messy person when it comes to my dresser and wardrobe this simple organiser</span><span style="background-color: white;"> has changed (or most likely delayed) my unruly ways. It's always at the very top of my backpack waiting for me </span><span style="background-color: white;">with my beauty kit when I arrive at a </span><span style="background-color: white;">new destination so there is no need for an "I can't find my face scrub/nail file/toothbrush" kind of drama. Its a great space saver as it </span><span style="background-color: white;">folds and rolls, plus it’s waterproof and you can hang it rather than sit it on a soggy sink or shower floor.<span style="color: #3d85c6;"> <a href="http://m.marksandspencer.com/mt/www.marksandspencer.com/nautical-cosmetic-hanging-bag/p/p22272276" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">This bag</span></a> </span></span><span style="background-color: white;">is excellent value at just £15 from M&S. </span><span style="background-color: white;">Do not leave home without one of these.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br style="background-color: white;" /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b><u>9. Running Shorts</u></b> I'd be lying if I told you I've been going for regular runs during my travels but I have been wearing my Nike Running Shorts a lot. They are the perfect piece of kit for trekking on hot days and any water based activity such as whitewater rafting or tubing. For the latter I'd definitely advise wearing a pair unless you're comfortable flashing a little extra at strangers. Lets leave that to the builders! Choose a pair in a quick-dry fabric with an inner short. They wash really well and are much more chic than beige cargo shorts despite what the sales rep in your local outdoor pursuits shop tells you. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br style="background-color: white;" /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><u>10. SLR Camera</u></b> </span><span style="background-color: white;">So far on our trip my partner </span><span style="background-color: white;">and I have taken over 7,000 photos. </span><span style="background-color: white;">Are they all fantastic? No. I am guilty of taking ten photos of the same landscape, llama or sunset! However, I’m a firm believer of its better </span><span style="background-color: white;">to have too many than too miss out besides, practise will one day make perfect, right? I’ve been lucky enough to visit </span><span style="background-color: white;">some incredible places on this trip and it’s great when you capture </span><span style="background-color: white;">that perfect shot to give you memories to last forever. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR0TSd0x5oTJ0rkzFMUG4WQJNxY0TIxmDgaYG1gqipdjhic1MYRrbjyBdhBi7oJ6QmRUloeWRRDLZt1zBRCl8aFO2EdQaSt42GpSFTHL1J9f7a_bf1yiSGkFN9LRViXooe6t8_6dcci8A/s1600/SlothPeruAmazon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="sloth peru amazon" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR0TSd0x5oTJ0rkzFMUG4WQJNxY0TIxmDgaYG1gqipdjhic1MYRrbjyBdhBi7oJ6QmRUloeWRRDLZt1zBRCl8aFO2EdQaSt42GpSFTHL1J9f7a_bf1yiSGkFN9LRViXooe6t8_6dcci8A/s1600/SlothPeruAmazon.jpg" title="sloth peru amazon" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>"My favourite photo from our trip!"</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;">I’m very far from a professional but the quality of an SLR photo is fantastic and f</span><span style="background-color: white;">our years later my Nikon D3100 is still going </span><span style="background-color: white;">strong making it a great investment. This is definitely not a camera for evening though as its too </span><span style="background-color: white;">bulky to carry, a smartphone camera is more than sufficient to capture </span><span style="background-color: white;">your drinking sessions! Don't forget to carry at least a couple of memory cards and backup your photos as you go on a laptop or file sharing platform like dropbox.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">So, above are my favourite material possessions and there is one thing that doesn't cost us a penny which i believe we should all travel with - An Inquisitive Mind! I hate to preach but we really should question everything when we travel. Why am I able to ride this elephant? Why was it trained? Why can I hold this sloth in the middle of the jungle? Why do I have to pay a little bit more than the locals? Why is there so much rubbish on this beach? Is there another option that what this person is giving me? Where is the money I spend on this really going? The answers you find may surprise and give you a new perspective, they certainly have at times for me. Basically, try not to be ignorant about the positive and negative impact you are having on your surrounding environment.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Are you currently travelling? Have you just returned? or, are you about to jet off on your own amazing adventure? I'd love your feedback on my 'travel essentials' and hear about your own packing list.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10269229704031041251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-285876142940098148.post-50617525423799531932014-05-19T04:08:00.000-07:002014-09-04T05:20:32.373-07:00Eating Cartagena<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The journey to Cartagena from <a href="http://wearenotlostblog.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/border-mission-peru-to-colombia.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Iquitos</span></a> was a long and tiring one, so when we woke in our cramped but beautiful hotel room we were very excited to be in Colombia. Cartagena is a major port on Colombia’s Caribbean Coast and a </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">UNESCO World Heritage Site. </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">It has a beautiful, Spanish colonial walled town and an impressive fortress that was built to defend the city against pirates. We stayed in Getsamani, a small neighbourhood outside of the old walls where back in the pirate day the African slaves used to live, more recently its where prostitutes made their living and today it’s very backpacker friendly!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD6X8aOjlFmI5jhhcBjO2pSgZ9RwEPJdFcbcCLsgjZGp8v8vh4aAhVJIWLDFYnm0wCWPBrbX0MVAR_i43Lgjn5I-d6LV829qxETN1kwBtHbQRfoVpYQeRLHHN6fpp9pPEqIzWAB581_Fw/s1600/colombianflag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="cartagena colombia" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD6X8aOjlFmI5jhhcBjO2pSgZ9RwEPJdFcbcCLsgjZGp8v8vh4aAhVJIWLDFYnm0wCWPBrbX0MVAR_i43Lgjn5I-d6LV829qxETN1kwBtHbQRfoVpYQeRLHHN6fpp9pPEqIzWAB581_Fw/s1600/colombianflag.jpg" title="cartagena colombia" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Our first morning got off to a difficult start as there was still no hot water and the receptionist had now changed his mind from last night and admitted that this rather expensive hotel never has hot water. This really riled Steve as the guy had blatantly lied last night when he said there'd be hot water in the morning and had taken payment for the room in advance. Eventually the guy refused to speak to Steve and only to Vicky in Spanish but it didn’t matter as we weren’t getting any money back. Defeated, we retreated back to our room for a cold shower. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuZkWU1drzPUJQmZWbdZqzGSdsYfMI3kJJi6uOPgIm4w5z600CN7xHj_ljyV_pOtcSeuDdy9rn3gPm77qP7cMBZ4S4Sfv6Baap-AR-WR6FzBJM03-YqCRAIZ50547r1q65DOxuXiVu1ug/s1600/cartagena-colombia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="bronze statue cartagena colombia" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuZkWU1drzPUJQmZWbdZqzGSdsYfMI3kJJi6uOPgIm4w5z600CN7xHj_ljyV_pOtcSeuDdy9rn3gPm77qP7cMBZ4S4Sfv6Baap-AR-WR6FzBJM03-YqCRAIZ50547r1q65DOxuXiVu1ug/s1600/cartagena-colombia.jpg" title="bronze statue cartagena colombia" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">"The priest and a slave"</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">We hadn’t experienced Cartagena's humidity at this point, only the hotel’s AC so we were not looking forward to our first shower in 36 hours anymore. Whilst Vicky was showering there was a knock on the door, and outside were two policemen! Oh no, Steve had really annoyed the receptionist and decided to let vicky do the talking. It turned out that they were only the tourist police and they were here to reinforce the hotels claims that nowhere in Cartagena has hot water. We didn’t believe them. Especially when they launched into a patronising explanation of Cartagena’s hot climate vs. Englands very cold one and hot water was not needed. Vicky politely nodded and thanked them for sharing their wise insights, anything to avoid Steve getting issued a Colombian ASBO!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn7QtnzNKv4aZOW6aM6_SMDsjSs-V5WeO2B2cGNsF_M7oEPNCCuizGdFQ5weRvSXkmAb4xla66d73O7w9fRXaztqslqrIrLAxjeFyodxaS7M4UQR6yC1Lk8etVtGCx9vrqgGvqTfG8HpU/s1600/getsamani-cartagena-colombia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="getsamani cartagena colombia" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn7QtnzNKv4aZOW6aM6_SMDsjSs-V5WeO2B2cGNsF_M7oEPNCCuizGdFQ5weRvSXkmAb4xla66d73O7w9fRXaztqslqrIrLAxjeFyodxaS7M4UQR6yC1Lk8etVtGCx9vrqgGvqTfG8HpU/s1600/getsamani-cartagena-colombia.jpg" title="getsamani cartagena colombia" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">"Getsamani, so colourful"</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">After that insightful conversation we knew we headed out in search of a new abode and thankfully found the perfect place, <a href="http://www.booking.com/hotel/co/casa-ebano-967.en-gb.html" target="_blank">Casa Ebano</a>. We had a huge room with breakfast, AC and hot showers for much less than Casa Baluarte, plus the staff were absolutely lovely. There were also a few novelty crazies on the street outside but, they were usually so drunk that they were harmless and paid us no notice so it was all good! In Getsamani you really get to mingle with the locals, every shop sells beer and the local men seemed to take a chair round to their mates shop to sit and watch football all day whilst enjoying a few Club Colombia. Its a really busy neighbourhood too, full of colour, people and music - an ideal place to sample Colombian life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgRTMByAsZDNkByeE23uhtiYgKt4LVUNSVj2IzBCeU7cYia2vOcY-SRh2DUX8WyWFJ56kVaYCrod1qBLfNK1tT7dmOdPc61uP7wT4nT6F56VTjyMMhmQJ2Li_e6ToBnjkYKoHcO4tPP30/s1600/colourfulstreet-cartagena-colombia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="cartagena colombia" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgRTMByAsZDNkByeE23uhtiYgKt4LVUNSVj2IzBCeU7cYia2vOcY-SRh2DUX8WyWFJ56kVaYCrod1qBLfNK1tT7dmOdPc61uP7wT4nT6F56VTjyMMhmQJ2Li_e6ToBnjkYKoHcO4tPP30/s1600/colourfulstreet-cartagena-colombia.jpg" title="cartagena colombia" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">"The beautiful old town."</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Our time in Cartagena was mostly spent wandering the streets, shopping for Steve’s new wardrobe, and sampling street food - we had a lovely time! Cartagena’s old town, within the city walls, is a beautiful area to wander aimlessly in the daytime. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiT5wyC2IxiSqfbpuS7k-Oshq2XHow2531dwe8uf3gE1wXmNoz_2V4lqNS6cHSpFOfqwl7_sLICmEfglVPq6YXtLvVO_8HNEBJvTe_P5HCtc15aE7ZzEIaNmM7NWHhED9t8z8g-DSXmnU/s1600/colour-street-cartagena-colombia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="cartagena colombia" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiT5wyC2IxiSqfbpuS7k-Oshq2XHow2531dwe8uf3gE1wXmNoz_2V4lqNS6cHSpFOfqwl7_sLICmEfglVPq6YXtLvVO_8HNEBJvTe_P5HCtc15aE7ZzEIaNmM7NWHhED9t8z8g-DSXmnU/s1600/colour-street-cartagena-colombia.jpg" title="cartagena colombia" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">We loved the bright coloured buildings with ornate balconies and the narrow cobbled streets. Its a busy place and the pavements are lined with street sellers showcasing panama hats in every colour combination imaginable, handmade jewellery and of course, beer and tasty snacks. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">There are two street food snacks you have to try in Cartagena:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1lPZKu6i1b3Hb4bqcIZZCokQ7yAlvnepyUUK3ePMg__gtpQQwzDvJmOZZ9XdSRFjIQO8b1vrrGaWOG9nOaKUlExa3MGeEQITTWtbEILdt7F4azVWZmOGRXo__UxHARFYtgOfm3oZRBLQ/s1600/arepapa-con-queso-cartagena-colombia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="street food cartagena colombia" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1lPZKu6i1b3Hb4bqcIZZCokQ7yAlvnepyUUK3ePMg__gtpQQwzDvJmOZZ9XdSRFjIQO8b1vrrGaWOG9nOaKUlExa3MGeEQITTWtbEILdt7F4azVWZmOGRXo__UxHARFYtgOfm3oZRBLQ/s1600/arepapa-con-queso-cartagena-colombia.jpg" title="street food cartagena colombia" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">"Mmm! Cheese and potato."</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Arepapa con Queso</span>: Mashed potato patties with chunks of mozzarella grilled on a hot plate. Served with a pocket full of butter in the middle and eaten piping hot from a paper bag. So simple and so damn amazing! The ultimate hangover cure. Not to be confused with Arepa, cornflour based patties served with almost every Colombian meal often as dry and stiff as cardboard.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ4YDC2VLD6zsR3gWXkfVEkObL89-ZYXCAJ_BVRx34LtrCvDicExN_anxXZDenql7UnaJq_64a1Jgmh2rPePfkRJQtU798sH-Qd6kQMXCq9NJ0051C5k5sBtA-c70z0XK6UeSjsdW8Xoc/s1600/ostreria-cartagena-colombia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="ostreria cartagena colombia" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ4YDC2VLD6zsR3gWXkfVEkObL89-ZYXCAJ_BVRx34LtrCvDicExN_anxXZDenql7UnaJq_64a1Jgmh2rPePfkRJQtU798sH-Qd6kQMXCq9NJ0051C5k5sBtA-c70z0XK6UeSjsdW8Xoc/s1600/ostreria-cartagena-colombia.jpg" title="ostreria cartagena colombia" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">"More stalls should wear hats!"</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Ostreria</span>: Fresh, cooked prawns served cold in delicious chilli, coriander, tomato, lime and onion salsa eaten from a paper cup. There are a bunch of ostreria stalls close to the city wall on the Getsamani side of town, they are all priced the same and we chose to eat at the stall wearing a sombrero for obvious reasons. Its actually quite expensive but its popular for a reason.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNCoYgY4jz6BTX9LzFxCzmRZ0Zv7Z29_hULaCh3e-bYjmhK48HHldQ8JJSP-L8VfFaWOumBTpIvtzcmqL8J1x8THvP7M4z5goC8gQdTAbCF-m2ZeR9uBlZdPDPx4Pd3dSItyZKXcKjxRo/s1600/2014-05-05+14.39.58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="ostreria cartagena colombia" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNCoYgY4jz6BTX9LzFxCzmRZ0Zv7Z29_hULaCh3e-bYjmhK48HHldQ8JJSP-L8VfFaWOumBTpIvtzcmqL8J1x8THvP7M4z5goC8gQdTAbCF-m2ZeR9uBlZdPDPx4Pd3dSItyZKXcKjxRo/s1600/2014-05-05+14.39.58.jpg" height="400" title="ostreria cartagena colombia" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Sticking with the subject of food we also discovered a few great restaurants in Getsamani. The best was Serano where Vicky had the best ceviche ever for the same price as a cup of ostreria. We also enjoyed fantastic steak at Quebracho and some authentic Indian food at a nameless restaurant on Carrera 10. </span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfg_OG0dK412XppJk1h9shj5JNrfsS9cElIw1c2Dhr0AmdJ0EMfcHjGI60BKkvqEvMhyphenhyphenFDtjRQ3xps66vlHXMMgBeLAfYj376ACRR03gOF39qeD_dgGIcACMQfc9yejmRFMn2arK8KUXI/s1600/2014-05-03+14.56.55-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="mango ceviche cartagena colombia" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfg_OG0dK412XppJk1h9shj5JNrfsS9cElIw1c2Dhr0AmdJ0EMfcHjGI60BKkvqEvMhyphenhyphenFDtjRQ3xps66vlHXMMgBeLAfYj376ACRR03gOF39qeD_dgGIcACMQfc9yejmRFMn2arK8KUXI/s1600/2014-05-03+14.56.55-2.jpg" height="400" title="mango ceviche cartagena colombia" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>"Mango ceviche - muy bien!"</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">There are loads of great restaurants and we loved not having to walk longer than five minutes to find one. For drinks Media Luna Street has loads of bars to choose from, on a Saturday its rammed full of young (as in teenage) locals eagerly getting their grind on to reggaeton. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8BmctMZmIQs6HMuwKjHAZ1sBK1tyouC3PfJF7Z5fxDiNnz_1MglYP30Dv3fr8aqfUEYzHDzOvNX0S2weqk0mBaGOCJ1S4u2uvMM0RrvUDG4XkG1oSOZILhugG1EsIvMzjR6rUgmutURY/s1600/streetart-cartagena-colombia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="street art cartagena colombia" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8BmctMZmIQs6HMuwKjHAZ1sBK1tyouC3PfJF7Z5fxDiNnz_1MglYP30Dv3fr8aqfUEYzHDzOvNX0S2weqk0mBaGOCJ1S4u2uvMM0RrvUDG4XkG1oSOZILhugG1EsIvMzjR6rUgmutURY/s1600/streetart-cartagena-colombia.jpg" title="street art cartagena colombia" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Cartagena is famous for real pirates of the Caribbean so we spent an afternoon lost in the fortress. It was really good fun, we got the audio guide so enjoyed the tales of invading pirates and exploring the tiny, dark tunnels underneath. Apparently it was never seized but we’re pretty sure than one of the stories given during the audio described a defeat. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB87jGybnW3UxD_acLmdArcQElaJAn3teSAUcHGIcs8g37-MyiFuYvYXg8jOZkG08-3k22hXWjXpgY_A_SbH8r0oGx7ajbcQV7oQm0gY8I0hhuvhBq2uoz6H3B0Ut36uqb3gCDuZrfXrg/s1600/cartagena-fortress-colombia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="cartagena fortress colombia" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB87jGybnW3UxD_acLmdArcQElaJAn3teSAUcHGIcs8g37-MyiFuYvYXg8jOZkG08-3k22hXWjXpgY_A_SbH8r0oGx7ajbcQV7oQm0gY8I0hhuvhBq2uoz6H3B0Ut36uqb3gCDuZrfXrg/s1600/cartagena-fortress-colombia.jpg" title="cartagena fortress colombia" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>"A mighty fine fort!"</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">We spent six lovely days in Cartagena, we’re not sure what we did with our time, we just really enjoyed being there! We also spent a couple of days at the dreamy Playa Blanca… disgustingly gorgeous Caribbean beach pics coming soon!</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10269229704031041251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-285876142940098148.post-43998831992901084982014-05-11T05:20:00.000-07:002014-08-18T07:43:36.738-07:00Border Mission: Peru to Colombia<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Iquitos was a very different city once we returned from our trip into the Amazon. It was early afternoon and everybody was in town, the streets were literally buzzing with rickshaws, it was so noisy and almost impossible to cross the road as there was so much traffic. Such a contrast to the serenity we’d just experienced in the jungle! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoHMo9n7xNfbEwIg_oeQNKuBe_yBN4jbPaaDAMChvk2dIP84-yVJQXDq0Hf8xJvuoeht-apm6BlECn-akvwCv-iLUPcSWhzLPOlBD61v9_5bg0YjXsV7Dj5ROwlkx3FfoBJnlTN432mZA/s1600/2014-05-02+13.51.07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="life on the amazon river peru" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoHMo9n7xNfbEwIg_oeQNKuBe_yBN4jbPaaDAMChvk2dIP84-yVJQXDq0Hf8xJvuoeht-apm6BlECn-akvwCv-iLUPcSWhzLPOlBD61v9_5bg0YjXsV7Dj5ROwlkx3FfoBJnlTN432mZA/s1600/2014-05-02+13.51.07.jpg" height="400" title="life on the amazon river peru" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a name='more'></a><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">We collected our big backpacks from Miguel’s hostel before heading to our slightly fancier abode for the next two nights, <a href="http://www.hotellacasonaiquitos.com.pe/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">La Casona</span></a>, where hot showers and a giant comfy bed awaited us. Also, we hadn’t done any laundry in a while and dropped off six kilos at a ‘Lavadaria’ during our walk. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Feeling clean and fresh from an amazing shower we set out on a mission to buy boat tickets that would take us to Colombia in a couple of days. We were really enjoying Peru but so many travellers had raved about Colombia and how cool it was. Easily sold we decided to spend the final month of our trip in Colombia. Now all we had to do was work out how to get from Peru to Colombia, via the Amazon river. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Information online was a bit confusing about how to get hold of the tickets but we finally found the booking office in Iquitos. Our boat would be at 6am and would take 8-10 hours. That's a long time to be on a boat! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">With our boat tickets in hand all we needed next were some flights, our boat would take us to Leticia in Colombia, a town very similar to Iquitos as there are no roads in or out, just boats and planes. Of course there was a cheap flight available, but it was at 5.30pm, meaning we would be pushing it quite fine to make it but we can’t resist a bargain so decided to go for it! Our first destination in Colombia was Cartegena, a Spanish colonial port town on the Caribbean coast. Visions of turquoise seas and white sands motivated us to tackle this epic 18 hour journey in one day, if everything went to plan we’d be in Cartegena by midnight. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYNyVqzzJlvohEVudHxgWmC5nfuJI9rCQGhFgWn-EUXumFE9SoYiGviIfZjq5i3QInjSVWRTLjP_xjnQ056lhbkV9VlKcx-sscbcxH5ibQ1_C_drXCbx8f2C34QvMlB3AqXbib43qddO4/s1600/brunchbytheamazon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="brunch by the amazon iquitos peru" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYNyVqzzJlvohEVudHxgWmC5nfuJI9rCQGhFgWn-EUXumFE9SoYiGviIfZjq5i3QInjSVWRTLjP_xjnQ056lhbkV9VlKcx-sscbcxH5ibQ1_C_drXCbx8f2C34QvMlB3AqXbib43qddO4/s1600/brunchbytheamazon.jpg" title="brunch by the amazon iquitos peru" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">"Brunch with an Amazon river view!"</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Now that we had a plan to get to Colombia we could relax and see what Iquitos had to offer. To be honest there is not that much to do and the tourist restaurants are a little tacky so we ate dinner again at Karma Cafe. We only had one more day to kill in Iquitos and enjoyed brunch by the river, it’s lovely daytime setting as there are brightly coloured flowers along the promenade and lots of hummingbirds buzzing about them. Everywhere was suspiciously quiet though and many of the restaurants and shops were closed. We made our way to the Lavaderia and were shocked to find it was closed, we visited again in an hour and still it was closed. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Soon we realised that it must be a public holiday, it was International Workers Day (aka not a public holiday in the UK). Great! Our clothes were locked in a launderette and were leaving Iquitos at 5.30am the next day. It wasn't looking good but Steve remained hopeful that they would open later and kept going back to check. Unfortunately they never did and Steve never got his clothes back. It turned out that Steve had chosen to wash almost all his t-shirts, shorts and underwear on this occasion so he was pretty mad. To this day he still hates to think that another man is wearing his favourite denim shorts!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The next morning we were up at 5am to catch a rickshaw to a different port in Iquitos. It was pitch black as we made our way down the steps and there was only a couple of other passengers waiting. Er, where is the waiting room? We could see our boat though so knew we were in the right place. Soon a policeman appeared to check the bags and documents of the passengers, to our relief we were waved straight past - we’d have been gutted if he unpacked our entire backpacks as its such an effort getting everything inside again. The boat was bigger than we imagined with space for about forty passengers comfortably and it was clean. Phew!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcCR9IuF59LmRiabiYUFFodRxR0WhMQu9AY5YA2DcyPzpDWb_tScgGbOuWKGSHzqHNL_4kiGCq0eTYA8mpS1IqG2UvYHAzeurH7jfQ6rhVWY8l7pgQElEI0nsM47kFR2ozsrDQd2SQceM/s1600/lifeontheamazon_peru.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="life on the amazon river peru" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcCR9IuF59LmRiabiYUFFodRxR0WhMQu9AY5YA2DcyPzpDWb_tScgGbOuWKGSHzqHNL_4kiGCq0eTYA8mpS1IqG2UvYHAzeurH7jfQ6rhVWY8l7pgQElEI0nsM47kFR2ozsrDQd2SQceM/s1600/lifeontheamazon_peru.jpg" title="life on the amazon river peru" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">"A boat port in the middle of nowhere..."</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">By 6.30am we were still sat in the port which wasn’t ideal as we were on a tight schedule to make our first flight. About twenty minutes later we moved and were on our way with fingers crossed that we would make it to Leticia by 4pm. Our boat was just over half full and we had a friendly crew, within an hour breakfast of a chicken sandwich and coffee was served. And then we napped wondering what are we going to do for the next seven hours.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">As we cruised down river, the Amazon got wider and at some points you couldn’t see the river bank. We had no idea of our progress and were none the wiser when we stopped at various villages along the way, they are so small that they are not featured on the map. We did stop a lot too, we had no idea if that was normal and if we were making good time or not. For lunch we were served a hot carton of chicken and rice. The food was much tastier than we anticipated.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZAdljH7oxnqxOTuKF8k36vOd8v8cNVuTqe-mt018ck5VXPuJnoPfKHE-qNUyQ5liCrm5BOwFuOgYhqfe5PE-YYEAqYzFNEWckdEn6wZDIQRKuKvkL-CZw_zX_D3LSJ2dRY-FoCD2iU2Q/s1600/amazonriverlife_peru.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="life on the amazon river peru" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZAdljH7oxnqxOTuKF8k36vOd8v8cNVuTqe-mt018ck5VXPuJnoPfKHE-qNUyQ5liCrm5BOwFuOgYhqfe5PE-YYEAqYzFNEWckdEn6wZDIQRKuKvkL-CZw_zX_D3LSJ2dRY-FoCD2iU2Q/s1600/amazonriverlife_peru.jpg" title="life on the amazon river peru" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Life on the river was fascinating for us, we saw canoes full of school children, solo fisherman and individual huts on very tall stilts. Our boat didn’t go too fast and if somebody was coming towards us in a canoe or smaller boat we’d slow right down so we didn’t tip them over in our wake.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Eventually about 3.30pm we pulled into the final stop at Santa Rosa, still in Peru. We disembarked with the rest of the passengers and let a local boat owner befriend us and show us to immigration. We had to visit two different huts and we’re still not sure what the difference was, then we hopped into our new friends wooden boat with three other backpackers for the ten minute, five soles fayre across the Amazon to Leticia and Colombia.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">As we got nearer the opposite river bank we could hear the unmistakable beats of salsa filling the humid air. Such a contrast to the almost silent village of Santa Rosa in Peru. Leticia was rocking, there were people everywhere and each bar, cafe and shop front was painted with the national Colombian colours. This town looked a whole lot of fun and we almost wanted to stay the night. Our friend led us up the main street to get a taxi and as we walked we realised that on the left was Colombia and to the right was Tabatinga in Brazil, it was crazy. Border crossings are normally full of officials but this place was teaming with locals having a good time wandering wherever they liked.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTsPjBK01T41LfKauAnz9x9lVQNGgI_vNQwvttVY6Y4pFq6kV1lY3rLuU6wq9mbe8a2w2Hgzg9gPpwvbtkvwTZgCiaqUtYdrl4kvjcdfu0jKgjKeV5FWl010fBsPn4pzsHT_hLUgen9pE/s1600/leticia_colombia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="leticia colombia" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTsPjBK01T41LfKauAnz9x9lVQNGgI_vNQwvttVY6Y4pFq6kV1lY3rLuU6wq9mbe8a2w2Hgzg9gPpwvbtkvwTZgCiaqUtYdrl4kvjcdfu0jKgjKeV5FWl010fBsPn4pzsHT_hLUgen9pE/s1600/leticia_colombia.jpg" title="leticia colombia" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>"Hola Colombia!!"</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The taxi to the airport was expensive at 50 COP (£15) but we were able to split it three ways as an Israeli backpacker from our boat was booked on the same flight. We started our drive in Brazil, before entering Colombia and stopping at the ATM for pesos. It was at this point our extra passenger got out of the taxi and started photographing everything despite the fact there being nothing to see. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Leticia airport was fairly small but more modern than we expected. There were also quite a lot of people here, the majority were locals so we were the only ones inside the beautifully air conditioned Immigration office. Once we'd gotten our visas we were able to check-in with about an hour to spare before our flight. We’d made it and even had a time for a couple of cheeky Club Colombia's from the hole-in-the-wall bar!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Our next stop was Bogota airport for a couple of hours stopover and then on to Cartegena, where we arrived about midnight. We were so tired by this point, we took a taxi to Hostal Casa Baluarte very glad we’d decided to reward ourselves with a nice hotel room for the night. The bed was the comfiest we’d slept in for a long time! Unfortunately the service and cold showers let it down but we’ll tell you more about that and how Steve almost got a Colombian ASBO in our next post...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Per person we paid $60 for the boat (inclusive of meals) and about $100 for flights with Viva Colombia. It was an exhausting journey to do in one go as there wasn't much opportunity to sleep after the boat trip. It was a fun adventure, much cheaper and more scenic than flying all of the way. If you get the chance, give it a go!</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10269229704031041251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-285876142940098148.post-40071613465024905622014-05-08T01:27:00.000-07:002014-08-14T06:12:08.121-07:00Amazon Adventures With Jungle Man<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Our journey to the mighty Amazon jungle began in Lima, after a couple of days hanging out in the trendy bars and restaurants of the Barranco neighbourhood, we boarded our $80 flight to Iquitos. Our decision to venture into the Amazon was made just one week before whilst we were in <a href="http://wearenotlostblog.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/cusco-centre-of-inca-empire-peru.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Cusco</span></a>. After a few hours research and a couple of emails we chose to stay at the native owned Abundancia Ecolodge over the many American owned luxury lodges also near to Iquitos. Our guide would be Miguel aka Jungle Man! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYh7AnH65-3748BuaYtHPeDVToBIkV8ponLRmCKIbHV6nVeDEJM5LK560ND2cyG9BdDC9q5ceL6kM6vhXImEcPNFldytyjSb58zYgCS1QWvHFS9iGQ6vCshbKDdNfJViu3o5w3mPo4wHA/s1600/jungleman_amazonriver_peru.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="eco lodge iquitos amazon peru" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYh7AnH65-3748BuaYtHPeDVToBIkV8ponLRmCKIbHV6nVeDEJM5LK560ND2cyG9BdDC9q5ceL6kM6vhXImEcPNFldytyjSb58zYgCS1QWvHFS9iGQ6vCshbKDdNfJViu3o5w3mPo4wHA/s1600/jungleman_amazonriver_peru.jpg" title="eco lodge iquitos amazon peru" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Miguel grew up in one of the jungle villages, as a boy he hunted to feed his large family before training as a jungle guide for the tourist lodges. Recently he bought a beautiful patch of land in a very remote part of the jungle and set up his own ecolodge for curious tourists like us. We had high hopes for an amazing Amazonian adventure and couldn't wait to arrive in Iquitos. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNWffvOJ0VvYwOggjZ7ikOufoOQeFjRcGvFiH5bKf4PyV-XyAUlAhyHLJzPwOIj5rMnF1_FTCq61J52kPk8To1hEXPOixXNUO405T_gvA0wkizGLk_7_hlHQEnWKN9zhyiGe35wsHCOCY/s1600/AmazonJourneytoIquitos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="birds eye view amazon river peru" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNWffvOJ0VvYwOggjZ7ikOufoOQeFjRcGvFiH5bKf4PyV-XyAUlAhyHLJzPwOIj5rMnF1_FTCq61J52kPk8To1hEXPOixXNUO405T_gvA0wkizGLk_7_hlHQEnWKN9zhyiGe35wsHCOCY/s1600/AmazonJourneytoIquitos.jpg" title="birds eye view amazon river peru" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">"Our first view of the Amazon river!"</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Iquitos is a very unique city, it's not accessible by road so to get there you either have to fly or catch a boat. It’s also the fifth largest city in Peru with a population of over 400,000 that includes a few expats and fugitives. We’d never been anywhere so remote and cut-off from the outside world. Organising a rickshaw at the airport was almost as confusing as in India, everybody claimed to know our hostel and wanted to take us there. Eventually we were on the road grateful for the breeze in the intense humidity. </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Once in Iquitos more confusion ensued as our driver didn’t actually know our hostel, we didn’t have a full address and Vicky’s Spanish was limited.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Our abode for one night was the Crystal Corazon hostel which was also Miguel and his wife, Starr’s home. It was refreshingly cheap for Peru at 40 SOL (£9) a night for a private room. After a refreshing, cold shower we were ready to meet our jungle crew which consisted of Miguel, his wife Starr, the cook, the cook’s four year old daughter, Gabriel the volunteer, and Ashby an American tourist. We were given a pair of rubber boots, a quick briefing and handed over our cash to Starr. Then we headed out for dinner at Karma Cafe before an early night.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">We still had no idea what to expect and in the morning it was just us, Miguel and Ashby in the house. The others had been trying to make their way to the lodge a couple of hours ahead of us and were in the midst of a drama as the engines on the public boats had broken. That meant we were in no hurry but, soon enough we were dashing through the thick crowds at the main Iquitos port and crawling onto an already packed public boat. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid3BB6cwwdHHy7RDjpXYEqcIEuSxIjOtpON0uALyjiPy5q-0ZFnON6dFgNUO1qe14WREcrxKALgVDGcftV733N9IDLVoOuC-HmBqSoTv_7AoTSvbnOn5uuC2r7FRYQxDzjeqAyVxNuA3Q/s1600/hutontheamazonriverperu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="hut on the amazon" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid3BB6cwwdHHy7RDjpXYEqcIEuSxIjOtpON0uALyjiPy5q-0ZFnON6dFgNUO1qe14WREcrxKALgVDGcftV733N9IDLVoOuC-HmBqSoTv_7AoTSvbnOn5uuC2r7FRYQxDzjeqAyVxNuA3Q/s1600/hutontheamazonriverperu.jpg" title="hut on the amazon" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">"Amazonian river life..."</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">As the last ones to board we were lucky to find a seat, well Vicky and Hadley were, Steve sat on an empty petrol drum by the driver. It was also pouring rain and the windows were open so everybody got a good soaking in the face. We were the only non-locals on the boat, this coupled with the fact we had no idea where we going added to our excitement. About fifty minutes later we were scrambling off the boat into an even busier port. It was about 9.30am and Mazan was buzzing with boats, carts, cattle, people and rickshaws. It was chaos, and again we dashed through the heavy crowds in the torrential rain, Miguel found us a couple of rickshaws and then we were off again to the other port in Mazan just a couple of minutes away.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">There waiting for us were Starr and the rest of our jungle crew, they hadn’t made it very far ahead of us! The rain was absolutely torrential and we didn’t have a raincoat, we’d kind of hoped that maybe it wouldn’t rain in the rainforest, our logic being that we were only going to be in there two days, in rainy season. How wrong we were! Weirdly nobody had any 'Poncho de Agua's’ for sale, the locals simply take shelter when it rains and the children are all half naked. We could only find two ponchos and they were huge, when Vicky wore hers it trailed on the ground and over her hands. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">We returned to the others under the canopy of a cafe and were relieved to hear they had formulated </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">a plan. We just had to wait with Starr until the next step. Whilst we waited a fisherman brought two turtles to the cafe owner, he’d just caught them in the river that morning and they were still alive. This was a shock to us but you have to expect to see this in the Amazon where everything is food!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjAty2emxk7sKZTOXzMXfhlgW8TTBMAOOydG9yACbCTJCEnlJvpLokPwvIughXTjRkEc7b6gd5JtXzIAMCJXejWkb7b1GG5bgqglEORsSLnXJM-pwRB7nlcaZaKnwYI4awWkifF__mkCs/s1600/Amazonriverview.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img alt="speedboat amazon iquitos peru" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjAty2emxk7sKZTOXzMXfhlgW8TTBMAOOydG9yACbCTJCEnlJvpLokPwvIughXTjRkEc7b6gd5JtXzIAMCJXejWkb7b1GG5bgqglEORsSLnXJM-pwRB7nlcaZaKnwYI4awWkifF__mkCs/s1600/Amazonriverview.jpg" title="speedboat amazon iquitos peru" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The rain started to ease off a little and next we were climbing down some steps to the river to board a TINY grey tin speed boat. Our cook was already inside waving us in. Amazingly the five of us did manage to squeeze in!</span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> It was certainly snug but we were glad to be on the move again. We waved ‘Adios’ to the guys who were in a dug-out canoe for the rather long journey up river. It was going to take over two hours in our speedboat so we dreaded to think how long it would take paddling in a canoe! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">As we sped upriver the sun came out to broaden the smiles on our faces. Again, we were pretty clueless about where we going but Vicky got some helpful commentary from Starr. The highlight of which was, “This is the last village before the lodge and the last place with phone signal, we’re heading about 40 minutes up river.”</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">We were cruising up the Amazon, in a tin boat, to the middle of nowhere!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVZNMDc6LWzwDv2aG6G5hf0UT6g_ViRmfaIYg6cuVvo6I-ZMLfJ2lzMNIe8m-T3tva_BG1gyS8KJ0KtknzvpCo1JXpOalWgR-MR_HSfW52bTKp2si_YzFnVkG27RJPBVRYwKXHy1VwSOM/s1600/amazonriverselfie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="speedboat amazon iquitos peru" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVZNMDc6LWzwDv2aG6G5hf0UT6g_ViRmfaIYg6cuVvo6I-ZMLfJ2lzMNIe8m-T3tva_BG1gyS8KJ0KtknzvpCo1JXpOalWgR-MR_HSfW52bTKp2si_YzFnVkG27RJPBVRYwKXHy1VwSOM/s1600/amazonriverselfie.jpg" title="speedboat amazon iquitos peru" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>#Selfie</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Well, technically it was not quite the Amazon but, a tributary of called Rio Napo. Regardless of this the banks to either side of us were abundant with thick, tall, and luscious primary rainforest. There were no other boats on the river - it was just us and Mother nature. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">After a couple of hours we came to a beautiful rainforest covered island on a bend in the river and made our way slowly around it. Ahead of us we saw a floating pontoon, a few pointed wooden roofs, indigenous people and a couple of barking dogs. Starr was stood up in the boat shouting in Spanish toward the river bank.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpZc5QKzeykPUAq0KmOujdmrvf-QVR6_K_hqqnmU_HydHmXWWby6nWzuFfC-M4-4M2kXORtRNFZog4RqdBTwJp_oq1nuiZp7ZsHjjvfkjhwDfeitiKWY0ZQgWHQWtgtYRuXT9SjXPng9g/s1600/junglemanlodgeisland_amazon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="amazon ecolodge iquitos peru" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpZc5QKzeykPUAq0KmOujdmrvf-QVR6_K_hqqnmU_HydHmXWWby6nWzuFfC-M4-4M2kXORtRNFZog4RqdBTwJp_oq1nuiZp7ZsHjjvfkjhwDfeitiKWY0ZQgWHQWtgtYRuXT9SjXPng9g/s1600/junglemanlodgeisland_amazon.jpg" title="amazon ecolodge iquitos peru" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">We thought this was a village but as a couple of men were helping us to moor the boat it dawned on us that this was our lodge, and very ramshackle it was too. And who were all these people?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Starr was clearly annoyed about something but told us nothing and we followed her obediently up into the dining room of the lodge. Then we were left there for almost two hours whilst chaos and shouting went on around us.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Clearly no tourist had been here in months and it needed a good clean and tidy up. We were expecting rustic but this place felt almost abandoned. There were holes in the mosquito netting plus, furniture and junk piled up on the walkways and its adjoining rooms. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9q04yFfERpuGdFk6grNjfbkvtbcmh_NNcq0wqtEctjuxJx38nPnQs5Fdg27nTEookqy2bjgY4KfvQx4l7NUfPBJy-_mDFeqBBVEtVMR29xZdrYNZyrepbJUOoQ1lBPf0wPN-CYKLeF-c/s1600/amazonriver_reflections.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="amazon ecolodge iquitos peru" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9q04yFfERpuGdFk6grNjfbkvtbcmh_NNcq0wqtEctjuxJx38nPnQs5Fdg27nTEookqy2bjgY4KfvQx4l7NUfPBJy-_mDFeqBBVEtVMR29xZdrYNZyrepbJUOoQ1lBPf0wPN-CYKLeF-c/s1600/amazonriver_reflections.jpg" title="amazon ecolodge iquitos peru" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">"Reflections."</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Vicky finally got Starr’s attention to find out what was going on. It turned out that Miguel hadn’t been here in a couple of months and their new guardian had moved his entire family in, including his parents, his wife, and his children. And apparently he hadn’t carried out the expected maintenance and repairs. It was quite laughable except Starr was not the most customer orientated person and did not apologise for the inconvenience or state of the place. Instead she passed all responsibility to her husband as it was his business and she was here for a holiday too!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Finally we were given a jug of fruit juice to sip as we tried to relax into our surroundings and waited for our rooms to be made up so we could shower. We had booked a private bungalow which was actually really nicely done with a picture-perfect view from the balcony. Ashby was in the lodge section with a private room next to the Guardian and all his family! She wasn’t happy about that but Starr wasn’t going to budge, the other bungalow was hers, we did manage to get one free beer each out of her though. Yes, just one.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivTjeDDAvAYjzH9NeIgVIEjSYdMpsYnpWlncaZ9pRa1MxFDJZTGvsWVVDIABywMmoTuDZMKRFh4RxJXEqGMs_327e5JdMRp727-zQhTw2eu5-8ynzeiXQVDLz7ft7VQpRsMxnFZrfHOCc/s1600/junglelodgeviewamazonriver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="amazon ecolodge iquitos peru" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivTjeDDAvAYjzH9NeIgVIEjSYdMpsYnpWlncaZ9pRa1MxFDJZTGvsWVVDIABywMmoTuDZMKRFh4RxJXEqGMs_327e5JdMRp727-zQhTw2eu5-8ynzeiXQVDLz7ft7VQpRsMxnFZrfHOCc/s1600/junglelodgeviewamazonriver.jpg" title="amazon ecolodge iquitos peru" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Miguel and Gabriel arrived a couple of hours after us whilst we were still sitting in the dining room. It was very tense in the lodge for the next few hours and we weren’t really told a lot but we did get a very nice lunch. Starr was also in a mood and was stomping about the place in her sarong and bum bag (fanny pack). Steve dared to ask for another beer and was abruptly told "I'm not working now!". Awkward. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Instead we showered and then regrouped in the dining room to await further instructions. Eventually Miguel appeared to apologise and explain that the guardian’s family were leaving as they didn’t live at his lodge. He was not happy. The goods news: we were going out in the canoe to spot some river dolphins! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPI_ex_dZo8kOf6ETjJInxsBU0CUWvBRQSISUuXyZULQB2suWqga-XsAuuVYl4mOtJjaPNX2qalN8MPA73FsCtKvWzhcvgWbJ8BSJNMEqJALvGeiuWWp99p7fwrc2_lbItQ-Ohq0p9xW4/s1600/amazonriver_canoeing_peru.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="canoe dolphins amazon river peru" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPI_ex_dZo8kOf6ETjJInxsBU0CUWvBRQSISUuXyZULQB2suWqga-XsAuuVYl4mOtJjaPNX2qalN8MPA73FsCtKvWzhcvgWbJ8BSJNMEqJALvGeiuWWp99p7fwrc2_lbItQ-Ohq0p9xW4/s1600/amazonriver_canoeing_peru.jpg" title="canoe dolphins amazon river peru" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">"Merrily, merrily..."</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">We’d never really given much thought to what actually lived in the Amazon river so were very surprised to learn that many dolphins, turtles, stingrays, electric eels, piranhas, catfish and more live here. The river turtles even grow up to two metres in diameter. Everything eats catfish. You don’t want to be a catfish around here. </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">It was surprising to learn as we associate the majority of these fish and mammals with the ocean. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">However, thousands of years ago when the Andes emerged, the Amazon was created from water in the atlantic which was also was cut off from the pacific. And all the wildlife inside it had to adapt and evolve over many years into the creatures that exist here today. Or, something like that.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">That first evening we went as a group of four in the dug out canoe to watch the dolphins and spot some marmoset and spider monkeys in the trees, it was a great first taste of jungle wildlife. It was so serene, the only sounds we could hear were bubbles from the dolphins and monkey shrieks.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIjun6IA0UNn7O54sUIDleTNiX15MasPYxPDT5_9br2E_I1_NW4yCyu48nK8QEappE3zLSWkYy_53G49l6ZQBJr5WKsICoKBW7JwF0qYmGuYZU7R3StA_dYoU1EXSNc6HTKQ7GRDuk2qk/s1600/dolphinwatchingintheamazon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="canoe amazon river peru" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIjun6IA0UNn7O54sUIDleTNiX15MasPYxPDT5_9br2E_I1_NW4yCyu48nK8QEappE3zLSWkYy_53G49l6ZQBJr5WKsICoKBW7JwF0qYmGuYZU7R3StA_dYoU1EXSNc6HTKQ7GRDuk2qk/s1600/dolphinwatchingintheamazon.jpg" title="canoe amazon river peru" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">"Dolphin paparazzi!" </span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">River dolphins weigh up to 300kg, grow to 3m in length and eat 15-25kg of fish a day. There are two kinds in the Amazon grey and pink, the latter gets its colour from eating shrimp in a similar way to flamingos. We saw quite a few of them playing in the river but they were always to quick to pap with our camera. It didn't matter though as the scenery and reflections on the waters surface were incredible.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimWARYzJRZT4svFYNVEoxSMdUk-bKCyL1jZ8qQukqw19vi-EHJuCsnBNsyjgO0we4C0inU6f5_q4c8wdu0lRNukhhTAgvhhmw84OhYfylh55M6hLii11irnKxGHB3DMz-6OzGoL-QsKAs/s1600/amazonriveratdusk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="canoe amazon river peru" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimWARYzJRZT4svFYNVEoxSMdUk-bKCyL1jZ8qQukqw19vi-EHJuCsnBNsyjgO0we4C0inU6f5_q4c8wdu0lRNukhhTAgvhhmw84OhYfylh55M6hLii11irnKxGHB3DMz-6OzGoL-QsKAs/s1600/amazonriveratdusk.jpg" title="canoe amazon river peru" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">"#nofilter required ever!"</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Back at the lodge dusk arrived and the jungle chorus was gaining in momentum and volume. The nocturnal jungle inhabitants were awake and hungry. Their harmony was magical! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">We enjoyed a hearty dinner with our guide Miguel before heading to bed for our first night in our bungalow. Within minutes we had fallen asleep lulled by the music from the jungle.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">After a pretty good sleep we awoke to loud dragon growls from across the river. It turned out to be Howler monkeys and we were surprised to learn that monkeys are always the first awake in the jungle. It was quite surreal and amazed us how far a distance an animals voices can carry. Steve also had an amazing cluster of itchy bites on his back!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFxxBPzURcLO6VgrxRUMDqpKmtakkZCgKHVxc1Psdz1FDG6Bcw6hAwO-tbLD7H1P4HrT0sWErsLnt_5wX99ZOSguGQ2ZCcA5eF8KRsvAf38b_Ya8MxFKdjPxN7pTsNG4vPctfmWTfz3jY/s1600/canoe_amazon_peru.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="canoe amazon river iquitos peru" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFxxBPzURcLO6VgrxRUMDqpKmtakkZCgKHVxc1Psdz1FDG6Bcw6hAwO-tbLD7H1P4HrT0sWErsLnt_5wX99ZOSguGQ2ZCcA5eF8KRsvAf38b_Ya8MxFKdjPxN7pTsNG4vPctfmWTfz3jY/s1600/canoe_amazon_peru.jpg" title="canoe amazon river iquitos peru" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Our first activity that day was another kayak trip to see who was out and about doing their thing early in the morning. There were five of us in the canoe and we were all very excited for 6.30am.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">We only had two goals for this adventure: to see a sloth and a toucan in the wild. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Our day got off to a great start, as we paddled down the river amidst a few more dolphins there were a few toucans flying overhead in the jungle canopy too. Unfortunately for us toucans fly really high so we didn’t get a very close up especially due to our lack of binoculars. We could make our their orange beaks though so we definitely did see toucans! Goal one: tick!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIrbSYv6sNbw7VtXa065x2ueslBMiNE3gkx1jai2haC-efpHh1VPhwENrg0R7s1C7jRg5gmWCXcsfuckA80JUw1HTDYJGdTKZ79OrsjEEvzJ4AnG0dGu3RVcLoxciMwCG0nwdTTfOnt34/s1600/spottheslothamazonjungle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="canoe amazon river iquitos peru" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIrbSYv6sNbw7VtXa065x2ueslBMiNE3gkx1jai2haC-efpHh1VPhwENrg0R7s1C7jRg5gmWCXcsfuckA80JUw1HTDYJGdTKZ79OrsjEEvzJ4AnG0dGu3RVcLoxciMwCG0nwdTTfOnt34/s1600/spottheslothamazonjungle.jpg" title="canoe amazon river iquitos peru" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">We continued our paddle down river and took a sharp right down a narrow creek with lots of branches and vines trailing in the water or hanging close overhead. After about ten minutes Miguel was desperately trying to point a sloth out to us is a really tall tree.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFQ53TM6lfZLUUP5BbYvd6ne7RLgd5zEKB24BvbZOi61UYWcgl6X-BekJTCVXznDse6QOeR-zEC_rmQuJGZN1jYieAMFt_ElUAbyYLTn9CSdNg41-ZYsnYcqEDxKVo0zMHCfsYBOYLU8o/s1600/spotthesloth_amazonperu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="canoe amazon river iquitos peru" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFQ53TM6lfZLUUP5BbYvd6ne7RLgd5zEKB24BvbZOi61UYWcgl6X-BekJTCVXznDse6QOeR-zEC_rmQuJGZN1jYieAMFt_ElUAbyYLTn9CSdNg41-ZYsnYcqEDxKVo0zMHCfsYBOYLU8o/s1600/spotthesloth_amazonperu.jpg" title="canoe amazon river iquitos peru" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">"Donde esta la sloth?"</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The four of us were blind to his directions and definitely could not see a sloth. By chance a father and son fisherman team were just next to us in another canoe and before we knew what was going on he was halfway up the tree and shaking it to get the sloth to move. But we still couldn’t see the sloth!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">This little guy was muy lazy and wouldn’t move so the man climbed higher and shook harder. To our horror something dropped from the tree. OMG. We just killed a sloth. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXkw7kMoywZT92EWY9oTcBEyLlNd3zGnfeV3Qv5qcXSrm9Z85IxxC43pkmzgy6glalMb-U6Sc4CBvGmZQARet84riS82isWPQstlKhQnG_XE72b8MuWSToCxFHuj_ut2s-RPxBxXcVuWs/s1600/sloth_amazon_iquitos_peru.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="three toed sloth amazon iquitos peru" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXkw7kMoywZT92EWY9oTcBEyLlNd3zGnfeV3Qv5qcXSrm9Z85IxxC43pkmzgy6glalMb-U6Sc4CBvGmZQARet84riS82isWPQstlKhQnG_XE72b8MuWSToCxFHuj_ut2s-RPxBxXcVuWs/s1600/sloth_amazon_iquitos_peru.jpg" title="three toed sloth amazon iquitos peru" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">"Hola!"</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">We all turned to our guide Miguel open mouthed in shame and shock but he was still smiling, don’t worry he said it’s fine. Then he explained the sloth had chosen to fall as its what they do all the time especially when they need to poo, they drop from a tree into the water to take a dump. Phew! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Now we all know that sloths are lazy but did you know that they are constantly stoned on the leaves they eat and sleep for 18 hours a day? They often spend a couple off months in the water hibernating with just their noses poking out to breathe.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The son who about ten was in their canoe at the bottom of the tree and bent a small tree branch down to the water for the sloth to climb up on. The sloth was very slowly started to climb and it was fascinating, he moved soooo slowly at the speed of a transformer toy when the batteries are about to run out completely. It was an amazing David Attenborough style moment for us and Vicky clicked away manically. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsVC2du5CjixYHzCy5Tto3gE_fUDlPyz2qHWtYJF2mAAwhYeLqku19Zt5k25CXtCVj6LsruaNIWto6opkNp2s7BPSftn6OcKBi7lmIy-CDyZB43N3kbW15egyFm3mq5rRfhRu4piKSeDM/s1600/sloth-amazon-peru.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="three toed sloth amazon iquitos peru" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsVC2du5CjixYHzCy5Tto3gE_fUDlPyz2qHWtYJF2mAAwhYeLqku19Zt5k25CXtCVj6LsruaNIWto6opkNp2s7BPSftn6OcKBi7lmIy-CDyZB43N3kbW15egyFm3mq5rRfhRu4piKSeDM/s1600/sloth-amazon-peru.jpg" title="three toed sloth amazon iquitos peru" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">This was a three toed sloth which is the medium size breed although he was very small to us at about 45cm tall. He had incredibly long nails and his black fur was covered in green algae as he’d been in the water for some time (before this impromptu dip). His head was really small with a very cute black face that was a bit crinkled like a newborn baby, this was an elderly sloth about fifteen years old. We watched him for about 20 minutes as he made his way higher up the tree for another long nap, to be fair though he’d only made it about three metres in this time so to see him make to the top would have taken him all morning. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrRIoYOHWlYmhnxpfQ7To2522Ju1iJooJGhfetRYMYso5bA6ncfK4Fj8Pm-uFmT0eJXIpMKx6rQBzzITFAuqE_W1wUJI4lORyyiM4EPn5uPgR5EpqvIZ3d26dQ2Or90uP9ko0BLeQCkV0/s1600/sloth-peru-amazon-adventure.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="three toed sloth amazon iquitos peru" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrRIoYOHWlYmhnxpfQ7To2522Ju1iJooJGhfetRYMYso5bA6ncfK4Fj8Pm-uFmT0eJXIpMKx6rQBzzITFAuqE_W1wUJI4lORyyiM4EPn5uPgR5EpqvIZ3d26dQ2Or90uP9ko0BLeQCkV0/s1600/sloth-peru-amazon-adventure.jpg" title="three toed sloth amazon iquitos peru" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">"WOW!"</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Sorry for the inconvenience </span><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Señor</span></span><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"> Sloth but you really were worth it! Goal two: tick!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">We waved our goodbyes and paddled our canoe for a couple of hours through creeks, swamps and up-river back to our lodge. We saw toucans and various other birds flying overhead plus a few more monkeys and dolphins similar. After our three hour paddle we were ready for our breakfast and a cooling shower of river water. It’s not every morning you get to see a sloth up close before breakfast!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Now that we’d met Señor Sloth we were much more laid-back about what we did next and that day we were lucky with the weather. The sun was shining so it was lovely to swing in the hammocks on our balcony, admire the view, and wildlife spot.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtrD2WxF7dZOlRGjeTidnlO3ksL_pE0ovHHquPrebSPQu8MDbv1fctxfXsmrVvsQzbAZQB3Q5v-7r7bpT-q29nVS1E4eb2V3hyphenhyphenHvkUPw-96YgUxgvL9ZXBQeMRL9wUxMFwO6RsBp6mFl4/s1600/lizard-amazon-peru.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="lizard amazon iquitos peru" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtrD2WxF7dZOlRGjeTidnlO3ksL_pE0ovHHquPrebSPQu8MDbv1fctxfXsmrVvsQzbAZQB3Q5v-7r7bpT-q29nVS1E4eb2V3hyphenhyphenHvkUPw-96YgUxgvL9ZXBQeMRL9wUxMFwO6RsBp6mFl4/s1600/lizard-amazon-peru.jpg" title="lizard amazon iquitos peru" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">After lunch we ventured out on our first jungle hike literally just behind our lodge. Within minutes we were all hot and sweaty in our wellies, long trousers and shirts, we had doused ourselves in insect repellent but still the mosquitos buzzed around us so it was a good job we’d brought the bottle!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Miguel really knew his stuff and pointed out so many fascinating things. The indigenous people have learned to medicate themselves with the plants and trees. From wild iodine and magnesium, to ‘hernia busting' milk and antiseptic tree sap - there are many natural resources all around for survival. There were even vines full of purified water for people to drink and the lightweight green moss makes a great natural plaster for wounds once its been chewed.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwedcWcD6JMe335AcDvtZc6MIpZfFc3Fked9ej7SH1pR2U3EkbQ4MsyTn-cF1re8GPnXGUZKmvmFtNe0aOGV-DQJtj3kiDdlHwhIZVnQtTn9UOe1aLST27T9t8_DX4wOPUYvZMgZs5H54/s1600/junglewalk-amazon-peru.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="jungle walk iquitos amazon peru" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwedcWcD6JMe335AcDvtZc6MIpZfFc3Fked9ej7SH1pR2U3EkbQ4MsyTn-cF1re8GPnXGUZKmvmFtNe0aOGV-DQJtj3kiDdlHwhIZVnQtTn9UOe1aLST27T9t8_DX4wOPUYvZMgZs5H54/s1600/junglewalk-amazon-peru.jpg" title="jungle walk iquitos amazon peru" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">"It's a jungle out there!"</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The jungle floor was very wet and flooded so we had to wade through some quite deep swamps and always be on the lookout for snakes! To Vicky everything looked like a snake and the branches you stood on were water logged and soft (just like snakes!) so she was very twitchy. It was comforting to know that an Anaconda can be seen from very far away as they are so huge, usually relaxing in two huge piles of coils. Also they don’t really like to eat humans as we’re not very organic with our drinking and smoking but, if they were desperate we’d do. Also when they hunt they make a shotgun like sound so we would hopefully here one coming.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7N9iw2Vdbtf-_3YArj5ouEzIAbxAvlUjRzHo_-V39deFiCwPgR8KGVVCyHKhDH1YPWFEqi7MlvnUatv-D07-6GSOuMVOHxhrc75IPF3eUiCjbmrW1ngRnjI-xolfiHZ_QxoZv3Abg908/s1600/armyant_amazonperu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="army ants amazon iquitos peru" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7N9iw2Vdbtf-_3YArj5ouEzIAbxAvlUjRzHo_-V39deFiCwPgR8KGVVCyHKhDH1YPWFEqi7MlvnUatv-D07-6GSOuMVOHxhrc75IPF3eUiCjbmrW1ngRnjI-xolfiHZ_QxoZv3Abg908/s1600/armyant_amazonperu.jpg" title="army ants amazon iquitos peru" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">"Army ants are also used to sew up cuts."</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">We walked and talked for a couple of hours with Miguel who was full of information and stories about the jungle inhabitants and dramas from his many previous expeditions. He grew up in a nearby village and as he was the second eldest son it was his responsibility to go out and hunt for food for the family, he’s pretty much eaten every animal and fish but that is what you have to do to survive in the jungle. Now he is a fully trained guide and has been for almost 20 years, recently he branched out on his own to become the ‘Jungle Man’.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwDGf34h49zMS-Mkt1Tow3Sa3TBBi0EMtTTsz7feVgump1OOM6XpOtwj436fYAggO3pMKQTtK2UI_hp0IDb5xVs0yFaaEtPv3YQNa59q3tMgWAyMe8pYlo0kbB1-kzMTEevE4bk8QjEXY/s1600/junglewalkintheamazon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="jungle walk iquitos amazon peru" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwDGf34h49zMS-Mkt1Tow3Sa3TBBi0EMtTTsz7feVgump1OOM6XpOtwj436fYAggO3pMKQTtK2UI_hp0IDb5xVs0yFaaEtPv3YQNa59q3tMgWAyMe8pYlo0kbB1-kzMTEevE4bk8QjEXY/s1600/junglewalkintheamazon.jpg" title="jungle walk iquitos amazon peru" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">He is one of the most fascinating people we’ve ever met, his knowledge of the jungle is astounding and his culture and traditions are so far away from our lives back in the UK. We didn’t get to chat to him as much as we’d like outside of our activities with him but here are some highlights from the vast amount of information he shared with us.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Hard to believe jungle creatures that exist:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b>Haircutter Bees.</b> If you're proud of your barnet you definitely don’t want to disturb this colonies beehive, rather than sting you they will go straight for your hair and cut it all off leaving you pretty much bald. And if that’s not bad enough they’ll then crawl into your ear and eat your brain.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b>Killer Bees.</b> They really do exist.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b>Vampire Butterflies.</b> Its not your blood but your eye juice that these thirsty vamps want. One encounter will leave any animal blind.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b>Piranhas.</b> Its true they love fresh meat so avoid swimming with an open wound. Not sure that they eat you right down to the bone but they’ll definitely take a chunk off you. They’ll also bite you whilst you’re trying to take that fishing hook out of their mouth, but who wouldn’t?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsVnloSDuWhj0mM1-DmDxQSyKxTD846tWia3KV7Xe9SzE99S_qOoStWRrelMjZgO6oZmikvQTUdvOujLRG9CZ2jIHsM7Yb7cA_V3y3yH3ozOASj_s9bJaqQxAJEuwxHf51WPyYP16qLb0/s1600/vampirebutterly-amazon-peru.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="vampire butterfly amazon iquitos peru" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsVnloSDuWhj0mM1-DmDxQSyKxTD846tWia3KV7Xe9SzE99S_qOoStWRrelMjZgO6oZmikvQTUdvOujLRG9CZ2jIHsM7Yb7cA_V3y3yH3ozOASj_s9bJaqQxAJEuwxHf51WPyYP16qLb0/s1600/vampirebutterly-amazon-peru.jpg" title="vampire butterfly amazon iquitos peru" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">"The vampire butterfly."</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b>Furry White Caterpillas. </b>The deadliest and most feared critter in the rainforest. Even Miguel is afraid of them! Touch them and you will die.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b>Hallucinogenic Tree Frogs</b>. Lick these guys to trip on DMT. We thought ‘Toad’ was made just for Family Guy! 'Do you do toad?'</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The giant worm. Give it the opportunity and it will crawl up your bottom, drink your blood and kill you. Once its in, its never coming out.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b>Anaesthetic Ants.</b> An essential ingredient in an Amazonian punishment ritual. These ants will quickly cover a man and bite him all over till he (apparently) feels no pain and then they eat him right down to the bone. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqvHicBX9XFs5PgM2Z25c2DXAADaiqS8r4EIXdXb_OeBteqTzzs0DXrXCz2xfT5pnMqDnqdRhKUkU7eiRfAQTgkG8qv2w6hI0a-kGMyQlj2LZjfhUzGUzdkG3d7-Jvzh5bHib_qdA6ngY/s1600/antisepticants_amazon_peru.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="anaesthetic ants amazon iquitos peru" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqvHicBX9XFs5PgM2Z25c2DXAADaiqS8r4EIXdXb_OeBteqTzzs0DXrXCz2xfT5pnMqDnqdRhKUkU7eiRfAQTgkG8qv2w6hI0a-kGMyQlj2LZjfhUzGUzdkG3d7-Jvzh5bHib_qdA6ngY/s1600/antisepticants_amazon_peru.jpg" title="anaesthetic ants amazon iquitos peru" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">"Anaesthetic ants!"</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">More bizarre jungles facts and tips:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Apparently <b>women</b> possess a special healing 'juice' that can cure some painful plant and insect stings. At least that’s what the local Shamen tells everyone!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The <b>cat tribe</b> blow gobs of a chewed tobacco and hallucinogenic plants through pipes up each others noses (this service is now available to tourists just in case this sounds appealing). They also rub the skin juice from the hallucinogenic tree frogs under their eyes to help them see in the dark.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Rub yourself in <b>tobacco</b> before you go for a swim in the river and you’ll be fine, jungle carnivores prefer to eat organic (confirm this one at your own risk).</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b>Cannibal tribes</b> still exist but they only eat you if you trespass on their land and they don’t just solely eat humans. The grandmother of the family who were at our lodge was taken from her village to be another wife for the cannibal tribe chief but escaped after 15 years and bore the scar on her cheek to prove it.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b>Ayahuasca</b> is an effective treatment for drug addictions, fears, mental health problems etc. Its also widely available for tourists with a legitimate issue or who just fancy a trip on DMT. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">If you’re <b>lost</b> in the jungle at night don’t sleep on the ground, the creepiest critters come alive at night and they will either bite, sting, eat or crawl inside you causing severe pain or death. You’ll be more likely to survive up a tree. Lost in the daytime? Find a tree with the tall, slim roots and bang them with a big stick until help arrives. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 13px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>Disclaimer. We have not verified any of these facts and some details may have been lost in translation.</i></span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">With our minds blown by the above information we walked back to the lodge and couldn’t wait to jump in the river and cool off. We quickly changed and headed for the floating pontoon, walking carefully across the canoe to get there. On the pontoon with us was a giant spider that Vicky watched like a cat. Miguel and Starr were on the other pontoon with same idea. However, Starr was rather loudly complaining about the looseness of her bathing costume and Steve was shocked when she purposely flash him her chest. She was becoming more and more like Bubbles from Little Britain minus the posh.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Ashby and Gabriel joined us for the swim but it was getting a bit chilly and Vicky declined to dip. Steve loved it though and nobody was bitten by a piranha or snake and emerged safely jump after jump. It soon began to rain so we headed indoors for a shower in the river water aka the water where our toilet waste went aka where they’d all just been swimming. This is how they do eco!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">We enjoyed a group dinner and then a torrential rainstorm started. It was still going when we went to bed. We didn’t get a very good nights sleep as the rain was loud and Vicky was still paranoid about snakes. When morning came it was still raining and we realised that all the mosquitos had decided to join us in our bungalow. We were both covered in bites and later realised half of them were from bed bugs. Gross! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3i6Cv3eobLzBfDh9PM3m2ygZ2FjrHZ0s74HGCJABLy9QmYJ0Zj1n97ctnhEcxQPH4y8uouMTcQ2KWdJfuWqs_-n-_1stW0JSkfFFeeD7vlMxnHJxDnZ4ODtVpPWQjoK7c2mrXFgc4eHg/s1600/thebeardedjungleman-amazon-peru.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="canoeing amazon iquitos peru" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3i6Cv3eobLzBfDh9PM3m2ygZ2FjrHZ0s74HGCJABLy9QmYJ0Zj1n97ctnhEcxQPH4y8uouMTcQ2KWdJfuWqs_-n-_1stW0JSkfFFeeD7vlMxnHJxDnZ4ODtVpPWQjoK7c2mrXFgc4eHg/s1600/thebeardedjungleman-amazon-peru.jpg" title="canoeing amazon iquitos peru" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">"The other jungle man!"</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The rain disappeared and the s</span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">un came out about 9am so we were able to proceed as planned in the canoe to a local village. We were behind schedule though so Miguel got his motor out and we were relieved not to have to paddle. The village consisted of about ten quite large wooden houses all built on stilts above the ground. In one home a mother and her teenage daughters were home cooking chocla, the local beer thats fermented with their saliva. No man goes to work without a big bucket of this for him and his mates to share.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">It was a very picturesque village with many varieties of fruit trees that we can’t remember the names of, we tasted a few though and they were each delicious. There were a few pigs, piglets and chickens running around wherever they liked which was very sweet to witness. Especially the two piglets that were negotiating there way past Steve when his back was turned. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKx88KpXZrechBJ-N3jTV7Ph90gxI1lp2onx3VzE8Co7EJ930DqXsjqwEoSNnyAcyUZNGi1wwmv_oiaKSd9Zt9vagY3tDJMYMtrF837d6Fcdu7XL3Q_QD4vjG7Jue0HSKTYU48yjxcdfc/s1600/canoeingontheamazon_peru.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="canoeing amazon iquitos peru" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKx88KpXZrechBJ-N3jTV7Ph90gxI1lp2onx3VzE8Co7EJ930DqXsjqwEoSNnyAcyUZNGi1wwmv_oiaKSd9Zt9vagY3tDJMYMtrF837d6Fcdu7XL3Q_QD4vjG7Jue0HSKTYU48yjxcdfc/s1600/canoeingontheamazon_peru.jpg" title="canoeing amazon iquitos peru" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Only the women and children were home in the village as their men were out hunting and working. Another home we visited had a small music player with speakers and this was the only technology we saw. The primary school only opens when the teacher turns up, that is the highest level of education available in the jungle villages and if you achieve your grades you can become the village chief. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">This was our last expedition with the Jungle Man and we were quite relieved to be heading back to Iquitos that day. We ventured home the same way we came first in the tin speedboat, the public boat and then a rickshaw. We’d had an amazing time in the jungle mainly because of Miguel and his skill, or maybe luck, showing us a sloth. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqv7rlp8IfMrMlL_VZ9sVXkavRYRXuxhjGP8SSCyQkiOI_YWinVjLNduPp6KlWsiRfBfcR8vFbc9cngpJ_mY72fodoF2G06_SIyVWhGo_KGFuKt9Xqm9NZ49OBhxAarsHSdZn9D9MFtBc/s1600/canoe_amazonriver_peru.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="canoeing amazon iquitos peru" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqv7rlp8IfMrMlL_VZ9sVXkavRYRXuxhjGP8SSCyQkiOI_YWinVjLNduPp6KlWsiRfBfcR8vFbc9cngpJ_mY72fodoF2G06_SIyVWhGo_KGFuKt9Xqm9NZ49OBhxAarsHSdZn9D9MFtBc/s1600/canoe_amazonriver_peru.jpg" title="canoeing amazon iquitos peru" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">"A view to remember."</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Overall our stay was disorganised and we were not looked after very well. Starr and Miguel knew we were not satisfied but they offered us no compensation. We don’t feel we got value for money from them given the state of the eco-lodge, we paid $300 each which is the same rate that the nearby more luxury lodges charge. If you’re thinking of visiting this part of the Amazon its worth considering Abundancia Ecolodge. Another lodge to try is Curassow Amazon Lodge, we almost booked with them as they don’t have any captured animals on show to pet.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmrPI4P-UgAhfs-eBMe2b1Ccag06EAbSvgxAGQ-vkCqTeNMixajOpeO_v7_zHv7qw1LDuo6Eq0t4Q6vFqkf3QQj6LoMZyZDDxk_O7-QUYRDV5FHGrGTruB6G8GA0_C9RWdPAn7O2dhHnI/s1600/jungleman_ecolodge_amazonperu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="amazon ecolodge iquitos peru" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmrPI4P-UgAhfs-eBMe2b1Ccag06EAbSvgxAGQ-vkCqTeNMixajOpeO_v7_zHv7qw1LDuo6Eq0t4Q6vFqkf3QQj6LoMZyZDDxk_O7-QUYRDV5FHGrGTruB6G8GA0_C9RWdPAn7O2dhHnI/s1600/jungleman_ecolodge_amazonperu.jpg" title="amazon ecolodge iquitos peru" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">"An absolutely gorgeous setting for an ecolodge!"</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Our adventure in the Amazon is one we won’t forget and we definitely want to venture inside again as its so fascinating. </span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00969932035860339295noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-285876142940098148.post-34809989894351243782014-05-04T04:26:00.000-07:002014-07-11T01:40:05.789-07:00Learning To Sandboard<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">When we first heard about the huge sand dunes in Huacachina we were a little skeptical about them. In Vietnam, we’d visited the pretty but underwhelming dunes at Mui Ne the year before. Fellow backpackers and bloggers assured us that sandboarding in Peru was something we had to try. All buses from Cusco to Lima go via Ica so there was lots of choice on buses, as it was 14 hours overnight we decided to treat ourselves to the 'Cama Total' seats downstairs. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwtoBizTZ-E19YbtocazhZL-MwMJfacL8YlFAEWgVRB7H0gnmUL2PD6zflDnq4I-iibKwkdJp-6NX9qgNn7ENs2hERvoh3KlwB9dRGUabimyxAbob9AwQ8tlx_xryBVETo5kswMy7oA00/s1600/Sandboarding_Peru_Steve.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="sandboarding huacachina peru" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwtoBizTZ-E19YbtocazhZL-MwMJfacL8YlFAEWgVRB7H0gnmUL2PD6zflDnq4I-iibKwkdJp-6NX9qgNn7ENs2hERvoh3KlwB9dRGUabimyxAbob9AwQ8tlx_xryBVETo5kswMy7oA00/s1600/Sandboarding_Peru_Steve.jpg" title="sandboarding huacachina peru" /></a></div>
<div>
<a name='more'></a><br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Unfortunately, we chose a rubbish company and when we boarded the bus all we could smell was wee, the toilet had leaked. Great. We reluctantly took our seats and within minutes were almost blown away by a mariachi band. Were we in Mexico? For some reason the dvd of choice was a mariachi concert and they were playing it full whack out of the speakers. "The people on buses face said WTF!”. We looked at each other and laughed, it was going to be one of those journeys.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Little did we know at the time that this bus route is known as the worst in Peru. The road is incredibly windy as it works it way down from over 3,000m ASL to practically sea level. It was impossible to sleep as we were being tossed from left to right, thankfully nobody was sick which is often the case on this route. We made it to sunny Ica completely knackered and shared a cab for the ten minute drive to Huacachina right next to the mighty sand dunes.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHdZ8-AyP9YysB9P2r0Mb79qgZ6U-kvkmaChYOj8Rxvaz2o9v4hEGhn5_s-ZK4JfP4P9xkRYM2A_CCFON0Zqzu6nVHDS0yRAc0H5MY_WI78Zau-2KVXSMxoWpxpW19Tx_RZ5MEQxLQWB8/s1600/sandboarding_peru_buggy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="sandboarding huacachina peru" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHdZ8-AyP9YysB9P2r0Mb79qgZ6U-kvkmaChYOj8Rxvaz2o9v4hEGhn5_s-ZK4JfP4P9xkRYM2A_CCFON0Zqzu6nVHDS0yRAc0H5MY_WI78Zau-2KVXSMxoWpxpW19Tx_RZ5MEQxLQWB8/s1600/sandboarding_peru_buggy.jpg" title="sandboarding huacachina peru" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">"Nice wheels!"</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">We chose to stay at the <a href="http://bananasadventure.com/index.php#a" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Banana Adventure Hostel</span></a> as you get your sand buggy and sand boarding activity in your room rate. Our long journey had worn us out so we took a strategic power nap. A few hours later we were feeling refreshed and ready to surf the enormous sand dunes that surrounded us. We climbed into the middle row of a very cool, bright green sand buggy with ten others from our hostel. The seat belts were like the harnesses you wear on roller coasters and we had no idea what we had just strapped ourselves in for.</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNHmtJNHbDhfm-a45ZqCKj-j_jSeDF79RZ79xSxR7cO6njSyyyKpaN3NbwUYVClOkUM9aFTs7lia2N5Glu-oHjkqoZ74SFvIgfHifMDHsJzO0MKgfLHuZ8jl1WoVbBQtrcXaI8BaLkKJ0/s1600/Sandboarding_Selfie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="sandboarding huacachina peru" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNHmtJNHbDhfm-a45ZqCKj-j_jSeDF79RZ79xSxR7cO6njSyyyKpaN3NbwUYVClOkUM9aFTs7lia2N5Glu-oHjkqoZ74SFvIgfHifMDHsJzO0MKgfLHuZ8jl1WoVbBQtrcXaI8BaLkKJ0/s1600/Sandboarding_Selfie.jpg" title="sandboarding huacachina peru" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">"Sand buggy #SELFIE"</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The entrance to the sand dunes was less than two minutes away so, it wasn’t long until we were speeding through the sand desert. The sand dunes were huge and the sides were super steep, all we could see was golden sand. Our driver was great fun. We sped to the top of a dune where we were blind to the height of it, slowed down a little at the edge, and, when we saw the 25 metre near vertical drop we were going to drive down we’d all scream. It was hilarious! Amazingly our buggy never rolled and we loved every minute on this sandy rollercoaster.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQrjjO3GDjsvMooRJ08u7leO-xjFXrvtmR-qK5W9jDjVQZU1Wuhl5MvQGDWHwiWUf_QyHdspcSmxNy6LdCEdIoH41E1Cry2EtARmpbxHMxv1-OCK38jHW40opyBPqd1VfemNamKhBRGRo/s1600/sandboarding_peru_stevedunes.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img alt="sandboarding huacachina peru" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQrjjO3GDjsvMooRJ08u7leO-xjFXrvtmR-qK5W9jDjVQZU1Wuhl5MvQGDWHwiWUf_QyHdspcSmxNy6LdCEdIoH41E1Cry2EtARmpbxHMxv1-OCK38jHW40opyBPqd1VfemNamKhBRGRo/s1600/sandboarding_peru_stevedunes.jpg" title="sandboarding huacachina peru" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">After admiring the view at our first stop we were each given a wooden board to match our size. And that was it.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">We were left to our own devices at the warm up dune, which was only 10 metres and not that steep. Ideal training conditions for amateurs like us.</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Steve ‘confidently’ went first.</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitCkwjdyAG5B9xEjeEUUcxkN5kcC55li5MxXJMRZ99WEpomwL98yePAqxctVZrwSs_NQE8v4zw2s1Tl86qc3x4dqBZcIEQMQeK4jkJO5JeMJPi5u3LaZQ3cEBdPMTOwCKxoWECO6Eyv9s/s1600/sandboarding-in-peru.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="sandboarding huacachina peru" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitCkwjdyAG5B9xEjeEUUcxkN5kcC55li5MxXJMRZ99WEpomwL98yePAqxctVZrwSs_NQE8v4zw2s1Tl86qc3x4dqBZcIEQMQeK4jkJO5JeMJPi5u3LaZQ3cEBdPMTOwCKxoWECO6Eyv9s/s1600/sandboarding-in-peru.jpg" title="sandboarding huacachina peru" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>"Watch and learn!"</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">After a successful first run, Steve was now a qualified instructor.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Lesson one for Vicky. Stand up.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2-FIhyORniTmrrme5eEH52juZLiFF_0Gayxok0JfEzyQuWKilAW5PKNQHZP7sP-uCcb7iqlCrIqNsk1ZH6ah_Dc2vPvd_oMXYzUUf7wyQehmXDoJxsXZryzajZKZw1wlvBzmJfPIgyGI/s1600/sandboardinginperu_lessonone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="sandboarding huacachina peru" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2-FIhyORniTmrrme5eEH52juZLiFF_0Gayxok0JfEzyQuWKilAW5PKNQHZP7sP-uCcb7iqlCrIqNsk1ZH6ah_Dc2vPvd_oMXYzUUf7wyQehmXDoJxsXZryzajZKZw1wlvBzmJfPIgyGI/s1600/sandboardinginperu_lessonone.jpg" title="sandboarding huacachina peru" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Lesson two. Raise your hand if you have any questions.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivSKAQJnJLAuwNsc8IY0bzzBonSOFydhVApQ6cF1BhDEdajJwoSC-IDjOgWZVFTrIpWuayalCezuf0C8gWS1oeqF-jLXmO8hmg0uDY_K6BdPqOeUPpwDY-cSvGEx9x3JDYEOIZpaA2Cgk/s1600/sandboadinginperu_lessontwo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="sandboarding huacachina peru" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivSKAQJnJLAuwNsc8IY0bzzBonSOFydhVApQ6cF1BhDEdajJwoSC-IDjOgWZVFTrIpWuayalCezuf0C8gWS1oeqF-jLXmO8hmg0uDY_K6BdPqOeUPpwDY-cSvGEx9x3JDYEOIZpaA2Cgk/s1600/sandboadinginperu_lessontwo.jpg" title="sandboarding huacachina peru" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"#FAIL."</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMBsgHjqe8BSHp0CYPiTDYPeMuvIHvGO9ovxbQtil6ye4YpatJveYzOKEHQYlmJxG5spQqeDH4LZgyqo5aCIYRwOCiy6adtBVef80ke9dv5aaSKyqrcs8iZ3m8hkTAFswng-R0mHTpACs/s1600/sandboardinginperu-vicky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="sandboarding in peru" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMBsgHjqe8BSHp0CYPiTDYPeMuvIHvGO9ovxbQtil6ye4YpatJveYzOKEHQYlmJxG5spQqeDH4LZgyqo5aCIYRwOCiy6adtBVef80ke9dv5aaSKyqrcs8iZ3m8hkTAFswng-R0mHTpACs/s1600/sandboardinginperu-vicky.jpg" title="sandboarding in peru" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">"Looking good!"</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_L2hyphenhyphenDWYEyYuDSaAy2giuya8vKi3gpHjo_IfOk2OPImUyJc8xr6TmqwOGF9wIJ1GaEDJtgIOLkFLq38MdhArPBSllzEXoZTUo6cU6X-Y1s0F-nx9iQxt0B-puFiStZDZ8VC-S6YqfDy4/s1600/sandboarding-in-peru-lessons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="sandboarding in peru" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_L2hyphenhyphenDWYEyYuDSaAy2giuya8vKi3gpHjo_IfOk2OPImUyJc8xr6TmqwOGF9wIJ1GaEDJtgIOLkFLq38MdhArPBSllzEXoZTUo6cU6X-Y1s0F-nx9iQxt0B-puFiStZDZ8VC-S6YqfDy4/s1600/sandboarding-in-peru-lessons.jpg" title="sandboarding in peru" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">"At least its a soft landing!"</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Training lasted about 10 minutes and then we followed our driver to the top of a much larger dune. This dune was at least 30m and much steeper. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL4yPJYDxuolIjUX8HjZZfx9KrNWX1vSaWG6MlLQeiopHx_V0-9fmskLfW-kQS2Ip904heMsSmGWnTsi4-zlcyWai9mc8qn8Qu3x9X6xAqhNxR1N1cnRfqQEPF35h4rf44lK-_jBEEYlU/s1600/sandboarding-in-peru-dunes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="sandboarding in peru" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL4yPJYDxuolIjUX8HjZZfx9KrNWX1vSaWG6MlLQeiopHx_V0-9fmskLfW-kQS2Ip904heMsSmGWnTsi4-zlcyWai9mc8qn8Qu3x9X6xAqhNxR1N1cnRfqQEPF35h4rf44lK-_jBEEYlU/s1600/sandboarding-in-peru-dunes.jpg" title="sandboarding in peru" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>"He's got it!"</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">It was clear Vicky would not be able to stand up, so, along with rest of the girls chose to board on her stomach. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">There was a little more advice given here, elbows in and feet in the air. No mention of feet to brake though! It was sooo much faster than standing. More screams and giggles for Vicky! #WIN</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioBX1AbnnJ6zCBtXwZ3jmuscCnvH9tHbbWvdUXX1L880dfzKe5XDi73mR11cEFOpXvP752AmGAjZ_U2MRcCMnrnTKND_c4p320axzDr6K_fv2fJINhvC0PMhVvmM5MYh1Q4x2Q7Ped3nM/s1600/sandboardingin-peru.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="sandboarding in peru" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioBX1AbnnJ6zCBtXwZ3jmuscCnvH9tHbbWvdUXX1L880dfzKe5XDi73mR11cEFOpXvP752AmGAjZ_U2MRcCMnrnTKND_c4p320axzDr6K_fv2fJINhvC0PMhVvmM5MYh1Q4x2Q7Ped3nM/s1600/sandboardingin-peru.jpg" title="sandboarding in peru" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The best bit was that was that our buggy was waiting for us at the bottom of each dune. Then we would whizz to the top of another huge dune and do it all again! Brilliant!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6hEd1UdYZ8Ku4ihjVkhD72WPPNQ5oynUHfPW__LYf27nxgzzJQH0l0d9GxFyF-Y55cgwVXiW1HRl4QFl9fkLqajFnD4C7tHLdyyeX8k8VaFZ4ceLwXwJOvOQCVRBIrJNHDoDSvI6Rok4/s1600/sandboarding-inperu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="sandboarding in peru" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6hEd1UdYZ8Ku4ihjVkhD72WPPNQ5oynUHfPW__LYf27nxgzzJQH0l0d9GxFyF-Y55cgwVXiW1HRl4QFl9fkLqajFnD4C7tHLdyyeX8k8VaFZ4ceLwXwJOvOQCVRBIrJNHDoDSvI6Rok4/s1600/sandboarding-inperu.jpg" title="sandboarding in peru" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">"Just head straight over that curve. Gulp!"</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn7kC4e62TO0somfP6vgW3MZIYZVkn4XOZBkUv4LzKxmk5iTrTAxdHWzItc_p3zeV34vjSATZI22XFIngXkYN0Pl5rJWlTnA9yKteyZpOXK1y5uHs_08OWPBhaFWYfak5Hd41wxsULDaQ/s1600/sandboarding-peru.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="sandboarding in peru" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn7kC4e62TO0somfP6vgW3MZIYZVkn4XOZBkUv4LzKxmk5iTrTAxdHWzItc_p3zeV34vjSATZI22XFIngXkYN0Pl5rJWlTnA9yKteyZpOXK1y5uHs_08OWPBhaFWYfak5Hd41wxsULDaQ/s1600/sandboarding-peru.jpg" title="sandboarding in peru" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">"Done."</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Our final sand dune was quite intimidating, very steep and about 70m long. We watched another group brave this one before we made our move. Some other guys had tried to do it standing and ended up cartwheeling down the bank on their heads which looked pretty painful. So, most guys in our group including Steve decided to adopt the girls method and go down on their stomachs. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Naturally there was a competition to see who could go the furthest. Vicky now almost at pro level came second! At the bottom of the dune the sand was very bumpy and it was really difficult to hold on as you sped across at 40/kmph.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzbhgdS-L2sqCAEswEDRtcFEueF1EaGjD6krwURRrb7yMVpX0sZkuZtynt9Orr9O-lPvwGDuIjQxsSTiv8DjaYJYmqY9a2Hx7qqbxfooepKZW8clLfLGAzYGzhHHX0dbRivRB_EoHkVlY/s1600/sandboardinginperu-huacachina.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="sandboarding in peru" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzbhgdS-L2sqCAEswEDRtcFEueF1EaGjD6krwURRrb7yMVpX0sZkuZtynt9Orr9O-lPvwGDuIjQxsSTiv8DjaYJYmqY9a2Hx7qqbxfooepKZW8clLfLGAzYGzhHHX0dbRivRB_EoHkVlY/s1600/sandboardinginperu-huacachina.jpg" title="sandboarding in peru" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">"The final dune..."</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">It was Steve’s first foray at the belly approach and he disastrously fell of his board metres from the end of his run. Unfortunately his favourite t-shirt didn’t survive the tumble, the sand had burned a big hole down the middle. He also got a few burns on his arms but nothing serious. Clumsy Steve.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJvw_ZXCIQ_L9sYd8XAwX-pIkMmdm8HX5tnR8kJqz5LHAA0dhSIw0ifgdQ6GA4lAAcbCMv1y2D-HOdtw0zqzwZzcDKMt9NaXAN8Mend6d9ut80TiN2ODL0mgZ6r1sH4GhgFcpO7_peZrA/s1600/sandboarding_peru_sunset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="sandboarding huacachina peru" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJvw_ZXCIQ_L9sYd8XAwX-pIkMmdm8HX5tnR8kJqz5LHAA0dhSIw0ifgdQ6GA4lAAcbCMv1y2D-HOdtw0zqzwZzcDKMt9NaXAN8Mend6d9ut80TiN2ODL0mgZ6r1sH4GhgFcpO7_peZrA/s1600/sandboarding_peru_sunset.jpg" title="sandboarding huacachina peru" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The sun had almost set by this time which sadly meant home time for us. We still had a delicious barbecue to look forward to at our hostel that evening though! A few cocktails and the tastiest, stickiest buffalo wings we’d ever had rounded off our day perfectly. </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">The next morning we took a local bus up to Lima and contemplated adding sand boarding to our CV’s…</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBD3xfMF9AdkHydWBiAuiVx6cSCC797swLdo5ch8GjRVjs93AnPrJX8YfDGV9RO6slWU1LcWkJjw4xe8dZhAYx0XS9-z6AMb_jMVx0YB8HbscB1bF0wPxdkjFDySILy9Qv2jirt0Z9_Os/s1600/2014-04-24+06.34.23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="sandboarding huacachina peru" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBD3xfMF9AdkHydWBiAuiVx6cSCC797swLdo5ch8GjRVjs93AnPrJX8YfDGV9RO6slWU1LcWkJjw4xe8dZhAYx0XS9-z6AMb_jMVx0YB8HbscB1bF0wPxdkjFDySILy9Qv2jirt0Z9_Os/s1600/2014-04-24+06.34.23.jpg" height="400" title="sandboarding huacachina peru" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>"Sticky loves Sandboarding!"</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00969932035860339295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-285876142940098148.post-57670062163619904072014-05-02T09:07:00.000-07:002014-07-11T01:52:27.410-07:00We Made It To Machu Picchu!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Cusco is the gateway to the incredible mountain top Inca village of Machu Picchu and it would have been a major fail for us if we didn’t at least try and visit. The scenic, adventurous route was no longer an option (<a href="http://wearenotlostblog.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/cusco-centre-of-inca-empire-peru.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">see why here</span></a>) so, we decided to see if a local travel agent could help get us there another way. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhybUmf5K0_77gPAyV4_PsFeE64pP-9DZayVb_rmGoMIoQhrdKViFFK-sU0d_l4JxJpIVsDXWNwIfyKvHW9vaOuJ87vijVTs9c9rd0tHa6oiqcdL84d0WClzp0BqnmRqVXw3DLj_JKj9T8/s1600/machu-picchu-arrival.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="machu-picchu-peru" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhybUmf5K0_77gPAyV4_PsFeE64pP-9DZayVb_rmGoMIoQhrdKViFFK-sU0d_l4JxJpIVsDXWNwIfyKvHW9vaOuJ87vijVTs9c9rd0tHa6oiqcdL84d0WClzp0BqnmRqVXw3DLj_JKj9T8/s1600/machu-picchu-arrival.jpg" title="machu-picchu-peru" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>"We made it!"</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a name='more'></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">We’d had a great time whitewater rafting with them so we started our search with an agency called Mayuc on Cusco's Plaza De Armas square. Despite it being Easter weekend t</span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">hey were able to find us some reasonably priced train tickets to Agua Calientes. The times weren’t suitable to get there and back in one day so we had to stay overnight in the tourist trap at the foot of Machu Picchu mountain. It was our only option so we decided to go for it!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Our Machu Picchu itinerary looked something like this:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">3.30am Taxi pick up at hotel</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">4.00am Shuttle bus to Ollantaytambo train station</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">6.00am Train to Aqua Calientes</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">8.00am Meet Rep at train station for MP tickets and guided tour </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Zzzz Stay overnight at a hotel in Agua Calientes</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">3.00pm Train to Ollantaytambo</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">5.00pm Shuttle bus to Cusco</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGhxusVsEuuL5U1DgexzpqiA62TJgE_ccKUgMu75ruKsV-37dEwbiRh76nz4Co9XWDzKvjabVh3TgSehUUZQ3rs2T_lPRoB2kq7DeGMRSI9eYNM0aILK0p8CWcZDeDtYARJUOiKD8jyDY/s1600/machu-picchu-peru.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="machu picchu peru" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGhxusVsEuuL5U1DgexzpqiA62TJgE_ccKUgMu75ruKsV-37dEwbiRh76nz4Co9XWDzKvjabVh3TgSehUUZQ3rs2T_lPRoB2kq7DeGMRSI9eYNM0aILK0p8CWcZDeDtYARJUOiKD8jyDY/s1600/machu-picchu-peru.jpg" title="machu picchu peru" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">"First view. Incredible!"</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">As planned our adventure to Machu Picchu began at 3.30am. At 3.50am we were wandering up and down our street wondering the hell is our taxi? Just five minutes earlier the driver had rang our hotel and spoke to the owner yet it didn’t show. We had no choice but to make a run for it across town making an educated guess as we ran that our shuttle bus would be leaving from the same street as our whitewater rafting trip. Thankfully we were right and were very relieved to find a bus of tourists waiting to depart. Phew!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">We relaxed into our seats and enjoyed a power nap until we arrived around sunrise in Ollanta. There were lots of tourists here and many were on organised group tours being escorted from A to B by their flag wielding guides. We, ever the independent travellers were on our own. We bought coffee and joined a big queue before being ushered on to a very impressive train with a glass roof for maximum viewing pleasure. The free coffee and cakes perked us up a bit more too! </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Peru Rail trains are so different to the UK.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">We glided through tunnels and around numerous bends at the bottom of a very steep valley alongside a fast flowing, boulder filled river. </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">The scenery was absolutely stunning!</span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2G3n03QWuRcQQj5klZZZhh-dQLshT_Cs5Ms8hMP4OxJmSZpxwMUI4ee3PLmq5dbf6Pl8ItFd-trFYcSs6QswdKMOEkkTFW2xtCeVDDnCX_Y4-9BE83IgRsC_ib7wGIsNg2mMCN3qD2d0/s1600/machu-picchu-waynapicchu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="machu picchu peru" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2G3n03QWuRcQQj5klZZZhh-dQLshT_Cs5Ms8hMP4OxJmSZpxwMUI4ee3PLmq5dbf6Pl8ItFd-trFYcSs6QswdKMOEkkTFW2xtCeVDDnCX_Y4-9BE83IgRsC_ib7wGIsNg2mMCN3qD2d0/s1600/machu-picchu-waynapicchu.jpg" title="machu picchu peru" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">When we embarked at Aqua Calientes another drama surfaced as our rep was not there to meet us. For about 20 minutes we were like the forgotten children in the playground whose parents were late picking them up. Eventually she appeared and took us to the ticket office. From what we saw anybody can turn up and buy a ticket for Machu Picchu on the day of their visit, nothing was pre-booked or waiting for us, you just need your passport. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">We also bought tickets for Machu Picchu mountain, not really sure why though as its a six hour round hike after you’ve spend hours roaming Machu Picchu. <b>TIP:</b> Save a few $ and don’t buy this kind of ticket!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifLN7lz75CmlP5cgQBq-p3oGs0PRB30UHBzY4S4PSv2FYZ9bQ5IohMzyipNet9C3udV3O8_BI4e6DMT-RtIo5QDdc8Sk7ovBNQhm-fsoIS3K2DefxKrzEUqrDyw-bqmYJXHlhFOg9edvE/s1600/machu-picchu-peru-.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="machu picchu peru" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifLN7lz75CmlP5cgQBq-p3oGs0PRB30UHBzY4S4PSv2FYZ9bQ5IohMzyipNet9C3udV3O8_BI4e6DMT-RtIo5QDdc8Sk7ovBNQhm-fsoIS3K2DefxKrzEUqrDyw-bqmYJXHlhFOg9edvE/s1600/machu-picchu-peru-.jpg" title="machu picchu peru" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>"We're IN!"</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">With our tickets in hand and directions to the bus stop we set off again on our own. We’d heard the bus up to the gates of Machu Picchu was pretty scary, the rumours were not wrong so if you don’t want to stare into the face of death choose an aisle seat. The zig zag road has been cut into a very steep mountain side, the roads are narrow and buses pass each other every minute or so, its that busy. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Anyway, we made it to the top and headed straight through the gates to stamp our passport. We had MADE IT TO MACHU PICCHU!! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjksm35ZbK2bJIxe2BkQDU5tXk0lkzyMTUmx03Vj_usl_5PN-jrwef7yfmoXM1G_H8il-Qnse8nlUwJKaLTD9x5sJTqVLpDxAdLNnxEOVZV9gYFiqfKKlwE0jbbvOEQPBh5YeFrWD_eV0I/s1600/machu-picchu-huayna-picchu-view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="machu picchu peru" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjksm35ZbK2bJIxe2BkQDU5tXk0lkzyMTUmx03Vj_usl_5PN-jrwef7yfmoXM1G_H8il-Qnse8nlUwJKaLTD9x5sJTqVLpDxAdLNnxEOVZV9gYFiqfKKlwE0jbbvOEQPBh5YeFrWD_eV0I/s1600/machu-picchu-huayna-picchu-view.jpg" title="machu picchu peru" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">It was so exciting and hot, its very, very, sunny and hot up there.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqtzZnqfLVdiQJLg4jZR-ark8SXPBLDHVxQP4jlCkFbKo9SdyoKuToLrSatb9uIUPslbOrzftuok6N1T3AXwevqVE0O5Q_u9t2ISnSuUKv2OIqdjamYgsklfB-G7EdMhAWtPCen-TEI98/s1600/wayn-picchu-machu-picchu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="machu picchu peru" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqtzZnqfLVdiQJLg4jZR-ark8SXPBLDHVxQP4jlCkFbKo9SdyoKuToLrSatb9uIUPslbOrzftuok6N1T3AXwevqVE0O5Q_u9t2ISnSuUKv2OIqdjamYgsklfB-G7EdMhAWtPCen-TEI98/s1600/wayn-picchu-machu-picchu.jpg" title="machu picchu peru" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Armed with our map and with a couple of hours to spare before our guided tour we set off to explore. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-FqHVHdN3RZ-Zqh_sJjtftQA6zZqJvZJ2h-4Y7d6hVQsb700eLZCEWAzHi2noz0XkK374luRuFhPZuX72L0A827u_CrDFAmwOH02Uz2I-ukBzuoAwS9ThKP_Hpz9O25iRgjNl0aZaprI/s1600/machu-picchu-tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="machu picchu peru" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-FqHVHdN3RZ-Zqh_sJjtftQA6zZqJvZJ2h-4Y7d6hVQsb700eLZCEWAzHi2noz0XkK374luRuFhPZuX72L0A827u_CrDFAmwOH02Uz2I-ukBzuoAwS9ThKP_Hpz9O25iRgjNl0aZaprI/s1600/machu-picchu-tree.jpg" title="machu picchu peru" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">First impressions were breathtaking, nothing prepares you for the sheer beauty of the setting. Let's just say it's worth the hype!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXNMsfoD568TI2hUs8jElWZ4axoHa_2l-2t6dIeLB2mYoHj95MgTTeby6cVMpUS2puWrYdCHQx6Zt2_We69-sHEEFZzzkX9QkPUKi3cSm5lUcu-m35dEy5SXQsWRwrGGPMheFTwWRIFNA/s1600/machu-picchu-selfie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="machu picchu peru" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXNMsfoD568TI2hUs8jElWZ4axoHa_2l-2t6dIeLB2mYoHj95MgTTeby6cVMpUS2puWrYdCHQx6Zt2_We69-sHEEFZzzkX9QkPUKi3cSm5lUcu-m35dEy5SXQsWRwrGGPMheFTwWRIFNA/s1600/machu-picchu-selfie.jpg" title="machu picchu peru" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>"#SELFIE (it had to be done)"</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Machu Picchu is difficult to describe. We loved the symmetry of the design and layout. The contrast of bright green manicured lawns, matte grey stone and vivid blue skies is beautiful. From every angle you get a fantastic view. In addition to the unique architecture Machu Picchu is surrounded by pointed lush green mountains and seemingly bottomless valleys. Its very other worldly as you are so high up and remote, yes, even despite the volume of tourists. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKFGx1nQkCr5LXhEVYFgBH8yHruOqu8_eoQRHtDw_RdMs-9ZTH69LMNSigP3qus7qEaRqjI5bqT9H3BjzFv_9Ugf_FamsOIkST5GCLUUykl5ovUzjdMBDLTOujOj2fLYXaUE1ZTA5uML0/s1600/machu-picchu-wayna-picchu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="machu picchu peru" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKFGx1nQkCr5LXhEVYFgBH8yHruOqu8_eoQRHtDw_RdMs-9ZTH69LMNSigP3qus7qEaRqjI5bqT9H3BjzFv_9Ugf_FamsOIkST5GCLUUykl5ovUzjdMBDLTOujOj2fLYXaUE1ZTA5uML0/s1600/machu-picchu-wayna-picchu.jpg" title="machu picchu peru" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">On our first entry we decided to stick to the lower levels of the village and save our energy to get us to the top during our guided tour later on. It was lovely to wander around aimlessly trying to imagine the Incas living here in the 14th century.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; text-align: justify;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFG8dkVGE4F92rrGnVQePLczj7EzCA5rMzT9Ugwg9SD2QxpEd6BWVefVKPS1KiAuWl7bcp5nxjnXnE8AFBigbluSs7LGhdTvQ_YmvazoR1JXO_ZwSdDx_-hv2XG0i1pHZF69HnEryalIU/s1600/macchu-picchu-farm-houses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="machu picchu peru" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFG8dkVGE4F92rrGnVQePLczj7EzCA5rMzT9Ugwg9SD2QxpEd6BWVefVKPS1KiAuWl7bcp5nxjnXnE8AFBigbluSs7LGhdTvQ_YmvazoR1JXO_ZwSdDx_-hv2XG0i1pHZF69HnEryalIU/s1600/macchu-picchu-farm-houses.jpg" title="machu picchu peru" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">"Reconstructed farm houses in the agricultural section."</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">After a couple of hours we gave in to our hunger and (Steve's) beer cravings. In the bar we felt a little envious of the trekkers who were toasting their survival of the Inca Trail - that should have been us! However, we were also pretty glad not to be them as they looked much more tired and in need of a shower than we did. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">We sipped happily on our Cusquenas as we tried to spot our tour guide. </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Of course she arrived late. Then, she spent about 15 minutes trying to get an English speaking guide to allow us on their tour. Its quite chaotic where all the guides hang out, everybody is always looking for a lost person or touting themselves as a guide. Again, we could have organised this bit ourselves as it wasn't actually that organised. </span><br />
<br /><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheoyZjKldswKlFASWUm0KJ9LpWfiuX7eS2dVX8pvPZ5bBqJKVhLsg9UXIQ3kyMknWTXFp0LdLGWw8LOSiNjZ7bQKzSXW-dXHdnE2i02bmhxESl3OezaeOJOpVKeTLNpcxBu19g7ktAAd4/s1600/machu-picchu-top.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="machu picchu peru" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheoyZjKldswKlFASWUm0KJ9LpWfiuX7eS2dVX8pvPZ5bBqJKVhLsg9UXIQ3kyMknWTXFp0LdLGWw8LOSiNjZ7bQKzSXW-dXHdnE2i02bmhxESl3OezaeOJOpVKeTLNpcxBu19g7ktAAd4/s1600/machu-picchu-top.jpg" title="machu picchu peru" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">"The classic Machu Picchu shot."</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Eagerly, we joined a group and were relieved we didn't have to struggle our way through a tour in Spanish. Our guide was really nice and her native language was Quechua as she belonged to one of the indigenous ethnic groups of Peru. </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Our first stop was to climb to the highest point of Machu Picchu and enjoy an incredible birds eye view of the site. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj0KujNgOrhHSXLPqMPbzjfg8J4mzguhMCyahrjrI1XCXhK0ySddxBa8vIxH96uqoZWdI1wbfHyU5itEj7scUa5s9YhgvNP5nS4nbIZfKgnUYg_Tf4s7PO_XfFUZdX7w-dFNx2RJXLQWw/s1600/machu-picchu-birds-eye-view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="machu picchu peru" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj0KujNgOrhHSXLPqMPbzjfg8J4mzguhMCyahrjrI1XCXhK0ySddxBa8vIxH96uqoZWdI1wbfHyU5itEj7scUa5s9YhgvNP5nS4nbIZfKgnUYg_Tf4s7PO_XfFUZdX7w-dFNx2RJXLQWw/s1600/machu-picchu-birds-eye-view.jpg" title="machu picchu peru" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>"WOW!"</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">We enjoyed a two hour walking tour and found our guide quite informative. Like many other official guides she had a Machu Picchu text book to refer to and show us diagrams from. </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Some of the information was a little hard to follow and seemed far fetched especially when it came to the temples.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The Incas were incredible scientists and Machu Picchu was a lot like a university with many developing their skills further here. The more we saw the more we understood the</span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> layout and functionality of the site. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK2m9Cn8hnTk2TqP-YWSRGHOs73pXLvBJOhZ8LSC_mfm-sRHV3Ih1u_Fzoc_YNE3deCOlecBat_Wb7lWrbNgVeJQX13YYkog8upOZBE1VkjC9qi0aV8GE4rKH6HYwJ3ACzYO__pvGmXcw/s1600/macchu-picchu-peru.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="machu picchu peru" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK2m9Cn8hnTk2TqP-YWSRGHOs73pXLvBJOhZ8LSC_mfm-sRHV3Ih1u_Fzoc_YNE3deCOlecBat_Wb7lWrbNgVeJQX13YYkog8upOZBE1VkjC9qi0aV8GE4rKH6HYwJ3ACzYO__pvGmXcw/s1600/macchu-picchu-peru.jpg" title="machu picchu peru" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Huayna Picchu mountain is visible in the background of most of our photos, visitors can hike to the top in a couple of hours but they only allow a couple of hundred to do this each day. Unfortunately, we'd booked too late and were sad to miss out as the views from the top are meant to be fantastic.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">After our tour we were shocked by the enormous queues for the return bus back down. Being British we're glad to report that it was very orderly and went down quicker than expected. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfI6FEiy5k7A_Ro2lxgI_4MfJZ-S6iJk7O5FP37CyHAaLc3YeKcHMjZhDXFIxsyrY8E26YytBGkJ_QADc2A6HwagNOZH-TtF2XMnJJ_7u42cne0DpCY5tLPgiO2XDQtfLw0FX4Tm6NC0A/s1600/2014-04-20+14.14.29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="machu picchu queue" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfI6FEiy5k7A_Ro2lxgI_4MfJZ-S6iJk7O5FP37CyHAaLc3YeKcHMjZhDXFIxsyrY8E26YytBGkJ_QADc2A6HwagNOZH-TtF2XMnJJ_7u42cne0DpCY5tLPgiO2XDQtfLw0FX4Tm6NC0A/s1600/2014-04-20+14.14.29.jpg" height="400" title="machu picchu queue" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">"Extreme queueing (for a bus)."</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Soon we were in our rather grim hotel reception at the top of the main street in Agua Calientes. We checked into our hotel room and were disgusted to find the bathroom full of flies. Gross!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">It was only for one night and we'd already paid our travel agent so there wasn't much we could do. Well, apart from get the receptionist to come and kill the flies by flogging a towel at them. We decided red wine and pizza were in order and headed down the main strip to find some of decent quality. It was a tough call but we found some eventually.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The next day we had loads of time to kill as our train home wasn't until 3pm. We found a cute restaurant on the other side of town where the train literally runs through the street and the pavement is the platform.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8i3imYdcKRsdf2rBqqrPTX2wdggmsN012bRPTLVw9MU8w6_9yQeru8th1HH8-0Tfg8eWXhnYGx_u8AOe7izeRW2_VSvEatVbBzXUgABXYEWUFYckGZDyxMtjocDDMKlhnMfM-cP-weTg/s1600/agua-calientes-train.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="agua calientes train" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8i3imYdcKRsdf2rBqqrPTX2wdggmsN012bRPTLVw9MU8w6_9yQeru8th1HH8-0Tfg8eWXhnYGx_u8AOe7izeRW2_VSvEatVbBzXUgABXYEWUFYckGZDyxMtjocDDMKlhnMfM-cP-weTg/s1600/agua-calientes-train.jpg" title="agua calientes train" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">"Mind the train."</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Our train home was very nice and we were seated opposite a senator and his wife. This made a nice change from backpackers! It was entertaining to witness a unique approach to sales from the Peru Rail staff. We got to watch a fashion show and salsa dancing in the aisles! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">When we arrived back in Ollanta, the feeling of being lost children returned as we were the only two tourists left behind in the carpark. There was no shuttle bus to meet us. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Thankfully a taxi driver helped us out and introduced us to his mate who's shuttle bus was leaving soon. After a few phonecalls it was agreed we could ride the bus and our travel agent would pay. We were very relieved to make it back to Cusco and the homely vibes of Casa Sihuar for our last night in the capital of the Inca empire. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">It was a bit touch and go but we did make it to Machu Picchu. We're so glad we did, we've never visited anywhere like it! Incredible. </span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10269229704031041251noreply@blogger.com0