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7 Things To Add To Your Brussels Bucket List

February 27, 2016, 8:41 am
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Hello you!

As you may well know, should you have seen my recent Guide To Brussels, I have just got back from a wonderful short city break to Belgium.



I spent 2 days exploring Brussels and one (very long) day exploring the nearby city of Bruges and Ghent, but I'll save those adventures for another post :-)

My time in Brussels was limited but I did my very best to explore as much as i could fit in. 
Of course this involved a lot of eating, naturally, and my god the chocolate and waffles totally BLEW MY MIND. 
I have quite the sweet tooth and am easily pleased by a bar of Dairy Milk, but the chocolate in Belgium is seriously on another level. Amazing enough that i found myself eating it for alongside breakfast lunch and dinner... without even feeling sick haha!

I couldn't get enough of the food and drink on offer here in Belgium and so, alongside a couple of 'must-dos' I thought i'd share some of my favourites with you:

1. Delirium Beer Bar

Certainly not a hidden hotspot, but popular for all the right reasons, Delirium is located a 2 minute walk from Grand Place (the famous square in Brussels) and stocks over 2000 beer types. Here travellers from all over the world congregate and bring the place to life over a glass of their choice.
As a solo traveller it was nice to have somewhere that was lively and friendly where you could experience one of Belgiums finest offerings.

I personally don't really like beer but I knew i couldn't leave without trying one, so I browsed the extensive list in hope of finding something magical. I mithered between the 'Cookie' and 'Peach' Beers before deciding on the 'Coconut beer' which added a perfect touch of sweetness and was gorgeously served up in a coconut.
(yes for real they do cookie flavoured beer!)



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2. Waffle from Maison Dandoy

Recommended to my by a lovely reader on Instagram, I headed a few steps away from Grand Place into this heavenly scented, family run shop. The smell of waffles is a familiar sensory experience in Brussels, but close 4 walls around the kitchen and you can't help but beam with happiness with every drawn breath.

Maison Dandoy create everything themselves and offer an array of sweet treats alongside a tea room upstairs should you want to make an occasion out of it.

On offer are the Leige Waffles (denser in texture and coated with caramelised sugar) and the Brussels waffle (lighter and crispier dusted with icing sugar).

I went for the Leige Waffle with belgian chocolate sauce and strawberries.

10/10 - it was unreal.

Even better when enjoyed sat in the sun overlooking Grand place!

Where to find:Rue Charles Buls 14, Bruxelles, Belgium

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3. Savoury waffle from Peck47

Oh my gosh. I can't believe i nearly missed out on this place. Recommended to me by the same (wonderful) reader that recommended Maison Dandoy this centrally located cafe is just gorgeous in every aspect of the word.

First I was captured by the day dreamy window seats scattered with cushions, second by the big quote that instantly bought a smile to my fact. Next by the incredibly friendly and accommodating staff that worked in the small restaurant and then last but CERTAINLY not least - the food.

I asked for half a portion of the Peck's Special because i wasn't really hungry but INSISTED on trying it.

I can honestly say it was one of the best dishes i have ever eaten. Ever. (bold claim i know)

A layer of waffle topped with perfectly crisp bacon, goats cheese and poached egg.
A killer combo that was devoured in minutes.

They, too, serve amazing soups, coffees, juices, and sweet treats. You guys MUST visit.

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4. Take a photo in Grand Place
Pretty self explanatory really. 
Take a photo and document your visit to this iconic square.

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5. The Atomium
The unmistakeable symbol of Brussels and the most popular tourist attraction in the city, travel 25 minutes by tram (Line 6 in direction of Roi Baudouin) from the city centre and arrive at Heizel a 3 minute walk from the iconic structure.

You can ascend to the top for 360 views over Brussels for just €12 Adult. Once you've taken in the views you can climb through the balls and read all about their construction and relevance to the city. 

See website here
(Student and child prices available)
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6. Browse and Buy some Incredible Chocolate

My favourite discovery was Le Comptoir de Matilde.

I picked up a couple of bags of assorted chocolate squares... and neither of them made it home. (Sorry mum)
The perfect place to try some chocolate or pick up some souvenirs.

Where to find: 17 Rue au beurre | Boterstraat, Brussels 1000, Belgium

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7. Mussels from Chez Leon

Located in the heart of all the restaurants besides Grand Place, this hotspot serves up the most gorgeous selection of Mussel dishes.

The ambience in Chez Leon made me feel at home straight away (so nice seeing as i was travelling solo!), and the waiters were SO friendly and eagerly attentive. I begun with some Garlic Scallops and followed with some Garlic and herb mussels, frites and a glass of house red.
My meal was ridiculously tasty, although it was a good job i was travelling alone due to the slight garlic overload! Ha!

#perksofsolotravel

I, of course, couldn't dine without a hint of chocolate and so finished with the Belgian chocolate mousse which was a solid 10/10 too.

Honestly, I know i've said it before, but the food is seriously awesome here.

Chez Leon is the perfect central spot for lunch or dinner if you want to indulge in some traditional cuisine...

Where to find: 18 rue des Bouchers, Brussels 1000, Belgium


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THANK YOU FOR READING...

Have you guys been to Brussels at all?!

Have you got any hotspots to share?

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Capture your next adventure... with a GoPro like mine!

+ if you don't know which one to get, watch my guide here:




OR read 'my guide to buying a travel camera here'.

Happy adventuring :)

♡

Mollie xxxx


LET'S GET SOCIAL!

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The Ultimate Best Friend Bucket List ::

February 29, 2016, 7:34 am
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Whilst boyfriends, jobs + hard times will come and go, one thing that you can always rely on is your best friend. 
You may have one, you may have 5 or you may not have found them yet, but when you do, hang on to em real tight and get started on this bucket list of adventures!


When you're 80 and sitting and reminiscing on the incredible years you experienced by each others side, which ones are you going to have ticked off?

1. Camp at a music festival together

2. Wake up with last nights clothes and make up still on

3. Swap names with each other on a night out together

4. Book a spa day together

5. Go on a backpacking adventure together

6. Be each others new years kiss

7. Go camping and make a bonfire

8. Go out wearing a ridiculous matching outfit and just do it for the lols

9. Spend an evening prank calling with a big tub of ice cream

10. Get matching tattoos

11. Go on a random road trip

12. Throw a surprise party for each other

13. Ride an elephant together

14.Totally embarrass each other with THAT time when you're maid of honour at the wedding

15. See who can accumulate the most phone numbers on a night out

16. Book a spontaneous city break together - no boys

17. Party in vegas together

18. Do a bungy jump or skydive together

19. Go to new york on a shopping trip together

20. Go to burning man together or an epic festival abroad together

21. Do an all night and watch the sunrise together

22. Sign up to a fitness challenge together

23. Attend the full moon party together in Koh Phangan

24. Go to a random dance class together and embarrass yourself

25. Spend a WHOLE day in bed watching films and eating rubbish

26. Sing/scream hideously at the top of your lungs together to music in the car

27. Have an epic food fight

28. Learn how to surf together

29. Sleep under the stars together

30. Ride in a limo together and hang out of the windows


HOW MANY CAN YOU TICK OFF ALREADY?







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I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS ARTICLE...
Is there anything else you think I should have included?!


Happy adventuring :)

♡

Mollie xxxx


LET'S GET SOCIAL!

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3 Cities in 3 days... My Solo Adventure through Brussels, Bruges and Ghent | Belgium

March 2, 2016, 3:27 am
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If there's one thing you should know about me (if you don't already), it's that I love a challenge, be it a career, a boy or a destination itinerary.

There are so many different ways to travel, and whilst travelling the world shouldn't become just a checklist of barely touching down in a city before ticking it off, sometimes dipping your toes into a fast paced adventure can be exhilarating.

This was 'one of those' adventures.


So my 3 days in Belgium sandwiched two days exploring Brussels with a day uncovering the nearby cities of Bruges and Ghent and I LOVED IT!


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My day in Bruges and Ghent begun with a very early start, 6.15am infact, at which point my eyes were putting up some serious resistance to the daylight that was creeping in through the translucent curtains draping over my window.

But with the sudden realisation that a full breakfast spread was waiting for me as part of my stay at The Mercure Hotel I soon found the bounce back in my step...

The combination of fresh air and warm, melted Belgian chocolate waffles had me a sudden rush of energy as I walked the 3 minute distance that followed to Brussels Midi Station.

With zero confidence that I was purchasing the right ticket, and noone there to reassure me, I headed away from the machines to the assisted ticket counters where they spoke wonderful English and sorted me out.

My day required 3 tickets...

BRUXXELLES MIDI - BRUGGE (56 MIN DIRECT) $6
BRUGGE - GENT (30MIN DIRECT) $6
GENT - BRUXXELLES MIDI (30MIN DIRECT) $6

So for the day of travel it cost me $18/£14, which was without a student card or railcard (UK saver card), a total bargain when you compare it to the likes of UK transport prices!
The trains were clean, spacious, very very frequent on all of the above routes, and punctual - I directed myself solo around Belgium with ease.


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One thing I like to do when I'm travelling is navigate around (or at least try to) without the use of my phone. When outside of the UK I don't like to justify the cost of data roaming and so self navigation is even more appealing. We have become so heavily dependant on technology in an overwhelming percentage of our life, to the point that half the time we totally miss what's going on around us.

I knew my day was going to be fast paced and I didn't want to miss a single bit through my phone, so as I walked out of Brugge station, I took a judgement as to which direction I thought the city centre was. I backed it up with a guess at translating the road signs and, to my luck, a 10 minute walk had me in the centre of Bruges.


A sense of both achievement and wonder.

Along the way I rightly translated a few more signs and stopped off at the famous Minnewater Lake (The Lake Of Love) which one of you guys wonderfully recommended to me on Instagram.

The lake and it's surroundings were pretty cloudy and desolate when I arrived, but even so it was a beautiful space for reflection and plenty a friendly runner greeted me as they passed. 


As I continued on into the centre from the lake, I passed under castle like arches and over cobbled bridged waterways. The adrenalin of adventure was picking up it's pulse through my veins as I was warmly welcomed by Bruges beauty...


One of my favourite things about Europe is the diversity of character between the cities in such a small distance. Bruges was already worlds apart from Brussels and even, to me, had some familiar characteristics from Amsterdam, Holland and Split, Croatia.



Call me a tourist or call me predictable but prior to any trip I like to research (and note) the iconic photos taken in each city along with the 'must do's'. Capturing some of those signature experiences/spots as well as a little time to get myself lost, is the perfect combination for me.

I headed first to seek that iconic row of colourful houses that lies in the Main Square. By the time I arrived it was still only 9am and so I had the whole square to myself to take photos and admire the architecture.

Just like in Copenhagen, the colourful houses stole my attention and I instantly begun dreaming through the big sash windows that accommodated the front of the buildings about my dream apartment.

Raw oak flooring, white walls filled with beautiful quotes, fairy lights adoring the skirting boards, and a mattress with a collection of cosy vintage throws piled on top.

One day...




On the opposite side of the square I found the famous Belfort tower which stands at 83 metres tall and hosts 43 melodious bells which rung during my ascent up the 366 steps to the top of the tower.

It was a pretty demanding climb but, for those who wished, it allowed for you to stop off along the way and discover the old treasury and the history of this iconic building.

I love ascending towers, mountains or buildings because it provides an element of exercise to my day and you are additionally rewarded with an incredible perspective over a city - win win.

(TIP: TO STAY ACTIVE WHEN TRAVELLING WHEN TIME DOESN'T ALLOW FOR THE GYM, CHOOSE THE STEPS OR A FEW ACTIVE ADVENTURES TO COMBINE EXERCISE AND DISCOVERY)




For my first solo adventure, so far, I was doing absolutely fine. When  I reached the 360 pano over Bruges from the top of The Belfry I got talking to a Man and his wife who then kept me company the whole way down. They were visiting for the day also as part of a European trip from Canada, to celebrate their 30th Wedding anniversary. After listening to his (i didn't catch his name!) recent adventure on Vancouver Island, Canada, by the time i reached the bottom I had a firmly cemented addition to my bucket list and a grand smile on my face.

A simple bit of human interaction and an absence of 3G can bring incredible freedom.
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One thing that made these 3 cities in 3 days a lot easier was the overlapping of the delicacies.

Belgium as a whole is famous for its Waffles, Chocolate, Beer, Frites and Mussels so, as much as I happily would have, I didn't need to try them ALL in each city - cutting each 'to do' list slightly.

One thing I did insist on though was a Hot Chocolate shop that had cropped up a few times in my online research of Bruges.

Everyone in Bruges seemed to know this place, making my self-navigation a lot easier. Simply after a 5 minute walk through the beautiful lanes of Bruges, I arrived at The Old Chocolate House.



The smell of coco goodness hit me like a wave as the owner of the shop opened the door and welcomed me in. Whether you want to buy chocolate, browse chocolate, take away a hot chocolate or dine in and indulge - you can do all of the above here.

I, of course, chose the dine in and indulge option and, again, my early start served me well...


I had the choice of all the seats in the house and so in my cosy little corner by the stained glass windows and the fire place, i sat with my solely chocolate covered menu and melted over the options.

Now, seriously, i need your attention.

THIS was THE best hot chocolate I have EVER had.

Probably because Belgian chocolate is like, the best chocolate going, but also because you can tailor the taste to your exact taste buds. The waiter spoke me through the wide variety of different beans on offer, and all the specials available before I settled on a mix of dark and milk chocolate alongside a selection of mini chocolate treats.
(Coming second and definitely worth noting was salted caramel hot chocolate - yes way)

A ridiculously pleasing large soup bowl mug was settled before me, alongside an edible chocolate pot filled with milk and dark chocolate drops and a super cute mini whisk.

So not only was the final product OUT OF THIS WORLD, the construction of it as the drops melted into the milky bliss was super fun...


...and when the hot chocolate reaches your acquired taste but theres left over chocolate?
I can guarantee it won't last long.


Every piece in the selection of chocolate and sweet treats that came on the tiered stand deserves a mention of it's own, but i'm getting serious chocolate cravings writing this so i'm going to save you the torment too.
My two favourites however were the mini Belgian mousse and the brownie.

THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS TOO MUCH CHOCOLATE OKAY.


I got a bit distracted (understandably) and lost track of time whilst being a piggy, so I settled the bill ($8) and got my wander pants back on. I followed the nearby canal admiring the hotels, houses and cafes that hung over it.

I stopped beside Hotel Duc De Bourgogne (just off of Rozenhoedkaai) where some little boats were departing and touring the canals. Not one to ever miss out, I used the 10 minute interval between boats to capture some shots before hopping on for a cruise of my own.



The boat ride took us as far we could in half an hour with the captain translating the history of our surroundings into both French and English.
The information was limited and very scripted but for $8 I didn't mind - I really enjoyed the fresh air and new perspective over this beautiful city.


Feeling totally fulfilled by my time here in beautiful Bruges (even though i'm sure i missed LOADS), the sun began to peak through the clouds and i retraced my steps back to the station where I hopped on the just-short-of-half-an-hour train to Ghent.

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 Having already been up and actively exploring for 8 hours at this point, added to the fact I was most likely experiencing a sugar crash, I'll admit I didn't give Ghent the time it deserved.

Unlike with Bruges, I walked out of the Saint-Peters train station and waited for intuition to give me a sense of direction to the town centre... but nothing came. After 10 minutes of walking in circles my heart beat was increasing and I felt totally lost.

It's moments like these that usually, with the company of another, you would laugh and walk confidently in the wrong direction. But with the traffic, the pace of people exiting the station around me and the fact i was REAL tired... I was completely thrown.

Luckily for us English, our language is a common ground with many Belgians and the lovely fruit stand owner pointed me in the direction of the tram ticket office and advised the 10 minute ride over the 35 minute walk.

Phew! My legs were really not in favour of the hour round hike.

So...
to find the centre of Ghent from the train station:
- Turn right out of the station
- Head to Plat. 1 (Kovenmarkt)
- Grab a day ticket for the tram $6 (as many trips as you want)
- Hop on the next tram!


I wandered aimlessly from the bus stop around the bustling university town that felt a lot more youthful and commercial on first impressions. 

There were an abundance of highstreet shops and chocolate havens, both of which I had little interest in by this point and so I dipped into EXKi for a yummy soup and sat by the River Leie with it.



As I continued to wander, I caught sight of a castle and remembered some of your guys comments on Instagram about 'the castle in the city', which I soon found to be it - the Gravensteen.

It's a gorgeous asset to the already filled centre, again setting Ghent apart from both Brussels and Bruges.

I didn't go into the Castle museum or up to the top for the 360 view over Bruges, but I wandered through the gates and around the castle in the historical centre where there is too The Hotel Gravensteen.
 Should you be interested in the Castle and it's offerings you can see here for a first hand experience.

It was at this point that the dark cloud descended upon us and the heavens opened, marking the end of my adventure in Ghent.

In hindsight, the 2 cities of Bruges and Ghent were definitely do-able in one day due to the ease and close proximity, but when exploring both extensively on foot and getting up so early, tiredness most definitely ruled in my case.

An over night stay in one of the cities would have been PERFECT for me and would have allowed me to explore both to a larger extent.

But we all know what that means... I'LL BE BACK.

Antwerp too, i'll be back for you!

For more information and Ghent 'Must see's' CLICK HERE

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THANK YOU FOR READING...

Have you guys been to Belgium at all?!

What was your experience like?

::

Happy adventuring :)

♡

Mollie xxxx

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Capture your next adventure... with a GoPro like mine!

+ if you don't know which one to get, watch my guide here:




OR read 'my guide to buying a travel camera here'.


LET'S GET SOCIAL!

Come and join me on Instagram - molliebylett
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DIRTY BONES, London | Food, Cocktails and Live Music

March 6, 2016, 1:00 am
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Whether you're in the mood for a few cheeky cocktails, a full blown EPIC cheat meal or a Friday night jive, I believe I've just witnessed the latest addition to your bucket list - DIRTY BONES.



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I attended a blogger event this week and, admittedly, I wasn't intending on delivering a full review so do forgive me for absence of a proper storyline. 

But take my word for it - you gon'LOVE this one.

I'm talking eat your heart out American comfort food with a menu so full of flavour and cheekiness that you'll have to halt conversation for a few minutes just to concentrate on your decision.

I dined at the High Street Kensington branch but they also have one in Soho for those of you who like it a little more central.

Barely lit by the neon lettering covering the walls, I descended down the stairs that followed the entrance knowing already, I was about to experience something EPIC.
 Hesitantly opening the door I was welcomed by a warm, retro diner that instantly radiated good vibes.
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A few incredible cocktail previews were slipped into my hands throughout the evening for potential addition to the DB Menu. I hate to be a tease because you can't get them quite yet, but i have full confidence these two will make the cut...
(please DB)

1. The Key Lime Martini

I'd go as far as saying it's up there in the top 3 cocktails i've ever tasted.
I can't remember the exact ingredients but the winning component was the meringue swirled on top of the cocktail which was charred with a chef's blowtorch to give off a dreamy 'Smore' scent. I have a bit of a sweet tooth, needless to say these went down far too easily and I could have quite happily drunk these all night long.

I hope for your sake and mine they bring them onto the full time menu.

2. The Valentine's Special - Sugar Daddy 

With special requests to bring this baby back, the mix of Bombay Sapphire, Cointreau, lemon, littlet rouge and egg white, served in a glass rimmed with popping candy and hundreds & thousands was every much a delight as it sounds.

In conclusion... if these two babies were anything to go by, the Dirty Bones cocktail menu is worth a trip in itself.


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AS FOR THE FOOD...
The menu is nothing short of indulgent and the perfect treat at... any point in your week.
You simply (seriously) have to come and try it for yourself.

Word on the street has it that the 'Mac Daddy' (Burger topped with pulled beef short rib, mac'n'cheese and DB BBQ sauce) and the 'Dogs' (Pork, beef and veggie hot dogs) are the staples here and you can even order take out and home delivery!

Despite not trying the above, I didn't feel at all deprived on my experience.
In fact, there was no single dish that disappointed me - a bold statement i know.

Even the charred peppers, simple but ridiculously moreish!!

Here's what I hit my taste buds with...

Deep fried Mac Balls (£5.50)
(Macaroni cheese balls with DB sweet chilli sauce)


Charred Padron Peppers (£4)
(with a citrus glaze)

Crispy fried chicken (£9)
(smothered in bourbon + marshmallow BBQ sauce)


Chicken and Waffles (£10)
(Crispy fried chicken [which takes over 20 hours prep] with freshly baked waffles and a shot of maple syrup)


Dirty Fries (£5.50)
(Skinny fries, cheddar cheese, pickled jalapeños, DB BBQ sauce and cactus salsa)

Peanut Butter Cookie Cup
(salted caramel gelato, caramelised choc ganache + dark chocolate cookie chunks)

Coffee + Donuts
(Coffee gelato with fresh warm sugared donuts to dip in!)


If that line up hasn't sold it to you - I don't know what will.

Oh, maybe that you could combine it with the incredible cocktail list AND on Thurs - Sat enjoy both alongside a set from the resident DJ!

Music to my ears!
What are you waiting for!
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The dirty details...

LOCATIONS:

SOHO 
Top floor, Kingly Court, Carnaby Street, Soho, W1B 5PW

Opening hours:
Mon - Thurs: 12pm - 12am
Fri: 12pm - 12.30am
Saturday: 11am - 12.30am
Sunday: 11am - 11pm

KENSINGTON
20 Kensington Church Street, London W8 4EP

Opening hours:
Tues - Thurs: 5pm - 12am
Friday: 5pm - 1am
Saturday: 12pm - 1am
Sunday: 12pm - 9pm

GOOD TIMES TO GO:

Dirty Late Nights
Live DJ from 9pm Thursday - Saturday at both locations

The Dirty Brunch
Apparently the best hangover brunch going - every Saturday and Sunday at both locations!

 *HIGH FIVES & GOOD VIBES* 
£5 dirty cocktail & beer specials
@ Carnaby Mon-Fri 3-7pm // @Kensington Tues-Fri 5-7pm.
dirty-bones.com

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THANK YOU FOR READING...

Have you guys been to Dirty Bones?!

What was your favourite dish?

::

Happy adventuring :)

♡

Mollie xxxx


LET'S GET SOCIAL!

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Vaccinations and Visas [Specific for Bali, Cambodia + Vietnam]

March 8, 2016, 1:02 am
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Good morning you lovely people!

So I've woken up pretty excited this morning. 
This time in two weeks, my backpack and I will have landed in Bali ready to begin an EPIC adventure.

I will first be spending 5 days reviewing a retreat in Bali before my best friend flies out to join me. 
Together we will then begin the backpacking adventure through Bali, before going on to Cambodia and Vietnam and I am more excited than EVER to get on the road and dive back into hostel life.

Backpacking is one of the most rewarding and amazing things I have ever done (see how to plan YOUR backpacking trip here) but I also know it can be a bit of a mind field in the planning stages.

Where do you book flights? How do you get around? 
Do you need any jabs? Which Visas do you need?  etc etc.

So... 
I am going to take you with me through the whole planning process and hopefully give you a few shortcuts and bits of information to help you.

Other helpful posts / videos already on my blog / youtube:

'What to pack in your backpack' - See video
'How to plan YOUR backpacking trip' - See video
'My beauty essentials when travelling' - See video
'The Beginners guide to getting a GoPro' - See video


Note: I am not qualified to give official advice. The information below about Visas and Vaccinations is simply my guidance + so please do seek further help from the authorities and companies listed. March 2016
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Countries I am visiting on this trip:
Bali, Cambodia, Vietnam
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VISAS

BALI

How long will I be in Bali? 10 days, as a tourist
My Visa Situation? No pre-trip visa action required

VISAS IN BALI

You can obtain a Visa upon arrival in Bali when travelling for less than 30 days as a tourist
See more information on Bali Tourist Visas here
Read more about Visas on the Indonesian Embassy website here

CAMBODIA

How long will I be in Cambodia? 7 days, as a tourist
My Visa Situation? No pre-trip visa action required

VISAS IN CAMBODIA

You can obtain a Visa upon arrival in Cambodia ($30 Tourist) which is valid for 30 days and can be extended further for a month if requested.
See more information on Cambodia Visas here

VIETNAM

How long will I be in Vietnam? 15 days, as a tourist
My Visa Situation? No pre-trip visa action required, obtain on arrival

VISAS IN VIETNAM

You can obtain a Visa upon arrival in Bali when travelling for up to 15 days
(Applies to British, German, French, Spanish + Italian passports)
Read more about this policy here

If you are travelling to Vietnam for more than 15 days then you will need to obtain a further visa.
Read more on the Vietnam Embassy website

VACCINATIONS

Depending on what areas you are travelling to in Asia will depend on what diseases you are at exposed to and what you will need to protect yourself against.

Sorting Vaccinations is something I advise you to do as soon as you book your flights and you know your rough itinerary.

In the UK I would suggest booking an appointment with the travel nurse at your local GP. The NHS is so overbooked that I failed to get an appointment with the nurse even though I approached them 10 weeks before departure! So definitely try and book in ASAP.

Not only do you want to make sure you get an app, you need to make sure you have left the appropriate time to administer the necessary jabs before you depart. 
For example: Rabies pre-exposure vaccinations come as a course of 3, over 3 weeks and so you need to make sure you see the doctor AT LEAST 3 weeks before you depart.

If, like me, you fail to get an appointment with the NHS, don't worry there are other options!

A lot of private practises and pharmacies offer the consultation service, some free and some with a charge.

(Simply Google 'travel vaccination clinics in e.g. London')


Places I know offer the free consultation:

Boots Travel Consultations

Asda Malaria Consultations

Lloyds Pharmacy Consultations

If you want to get an idea of what you'll need before you head to an appointment, then these websites are great. Make sure you book an official appointment though to get correct advice.


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My Route:
Bali, Gili Islands, Cambodia (Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville, Koh Rong, Mekong Delta) Vietnam (Saigon, Nha Trang, Hoi An, Hue, Halong bay, Sapa, Hanoi)


Diseases I am at risk of during my trip:
Cholera, Diptheria, Hep A, Hep B, Japanese encephalitis, Measles, Mumps, Rabies, Rubella, Tetanus, TB, Typhoid + Malaria

Recommended Vaccinations:

Hep A + B
Typhoid
Rabies
Japanese Encephalitis

Make sure you are also up to date with routine vaccines:
DTP + MMR


+ Malaria:

I found Malaria super confusing in terms of what I needed to take, what was best to take and where was cheapest to get it. But i've finally got my head around it and I can hopefully simplify it for you guys!

Protection for Malaria comes in tablet form and they aren't available through the NHS, so whatever you choose to take, you will be paying for (more money I know, but health isn't something we want to risk is it? Nope)

Once you've worked out a rough itinerary for your trip, get a malaria consultation with your doctor or at a qualified outlet where you can work out what level of risk you are exposed to.

A qualified consultant will then be able to give you advise on the exact treatment you will need.

In the areas that I mentioned included in my itinerary above, I will be entering high risk areas during my trip and so my tablet options are:

Atovaquone/Proguanil
(One tablet daily. Start 2 days before entering risk area and continue for 7 days after leaving)

Doxycycline
(One tablet daily. Start 2 days before entering risk area and continue for 28 days after leaving)

Malarone
(One tablet daily. Start 2 days before entering risk area and continue for 7 days after leaving)

SO WHICH DO YOU TAKE?

Doxycycline is the cheapest tablet to take, but slightly annoying that you have to continue it for a month once you've left the risk area. It also is known to make you more sensitive to sunlight, something to bear in mind if you are visiting a hot country (and want to get a tan ahah!)

Malarone is the most expensive tablet of the 3 and Atovaquone + Proguanil falls somewhere in between.

The difference between Malarone and A+P?

Atovaquone + Proguanil and Malarone both contain the same active ingredient -(Atovaquone + Proguanil). 
So basically they do the same thing, they are just created / mixed with different ingredients in production.

Malarone is a branded version of A+P created by GlaxoSmithKline.
Atovaquone + Proguanil is the basic tablet.

By choosing Malarone (as far as i'm aware) you are simply paying extra money for the branding.

My conclusion?



I chose to go with the A+G basic tablet.

I was quoted £2.11 per tablet in Boots and £1.25 per tablet in Asda, so obviously I went with the cheapest offering in Asda.

To purchase the tablets you must first have a consultation with the pharmacy to get an official prescription (they don't hand them out willy nilly).

As well as the tablets, it is strongly advised to take bite precautions and spray yourself with 50+ deet spray during your trip.

Get the insect repellant you need here




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THANK YOU FOR READING...

I hope this helped :-)

::

Happy adventuring :)

♡

Mollie xxxx




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Talking Travel Beauty Essentials and Bucket Lists with Lauren Pope

March 10, 2016, 10:59 am
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Whether you're a TOWIE addict, a music lover or a fashion enthusiast i'm going to assume this pretty face is no stranger to you + yesterday, at the Hawaiian Tropic Sun School, I met the lovely lady herself - Lauren Pope.

(Hawaiian Tropic have just bought out two BEAUT new products... 
The 'Air Soft Silk Hydration'
+
'Ultra Radiance After Sun')



With common interests lying all over the place, it's safe to say we weren't stuck for conversation...

But aside from re-establishing that I must book onto a DJ course real soon, we focused on all things Travel and I voice noted the whole thing for ya...

Mollie: What / where is on your bucket list? Is there anywhere in particular that stands out?

Lauren: I'd love to do a tour of Australia. It's the only place, pretty much, that i haven't been to yet. I've done China, Europe, America but never Australia and I've only heard amazing things. Oh and New Zealand too - perhaps i could kill two birds with one stone. 

Mollie: I absolutely fell in love with Australia. Is there any where particular in Australia?

Lauren: Obviously when you think of Australia you think of the super touristy places like Sydney, so i'd like to go there, but my niece is travelling Australia at the moment and she keeps telling me about all these amazing places that are off the 'usual' tracks and sound amazing. The fashion and clothing out there looks so beautiful too!

Mollie: Isn't it! They are very much into fitness and health aswell. It's so outdoorsy and particularly with the sunshine it makes staying on top of your diet and exercise a lot easier! They have the most gorgeous vegan cafes and Acai Bowls too.

Lauren: I know have you seen Tash and Dev's Instagram? (@abikiniaday)

Mollie: YES! Goals. The Australian lifestyle is just a dream. Even in Sydney, right in the city centre, every other person is in their gym gear and trainers.

Lauren: It's the same in LA, going out and about in your gym gear is totally acceptable - i love that.

Mollie: Ah I haven't been to LA yet, I'm heading that way in May.

Lauren: Ahh, if you like that kinda vibe, you'll love it in LA.

Mollie: Amazing - i can't wait! 

↠


Okay so, what are your must have plane beauty essentials? What do you take in your hand luggage?

Lauren: Face Wipes + a good moisturiser. If i can be bothered (laughs) i'll take a cleanser as well.

Mollie: Are there any brands you swear by?

Lauren: Dr. Lancer. Oh my god. So i used to have bad skin well, i still get breakouts every now and then I think everyone does, but at the time i tried every possible product possible. Then someone recommended Dr.Lancer and i think Victoria Beckham used it at the time too so I tried it. It's a little bit expensive but it lasts.



Mollie: I totally agree it's worth spending the extra money on products. About 18 months ago I suffered real bad with Acne and I ended up on Roaccutane as a last resort to clear it. Since then I'm very particular with products and i'm currently using Medik8 Cosmoceuticals which are amazing. I did a blog post on it (see it here) and it's one of my most viewed blog posts to date. Acne is so common and so tough to go through.

Lauren: Yeah, I always admire people that have bad skin and can be confident. Everyone gets bad skin at some point, no one gets away with it unless they are really lucky.

Mollie: And it's so good when influencers share their experiences because it's real life. People like real - hence my blog post views.

Lauren: Totally. I wish i had someone like that when I was younger, it would have 100% made me feel better.
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Mollie: Do you have a summer Make Up essential? Like a favourite product?

Lauren: The Soft and gentle powder from MAC. Tip: Pop a bit on the bottom of nose and just above the lip.

↠

Mollie: And what about Skin Hydration whilst you are away? We all know the sun can dry out your skin and even air-conditioning on planes!

Lauren: Ooo yes i use these green tea sheet masks. Your make up just doesn't sit on the same when you aren't hydrated and I love these masks. You just pop them on for, I think, 20 minutes.
(Shop the Green Tea Sheet Masks here)

Mollie: I think i've seen people uploading photos of these on Instagram before...

Lauren: Haha yes, you just look like an insane person from Silence Of The Lambs or something. With just the eye and mouth holes! 

↠


Mollie: How do you look after your hair when you're travelling?

Lauren: Well normally I'm wearing hair extensions so i use sulphate free hair conditioners, a deep conditioner and a heat defense spray - thats one thing people forget. Your hair gets damaged too in the sun and using a spray is so essential. It makes hair extensions last a lot longer too.

Mollie: 100%. I use the Kerastase sun protector when i'm away. Kerastase and Redken products are just SO good, really amazing quality if you want to take great care of your hair. 
Lauren: Ooo actually yes, Redken do a really good 5 minute hair mask, it comes in a little pot.

Mollie: Amazing and lastly, we haven't spoken about your extensions brand yet - Hair Rehab!  Forgive me, I'm not clued up on all this kinda stuff. Is it extensions you do?

Lauren: We do hair extensions, hair pieces and we will eventually sell hair products too but that won't be for a while yet.

Mollie: I'm definitely more of a convenience, quick and easy hair gal, which is i think why I've never tried them? But i'd love to.

Lauren: Well we do the hair pieces which obviously you can just use when you fancy and then remove. We have a top knot hair piece actually, similar to how your hair is now. You tie your hair up underneath the hair piece so it's covered, which actually protects your hair from the sun at the same time - could be a great travel accessory!

Mollie: Dreamy! And it protects your hair. I'm going to have to have a look at those :-)
↠

You can check out the full range on Lauren's website here...

www.hairrehablondon.com


Thank you for reading! 

Thank you to Lauren for being so lovely 
+ Thank you Hawaiian Tropic for an awesome day learning all about Sun Care and why it is SO important!


::


Happy adventuring :)

Stay tuned... I have some pretty exciting adventures coming up!
(and a brand spanking new blog - eeeeeeeeek!)

♡

Mollie xxxx

Find out exactly what beauty bits i take with me on my travels in this video...


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Chocolate heaven at Choccywoccydoodah, Soho

March 13, 2016, 6:29 am
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Call me cupid but if you're ever in Central London and you have a wee sugar craving, i've 100% found your perfect match - Choccywoccydoodah.

This exclusive art and design chocolaterie has one location in Brighton and one in Soho, London. Not only do they sell and serve the highest quality (and yummiest) chocolate, but they specialise in one off sculptured fantasies, wedding cakes, chocolate gifts, chocolate pets and an array of other naughty numbers.

Whether it's for your Easter Egg shopping, a quirky hen party, a birthday party or a sweet treat and a pit stop mid way through a shopping spree on Oxford Street - Choccywoccydoodah is calling your name.

I headed down to the Soho location this week with my best friend to review the cake and hot chocolate (how awful) for an upcoming 'Coffee and Cake Guide To Soho' feature on my blog and loved it so much I thought it deserved its very own post. I also couldn't choose between the photos and wanted to share them ALL, so here I am.

The photos most definitely do the talking on this one, and I can promise you it tastes even better than it looks. 
Basically, you're going to need to find a space in your diary ASAP.

Warning: Do not scroll down if you're trying to be healthy.


Oh you're cheeky you.

Go on, you may as well continue now...


These bad boys (Easter Eggs below) are selling for £10,000 a pop!
Don't worry though, if you can't decided which one to pick you can bargain all three for just £25K.



::


Happy adventuring :)

Stay tuned... I have some pretty exciting adventures coming up!
(and a brand spanking new blog - eeeeeeeeek!)

♡

Mollie xxxx

LET'S GET SOCIAL!

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A Coffee and Cake Guide to Soho, London

March 18, 2016, 5:00 am
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Soho is one of my favourite parts of London and one in which I spend a lot of my time.

It sits besides 2 of the biggest shopping streets in London - Oxford Street and Regent Street, a location that makes it, and it's offerings, the ideal candidates for combination with a day out shopping.


A short walk too from China Town, Covent Garden and Piccadilly Circus - Soho is the perfect place to stop and refuel during a day of exploring / shopping.

Like with the rest of London, there are SO many gems hidden within the streets of Soho and sometimes it takes someone to point them out, even though you may have walked past them 100 times before.

So in this post, I wanted to share with you and point out my favourite Soho finds that will guarantee you a yummy pit stop...

1. Amanzi Tea

Opening only a few months back + serving over 100 different types of premium loose leaf tea as well as tea cocktails, chai's, lattes, frappes, bubble teas and a dedicated match menu, there really is something for everyone at Amanzi. 

The teas are all perfectly aligned on the walls for clear viewing and you can even smell samples of the teas to help make the tough decision!

The walls, windows and even cup holders are filled with cute Tea puns and the cake and snack selection is just divine. Everything from chocolate custard muffins and coffee banana cake to protein bounce balls, whatever your mood - Amanzi has you covered.

My favourites? Taro bubble tea with Tapioca balls (the purple one), Matcha Latte (the green one), Matcha Iced Frappe, Lychee Mar-tea-ni (alcohol free cocktail)

Where to find them? 52 Brewer St, London W1F 9TQ




2. Cutter and Squidge

Run by two food obsessed sisters this hidden gem is a dream land for those with a sweet tooth (me). Choose between their array of signature 'Biskies', cakes and treats before taking a seat in the sunlight laden seating area OR downstairs to the secret garden (i highly recommend).

The secret garden feels like you've been transported into a world of make believe, with butterflies, greenery and twinkly light making for the perfect picnic setting with your best friends...

My favourites?
The Salted Caramel and Red Velvet Bisques

Where to find them? 20 Brewer St, London W1F 0SJ 


3. Soho Grind

Another incredible hotspot beaming with good vibes and that's before you've even stepped foot inside. This retro hangout has a super laid back feel to it, with neon lettering and draped fairy lights covering the walls. Whilst the upstairs is rather small you can head downstairs to a bit of extra space and comfort.

My favourites? The salted caramel brownie, coffee and banana mini loaf cake, macchiato, the smoothies!

Oh and, rumour has it, the espresso martinis served by evening are NOT to be missed! 
I'll race you to it?

Where to find them? 19 Beak Street, London, W1F 9RP


4. Nordic Bakery

'A beautiful Scandinavian cafe & peaceful meeting place in a frantic city'

After my recent visit to Copenhagen I decided to drop into this cafe that I have walked past so many a time! It does what it says on the tin, located on the Golden Square just off Beak Street in Soho, this little hotspot feels instantly like home. Serving traditional Nordic recipes you are guaranteed to find something a little different to the other cafes in Soho here.

A taste of travelling without getting on a plane!

My favourites? 
The cinnamon bun 100%, Blueberry upside down cake, Tosca cake and they also serve a wonderful cappuccino too!

Where to find them? 14A Golden Square, London W1F 9JG



4. Choccywoccydoodah
aka Chocolate HEAVEN (see website here)

Remember my incredible chocolate filled visit to Belgium a couple of weeks back? The one where the chocolate blew my MIND?
Well, apparently you don't even need to hop on the Eurostar to experience that level of goodness. Introducing... Choccywoccydoodah!
(see my full blog post here)



There's one store in Brighton and one in Soho and if you have any slight sweet tooth hanging around then this haven will more than satisfy it.

Both locations contain a chocolate shop, a cafe to indulge in and a secret room available for private bookings (the most AWESOME tea party potential with your friends).
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR!

My favourites? 
The Chocolate dipping pot (£5.99)

Where to find them? 30-32 Fouberts Place, Carnaby, W1F 7PS



5. Lights of Soho

Once you've managed to pick your jaw up off the ground - you might want to order a coffee. Although doing so may take you a while.

This gallery features art from all over, frequently turning over the displays and changing up the look. The art is available to purchase, as is a membership to this Creative Community.

If you're just passing by, stop for a wander and a rather epic cup of tea.
(Make sure you explore the downstairs too!)

My favourites?I had a lovely mint tea!

Where to find them? 35 Brewer Street London, W1F ORX


6. Paul A Youngs

Hands down the BEST hot chocolate i have ever tasted in London, high quality, light, smooth and by no means sickly - even when you've finished the mug. This fine chocolatier serves only the best quality and choice of flavours you could wish for.

Whilst you may not be able to sit down to enjoy your treats, it is still 100% worth experiencing and you can enjoy them to take away.

The chocolate selection showcases flavours like, wait for it... SALTED CARAMEL TRUFFLES + PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY CHOCOLATE.
Here you can also create the most gorgeous gift of chocolate for a friend or family member by hand selecting your chosen flavours and customising the finished box.

My favourites? 
The incredible Aztec hot chocolate, peanut butter w. jelly chocolates + salted caramel truffles

Where to find them? 14A Golden Square, London W1F 9JG



Safe to say I am in desperate need of some chocolate now!!! haha!
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THANK YOU FOR READING...

Where are your favourite places for coffee and cake in Soho?
Which of these takes your fancy?!

::

Happy adventuring :)

♡

Mollie xxxx

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UPDATE: Jetlag in China + my next month of adventure

March 21, 2016, 1:31 am
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I'm currently sat amongst the clouds on a flight to Bangkok where I will be hopping on another flight through to Denpasar - the Airport connecting Bali to the world.


Oh my.
As I just typed out Bali, a million memories from my last visit there flashed back through my mind. 
I'M SO EXCITED TO BE GOING BACK.
Do you remember my blog post from 2013?

I honestly never thought I'd be lucky enough to return a second time round, so actually being en route right now is reminding me just how lucky I am, and how far I've come to be sat in this position.

It was 3 years ago in April, when I was 19, that I set off on my first backpacking trip through South East Asia journeying through: Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Bali + The Gili Islands.

As you may have already heard me say before,  that trip was a turning point in my life. 
A time where I discovered freedom, happiness and a passion for not only travel but for living life exactly how I dreamed it.
It was, too, on the Gili Islands that I wrote my first track 'These are the days' 
{Watch my music video here}

During that trip I began my blog and used it as a place to document everything I experienced, purely because I just loved keeping memories. 

From there, I went on to backpack Australia and New Zealand at the end of 2014, before this time last year deciding to focus my blog on Travel. 

Since then it's been pretty non stop and i've been on more adventures than i could have possibly dreamed of.

 Whilst I have had the time of my entire life, travelling does come with downsides and when you travel frequently (as a job and not a series of holidays) it can be extremely overwhelming in terms of keeping on top of content, sleep, exercise, emails, eating, friends, any part time jobs to support yourself and actually finding down time to relax after all of that.

I've always managed to just about keep on top of it all, until this past week when I realised i'd taken on TOO much.

A couple of weeks ago the opportunity came up to go on a 4 day trip to Guangzhou, China (where i've been this week). Of course, I jumped at the opportunity, knowing that I probably wouldn't ever have planned a trip there myself despite my love for Asia.

What I hadn't taken into account when agreeing to the trip however, was that despite promoting the launch of Finnairs new route to Guangzhou (the focus of the trip) the flight itself doesn't actually launch until May and so our journey was a rather long alternative one. 
Particularly long with my addition of a layover in Helsinki for the day.

Combine the 25 hour journey to our hotel with the +8 hour time difference and I was truly cream crackered upon arrival, not even coffee was going to get me out of this one.

The combination threw me like never before. 
I am usually the first one up in the morning on a trip - so excited to explore and make the most of the time I have in a new place. The adrenalin running through me usually pushes through ANY tiredness (which isn't healthy but it works a treat).

But my body was seriously struggling this time and as much as my body was screaming at me to rest - I didn't. 
We had a jam packed itinerary (7am - 10pm) that I didn't want to miss any of because we only had 48hours total here in China before we began the return journey home. 

So on minimal energy, I some how continued on.
And by continuing on I was dealing with feeling physically sick, headaches, feverish and really weak, napping in the car at any given opportunity.

I had zero energy to even begin to pick myself up and be happy (sad sad times!). 

As you can imagine, the last thing I then wanted to then do was video myself and bounce around the place exploring as I usually would.
This limited the footage (mainly video) that I went ahead to create and hence why you may have noticed my social posts weren't up to my usual frequency.

All in all, it's not the end of the world, it was merely a big learning curve.

It has made me realise just how much energy running my blog and business usually requires and how much I really need to look after myself and my work schedule in order to not burn out again.

The trip was still amazing (blog posts are already on their way!), I just wanted to update you guys on where i am at.
↠

Which leads me perfectly on to why i'm currently sat up in the clouds.

I'm heading to Bali to kick off a 4 week adventure in Asia...

WOOHOOOOO!

For my first 6 days in Bali I will be joining and reviewing a gorgeous fitness retreat (Bali Fit Paradise) with some of my even more gorgeous fitness blogger friends from back home.

Then, on the 26th, one of my BFF's flys out from the UK to catch me up and together we will be hitting up hostel life in Bali, Cambodia and Vietnam for a total of 3.5 weeks!

THE BACKPACK IS BACK..

Yes, correct! I'm returning to my roots.  
I'm returning to the place where I initially fell in love with travel + it couldn't be coming at a better time!

No sponsors, no collaborations. Just me, my best friend and our backpacks.

One of the things I love MOST about backpacking is not having a set plan, not having a scheduled itinerary and having no obligation to be anywhere but where I wish to be. 

The spontaneity and freedom of making it up as you go along is like no other.

Backpacking continues to teach me what's important in life and will always have a special place in my heart.
Needless to say I am beyond excited to set out once again!


Now over to you...

Even though i'm going to try to relax (a bit), I will still be documenting and sharing everything we get up to on our adventure and I'm super excited to create some awesome new content for you all.

{P.s. My backpacking New Zealand footage just hit 100,000 views on YouTube!! Thank you to anyone who has watched it! Watch it here}

Is there something you would like me to expose whilst I'm backpacking?
What blanks do you have in your mind when you think about backpacking?
Any questions you'd like answered?

Leave me a comment below if you have any requests or recommendations!

::

Here's to an incredible adventure! :)

♡

Mollie xxxx

Make sure you come and join the adventure:
Snapchat / Instagram - molliebylett
Twitter @molliebylett
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Arriving to The Sudamala Resort and exploring Sanur, Bali

March 22, 2016, 8:06 am
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If you've caught up on my last post you'll know that I'm now writing to you from Bali
...with a seriously massive smile on my face.

Despite having already backpacked Bali 3 years ago, this time round I will be focusing on very different things and locations. As much as I would happily revisit everywhere I went before, I just feel there are so many places in the world to be discovered and so as a general rule I don't like to go to the same place twice.

There are, of course, exceptions to this rule. 
Obvious ones being Byron Bay, Australia and The Gili Islands, Indonesia.

{Due to my close current proximity to the Gili islands I simply feel it would be rude to not stop by and say hello, so stay tuned for that one. They are heaven on earth.}

Anyway... the next week is all about Bali.




For my first 6 days in Bali I am reviewing the incredible Bali Fit Paradise retreat in Jambaran, but as I landed in Bali a day premature to the retreat the lovely Stephanie that owns Bali Fit Paradise organized a night for me at The Sudamala Resort in Sanur.

Sanur is a quiet little town on the west coast of Bali, with a gorgeous stretch of beach and lots of lovely local restaurants and shops to meander through.

I journeyed straight from the airport for 35 minutes in a taxi before reaching the paradise that i was staying in.

It took me all of 5 seconds to remember why I fell in love with this Island 3 years ago, and the love was reignited.

Let me show you around...

 






 










I don't think we will struggle to come to an agreement on how beautiful my room and the resort was?

There is a vibe in Bali, particularly in these quieter, less touristy spots that exudes inner peace and stillness. 
A vibe that instantly makes you feel at home.

Whether it's the friendly faces, the sunshine radiating warmth through your entire body, the health conscious cafes, the stunning architecture or, just a combination of it all i don't know - but when I'm here I simply cannot contain my happiness.

It's the kind of feeling you just have to come here yourself to experience. 
Very similar to the feeling I get in Byron Bay.

As for Sanur itself, it's gorgeous.

Compared to the likes of Seminyak and Kuta, Sanur is very laid back and a great place to chill out and experience the authentic Bali.

I had a wander around this morning and this is what I found...
{Notice the row of massage beds lined up along the beach under the palm trees. The massages were as cheap as £5 for a 60 minute session. Ridiculous.)





The girls I was joining for the fitness retreat had already been in Sanur for 5 days prior to my arrival and so were well educated on the best places to eat in the village.

Based on their love for clean, organic and delicious dishes here's the spots they recommend should you find yourself here:

Soul In A Bowl
+
the Italian Gelato place (which they can't remember the name of but swear by the Salted Caramel Scoops)

Now, prepare yourself. The villa they stayed in (sleeps 6) was INSANE.

THE most beautiful place I have ever witnessed and the PERFECT spot to book for you and your friends.

Introducing.... Villa Bianti

I didn't take photos of e v e r y t h i n g, and the photos serious don't do it the justice it deserves but it is still ridiculously BEAUTIFUL.

3 bedrooms (2 double rooms and one with 2 singles in), kitchen, dining room, secret door with cinema room, patio lounge area, sun lounger area, outdoor BBQ pit + so much more!











Stunning doesn't even cover it.

For the 1 night we had together before the retreat we headed to Seminyak (a 25 minute taxi ride away) to watch the sunset.

I will be returning to Seminyak later in the week when my best friend flies out to join me from the UK, so i will show you around properly then.

But for now, i'll tease you a lil with these gorgeous shots...





Next stop... Bali Fit Paradise!

::


♡
Mollie xxxx

Come and join the adventure:

Snapchat / Instagram - molliebylett
Twitter @molliebylett

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What To Do During A Layover In Helsinki, Finland

March 23, 2016, 9:13 am
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Well I totally didn't account for the time difference when planning for my 6 hour stop over in the Finnish capital of Helsinki.

After leaving home for the airport at 7am it felt as if the day had started early enough for me to still have the day to explore in Helsinki. Wrong.

4.40pm came and I'd only just hopped on the FinnAir bus from the Airport into the city centre, taking 30minutes and arriving just before 5.30pm.

{These buses are available for everyone to use, departing every 20 minutes from platform 10 at Helsinki airport and every 20 minutes from the bus station platform 30 back to the airport. €6.20 one way / €11 return}

This left me with around 4 hours to explore Helsinki before I needed to head back to the airport. A mission I was ready to complete.

Only one problem... 
it was a Monday and closing times of my chosen hotspots were fast approaching / already been and gone.

So tip number 1 when planning your layover in Helsinki - Check your arrival time, allow for delay, add 30minutes + 20max waiting time for bus, THEN plan your itinerary (check opening times too).

The bus stop itself is right in the centre of the city so, once there, you can continue straight onwards and wander the rest by foot.


I decided, first, to head to the Old Market Hall passing by Senate Square and the gorgeous Helsinki Cathedral (accidentally) on the way.


I just about made it to the Old Market Hall within 10 minutes of it closing.
The Old Market Hall is a detached, one level building, meters from the waterfront filled with an array of independent stalls and eateries. 


Had I had time to sit down, there were a couple of cute cafes worth mentioning... but instead I took my Korvapuusti (traditional danish pastry) and sat by the waterfront as the sun began to sink behind the clouds.


The market square, where I sat with my cinnamon bun, would usually be filled with the hustle and bustle of grafters, shoppers and tourists, all checking out the city's most popular food market. 
This was on the top of my to-do list but was unfortunately already closed upon my arrival (Mon - Friday shuts 4pm).


Second on my Bucket List and one a lot of you guys recommended to me via Instagram / Snapchat is the Ateljee Bar.

This popular 'bar with the view' sits at the 14th floor of the Sokos hotel in the centre of Helsinki showcasing panoramic views over the capital. 

I can vouch for the fact the 360 was super beautiful and I can imagine even more so at sunset, so it's totally clear why this is a favourite. 

The prices were of that you'd expect for a central rooftop city bar - slightly high, but obviously, it's the experience you're paying for. 

The bar and seating area itself is rather small and was jam packed, even on the Monday evening when i was there. So definitely book or get down early if this is a MUST for you and want to get a good spot :-)



Once I had absorbed the view over Helsinki I walked back into the chilly-aired streets and dropped by the Silent chapel, something that had previously caught my eye online. 

The chapel is a place you can come for some time out and as indicated by the name - some silence, which is exactly what I did.


By the time i came out of the chapel the sun has disappeared, the darkness was looming and the temperature had dropped - so I decided to head back to the airport.

Despite my visit being limited due to timing and sunlight - Helsinki was a very pleasant place for a stopover. Helsinki has a very open and spacious feel to the streets and the quality of light illuminates the city and its variety of artistic architecture, so beautifully.

If you're considering a flight with a stop off in Helsinki - it's most certainly worth doing. 
My only advice would be to make sure the time you have in Helsinki is in the day so that daylight and opening hours are on your side.


My Quick Stop Helsinki Bucket List ::

Korvapuusti (Cinnamon Bun)
Kamppi Chapel (Chapel of Silence)
Market square
Finnair Sky Wheel 
Helsinki Cathedral
Senate Square
Old market hall 
Ateljee Rooftop Bar
Kallio Neighbourhood


::


♡
Mollie xxxx

{P.s. I've just arrived in Bali - come check out my first day exploring Sanur!)

Come and join the adventure:
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Twitter @molliebylett

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A Taste of China - Ghangzhou (Canton) Home of Dimsum

March 27, 2016, 8:04 am
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I looked down in slight disbelief as I continued to open every door in the line with hope of finding something more familiar. Nope, just 12 holes in the floor responsible for fumigating the room with bodily fluids that one did not wish to inhale after 20 hours in transit. 

But with no choice but to oblige, I took some tissue from one of the other journalists with me on the trip and drew a big breath. 

Welcome to China - a country with a completely alien book of rules.



This situation arose immediately after stepping across the Chinese / Hong Kong customs border whilst we waited for our accompanying coach to get through customs. 

After an hour of waiting for our coach to be released, having had our box of fruit confiscated in the process, we continued on in the darkness through to Guangzhou and our mind blowing hotel - The Garden Hotel.



I hadn’t previously heard of Guangzhou before this trip, and perhaps that's because it sits shyly but proudly behind the likes of Shanghai in it’s tourist offerings, operating mainly as a business hub.

So why on earth would you go to Guangzhou?

Guangzhou (otherwise known as Canton) is the incredible home to Cantonese cuisine and sits in perfect proximity for combination with visits to the likes of Hong Kong and Guilin.

Whilst Guangzhou is undoubtedly rich also with culture and heritage, in my opinion - it’s all about the food here.

I experienced some of the finest and most experimental of dishes I’ve ever come across during my stay here in Guangdong’s capital (including chicken feet!). Whilst some dishes were certainly more pleasant than others, its safe to say Guangzhou surely has no difficulty awakening your senses.

The Cantonese (Lignin) cuisine is one of the 8 Chinese Cuisines consisting of 5400 recipes and 825 varieties of Dimsum - yep seriously! I mean, I got through a lot of food during my stay, but I can 100% see why round 2 is necessary.

First things first, barre a few dishes, I can confirm that the ‘Chinese’ we have in the UK is WORLD’S apart from Traditional Chinese food, well Cantonese anyway.

The Cantonese cuisine, from my recent experience, has a heavy emphasis on soups, dimsum and barbecued meats with a common occurrence of rice flour and rice starch in many of the dishes. 

The soups, unlike in England, are most commonly water based flavoured by pork meat. The soups are usually served as starters and after consumption, one shouldn’t feel the need to eat such a big portion of food, leaving you feeling full yet light in the aftermath.

Here are some other dishes I tried during my stay in Guangzhou:


















For the two days I was in Guangzhou, I was invited to dine in some fine restaurants including 5 Hotel, The Garden Hotel + Park Hyatt - admittedly a sheltered but outstanding angle on the food. 

{Park Hyatt had an incredible rooftop bar with views across the whole city}

If I could have had longer to explore i would have loved to dig right into some street food and mingle in amongst the local restaurants.

But for a first taste of China - it was a wonderful one, and it has most definitely left me wanting more.

In-between eating our way through Guangzhou, we visited both the Old and New parts of the City and even got hands on in a traditional Tai Chi class - which was considerably more difficult that it looks!

Old Town Highlights: 

- Guangxiao Temple









- Chen Clan Academy




- Lychee Bay





China reminded me exactly why Asia remains one of my favourite places in the world to travel through. 

Simply because I find nothing more captivating than immersing myself in a culture where I feel totally lost - like a 5 year old all over again.

I couldn’t understand what people were saying + people couldn’t understand me. 
I had no network on my phone to use GPS, and so I was forced to observe my surroundings and navigate my way through a map. 

I had never seen half the spices and pastries that were on offer and I had no idea what I was buying. 






Each day became a series of interesting and uneducated guesses, fuelled by a body language conversations and a willingness to get lost.

And that is the true essence of travelling.

Adventuring through a ‘less touristy’ corner of the world, although difficult at times, is so rewarding and allows you to REALLY see life through someone else’s eyes.

Aside from the Chinese’s ability to devour and utilise a HUGE variety of animals right down to the last bone, it was the markets that stole my attention in a controversial way.



First was the street markets, selling everything from boxes of puppies and chickens to bagged tortoises and dried shark fins for cooking uses.










I saw both snakes in water and free roaming chickens outside restaurants ready to be chosen and served for supper. 




I saw (and smelt from streets away) wet markets with buckets and buckets of fish and animals, some in water, some freshly split with a heart still beating, and some still wriggling over the chopping board despite being decapitated.




Selling in this way ensures the freshness of the given produce when purchasing.


Forgive me if that was a bit too visual or you don’t agree with it. This wouldn’t be a true representation of my experience if i skimmed the details... so I decided to go with it.

Without a shadow of a doubt, Guangzhou was an eye opening experience and despite being super jet lagged during my 48 hours exploring - I loved being thrown in the deep end and having to find my own way out.


Thank you FinnAir for the memories and for inviting me to experience my first taste of China!

I look forward to meeting China again soon :-)


::


♡
Mollie xxxx

Come and join the adventure:

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Twitter @molliebylett


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REVIEW: Flying with Finnair to Guangzhou

March 28, 2016, 3:44 am
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Come May, Finnair will be launching their 6th Destination in Greater China, Guangzhou, a destination that has every right to be marked on, and stand tall on the Map.

Flights will operate 4 times a week from Finnairs hub in Helsinki, meaning a short stop over for those of us departing from London OR a layover long enough to explore the beautiful capital of Helsinki for an additional element to your adventure.

Guangzhou is the 3rd largest city in China with a population of 13 million. However, despite being most widely recognised for being a major trade and transportation center, Guangzhou (also known as Canton) is the home of Dimsum and Cantonese cuisine. 


Lying a short distance from Hong Kong and nearby hotspots such as Guilin, Guangzhou is the perfect gateway to a diverse experience in China.

This was my first time flying with Finnair and despite, wonderfully, being invited to experience the journey in Business Class, i did take a good look around the rest of the aircraft and I was all but disappointed with what I saw.


Heading out to China I experienced the A330 and on the return journey we got to experience the brand new A350 - the next generation Airbus which was UNREAL. Improved space all around - a real game changer when choosing an airline for me.

Finnair has a distinctive design filled with greys, whites, greens and blues right through from their lounges to their aircrafts and accessories, with Marimekko designs consistent throughout.



Initially I found the colour combination slightly unwelcoming, but later reflected upon how the colours emitted a very fresh, clean and bright vibe, which on a long haul flight is actually quite comforting and refreshing.

The space and presentation of Economy class was effortlessly perfected with screens, blankets and headphones allocated to every passenger.

It goes without saying Business Class took it to the next level on the A330 and even higher on the A350. There really is nothing more satisfying than indulging in  a full 8 hour sleep on a night flight - something the 180 horizontal beds and comfort of Business Class accommodates for.


The difference in landing (ridiculously smooth) was something that definitely stood out to me on the A380, alongside the Bose Sound cancelling headphones, Clarins face products and Marimekko slippers. 

Finnair are absolutely nailing the removal of the ‘flight feeling’ and the enhancement of home comforts aboard their services.


One comment I would make would be the limited music choice for American / EU passengers.

 I like to fall asleep to music on a plane and I would have liked the comfort of some familiar music on the in-flight entertainment system. Instead I had John Legend - All Of Me (the only song on my iPhone) playing on repeat for 10 hours, so it's a good job I was able to sleep through most of that!

That being a small comment in the grand scheme of things though, as I thoroughly enjoyed my time in the clouds with FinnAir and look forward to flying with them again in the future.

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THANK YOU FOR READING...

Have you guys ever flown with Finnair?

What was your experience like?


Happy adventuring :)

♡
Mollie xxxx


COME AND JOIN THE ADVENTURE...

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Climbing Mount Batur For Sunrise And Dipping In The Hot Springs, Bali

March 29, 2016, 9:16 am
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On Thursday I finally got to tick yet another incredible adventure of off my Bucket List
...ascending Bali's live volcano - Mount. Batur.


Climbing the 1717m peak was actually something I wanted to do in Bali when I backpacked here 3 years ago but unfortunately I ran out of time to do so.
Needless to say, when I found out I was to be returning to Bali - climbing the popular peak was at the top of my list.

Photo Credits: A mixture of myself and Hugo Petit


The epic adventure begun with a 1am alarm and a 1.20am departure from our villa in Goa Gong, Jimbaran where we got a taxi to the base of the volcano - Toyabungkah Village (right next to the Batur Natural Hot Springs).

With nothing but a mini torch each to illuminate the dirt laden pathways that stood before us, we listened carefully to our guides instructions before beginning the ascent.






It is highly advised to book and complete the hike with a guide, due to the difficulty and confusion that accompanies the darkness at 3am in the morning. 

Our climb and transport was included in a retreat I was on, so I can't recommend a booking place from personal experience but I know you'll be able to book on a tour wherever you are in Bali, e.g. Ubud, Seminyak. 

We engaged our glutes at 4am and powered on up for 2 hours at a consistently steep incline all the way, with just a 'flat relief' every 20-30min or so.



About half way through the ascent, the road does split into two and you can choose between a harder and easier track - both with very similar views from the top, one just more physically challenging than the other.

Ever up for a challenge, we all agreed on the harder route and conversation soon turned to silence as we all panted for new breath.
About an hour in, we bypassed the clouds and a glance over my shoulder gave me one of the most incredible views I have ever witnessed.

Now, we've all seen clouds before, perhaps in the sky or on a plane. But breathing in the fresh crisp mountain air and looking down upon a thick marshmallow like duvet of clouds in the flesh is just something else .

It didn't look real. 
The blanket of stars that gazed down upon us twinkled like my eyes as I turned back to the path for the final leg of the climb.

With many a glance over my shoulder in the meantime, we reached the summit with beaming grins as we reflected on the distance we had just covered.

When you get to the top there are plenty of benches and areas to rest up whilst locals serve everything from teas + coffees to banana sandwiches and boiled eggs.

Trust me - you'll work up an appetite!

The sun rise was positioned perfectly in front of us and the absence of clouds blocking the view (because we were above them) made for THE most stunning transition of oranges reds and pinks until the sun lit up the sky once more.








After an hour (I think we spent two!) admiring the view and taking THAT photo (obviously), we descended back down to the base and dipped our toes in the Hot Springs for a couple of hours.


At Batur Natural Hot Springs springs they also offer massages and serve food including fish and chips with fresh fish from the lake.
I wasn't at all impressed with the quality of food here but I'd definitely recommend the foot massage and soak in the hot springs - the perfect post climb therapy!

All in all, even though I had seen countless photos of the climb from friends posts on on social media, you just can't beat witnessing the sunrise and soaking in the atmosphere for yourself.

A MUST DO if you're in Bali!

BOOKING A TOUR:

Like i mentioned previously, you will be best off trekking Mount Batur with a tour guide (it's so cheap, it's a no brainer!). Most tour operators through which you'll book will offer you a free pick up from your villa/hostel/hotel.

You can either do the hike by itself or, a lot of tour providers add in another element of adventure afterwards, including: Coffee Plantations (see how Coffee Luwak - the worlds most expensive coffee is made), 


Book your tour here:


MY TIPS WHEN CLIMBING MOUNT BATUR:

- Take a bottle (or two) of water
- Wear a mini backpack so you have your hands free (can get a bit slidy)
- Take a pack of tissues for toilet needs
- Take some money for snacks / coffee at the top
- Wear comfy shoes with good grip due to the intensity of the climb and the loose rubble on the way down
- Take an extra layer as it will be a little chilly until the sun rises!

- REMEMBER YOUR CAMERA!


↠

THANK YOU FOR READING...

Have you guys ever climbed Mt.Batur?

What was your experience like?


Happy adventuring :)

♡
Mollie xxxx


COME AND JOIN THE ADVENTURE...

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Umahku Hostel, Seminyak

April 2, 2016, 6:00 am
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Despite it being the very first day of our adventure, when we arrived in Seminyak we very much took the spontaneous approach. Like really spontaneous.
Like, turn up at 8 pm when it's dark, you can't see anything and you haven't got any wifi to use maps approach.

Feeling rather out of our comfort zone, I instantly remembered why it's nice to book your first nights accommodation ahead of time to get yourself settled in.

'Can you recommend a hostel in Seminyak?'I said to our taxi driver.
'Hotel?'
'No, hostel?'
'What's a hostel?'
'Backpacker accommodation'
blank face

We came to the conclusion very quickly that the taxi driver had no idea what we were on about and taking his advice probably wasn't going to be beneficial.

With that in mind we hopped out at a gorgeous little cafe called 'The Earth Cafe' where we grabbed a beaut dinner (Buckwheat noodles, shittake mushrooms and broccoli dish with soy and ginger dressing) before linking up to their WIFI and hostel hunting.

Nothing like last minute planning.

By this point, despite having our appetites satisfied we just wanted to dump our bags and settle somewhere. So with little research we found the closest hostel to where we were in the centre of Seminyak - The Umahku B+B Hostel.



The hostel is located a 1 minute minute walk from all the gorgeous cafes and shops on Jl. Kayu Aya. A 20 minute walk to the beach where you can find popular spots like Potato Head beach club, W Hotel, and many other beach front offerings.

COMING SOON TO MY BLOG - My Guide to Seminyak 


Price?
120,000 Rph per night for a bed in dorm {£6 a night}

What are the dorms like?
Each bed comes with a pull across curtain which is great for privacy and for blocking out the light in the rest of the dorm if you're looking for an early night.



The dorms are fully air conditioned with a remote to adjust the temperature to your preference.

Each bed comes with a locker (inclusive in price) which is big enough to fit your whole backpack in should you want to secure anything. This is perfect for peace of mind during the day and was particularly great for me because I was carrying a lot of technology with me that i didn't want to carry around with me or leave unattended.



The sheets in the bed were very clean and changed daily.

Hostel Facilities

- Modern communal bathroom area in the open air
- gorgeous waterfall showers
- friendly helpful staff
- communal area where fellow travellers and staff leave food for all
- water dispenser
- bean bags + chill are for watching TV and films
- Umah Kopi coffee bar attached to the hostel with great coffee
- Access and use of neighbour pool and bar Fat Buddha


 
 
 
 


My Thoughts:
I absolutely loved this Hostel! 

Umahku is the perfect hostel for those wanting to explore Seminyak and stay within a low budget. Umahku is ideal for backpackers, particularly first time backpackers, as I know my best friend was pleasantly surprised by her first hostel encounter.

We stayed in March 2016 and our dorm was around half occupied. I'm not sure if it was the time of year or the general hostel vibe, but it was definitely no party hostel.
Saying that it was in the perfect location, quiet at night and great for a good nights sleep.

Umahku was my first experience of an Asian Hostel (I stayed in B+B's in Asia last time around as they are only an extra pound or two) and I was too pleasantly surprised.

The facilities and dorm were very clean and very modern, the staff were extremely helpful and when our cards weren't accepted at check in the lovely guy at reception said not to worry and that we'd simply settle up the next day. 

I love the amount of trust in Indonesia. 
There is just this mutual respect between everyone which is ridiculously refreshing, a respect which means you just don't mug each other off at all. It's a very pleasant atmosphere to be in + should you stay in Bali, i know you will feel instantly at home.



↠

THANK YOU FOR READING...

Have you guys ever been to Seminyak?

What was your experience like?


Happy adventuring :)

♡
Mollie xxxx

P.s. Did you catch my latest adventure climbing Mt.Batur in Bali for Sunrise?

Catch up here

READ my 'Top 10 Things to do in Bali'here


COME AND JOIN THE ADVENTURE...

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10 Amazing Things To Do In Bali :: A Bali Bucket List

April 3, 2016, 10:30 am
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Bali has to be one of my favourite places in the entire world.

It's cheap (particularly when you compare it to the likes of London), it's health conscious (endless amounts of yummy nutritious food), the people in Bali are so lovely and it's just ridiculously beautiful, from the shops and the sunsets, to the buildings and the weather. 

Based on the two adventures i've gone on on this gorgeous island, here are my top 10 recommendations and things to do if you go to Bali, Indonesia:

1.   Grab A Nalu Bowl at Single Fin (Bali's hottest surf spot) and watch the pro's do their thing
{the peanut butter one is UNREAL)


2. Climb Mt. Batur for sunrise
Ascend to the summit of Bali's active volcano for out of this world views across the Island. To catch the sunrise from above the clouds {1717m} you must begin the hike at 4am. Trust me... it's worth it.

Read about my Mt. Batur adventure here


3. Learn to surf at Padang Padang


4. Cocktails with a view at Rock Bar


5. Take a boat out at sunrise in Lovina and watch the dolphins


6. Put a dress on and have some BEAUTIFUL traditional Indonesian food at Merah Putin, Seminyak

7. Partake in a Yoga Class in the spiritual hub of Ubud

8. Hire out a gorgeous villa and bring your friends!




9. Have a crazy night out at Single Fin beach club

10. Watch the sunset in Seminyak
{Combine with Tapas at W hotel or cocktail at La Plancha beach}




↠

THANK YOU FOR READING...

Have you guys ever been to Bali?

What was your experience like?

Happy adventuring :)

♡
Mollie xxxx


COME AND JOIN THE ADVENTURE...

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A Guide to Seminyak, Bali

April 5, 2016, 4:00 am
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After visiting Seminyak this time around, I can't believe I missed it out on my Balinese adventure 3 years ago.
Despite only having a few days here, that's all it took for me to fall head over heels.

I, of course, managed to eat my way around a significant percentage of Seminyak and so now I can share all my knowledge with y'all. Aren't you a lunch bunch!

The quotes on the walls,



the pretty pastel clothing boutiques,

+ the sunshine beating down on my skin, had me just as excited as in Byron Bay - and that's saying something.
{I clearly belong on this side of the world}


Read my adventure in Byron Bay with Contiki here
Read my Guide to Byron Bay here
Read about my first sunny Christmas in Byron Bay here

Seminyak, I would say, is a pretty touristy spot. Nevertheless, Seminyak still remains to keep it's cool and hip vibe despite the number of tourists it satisfies.

Seminyak lies on the west coast of Bali, a 30 minute drive from Nguari International Airport in Denpasar, and is a great place to begin or have your Island adventure.


Working inland from the gorgeous stretch of beach that Seminyak hosts, there is an abundance of gorgeous hippie and surf clothing shops, enough to satisfy the keenest of shoppers.

Alongside being a great place to pick up a bargain, Seminyak (and Bali as a whole) is very health conscious. You really won't walk far without meeting an organic or vegetarian cafe filled with raw treats, snacks, dishes and drinks. 


Of course though, if you want to, you'll still be able to find gelato cafes and pizza pick ups.

Eating well when i'm travelling is still something i struggle with, but Bali is 100% right there behind you giving you endless options to indulge in without the guilt.

Here are some of my favourite spots:

Earth Cafe




Nalu Bowls

Revolver Cafe

Sisterfields
{The cappuccino with cashew nut milk is HANDS DOWN the best cappuccino i've ever had, ever.}

 


Other restaurants I love!

- Tapas at W Hotel 
{you don't need to be staying there + they also have a killer cocktail list!}



- Merah Putin
{Traditional Indonesian dishes :: dress up or dress down:: We shared 8/9 small dishes between 3 of us with a cocktail and our bill was £12 each!}

- La Favella

One thing that was amazing about Seminyak was how it catered for such a diverse variety of people. I noticed everything from families with young children and newlyweds to backpackers and old couples. It just didn't matter one bit.

The laid back vibes and friendly nature of Indonesian people is just so welcoming.

As you can see, Seminyak already ticks a lot of boxes, but it doesn't end there.

Due to its positioning, Seminyak boasts one of the very best spots on the island to watch the sunset from...

Take a look for yourself...








Where to watch the sun set:

- W Hotel on a big bed with some tapas and cocktails

- In the pool with a cocktail at Potato Head Beach Club

- La Plancha Beach Club

- On the beach

Accommodation in Seminyak?

Hotels 

Hotel {on the beach}
- IZE hotel  {on the main street, 10 minute walk to beach}

Budget Accommodation

- M Hostel
- M Boutique Hostel
- Capsule Hostel

Something quirky / in between?

AIRBNB!
Search for your perfect listing here!

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Seminyak makes for a dreamy Bali experience and is the most popular option for first timers. But as easy as I could set up home in Seminyak, Bali has SO much more to offer, so I would recommend beginning your adventure in Seminyak and travelling around the island.

For a quiet escape... Sanur {read my post on Sanur}

For an active adventure... Mt.Batur {read my post on climbing the volcano}

For surfing and nightlife... Uluwatu

For dolphins... Lovina

For a spiritual experience... Ubud

For an Island adventure... get a 1 hour boat over to The Gili Islands






↠


THANK YOU FOR READING...

Have you guys ever been to Seminyak?

What was your experience like?


Happy adventuring :)

♡
Mollie xxxx

P.s. Did you catch my latest adventure climbing Mt.Batur in Bali for Sunrise?
Catch up here

Read my 'Top 10 Things to do in Bali' here


COME AND JOIN THE ADVENTURE...

Come and join me on Instagram - molliebylett
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A Guide To The Gili Islands, Indonesia

April 9, 2016, 6:56 am
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And finally it was time to return to the place that stole my heart 3 years ago. 
The Gili Islands were the slices of heaven that inspired my debut track - These are the days + have remained a fond memory to me ever since.
How many of you have been here since my last adventure in the Gili Islands?

I don't usually like to return to the same place twice, one because memories are hard to live up to and recreate, and two because there are simply too many places to see in the world to justify it.

None the less, I was ready to make the exception as my best friend (with whom I was embarking on a backpacking adventure through Cambodia and Vietnam) was dying to go.

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Gili Islands are a collection of 3 little islands in Indonesia, most popularly accessed by boat from Bali or Lombok. 
From Bali, boats depart from Serengan or Padang Bai with tickets including pick up from most towns in South east + west Bali (Ubud, Seminyak, Uluwatu).



We paid 600,000 rph (£30) for a fast boat return ticket (with pick up from Seminyak and drop off at Airport) which we purchased from a travel agent in Seminyak Highstreet.
There are many companies that operate the boats ranging in price and speed.
I would recommend the Eka Jaya fast boats :-)

It's important to note here that timings in Asia are very much a ROUGH estimate. 
Always allow extra time for delays and never expect pick ups to be on time. 
Welcome to Asia.

We were due to get picked up from our hostel in Seminyak at 10am and the driver didn't arrive until 11.50am which meant we missed the fast boat we were due to get (arrive in Gili at 3) and ended up on the slow boat (arrive in at 5).

Eventually we made it to the boat and off we ventured to Gili T - the most popular of the 3 islands for backpackers and nightlife. Gili Meno and Gili Air are known to be the quiet and more relaxing islands of the 3, their beauty remaining intact and less spoilt.

Upon arrival in Gili T, we were so overdue a beverage and so at the first bar after walking out of the ferry port, we dumped our bags and kicked back with a £2 mojito.
Yes really, that is the price of a standard cocktail here in Indonesia!

The perfect start to our island adventure.

Turning up again, like we did in Seminyak, with no accommodation booked, we finished our Mojitos and began wandering down the single main road that runs around the circumference of the island.

When I say road I mean, a soil trodden pathway which breaks into sand or concrete at different points along the way. 
The only things you'll see occupying the path are pedestrians, bicycles and horse and cart transporting travellers and their luggage around the islands. 
No cars whatsoever.

I could tell straight away the differences from when I was last here on Gili T. 
The island still had a divide between the resort side and the touristy backpacker side, but now, 3 years later, the divide was even more so.

The addition of numerous bars and restaurants was so evident and the island feel I so vividly remembered was over shadowed by pumping music.

The main pathway that I previously mentioned was consumed so much now by tourists on foot and on bike, that we found ourselves continuously dodging the traffic.
I guess the word had gotten around.



With no motivation to lug our backpacks around any further, we stopped at the first hostel we recognized from Trip Advisors recommendations, Gili Beach Bums, and we freshened up.

Teaming up with a girl we met on the boat over we payed 166,000Rph each (£8) for a 3 bed dorm with A/C, which was pretty basic.

Due to a recent change in island policy, you are now allowed only 3 people max in a dorm which is annoying because it pushes the prices up for individuals and too takes away from some of the social side of backpacking.

But hey ho, we had a bed, and it was perfectly located in the hustle and bustle of everything with just a 10 second walk to the beach. 
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On the second night we moved into Flush Bungalows which are a cute selection of huts still on the beach front, where we had a hut for the two of us, for £7 a night.






For the 3 days we stayed on Gili T we jam packed it with activities and eateries and despite the very commercial take over of the island we fully embraced it and had an amazing few days.

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Prices to expect on Gili T

Accommodation per night

For a dorm 100-160,000 Rph (£5-8)
For a bungalow / private room 120-220,ooo Rph (£6-11)
For a gorge hotel room 400,000-800,000Rph (£20-40)

Both the hostel and bungalow i stayed in included breakfast in the price with a choice of either Banana pancake or omelette.




Dining

- You can get rice and meat wrapped in a banana leaf from local sellers for as little as 10,000 Rph (50p)

- You can eat in restaurants for around 60,000-100,000 (£3-£5) each

- You can indulge in a proper more fancy dining experience for around 165,000rph £8/9

My favourite place? 
Still, after 2 visits, remains to be the market located on the busier side of the island. It opens at around 6pm and consists of numerous stands selling and cooking fresh meat on the BBQ for you before you choose your sides and sit amongst other travellers on communal picnic benches.
I spend 65,000 rupiah (£3) for a mahi mahi kebab, a chicken kebab, 4 vegetable sides and a bottle of water.


 
 

Things to do on Gili T:

- Kick back and relax on one of the beaches, be it on a bean bag or on the sand and look out onto the gorgeous clear blue waters


 

- Head out for drinks in the evening (one bar hosts the 'main party on the island' each evening making it easy to know where everyone's heading. You'll hear the rumours.) It was here in Gili I discovered Joss sachets... if you go out out you'll soon find out what they are!



- Sign into this fitness hostel or simply pop along to one of the classes at Gili fit hostel including classes like Boxing and beach circuit training

- Take part in a yoga class at Yoga Centre 100,000 Rph (They have multiple classes a day and they are amazing!)



- Learn how to recreate traditional Indonesian dishes at Sweet and Spicy Cooking School

- Learn to become a Mermaid in this unique school where you'll train in the swimming pool with a mermaid tail before heading to the ocean to swim with the tropical fish!

- Hire a bike (we paid £1.50) for the day and cycle round island stopping off at cute bungalows, huts and resorts for refreshments (A trip around the island without stopping would take you about an hour)

- Watch the sunset on other side of the island (the quieter side)



- Grab yourself THAT swing photo 



- Heading out on a day trip snorkeling (around 100,000 rph - £5). You can book these at numerous travel agents dotted around the island.

- Get a boat over to Gili Meno or Gili Air for the day and explore 

- Put aside 3 days and get your PADI diving qualification (around £260) One of the cheapest and best places to get your certificate in the world.

- Partake in a one day dive (no certification received) and head down 12 meters to view the gorgeous marine life surrounding the islands. Turtles are pretty much a given here in the Gili Islands, with a high chance too of sting rays, rainbows of fish and sharks too.
We did this option and absolutely loved it!


 

- Experience the Oreo shake at Aston beach bar



- Sit in these little huts and grab a refreshment on the other side of the island. The food options were really not great (very tacky and standard... burgers and chips etc) but the location is priceless



My Recommended Places to eat:

- Kayu cafe for organic, healthy + nutritious dishes. This cafe is filled with yummy goodness at a ridiculously reasonable price. (I love the Cinnamon Granola)

- The Yoga Centre
Set back off the main path, the 15 minute walk to this little gem is worth every second. No wifi whatsoever, just the chance to engage in good conversation and indulge in gorgeous nutritious food


 

- Scallywags BBQ
Pick your meat or fresh selection of sea food to go on the BBQ and accompany it with an unlimited salad bar. With an additional drink my meal cost me 165,000 (8.50)

- 100% head to the Food Market I mentioned previously. I could live off this food every day

- Grab a juice! We LIVED off of them! 
Dotted all over the islands are places to get the most tropical and gorgeous selection of fruits served as a snack or in a smoothie.
My favourite combos - Avocado Banana and Coconut (+chocolate if I'm feeling sweet) + Avocado, pineapple and banana


Nightlife on The Gili Islands

As I mentioned right at the beginning, Gili T is definitely the most popular option of the 3 islands among travellers and backpackers, and is the one that comes most alive at night. 
Nightlife on Gili T is very much on one side of the island (the side the ferry drop you off on), and due to the small size of the island you won't miss the party should you seek it.

If you're looking for a quieter experience, with a few cocktails and some chilled vibes then Gili T still offers that on the other side of the island, as does Gili T and Gili Meno.

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THANK YOU FOR READING...

Have you guys ever been to The Gili Islands?

What was your experience like?


Happy adventuring :)

♡
Mollie xxxx


P.s. Did you catch my latest adventure climbing Mt.Batur in Bali for Sunrise?
Read my 'Top 10 Things to do in Bali' here
Read my Guide to Seminyak here


COME AND JOIN THE ADVENTURE...

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Arriving in Cambodia

April 12, 2016, 11:29 pm
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Not sure why we had thought it was a good idea to do an all nighter on our 6 hour layover in Malaysia as we waited for our 7am connecting flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia. But we did.

This, obviously, made us rather tired and made the whole customs situation when we arrived in Cambodia - a lot worse than usual.

Once we landed, we were escorted off of the plane and were shown through to customs where, amongst the other passengers, we fought for the available pens and filled out the relevant forms. For us as UK citizens, we had to fill out an arrivals card and a visa application.


In Cambodia you can obtain a visa upon arrival for a stay of up to 30days costing $32 dollars. Chances are, you wont have dollars if you've come from Thailand or Bali like us, but that's easily solved with the ATM's provided.

::

Now, here's a little story you may laugh at, but we genuinely weren't any wiser.
But where I learn, I can then share with you guys :-)

So when using a card abroad (I'm using the STA travel card on this trip) you will incur charges from the card plus any charges the ATM adds on (usually $4-5). So it's best to withdraw in bulk rather than lots of little withdrawals. 

That's where the card will bite you in the bum with charges.
At the same time though, you don't want to be withdrawing large amounts that would screw you over should it be lost or stolen.

Anyway, we needed to withdraw money for our visa, so we took the opportunity to take out more money to last us the week.

We paid our visa and withstood the stand off looks and Khmer language thrown at us by the officials as they processed our visas.

They did ask us for a passport photo for the visa application but seemed to brush it off when we said we didn't have one. Maybe take one if you have one spare at home.

10 minutes later our visa was approved and we joined the queue for passport control. At this point we were realizing the thorough regime adopted at the border which, really, is great but after zero hours of sleep the queue just seemed to last forever.

We picked up our bags which, by this time, had done a marathon of loops around the conveyer belt and headed for the exit.

Fully aware we were going to need a taxi but didn't have any Cambodian Rupiah on us, we stopped besides the taxi counter at the bureau de change and changed our dollars into Rupiah.

We then booked the taxi from the airport to our hostel of choice - Mad Monkeys.

'Thats $3 by bike $7 by car $10 by van'
'Wait, why is this in dollars not rupiah?'
'You can pay either'

Brilliant.
So tip number 1 ... When you withdraw money for your visa (US Dollars) DON'T then change it into Cambodian Rupiah. You will lose money and lose the service charge $5.

We later went on to found, most menus / charges are presented in dollars and so, should you want to exchange money at home before coming out to Cambodia, get US Dollars!

::

In the grand scheme of things the loss really wasn't the end of the world, but when you're backpacking every little helps.
I had read a lot of blogs prior to my trip but not read anything about the currency situation so hopefully I can save you a few pennies by not making the same mistake :-)

Anyhow, we were too tired to cry about it LOL, so we hopped in the car, split $7 between us and rode 20minutes to the centre of the action and the beginning of a love affair with Mad Monkeys, a chain of 4 hostels throughout Cambodia.



After dumping our bags in the storage lockers (you can't check in until 1), we sorted through our crease filled laundry and handed over a bin liner each of washing to the ladies at reception.



Our tight schedule allowed us just 6 days to adventure through Cambodia, so our time here wasn't extensive and we had to make the most of each day.
Needless to say we quickly regretted the all nighter we had pulled at KL airport.

With only ourselves to blame, we browsed the popular excursions in Siem Reap and booked onto one for the afternoon.

Stay tuned to see what we got up to...

THANK YOU FOR READING...

Have you guys ever been to Cambodia?

What did you get up to?


Happy adventuring :)

♡
Mollie xxxx


P.s. Did you catch my adventure climbing Mt.Batur in Bali for Sunrise?
Read my 'Top 10 Things to do in Bali' here
Read my Guide to Seminyak here


COME AND JOIN THE ADVENTURE...

Come and join me on Instagram - molliebylett
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Floating Villages, Tonlé Sap Lake Cambodia

April 20, 2016, 10:32 am
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We arrived in Siem Reap totally exhausted after our all nighter stopover in Malaysia, but here we were in country number 2 of our backpacking adventure and we were determined not to waste a minute of it (we simply couldn't afford to sleep due to our tight schedule!).

With check in time still two hours away at Mad Monkeys, we sat at the hostel bar under the mist and browsed the activity leaflets we had picked up from reception.

The main activities here in Siem Reap seemed to be the Angkor Wat (100% can't miss that one out), visiting the floating villages + some 'sunset quad bike' adventure.

Knowing our level of tiredness was going to hinder us doing anything effectively, independently, we booked onto the Floating Village tour ($18) which departed from our hostel at 2pm.

After a shower and a much needed freshen up, we conversed about the tour with bar man Jaffa, shortly joined by Oliver, a young traveller from Germany who went on to join us for a quick, but very yummy lunch near by at Sister Srey.
{highly recommend for a healthy nutritious lunch!)


We departed promptly from Mad Monkeys with a local Vietnamese guide (the happiest tour guide known to man), stopped to pick up other members of the crew and began our drive to Chong Kneas Village with a brief stop at a Silk Museum and Wood Carving work shop.


Our tiredness meant we fell straight to sleep in the mini bus and missed the transition of landscape. We woke to the opening of the mini bus door onto a farm with chickens running around... in what seemed like the middle of the outback. 

It was a squat and shake situation (if you know what i mean) and all in all... a very unique toilet stop if ever there was one.


Once we arrived at the village we wandered freely, speaking in just broken English and body language with the locals.

We watched little ones playing with sticks, young girls skipping with weathered rope, and we simply stood to observe the giant wooden houses on stilts.

It's absolutely mesmerising how cleverly these houses are built and it's really grounding to see the way in which these beautiful people live. It certainly makes you appreciate the little things we take for granted at home...

November through to June is considered the dry season here in the village and so the houses, during these months, will appear as you can see in my photos. 
Come July - November the water level rises significantly and these cleverly stilted, wooden masterpieces come into play and demonstrate their purpose.

As much as you may initially think (like we did) 'what's the point in visiting a floating village if it's not floating season', don't let that put you off at all! 

It's incredibly fascinating to see these houses and the mechanics behind them in the flesh.


Plus, after navigating your way through the village, you then hop onto a boat and venture out onto Tonle Sap lake, where there are a selection of floating restaurants. The tour then takes you aboard one of these restaurants where you enjoy a beverage along with some food, should you wish (not included in price) as the sun sets on the horizon. 


My feet after just an hour in the village...








This tour totally exceeded my expectations and I 100% recommend it if you would like a taste of Cambodia away from city life. Our tour guide was amazing...so eager to please and meet our every need. He even gave us recommendations for places to eat back in Siem Reap upon our return to the city.

Another example to never judge a book by the cover... 
The leaflet photos for this trip were more off putting than they were enticing - an totally inaccurate representation of this amazing trip.


THANK YOU FOR READING...

Have you guys ever been to Cambodia?

What did you get up to?


Happy adventuring :)

♡
Mollie xxxx


P.s. Did you catch my adventure climbing Mt.Batur in Bali for Sunrise?
Read my 'Top 10 Things to do in Bali' here
Read my Guide to Seminyak here


COME AND JOIN THE ADVENTURE...

Come and join me on Instagram - molliebylett
Snapchat - molliebylett
Follow me on Facebook


I'D LOVE FOR YOU TO SHARE THIS POST USING THE BUTTONS BELOW :)

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