Day 1 (9 April 2011)
London, San Juan, Rio Abajo Forest
It's the first time I've flown with Virgin for 20 years and my expectations are high. It's therefore disappointing that the food is awful, the seats are old and the entertainment screens keep breaking. Worst of all, a member of staff is late which means I was sitting on the plane for two hours before it even takes off.
Most people get off the plane in Antigua, and following some security checks it takes off again for the final 50 minutes towards San Juan. After 13 hours, I've finally arrived in Puerto Rico.
Following a successful...
Read more...
Day 1 (12-13 November 2010)
London, Paris, Buenos Aires
I'm pleasantly surprised by Air France. Lots of leg room, half-decent food and friendly staff take me from Heathrow to Paris. There's a bit of a rush to make the connecting flight, but I make myself comfortable for the 12-hour journey to Argentina's capital. Susanne is with me, who I met a year ago, so it's a great way to start our trip across South America, by revisiting the city where we first met!
Day 2 (13 November 2010)
Buenos Aires
We wake in Argentina and quickly find the hotel, just a stone throw away from Av. 9 de Julio,...
Read more...
Days 1-2 (27-28 August 2010)
London, Stavanger, Preikestolen
The shuttle bus from the airport to Stavanger is running slightly late. It's a mild hiccup at 01.00 after a late Friday night flight from Gatwick. Norway redeems itself as the bus driver takes a detour just so he can politely drop me off outside my hotel!
I wake a few hours later and Tonny, a mate from Copenhagen, meets me for breakfast. There's no time to waste so we jump straight into the rental car and work our way east towards Lysefjorden. It's a hilly, green landscape with water everywhere and actually reminds me of Wales....
Read more...
Days 1-5 (29 July - 2 August 2010)
Javea
I decide to surprise visit my father for his birthday. I don't normally visit my parents in the summer holidays, but it's actually really nice to soak up the sun and have a energy-free holiday for a change. For the first time in years, I opt to leave my camera equipment at home, although I'm glad to take my underwater compact camera as it gives me a chance to try some more unusual jump shots.
Using a swimming pool, a 10 second timer, and a huge amount of patience, I finally get the shot I want. Below is the photo, along with a selection of the failed...
Read more...
Day 1 (4 June 2010)
Berlin
When I joined the boys on a long weekend to Berlin, I expected a grey city, scarred from the second World War. What I discovered was a vibrant place, full of energy and packed with culture. Oh - and a huge range of ridiculously strong beers, alongside every type of sausage you can possibly think of...
Day one was stereotypically German. Our nominated guide (David briefly lived in Berlin) takes us to a restaurant that has a huge garden, with long tables shared by locals and tourists. It's essentially a massive beer garden, that also offers food. Being asparagus...
Read more...
Days 1-2 (7-8 May 2010)
Cairo, Giza
It's a frantic finish at work on Friday evening ahead of my overnight flight. Before I know it, I'm waking up in Egypt and hurtling through the empty streets of Cairo in a taxi that seems determined to break its record time (as well as trying to completely rip me off).
At about 08.00, Susanne and I arrive at the Oberi Mena House hotel, which is just a stone throw away from the pyramids. After a prolonged argument with the reception, we get the room we booked and although the accommodation is nothing to rave about, the view is simply sublime. The pyramids...
Read more...
Days 1-6 (29 April-4 May 2010)
Costa Blanca
I'm lucky that my parents live in an amazing part of Mediterranean Europe. Whilst most people fly to Alicante to visit monstrosities such as Benidorm, one doesn't have to travel very far to see some truly remote areas, away from the beer-guzzling beach goers.
It's a great few days with scenic walks, deserted cliff-edges and winding roads into the mountains. Even the one day of heavy rain is fun; anyone who has ever swum in the rain knows what an amazing feeling it is!
I do my obligatory visit to my favourite beach, Moraig. It's different every...
Read more...
