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Fifi Flipflops Big Adventure
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Fifi Flipflops Big Adventure

An open-ended adventure by Fifi flipflop Read more
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    🇦🇱 Shkoder, Albania
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    Shkoder

    July 12 in Albania ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C

    This morning I feel a bit flat. It's all very well wanting to see everything but it can get very draining especially when the heat is so intense. I'm doing a bit of research about moving South to the Albanian riviera but the price for even staying in a hostel has gone through the roof. It's obviously peak season in Albania and even since getting here I've seen the prices change with supply and demand. I go to my favourite little coffee bar and spend some time also looking at Theth. This country literally has everything to offer beautiful people amazing beaches and some of the best treks I've done. I chat with one of the guys in the bar and he tells me he earns £20 per day for a 10 HR shift. I wondered why Albanians come to the UK to work leaving such a beautiful country behind but I guess I now know. I will head out tomorrow to a place called Theth to hike to the blue eye so I book my tickets and guesthouse as there are no hostels here and I also have a look at where to go after. It's crazy the prices of hostels have pretty much doubled in the areas I've been looking at. It's peak season now and you can definitely sense this even where I am in Sckoeder. I also manage to get a wash done. Albania has a closed currency which means you can't get money outside the country and although the transit towns have the ability to pay by card in most places the mountain areas are not set up for that just yet so I also get some money exchanged. While I'm out I am walking along one of the back streets I meet up with the couple who I shared the whisky with on the ferry. It's crazy when you travel how your paths cross with the same people. They invited me to dinner but I already have plans with the girls. I really need an early night tonight as I still haven't caught up from yesterday so once again I join the girls and we share a few dishes between us before heading back and preparing for tomorrow.Read more

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    Valbona valley

    July 11 in Albania ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C

    Well mornings don't get better than this. I'm surrounded by beautiful limestone mountains drinking coffee and enjoying my cigarettes. The guys and girls left early this morning at 6 but I unusually fall back asleep and woke around 8am. It's a crazy situation here because when you try to tip they say no. In the shop yesterday the young boy of about 7 yrs of age had served us in the restaurant and is now running the little shop.I tried to tip him 2 euro and he refused but I make him take it and again at the guesthouse they didn't like to take it either. Once again this morning I'm sat at the side of the road waiting for a bus that I'm not sure is going to come and am feeling really nervous as I need to catch the ferry. So my little friend from the port finally arrives at 1030. I am so relieved and he has kept me the front seat. All the people who speak English here are self taught and are so open to tourism however this has only really been in the last 10 years and started firstly with people from neighbouring countries like Montenegro. Other tourist from around the world started coming in 2019 but then COVID. In the valley you can see that they are starting with the infrastructure of building larger hotels and I'm so glad that I have come now to enjoy it without the hustle of big crowds. We arrive at the ferry port and I sit to have a coffee. It is so hot and I offer a guy a seat with me so he can sit in the shade. He is from Madrid and as we embark on the journey we exchange our life stories I explain that my mum and dad had their ashes scattered in a place called la Caruella in Spain and he nearly falls off his chair. His father's ashes are scattered at the same rock as my mum. . The more we talk the more crazy it gets and we spend the whole 3 hour journey exchanging stories with a promise we will continue over a beer in La Caruella in the next 12 months. We bid each other Adiós and I board my bus. This time the bus has picked us up on the other side of the tunnel but as we drive through the amount of buses is crazy and takes us 10 minutes to get out with tourists just standing in the road. It's a 90 minute ride back to the hostel and I'm looking forward to seeing the mexican girls again. I arrived back at the hostel and am greeted with a wonderful hug from Lexi. I spend the afternoon catching up and just chilling as I plan to watch the football tonight. I grab some food and treat myself to an espresso martini. At 4 euro a pop I might have 2. I plan to watch the football in the hostel but just before the game there is no one In the bar. I wander downstairs as there must be somewhere else the football is on and the street is packed with football on a much bigger screen. One of the young guys from the hostel brings me a chair from the bar and what a game it is . I'm so glad I came down here apart from the fact there are about 4 English supporters in the street. Even the Albanians love Haaland. There are a family close to me who I believe to be cheering Norway as their daughter has a Norway hat on. I ask if I can get a photo at half time and when I speak to them, the mum is from Rainford. We all laugh out loud. It's crazy the interactions football brings you when you are traveling. The second half is painful to watch but when we score in extra time I jump a up and have a little celebration fist pump. I help the guys bring up some glasses and after the vodka red bull I had I don't think I'm going to fall asleep but I drift of easier than expected.Read more

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    Shala River

    July 10 in Albania ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C

    It's an early 6am start this morning. I have left all my stuff outside the dorm so as not to disturb the girls. It's a 10 minute walk to catch the bus and 30 minutes to find which one you are on as there are so many.Its about 1.5 hrs on the bus as we snake around the mountain pass with beautiful views. We descend the bus at the entrance to a tunnel and as we walk through cars are passing us. There are a lot of people waiting to board the multiple ferries and I get up top where at least there is shelter. A guy comes on selling fruit and honestly the fruit and veg here are amazing because every thing is home grown. He asks for 400 which equates to 4 euro and as I'm on the boat eating them I realise they are crawling with ants , I'm not about to waste anything so I brush them off and eat them but for the first time here I feel ripped off by being a tourist. The boat journey is 3 hours but what a ride. We sail through huge mountains and the beautiful clear water glistens off the limestone. You would seriously think you were in Thailand. I meet a couple from Israel and they have a bottle of whiskey which they are keen to share and once that is finished out comes a bottle of vodka flavoured with Akai. I'll be drunk before I get off.
    Everything is really organised here and a bus is waiting for us as the ferry docks. We get an opportunity to eat and wee and a quick cigarette. On board the bus one of the young couples realised they have left a bag on the first bus. The driver also has a wallet of a Saudi guy who has left it on the bus. It's got his driving license and credit card in There is an Arabic guy on the bus and between us we try and find him on Instagram and message him. The bus literally drops me at the side of the road and I walk down a track to find the guest house. I'm greeted by a great bunch of people who are heading out for lunch. As we make our way back to the road a bus is coming along and I stick my thumb out and crazily the bus stops. It's funny as it's the guy from the docks and the seven of us get on the bus sitting on the floor.. He takes us up to the village and recommends a restaurant to eat at. We enjoyed food and then take a dip in the glacier lake . Seriously it is so so beautiful but soon cold. You can literally only stay in there for a few minutes. We walk back to the hostel which takes about 15 minutes. We all share a dinner cooked by the guesthouse and another added bonus is the fact that I don't have to get in a bunk bed. After dinner we set up the phone to watch the football and 10 minute intro the game the owner brings a television to the back of the house. The kindness shown here is amazing. Him and his daughter sit with us to watch the football as we are watching the daughter points out the wolves in the mountains howling. It's at moments like these whereim sitting in the middle of the mountains watching the world cup on a television with the wolves howling in the background that makes travelling like this worth it.    Read more

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    A day of planning

    Jul 9–15 in Albania ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C

    As much as I don't like planning I have to play a little bit ahead here. Due to it being peak season the ferry gets fully booked. My plan was to do the Valbona -Theth trek but last night I stubbed my big toe on the slate step on the terrace and this morning it's black and blue but will wait and see how it feels tomorrow. I have new hiking boots and I'm not sure I fancy getting half way up the mountain and having to come back down. I have booked the ferry for tomorrow and my guesthouse for the night so I can relax. Another thing is I really want to get back for the game on Saturday so I'm also trying to plan around that. The great thing is I can leave my backpack at the hostel and I've brought a backpack which I can take my hiking gear in and I will return to Sckoeder to collect before heading to the South. My plan is to get the hardcore stuff out the way to be able to hit the beach and relax. The Terrace hostel is amazing for the money and breakfast is included for 11 euro. I've spoken with the girls and they are going to join me on a sunset ride to Shiroke. Wow it is so hot today I can barely move. The hostel here has a washer and dryer and it's 3 euro so I share a wash with Lexi as I don't have a full load. It's nice to have days where you can just chill and get a few things done. I'm constantly wanting to do things but sometimes I just need to take a breath. We hire the bikes at 6pm and the 4 of us set off for. It's a lot cooler now and the breeze as we are cycling is lovely. The first part of the journey Is great as there is a cycle path, although crossing the 2 roundabouts is a little hairy. We cross the old bridge which lives up to is name and after a 25 minute ride we arrive at the lake. It is so beautiful. We haven't decided to eat here and we each order a dish and share. We order calamari seafood risotto prawns and scallops, but the scallops are actually pork escalopes cream potato and Greek salad it's all delicious. . The ride home is a little more difficult as we're so full. We get back the hostel and chill watching Love Island for an hour before I head to bed for my early start tomorrow.Read more

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    She'll be coming round the mountain

    July 8 in Albania ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C

    I wake early and sit on the balcony with a guy who is Belgian and served in the military for 9 years and when he left joined the army in Ukraine. I asked him why and expected him to say to help but he told me they paid him £6000 a month. I'm really shocked. I am leaving Tirana today to head to the town of Shkoder up in the North. I'm catching a Flix bus which leaves at 10 so head to the cafe over the road. Two girls from Australia who are in the same dorma as me are heading north and when I checked there's a space on the bus so I book on. I've really enjoyed the vibe here. People are super friendly it's not as cheap as I first expected but it's a lot cheaper than Europe. There is a cafe opposite the hostel so I grab my morning coffee. Everyone here drinks espresso so when iaskfor a latte it's generally luke warm and served in a glass. Another thing here is the traffic. It's very busy and people just beep their horns all the time. I'm hoping this will change when I get up north. It's a 5 minute walk to the stadium car park where the Flix bus leaves from. It was £10 for my ticket and the trip takes about 2.5 hrs . As we arrive we are looking for the traditional green bus it's actually a transit minibus and how all the luggage gets on is beyond me. The road her is pretty well paved so a smooth ride. We arrive in just after 1 and I check into the hostel which for 11 euro a night is wonderful. I drop my bag and go out to eat. I'm blown away by how beautiful it is here. Little trattorias it like being in Italy. It's 32degrees here and if I was expecting it to be cooler with being in the mountains I'm mistaken. Sckoeder is the main hub point in the North and if you're going trekking you can leave heavy luggage here and just take a smaller backpack. It's so beautiful here with views of the mountains and the streets remind me of Italy. The tourist effect is definitely starting to hit with Burger king in the main high street and they even have a Shein shop. Back at the hostel I meet a lovely group of girls. 2 are from Mexico and we spend the evening exchanging travel tales and one of them is watching Love island. It is really hot today and the weather says the energy out of me . In the evening we just chill on the Terrace. It's crazy because when I go to bed it's like the town has come alive as in the street outside all I can hear is people singing sweet Caroline and I think I fall asleep singing along .Read more

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    Tirana lake

    July 7 in Albania ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C

    I wake early this morning as usual and lay in bed for a little while so as not to disturb the girls. That is the only problem with staying in a dorm and being an early bird. I grab a shower and head out for coffee The Artificial Lake of Tirana (Liqeni Artificial i Tiranës) is the "green lung" of the city. Created in the 1950s, it spans 55 hectares and sits within the expansive 230-hectare Grand Park of Tirana (Parku i Madh). The area is a prime spot for locals and visitors to walk, jog, cycle, and relax. I choose the latter option. It's so nice to get out of the hustle of the city. I take a coffee by the lake and just chill. The next few days are going to be a bit hectic and I'm glad I got the walking the city in yesterday. I'm finding it difficult with the language barrier at the moment but I guess that will come a bit easier as I learn a few more words. Back at the hostel a new ladyl called Sophie checks into the dorm and after a quick chat we head for a bite to eat. We go to a bar called Era which has authentic Albanian food and I ordered the meatballs which were absolutely delicious. Sophie heads back but I'm heading to the fan zone to watch the Argentina Egypt game. The atmosphere is great and I'm cheering for Mo Salah. A kind lady from Palestine offers to share a bean bag while a group of young lads sit on two bean bags each but won't share. We nickname them the bad boys and giggle between us. A great night but worried if we need to play Messi. I arrived back at the hostel and it's straight to bed for the early start tomorrowRead more

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    Tirana Arrival

    July 6 in Albania ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C

    So after staying up to watch the England game I make my way to the Airport for 4am. The ease of being able to fly from Liverpool is so much better. The flight takes just over 3 hrs and we landed 30 minutes ahead of time. I've pre booked a taxi on watts app and after picking up a SIM card and exchange some cash I'm able to use the watts app to message him that I've arrived. The hostel is about half an hour from the airport and I'm dropped right out side. Check in isn't till 2pm so I've come to the little coffee shop next door to chill for half an hour. I still have a couple of hours to spare so as I've always said the best way to know somewhere is to walk it. I decidey first point of call will be the tourist information office. I like to have a paper map, I know it's old fashioned but it's what I like. It's a 30 minutes walk and on the way back I go to bunk art 2. It's the history of the country set in a bunker explaining about communism. The museum is set in a 1000 square meter underground nuclear bunker and is certainly nice and cool. On the way back I spot the FIFA Fan zone and make my way across Skanderbeg square to have a nosey. I've bookmarked it to come and watch the Spain game tonight. It's just before 2 so I decide to head back and check in. I meet the girls sharing my room and join them for a bite to eat. We have a wander round the city and visit the "house of leaves" which is the house of secret intelligence. We wander back the hostel and rest a while before I head down to the bar downstairs to watch the football.Read more

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    Inspirational women

    September 19, 2025 in Greece ⋅ 🌬 22 °C

    I haven't written daily like I usually do, mostly because I've been so busy doing workshops and enjoying the entertainment. I arrived in Lesvos without realising I'd booked onto a 2 week lesbian festival. I want to write because the love, involvement and inclusion I've felt since being here has been phenomenal. I'm never one to put people into boxes or stereotypes and have met some truly amazing and wonderful souls here. It's been nice to just relax and unwind without the hinderance of men. A lot of women here have their own stories to tell and have struggled and persevered to be accepted in a society that is judgemental.As much as things have progressed we still have a long way to go. Ive watched movies of the battles these beautiful women have had to endure to be partially accepted but we still have a long way to go. I don't get inspired very often but I truly have been here. Several people have really touched my heart. Vito a lady who was kicked out the Royal Navy for being gay. Catrina McHugh who co founded open clasp and has rightly been honoured with an MBE. My favourite couple Mary and Julie, who's love for each other radiates from their individual personas . The festival itself has been superb with fantastic acts from opera to quartets to amazing singers. The organisers who have pulled out all the stops to arrange a flawless coordination of workshops and shows. Being the only straight in the village certainly hasn't left me feeling secluded. So thank you ladies it's been a ball.Read more

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    Lesbos

    September 9, 2025 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    After a 4 HR direct flight and a 2 hour car drive I arrive at eresos. The area remains significant for its historical monuments, its natural beauty, and as a vibrant meeting point for the lesbian community, known for the international Eressos Women's Festival. I didn't realise when I booked it that it was actually during the time of the festival, and the island is hosting an additional 1000 lesbians to celebrate the poet Sappho who's birthplace this was. I have already bought a ticket so join in the fun. Occasionally mentioning that I'm straight I'm told " don't worry it's not your fault"😭. The festival is really well organised and on the opening night they have a selection of artists from all over the world who had the whole place rocking. Absolutely brilliant and to top it off the most beautiful view .
    I make my way back to the Airbnb but the place is down some little alleyways and at night everywhere looks the same. I spend nearly 40 minutes walking up and down carrying the six bottles of water id bought before putting the water back in the car and trying again. Within 5 minutes I found it and was almost in tears as the gate opened and I drop myself straight to bed    Read more

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    Beach chilling

    March 13, 2025 in Belize ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    I wake early this morning and decide to stroll out for the sunrise. It's quiet and I can get a coffee at 6am. I stay down here till 830 just chatting.Then head back to the room with a coffee for Bobby. We have a pool outside our room and I'm happy to just chill here this morning reading my book. I'm amazed at how many people speak English here and chatting to the local people they tell me that English is the first language taught here. At lunchtime we take a stroll around the island where we just so happen to find a bar called the big tiity bar with a pool table, where I do a little hustling. I've met some really cool people here who have packed up there whole lives to come and live here. Unlike most countries you don't need a local investment. Although Belize is a rapidly developing country with a decent per capita income, the economy is still in its infancy. Therefore, the government is keen on welcoming and facilitating foreign investors who help develop the country’s infrastructure or offer jobs to the Belizeans. We grab a shower and head to benders bar for happy hour meeting up with the people we met the other night. On the pier are swarms of pelicans and in the water literally on the shore is a stingray. Bobby has changed his plans and is staying on the island, so I book my boat out of here for the 15th. In a way I'm quite glad to have a few days just on my own. We take dinner in the bar opposite which has live music and eat with the red moon setting over the water before retiring to bed.
    .    Read more

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    Boat day

    March 12, 2025 in Belize ⋅ 🌙 27 °C

    We've booked a day out on the boat today to do some snorkeling. I'm absolutely hanging so hoping I don't end up being sick in my mask. The boat leaves at 930 so we take the chance to grab a coffee and a bit of breakfast. The island is so small 4km square and half the people from last night at the bar are at the cafe. The catamaran can carry 24 people but we only have 19 on board today. Half an hour into sailing we anchor off at coral garden where we get to snorkel for a good hour. I see my first eagle ray as well as numerous fish and eels. It's quite an experience to be beneath the sea and see so many different shapes and sizes. Back on the boat and our next stop is shark alley. As soon as we drop anchor we see the sharks begin to arrive and within seconds there are loads of them. When they ask if I want to get in I hesitate at first but they are only nursing sharks so I agree. Our last stop is hol Chan which translates to little channel.The Hol Chan Marine Reserve was established as a marine protected area in 1987 under Laws of Belize. It incorporates the southernmost marine and coastal areas of Ambergris Caye including the barrier reef, seagrass beds and the mangrove islands of Boca Chica and Cangrejo Shoals. A zoning scheme was developed in order to ensure sustainable use and guarantee its conservation. Hol Chan is divided into four zones which include no-take areas and zones that regulate and promote sustainable fishing practices..Many tourists come here in boats but the law is you can only be anchored here for an hour at the most. The sealife here is amazing and I can certainly see what the attraction is. Sadly we don't get to see manatees as it's too early in the season but everything else makes up for it. It's election day on the island and all the bars are closed, which is a saving grace for me with the hangover I've had today. We shower and head for dinner at Willy's . He has no menus but cooks whatever is fresh that day on the BBQ. Today it's pork fish or shrimp. It's delicious and really cheap for the island. With no bar to go to it's an early night with Netflix.Read more

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    Off to the islands

    March 11, 2025 in Belize ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    We are catching the bus to Belize city port today. The bus ticket we bought is a hop on hop off so we can literally catch the bus going in either direction. The bus isn't till 1030 so we have been recommended a place to take breakfast. The people here are so friendly and you can definitely feel the Caribbean influence here. Bobby keeps shouting at me for saying good morning to people as I attract the wrong crowd but I keep on doing it to annoy him. There is no definite time for the bus because they don't know how long it will take them to get through the border so she says to wait there between 1030 and 11. The bus eventually turns up at 1200 and it's a big one so we quickly board and arrive at the harbour an hour later. There are a lot of people here. Half travelling to San Pedro, half travelling to caye caulker. We board the boat and the crossing takes 45 minutes. I can't get prime over here but after checking in and dropping our bags we head out to get a bite 2 eat . When we walk in the bar I'm pleasantly surprised see the football on the only bad side is the bar is full of french. The less said about the result the better. We go and book our snorkeling trip and head to a beach bar to grab a beer. The rest is history. I end up on the rum and don't even remember getting home.Read more

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    Submerged Crocodile

    March 10, 2025 in Belize ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C

    We have booked another trip today as we move on tomorrow and when the taxi driver picks us up we get chatting about the upcoming elections. At the moment they have no prime ministers in charge but the old one is rerunning and his opposition is Shyne- the rapper - who has promised to get Belize out of the third world status it's in. We soon arrive at the landing area and in total there are 7 of us on the boat. Our lady captain is brilliant and the hour long trip allows us to see multiple birds iIncluding a jabiru stork and a couple of crocodiles. The wildlife here is amazing I'm just sad I never bought my good camera but then again I'm just enjoying the moment. As we travel along the river Brenda tells us about the mennonites.Mennonites from the Noah Hoover group in Upper Barton Creek and daughter settlements are extremely restrictive concerning the use of motors and electricity, that is, both motors and electricity are forbidden in the settlement by the members of the group. Their clothing is very similar to the Old Order Amish, and men wear beards like the Amish. Therefore, they are often perceived as Amish and called Amish, even though this is not the case. We arrive at the Lamanai Maya ruins.The Maya ruins of Lamanai once belonged to a sizable Maya city in the Orange Walk District of Belize. "Lamanai" comes from the Maya term for "submerged crocodile", a nod to the toothy reptiles who live along the banks of the New River. Lamanai. There is evidence on Maya life that dates from about 1500 B.C. At the site are structures that date from AD 625: The jaguar temple named for its boxy jaguar decoration; the mask temple adorned by a 13-foot stone mask of an ancient Maya king; and the high temple. In front of the mask temple is a single ball court, where an offering had been placed under its giant central marker. A lidded bowl contained 100 g of crystalline hematite, 19 g of cinnabar in a miniature vessel, and other objects such as jade, shell, and pearl, all atop of a pool of mercury. It is said that the games went on for days and at the end the winner was sacrificed. Winner winner tonights dinner. Archeologists first came to the site in 1974 and began their work. A lot of the ruins have been covered with replicas (mask on the temple) because as much as you tell tourists not to touch they always will. It's a 1 hour journey back down the new river to home. Rain is forecast tonight so we head out for dinner early only to find that most of the town is closed as there is a holiday today. We eventually find a Chinese restaurant and head home for an early night as tomorrow we head to the islands.Read more

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    Crossing the border

    March 9, 2025 in Mexico ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    We wake early as we are catching a 7 o'clock bus to Belize. At 3am this morning then room next door was still partying until Bobby banged on the wall. We're already packed so just head to the pick up point which is just across the square. The bus is quite full but because we're leaving early hopefully the border won't be too busy. Bobby manages to grab a coffee each and we board the bus. Our first stop is the transport office in Chetumal where we fill in our immigration forms and board another bus. . There's hardly anyone at the border but when I go into the mexican immigration they tell me I need to pay the exit tax. When I booked the bus yesterday Kassandra said I wouldn't need to as it was included in my flight, but immigration say different. They send me to the back of the queue while she calls her boss. When I get to the front of the queue I go into the office and once again show my passport and flight details. After a lot of toing and froing I stick on and they stamp my passport and say this time only. That's just saved me £40. It's always complicated at borders and I was so close to just saying ok I'll pay it but glad I stood my ground. We drive a little further into a quarantine zone where the bus is sprayed down and we travel to the Belize immigration. Once again we're lucky as there is hardly anyone there but they are very strict here and seem in no hurry. Don't they realise I fly home in 8 days. As I exit there is a guy exchanging mexican for Belize, so I exchange £50 so I at least have a little cash. It takes a good hour for the 10 people to get through but eventually we are back on the bus. We've bought a multi stop ticket and our first stop is orange walk which is a short one hour drive. We've booked in at a private room but I'm quite shocked at how rough it is here. We arrive at Rickys at 1030 and he lets us check in straight away. We enquire about the tour that we want to do but it starts at 8am so we book it for tomorrow. We drop our bags and walk through town to find food. Everything is closed but we walk down to the river and find this oasis. The birds here are amazing. Stalks as big as eagles sweep across the fish laden river. We spend a few hours here as it's ridiculously hot and the river breeze is so cooling. An afternoon siesta is needed. In the evening we try the other end of town to get a bite to eat and wander for over half an hour until a guy pulls up on a Harley and asks if he can help. He points us to the food court and after beer and pizza head back to the hotel to get an early night.Read more

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    Festival day

    March 8, 2025 in Mexico ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C

    I wake at 5am and we've decided to get up early to go and catch the sunrise.As we walk through the square the noise of the birds and bats is incredible. I'm quite surprised at how many people are actually down here. We can't even get a view so very shortly after we walk back towards the hotel. There is no coffee shop open until 8:00 a.m. but as we walk down the street a guy is preparing to open I ask him is it possible for two coffees and he gladly agrees. I'm so glad as I barely slept last night and got a little bit burnt on the boat yesterday so I'm in desperate need for a pick me up. One coffee turns into 2 and we share a sandwich because they are so big. We don't really have any plans today as we we're going to leave last night but opted to stay for the festival that stars this afternoon. So much preparation is going into it as stands tables and stages are erected in the town square. It is so hot today I feel absolutely drained and head back to the hotel to watch the football. It's on at 10am so nowhere is open to watch it so I stream it and watch it on my phone. We have a lunch of sushi on the square but I'm really struggling to eat in the heat. I'll be ok in a day ot two when I acclimatise to the heat.We take a little siesta before going to explore the festival. I wanted to stay another day because I enjoy music but it's actually a gastronomical festival with food in abundance and with my eating not being great has been a bit of a waste of time. After a little shopping around we book our bus to Belize before having a few drinks before bed.Read more

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    Stranded at sea

    March 7, 2025 in Mexico ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    Even though I've only had a few hours sleep we wake early and after a good coffee I agree with Bobby to do a boat trip today. It's a 5 hour boat that takes us down the coast and deep into the mangroves. The boat leaves at 11 so we have a little time to explore the town before we board the boat. There is a stage put up in town and lots of police but noone seems to know what it is for. We walk back to
    The hotel and pack a bag and wait to be picked up. We then receive a message to say that we have to go to the place it was booked from which is only round the corner from where we are staying so we take a short bimble over and set off to pick up a few more people. At the harbour we sit for nearly an hour and whilst we're waiting a big iguana comes to take a look.We join the boat and leave the harbour just after one and our first stop is just out of the bay . There's quite a few boats here and the water is only waist deep but so beautiful and clear with sporadic mangroves dotted around and the clearly signposted crocodile signs doesn't seem to be putting anyone off. We cruise through the mangroves stopping for a fruit lunch and drinking multiple beers and cocktails, eventually coming to rest on the border where it's not possible to take the boat but a few of the guys off the boat wander through but I stay on the boat and just chill. We make our way to another spot for our last dip of the day. Just as we're leaving the last place I say to Bobby that something doesn't sound right and we come to an abrupt stop , it's quite funny as Bobby moaning about going home early but now we've run out of fuel we,are not going anywhere. The tequila bottle once again gets hit and we become the party boat we were all glad we weren't on. While we sit there there are eagles and a pink roseante spoonbill fly's by aIso an Extra bonus as we get the sunset at sea. Over an hour later the fuel boat turns up and we are back on dry land before we know it. We take a quick shower and head for dinner and discuss what we are going to do. We were planning to head straight for Belize tomorrow but there are preparations happening in the square and tomorrow and Sunday they have a festival here. Choice is made. One more night in Bacalar.    Read more

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    Hondere hondere

    March 6, 2025 in England ⋅ 🌙 4 °C

    The journey starts with a train from Liverpool to the airport, ideally I'd fly out of Liverpool but the return flights to Cancun are only £300. We board the plane on time and an announcement comes over the tannoy for a Ivor viking, I think they are having a laugh but that is his real name.The flight arrives slightly early but once in Mexico that's where it stops. I find my way to bus stand 69 where I catch a bus to downtown Cancun but on the way the traffic is crazy and I just about make my connection but honestly without being able to ask directions in Spanish I would never have made. 20 mins into the journey we come to a standstill and I'm stuck for over an hour and when we get to the place where the crash is there are more than 10 cars and wagons and at least 5 of them are a total write off. Eventually past the buses first stop is playa de Carmen, where I decide to try and jump off and have a ciggies but as I go round the back of the bus to avoid attention I can hear a whistle being blown repeatedly and when I turn round it's me they're blowing at "no fumar"no smoking 😂 back on the bus it is but as tired as I am I just can't sleep. The last three hours of the journey really drag but as I get off the bus Bobby is waiting. I'm really glad as there is hardly anyone about and it's a 20min walk to the hotel and not a taxi in sight. As soon as I get in I literally get straight into bed while Bobby has a beer in the room and I'm away with the fairies in minutes.Read more

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    Wasaga beach

    August 1, 2024 in Canada ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C

    Today is bin day and in Canada they are very strict with regards to the recycling any black bin bags normal rubbish you have to pay $5 to be taken away but all recycling is free. The crazy part is the same bin driver seems to pick one lot of rubbish off drive off dump it and come back and pick up the other loads of rubbish it's literally just one guy and his wagon but he must drive around the block about 40 times it's a bit like groundhog Day. After speaking with the neighbour Bill he's advised me I really should see the museum so today I plan to go with Kirsten to wasaga beach and then potentially spend an hour in the museum on my return before catching the bus.
    Wasaga Beach has long been hailed as one of the premier tourist destinations in the world and Wasaga Beach has long been hailed as one of the premier tourist destinations in the world and home to the World's Longest Freshwater Beach. Our white sandy shoreline stretches across South Georgian Bay and includes panoramic views of the Niagara Escarpment, a UNESCO World Biosphere. The white sandy shoreline stretches across South Georgian Bay and includes panoramic views of the Niagara Escarpment, a UNESCO World Biosphere. We spend a good hour at the beach and I enjoy my last little swim in the lake we make our way back and stop at an ice cream parlour where I indulge in two flavours. Back at the house I finished my packing and make sure everything is tidied away before locking the door one final time. I bid my goodbyes to Bill and the girls have kind of come to help me with my cases. They've even brought me a present honestly the cutest kindest s people you'll meet. I leave with a heavy heart my stay here has way out lived what I expected and Meaford certainly has a piece of my heart. I arrive back in Toronto with a crush. My only saving grace is Satie has invited me over for a glass of wine on my arrival and I head straight there and the happily surprised that she's put on a few nibbles cheeses cured meat s and fruit and even orders me an Uber to get me home. I check and easily and I'm pleasantly surprised that the apartment it's a penthouse just a bit further in from the waterfront but with amazing views of the city and about me that you wouldn't want to jump off. Opposite is another condo and it reminds me a bit of squid games you will see what I mean when I post the photo anyway I'm going to enjoy the rest of the evening on the balcony with views of the city and relaxing ready for my day in Niagara falls tomorrow. I have treated myself to a penthouse condo overlooking the city and as I said on the balcony reflecting on the two weeks of just past by all I feel is humbled. Kindness I only believed existed in Asia remarkable people amazing communities with beautiful surroundings. Canada you have blown me away and I've only scratched the surface.    Read more

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    Tobermorey

    July 31, 2024 in Canada ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C

    We dropped Kirsten's truck off to the garage the night before and when we arrive in the morning it's moved so she goes in and pays the bill and luckily it's not as bad as we expected. We then continue our journey to tobermory it's at the northern peninsula and is about 2 hours away. The drive seems to go really quickly even though we haven't stopped for coffee on the way and we arrived into tobermory and struggle initially to find a parking space but then we managed to find a perfect one and car parking paid online the maximum stay being 3 hours. We've decided to take a boat trip here and opt for the glass bottom boat as there are shipwrecks on route but the boat doesn't leave till 12:30 and the car parking started at 11.10 and only 3 hours permitted it runs out at 14.10 and the boat is not expected to get back until 2:30 but I decide to take the chance and we buy our tickets for the 12:30 boarding. While we wait we go and enjoy a coffee in Tobermory coffee and after join the queue for boarding the boat. Will leave the harbour at 12:45 and cruise around some beautiful islands one more chance is the big tub lighthouse which has been there since 1960. One of the other special places is flowerpot islands leave the two rare rock formations which look like two flowerpots perturbing from turquoise waters, then we sail over the sweepstakes which is an old schooner which run around in 1885. The glass bottom of the boat allows you to view the shipwreck but as I lean over my selfie stick springs for my phone and drops down to the base of the glass bottom boat . Once we are tied up the lady climbs down and reunites me with my selfie stick. We decide to head back before the roads become too busy and stop off at the highway chapel. It's the smallest chapel in Canada and actually has a place to worship inside. There is not much advertising and literally if you drove by and blinked you would miss it.Read more

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    On my own

    July 30, 2024 in Canada ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C

    For the first time since I've been here I've woken up on my own and the house seems so quiet without Daryl and Geraldine. There are thunderstorms forecast for today however when I've got up this morning the weather is changed again. I have found out who's the boat is parked at the end of the garden, The boat is called Eileen which is really strange as none of the boats out here actually have the names printed on them like they have everywhere else I've been, and sadly it's not for sale but that's probably a good thing knowing me. I have also found out that an old lady had driven into the harbour last night and that was why they were all the emergency response teams there.She is safe and sound. In the afternoon I make my way down to memorial park which is where we have the barbecue the other day with the Filipino guys. At the waters edge you can hear the thunder of the storm rolling again and the dark clouds and rain hitting the water in the distance. As I sit on the beach feeling the wind change I look down and there are two white feathers on the floor next to me. We have a bit of rain but the storm seems to have missed us. Kirsten has offered to take me to dinner and we head to the leeky canoe. I enjoy a patty, otherwise known as a burger and Kirsten has the ribs. A little later Sheryl messages me and I pick her and the girls up and we go through Thornbury for ice cream. I drop the girls off home and head straight for bed.Read more

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    Till we meet again

    July 29, 2024 in Canada ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    We share our last sunrise on the waterfront this morning with coffee made by Daryl. As I say goodbye this morning to the guys I feel very humbled and honoured to have them as friends. Not only did they support me in Singapore but have left me with the keys to their car and their house while they've taken off on honeymoon which has saved me an absolute fortune. As I said in my speech yesterday kindness is something that can help the world go round a lot easier giving it a little oil every now and again but we all need to practise this. Kindness can come in all shapes and forms but if we just showed a little bit more we are all capable of doing this the world would be a much better place. It's never goodbye it's always till we see each other again and as the guys take off I feel a lot of love in my heart at how happy they are starting off on this next part of their journey. Anyway back to me so with a car at my fingertips I can now go out and explore a little further and after grabbing a shower take to the road. Little things I need to remember we drive on a different side of the road, traffic lights have above the road not on the side of the road and they don't have giveaways they have stop signs. With Google maps at my aid I arrive safely in Owen sound, and to be honest I'm a little bit disappointed as really all it is is a big town even the famous museum is closed today so I decided to continue along the road for another 20 of minutes to have each area called sabal beach. I can't believe how many people are here when I arrive and after a 5-minute walk on the beach decide I prefer to be one outside the house in Meaford. I continue on up to the falls which are really beautiful and the kids are on big rubber rings sailing down the river it looks lots of fun but I haven't come prepared for this so after a short while make my way back to the car and drive back to me where I enjoy time on the beach. There are a lot of winery's here and a lot of apple farms Ontario is known as The other Big Apple 🍎. Saturday after just talking to my daughter and reflecting on the news of the children that have been stabbed close to my home. My heart goes out to the family of the children my respect to the bravery of the adults that tried to protect them and grace in knowing that my family are fine. Just as I come off the phone to my daughter to fire engines past the house and head to the opposite side of the harbour to where we are multiple emergency vehicles arrive including the coast guard but after the news from home I take myself to bed.Read more

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    The morning after

    July 28, 2024 in Canada ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C

    I wake up early once again but take myself back to bed with a pint of water and a bad head I don't know what I don't understand about drinking. I plan this morning was to go and have a dip in the pool but instead I just get myself ready and pack my bag and I'm happily surprised when I open my door and Daryl is parked outside I throw my case and bag in the back of the car and enjoy my taxi to the house. Breakfast has been laid on and there is everything from fruit to bacon and egg and of course the wedding cake. Everyone helps and everything is soon cleared. A couple from the night before arrive and ask if we have found a phone. This is usually me🤣🤣I tell them about the find my phone app and they can't sign into it so call there daughter to do it for them. It shows the phone is in a church at Thornbury. It's 1130 so By 2pm everyone has gone and it's back to the 3 of us and we all just enjoy the silence. At 330 I take myself down the beach and have a little cool off. Dave and Charlotte have offered to take me for dinner as they've been recommended a really quirky restaurant called Ted's range road diner. They have everything you could want to try on the menu from snails to crocodile. I play safe with the mussels and the bone marrow. It's delicious and the waitress is actually home from uni but she is studying in Brighton England. Dave and Charlotte are taking Geraldine and Daryl to the airport tomorrow so I will see them before they leave. Back at the house I can't believe how calm it is as neither of them have packed and are still doing washing. We've agreed to do our last sunrise coffee so head to bed at 11.Read more

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    Pre wedding day

    July 26, 2024 in Canada ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    So once again it's an early rise there is still so much to do but luckily Geraldine's family come over once again it's wonderful how everyone pulls together to make the place look amazing but obviously with Geraldine's autistic touch and perfection. Early on one of Daryl's friends arrives to help us take stuff to the skip and also has kindly offered to take me up to my hotel to get me checked in. I'm going to spend a few nights here because obviously it is Daryl and Geraldine's wedding night tomorrow. In the morning we are heading to the tip with Kirsten , the lady who I'm going to do the road trip with and when we arrive early the truck in front of us looks like a moving bush. A lot of people are arriving today and as they swing by the house I help to entertain by making coffees and teas and at 6:00 we will all meet at the red door which is the local bar near here. For the first time since really being here I get dressed up and it's really nice as all I seem to have done is had work clothes on or tracking clothes on which is great but when you're on holiday it's nice to get dressed up. There is a farmers market on and I enjoy an hour away from the house listening to a lady playing Beatles songs and walking past the little stalls .A famous dish here is called poutine Which is essentially chips and gravy with mozzarella balls and various toppings from pulled pork to beef brisket pictures to follow. I meet a wonderful couple called Dave and Charlotte who I enjoy chatting to before heading back down to Geraldine and the girls with food as they are still at the tent preparing flowers. I stay a short while before taking the 20 minutes walk back to the motel.Read more

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    A day at home.

    July 25, 2024 in Canada ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    Today we will spend the day at home the tent is being delivered and we are starting the preparations for the guests to arrive. Geraldine has done so well buying everything for the event and I must say it looks absolutely stunning. Her family arrived from New York her aunt and their daughter and her family the aunt and uncle live in the Philippines but are over visiting a New York at the moment which is maybe a four-stroke 5-hour drive from here. I love the fact that when they turn up straight away they jump on doing little jobs around the gardens and the place goes to look a million times better again as for saying goes many hands make work. Geraldine's family are all helping and the youngest son is on the beach literally for the whole day. We achieve so much today that there are just a few things left to do for tomorrow and we're pretty much good to go for the wedding. I have to say this is one of the loveliest weddings I've been to. In the evening once again dinner is cooked for us by Teresa and we enjoy pasta and salads which is perfect as the weather is absolutely boiling. The only blessing is we're right on the water's edge and the breeze helps massively. I have been offered by one of Daryl's friends to travel up the coast with her when Geraldine and Daryl go on honeymoon on Monday and I grab the opportunity Daryl and Cheryl have said I can stay in their place while they are gone which is perfect and I will head to Toronto just to do one night and a day at the falls. With a planning place I feel a bit happier knowing what I'm going to be doing over the next few days there is a place here called the grotto but they restrict the parking here so unless you put massively in advance it's not a place you can really visit. Personally for me I'm just happy to be going anywhere and it's nice to be doing it with local people that know the route I go to bed a happy lady.Read more

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    Blue Mountain

    July 24, 2024 in Canada ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    This morning we are heading to blue mountain national park , it's a big skiing resort but during the summer you can track through the parks. We take a gondola to the top which gives us amazing of views of the surrounding areas I've taken my nice camera with me so capture a couple of really nice shots with Daryl and Geraldine. We have a spa booked at 2:30 and it's just a short 10 minute drive from where we are. When we arrive I can't believe it it's beautiful. They have a thermal journey which includes getting in and out of hot baths into cold plunge baths as well as infrared saunas and steam rooms to change things up a bit. The place is situated in a woodland and in the wooded areas are hammocks and rocker chairs and daybeds where people can just lie and relax and read their books. Herbal tea and coffee are on offer and cafe offers a good choice of homemade cakes. We spend a good few hours here and on the way home go to a place called Collingwood where they have a Walmart and I have my first Walmart experience. Collingwood holds a special place in my heart because it's where I did my initial training when I joined the navy. In the Walmart they even have a Collingwood Napoli which I take a picture of to send to my old shipmates. We arrive back home and after doing a few more jobs once again take ourselves to bed for an early nightRead more