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Ignite 2026 - Brighton, London
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Ignite 2026 - Brighton, London

A 12-day adventure by Flying Kangaroo Read more
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  • Flying KangarooIgnite 2026 - Brighton, LondonTraveler

    Plateau

    July 14 in England ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C

    After a full day of event production, I felt I’d earned a proper dinner.

    Over the past few days, I’d walked past Plateau several times. Every single time I thought to myself, I really should eat there.

    Tonight, I finally did.

    What a wonderful little wine bar.

    Warm service, a cosy atmosphere and an excellent wine list made it easy to settle in and unwind after the long day.

    And then the food arrived.

    Fresh bread with seed oil.

    A wonderfully refreshing gazpacho.

    Tomatoes with creamy burrata.

    And finally, a beautifully prepared beef tartare.

    Every dish was simple, fresh and absolutely delicious.

    By the end of the meal I was completely full, completely relaxed and very, very happy.

    Exactly the kind of reward a long event day deserves.    Read more

  • Flying KangarooIgnite 2026 - Brighton, LondonTraveler

    Develop:Brighton

    July 15 in England ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    After breakfast, I spend a few hours exploring Develop:Brighton.

    It’s a very different conference from XDS - but that’s exactly what makes it interesting.

    Develop has a much broader focus on game development itself, attracting plenty of students, young developers and people looking to break into the industry. XDS, on the other hand, is much more specialised, bringing together experienced professionals working in external development.

    The exhibition floor was well worth exploring. I had a great chat with the team from GamingMalta to see whether they’d be interested in joining XDS as a Country Delegation in Vancouver. Fingers crossed!

    I also attended a session on marketing game launches, which was packed with practical advice and interesting ideas. Even though marketing isn’t my day-to-day focus, it’s always fascinating to hear how different parts of the games industry approach their challenges.

    Overall, a great way to wrap up the XDS Ignite portion of my trip.    Read more

  • Flying KangarooIgnite 2026 - Brighton, LondonTraveler

    Garden Café

    July 15 in England ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    After leaving Develop:Brighton, I moved back into my favourite Brighton accommodation, The Twenty One, where I’ll be spending my final nights in the city.

    Once I’d settled in, it was time for another little adventure.

    My destination was the Garden Café, and it turned out to be one of the most unique cafés I’ve visited in Brighton.

    The place feels like a hidden oasis, filled with lush plants, flowers and cosy little corners that make you feel as though you’ve stumbled into someone’s secret garden.

    I ordered a Rose Latte and a slice of mango cake.

    Both were absolutely delicious.

    And perhaps just as importantly… absolutely beautiful.

    Sometimes food and coffee simply make you smile before you’ve even taken the first bite.    Read more

  • Flying KangarooIgnite 2026 - Brighton, LondonTraveler

    Si Signore

    July 15 in England ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    After my afternoon coffee stop, I wandered through Brighton for a while before eventually deciding it was time for something simple and comforting.

    That led me to Si Signore.

    Nothing fancy tonight—just a cold Peroni and a pizza.

    Exactly what I was in the mood for.

    When the pizza arrived, I couldn’t help but laugh. It came with a warning to watch out for Brighton’s notoriously cheeky seagulls.

    Trust me…

    By now, I know exactly why that warning exists.

    After dinner, I headed back to The Twenty One, caught up on a little work and settled in to watch the FIFA World Cup semi-final between England and Argentina.

    A relaxed ending to a day that nicely bridged work and holiday before more adventures await.    Read more

  • Flying KangarooIgnite 2026 - Brighton, LondonTraveler

    St James‘s Street Coffee

    July 16 in England ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    Before checking out, there was one final coffee mission to complete.

    Just around the corner from my B&B sits St James's Street Coffee, a tiny little coffee window that I had walked past countless times over the past week.

    Unfortunately, every single time I passed by, it had already closed for the day.

    Not today.

    I finally managed to catch them while they were open and treated myself to a lovely cappuccino.

    Small place.

    Great coffee.

    Mission accomplished.

    With my final Brighton coffee checked off the list, I returned to The Twenty One, answered a few work emails and packed my suitcase before it was time to check out.    Read more

  • Flying KangarooIgnite 2026 - Brighton, LondonTraveler

    Vancouver Hotel & Suites

    Jul 16–20 in England ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C

    At checkout time, I said goodbye to The Twenty One, which had been a wonderful home away from home during my stay in Brighton.

    An Uber took me to Brighton Station, where I boarded the Gatwick Express to London Victoria. From there, it was a quick ride on the Circle Line to Bayswater.

    My home for the next few nights?

    Vancouver Hotel & Suites.

    And no—I didn't book it because of the name!

    It simply happened to be well-rated, reasonably priced and in a great location. The name was just a funny coincidence for someone who had just arrived from Vancouver.

    The hotel itself turned out to be really charming. Two classic Victorian townhouses have been seamlessly connected to create the hotel, complete with a lovely little garden hidden away at the back.

    My room is on the third floor...

    ...without an elevator.

    Thankfully, after several days in Brighton (and especially after unloading sponsor gifts and event signage), carrying my suitcase upstairs wasn't quite as daunting as it might have been at the beginning of the trip.

    London adventure: officially underway.    Read more

  • Flying KangarooIgnite 2026 - Brighton, LondonTraveler

    Notting Hill Part 1

    July 16 in England ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C

    With my suitcase safely dropped off at the hotel, it was finally time to explore London.

    I didn't have a fixed route in mind. I simply started walking.

    The first streets took me through one elegant neighbourhood after another. White Victorian townhouses lined the streets, with immaculate front gardens and an impressive collection of Jaguars, Porsches and other luxury cars parked outside. Clearly, this is one of London's more affluent corners.

    Before long, I found myself in Notting Hill.
    Now this was the neighbourhood I'd been hoping for.

    Colourful houses, independent boutiques, cafés, flower displays and charming little side streets—it almost feels like someone designed the entire district to be photographed.

    I only scratched the surface today, though.

    Since today was Thursday, Portobello Road Market wasn't in full swing yet, so I've already decided I'll be coming back on Saturday to experience Notting Hill properly.    Read more

  • Flying KangarooIgnite 2026 - Brighton, LondonTraveler

    Holland Park

    July 16 in England ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C

    From Notting Hill, I continued into Holland Park, making my way through beautiful woodland paths accompanied by squirrels darting between the trees.

    My destination was Kyoto Garden.

    I'll be honest...

    I was a little underwhelmed.

    It's certainly a lovely Japanese garden, but living in Vancouver has spoiled me. With Nitobe Memorial Garden practically in my backyard, it's hard not to compare. Kyoto Garden simply didn't evoke quite the same feeling for me.

    But then something unexpected happened.

    Instead of turning back, I kept walking through the park and stumbled across the Dutch Garden.

    Wow.

    What a surprise!

    The beautiful brick buildings, perfectly manicured gardens and elegant courtyard completely won me over. It became one of those unexpected travel moments where something you hadn't even planned to see ends up becoming your favourite part of the visit.

    Sometimes it really pays to keep walking.    Read more

  • Flying KangarooIgnite 2026 - Brighton, LondonTraveler

    Daku & Kensington High Street

    July 16 in England ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C

    Leaving Holland Park behind, I wandered onto bustling Kensington High Street.

    What a contrast.

    After the peaceful park, I was suddenly surrounded by shoppers, buses, cafés and constant city life. Even here, though, London kept surprising me with little pockets of beauty—a gorgeous flower shop outside one of the churches immediately caught my eye.

    Eventually I reached Daku Coffee.

    This café was already familiar to me, even before my trip. My friend Bradley once brought me a bag of their coffee back to Vancouver, so it felt a little like finally visiting an old acquaintance.

    The afternoon heat called for something refreshing, so instead of another coffee, I ordered a mango green iced tea. It still provided the caffeine boost I needed, while being wonderfully cooling after several hours of walking.

    Naturally, I couldn't leave without taking another bag of coffee home.

    The café itself is beautifully designed. At the back sits a show roastery—quiet during my visit, but impressive nonetheless—and there's even a small art gallery integrated into the space.

    Coffee, art and great design.

    That's a combination that's hard to beat.    Read more

  • Flying KangarooIgnite 2026 - Brighton, LondonTraveler

    Kensington Palace & Garden

    July 16 in England ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C

    Refreshed after my stop at Daku Coffee, I crossed into Kensington Gardens, beginning what would become one long afternoon walk through London's royal parks.

    The first landmark to greet me was Kensington Palace, looking wonderfully elegant behind its gates. In front of it stands the statue of Queen Victoria, a fitting reminder that this was once her childhood home.

    From there I wandered deeper into the gardens, eventually reaching the magnificent Albert Memorial.

    What an incredible monument.

    The sheer amount of detail is astonishing. I found myself slowly circling it, admiring the sculptures representing Europe, Asia, Africa and America, each beautifully carved and full of symbolism.

    Then something caught my eye.

    Among the countless coats of arms decorating the memorial, I spotted the coat of arms of Saxony. As a German, that immediately brought history flooding back. After all, the British Royal Family traces its roots back to the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. It wasn't until the First World War that they adopted the name Windsor to distance themselves from their German heritage.

    It's funny how a simple walk through a park can suddenly become a history lesson.

    I continued wandering through the gardens, discovering Physical Energy, the Peter Pan Statue and finally the beautiful Italian Gardens, each corner revealing something new.    Read more

  • Flying KangarooIgnite 2026 - Brighton, LondonTraveler

    Hyde Park

    July 16 in England ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    Somewhere along the way, almost without noticing, Kensington Gardens quietly became Hyde Park.

    The atmosphere changed immediately.

    Where Kensington Gardens felt elegant and regal, Hyde Park felt alive.

    People were everywhere.

    Families picnicking on the grass.

    Friends stretched out in the sunshine.

    Cyclists weaving through the paths.

    Boats and paddleboards drifting across the Serpentine.

    I followed the lake for quite some time, passing the small waterfall before reaching the beautiful Rose Garden, then continuing towards Queen Elizabeth Gate and eventually Wellington Arch.

    Later, after my detour to Buckingham Palace, I found myself back in Hyde Park once more.

    This time I explored the western side of the park, passing the imposing Achilles Statue, the famous Speaker's Corner, the charming Serpentine Cottage, and countless ducks, geese and swans happily sharing the lake with Londoners enjoying a warm summer evening.

    I think that's what I loved most about Hyde Park.

    It's not just a park.

    It's London's back garden.    Read more

  • Flying KangarooIgnite 2026 - Brighton, LondonTraveler

    Buckingham Palace

    July 16 in England ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    Leaving Hyde Park behind, I walked through Wellington Arch, past the Commonwealth Memorial Gates, and followed Constitution Hill towards the heart of ceremonial London.

    The approach alone is spectacular.

    Monuments.

    Statues.

    Tree-lined avenues.

    Everything seems designed to gradually build anticipation until, finally, Buckingham Palace comes into view.

    Of course, this called for the obligatory tourist moment.

    Selfie time.

    Some clichés simply have to be embraced.

    Standing in front of the palace and the magnificent Victoria Memorial, surrounded by visitors from every corner of the world, I couldn't help but smile. Sometimes it's perfectly okay to be a tourist.

    Before turning back, I made one final stop at the nearby Canada Memorial, honouring the more than one million Canadians who served alongside Britain during the First and Second World Wars.

    As someone who now calls Canada home, it felt like a particularly meaningful place to pause for a few moments.

    From there, I wandered back towards Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, where my afternoon walk through Royal London continued.    Read more

  • Flying KangarooIgnite 2026 - Brighton, LondonTraveler

    Paddington

    July 16 in England ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    After leaving Kensington Gardens, I wandered into the Paddington neighbourhood.

    One place on my map had particularly caught my attention: Bathurst Mews.

    Stepping into the mews felt like entering a completely different world.

    The noise of London faded almost instantly. Instead, I found horse stables, charming little houses draped in flowers, colourful bunting strung across the lane and neighbours sitting outside together, enjoying the warm summer evening over food and drinks.

    It was peaceful, intimate and full of character.

    Eventually I continued towards Paddington Station, where another surprise was waiting for me.

    Outside stands a wonderfully quirky sculpture called The Wild Table of Love—a dining table filled with beautifully crafted animals celebrating what appears to be a wedding feast. Visitors can actually sit at the table with the animals for photos, but there was quite a queue, so I happily admired it from afar instead.

    Inside the station, another famous resident was waiting.

    Paddington Bear.

    Naturally, a selfie was mandatory.

    Some tourist clichés are simply too much fun to skip.    Read more

  • Flying KangarooIgnite 2026 - Brighton, LondonTraveler

    Little Venice

    July 16 in England ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    From Paddington Station, it was only a short walk to Little Venice.

    By now, the sun was beginning to sink lower in the sky.

    Perfect timing.

    Golden hour had arrived.

    The canal looked almost unreal in the warm evening light. Colourful narrowboats lined the water, many of them clearly someone's home. People sat on their little decks reading books, chatting over a glass of wine or simply enjoying the peace and quiet.

    It was hard to believe I was still in one of the world's largest cities.

    Everything suddenly felt slower.

    Quieter.

    More relaxed.

    I wandered along the towpath for quite some time, stopping every few minutes to take another photograph as the sunlight danced across the water.

    Little Venice may well have become one of my favourite discoveries in London.    Read more

  • Flying KangarooIgnite 2026 - Brighton, LondonTraveler

    Summerhouse

    July 16 in England ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    My final destination for the day was Summerhouse, a beautiful restaurant sitting right on the edge of the canal in Little Venice.

    I couldn't have asked for a better table.

    Right by the window.

    Outside, swans and ducks drifted quietly past while the last golden light reflected off the water. It honestly felt like sitting inside a picture book.

    To accompany the view, I ordered a glass of South African rosé, followed by a wonderfully refreshing gazpacho.

    For the main course, I chose a beautifully cooked hake fillet served on a red curry velouté with bok choy, tomatoes and baby potatoes.

    To finish, an espresso.

    Simple.

    Elegant.

    Perfect.

    Eventually, I made the walk back to the hotel, completely exhausted—but in the best possible way.

    When I checked my phone, it told me I'd walked 18 kilometres today.

    No wonder I fell straight into bed.

    And the best part?

    Tomorrow, London still has more adventures waiting.    Read more

  • Flying KangarooIgnite 2026 - Brighton, LondonTraveler

    Liberty & Attendant Coffee

    July 17 in England ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C

    My plan for today was simple.

    Start at Oxford Circus and follow a carefully mapped-out walking route through Soho.

    That plan lasted about fifteen minutes.

    The first stop was Liberty, one of London's most famous department stores. The building itself completely stole the show. With its black-and-white Tudor façade, timber beams and leaded windows, it looks as though Shakespeare himself might have stopped by to pick up a new quill.

    I loved it.

    From there, I was supposed to continue to Carnaby Street.

    But then I remembered...

    Wasn't there a rather unusual coffee shop somewhere nearby?

    A quick look at my map confirmed it, and just like that, my carefully planned route went out the window.

    I'm very glad it did.

    Attendant Coffee occupies one of the most unique spaces I've ever seen—a beautifully restored Victorian gentlemen's public toilet. You enter from street level before descending a staircase into what feels like an underground tunnel.

    The original porcelain urinals are still there.

    Thankfully, they're no longer serving their original purpose. Instead, they've been transformed into the seating area.

    Only in London.

    The cappuccino was excellent, I picked up another bag of beans for the collection, and I left with a big grin on my face.

    Sometimes the best travel experiences begin with a spontaneous detour.    Read more

  • Flying KangarooIgnite 2026 - Brighton, LondonTraveler

    Carnaby Street Coffee Crawl

    July 17 in England ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C

    Eventually, I made it back to where I was originally supposed to be: Carnaby Street.

    Only to get distracted all over again.

    The entire street had been transformed with colourful decorations inspired by Frida Kahlo, likely celebrating the exhibition currently running at Tate Modern. Flowers, vibrant colours and Mexican-inspired artwork stretched overhead, giving the whole street a festive atmosphere.

    Before long I found myself wandering down neighbouring Marshall Street, where independent boutiques and little side streets immediately caught my attention.

    Then another name appeared:

    Department of Coffee & Social Affairs.

    Now that's a café name that's practically impossible for me to ignore.

    Inside, I rewarded myself with an espresso and a wonderfully fruity berry muffin before—naturally—adding yet another bag of coffee beans to my ever-growing backpack.

    The café had a relaxed atmosphere, friendly staff and the sort of space that invites you to linger.

    Eventually, I made it back to Carnaby Street.

    The place was buzzing.

    Probably a little too buzzing for my liking.

    That's simply part of being in the middle of one of the world's great cities.

    One last coffee stop remained.

    Grind.

    They're a London institution with cafés all across the city. What surprised me most was how much emphasis this location placed on their coffee capsules. Their wall of capsules was enormous, while the selection of whole beans was comparatively small.

    Still, the espresso was excellent, the staff were lovely, and—yes—you guessed it.

    Another bag of beans found its way into my backpack.

    At this point, my suitcase was beginning to feel nervous.    Read more

  • Flying KangarooIgnite 2026 - Brighton, LondonTraveler

    Wandering Through Soho

    July 17 in England ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    Leaving Carnaby Street behind, I slowed the pace and simply wandered.

    Sometimes that's the best way to experience a city.

    Broadwick Street was lined with independent shops, quirky storefronts and record stores that tempted me to spend far more time—and money—than I probably should have.

    Eventually I reached Soho Square Gardens, where the atmosphere shifted once again.

    The little Tudor-style building standing in the middle of the square almost looked as though it had been transported from another century. Around it, Londoners were making the most of the beautiful summer weather. Every patch of grass seemed occupied, and the table tennis tables were surrounded by enthusiastic players waiting for their turn.

    From there I wandered through Greek Street, Moor Street and Earlham Street, passing the theatre hosting Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, before arriving at one of London's most charming little neighbourhoods:

    Seven Dials.

    Seven streets radiate from a single monument in the middle of the intersection, creating a neighbourhood filled with cafés, boutiques and hidden corners.

    My first destination was Monmouth Coffee.

    I had read about them long before arriving in London, and they certainly lived up to the hype.

    Instead of shelves stacked with neatly packaged bags of coffee, large buckets filled with freshly roasted beans stood behind the counter. After chatting with one of the baristas about my flavour preferences, they recommended a coffee, weighed it out directly from the bucket and packaged it fresh for me.

    Now that's a shopping experience.

    Naturally, another espresso accompanied the purchase, enjoyed on their little patio while watching the world go by.

    Just around the corner, Neal's Yard delivered another surprise.

    Tiny.

    Colourful.

    Hidden away.

    It almost felt like stumbling upon a secret courtyard tucked between the surrounding buildings.

    For a brief moment I considered sitting down at one of the wine bars and simply soaking up the atmosphere.

    But there were still far too many pins left on today's map.

    So I reluctantly kept walking, making a mental note that Neal's Yard would definitely deserve a return visit.    Read more

  • Flying KangarooIgnite 2026 - Brighton, LondonTraveler

    Covent Garden

    July 17 in England ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    Leaving Seven Dials behind, I wandered through Seven Dials Market and eventually emerged into Covent Garden.

    If Soho had been lively, Covent Garden was on another level.

    People were everywhere.

    Street musicians filled the piazza with music, magicians gathered huge crowds, living statues posed patiently until someone dropped a coin into their hat, and every few metres another performer seemed to command the attention of hundreds of spectators.

    I found myself stopping over and over again.

    It's impossible not to get caught up in the atmosphere.

    Between the performances, I explored the surrounding shops, where a few souvenirs and gifts somehow found their way into my backpack.

    No complaints there.

    By this point, however, I had reached one of those moments that every traveller knows.

    Do I stick to the plan...

    ...or follow my curiosity?

    The answer came surprisingly quickly.

    I looked at the map, spotted the Thames only a short walk away and thought:

    "I'm already here..."

    And just like that, today's route changed once again.    Read more

  • Flying KangarooIgnite 2026 - Brighton, LondonTraveler

    An Unexpected Walk Across London

    July 17 in England ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    One of the best decisions of the day turned out to be one that hadn't been planned at all.

    Instead of continuing through Covent Garden, I headed towards the Golden Jubilee Bridges, passing the Maple Leaf—London's Canadian pub—along the way.

    Crossing the eastern pedestrian bridge turned out to be spectacular.

    To my left stood St Paul's Cathedral.

    Farther in the distance, Tower Bridge framed the skyline.

    The Thames sparkled in the afternoon sun while boats moved steadily up and down the river.

    Once across, I turned right and followed the South Bank.

    Soon the enormous London Eye came into view.

    As impressive as it was, it wasn't actually my destination.

    Instead, I continued underneath Westminster Bridge.

    Then, just before emerging on the other side...

    ...there it was.

    One of the most iconic views in London.

    The Palace of Westminster rising above the river, with Elizabeth Tower—better known around the world as Big Ben—standing proudly beside it.

    I don't think I'd realised quite how magnificent it looks in person.

    Naturally, this required a few selfies.

    Okay... quite a few.

    After crossing Westminster Bridge, I continued towards Trafalgar Square, before wandering north along St Martin's Lane to Cecil Court.

    Unfortunately, I arrived just after the little bookshops had closed for the day.

    From what I could see through the windows, though, this place looks absolutely magical.

    Rows upon rows of independent booksellers.

    Old maps.

    Rare books.

    Prints.

    I already know I'll have to come back.

    With that, my spontaneous detour came to an end, and I made my way back towards Covent Garden to continue the route I had originally intended to follow hours earlier.

    Sometimes the unplanned chapters become the highlights of the day.    Read more

  • Flying KangarooIgnite 2026 - Brighton, LondonTraveler

    Chinatown & Regent Street

    July 17 in England ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    Back in Covent Garden, I picked up my original route once again.

    This time it led me along Floral Street and Cranbourn Street, before the scenery changed almost instantly.

    Welcome to Chinatown.

    Rows upon rows of bright red lanterns stretched across the streets, creating one of the most colourful corners of London. The ornate Chinese gate may not be quite as grand as the one in Vancouver, but it certainly makes an impressive entrance.

    The streets were buzzing.

    Families queued outside restaurants.

    People browsed Asian supermarkets.

    The irresistible aromas of dumplings, roast duck and bubble tea drifted through the air.

    For more than a moment, I considered abandoning my dinner plans and simply eating here instead.

    The temptation was real.

    But I'd been looking forward to tonight's restaurant, so I reluctantly kept walking.

    Soon I reached Piccadilly Circus, where giant digital billboards lit up the evening sky and crowds flowed through the intersection from every direction.

    From there, I continued onto elegant Regent Street.

    The sweeping curve of the buildings, the grand architecture and the beautifully lit shopfronts made it feel almost theatrical.

    Window shopping was about as close as I was going to get in most of these stores...

    ...but looking is free.

    Eventually I turned onto Kingly Street, where the final stop of today's adventure was waiting.    Read more

  • Flying KangarooIgnite 2026 - Brighton, LondonTraveler

    Dishoom

    July 17 in England ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    After more than 13 kilometres of walking, sightseeing and—let's be honest—drinking an unreasonable amount of coffee, it was finally time for dinner.

    My destination was Dishoom Carnaby.

    If there's one cuisine that has become deeply woven into modern British culture, it's Indian food. Eating Indian in London somehow felt just as authentic as ordering fish and chips.

    Dishoom had appeared in recommendation after recommendation while planning this trip, so my expectations were high.

    Thankfully, they were exceeded.

    To start, I ordered a Bombay Bellini, made with sparkling wine, mango and guava syrup.

    Dangerously delicious.

    Alongside it came chote papad with mango chutney and a triplet of wonderfully crisp vegetable samosas.

    For the main course, I chose the Methi Gosht, accompanied by buttery paratha and garlic naan.

    Every single dish was packed with flavour.

    After the Bellini, I switched to something non-alcoholic: a wonderfully refreshing Passion Fruit Sherbet, which turned out to be the perfect companion to the spices.

    By the end of dinner, I was completely satisfied—and completely exhausted.

    The walk back to the hotel was pleasantly quiet.

    My phone informed me that I had covered 13 kilometres during the day.

    That certainly explained why I barely made it into bed before falling asleep.

    London had delivered another unforgettable day.

    And somehow, there was still more to discover tomorrow.    Read more

  • Flying KangarooIgnite 2026 - Brighton, LondonTraveler

    Good Morning, Notting Hill

    July 18 in England ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C

    The alarm went off early this morning.

    Not because I had to.

    Because I wanted to experience Notting Hill before the crowds arrived.

    Armed with my camera and an empty stomach, I set off on foot from the hotel, enjoying the quiet streets as London slowly woke up around me.

    My first stop was Amoret Coffee, sitting right at the beginning of Portobello Road.

    It was exactly the sort of neighbourhood café I love finding while travelling.

    Nothing flashy.

    Just genuinely good coffee served by friendly people.

    I ordered a cappuccino, picked up a bag of beans for the ever-growing collection, and enjoyed a wonderfully relaxed start to the day before continuing towards one of London’s most famous streets.

    Sometimes, getting up early really pays off.    Read more

  • Flying KangarooIgnite 2026 - Brighton, LondonTraveler

    Portobello Road

    July 18 in England ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    As soon as I turned onto Portobello Road, I understood why people fall in love with Notting Hill.

    The colourful Victorian houses alone are worth the walk.

    Every few steps seemed to reveal another beautifully painted façade, another flower-filled doorway or another picturesque corner.

    Further along, the famous Portobello Road Market came to life.

    Stall after stall stretched into the distance, selling everything imaginable—antiques, vintage clothing, artwork, jewellery, food and countless little treasures waiting to be discovered.

    I found myself slowing down more and more, simply enjoying the atmosphere.

    Eventually I reached Blenheim Crescent, home to one of cinema’s most famous bookshops.

    The Notting Hill Bookshop, made famous by the film Notting Hill, was already surrounded by movie fans, despite the early hour.

    It seems Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts are still bringing visitors here decades later.

    And honestly…

    I can’t blame them.    Read more

  • Flying KangarooIgnite 2026 - Brighton, LondonTraveler

    Hidden Corners of Notting Hill

    July 18 in England ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    After leaving the market behind, I continued exploring the quieter corners of Notting Hill.

    That’s where I discovered St Luke’s Mews.

    What a beautiful little street.

    The colourful houses, overflowing flower pots and complete lack of traffic made it feel almost unreal. It was hard to believe this peaceful little lane sits in the middle of one of the world’s busiest cities.

    As I wandered along, I couldn’t help asking myself the obvious question:

    Who can actually afford to live here?

    Pure coincidence gave me a tiny glimpse behind one of those beautiful front doors.

    A cleaning lady had left the door open while working, and from the street I could see into the house.

    From the outside it looked charming but fairly modest.

    Inside…

    Absolutely stunning.

    The interior looked like something straight out of an architecture magazine.

    Safe to say, my suspicion that these homes don’t come cheap was confirmed.

    Not far away, I found Lancaster Brew, where I decided to slow the pace once again.

    A cappuccino.

    A fresh pain au chocolat.

    A sunny table outside.

    Sometimes, that’s all you need.

    The coffee was so good that—yes, once again—a bag of beans joined the growing collection in my backpack.

    At this point, I was beginning to wonder whether my suitcase would still close by the end of the trip.

    With breakfast number two complete, it was time to leave charming Notting Hill behind and begin the second chapter of the day: another long walk through London.    Read more