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  • Day 329

    Phuket, Thailand

    January 10, 2023 in Thailand ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C

    The Villa in Phuket (Natai Beach) was out of this world! An amazing find from Mike and the boys, we quickly settled in for a week of luxury! Pool hangs, soccer, beach rides, funny games, sofa dancing, mango smoothies, many a bubbles and cocktail and more amazing Thai food from Kitty and the crew!

    We all left feeling very relaxed and spoiled after an incredibly special time.

    Our 3 final nights were in the rainforest… more chill time, some local culture and an epic boat day with the crew. Nothing compares to our Villa Cielo life with Kitty though!
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  • Day 324

    London - Bangkok, Thailand

    January 5, 2023 in Thailand ⋅ ☁️ 32 °C

    Christmas was very special with the Grieve clan in Bridget’s mansion house - lots to celebrate and, as always, many giggles, bottles, games and far too much food.

    A quiet ish NYE in London then a very special time with Tim, Kel and the kiddies, showing them all the London hot spots.

    Now to leave the miserable UK Jan and jet off to Thailand to meet the Courtnall clan for Christine’s 70th after a year of planning and excitement!

    First stop - Bangkok with Chris & Mike. A wonderful reunion, more celebrations and the most delicious eating tour from Mike, meeting all his old work pals along the way!
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  • Day 303

    Paris

    December 15, 2022 in France ⋅ ☀️ 2 °C

    After a solid few weeks of interviews, Victoria’s hen doo, a week in Winch and a weekend with the Grieve’s at Weirgate and Scoobs & Fif in Edinburgh, it was off to Paris we go…

    A special spot 4 years on and boy was it eventful 😆

    Day 1 - got a job (at Wise)
    Day 2 - got engaged (under the Eiffel Tower 🥰)

    The best end to the best year!
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  • Day 276

    Munich & Nuremberg

    November 18, 2022 in Germany ⋅ 🌧 6 °C

    After an intense week of interviews, we headed for Munich to crash Giff & Rosa’s baby moon!

    Tour guide Thomas greeted us in full lederhosen and a penthouse suite which certainly set the tone for the weekend. Strolling the parks, the autumnal colours were absolutely gorgeous. 🍁

    Amazing food, many steins, gluhweins, Christmas markets, German sausage, river surfing and everything in between, Munich is quite the city. Thank you Thomas for all the local insights and recos!

    We then road tripped to Nuremberg with Giff & Rosa to find the main event, the Christmas markets, didn’t start until the weekend after. Silver lining - the lux hotel was affordable as it was ‘off-peak’! Apparently over 2 million tourists descend on the small town every December for the Christmas markets so they must be a big deal!

    A few more German sausages and local recos from Connor and Germany, we out. ✌🏼 🇩🇪

    Top tips:
    To come!
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  • Day 244

    Edinburgh - Cornwall

    October 17, 2022 in England ⋅ 🌬 13 °C

    And just like that, it was back to the freezing cold land of the Haggis!

    A few nights with our fav Fifer in Edinburgh, then we were on to Cockburnspath to get Poppy & Stuart ‘s house wedding ready! We were certainly put to work and it was so amazing to see it all come together. Such an amazing weekend celebrating the happy couple!

    Next stop - Cornwall with the fam thanks to Bridget and Simon who kindly leant us their gorgeous house. We almost blew away it was so windy, but that didn’t stop us doing Pilates every morning (thanks Sal & Chris), going for freezing cold walks and swims 🥶 followed by delicious hot tubs to warm up. A wholesome week (minus the 50+ bottles of wine and endless arguing over games!)
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  • Day 236

    Housesitting in Coín, Malaga

    October 9, 2022 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

    We had been trying to make a Europe house sit line up and we finally found some dates that worked…with 3, soon to be 4 German shepherds and 2 cats…what could possibly go wrong?

    A lovely Irish/English couple with a cool house and gorgeous pool in the countryside near Malaga awaited us. The dogs were super friendly, until Dan decided to play fetch and chaos unfolded! Let’s just say you should never interfere with 4 play fighting dogs with sharp teeth! A Nick to the wrist and a hospital trip later, it was certainly a rocky start!

    We relaxed by the pool for a few days and enjoyed the last of our Europe summer sun 🥲 before an adventure to the lakes. We hiked the Caminito del Rey which was spectacular (minus the totally unnecessary helmets!) it was once the most dangerous walkway in the world but has recently been renovated leaving a gorgeous (still slightly terrifying) path along the cliffs.

    A 2-3 hour walk one way with a refreshing radler awaiting us at the other end. 😅

    And just like that, a year of chasing the summer sunshine was over…
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  • Day 231

    Marrakesh (obvs not Europe, but close)

    October 4, 2022 in Morocco ⋅ ⛅ 32 °C

    The other handy thing about Seville is that you can fly to Morocco for $20 and basically 20mins (with an hour time diff 🤪), so we thought why the hell not finish our trip of a lifetime with a taste of Africaaaaa!

    A little different to the European culture we had experienced all summer, but we were so ready for a change and Marrakesh did not disappoint. We had 6 days there and spent most of the time getting lost in the magical Medina madness. The smells, the sounds, the narrow streets, the bizarres, the chaos. You really could get lost in there forever.

    Then through the Riad door you go and you feel a million miles away in a total oasis. Riads are the traditional Moroccan houses and a lot of them have been turned into boutique hotels. Our first gem of a find was Riad Magie. The luxury of silence. Would highly recommend anyone stay here for the luxury rooms, delicious brekkie, gorgeous roof top and pool, and amazingly friendly staff whom we shared many a shisha puff with.

    As you’d expect, a lot of tagines, tangias, cous cous, dates and olives and very hard to find alcohol, a part from the fancy places. Perfect time for a detox as we replaced the alcohol with Mint tea which you get everywhere you go.

    Discovering the local spa tradition of Hammam was a real trip highlight. 3 hours of bliss. Think naked, paper thong, lying face down on a hot slab with water being thrown all over you and you got the vibe… the couples one was hilarious. Your body is then scrubbed so hard that you feel on fire, but the dead skin that sheds is so satisfying to watch and wow does it feel rejuvenating. We were glowing for days! 😊

    We will certainly be back to stock up on rugs, leather goods, coffee poofs, rattan goodies and wooden kitchen utensils!! We’d love to go to Essaouira to surf next time too, there weren’t any waves for us this time round.

    TO SEE
    - Wander the great Medina - souks galore
    - Jemaa el-Fna main square at night for music, performers, snake charmers and madness!
    - YSL Gardens; Jardin Majorelle
    - Bahia Palace
    - Hammam at Marajah Spa for super cheap Hammam, massage and facial
    - Hammam de La Rose for a little more quite luxury🌹OR Hammam Ellyse
    - For 5* spas - Royal Monsour or La Mamounia (where Anna Delvy stayed)
    - Sidecar adventure into the Atlas Mountains was something Fif recommended but we didn’t get a chance to try

    TO EAT/DRINK/STAY
    - Stay - Riad Melhoun for luxury. Riad Magie for luxe affordability
    - Drink - El Fenn Rooftop (cocktails)
    - Eat - Mandala Society. Great coffee and brunch / lunch spot
    - Eat - Nomad. Trendy rooftop
    - Restaurant Tiznit (rooftop), in heart of Medina, rustic local Moroccan food. The lamb tanjia was amazing!!
    - Eat - Cafe Arabe (rooftop for sunset)
    - Fancy dinner with live music - Terrasse des épices
    - Coffee - Kesh Cup

    Moroccan food you must try: tangine, tanjia, harira (soup), cous cous, dates and mint tea everywhere!
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  • Day 229

    Seville

    October 2, 2022 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C

    Sevilla, you stole our hearts…unexpectedly! ❤️ We had heard good things but it really was next level, what a city! I think this was the most touristy we’ve been on our trip so far...and by touristy I mean actually going to all the big landmarks, spending time taking a heap of photos, aaaand then of course the obligatory eating and drinking tour.

    Now we have seen a hell of a lot of pla-thaaas during our time in Spain, but the Plaza de Espana really is by far the most unique and beautiful. After getting lost in there for over an hour, we joined everyone else with the ‘arty’ photo shoot then strolled back through the gorgeous gardens.

    How else do you spend a night in Seville, than with some epic tapas, sangria and Flamenco 💃🏼 we found a great wee intimate show in Triana, the home of Flamenco.

    Must do’s:
    - Plaza de Espana
    - Torre del Oro
    - Catedral de Sevilla
    - Royal Alcázar of Seville
    - Stroll the Santa Cruz area
    - Flamenco at Lola de los Reyes
    - Parque de Maria Luisa
    - Casa de Pilatos
    - Run along the river
    - The Mushrooms of Seville are kinda cool

    Must consume:
    - Copious amounts of sangria, Rioja and tapas
    - Tapas at Casa Manolo
    - Seafood tapas at Dos de Mayo
    - Bar Alfalfa
    - El Rinconcillo - oldest bar in Seville, always packed
    - El Tremendo - awesome local beer house
    - Mariatrifulca for fine dining on the river
    - Pre show tapas at La Antigua Abaceria (or anywhere on Calle de San Jacinto)
    - Tapas at Las Teresas
    - Great coffee at La Parcería, Virgin coffee and La Cacharrería
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  • Day 223

    Tarifa

    September 26, 2022 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    Once we had navigated our way out of the Cadiz old town maze - we were on the road to Tarifa with Nell and her friend Tash who was sailing for the Aus team and all Tash’s wing gear!

    They weren’t lying when they said Tarifa was exposed… we soon discovered why it is a mecca for wind sports. Levante. 🌬

    It’s not often you pray for wind, but with a pro sailer, an avid wing foiler and eager kite surf beginner, I soon learned I had no option!

    Dan finally managed to get the kite course done which he loved, particularly all the body dragging and getting tangled round a buoy! So tough to grasp, especially in 35+ knots!

    Another epic beach week of activities, rustic beach bar vibes, rooftop sunsets and dinners in our gorgeous wee pad. 👌🏼

    With Morocco in sight across the water and a few job interviews under our belt, we decided it was time to get there so we re-booked Marrakesh!
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