Gili Islands, Indonesia

Have you ever been to paradise? I have. The Gili Islands are three islands (Air, Meno and Trawangan) nestled just off the coast of Lombok. There's no traffic on Gili T and you can walk all the way round this perfectly tranquil island in under two hours. I am currently sitting by the pool at The Pearl of Trawagan (unfortunately not where we are staying) munching on a feta and black olive quesadilla.

After a fairly terrifying boat journey from Bali our first two nights on Gili T were spent at Gili Nyepi, a collection of small bungalows run by a woman called Denise from Holland. I cannot sing enough praises about this place - incredible value for money and the staff are so lovely, helpful and honest.

We've spent 5 days on this incredible island, snorkelling, cycling and sunbathing and went to some pretty incredible beach parties. 

Ciao for now amigos. x

Bali, Indonesia

So firstly, apologies that I've been silent for so long! I've just started my 7 week jolly around south east Asia. I don't really know what to call it - I don't really feel like I'm doing the full blown travelling thing (let's face it, I am not backpacker material) but it is longer, and slightly less comfortable, than a holiday. 

Our first stop is Bali. It's just Becca and I at the moment, Kat and Kate are flying down from Hong Kong later tonight. It's a small island, I've been told you can drive round the coast in a day but so far we've stayed in the south, exploring Kuta, Legian, Seminyak and Sanur. I am not so keen on heat (Asia may be an odd choice you might say) so the sunny mornings and overcast afternoons (about 30c) have been a perfect mix for me. We've mainly spent the mornings lazing around on the beach and getting over jet lag and the afternoons wandering around the little  'gangs' (side streets to you and I) seeing what the various market stalls have to offer. 

Traffic is a nightmare and persistent hawkers the bane of my life but so far Bali is a perfect place to sit back and relax. Although billed as the 'vulgar Oz ghetto not actually found in Australia', southern Bali is definitely not a place to pass by - rooms for under £10 and beers for a mere £1.30 why would you say no?! x

Brunch at The Riding House Cafe - W1W

The weather in the last week has turned London into some sort of leafy paradise: trees are full of blossom, the grass seems so much greener and people have a new bounce in their step that only the sunshine can bring. On a sunny bank holiday the only thing I want to do is meet friends for brunch. This particular bank holiday it was Tara's  birthday (lucky thing) and her choice was the Riding House Cafe, near Oxford Circus. 

Anything you fancy the Riding House Cafe serve, from eggs benedict to good old hunky beef burgers as well as the most amazing looking smoothies and milkshakes served in their own old fashioned milk bottle.

Website here. x