Adventurers United

26/08/2024

Favourite spot!

25/08/2024

After Party tonight, but we're going to the festival tomorrow!

08/06/2024

Great weekend in Amsterdam even though Amanda was injured and not able to walk too easily.

We utilised the hop off and on canal boat service, mooched around and visited a few local bars outside the chaos of the red light district, Bulldog coffee shops and dam square area.

We even survived the million push bikes trying to wipe us out and resisted the space cake, weird mushrooms and wacky roll ups!

Next stop Portugal...

28/03/2024

A day trip to Girona, Spain, via train from our base for the week in Barcelona. Learnt a lot about the Spanish train system, like the fact you need a passport to obtain a fast train ticket, but not the slow train!

Cafe culture, people watching and mooching around the narrow cobbled streets of Girona was a lovely start to this trip.

10/09/2023

Day 32: Upgrade Baby...Homeward bound from Male to Heathrow, followed by train to York and taxi home. Secured an upgrade to Business Class, which rounds off the trip just as it started, which was very much appreciated.

This was our 10th flight of the trip, which means we've been party to lots of queues, plenty of officials scrutinising our documents and I lost count of how many security checkpoints. In some places it felt like we had to negotiate 3 or even 4 checkpoints in the same airport!

What a trip! It feels like we've been away for months rather than weeks, which must be a good sign. Back to work in the morning, but don't tell our bosses as the planning has already started for the next backpacking adventure!

09/09/2023

Day 31: Final Full Day...It was inevitable, everything has a start and a finish. Today is our last full day in the Maldives, the final full day of our adventure, with tomorrow bringing the start of the long trip home.

We did much the same today, sea, sun, sand, chill, read, lunch, pool, cocktails, evening stroll, beers, food and bed...just with packing squeezed in amongst the pleasant stuff. The weather today was the best of the entire 31 days, cloudless, steamingly hot and just perfect.

We had Thai for our evening meal, which was superb. The food at all the restaurants has been top notch. The whole resort is pricey in the extreme, but the quality cannot be faulted.

It's been a blast!

08/09/2023

Day 30: I Was Right...It is hard work! Not really, this place is so blissful and super chilled.

It's technically the middle of the low season in the Maldives, but we aren't complaining at all. At times it feels like we have our own personal beach and, as last night, at times are the only customers in the restaurant.

The weather is still fantastic, with temperatures in the low to mid 30's, albeit with the occasional threat of a shower or the odd thunderstorm at night. There is a refreshing sea breeze, slight rather than strong, but only on one side of the island. The beach adjacent to our patio is sheltered and balmy. The sea is glorious, crystal clear and the perfect temperature for cooling off. For those that don't know me well, I'm not the strongest swimmer and hardly ever swim in the sea. However, here, I'm loving swimming in the ocean, even when I cannot touch the bottom.

After having far too much food over the last two days, today was a day of smaller snack portions (excluding alcohol though).

Black Tip Reef Sharks and Sting Rays spotted along the bridge between islands.

I need to find out how much being a Maldives lifeguard pays, as I could do this job for a living.

07/09/2023

Day 29: Happy Wedding Day...Another perfect day in paradise. Quite a chilled day all round, but far too much food.

After a buffet breakfast and some beach time reading, we walked to Hard Rock Cafe for lunch before more of the same in the afternoon.

At 5pm (1pm BST) we joined the live stream of Steve Wright and Donna Robinson's wedding. Very happy for you both and may your relationship blossom and grow ever stronger over the coming years. Congratulations.

Although neither of us were that hungry, we already had a reservation at Sri Lanka’s famous Japanese restaurant, Nihonbashi Blue. The dishes we ordered (Tensabi Temaki, Kimchi Kappa Maki, Wagyu Nigiri and, signature dish, Olive Oil Kake Tai Chazuke) were innovative, tasty and fine dining of the highest order...truly sensational.

06/09/2023

Day 28: Truly Thankful...Our first full day in the Maldives and perfect doesn't do it justice.

After a good gym session, shower and breakfast, we spent the day by the main pool, swim up bar and beach. The pool included floating bean bags that were so comfy and great fun.

Laid in a comfy cabana, a few feet from the jade ocean waters, with your best friend, wife and travel buddy cuddled into you. Listening to the glorious sounds of beach life, relaxing and hypnotic as they are, eyes closed reminiscing about our last 4 weeks. An overwhelming wave of emotion hit me, thankful for our shared love of travel, being able to do so many awesome things, with such an amazing lady, and dreaming of many more adventures together over the coming years. I am a very lucky man!

Evening meal was had at Ministry of Crab. I was a bit apprehensive on how to eat a crab, but with the right tools and the waiters advice we nailed it. Very tasty indeed.

06/09/2023

Day 27: Now This Is Nice...Too much Guinness and Singleton last night, with too little sleep before departing the hotel at 5am for flight #9. The Grab taxi we booked was literally outside, but the driver was asleep. After an age we got him to wake up, checked he was okay to drive and set off, but monitored him throughout the entire 45 minute trip.

The flight and speedboat transfer were both bumpy, but what awaited was truly spectacular. Paradise is likely an overused phrase when referring to such places, but I defy anyone to not rank the Maldives as anything but paradise.

After check-in and being shown around the resort, we changed and hit the infinity pool overlooking the Indian ocean. Then, after a much needed siesta, we had a romantic sunset stroll, exploring the connected marina and Hard Rock Hotel islands. Food was had at Kebab and Kurry, which was delicious.

The next 5 days are going to be very hard work!!!

04/09/2023

Day 26: Last Monday...So as we head into our last week, we start to think about phase 4 of our journey...the Maldives.

We had a lazy start to our Monday morning and just as we left the hotel, to find a breakfast bagel, the rain started. The weather has been so unpredictable in Malaysia, but talking with the locals it's an accepted reality and you just embrace it.

As the saying goes, life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain!

We mooched from bar to ice cream/tea (Mixue) parlour to bar and another bar and another bar. So much for a 4am start tomorrow and a flight to the Maldives.

However, everywhere we went was top notch, cheap, friendly and tasty, so what's not to like.

Onwards...

04/09/2023

Lovin' his coconut.

03/09/2023

Day 25: Muddy Estuary...We learnt today that Kuala Lumpur literally means 'muddy estuary' and was founded at the confluence of the Gombak River and Klang River.

We transitioned from the Platinum Suites apartment to the CitizenM Hotel this morning for our final two nights in KL. Once bags had been dropped off, we walked down to the River of Life, then the Merdeka Square and Sultan Abdul Samad Building (built in 1897 as the government offices of the British colonial administration). This is reputedly the most photographed place in KL. Opposite is the Royal Selangor Club, where we attempted to get a cocktail, but never made it past security being a members only club!

We fell in love with the drinks from a chain called Mixue Ice Cream & Tea. The Boba Sundae was only £0.90 and simply awesome.

The evening was an all Spanish affair, eating tapas and drinking sangria at Pinchos Tapas Bar...probably the best meal we've had on this trip so far.

02/09/2023

Day 24: Back To KL...Cancelled flight and a delay on the later replacement, so who knows when we'll hit the sheets in our KL apartment tonight!

Our last day in Jakarta included a walk up to the National Monument and then back to the BNI train station which is the official airport train service. The heat was tremendous today and I was thankful of the stops to grab water (well ion water called Pocari Sweat) and then some proper German beer (Paulaner Dunkel).

Jakarta was great, although we only scratched the surface here and a longer trip to Bali is definitely on the future travel list.

02/09/2023

Day 23: Mosquito Hell...Well it had to happen, after 3 weeks of avoiding it, we've both been attacked by mossies. So after a day chilling by the hotel pool reading our kindles we had to hunt down a pharmacy. Tiger Balm White ointment is soooooo soothing!

The evening was spent exploring Jakarta bars nearby, with Penny Lane being our last and favourite location.

31/08/2023

Day 22: New Country...Left the KL apartment for a couple of nights in Indonesia. Arrived in Jakarta after a delay, but who cares, we're on holiday. Grabbed the airport train into the city and walked to the Double Tree by Hilton.

After the obligatory DTH cookies we hit the pool area and then the Sea Grain restaurant for some cocktails and fine dining...bone marrow followed by salt baked sea bass.

Not seen much of Jakarta yet, other than the poverty living alongside the train track, but that's a tomorrow problem...night night!

30/08/2023

Day 21: R&R + Mooch...Chilled start to the day and then a wander around the KL Tower area and back via Chinatown. The weather and food today was amazing.

The BBQ Ribs at Ticklish Ribs & 'Wiches @ REXKL were superb. Plus the Chinese street food at the LOK LOK Fat Boy hawker stall on Jalan Sultan was great.

So, tomorrow, we head for an impromptu diversion to Jakarta in Indonesia for 2 nights.

29/08/2023

Day 20: Highland Fog...After being quoted £150 for a private tour to Genting Highlands, we again opted for public transport, saving us £135 in the process. The coach was luxurious, with lots of legroom, love handle width and reclining seats.

From the bus terminal the Skyway cable car takes you up to the resort complex. Sitting at 6000 feet above sea level, GH Resort is a mix of Times Square, Vegas Casino and Premium Outlet Mall.

As had been the case for the previous two days, the heavy rain started around 3pm, accompanied by dense fog that obliterated the view from the rooftop bars and restaurants.

The weather is prompting a location rethink, so stay tuned!

29/08/2023

Day 19: Naughty Monkey...Today saw us take a monorail and train to Batu Caves, one of the most popular Hindu shrines outside India. We love using public transport abroad as it's never as hard as you anticipate and usually far cheaper.

Climbing the 272 steps was tiring in the humidity, but worth it. Coming down, one of the resident long-tailed macaques decided he took a fancy to the yellow tassel on Amanda's handbag 🤣🤣🤣

Lunch was had at Chetty Nadu, with great Indian food served on a banana leaf. Then, after abandoning the visit to the hot springs due to heavy rain and struggling to secure a taxi, we visited Bamboo Hills for drinks and nibbles.

Once back in downtown KL, we wandered back to our apartment via a few craft beer bars. Great day.

27/08/2023

Day 18: Kuala Lumpur...Leaving Penang behind, we took our 6th flight of this adventure, landing in KL around 2pm. The Grab taxi to the apartment we'd rented for the next week took 90 minutes in heavy traffic and even heavier rain...multiple fallen trees littered one section of motorway!

The one bedroom apartment within the Platinum Suites complex is huge and on site we have two rooftop infinity pools overlooking the city and a restaurant.

We intend to use KL as our base for day trips and then the city in the evenings.

27/08/2023

Can you grab us two beers please as it looks like rain...

26/08/2023

Day 17: Wet & Wild...The sun bathing plans were shelved due to heavy rain, so we had a day of cards, drinking and socialising instead. Great day, sore head and now onwards to KL.

25/08/2023

Day 16: The Hangover...Last night turned into a boozy and surreal experience. After various Satay food options at an outdoor courtyard, we sought out a number of speakeasy bars.

The Backdoor Bodega was accessed via a curtain at the rear of a clothes store. This was a cool and classy place. Then things went a bit weird.

Amanda had found three more speakeasy bars. The first one saw us playing a dice game and pop-up pirate whilst a young lad DJ'd in the background. The second was similar, minus the kids game, with an awesome DJ. The third was a much more traditional bar. We crashed in our hotel room at some point between 2am and 3am.

The resulting hangover meant that our hotel transition day was very low key, chilling by the pool at the Hard Rock Hotel Penang, our home for the next 2 nights of R&R.

24/08/2023

Day 15: Street Art...Our last full day in downtown George Town was spent doing an 8 mile walk around the many examples of street art, along with temples and the odd bar for rehydration.

So many cultures, religions, faces, styles of architecture and ways of life. The photo of The Top Penang building towering over the jetty water village homes sums it up really.

The street art was engaging for us both as keen iPhone photographers. I feel we only found half of those out there, but it was a great, albeit humid, day walking the streets, snapping and editing.

23/08/2023

Day 14: Penang Hill...Excellent day. Planned our next section, then headed up to Penang Hill via the fenicular and all the things to see up there, 830m above the town. The fenicular is 907m long, 319m high and has a maximum steepness of 50.5%.

After a visit to Kek Lok Si Temple and the 201 bus back into downtown, we had food at Kyrin Izakaya and then cocktails at two amazing bars literally across the street from our hotel (Neo+).

22/08/2023

Day 13: Hello Peninsula Malaysia...We arrived in KL at 11:50pm yesterday, attempted to rent an airside double capsule pod for a few hours kip, but failed, so ended up in an airport hotel room for 4 hours. Arrived in Penang at 7:30am and fought the morning traffic for an hour, but at least our bags had arrived on the same flight as us!

Amazingly, our hotel room was ready on arrival, which was a major surprise and resulted in an hours blissful snooze.

Spent the afternoon chilling by the rooftop pool, before a swift shower/change and then hitting the old town for street art, cocktails and Mexican food.

22/08/2023

Up close and personal with a group of Long-Tailed Macaques 😃

22/08/2023

Amazing fun watching mama and baby ❤️❤️❤️

21/08/2023

21/08/2023