My memories of Wales are pretty stereotypical. They involve bracing country walks, lots of sheep and a cosy farmhouse. I must have been around six or seven… These images float through my mind when I remember visiting this part of the UK.

Pembrokeshire Coast, Wales by asebest, on Flickr

Wales is famous for many things, a mind boggling language with some of the longest most complicated words imaginable, the delicious Welsh rarebit and the aging sex bomb that is Tom Jones. With a history that predates England, Wales is a nation steeped in history too. Even for Londoner’s like myself, Wales is a place often undiscovered and by being away from my country I realise why it is such a sought after place to visit. Travellers from all over the globe visit to experience its love of Rugby, sample the foods of the organic farms or indulge in one of the gorgeous Spa breaks in Wales.

Memories of Wales

I’ve been thinking about Wales lately. On my current Round the World Trip, one of the best people I have met was an 18 year old Welsh girl, Emily. She was a girl I instantly adored, full of life, itching to experience new things and always fun to be around. It’s a cheesy saying, but she lit up the room. I spent six months living in Thailand with her as one of my closest friends and it is a time in my life that I will never forget. Emily was brought up on a farm in Wales. She was a grafter, down to earth, warm and up for anything. When she would describe her life on the farm I would remember my summer holiday with my family back when I was little.

Overlooking Pant-yr-awel in the Ogmore valley by AndrewH.uk, on Flickr

My Dad instilled in us the joy of country walks and we would often visit Glasgow or the Lake District. One summer we stayed at a Bed and Breakfast in Wales on a tiny farm. I remember the steaming plates of eggs and bacon every morning, being fascinated as we learnt how to shear a sheep and most of all I remember being tucked into bed by my Mum with a story and a lit fire making the room a cocoon of warmth.

This kind of quaint holiday still holds such an appeal to me, years on and many air miles under my belt.

My Next Visit to Wales

Prince of Wales Engine House by bobchin1941, on Flickr

Fast forward to today and I’ve decided that when I return I want to make the most of my country. I love to travel and I normally always dream of far flung places when in fact much of my own country is still unexplored. Emily and I are going to reunite along with all my Thailand friends on her farm. She’s going to let us loose on her tractor, we’re going to brew our own beer and mostly cause a lot of havoc.

There are so many things I still want to do. I’m going to experience my first ever proper pampering session when I go for some Spa days in Cardiff.  Many of the spas in this region have been voted some of the best in England. With sprawling acres of beautiful Welsh countryside at the resorts, I can’t think of anything more wonderful. There are no less than 600 castles in Wales too, so I’ll be making a beeline for a few of the most impressive ones. I’ll be going up Snowdon again and sticking to my Dad’s advice of taking many walks with a flask of hot tea. I might even try sheering another sheep… When in Wales!

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England Travel - The old Baltic Flour Mill that sits on The River Tyne

In this travel guest post for 2Backpackers.com, Jimmy McIntyre of Strange Lands, shares his awkward experience coming back home to Newcastle, England after traveling long term.

Returning Home

I sat and watched the houses pass by – familiar yet different. The people getting on and off all had faces I’m sure I once knew. The greyness I remembered, that’s for certain. The metro station, the one I’d stood at 1000s of times, looked like it hadn’t changed. But I couldn’t be sure.

I played in that street as a kid, of that I’m certain. But again, it’s not how I remembered it.

My return home to England after living in Korea and travelling for two years was not how I’d expected it. I wanted to experience everything I once called my daily life, to eat the food I used to eat, to visit the bars I liked to frequent, and to see the faces that mattered most. The latter was easy. The people, I quickly realized, were exactly as I’d remembered. I’d missed them.

England Travel?

Newcastle, my home city, seemed somewhat different. Or rather, I was different. I noticed the beauty in things I once took for granted. I stared at things I’ve walked past and ignored for years.

I enjoyed this new perspective on things. I felt optimism about the city I’d fought so hard to leave. I couldn’t get comfortable, though. I’d be returning to Korea in 2 weeks. My time left in Korea was also limited. A month after returning, my wife and would be setting off for Indonesia to learn the language.

I remained in a surreal bubble throughout my brief return to England. I couldn’t see myself living there, that hadn’t changed. But I no longer saw it as a dreary alternative to being on the road. Travelling, photography, and languages are what get my blood pumping. The challenge of the unknown, of doing what people tell me isn’t wise, of pushing myself to achieve things that as a younger man I never would have thought possible. The next 3 years of languages and travelling – that’s when the journey begins. However, we won’t forget to pop by home to say hello once or twice, of course.

The Tyne Bridge

Iconic in Newcastle and that first thing I wanted to see when I got back home.

England Travel - The Tyne Bridge

Grey’s Monument

The view from Grey’s monument. I used to sit here watching the people pass by.

England Travel - Grey's Monument

Tynemouth Priory

Built in 7bc, and destroyed repeatedly by the Danish.

England Travel - Tynemouth Priory

Tynemouth Priory overlooking King Edward’s bay.

England Travel - Tynemouth Priory Kings Bay

Whitley Bay

Sunset on a cliff overlooking Whitley Bay.

England Travel - Sunset over Whitley Bay

The River Tyne

The River Tyne – again, iconic amongst the Geordies.

England Travel - The River Tyne

English Football

My Beloved Newcastle United playing at St. James’ Park

England Travel - English Footbal at St. James’ Park

Tyne Tunnel

The pedestrian tunnel is part of the Tyne tunnel. An underwater tunnel that connects North Shields and Jarrow. You should hang around this place at night.

England Travel - Tyne Pedestrian Tunnel

Returning to Korea

These are pictures I took on my return to Korea.

Korea Travel - Gangcheon San's Frozen Waterfalls

Korea Travel - A Korean Pagoda not far from where I live

Korea Travel - This is the weather that welcomed us back to Korea

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Aracely in the Famous London Phone Booths - London Travel

London Travel

We decided to travel to London for the first time as a couple. I had once been here on business, but this time was hoping to see more than the changing of the Royal Guard.

After landing at London Heathrow airport we arrived to our hotel around 1pm in the afternoon. Still tired from our red-eye flight, we got a few hours rest before setting out for some sightseeing.

Piccadilly Circus - London Travel

First priority was getting some food in our bodies, but as vegans, this is always a challenge.

Soho District - London Travel

Vegan Food

We researched vegan restaurants on Yelp.com and found most resided in the Soho Neighborhood. If it was anything like Soho in NYC, we would enjoy it. And it was. Soho London, is a trendy, active neighborhood with pedestrian only streets on the weekends.

Chinatown in Soho - London Travel

We found Vitao Organic and Vegan restaurant just outside Chinatown in Soho London. As we walked in, we were pleasantly surprised to see people serving themselves to a buffet.

Vitao Organic and Vegan Restaurant - London Travel

Awesome, a complete buffet for £8.90! We couldn’t have scored a better deal for a budget meal in Soho. The selection was incredible and we even enjoyed a vegan mango cake as desert. That was extra.

Vitao Organic and Vegan Restaurant - London Travel

Soho London

After dinner we continued to explore the Soho neighborhood. Chinatown was colorful with street hanging lanterns illuminating the night.

Chinatown in Soho - London Travel

That wasn’t the only thing illuminating the streets. Soho is the home of London’s theatre district and film industry.

London Theatres - London Travel

It was a Sunday night, so we were surprised to see the streets packed with tourists and locals alike.

Piccadilly Circus - London Travel

In the Soho district we stumbled upon a gay scene, passed the long lines outside nightclubs, witnessed bar patrons catching a smoke outside, and peaked in windows of cafes overflowing with sophistication and trendiness.

Gay Scene in Soho District - London Travel

American Football?

I am a big Philadelphia Eagles football fan and one of the biggest rivalry games was being played back in the United States. The Philadelphia Eagles were playing the NY Giants, a game not to be missed.

Victoria Station Buses - London Travel

After riding the public bus back to Victoria Station, we found the Sports Bar and Grill with some Giants fans already enjoying their lead. Unfortunately, the New York Giants won the game, but at least we found the right bar to watch the day’s football games.

Depressed about the Philadelphia Eagles Loss - Sports Bar & Grill Victoria Station

Victoria Station

While walking through the big train station we grabbed some late night grub from a food vendor to take back to the room. Our hotel sits atop Victoria Station, which provides us a great launching point for traveling in London.

Victoria Station - London Travel

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Glastonbury Music Festival

Josh Aggars of flip flops city shares his experience and photos of the magic and wonder that is the Glastonbury Festival.

Glastonbury Music and Arts Festival

The Glastonbury Festival is like no other music festival on Earth. It is the biggest and best in the UK, a self-policed world where you forget about regular life for a few days and totally tune out.

Well that is my experience anyway. I’ve been going to music festivals around Europe and the U.S. for some 15 years now and Glastonbury remains the unbeaten champion. It’s the charm of the place, the fact that a farmer some 40 years ago decided to turn his land over to a bunch of hippies so that they could put on a small festival that sees that same sense of freedom and adventure enduring to this day.

Unlike most other festivals where an overbearing security set up check your wrist band as you enter and leave arenas, your food and drink is confiscated so that you are forced to purchase from inflated priced official sponsors, at Glastonbury you simply cart in as much as you can carry on the first day and then proceed to get as debauched as your spirit will allow.

Add to that the vast expanse of the place (some 200,000 people squeezed into a valley of 900 acres), the wide mix of people from different age groups and backgrounds, the range of music on offer (some 26 music and theatre stages) and the collective will to set aside differences and just party and it’s hard not to fall in love with the place.

Glastonbury Main Music Stages

The world famous Pyramid Stage, the centrepiece of the festival, this year headlined by U2, Coldplay and Beyonce. The light at the tip of the stage remains on at night and can be seen from all the surrounding hills of the farm. A great way to navigate your way home if confused.

Throughout the day it’s a great place to relax in the sun whilst taking in great bands and costumes!

Glastonbury Festival Crowd

Glastonbury Pyramid Music Stage

Glastonbury Pyramid Music Stage

Glastonbury Pyramid Music Stage

Glastonbury Music Festival

Glastonbury Music Festival

Glastonbury Music Festival

Glastonbury Music Festival

Glastonbury Pyramid Music Stage

Glastonbury Pyramid Music Stage

Glastonbury Music Festival

Glastonbury Park

Glastonbury Pyramid Music Stage

Glastonbury Market Area

Walking around the site you always come across interesting characters, stalls and music. Here in the Market Area there is no shortage of photo opportunities.

Glastonbury Market Area

Glastonbury The Cider Bus

Glastonbury Market Area

Glastonbury Market Area

Glastonbury Market Area

Glastonbury Market Area

Glastonbury Market Area

Glastonbury The Bandstand

Glastonbury The Bandstand

There are always some casualties from a day of drinking and dancing in the sun! A little headache later and no doubt this warrior would be back partying.

Glastonbury Passed Out

Glastonbury Dance Village

The Dance Village is always alive and a great place to warm up for a night of partying ahead.

Glastonbury Dance Village

Glastonbury Dance Village

Glastonbury Dance Village

Glastonbury Pleasure City

By night Glastonbury really comes alive. After the headline acts have left the stage at midnight the party moves to the entertainment fields of Pleasure City otherwise known as Shangri La, Arcadia, The Common, The Unfairground and Block 9.

People arrive in fancy dress to party the night away with the hosts of each venue whether they be Mad Max techno warriors, Mermaids, Ghosts or Other.

Each themed area is home to outside sound stages, clubs, bars and anything else that will leave you doing a double take.

Glastonbury Pleasure City

Glastonbury Pleasure City

Glastonbury Pleasure City

Glastonbury Pleasure City

Glastonbury Pleasure City

Glastonbury Pleasure City

Glastonbury Pleasure City

Glastonbury Campo Pequeno

Glastonbury Pleasure City

Glastonbury Pleasure City

Glastonbury Pleasure City

Glastonbury Pleasure City

Glastonbury Pleasure City

Glastonbury Pleasure City

Glastonbury Pleasure City

Glastonbury Pleasure City

Glastonbury Block 9 Stage

Come dawn and the party continues at the outside Block 9 stage amongst others.

Glastonbury Block 9 Stage

And that is one of thousands of alternative experiences at Glastonbury. Repeat four days in succession and then head home exhausted and in need of a holiday!

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Luis Cicerone of Las Aventuras del Cicerone shows us Edinburgh through his lens.

They call it the “Athens of the North” for a reason.

For centuries Edinburgh, (pronounced Edin-bra), has been one of the most prominent hotspots for the arts, culture, literature and enlightment in Britain and Europe.

View from Calton Hill

Edinburgh – Athens of the North

For many, the Scottish capital is the most beautiful city in the old continent, and I have to agree. It is called the Athens of the North, but having been to both cities, I think such a nickname does not do any justice to the beauty of Dun Eidin.

View of the city with the Edinburgh Castle in the Background

Victoria Street - Edinburgh

Victoria Street - Edinburgh

The Balmoral Hotel -Edinburgh

The impossibly tall medieval buildings, sombre alleyways and ancient gothic churches of the Old Town loom over like slim, dark ghosts, transporting visitors to former times.

Edinburgh National Monument

Edinburgh National Monument

Being the “Athens of the North” sure comes with a price.

To fill such a name tag, Edinburgh tried to impress the world by building a replica of the Parthenon as a monument to national pride. The titanic works began in 1826, only three years later, money had run out and works had to be suspended. Legend has it that the city of Glasgow offered to donate the money to finish the monument but the City of Edinburgh refused to let its rival city pay for their monument.

Bobby

Greyfriars Bobby

Then there’s Bobby, one of those moving little tales that bring a city to life. According to the story, the little Skye Terrier spent fourteen years guarding his dead master’s grave.

When Bobby died, his loyalty was rewarded by burying him close to his master. Years later, the city of Edinburgh erected a monument to Bobby right next to the Greyfriars graveyard.

Edinburgh Festivals

Edinburgh Pope’s Parade Preparations

Child Bagpiper Playing

I visited Edinburgh on the same weekend the Pope was coming, so I was able to see the parade’s preparations.

Edinburgh Architecture

Red Door - Edinburgh

Blue Door - Edinburgh

Greyfriars Graveyard

Greyfriars Graveyard

And of course, there’s the graveyards. Usually big cities have one famous cemetery, Edinburgh has got at least four.

Arthur’s Seat, Edinburgh

Arthur’s Seat Behind the Clouds

Arthur’s Seat

Arthur’s Seat, Edinburgh

Barely one mile away from the Castle stands Arthur’s Seat, a 800 ft mountain nested in the middle of the city. The almost flat top mountain makes for a wonderful Sunday walk and provides amazing views over Edinburgh and beyond.

Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh Building Architecture

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Jersey (Channel Islands) is a small island off the coast of Normandy in the English Channel.  It has been inhabited since prehistoric times.  Nowadays, one can see traces of those first dwellers almost anywhere.  One of the things I loved doing the most during my time there was to put on my walking boots, grab a map and explore the island in search of ancient monuments.  Let me share my discoveries with you.

Ville-ès-Nouaux

Ville-ès-Nouaux

Ville-ès-Nouaux

It’s slap bang in the middle of a small park outside the Anglican Church of St. Andrew’s in First Tower (on the road to St. Aubin).  I thought it was a garden feature of some sort.  Only when I got closer did I realize it was a Neolithic passage grave, and possibly older then the Pyramids!

Mont Ubé

Mont Ubé

Mont Ubé

The Neolithic passage grave of Mont Ubè can be tricky to locate as it’s hidden in trees on a small promontory on Rue de la Blinerie, off the A5 near Samarés Manor.  It took me two attempts to find it.  I’m glad I persevered.

Les Monts Grantez

Les Monts Grantez

View from Monts Grantez

My hubby and I came across this passage grave almost by chance when we attended a Summer Solstice Concert over St. Ouen’s Bay.  We parked the car and crossed a field towards the picnic site on a cliff.  There was a bunch of rocks which, on closer inspection, turned out to be a dolmen!

La Hougue Bie

La Hougue Bie

View from La Hougue Bie

La Houge Bie is a most unusual tribute to the history of humankind.  It consists of a Neolithic passage grave under a mound, topped by not one but two chapels (circa 1520 and 1780s) and a German command bunker (the Channel Islands were the only British territory occupied by Nazi Germany during WWII).  It is mind boggling!  And on a clear day the coast of Normandy can be seen from the top.

Menhir and Burial Chamber at Les Quennevais

Chamber Les Quennevais Sand Dunes

Menhir at Les Quennevais Sand Dunes

These two monuments are located on the southern edge of Les Blanches Banques sand dunes over St. Ouen’s Bay.  It’s such a peaceful place.  It’s easy to imagine what the ancients were thinking when they chose it as a final resting place.

Enjoy more Photo Essays!

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