On this page you can find all of my reviews – the good, the bad and the ugly!
I have stayed in some places that looked like a WWII bomb shelter but have had the best staff. I have eaten at fancy restaurants and gotten food poisoning. I have gone on treks and seen nothing and sat on beaches surrounded by kangaroos.
Anything can happen if you keep an open mind when you are experiencing a new place or activity. Its not always an easy thing to do – when I headed off to a Thailand full moon party I had a pre-conceived notion of it being full of trashy post-teens… it was… but it was also a lot of fun, and I met some great people who inspired me to stay dancing until the sun rose.
What I have learnt from this and many other experiences is that there are many factors to make something great, and likewise a lot of things have to fail to make something bad. When I review a place or activity I try and look at the whole picture, take all of this into account – to make my reviews as honest as possible.
As well as accommodation and activities – I review all of the cooking classes that I am able to do. These aren’t always on a “backpackers budget” but they are something I love doing, so that is where I spent my pennies. Just like others may prefer to hit the clubs or a fancy restaurant or go shopping – cooking classes are my thing!
I have also divided out the meals that can be purchased for $5 and under. That way you can get an idea of some of the amazing dishes that you can purchase for less than a beer at home.
Accommodation / Activities / Cooking Classes / Eating Out / $5 Feast
What to eat in Xi’an – Hot Pot Train
Hot pot on a train, absurd or amazing? We all know of sushi train, by far one of the best inventions for semi-fast food ever. Not only is there a huge novelty factor, but I am sure any sushi-train restaurant owner will tell you it increases their sales because people …
What I learnt walking the Great Wall of China
Walking the Great Wall of China is one of those must-do items that is on everyone’s list who heads to China. Who wouldn’t want to walk one of the largest and most impressive structures that man has ever built? What I didn’t want to do was battle the crowds and …
$5 Feast – Soup Noodle with Meat and Veg, Xi’an
I fell in love with Xi’an after only being there for 20 minutes. It was raining, and yet the place felt vibrant and alive. There was an energy that immediately sucked me in. One morning, I woke up early and decided to head out for a random walk around the …
Is cruising for a backpacker
Are you a backpacker or flashpacker who is considering going on a cruise? Ever wondered if cruising would suit your travel style? I have. When asked to go off on a cruise, I resolutely said: “no way mate, cruising is not my style”. Only to have the phrase, “don’t knock …
Shanghai Dumpling Cooking Class and Tasting Tour – Review
Who doesn’t love dumplings? I certainly have a soft spot for a fantastically made dumpling, especially the ones with soup in the middle. Shanghai is one of the best places in the world to get a variety of different types. Over the centuries, different cultures from around China have merged …
Han Tang Inn Hostel, Xi’An, China – Review
I was a little nervous about arriving in mainland China for the first time. Everyone had mentioned to me that if you didn’t speak the language it would be very hard getting people to understand you. This is a situation I have run across many times in my travels, but …
