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Why on earth do the Indians need two weeks to issue a visa? If they suspect me of being a drug runner, murderer, agent provocateur or spy all they need to do is scan my passport, like they do in Turkey and the EU countries, and your name is bounced around police databases in the blink of an eye.
From the loveliness of our coastlines to the fabulous fields of the countryside, this country has much to offer - to visitors and residents alike. I only recently realised that I haven't seen nearly enough of it, spending my time travelling abroad more than I have around my home nation.
The Museum of Images, with its rust coloured, three storey facade, seems almost too small to warrant a visit. But exteriors are to museums what covers are to books. Judging the contents by them would be a mistake.
Honesdale is the kind of white picket-fence neighborhood where swinging benches hang from porches and american flags flap from the beamers, so you wouldn't expect much nightlife. We did however, manage to find one lone bar with music where the residents of Honesdale were just all too interested to see who these crazy kids were.
From looking into the eye of a whale shark as you scuba dive in the Indian ocean, to reaching the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro, or capturing the perfect photograph of Angkor Wat - adventure travel means something a little different for everyone.
Don't be mistaken, an extended adventure trip is not the same thing as a holiday. If you're hoping to take six months off to relax, unwind, and recharge your batteries, book a hut on Tahiti and stay there. You might be bored, sure, but you'll be rested.
When I first touched down in Heathrow on 2 June 2012 I was broke, had one tattoo and was engaged. Now, I'm still broke, but I have collected 21 more tattoos (soon to be 22 - sorry Mum), and I'm definitely not engaged anymore.
Mother Nature has been kind to Peruvian chefs and cooks over the years and thus fuelled their creativity and quest for great taste. Going to Cusco was an extraordinary trip; San Pedro Market is a place of wonder for any cook and food lover.
All in all, my Spa weekend at OneWorld Retreats was both inspirational and pleasurable. I cannot wait to go back there to join one of the retreats; having experienced a taster of what the place has to offer, I can only imagine how its own healing energy can magnify the retreat experience.
Health scares can be good for the health if you can learn from them. I am addicted quite seriously to cigarettes, but I don't smoke anymore. There are times when I miss them (when I have a cup of coffee or I'm waiting for a train, blah blah, yawn etc.) but I know myself far too well. I can't go there. Post- DVT, us smokers put ourselves at the greater risk of a recurring blood clot. It's a non-runner.
Like much of the Iberian peninsula, northern Portugal has a rich and fascinating history that envelops and engulfs you in every street, in every building, as you climb steps, turn a corner, or look at across the Douro River that swirls and churns through the ancient city of Porto.
Garganelli.... wow! Chef mentioned to me seven pieces to a portion, after spending 15minutes doing one portion I realised it wasn't as easy as chef had demonstrated to me earlier. 22 portions later chef pre-dressed a dish of the garganelli pre-service so we all knew how it should look.
For Vogue Paris April 2013, guest star and photographer Mario Testino took us to his homeland to see the history, culture and beauty of Peru. Vogue Paris discovered the best restaurants, bars and shops from the beaches of Lima to the historical Cuzco, as well as the breath-taking scenery that plays a huge part in the country's identity.
Press coverage and debate leading up to the funeral of Baroness Thatcher led me to reflect on a recent journey through Vietnam. When you travel you can't help but compare. I spent many hours talking with Vietnamese from all walks of life and quickly realised that in this emerging nation is a pride and strength in being Vietnamese.
Cook it Raw doesn't have a set of recipes to follow through but will show you how to see ingredients differently, look at the food you are eating and the environment where it came from. The book is beautifully written and visually stunning, a lovely read and a great source of inspiration.
As you drive down the main road that leads to Hamra, a district of West Beirut, you will notice, if you're observant enough, beyond the shrub covered walls of the Armenian institute, Haigazian University, that a white needle nosed rocket points towards the sky, or the stars, dependant on how romantic you wish to be.
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