How Much I Spent in 2 Days in Oslo (as a Frugal Traveller)
Nordic countries are known for being some of the happiest, but also the most expensive, regardless of where you’re visiting from. Our walking tour guide in Oslo even joked that Munch’s Scream is the horrified expression tourists make when paying for coffee! 😄 I also found Oslo’s prices expensive, even more than I expected. So, I […]
First Time in Oslo, Norway – Better than I Expected!
Norway was never on my travel bucket list. But I kind of missed Scandinavia, and when I found a cheap flight to Oslo, I didn’t think too long before booking. I was more than happy to add the final Nordic country to my list! I spent less than 2 days in Oslo, but managed to see […]
La Roux Live at The Lower Third in London, 2025
La Roux is gearing for the release of her fourth album (or fifth, if we count that unreleased should-have-been album number 3). After a string of dates in the US and Paris, she played two intimate concerts at The Lower Third in London’s Soho on 2 and 3 May. Of course, I was there on […]
Four Days in Rome – First Impressions of the Eternal City
For years, I was reluctant to travel to Italy, worried that my Italian won’t hold up. Although I did go to Milan back in 2020, it was a compromise due to Covid, and not exactly my own choice of destination. But I have really wanted to see a concert of my favourite Italian singer, Patty […]
Dublin City Break: The Spire, Carly Rae Jepsen, Cute Cafés
Dublin was never high on my travel bucket list. As a non-drinker, I was slightly put off by some of its top attractions. This famous brewery, that historical pub… I don’t care! 😃 But then, Carly Rae Jepsen announced her 2023 tour, and guess where she was going to launch it! First time seeing Carly live, and visiting […]
My Strange Encounter with Falun Gong in Dublin
My first ever trip to Dublin was just for the Carly Rae Jepsen concert, plus some sightseeing around it. I was strolling up the bustling O’Connell Street, towards the Spire, when I walked into two political manifestations. One of them was by Falun Gong, a Chinese religious movement founded in the early 1990s, also known as […]
Artist Veronica Rowlands on Inner Child Healing
Veronica Rowlands is a socially engaged visual artist based in East London, working predominantly with acrylics, ink, stitch, and digitally. She studied Surface Pattern Design at the University of Wales and Illustration at the Kingston University. In 2021, Veronica worked with a clinical psychologist and abuse victims to create a series of artworks and quilted blankets which […]
A Day Trip from Baku: Flame Mountain, Fire Temple & More!
Baku is wonderful and you can spend days exploring it. But make sure you also carve out a full day to see the attractions outside the city. Azerbaijan has some natural wonders and historical sites that can’t be missed! They’re easily accessible by car, but instead of driving, I recommend booking on an organized group […]
Pristina, Kosovo: 10 Things to See
This may surprise you, but Pristina, the capital of Kosovo, really is one of my favourite cities. No, there aren’t many things to do for a tourist, and yes, it may be one of the least beautiful European capitals, in a conventional sense. But there is something about its energy and character that hooked me […]
Visual Biography by Linda Latter – an interview with the artist
In January, I hosted a new exhibition by artist and counsellor Linda Latter at the Tavistock Centre. In Visual Biography, Linda was “taking a line for a walk” through her life, inspired by a quote from artist Paul Klee. The show was a visual display of stages of life, with a mixture of elements like […]
Live: Kelly Erez and Her Talented Students!
After years of being a fan, I finally had a chance to see Kelly Erez live! The singer marked her birthday last Tuesday (28th January – take note!) with a special concert at the West Hampstead Arts Club in North London. Who is Kelly Erez? Kelly Erez is a British singer and songwriter, a vocal teacher […]
How Many Books Did I Read in 2024?
Last December, I met up with my friend Fabian for coffee. As usual, it wasn’t long before we started talking about books. “Have you set your reading challenge for the next year?” he asked. No, I haven’t, and I won’t. I applaud people for setting such goals, but for me, reading is leisure and pleasure, and […]