200 Word Travel Reviews

A while back at work, we were tasked with writing travel reviews of 200 words or less. Not as easy as it sounds! Anyhoooo, I thought I'd share my efforts here, so here goes...

Suomenlinna Sea Fortress, Helsinki, Finland

Suomenlinna is a small island off Helsinki, and during the 18^th century work began to turn it into a Sea Fortress. Today the island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and attracts visitors from around the world, as well as being a popular destination for Helsinki residents looking for a fun day out.

The island is easily reached by a short ferry ride from Helsinki harbour. It is small enough to walk around and home to several interesting museums, a church, visitor centre, a working dry dock and numerous cafes, restaurants and a brewery. The beaches are popular during the Summer (I enjoyed a paddle in the sea!) and you can stay overnight in the island’s Youth Hostel. Weddings are also held in the church so if you’re lucky like I was, you’ll be able to throw some confetti with celebrating Finns!

I’d definitely recommend visiting Suomenlinna if you’re in Helsinki – the relaxed atmosphere is a nice contrast to the bustling city. There’s plenty to interest and amuse visitors of all ages and my family and I had a highly enjoyable day exploring the island and learning about it’s history.

Pretty isn't it?

Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb, Australia

The Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb was one of the highlights of my trip to Australia. Breathalysed, thoroughly briefed and fully kitted out in a climb suit and harness our group started the ascent with guide Bruce – a typical Aussie guy full of facts and friendly banter. The views of Sydney are stunning, and the sense of achievement (and souvenir photo) when you reach the summit makes the effort worthwhile. Walking across girders high in the air above a busy road was a little nerve wracking, and as someone with a fear of heights I did feel uneasy as we got higher and higher, but Bruce and the rest of my group were encouraging and we all supported each other and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I’d highly recommend that anyone who’s physically able to climbs the bridge, it’s somewhat of a “must do” when in Sydney and I loved it.

Hope you enjoyed :) I might have a bash at some more 200 word or less travel reviews over the next few weeks :) It seems a nice, concise way to summarise a place! Being honest though, it’s more likely that I'll just write some more of my usual rambling blogs!

My Vietnam Travel Diary for "Charity Choice" Newsletter

Back at the start of 2010 I was asked to write an article for Charity Choice Newsletter, about my experiences volunteering in Vietnam. For those of you who may have missed it (what do you mean, you don't subscribe to Charity Choice?!) here it is...

I’d been telling myself I’d do more travelling for a while. However, life got in the way and I got bogged down with the day to day monotony of life in England. Then, the push I’d always needed came along and gave me an almighty shove in the right direction! In the space of a week I’d left my job was in the throes of moving house and had separated from my partner. If I was waiting for the right time to travel, there would be no better chance than this.

I was apprehensive; as a lone female traveller I worried for my safety in a strange country. I also wanted to make sure my time away wasn’t wasted - I wanted to experience the local culture and give something back. It was these concerns that attracted me to i-to-i. Their trips include accommodation in a shared guesthouse, someone to meet me at the airport and support from their team.

i-to-i offer “meaningful" travel experiences – volunteering at a range of worthwhile projects from teaching to conservation, animal welfare to community development. I spent hours browsing their website and chatting to the team on the phone, and decided on a month in Hanoi, Vietnam. I would be working at a project for kids with special needs, and I would have my weekends free to explore. BeforeI knew it I was walking through the arrival gate at Hanoi airport.

After a day settling in I was accompanied to the project where I would be volunteering - the Phuc Tue Caring Centre. It was established in 2001 to provide xare and education for children and young people suffering from Down's syndrome, Autism, Japanese Encephalitis and the effects on the chemical weapon used in the Vietnam War - Agent Orange.

As soon as I walked through the doors of the centre I was surrounded by curious little boys. The staff were equally as friendly and all greeted me with their best English phrases (which didn’t stretch much further than hello… but then neither did my Vietnamese!)

Working days at the centre were very varied. All the children craved attention, and although the staff were very dedicated, there just weren't enough of them to go around. My presence enabled the staff could to focus on those children who needed more help and care, while I interacted with the others and made them feel valued.

It wasn’t always easy – I often came home bruised and scratched when one of the kids took out their frustrations on me, and it was difficult to see first hand the awful effects of Agent Orange and how it still affects the Vietnamese people nearly 35 years after the end of the war. However, I quickly came to adore these little boys and as soon as I arrived each morning, they would crawl onto my lap, demand a rendition of Insey Winsey Spider or have me building giant towers of blocks only to knock them all down again.

I spent my weekends with new friends I’d made at the guesthouse.I trekked through the Sapa mountains in North Vietnam, kayaked through Halong Bay, visited Snake Village and sampled all the unusual food on offer (the clue’s in the name!) and spent many happy nights with the new friends I’ll keep for a lifetime.

I’d love to return to Hanoi one day, but first I have the rest of the world to see! To anyone thinking “one day…” about volunteer travelling, either alone or with a companion, I’d say this – make it one day soon! There’s a placement out there to suit everyone, and all the support in the world while you’re planning it. Get in touch with i-to-i and put the wheels in motion – I really would recommend a volunteer holiday to anybody. I went to Vietnam heartbroken and cynical, and returned refreshed and full of enthusiasm. Thank you i-to-i, and thank you Vietnam – I will always be grateful.

www.charitychoice.co.uk
www.i-to-i.com

It Must Be Love

I watched a documentary with the other half last week (yes, there's an "other half" now - wonders never cease!) and it got me thinking about love and dating in your late twenties/early thirties. I reckon I'm pretty qualified to comment on this as I've spent a good long while as a "twenty something single."

The programme we watched was following one girl (lady? Woman? Never sure what the polite term is...) as she searched for love - online. We watched as she browsed dating websites, pointing out flaws and giggling at bad photos of potential dates, and it made me cringe.

"Oooh, he's less than six foot tall - No."
"Ah, he earns under £30k - not for me."
"Hmm, he's wearing a football shirt in this photo - it wouldn't work."

Now, I know that everyone has a list of what they'd like in a perfect partner. Personally, I'd love to end up with Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, or both of them, but that isn't gonig to happen and you've got to be realistic. Don't get me wrong here - I'm not saying AT ALL that people should be settling for someone who's not right for them, but what I do think is that people can be too picky when looking for love - online or otherwise.

Dismissing someone because they don't tick all of the boxes on your "perfect partner" list is potentially cutting yourself off from a really special person. Yes, looks are important - but if you like someone, they become more attractive to you. Of course it's nice to be with someone who earns their own money and can treat you occasionally - but money doesn't buy happiness. And it's always good to have interests in common - but difference makes the world go round, "same" is boring.

I guess my point is that people need to open themselves up to the possibility that the right person for them isn't necesarily the person they imagine in their head. When you moan to your friends, "why am I still single?" consider the idea that it could just be becasue you're putting yourself on a pedestal a little and waiting for the impossible. Everyone deserves the perfect partner, but some poeple might just need to broaden their horizons to find them.

PS: don't mean to be controversial. Sorry... :-P