Hotel: Spa Corner Residence

As soon as I entered the hotel, I felt zen. And I'm usually full of energy, so that says a lot. Upon arrival, my friend and I were escorted to a relaxing room by the entrance, which had the most calming aroma. We were given cold flannels, sweet potato crisps, and fresh juice. I requested refills of the sweet potato crisps about three times. Sometimes pictures look good from afar but in reality are far from good; however, I definitely won when booking this boutique hotel.

I want to say it was the earthy colour tones in the bedrooms, and spa that created the zen environment, but it was more than that. It was a feeling, that I’d like to bottle up and spray around my house. The aroma and the music made me want to nap. And who doesn't love a good nap? The ambience was just perfect.

All the feels

The staff were really friendly and went out of their way to make our stay in Siem Reap unforgettable. They pointed us in the right direction for food places, dropped us off at venues in the area, and even doubled as tour operators, taking us to Angkor Wat.

My three favorite things about Spa Corner Residence were the rooftop space—it was perfect for practicing yoga at sunset and sunrise—the chill space in the bedrooms, filled with cushions, and the swimming pool swing (more for pictures than purpose!).

Spa

The long-term aim is for this hotel to turn into a day spa, which kills my dream of booking a one-way ticket to Cambodia and living in this hotel. But the energy was so relaxed and spa-esque that the idea didn't shock me. I sampled the spa treatments and received a complimentary 60-minute full-body Khmer massage. Never underestimate a petite masseuse—Thai massages no longer hold the title for firmness. The spa rooms were decorated with earthy, red, and gold tones. I couldn't walk through the hallway to the treatment rooms without taking pictures. I felt like I was in a Herbal Essence commercial.

Wrap up

One thing I didn't see coming and needs a warning, is the swimming pool's depth changing swiftly. I nearly drowned while attempting a photoshoot! But when I say this hotel is a vibe, I don't say it halfheartedly. If I could have extended my stay, I would have without hesitation. I loved my stay at the Spa Corner Residence and my whole time in Siem Reap. If Siem Reap is on your list of places to visit you need to read this post.

What Is It Like Travelling During COVID-19

You’ve been stuck in your home country all year potentially at this point, and/or your strong stance of not going on holiday until Corona season is over is slowly melting away. Am I right?

I decided to take a walk back into the wild side and resume my catching flights and feelings behaviour last month, August 2020. I don’t want to inflate myself but I think I could be called a COVID travelling expert. I travelled around South-East Asia all February and returned to England, just when they were slowly realising that the Coronavirus was going to be a real issue. Imagine me strolling into Heathrow airport February/March 2020 to zero safety procedures put in place by England… no temperature check, COVID test… honestly nadaa.

The thing is throughout my travels in Asia, before I was even allowed to join the queue to receive a boarding pass temperature checks were done, and masks were compulsory in all airports. Every plane I got off, be it a domestic flight or international, there were people waiting with thermometers. They were seriously not playing. A major contrast to England.

Ok fast forward to August 2020, and I pulled up to Heathrow airport again to catch my flight. England’s 2M rule was clearly ignored when people and their suitcases were running past me on the escalators. But the airport seemed a lot more prepared. Before I even entered the airport there were staff checking that people had a mask on and there were cleaning stations just outside the departure entrance. The cleaning stations featured hand sanitiser, antibacterial wipes to wipe down luggage handles, and fresh masks.

Departure lounges and boarding gates had signed some seats as unavailable to space out passengers. And there were sign markings all over the floor reminding people to maintain their distance and everyone followed these until boarding happened.

I’m a ranter I know but… getting on an aeroplane isn’t like boarding a bus. Yooo, you’ve already paid for your seat, you are actually guaranteed your spot so why are people rushing and breathing near me? The airline I flew with, Alitalia who I recommend big time, called people to queue in batches of seat numbers but social distancing vanished at that point. If stupidity like this stressed you out, I recommend boarding the plane last.

On the plane, all of the middle seats had been blanked out, which I loved. However, the usual trolley and food opportunities on the planes no longer happened. It felt really weird. I basically had minimal interaction with the air stewards, and my throat felt dry. I’m talking in regards to short-haul flights, 3 hours and below.

I will say though if you fly business class like moi. *This was my first time, but boy I’m addicted* On my way back from my getaway I flew business class and I was given a real hearty breakfast. To the point that I couldn’t finish it all. And business class came with its own lounge. The lounge had a bar, food and real comfy classy chairs. I definitely felt more special… and COVID safer when I entered the business level.

Before you re-enter England there is a form that you are expected to fill in. The form states where you’ve visited, quarantine period etc. The queue to come back to England was long and had a backlog of people who didn’t realise they had to fill in the form and were trying to multitask whilst making the queue longer. That, I would say was the only inconvenience I faced. And this imaginary form, really hadn’t been well advertised!

In a nutshell, travelling during COVID is do-able. Considering, I went away in August, during the summer holidays which is usually busy travel period, Heathrow airport was pretty much like a ghost town. My thing is from when you leave your house you are at risk from catching Corona. Wear the mask, don’t rub your face, regularly wash your hands and be conscious not to be squished up next to people. Things like if the transfer bus looks full, waiting for the next one.

Will you be travelling this year?

Thailand: A Day Trip To LopBuri From Bangkok

If you’re staying in Bangkok and want to escape the smug and have a day adventure this one here is definitely for you. This is a ‘cheap and cheerful’ day trip to help you see a bit more of Thailand than you planned for.

Ayutthaya

Ayutthaya is a major historical city. Back in the day, about 300 years ago, it was the largest city in the world. I can’t say I knew anything about it before I jumped on the train. Present-day, all that is left are loads of temple ruins plotted around the city, 9 to be exact. They are viewed as sacred locations in Thailand. Generally each of the places charges around 50baht (£0.70) to enter. If you are into ruins Ayutthaya is going to be your dream location. Me, I’m a child, once monkeys were on the cards I wasn’t interested in anything else. But I visited one of the main places, Wat Mahathat. The iconic location showcases a buddah’s head entwined within the roots of a banyan tree. You can’t go next to the tree and you have to sit on a plank of wood to view it, standing is not allowed.

I recommend hiring a tuk-tuk driver from outside the train station to accompany you on your tour. If not you are going to be walking far. Maybe walking is your thing, but it’s not for me! All prices in Thailand are negotiable, so play the game.

Lopburi

One of the highlights of my trip to Thailand was going to play with monkeys. I still can’t believe that this spot is mad underrated and pretty much tourist-free. The monkeys are so lively and basically run Lopburi. I’m talking about monkeys walking across the roads stopping traffic, rummaging through rubbish bins and chilling in packs on the street.

I paid 50 baht (£1.25) as an entrance fee to the monkey temple where the majority of the monkeys in Lopburi are. In the middle of what looks like a gated field, there are the ruins of a temple. The temple itself the monkeys cannot enter, so they hover on the grass and on the outside parts of the temple. I spent the longest amount of time there with the monkeys. Initially, I was shooketh. No shock there. After a while, though I warmed up to the monkeys and definitely felt like I was destined to be a character in the Jungle Book.

You get given sticks on entry to deter the monkeys from moving mad… You’re supposed to slap the ground with the stick, not the monkeys. Anyway, the monkeys think it’s all a big game and swing from the sticks.

I had the little homeboy that I named Charles, he massaged my head and now and again grabbed my boob. Cheeky but resourceful. Oh and he also stole one of my earrings and bit off baubles from my flip flops… but we move.

There’s no rule against filming the monkeys but you’re going into their territory and monkeys will be monkeys. I saw a tourist put his camera on the ground to get footage of them. Bear in mind that the monkeys are curious but also big thieves so when they came closer to his camera the guy attempted to boot them, leg up and full force ready to rain down on the monkeys. Don’t be that guy, honestly, I wanted to boot him!

Transport

I was staying in Bangkok and went to Lopburi via train, it’s a 3-hour journey. I went from Bangkok to Ayutthaya, which took about 90 minutes and then went to see some of the historical ruins. Then I jumped on the train from Ayutthaya to Lopburi which was a 60-minute journey. It really broke down the day.

Ticket wise you want class 3 unless you’re good with paying hundreds of bahts for your tickets. My tickets worked out being 28 Thai baht (£0.70) each way. The train ride is a trip itself with various food vendors roaming the carriages selling things.

Tips… Major Keys

Wear clothing that covers your arms and legs. The monkeys are fast and will crawl upon you and they have nails. Also, the temples in Ayutthaya have clothing rules too so if you’re covered you’re good for both places.

Don’t wear flip-flops. I made that error and ended up with rusty wiring in my foot. I was bleeding and in pain, luckily the temple staff were really helpful and sorted me out. Regardless the monkeys didn’t give me a timeout and treated me like a climbing frame whilst I freaked out.

Keep your belongings zipped up or with the temple staff. No joke, my friend’s train ticket got snatched from his bag by a monkey. They are A-class pickpockets!

Only the young monkeys will entertain you unless you have food! I ended up in a situation with a big ass monkey on my head. I didn’t even have enough time for fear to sink in hahaha

The train connecting Lopburi and Bangkok doesn’t come often, every few hours to be more realistic, so make sure you plan in advance.

A Frizzy Experience… Phnom Penh

First Impressions

I reached Phnom Penh with a sour taste. I entered Cambodia from Vietnam and for the first time in my life crossed into a country via coach or foot. I was nervous about the crossing because I’d read online about others experiences and it seemed touch and go. Plain and simply I was conned by the Cambodian Chief of immigration. He made me pay for a visa on my British passport even though I had a valid passport that allowed me visa-free access to Cambodia. He refused to recognise it. Now $30 doesn’t seem like much, but he vexed me. However, by the time I’d pulled up to my hotel my good vibes energy had returned. And the energy in my hotel was on point.

Money

Dollars are the main currency used in Cambodia. They also have Cambodian Riel, which I made sure to get during a transaction for souvenir purposes as the currency is really weak and using dollars works out better for you.

What I Did In Phnom Penh

S21 and the Killing Fields

The Khmer Rouge regime is a large part of Cambodia’s recent history so I visited the Killing Fields and S21 as a day trip. They are on different sides of the city and the journey itself takes up a lot of time. One of the most intense and heavy days of my trip but also one of the most educational.

The Killing Fields is one of many sites in Cambodia where more than 1million Cambodians were killed and buried. Many had been in prison camps and lured to the fields under the impression that they were being transported elsewhere. You have to step on set paths because the site still has bones and fragments. In the middle of the Field, there is a memorial building, filled with skulls pulled from the site.

S21 or Tuel Sleng Genocide Museum is silently frightening. Originally a primary school during the Khmer Rouge era was converted into a Security prison. The original equipment has been left on display to showcase the horrors that the prisoners went through. Metal beds, and barbed wire placed around the entrance of the building. Prisoners were tortured and forced to confess to crimes that for the most part were made up.

Both places charge an entrance fee and then you have the option to pay for an audio player that talks you through the experience. Don’t move tight, I can’t recommend them enough. One, the information is so thorough. And two, it allows you to take things in and process your thoughts and feelings at your own pace.

Markets

Phnom Penh doesn’t play around when it comes to markets. The night ones I visited, in my opinion, are much better than the day ones. More lively, with live music and large food stalls. If you want to avoid tourists and experience a local market then Orussey Market is a good shout. If you want to be in with the mix up then visit the Central market. I got lost in there.

Riverfront park

Firstly, I’d say the park is a real stretch! But along the river, there are wide paths that allow you to walk or jog with the view of the river. It also curved around so you can see bars and restaurants. I went there at night time, and it was a good unwind. You can also venture into the river on a boat and have dinner. My hotel hooked me up with the river cruise.

Aeon Mall

The Aeon Mall is a large shopping centre, mostly involving food. I spent about an hour hovering around a sweet store called Sticky. They make hard candy in their store and you can watch the process. Plus you can taste the goods. I bought some rock candy back with me. Visiting shopping centres in each city throughout South East Asia became a requirement on my South East Asian trip. (Not my idea, but I can’t lie I grew to love it)

Royal palace

The Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda is something worthwhile seeing in Phnom Penh. Firstly, the grounds are so beautiful. Come on a King lives there so you’d expect 10-10 presence but the landscape is so impressive. The greenery and flowers are a whole vibe. The King lives in the grounds so tourists are restricted to certain zones. But the architecture is fire.

Food

The food in Phnom Penh was hmm… iffy. I’m not knocking the flavours of the food that I ate, but some of the setups were questionable. For example, when abroad I usually get meals from locals on stalls but I wouldn’t suggest doing it with meals in Phnom Penh. Cleanliness didn’t seem like a priority out there. Rubbish bins hanging around by the food stalls all across the floor, fly and rodent central.

There are plenty of other options, but I always take pride in eating from stalls and I just couldn’t do it in this city. I’m a risky gal, but my belly said: “hold up... tek time.” Night market food gave me the closest thing to the stalls. How it works is you pick up from the line up what you want and put into a basket. Each item is $0.50, and it is then cooked for you.

Joke O’clock… One evening, my friend bought some Cambodian jelly looking sweets from the shopping mall. I tried them and my mouth was stressed. Moral of this story, don’t fast yourself to eat snacks you didn’t buy!

Food Recommendations

Amok fish curry: A creamy curry with coconut milk as a base which is seasoned with turmeric, lemongrass and other ground spices. You can have it with chicken but it’s just not the same.

Khmer Curry: A chicken curry stew with carrots and potatoes inside.

Deep-fried prawns in batter

Small-Small Tips

• If you are crossing the border into Cambodia get your visa in advance. Hassle-free.

• Wear suitable clothing when visiting the Royal Palace. Arms covered to your elbows and legs to your knees. A shawl/scarf/poncho isn’t accepted. I tried and was sent to buy one of their T-shirts.

• Check with different providers how long they give you in the S21 and Killing Fields. Mine was on a strict time limit and rushed the day.

• Be mindful of your interactions whilst on your phone. There are lots of motorbikes and people are fast with swiping.

• The hotels don’t generally deal in GDP/ £’s mine tried to exchange £1 for $1 which is incorrect so bring your dollar-dollar bills with you into the country

• Ordering tuk-tuk drivers from your hotel isn’t a big difference in cost from securing it yourself so don’t break a sweat trying to save dollars!

Wrap Up

Phnom Penh is a city that I don’t regret visiting. Will I ever visit again… unlikely! But I really wanted to learn about the genocide that took place during the Khmer Rouge era and I did that. The places that I went to were very thorough. I’m clearly drawn to historical knowledge and drama! Phnom Penh gave me culture and history, but an ingredient in the sauce was missing.

One side note: I managed to take some beautiful flower photography throughout Phnom Penh. When I was at S21 and it all felt very heavy, a flower fell right beside me and it distracted me. For a solid 5 minutes, I just stared at the petals.

A Frizzy Experience… Siem Reap

First Impressions

The first thing I noticed after a 6-hour coach ride into Siem Reap was how dusty Siem Reap was. I have never reached for a bandana so quick in my life.

Money

Dollars are the main currency used in Cambodia. They also have Cambodian Riel, which I made sure to get during a transaction for souvenir purposes as the currency is really weak and using dollars works out better for you.

What I Did In Siem Reap

• Partied at the Cambo Beach Club. A man-made beach in Siem Reap, that serves food and drink and is a really chilled location. I fast myself there because on their website they said it was Afrobeats day. I was extremely excited but the joke was on me because, I got there and all I heard was some dance-ish, techno music. I wanted to cry. A couple of sweet words later, it became my Afrobeats beach party. The end.

• Spent the afternoon at the local school, Stung Themy, teaching English to the local children and playing games with them.

• Experienced a Khmer massage at the Secret Corner Residence. If you think Thai massages are hardcore, wait until you have one of these!

• Visited Angkor Wat, the biggest religious monument in the world. I bought a 1-day pass, and I underestimated how much there was to see and take in.

Food

The food in Siem Reap was amazing. Rice is the go to. There is an abundance of fruit available. Fresh smoothies and juices are available in every restaurant. You will have to get used to some of your meals coming with a fried egg on top of it, even when it isn’t mentioned on the menu. But when I say amazing, the food was always well seasoned, not spicy but flavoured, and the curries were extra saucy. I hate going places and they are stingy on the sauce. I’m extra I know, but I don’t like eating dry rice!

I didn’t hold back with eating in Siem Reap. I was in a constant state of hunger and forever ready to eat a curry, (even in 30 plus degree weather). Pub Street ,also known as Street 8, is known for its luxury and high-end restaurants that naturally give you less for your money but I really wanted to eat my amok curry out of banana leaves so I was found there at dinner times singing along with live bands. You can get funky dishes like frog there. But at all other times, I was a regular on Sok San road. I would eat 2 lunches there daily and I also grew an unhealthy obsession with fresh avocado and coconut smoothies.

By Siem Reap’s ‘Art Center night market’ there are food stalls. The stalls are on the side of the road, and there is a dining area on the pavement. No joke, my dinner there hit the spot. It worked out being noodles, with some greens and King prawns. With a fried egg thrown in for extra measure, of course! But that meal sweet me so good and the sauce was litty! The food isn’t ‘Instagram pic worthy’ but the flavours were everything.

Food Recommendations

Amok fish curry: A creamy curry with coconut milk as a base which is seasoned with turmeric, lemongrass and other ground spices. You can have it with chicken but it’s not the same. For aesthetic purposes get it in banana leaves, it’s the traditional way and it just looks nicer.

Lok Lak: Lightly fried strips of beef, with salad on the side and a fried egg on top. It comes with granules on the side and a wedge of lime which makes the sauce.

Khmer Curry: A chicken curry stew with carrots and potatoes inside.

Wrap Up

Siem Reap really has my heart and for sure it is somewhere that I would go back to. My friend described it as a hippy city and they aren’t my exact words but I agree that it really is that chilled, “everything gon’ be alright” sort of place. Bohemian would be my one word. Yes, Siem Reap is bohemian. Everyone, there is friendly, community-focused and give off positive energy. It’s not an expensive city yet allows you to experience the good-good life with spas, delicious food, boutique hotels all being accessible to you. If I ever have to skip the UK, I’m pretty sure you’ll find me in Siem Reap pretending to be humble.

What city to visit in Cambodia?

I crossed the border from Vietnam into Cambodia in February 2020. Before booking to go Cambodia, I had no prior knowledge of the country, except that Angelina Jolie had adopted her son from there. But my gut said that I would love it in Cambodia. If I listened to the views of others about Cambodia I would have skrr’d and not visited. Turns out half the people with a negative opinion had heard stories “through the grapevine” and hadn’t even been to Cambodia. You might be stuck with the question, what city do I go to? So I’m breaking down the differences when it comes to staying in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, and Siem Reap.

Vibe

Siem Reap is all about community life. The people are super friendly and chilled. Solo travel would be ideal in this city as you can be alone but not feel lonely. There’s also the option to fully immerse yourself in the community. I was able to enter a school and be part of a 2 hour English class on the day.

Phnom Penh is more lively and gives off an “every man for themselves” feel. I was warned by hotel staff to stay alert as people stay ready to steal your phone in public. My friend was out and about one night and someone on a motorbike attempted to steal the phone of someone she was with.

*Siem Reap wins on the vibe for me. Even though I’m “anti” I like to feel welcome when I travel!*

Hotels

In both cities, I stayed in cute hotels with swimming pools. The places that I stayed in were both away from the party area, which was a must after the areas I’d stayed in before. In Phnom Penh I stayed in Okay Boutique Hotel and in Siem Reap I stayed in The Secret Corner Unique Residence

*Siem Reap wins on the hotel front. The hotel in Siem Reap was a boutique and therefore much more intimate. Plus the staff dropped us to venues in the area which was sweet*

Things To Do

Siem Reap is the closest city to Angkor Wat, also known as the city of temples. It is a major tourist attraction and the largest religious monument in the world. So a big big deal! People come from around the world to visit there, and spend anything from 1,2 and 3 days exploring. Tomb Raider was also filmed there I believe. In Siem Reap there is also a man-made beach club, which was a motive once I took over the music. They usually have live DJ sets.

Phnom Penh offers a detailed remembrance of the Cambodian Genocide and has buildings to highlight their history. You can visit the Killing Fields and S21 to learn about what happened during the Khmer Rouge era. There are also various temples and the beautiful Presidential Palace that you can visit. The views and architecture are proper breathtaking. Plus if cats are your thing they have cat cafes in this city. (They make me itch but the cafes are popular)

*Phnom Penh wins with things to do. There is just so much to see. I’m big on learning about historical events and culture in general and this city provides the biggest variety*

The Presidential Palace Grounds - Phnom Penh

Angkor Wat - Siem Reap

Markets

Phnom Penh has really lively night markets that include live bands, food stalls and clothes galore. The Russian Market and Central Market are the most popular. I got lost in the Central Market and panicked majorly because there was so much going on. They sell everything from suitcases, jade bracelets, clothing, to woodwork there.

Siem Reap has a day market just off of Pub Street, and a night market by the lake. The products are quite repetitive though. Once you’ve seen a few vendors you’ve seen them all!

*Phnom Penh wins with their markets. There are more choices and extras.*

Food Places

Phnom Penh offers river trips where you can dine on the boat. It’s a nice experience but the river isn’t appealing at all. Food stalls in the Russian night market offer floor seating and the items you put into a basket get cooked in front of you which is an experience. The restaurants and bars on the main strip were very western. And the stalls around the city were surrounded by rubbish bags, horrific smelling with dust around them. That whole set up made me feel uncomfortable so I avoided the food stalls in Phnom Penh. The only aroma I like to smell is the good stuff coming from my food.

Siem Reap has Pub Street where luxury restaurants are situated and bars. Big prices, minimal food, the usual set up. But just around the corner literally, on the side of the road by the lake bridge, there are stalls that provide the best food you’ll have in Cambodia. You’re sitting on plastic chairs at a table for primary school children but the energy and food is everything.

*Siem Reap wins here but it really comes down to preference on this one. Either way, the food in Cambodia is amazing though.*

Wrap Up

When I add up the sections Siem Reap wins. I 100% had a more enjoyable experience in Siem Reap. I’m not anti-Phnom Penh though and I’m happy I visited the city. Ultimately, I learned what I needed to about the country’s past which was my sole focus for visiting that city. There’s nothing that would pull me back to Phnom Penh, whereas with Siem Reap it’s the sort of place I would continuously go back to. It’s comforting and vibezy. I could see Siem Reap as a base for someone who could work remotely and just wanted to live and breathe freely.

If you want some in-depth deetz from my experience in each of the cities read ‘Frizzy’s guide to … Phnom Penh or Siem Reap

My Post Lockdown Travel Bucket List

As lockdown in England and various countries around the world eases up I’m thinking more and more about where I want to jet set off to. I know I’m not alone with the conflicting internal dilemma of “I need to resume my catching flights and feelings” to “I need to sit my backside in my house and stay safe.” Either way I hope my bucket list will inspire you to start thinking of your next getaway.

Tunisia

Tunisia, in North Africa is basically my second home, specifically the city of Monastir. I’ve been going for the past 7 years and at this point, I don’t stay even stay in hotels anymore. I can 100% that I have an authentic Tunisian experience and also a whole extended family out there. Word I’m an honorary Tunisian. I love how familiar Tunisia feels to me. I also discover somewhere new in Tunisia each year. Last year I discovered Sidi Bou Said, a small blue and white town just outside the capital, Tunis. I’ve been screaming for years that Tunisia is really underrated.

Italy

I don’t visit European countries as much as I could (for someone based in England) but I swear by Italy. I’ve visited Italy twice, and I fell in love with Rome. The energy that I get from being in Italy is so electrifying. I walk around in awe of all the architecture and colours. Also, I have to be honest, I’m a really fussy eater and I’ve never eaten a meal in Italy that hasn’t hit the spot!

Israel

I’ve never been to Israel. I want that brand new experience and I’ve always been intrigued by the country. I’ve had no exposure to Israeli culture or food so I’m excited to be a complete newbie. My ga’mama is religious and has been there twice in the past 5 years. She loves it, I mean we are definitely going for different reasons, but I’ve heard Tel Aviv is popping and I’m due to find out for myself. I also really want to cross over into Palestine.

Ethiopia

I’ve been saying that I really want to travel around East Africa for a while now. Ethiopia, known as the horn of Africa is first on my list. When I think of Ethiopia I think of vibrancy and a nation with a legacy. Interesting fact: Ethiopia is the one country in Africa that was never colonised! Growing up, one of my home girl’s was Ethiopian and the food that her mum cooked…ouuu I can just taste the bread and food now. Addis Ababa sounds like the best place for me to start. As a Black woman, it’s really important to go and learn first hand about the continent of Africa.

The Seychelles

Despite the obvious beaches galore and sand for days, the islands of the Seychelles in the Indian Ocean is my mumma’s land. I want to go back see family and soak in all the love and food… I meant love and light that comes with being in the motherland. On a long term scale, I also have some ideas that I want to develop and work on out there.

A Frizzy Weekend In… Ho chi Minh

I go-go gadgeted to Vietnam during my month-long Southeast Asia trip. I figured if I was around that part of the world why not visit. Hanoi worked out being far off my route so I visited Ho Chi Minh.

First Impressions

I arrived in Ho Chi Minh really miserable I’m not even going to the front. My plane was delayed, and when I eventually got on the plane there was some child behind me acting unruly. Plus I had been feeling sick since the morning. Potential food poisoning before a flight is stress. Whilst travelling through the city, it was way more advanced then I thought it would be.

Money

When I went in February 2020, it was 29,000 Vietnamese Dong to £1. They use notes, no coins insight. I struggled to adjust to the Vietnamese currency because rather than saying 20,000 they cut the extra so say 2,000 so I was forever left guessing.

What I Did In Ho Chi Minh

• I visited the War Remnants Museum. There is some really graphic images and documents highlighting the horrors of what went down during the American- Vietnamese war. The effects of Agent Orange, you won’t be able to get out of your head!

• Attempted to visit the Pink Cathedral. It was under construction when I visited so I couldn’t even get in the grounds. Across the road from the Catherdral is a sweet spot though. The Pink Moment Cafe serves fresh juice and smoothies with the best view. Each floor has a different theme. (The Cathedral visits are always to make my Ga’mama happy, I was more interested in the cafe)

• Went and send postcards to my loved ones in Saigon Central Post Office. The building and architecture are beautiful.

• Chilled in Cong Vien Bach Ting Diep park. The scenery is everything there. Ho Chi Minh, in general, has a lot of green space.

• Haggled in Ben Thanh market. The market staff there are RUDE. You don’t have the option to look at their items, think about it and then come back later. They cuss you on the spot if you don’t buy. They take their potential sales very seriously, and their ego even more seriously.

Food

I felt so fragile when I arrived in Vietnam that I could only manage plain spaghetti on the first night. And I’m pretty sure I paid extra tax for being “a basic westerner”. I was a write off when it came to proper meals. I tried Pho, fresh spring rolls and random food at the night market and I wasn’t impressed one little bit. I’m usually a big-time foodie. The one thing I can recommend though is boiled cassava with shredded coconut on top. You can get them from stalls around the city. Sticky coloured rice is a thing in Ho Chi Minh. Anything goes hahaaa.

I’m guilty of being basic but I promise to always give it to you straight, I went to KFC in Ho Chi Minh. I was feeling so sensitive that I needed something to remind me of back home. #sorrynotsorry

If you’re feeling experimental there’s a whole leap of live seafood that you can buy from Ben Thanh Market, snails, crab etc. I saw a turtle and switched right off. I’m not on PETA level, but I think that turtles are my friends not food!

Ouuu also, if you want good dessert make sure you visit Roseice parlour. A cute pink shop that I randomly found. The layout reminded me of a scene from the Greece lightning movie. Premium gelato, boujie ice cream I’m here for all the way with the prettiest designs.

Say What Now!

One pull factor for me booking my hotel in Ho Chi Minh was the spa facilities. Swimming pool and sauna. Turns out the swimming pool had a pipe in/around it, so I swerved on that. And when attempting to check out the sauna there was a man right next to it sleeping. I don’t need that sort of stress!

I would avoid local restaurants in the party areas. Tourists that aren’t paying for the drinks of the women that work there get pretty much ignored. The woman who should have brought the drink you ordered 10 minutes ago could well be sitting on the lap of whatever westerner bought her a drink. The vibe is off. On one occasion one of the owner’s tried to stroke my hand and do the most after my meal.

Swipe Left on Cons

Learn from me not being on my A-game. I fell victim to the coconut con. It happened so fast that by the time I realised it didn’t add up it had happened and the man was gone. I was charged 150,000 Dong for a coconut (About £5.20) A small coconut as well. £5 weren’t going to break my bank, but my man legit made a nice killing, and he did it to like 4 of us at one time. It’s the principle. The taxi driver also tried to pull a fast one, but I don’t play round 2 to stupidity. The taxi fare will say like 20,000 Vietnamese dong and they will try to add another 0 to it as the fare. He got dismissed.

Wrap Up

Ho Chi Minh had some good places to visit, but the vibe just didn’t light my soul. The energy was off, and the motorcyclists were so unruly out there that crossing the road was problematic and basically a stunt mission. Unless I went with someone who was Vietnamese I wouldn’t fast up myself to visit the city again. There’s nothing magical about the city. The only great thing to come from Ho Chi Minh was my £3 hair cut. Actually and I bought some £2 jeans from a random store. They are really cute. Watch my mini Ho Chi Minh vlog here to get a proper feel of the vibe.

Maerim Elephant Sanctuary In Thailand

When you visit Thailand don’t be basic and ride an elephant. You have to visit an elephant sanctuary and actually spend time with them, hands down it’s an incredible experience. I decided to visit Maerim elephant sanctuary for this experience. I actually read an article recently that said that due to COVID-19 many elephant camps that chain up elephants and let people ride them as a tourist activity have released the elephants and permanently got rid of the elephant riding seats. Small small wins! I’ll run you through my experience.

As always whenever I initially interact with animals I move awkward and nervous. Scrap that, it’s not actually limited to animals. As soon as I got to the sanctuary the group, there was about 25 of us, were given a briefing where they went over safety measures, which includes telling guests about an elephant kiss. I was shooketh, because I basically was told that an elephant might kiss me with it’s trunk. But the trunk is like a hoover suction and you could bleed. I thought “Hell to the nooo” and was stressed out for like 10 minutes. The sanctuary also gave everyone clothes to change into. You’re not going to win any fashion competition wearing it, but they are comfy and you clearly stand out to staff.

Once I was up close with the elephants, after being given a large bag of fresh fruit for them, all my worries disappeared. To the point that I wasn’t even putting fruit on their trunk and was feeding their mouth directly. I didn’t realise how much I actually liked elephants until I chilled with them. I’d been on a safari before, but this was a complete different experience. I want to tell you their names, but I’d be lying if I said I could remember. But the big one in the picture was my favourite, she was my home girl. We had a connection. I can’t say the same about the little elephant who had zero manners. She legit tried and then suceeded in teefing fruit from my bag. Her social skills were moving mad.

As well as feeding and interacting with the elephants the group had the opportunity to give them a mud bath, and then head into a lake with them to wash the mud off. If you snooze you lose, and I got stuck in the mud trying to navigate around elephant piss so didn’t get to splash around in the water with the elephants. The mud was mad thick and I weren’t trying to drop for anybody.

After showering off and changing back into my original clothes it was dinner time. Everyone in the group cooked either chicken noodles or tofu noodles. The food tasted good, but I will say that it was at this big-big age that I realised that I couldn’t follow simple instructions. My plate was over flowing VS everyone’s plate.

Throughout the experience pictures are taken of everyone individually on a professional camera so at the end you have the opportunity to buy images. This was proper one of those experiences that I didn’t realise I needed until I did it.

Interesting fact: Female Asian elephants don’t have tusks!

A Frizzy Weekend In… Toulouse

A couple of years back, after celebrating a significant birthday in Mexico I told myself that I would spend every birthday abroad. About that plan, it crashed and failed! But on my last birthday, I woke up 2 days before and alongside my sister said “Yo, peace out England. Hi Toulouse!”

First Impressions

I left England in 9-degree rainy weather and I touched down to 30 degrees. My turtle neck top was stuck to me so I was 50 shades of flustered. I noticed how clean the streets were though.

What I Did

• Treated a boujie Seafood restaurant like a strip club on my birthday. I was throwing euros down on all type of seafood that I’d never tried before! Clam, clam, sea snail… oui oui, euro, euro… splash. I’m sure I endangered the seafood species because I was eating all sorts non- stop. Oh yeah, and I dropped a whole seafood platter. Oops!

• Chilled by Pont Neuf river day and night. During the night time, it gets super lively, with food and music. And during the day it’s really calming to just chill there with a takeaway.

• Visited staple places such as La Capitole and the Basilica of Saint Sernin. The buildings were cute. I didn’t learn about the history behind the buildings or anything. Sometimes just stare and admire.

• Spent half a day in the Jardin Du Japonais reading and being mesmerized by the view. If you do only thing in Toulouse, you have to visit these gardens. Honestly, they are so beautiful.

• Stumbled into some random graffiti street art district and fell in love. The road is called Rue de Gramat.

Food

I’m a seafood lover so Toulouse was the shiz-naii-ee no flies around. The food was fresh, I was forever full up. And I literally had my cake and could eat it too. There are also a lot of Senegalese restaurants so you can get your West African food fix. Senegalese fish is prestige!!! They seem to run on Black people time so don’t rush there at 6.30 pm when they have just opened at 6.pm, because they just might be closed.

Food Spot Recommendations

Brasserie, Les Boux Arts: The Fishmonger Platter

Black Lemon: Carrot Cake and the best smoothies.

Wrap Up

Toulouse was actually amazing. It was quirky, tasty, and it was super relaxing. You will not be disappointed spending your birthday there and it’s also the perfect location for solo travels. Everywhere is so easy to get to which makes a first trip there extra nice. I would go back, I think it’s perfect if you’re there for a good time, not a long time.

I cried in the lead up to my birthday because I felt miserable that I’d be in England on yet another year. After my breakdown session, I G’d up and went on Skyscanner and checked for the cheapest flights out of the UK. Random places like Luxemburg came up. 4th on the list was Toulouse and I just ran with it. I’m really happy that I chose this city.

A Frizzy Weekend In… Dusseldorf

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Have you heard the saying, “Home is Where the Heart is?” Well, that’s how I ended up in Dusseldorf for the weekend. I’ve never been interested in visiting Germany, but I’ll go wherever my loved ones are. And my favourite Tunisian lives there.

First Impressions

I felt indifferent when I arrived. Dusseldorf just came across as a plain jane. Saying that I arrived after missing my initial flight, which zoned me out. When I arrived in the city centre I realised how cold the city really was. The city was busy, but not London, overwhelmingly busy, and I needed that.

What I Did

Well, I filled my belly at the Christmas/Winter markets. It clearly goes down at these markets. I got me some gingerbread!

I let my inner child out and played with bubbles by the London eye looking Ferris wheel. It felt so good, I can’t say children’s parents felt my vibes though haha.

I ended up in some haunted “danger-danger high voltage” zone. My homegirl took me to see what was supposed to be Dusseldorf’s sweetest spot, the Rhine Tower. But because google maps clearly pranked her we ended up in a deserted industrial zone that looked like a scene from a horror movie. We all know who gets killed in these horror movies first!

Food

I’m definitely a fan of the schnitzel. I became a believer during this trip. I was nervous about eating out because I thought it would be pork central in every meal, and I don’t eat the swine! Meals in Dusseldorf were basic though, can’t say I had high hopes though because I’d be lying. Major lack of seasoning!

I would recommend Hexe Bolker 4 in Altstadt though for dinner and to catch a vibe! I can vouch for the Chicken Escalope Schnitzel with Peppercorn sauce and fries.

Wrap Up

Dusseldorf was ayt. I liked that that I didn’t need to leave out early and come back in the evening to experience the city. It felt really refreshing to not have a pre planned list, or to have to fit things in. Dusseldorf allowed me Netflix and chill time, which is forever favourite of mine. And them 9 hour sleeps, ouuu they were the one.

Everyone seemed chilled and I felt comfortable roaming the city. Then again I don’t speak a word of German so if the people were cussing me I wouldn’t know aha.

I’ll visit again for love. I’m still indifferent, swinging to a like but definitely not in love with the city!

A Beginners Guide to Cruises: Worries VS Reality

I kicked off travelling in 2020 with a whole new experience. A cruise around the Caribbean, celebrating my home girl’s 30th birthday. I was excited but also overwhelmed with anxiety when I thought about the trip. WHY?

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I was shooketh that the ship would sink. I’ve seen what happened in Titanic. People ended up pop off. I wasn’t trying to go out like that.

Reality

There was a whole deck worth of lifeboats out on display. Did they work? I don’t know, it never came to that. Plus each cabin had life jackets and. Oh, and all guests had to attend a compulsory safety briefing.

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I can’t swim so why the hell would I fast myself to be out at sea. I get in 1-2 argument and I’m getting thrown overboard with the sharks. I was going to joke and say that I’m black I can’t swim, but it’s a bad stereotype. (My homegirl has actually written an article about it) Turns out 95% of Black British adults actually do not swim!

Reality

As long as you don’t move mad and think you are Tarzan you’re most probably not going to fall aboard. I actually started attending swimming classes though because I was so panicked. Sometimes fear is the best motivator.

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I was going to be surrounded by old white pensioners.

Reality

Lol I actually was. Out of 3100 passengers, about 20 were melanated. After the initial stares, everyone stayed in their lane. Plus some of the people on the cruise were actually a vibe and a half!

Betty had a double hip replacement before she came on the cruise and had to get carried back to the ship because she got paralytic drunk after having too much rum on the beach.

Terry loved up the Reggae segment and was singing live with the band when Bob Marley came on, leaving his wife in the corner.

Jo looked majorly classy and boujie, but boyyy the lethal swear words that came out of her mouth when she was ready.

My favourite crew ever was made up of 4 widows (plus life goals Anne) who were solo holidaying. They played a game on the beach shouting “hey stranger” to men that walked past. The mens reactions were so priceless.

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The food is going to be bland/unseasoned and I’m going to be stressed out about it.

Reality

Lol I played myself big time. I ate better in those 2 weeks than I have on any other holiday. Proper 3-5 course meals daily. Top class chefs and major flavour. I could write a whole post on the food alone!

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All the activities are going to be for the elderly so I’ll be bored.

Reality

Bingo is life and there is so much to do on a cruise ship. The ship has a casino, library, a mini shopping mall. Plus old school movies actually bang. And once you are exploring the different islands you’re not that fussed to even know what activities are happening when you get back half the time.

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I’m really proud that I didn’t let me initial worries stop me from enjoying the cruise. Would you happily book a cruise?

Cruising First Times

Holidays are for sun, sea and experiences. And whilst you’re in the chill mode it’s the right energy for first times. That first holiday romance, your first jet-ski experience, crossing a border for the first time. There’s so many to have.

Other than going on a cruise, I experienced a good amount of things for the first time during my getaway. 2020 definitely kicked off for me with a bang! I’m sharing my 5 Cruise holiday first times.

I was about to fast myself up and say this cruise was my first experience in the Caribbean, but it turns out it’s not because I went to Cuba. I know where Cuba is located but I’m still like hmm is it in the Caribbean? Maybe it’s because Cuba is a Spanish speaking country so I mentally place it with South America.

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First time doing Afternoon Tea

I make jokes all the time in England that I’m going to do up afternoon tea like the Queen. But I’ve never actually made an attempt to do it. So when the opportunity came up on the cruise ship, I was definitely down. I wanted to wear a 2 piece co-ord set like the girls from Clueless, but life happened. My afternoon tea was by Eric Lanlard and it was nice-nice ! My dietary requirements were considered too so I didn’t miss out on any food. The afternoon tea experience was ayt you know. I’m an infusion tea lover so when I saw the teapigs set up I was in my element. And I took some home too. You can take the girl out of the hood, but you can’t take the hood out of the girl!

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First time snorkelling

Yoo I was terrified. And my swimsuit snapped before I left for the trip. I convinced myself that I would be safer snorkelling in a swimsuit rather than a bikini. Anyway, my swimsuit breaking threw me off my game. And when I was snorkelling some EDJIOT woman grabbed me, then had the cheek to laugh and ask me if I thought it was a shark.

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First time regularly out in the sea

I bought Piney, my floating pineapple from Amazon. Major key. Plus I’d taken a couple swimming lessons to feel comfortable in the sea and basically not drown before I went on the cruise. In pretty much every country I visited I was in the sea which is a major U-turn from the Frizzy who usually puts her feet in the sea then ignores it for the rest of her trip.

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First time visiting numerous countries in a short space of time

So how cruising works is that you dock at a country in the morning, explore the country for the day and at night to sail off to the next destination. I visited 7 islands on a 2-week trip. I’m not someone who counts how many countries they’ve visited and ticks them off a list, but I definitely got a feel of the countries and know which ones I want to come back to and really explore. It was a good taster session.

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First time being away with a friend for a long period of time

In the back of mind, I kept thinking that something was going to go wrong. Does anyone else feel nervous when going away with a friend? You can go from having a best friend to a +447 number over the space of a holiday! I’m easily irritable and always worried that a bad mental health period will flare-up. On holiday your sharing a living space with someone and with them pretty much all the time. All was good in the hood though!

When is the last time you did something for the first time?

Cuba: Lost Files & Journal

When you think Cuba, naturally your mind goes to straight to Havana or Camilla Cabello, with the Havana tune. Scratch that whole picture though, as I was literally on the other side of the island.

Where I Stayed

I stayed in the city of Palma Soriano with my Cuban friend who has a house there. The city is home to about 76,000 people and about an hour away from Santiago de Cuba. I had the most laid back 2 week getaway. We had no set plans and no military itenary. Just pure vibes, good weather, and for the most part other than my friend who is bilingual I was the only English speaker. I didn’t do tourist Cuba, and for that, I had a real ass experience. I love getting the opportunity to live like a local and blend in. Palma Soriano has no hotels, and I don’t fling around the word authentic around often but this was the real dealio. I also visited Santiago and stayed in a hotel for 2 nights in Holguin. Both these cities had a different feel to Palma Soriano.

Photo Tragedy

I came back from my getaway with hundreds of photos and videos. Hundreds might even be me being humble, I had well over a thousand. Anyway, I get back to the UK with the most limited phone storage, to the point that I had to delete stuff and then delete the deleted stuff just to salvage a tiny bit of data. In the midst of all of that I happened to delete pretty much all my Cuba photos so yeah... I’m stressed.

I did, however, make an Instagram story on my highlights before I went on my deleting spree. Priorities right! Check the story out.

Frizzy journal

For the first time in I think ever, I consistently wrote in my journal documenting my thoughts of experiences on holiday daily. I always die of laughter when I read over things that I write. I always sit there thinking why do you have to be so savage? Then I reply “I didn’t choose savage, the life chose me.”

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“Had lunch in a venue with a beautiful view. The food was shit again (shock horror) They brought me cold rice. And I didn’t have a drink with my meal because they only had beer. Sober life struggles.”

— Day 3

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“Visited Santiago de Cuba today. It’s a lot more vibezy than Palma. More touristy and bright coloured. I visited a cathedral, to take pictures to send to my Ga’mama. Then I ended up taking a picture in the square with a Cuban Abuela. I’m pretty sure I paid her for this picture that I didn’t even want to take!”

— Day 7

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“At 8pm we head out looking for a nail shop. After what seems like forever we end up in a nail shop in someone’s house. On the back of this woman’s door is a large machete... Must I say large? Is a machete ever small haha. I know I’m always in my own world, but now I have a fully functioning movie trailer to an epic movie that I’ve made up. Anyway I got my nails done, they are so beautiful. I’m in awe and gassed that I paid 20 pesos for them. About 60 pence.”

— Day 11

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“I managed to get 10 minutes in the wifi spot in town before it started pouring down and I got backslapped too many times to count by the rain. When we got home we went up on the rooftop to play in the rain. It felt good to be carefree.”

— Day 12

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 Frizzy

A Frizzy Weekend in... Athens

A weekend in Athens should have been amazing. My plane took off on time, I booked a good quality apartment in a hotel. Ouuu the hotel had one of the communal rooftop bars that everyone loves and the weather was 36 degrees. My idea of real good time. But BAM it just didn't go down like that. Regardless, I've still got you covered, until I spill the T at the end.

First Impressions

As soon as I left the airport I thought "yes, Apple weather wasn't lying for once." The weather was doing bits, properly make you sweat in awkward places sort of hot weather! Then I noticed the landscape with all the hills/mountains and I just stared in awe because the view was so beautiful.

What To Do In Athens

Athen's major pull factor is that the city is not lacking in things to do, plus there is a whole lot of history squashed in the city. There are historical sites posted up pretty much everywhere. The novelty of having lots of historical sites to visit wore off pretty quickly for me though as there were always lots of people about. There are a few places I definitely recommend though.

• The remains of what was Hadrian's library. This was the largest structure built by the Roman Emperor. It housed music and lecture rooms plus a massive pool. (If you're a bookworm this if for you)

• The National Historical Museum. The building used to be Greek's parliament, and the debates chamber is naturally the first room you venture into. The Museum showcases traditional Greek clothing, warships and some serious weaponry.

• The area of Plaka - Grab food down one of the side streets. It's the old neighbourhood of Athens and has a completely different vibe from the rest of the city.

• Taking a walk in the National Gardens. It's lush and you can easily explore the grounds for hours getting lost in nature. (Maybe pack some pepper spray to come with you)

Hadrian’s Library

In the National Gardens

Food

Every meal I ate tasted fresh, from the salads to the hot dishes with fish and seafood but as a whole, the food contained no Va-Va-Voom! You know when you eat a meal and know that a lot of love went into it. It didn't feel like that in Athens.

There is one cafe that hands down cannot be skipped though. In Psyrri lies a magical little area, that takes you to a fairyland. I'm talking multi-coloured umbrella installations, candy floss flowers and Mary Poppins galore. The Little Kook, is an unforgettable cafe, serving drinks, crepes, cakes and all sorts of filling forming desserts. Apple Pie with Crumbles is worth every filling.

“There’s definitely something anti in the Athens air!  Word to my mumma, I don’t go where I’m not wanted!”

— Frizzy

Nightlife

The nightlife in Athens is super lively. There are various nightclub choices in the area of Keramikos, which also get double points because they were right next to restaurants that looked like they were closing no time soon when I left the clubs at 4.30 am. Most clubs allow for casual wear and you can pay for entry via cash or card.

The Penthouse night club has the DJ's that play the bangers, Afrobeats, Bashment, Rnb, Trap. (The name of the club is misleading as it doesn't even have a door let alone a top view, but the vibes were right so no beef) Latin music was doing the rounds in all clubs as I walked down the strip so if you love Latin artists like J Balvin, Bad Bunny, Rosalia you'll be happy.

If you don't want to shake a leg but see yourself chilling with a cocktail and nibbles visit Couleur Locale in the area of Monastiraki. Monastiraki is a really energetic area so even if you don't have any solid plans you are sure to find a motive there. I stayed in the area and the streets never slept.

Wrap Up

I found my time in Athens to be for the most part horrible. Yes, I enjoyed the food and took good pictures but you can really do that in any country and I don't glow around being treated like a second class citizen.

Out in public, I experienced men staring at me for way too long and also shouting comments at me- this was generally the older men. Oh, and in a National Garden, one man took it to the extreme to watch me whilst playing with himself. Proper sickening. For every good restaurant, there was a far from a good one. I was kicked out of the first restaurant I visited because I sent a meal back that looked nothing like what I ordered. Yeah, and waiters went out of their way to refer to me as chocolate when trying to get me to take a seat in their restaurants. Then there were the occasions where cashiers point-blank ignored me and my home girl when we attempted to purchase things.

Two days after I shared my personal experience of visiting Athens on my Instagram I found out through social media that a fellow Black-British woman had been arrested in Athens and was being held without a lawyer or translator. She was accused of breaching sexual decency, something that she has strongly denied and was later acquitted of. So yeah, it's safe to say Athens is not on my list of places to return. There's definitely something anti in the Athens air!  Word to my mumma, I don't go where I'm not wanted!

Watch my vlog here to see the cheeky meal I got kicked out of a restaurant over and much more.  

Have you visited Athens? What has been your experience in the city?

Frizzy

HOTEL: The Galata Istanbul MGallery by Sofitel

Picking a hotel always leaves me feeling extremely nervous. Even once I've booked one, I'm constantly second-guessing if I've picked the right one, if I'm in a good area, and if I could have found a better-suited hotel for me. This time, however, I felt really satisfied with my decision. When I arrived outside the hotel and saw the red carpet at the entrance, my face lit up. "They've brought the carpet out for my arrival, ah, I'm a superstar." It turns out the carpet is always there, but it was definitely a welcome touch!

Based in the Karaköy district, the MGallery is relatively new. Even though it is just over a year old, the venue has lived a full life. To open an MGallery, there must be a history behind the building. Back in the day, the venue was an Italian bank. If you look behind the reception desk, you can see deposit boxes, which really add flavour. If it's not seasoned, I'm not impressed. The lounge area also houses a bar serving everything from hot drinks to cocktails.

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“The first thing I noticed was the dark brown wooden shutters, and I developed an unhealthy infatuation with the bathroom.”

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The spa offers many treatments, with English prices, of course. However, you could be swayed by the Turkish hammam, which dates back more than 300 years, giving you an authentic experience. Certain packages also grant you access to the sauna and steam room. Plus, in the spa's chill-out area, you receive complimentary tea and snacks. I love complimentary stuff.

Rooms

This boutique hotel has 83 rooms spread out across 4 floors, and not once did I see anyone on my floor. I love feeling like I'm the only guest at the hotel, and I was very much made to feel that way throughout my stay. The staff were smiley and always happy to assist, and their energy felt genuine.

I originally stayed in the deluxe king room and I fell in love with the room's decor. It wasn't loud; the colours were neutral and had a real warming flair. The first thing I noticed was the dark brown wooden shutters, and I developed an unhealthy infatuation with the bathroom—especially the tiles! As soon as I was introduced to the bed, I was a goner. I was actually, knocked out clean for hours, to the point that I woke up frazzled and it was dark outside. I had to order room service, because I had no intention of getting out of my bathrobe and cute MGallery slippers! The only thing missing for me was a bathtub. That said, the shower was fantastic.

Speaking of water, bottled water was delivered to my room every morning without fail. And all rooms have a minibar, and the suites even have champagne stocked in them. Inserts Nigerian voice "Hayyyy" if you cannot afford it, don't touch it!

The rooms on the higher floors have the best views of the city, and many rooms come with balconies. However, if you forfeit a balcony, you do get to enjoy the breathtaking ceiling detail on the second floor. Plus, there's a hidden game-changer on that floor too—the cutest ever 2-level suite. On the lower floor, it has a living room with a toilet, and then on the upper floor, there's a king-sized bed and master bathroom. I spent my last night lying in bed with cake, planning on how I could get away with moving permanently into this suite.

I'm usually indifferent to the complimentary shower gel and toiletries in the bathroom because more time than not they feel basic. But don't sleep on MGallery's products. The body lotion made me feel like I was in a premium advert and shock horror, the hair conditioner actually hydrated my hair. I could write a blog post about hair products in hotels and still be rolling my eyes at the time it would take someone to travel around the world and back, but can we have a moment? These products hooked my afro up.

Side note: I was feeling extra sensitive, because my hair products did not make it out of the airport. So the realisation that these products worked on my hair, hit that little bit deeper!

Nightlife

From 5 pm, the hotel opens its rooftop bar on the second floor. The Anton Peran bar attracts the 18-30-year-old quirky Turkish crowd, allowing you to meet and vibe with locals. Initially, I thought the daily parties going on until 2/3 a.m. would mess up my sleep, but once your room door is shut, you can't hear a thing. The hotel takes soundproofing to a whole different level. Additionally, people attending the bar use a different entrance and exit.

The music genre changes each night. On Tuesdays, they play electronic music, which is not my style at all, but I loosened up because the vibe was so contagious. As someone who doesn't drink alcohol anymore, a good vibe is everything because I can't drown a dead vibe out with tequila shots! On Wednesdays, they play R&B and hip-hop. Don't get too excited though; I'm talking Destiny's Child and Sean Paul (with Kainrow) tunes! MGallery, book me to DJ and bring the good-good up-to-date tunes.

Food

The food hit the spot. All food matters go down in the Civarda Peran restaurant, open from 6:30 am to 11 pm, serving traditional Turkish and worldwide dishes. Breakfast was a banquet. Everything I wanted and didn't know I wanted was there. As someone who doesn't eat pork or cheese, I have always found securing a filling breakfast in Europe to be difficult.

But I felt like a kid in a candy store. Lentil soup, fresh waffles, omelettes with all the trimmings, turkey sausages without the plastic taste, fresh fruit galore... I could go on and on, but the big exclamation mark moment was... drum roll... the unlimited freshly squeezed orange juice.

Laziness is not going to cost you your taste buds, and it's also not going to create a hole in your pocket. Room service offers a variety of options. I ordered meatballs, rice, and chips. Turkish meatballs and English meatballs are two different sizes. I didn't get the round spaghetti meatballs; I was delivered mini-burgers without the bun—four of them! I couldn't finish all the "meat mega-balls," so I ended up eating the rest at 3 a.m. while half asleep. You can have 99 problems, but going hungry at MGallery is not going to be one! I knew that MGallery and I would have matched on Tinder when they brought me, as standard, three different types of seasoning next to my food!

Small small tips

Avoid the rooms that face the main road- I felt like I was in a horror film because of the abandoned building staring back at me through the window. If you don't want to be disturbed, make sure you put your "Do Not Disturb" sign on the door because the staff are really punctual and quick to enter your room to clean.

Wrap Up

I strongly suggest staying at this luxury hotel, and I would happily return to Istanbul and book this hotel again. It aligns with the respectable Sofitel brand, but it's very much its own hotel. You are so close to many staple places, but you're also not overwhelmed by being on their doorstep. The Galata Tower is a 7-minute walk away, and the old town is four tram stops away. I was in a lavish establishment and felt like I belonged there, which isn't always the case when I travel.

The nightlife in the hotel attracts a younger audience, but I really can't put an age range on who this hotel is for because there is enough to satisfy everyone who walks through their doors.

A Frizzy Weekend in… Cannes No Festival

I visited Cannes last month, literally in between two of the biggest Cannes festivals Cannes Film Festival and Cannes Lion. Visiting Cannes definitely created an... I came, I saw, I conquered moment. Keeping it all the way 100, you don't need more than one day in Cannes. It's only a 30-minute train ride and €4.90 train ticket from the city of Nice, which is a 2-hour flight from the London. No peer pressure, but I'm going to throw it out there you could fly out in the morning, bang out the day, then be home in your bed after a night flight! Bada-bing Bada-boom.

Shopping

Head to the Boulevard de la Croisette to find the well-known luxury brands. I’m talking the usual premium brands such as Chanel, Gucci and Prada. Imagine Knightsbridge in London except with palm trees. C’mon that’s a nice location to shop in! Plus across the road is the seafront. The road stretches over 1 mile and there are all sorts going on there. People walking their dogs, people jogging, effortlessly, and people heading to and from the beach in their swimwear. 

Between the train station and the main boulevard, there are lots of boutique shops and your well known high street ones. Plus, if you are from the UK and are barely surviving without Sephora, Cannes has you covered!

Beachlife

So how it works in Cannes is there are public beaches and also private parts of the beach. The private parts generally are reserved for restaurants or hotels. Because I went in between two festival there were loads of pop-up restaurants and I kid you not they tried to charge me €13 for a soft drink. And I saw Coca Cola on the menu for €10. Newsflash- I'm not that girl!

The public beaches are perfectly fine and I found that they weren’t packed at all, there were only a small amount people there. FYI the sand feels better than it looks. It looks quite grainy but it feels softer. I mean it’s definitely not Seychelles type of sand but it will do.

I can't tell you how nice the sea was for surfing etc because I didn't do that. It was a shame to see that on certain parts of the beach there was lots of oil in the water. It was really off-putting. I'm assuming it's because of all the big yachts parked up nearby, but if you’re after a holiday where swimming plays a large role, I’d reconsider going to Cannes.

Major Key- How happy would you be if you could get a massage whilst you sunbathe on the beach? Some ladies roaming the beaches have got you covered, for €25 per 20 minutes. Don't try to look for them, they'll find you! 

Food

The food in Cannes was the highlight of my trip big time. One restaurant in particular really stood out and is open for both lunch and dinner.  Astoux & Brun serve the good-good fresh seafood. Seafood and fish is their speciality. And I had the opportunity to try escargot for the first time. *Insert Drake lyric* When’s the last time you did something for the first time? They are basically big snails. It sounds nasty when you overthink it but they taste banging. Ooouu and I also tried oysters for the first time... I have no shame saying that I had to Google how to eat oysters. Lobster, Crab and all that good stuff are also available at the restaurant. 

For a light lunch I’d recomment eating the Seafood Spaghetti at L'Avion or getting a Pad Thai Salad at Warner’s Cafe.

*I have a confession I saw a snail in my garden today and found my mind drifting into what it might taste like*

Accommodation

If you want to spend a night or two or three in Cannes there are plenty of places to stay. I went with an apartment I found on Air Bnb which was a 15 minute walk away from the beach and anything important. Cannes really isn’t a big city. the property was clean, bright and cost £69/€80 per night. Plus it had a mini kitchen. I didn’t cook but it’s nice to know the option was there. The closer you are to the beach the more you pay for properties so bare that in mind. Prices range from £150 per night upwards.

Photo’s taken from host’s Air Bnb page *

Wrap Up

If you're going Cannes you need to slay. Cannes is not a humble visit. No, no, no you need to get your "bad and boujie" persona on. So get your shades out of your wardrobe, bring out them Oooh lala outfits and get tah stepping. 

Disclaimer: I will not take any responsibility for you going into your overdraft after reading this post!

Frizzy

A Frizzy Weekend In... Reykjavík

Yoo, it was a cold ass extended weekend in Iceland. I'm not about to pretend that my fingers weren't freezing every second that I touched the road. And I'm also not going to lie and say that I didn't do the cha cha slide and fall over countless times in Reykjavík, because I most certainly did. Expect to slip and slide, and uncontrollably dive in the winter and you'll be fine! 

I visited Reykjavík, Iceland in the winter season. To be dead exact during the month of December. When I went sunrise was at 11 am and the sunset at 4 pm.  It felt mad strange. Imagine heading to breakfast at 9 in the morning and it's still pitch black. Madness.

First Impressions

The flight to Iceland felt a lot longer, in my mind, than it needed to be. Turns out the flight from London to Reykjavík was only 3 hours. Maybe, I was just so excited to witness that level of cold with my own body!?

It's not as snowy as I thought it would be. I imagined some big- big Antartica and maybe Reindeers rolling about on the street (I know my imagination is wild).

"Raar they love big street art in this city".

What is there To Do in Reykjavík

The two places mentioned everytime Iceland is discussed are the Blue Lagoon and Northern Light, and I don't think the two are overrated. As part of my holiday package transfer to and from the Blue Lagoon was included as well as the visit to the Northern Lights.

The Blue Lagoon was magical! Asides from all the cool pictures you’ll take, the experience is mesmerizing. You know the sensation that you get when you jump in a hot bath after a long day? That's the feeling you get at the Blue Lagoon but it lasts for the whole time you are in the water. You also get some face mask included with your entry fee. If you take nothing else from this post please do not be the foolish gal/bwoy who forgets to bring flip flops with them. I was that *insert Nigerian accent* Idjjott whose feet froze. I can't explain to you the level of pain I felt. Book in advance to avoid long queues and to make sure your entry is guaranteed.

*If you have a wig on let that go sis! Let your plaits breath unless you are not fussed about messing up your wig. My orange wig was never the same after!*

The Northern Lights were proper groovy! I saw green and purple lights in the sky and it was breathtaking. My iPhone decided to move proper basic and didn't pick up the colouring. I was initially annoyed but I now think that there is something beautiful about having an image locked in your mind. Something to note though, you can be waiting around for anything up to 90 minutes after you've seen the lights whilst others attempt to take pictures and hang around the space. If you are kind of anti and impatient like myself, you might want to rent a car so you can leave when you're finished rather than when a coach full of people are.

If you have time I'd recommend venturing out of Reykjavík and visiting some hot springs. Go forth and be at one with nature whilst you warm up your body. Also, if you are into vintage clothing, the fashion stores in Reykjavík will have you grinning from ear to ear. 

Food 

The food in Iceland is not low-low prices. Food is on the E-X-P-E-N-S-I-V-E side. Once you've mentally accepted this fact the holiday gets better I promise you.  You'll easily spend £25 on a lamb burger and fries. On the plus side, everything I ate in Iceland tasted fresh and non-fatty.

Side note: If you have specific dietary requirements let the staff know even if it seems totally irrelevant for what you have ordered. I ordered the fish of the day at a restaurant and there was no mention of anything else coming with it. Yet when my meal came I realised they had put slices of bacon in my meal.

3 Food Spots I Recommend

Sumac - Octopus and hummus with Crispy baby potatoes.

Hotel Island -  Fish of the Day (Fresh Icelandic Fish).

Rustik - Lamb shank with mashed potato and seasoned vegetables.

Wrap Up  

Wrap up well like the British roadmen do in the summer and you'll be well prepped. I know instagrammable clothes is the go-to for holidays but if you’re visiting Iceland in the winter I can't stress how much comfort over style is a must. If you're thinking about trying out solo travel I would strongly suggest Iceland because I felt at all times extremely safe. (And that means a lot coming from me because my paranoia levels can peak) Also, when I left Iceland I noticed how clear and healthy my face looked. I'm not sure what exactly caused it but myself and my homegirl were left feeling really radiant and refreshed.

Have you visited Reykjavík? Would you visit there in the winter? Watch my Insta vlog to see how Icy Iceland got.  

 Frizzy

Doing Up Big Birthdays All-Inclusive Style in Cancun

I've been all-inclusive before but oh my, this holiday opened me up to a whole different level of all-inclusive. I wanted to enjoy the lavish lifestyle for a milestone birthday. Introducing the 5* Dreams Sands Cancun Resort and Spa. Where do I even start? This was a package holiday - flights, hotel and transfer. On arrival at the hotel, we were greeted with a glass of champagne each. I gave mine to my homegirl, as I don’t drink alcohol, as you can imagine she was well happy! I waited for the ugly all-inclusive band that always messes up my tan but it never came. 

Room

We booked a deluxe oceanfront room with a balcony, and that gave us our own King size beds which were really comfortable. Being someone with back problems comfort is a major deal-breaker for me. The way the suite was set up glass panels acted as dividers, so you can be in bed and see someone washing their hands. At first, I thought “hold up, what if I'm trying to do my business in the toilet and I'm being stared at?" Dramatic much... Turns out that part was opaque so all was good there.

Deluxe Room with Partial Sea view and balcony

Things to do

This holiday was not my usual style because for pretty much 7 days and nights I did nothing other than eat, read, sleep and tan. I'm talking about 24-hour room service... Yes, sometimes I ordered food at 4.30 am... no shame! My homegirl said she woke up and saw me chewing in bed at some mad time in the morning, and all now I cannot remember.

The resort offered a large choice of activities. When I looked at the choices I told myself I’d try the Spanish lessons, then I'd join the Caribbean dance classes and then I'd top it off it with yoga aerobics, but I’d be lying to you if I told you I actually did anything. *You know when you go on holiday and sell yourself a bag full of dreams* Regardless, the options were there. However what I did do was, spend my birthday jet skiing in the sea, and I found myself attempting to retrieve my homegirl’s, wig, well it turned out to be her cap, from the sea. (Let’s leave that story for another day.) Oouuu and I also attended a foam pool party and the music was vibezy throughout my whole stay. Proper up to date music, not that awkward stuff.

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“I went for 7 nights and I’m telling you it is not enough. Considering the flight time was 10 hours from London to Cancun, I’d recommend at least 10 nights. I cried internal tears when checking out of the hotel.”

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Food

Even just typing this and reflecting on my holiday has my mouth watering. Dreams Sands Cancun really impressed me. I can be 50/50 about all-inclusive places because a lot of hotels have left me feeling that I'm on a strict eating regime, especially if they recycle the same typical buffet food for the whole week. But Dreams Sands is all about gourmet dining.

It felt so refreshing not having to set an alarm to make sure I made it to breakfast in the morning. If I missed breakfast for whatever reason, I mean breakfast was from 7 am -11 am, I could just order room service. And the room service didn't compromise the good good food. I'm fussy/particular yeah, I like squeezed juice, not from concentrate, not some 20% fruit plus 20 spoons of sugar. So you can imagine my face when fresh orange juice was delivered like clockwork to my room each morning. Lunch was a treat too. I spied my greedy little eyes on some big ass lobster (The only thing that wasn't included in my all-inclusive package cha!) I couldn't complain though because I fell in love with some staple Mexican meals in the buffet and refused to eat anything else after.

Dinner wowed me massively, giving me a choice of 7 different restaurants to pick from. And yes I tried all of them. El Patio and Wave and Sands were my favourites. In the evening dinner falls between 6-11 pm. Let that sink in, it's a whole 5 hours, and you can turn up to the restaurant of your choice without a reservation. I might have on numerous occasions ate at the buffet at about 6.30 pm and then went to eat my gourmet dinner later in the evening. 

Nightlife

Every night there was a different live musical performance. From the Pan-Asian restaurant, I had a banging view of performances. It felt like a mini carnival so I was super involved, whining my waist as I ate my dinner* If after the performances you have the "turn down for what" attitude, the hotel has a sports bar that plays everything from reggaeton to traditional Mexican tunes to pop music so the party can continue.

Also, if you want to venture out there is a lively nightlife in the strip down in main Cancun. I went to Coco Bongo and from picking up the vibe I could tell lots of the clubs down there were not disappointing. Most of my nights ended with me tucked in bed watching a DVD that I'd rented for free from the concierge. Don't expect some new school 2019 or even 2018 film, but you're never too nice to re-watch 'Lilo & Stitch' or 'Dirty Dancing' are you!

Small small tips

I went for 7 nights and I’m telling you it is not enough. Considering the flight time was 10 hours from London to Cancun, I’d recommend at least 10 nights. I cried internal tears when checking out of the hotel, I was not ready to come home and live off of my basic noodles. Also, I was so tired after travelling to Cancun that I fell asleep in the restaurant whilst waiting for my main dish to arrive after eating my starter. Don’t judge me.

When travelling in Cancun book your taxi from the hotel, and always inquire what the price is for that journey, because I kid you not drivers start doing 2+2 and getting 25!

Pay for activities/excursions in US dollars. I found the best rates were offered that way.

Dip your plantain in peanut butter, I’m telling you now it’s a game changer! You’ll thank me later!

I can honestly say I lived good, recharged my soul, had my belly filled up, and my food was well seasoned! Dreams Sands was so good. Until we meet again Mexico, sometime very soon I hope. Watch my vlog to see how I lived a Vida Loca in Cancun.

Frizzy

Everything You Need To Know About Tunisian Weddings

In England I’m used to rocking up to a wedding in my cute outfit for the day, and if I'm lucky getting fed. Boom, Bam, finished! But in Tunisia weddings are a whole different vibe.

Trust me they are truly amazing and it really goes down on the dance floor. Having had the opportunity to attend a few weddings, the most recent being last month, I’m giving you the lowdown on what happens at a Tunisian wedding. Typically, Tunisian weddings are made up of 5 events. Some people are fully involved and attend all 5 of them and some people choose a smaller selection. 

Hammam

On this day family and female friends go with the bride to be to the steam room. On the way to the hammam, the bride walks alongside her loved ones in traditional Tunisian wear, whilst her hype women sing all around her. The bride leaves the hammam looking so fresh and so clean.

My homegirl Rah, who got married last month, absolutely despises going to the Hammam, so she broke the rules and made her Jacuzzi bath her steam room. Imagine 20 women walking her into her bathroom whilst cheering, singing and lighting candles. Everyone is dressed casually on this day.

Legal signing

The official legal document signing is the quickest part of the wedding. It lasts about 30 minutes. Females sit on one side of the venue, and men on the other. Generally, people then queue up to congratulate the bride and groom saying “ma-brook” which means congratulations in Arabic.

You know that outfit that isn’t really comfortable or them shoes that look really banging but you can’t wear for long. Now is the time to get them out.

Small Henna

Henna is a big deal in Tunisia, it’s associated with bringing good fortune to a bride, so on this day henna is put on the bride-to-be in her house. The bride’s family also generally provide food for guests. Usually a nice hearty Tunisian dish- Couscous, beef and salad.

Even this day varies depending on individuals. On one occasion it was a very small event with only close family and on another, a tent appeared out of nowhere after dinner with a fully formed band playing live music until 1 a.m. 

Big Henna

For women, this is one of the biggest days. It generally happens in a rented venue like a hall. This is what you can call the bride’s personal celebration. Bride’s take centre stage and carry out traditional rituals, such as swaying their shoulders from side to side with their eyes closed and stepping over a “fish”. There's always a large live band and a big dance floor of course!  I’ve seen the bride’s change their outfits an average of 4 times on this evening. Big extravagant outfits come out and at the end, the groom arrives and joins the bride on stage. Many people who cannot make all the 5 celebrations come specifically for this day. I personally love this day so much because lots of Tunisian pastries and fresh juice get given to guests. Dress all the way up. Think prom night and ball gowns.

The Final Celebration

“Here comes the bride all dressed in white.” Yes, the bride puts on her beautiful white dress and effectively sits on a cute sofa on display until the groom and his hype men turn up to take her away. The groom and his family turn up to the bride’s house around 2 hours after the event begins. On the main road outside the bride’s house, the groom’s entourage will announce their arrival. My homegirl's husband announced his arrival in a large white limousine and Porshe Cayenne (not bad at all). After exchanging rings inside and about 500 hundred pictures, the newly-weds head to the groom’s house followed very closely behind by both the bride and groom’s loved ones. 

Cars put on their hazard lights and beep regularly throughout the drive. Imagine the film 'Fast and Furious' and you’ll have an idea of what to expect during the journey. On one occasion, I witnessed my aunty pass out as she was so overwhelmed with the driving styles used. The night ends early, compared to the majority of the other nights, outside the groom’s house where loved ones celebrate one last time the joining of the married couple.

Small small tips

I'm not even joking but make sure you carry earplugs around with you because the music is really loud and at times distorted. When planning outfits prep for at least 1-2 more outfits than you think you'll need. I'm telling you at least one un-official event will pop up. And last but not least, bring some cash in notes to the big henna. (You'll have the opportunity to go on stage and give some to the bride.)

Tunisian Wedding Outtakes

At one wedding, a friend brought me outside to see a “surprise” and when I walked around the corner there was a cow tied up on the floor bleeding out. It turned out to be some of the finest beef I had ever eaten the next day when I ate it with my couscous, but I froze when I saw it initially. 

On the last night of Rah's wedding, after heading home exhausted, we had to go all the way back to the groom's house after to deliver her suitcase as it had been left in the boot of her mum's car, and she was heading off to her honeymoon hours later.

On the fourth day of the first Tunisian wedding I’d ever attended, I fell asleep on a sofa in the bride's house. I was so tired. The closer your family relation to the bride the more you're supposed to be present and we were at the bride's house every day from the afternoon until the early morning. 

Tears of joy

I feel really privileged to have been invited to weddings in Tunisia, especially Rah's wedding. The night before the final celebration she had a hen do where all of the young-ish girls closest to her, came together and had a party. What happens at a hen do, stays at the hen do.

And on the day of the final celebration, I spent the morning with the bride and we got our harkous done by a woman who came to her house.