The Blog
I just had to get the hell out of Shanghai. A city which I have struggled to form a bond with for the last year and a half. Through the diminishing ancient culture, thick smoggy skies and an increasing feeling of being in a metropolis enclosure, our relationship result has come out as a C minus.
Xingping is one delightful little village in Guangxi, China. The minute I stepped off the bamboo boat which had transported me along the magical scenery of Li River, I felt like a traveller in an adventure candy shop.
Looking for a quaint, traditional and delightful piece of China in the glorious mountains of Guilin? Chasing that thrill of discovering somewhere cute and delightful along the beautiful waters of Li River that Yangshou used to be like?
Dreaming of exploring the stunning, vast, mystical limestone landscape of these dragon-teeth peaks as they reach up to the deep blue sky? Visualising inner peace and clarity as you soar along these idyllic waters and watch the peaceful world go by? Forget it. It’s possible but the Li River Bamboo Raft Tour from Yangdi to Xinping in Guangxi, China is most definitely not the answer: this tour sucks. Read on to find out why it’s a let down and where the cheaper, calmer and more local experience is
Do you want to know how to successfully navigate the Dazhai to Pingan hike through the eye-popping dragon’s backbone rice terraces in Longsheng, Guangxi, China? Teacake has the answer! Pop your hiking boots on and pack your snappy camera: we’re going on an adventure! Feeling like an armchair adventurer today instead? No problem! Cruise the photos and enjoy the ride!
Regardless of how much I critique Shanghai, its gift as the land of ‘dream it and you can do it’ is undeniable. If you want to be something, do something and make it happen, you wouldn’t be just a hat rack if you decided to come here and try your goddamn best. There’s definitely something in the air here, apart from all that pollution crap. Shanghai will throw out all the awesomeness in the cosmos and give you what you want and I’ve found my golden ticket through Burlesque.
Push, squeeze and pull yourself through the crazy glitz, glamour and hordes of Gucci clad, cash-splashing Shanghainese in Jingan and you will materialise at the other end, in Shanghai’s grey and polluted waters of Suzhou Creek.
“There’s a monster in your tummy”. “Huh?!” I exclaimed. “Yes, there’s definitely something in there. It happens a lot here” said the doctor. I was lying in his refined, tiny office: a world away from the dusty chaos going on outside in Phnom Penh.
What turned into a quest to eat some beef and ants in Cambodia turned into a quest to not get cut into tiny pieces myself. Find out what actually happened when I went for a ‘quiet’ meal in Phnom Penh. Cambodia.
The dreaded question came up today. I was sitting comfortably on my apartment balcony, up in the skies on the twelfth floor. I was munching lunch with one of my best buddies Johnny. I was in my Shanghai home. Home.
Sometimes, we can get ourselves into trouble whilst travelling. Things can happen that we most certainly didn’t plan and then we need help. Becoming pregnant whilst travelling isn’t on everyone’s bucket list. It wasn’t on mine and still isn’t…but I’ve been there. It happened to me. I made the decision to have an abortion. Being a solo female traveller, in a country which isn’t my home and not having anyone with me: that’s tough. Read on for invaluable information on where to get an abortion in Asia and my personal story.
Are you looking for a unique, dark, twisted and magical temple? Have you had enough of seeing temples which just all look the same? Thailand is hiding a delightful treasure for you and you have to see it! Read on to discover the black temple in Chiang Rai, Thailand with Teacake. Let’s go!
