Travel Tips - LIFE OF SHAL

Essential Phrases You Should Know Before Travelling To China

China is a beautiful and diverse country, rich in cultural history. If you’ve been following my blog, you’ll know that I spent two and a half years teaching and travelling through China. This was one of those life-changing experiences and I’ve captured so many memories here. Living in a new…

The five types of imposter syndrome and how to overcome them

Today I’m writing about a topic that has been on my mind for months. How many times have you sat in a boardroom and felt like you’re just not good enough? Perhaps you felt now that you’ve been given a seat at the table, maybe you didn’t actually deserve to…

LOS Book Club: Girl, Stop Apologizing By Rachel Hollis

Hi gorgeous souls, It’s time for another LOS book club review. If you’ve been following me on Instagram, you’ll know that I’m all about self-care and personal growth which is why this year I’ve been focusing on reading more books in this genera. ‘Girl, Stop Apologizing’ by Rachel Hollis is…

What Qualifications Do I Need To Teach English Abroad?

Teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) has become a popular career choice for many people who love to travel and experience new cultures. If you’re wondering how to teach English in another country and if it’s a possibility that you can achieve, well you’ve come to the right place.…

How Much Do English Teachers Make When Teaching English in China?

You want to start your teach abroad journey but you’re not sure if it’s the right fit. You’re tired of the corporate grind and you’re looking for adventure and fun. Well teaching English in China might just be right up your alley. As China continues to encourage its locals across…

Your 2023 Glow-Up Plan: Mind & Body

Hey fabulous Life of Shal followers! It’s time for your 2023 glow up plan. You’re probably wondering what a glow up plan is. Well, I’m here to tell you exactly what that is! Change is never easy but putting in the effort is truly the first step to becoming someone…

20 Photos to Inspire You to Visit Victoria Falls

Africa has no shortage of incredible sights, but the mighty Victoria Falls is one that you cannot miss. Located between the Zimbabwe and Zambia border, the falls are twice the height of Niagara Falls (some 108 m high!), making it the largest in the world. Victoria Falls is one of…

10 Affirmations to Overcome Self-Doubt

One of my favorite quotes from Van Gogh is: “If you hear a voice within you say ‘you cannot paint,’ then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.” Imagine if he listened to that voice. We all get feelings of self-doubt from time-to-time creeping in. It’s normal…

How I Overcame Self-Doubt & Started Living the Authentic Life I Always Dreamed About

We all experience feelings of self-doubt from time to time. Often, we don’t even realize that these feelings have crept up on us and soon, a tiny little voice in our head is telling us how imperfect we are, how we’re going to fail and how all our past experiences…

100 Lifestyle Blog Post Ideas

I love creating new content for my blog. Over the years Life of Shal has become a reflection of my personal life and all the experiences that make up who I am. More than that, it’s become a way for me to share all of that with the World, making…

5 Things to Quit When Becoming the Best Version of Yourself

As we get deeper into the last quarter of the year, I think it’s time for some reflections. How are you doing with achieving your goals for the year? Are you on track to achieving everything you set out for yourself this year? Or are some things lagging behind? The journey…

How To Become the Best Version of YOU and Start Living as Your Best Self

Everyone wants to become the best version of themselves, but few actually do it. Have you stopped and asked the question why? There’s always some form of limiting belief that stops us from doing the things we want (and need) to do to achieve this success. But you’re here, reading…

10 Things To Do At The Start Of Every Month

Don’t you just love new beginnings? Whether it’s the start of a new year, month or day – a new beginning is somewhat refreshing. There’s something about the idea of a new chapter that revitalizes the soul and nourishes the mind, leaving you feeling like anything is possible and no…

How To Live a Life You Love

It’s the start of the new year and while the positive energy and good vibes are high, I thought of sharing a post to inspire you too. The last two years have been tough okay! Let’s just take a step back to admit and own that statement. I mean we…

Reflections on 2021 and Welcoming in 2022

Hi friends! It’s been a minute on the blog! I’ve been posting a lot more to Instagram in the last few months (follow me here), and I admit, I have been terrible about keeping this blog up to date. Part of that is because life gets so busy at certain…

20 Photos To Inspire You To Visit Bali

Bali is one of those amazing cultural destinations filled with bustling bright colours and vibrance. I was so excited to visit Bali and be on an island holiday in Indonesia! We started our adventure by landing in a very sunny and hot Denpasar. After checking in to the Sari Segara…

Three Events You Absolutely Cannot Miss In Deventer

Deventer is one of those beautiful medieval towns located on the east bank of the IJssel in The Netherlands. Known for delicious gingerbread Deventer Koek and it’s annual Dickens festival – this is one of those little Dutch towns you cannot miss. If you’ve read 20 Photos To Inspire You…

20 Photos To Inspire You To Visit Botswana

Exploring more of Africa has always been on my bucket list which is why when the opportunity for a day trip into Botswana came up, we jumped at the opportunity. If you’ve been wanting to explore more of Africa, here are 20 photos to inspire you to visit Botswana! Botswana…

20 Habits For A Healthier Lifestyle

This year I’m making a more concerted effort to live a healthier lifestyle… but what does a healthier lifestyle actually mean? More than that, this is my question to the Universe – why do so many people shy away from healthy living? Maybe it’s the word lifestyle itself which immediately…

Emergency Kits 101: be prepared for anything

With so much going on in the world today, from natural disasters, violent political unrest and a global pandemic that seems as if it will never end, having an already assembled, ready-to-go emergency kit at home has become somewhat of a necessity. Emergencies strike when you least expect it and,…

20 Photos To Inspire You To Visit Deventer

Deventer is one of those beautiful medieval towns located in the Overijssel province of The Netherlands. Situated just 88 km’s outside of Amsterdam this historic city is definitely worth a visit any time of the year. Every Dutch town has its own personality and Deventer is definitely not short of…

LOS Global Kitchen: Shoyu Ramen

The pandemic has slowed down travel for most of us and while we’re stuck indoors, it’s forced us to be creative and come up with other ways to keep travel alive. I’ve decided to start a new series on this blog: the LOS Global Kitchen! In this series I’m going…

10 MORE Local Foods To Try In Japan

If you’ve read my post on 10 Local Foods To Try In Japan and couldn’t get enough of all of the delicious foods, you’ve come to the right place. Here are 10 more local foods to try in Japan! Food is one of the best ways to learn about a…

LOS Book Club: Home Body By Rupi Kaur

I love poetry in all its forms. It’s a play on words that somehow, when strung together resonates to the deepest parts of your soul. Which is why I love Rupi Kaur and her well-known collections. She has a way with words, talking to our darkest deepest haunts and fears.…

Ivan Ramen, NYC

Do you love Ramen as much as me? Well then you’re going to love Ivan Ramen located in New York City! I didn’t even know there was such a thing as popular ramen places in the Big Apple, until my little sister made us a reservation at one of New…

How I Left Home With $2000 and Travelled for 2.5 Years

I left home to travel on my own for the very first-time in 2011. Back then I was still a student, completing my Master’s degree and I had been awarded an Erasmus scholarship to study abroad in the small town of Nijmegen, NL. I had travelled before on holidays with…

LOS Book Club: Good Vibes, Good Life by Vex King

My sister recently shared a book with me that she had been reading: Good Vibes Good Life by Vex King. She started by telling me how great the book was making her feel about life. This got me interested because she isn’t a big reader to begin with. I’ve been…

Coffee 101: Essential Coffee Terms Every Coffee Lover Should Know

I love coffee. Need I say anymore? It’s one of the most comforting and soul soothing drinks that warms my soul every single time… whether it be early on Saturday morning when the world is still asleep or late at night when I’m trying to write. That being said, there’s…

How to beat boredom with productivity – 30 things you should start doing now

Have you ever found yourself at home on a quiet gloomy day thinking you have absolutely nothing to do with your life? We all want to live better lives and be more productive but sometimes it’s the actual process of being productive that gets confusing. How do you live a…

20 Photos That Will Make You Want To Visit Universal Studios Japan RIGHT NOW!

When we planned out trip to Japan, apart from Tokyo DisneySea, one of the places that was high up on my list was Universal Studios Japan! I had never been to any of the Universal Studios before so I knew it was a must visit for me. More so because…

15 Photos to Inspire You to Visit Osaka

I’ve started this photo diary series as a way to scrap book all my travel photos online but more that, to inspire you to visit the beautiful places I have around the world. Sometimes when travelling you find the most unexpected of things and that’s why every traveller’s adventure is…

Climbing The Great Wall: Simatai

I’m an adventurer at heart. I think it’s the Gemini in me that craves new and exhilarating adventures in far off lands but more than that, I think it’s the Gemini in me that constantly loves a feisty challenge. Not a challenge where I compete against another person but a…

5 Totally Awkward Solo Travel Situations Women Find Themselves In (And How To Handle Them)

As a woman, travelling solo is one of the most empowering things you can do. It builds confidence and shows you just how independent and resilient you truly are. More than that, you get to adventure on your own terms and do what you want, when you want. That being…

5 Totally Awkward SOLO Travel Situations (and How to Handle Them)

Travelling solo is one of the greatest feelings you can have when adventuring in a new city. You get to adventure on your own individual terms and conditions, do what you want when you want and not be restricted by someone else. It’s a great way to explore your independence…

Great Travel Lessons from The Little Coffee Shop of Kabul

I love a good book. But more than that, I love a good book that finds a way to bring travel and womanhood together. There’s something about the strength of women that leaves me in awe each and every time. It doesn’t matter which country I’ve been to or what…

How to Say Adventure in 50 Languages

Travelling the world means that along the way, you’ll pick up a host of different phrases which you’ll carry with you in all your journey’s going forward. Perhaps one of the most magical words you can learn how to say in a multitude of different languages is the word: adventure.…

LoS Book Club: The Little Coffee Shop of Kabul

The Little Coffee Shop of Kabul is a story centred around five women who, despite having very different backgrounds find comfort and friendship in each other, while meeting at a little coffee shop in Kabul. Situated in one of the most dangerous places on Earth, five very different come together…

How to Bring the Outdoors to You (when you’re stuck inside)

With so much staying at home going on, for many us, we’re starting to feel a tad bit claustrophobic. Borders are closed, national parks are closed, heritage sites are closed and well, we’re left with… our little homes. While I love staying home (also because I recently moved in to…

Best Places to Visit in February

With the holiday rush over, February is the perfect month for planning a quick vacation and while this may be the shortest month of the year, it shouldn’t mean there is a shortage of places to visit! Crowds are less, prices are lower and there are so many wonderful things…

30 Photos to Inspire You to Visit the Summer Palace

China has always held a special place in my heart. Living there for two and a half years meant I got to explore some of the many treasures. Back in 2014 I started my first year of teaching in Dongguan. It was then that we made a trip up North…

11 Unique Beaches Around the World That You Must Visit

Crystal clear blue waters and white sandy shores are what most travellers think about when someone says ‘tropical beach’ but lately many off-the-beaten-path explorers have given up on those. Sure it’s the perfect promise of sun, sand and sea but there’s something a little more extraordinary out there… hidden away…

The Future of Travel in a Covid-19 World

The world looks very different right now and as the state of the pandemic continues to fluctuate daily, we just don’t know what’s happening or what the future of travel will look like. One day borders open up, the next day there’s murmurs of them closing or restricting travel to…

Sex And The City Adventures In New York City

I am through and through a Sex and the City girl. Carrie… Miranda… Charlotte and Samantha… each one of them taught us valuable lessons about being a woman, following your passions and just enjoying every luxurious moment life has to offer. Why wouldn’t you if you were living in one…

10 Healthy Habits To Adopt Right Now

With the world changing in ways we never imagined, staying healthy has become so much harder. Going into a grocery store or even making our way to the gym has become an actual nightmare that, for many us, gives us anxiety. I can’t tell you how many stories I’ve heard…

10 Photos To Inspire You To Visit Hiroshima

Planning a trip to Japan should consist of more than visiting the popular cities of Tokyo and Osaka. There’s so much history hidden in each city that you’ll need close to two weeks to even begin doing justice to the beauty that is hidden in every little city and town…

Staying Positive in a Covid-19 World

For so many of us, the Covid-19 pandemic has inevitably changed our lives. The last few months have been somewhat scary to say the least and as time passes, it only seems that the virus creeps in closer and closer to home. As our local radio station put it, we’ve…

20 Photos to inspire you to visit the little town of Utrecht

Utrecht is the perfect place to visit on any day trip.

7 Reasons to Visit Utrecht

Often called the beating heart of The Netherlands, Utrecht is one of those instantly lovable cities. It forms the fourth largest Dutch city and while it is small and vibey, it still maintains its gorgeous medieval charm. The city itself is relatively small. In fact you could explore the whole…

Moving to Utrecht? Here’s Everything You Need to Know

Utrecht is the fourth largest city in The Netherlands and is well known for its picturesque canals, terrace lined cafes and medieval styled buildings. In fact, it’s more affectionately known as the heart of The Netherlands with its aesthetic appeal, lively city centre and buzzing nightlife. Are you considering moving…

Best Places To Visit in January

There are tons of people who never really travel in January but you don’t have to be one of them and while Covid-19 has grounded all travel and vacations, it can’t hurt to do a little travel dreaming, right? And when travel does resume – whichever year that may be…

Seven fun things to do in DUMBO, Brooklyn

If you’re a Gossip Girl fan like me, then visiting DUMBO, Brooklyn should be at the top of your New York list. And why wouldn’t it be? It is after all the home of the Humphrey family and so many scenes between Serena and Dan! But more than that (so…

10 Photos to inspire you to walk Brooklyn Bridge

I’ve always wanted to walk across the infamous Brooklyn Bridge and I finally got to do it when visiting my little sister back in 2020. My sister was on a three month secondment program stationed in Manhattan and what better time to visit NYC than when when your little sister…

A Simple Guide to Walking Across the Brooklyn Bridge

So you’re in New York and you want to walk across the great Brooklyn Bridge? What a splendid idea and well, you’ve come to the right place! Back in 2019 I spent a morning exploring Brooklyn but I started the day off with a walk from Manhattan across to Brooklyn…

Getting Ramen in New York City

After a long flight into the Big Apple, I needed a hot shower, something delicious to eat and, well bed. I was meeting my little sister who was currently on a secondment program stationed in Manhattan, so what better time to finally tick New York off my bucket list? The…

20 Photos To Inspire You To Visit New York City

New York has been on my bucket list for years. There’s just something about the Big Apple that makes a girl’s eyes sparkle – maybe it’s the twinkling lights of Times Square or the whimsical secrets of fairy tales hidden in central park… maybe it’s the endless stretch that forms…

15 ways to enrich your travel experience

There are tons of lists out there telling you what to see before you die but so often we become wrapped up with ticking places off an ever growing bucket list that we forget to stop and just take in the surroundings of the place we’re in. Learning to immerse…

Curing wanderlust during the Covid-19 pandemic

Covid-19 has impacted travel in ways we never imagined possible. I mean, no one predicted that in this day and age with all the advances in science and technology, we would face a global pandemic that saw countries go into hard lockdowns, the science community scramble for a vaccine and…

How To Create A Vision Board That Inspires You Everyday

It’s that time of year when we all feel really inspired to set goals and start afresh. I’ve been spending my first few days of the year constantly looking at my goals and journaling. I also thought I’d try something new this year – visualising and manifesting what I want.…

Manifestations for 2021

The New Year is among us just like that. 2020 was a tough year and for some of us, we’re still reeling from the aftermath of a global pandemic and all the negative energy that it brought to our lives, souls and minds. But with a new year, comes new…

Goodbye 2020, Hello 2021

With 2020 now behind us things can only be looking up. Let’s face it, 2020 was a hard year. I mean who would have ever thought we would face something like a global pandemic in this lifetime? With all the advances in medicine, science and technology; I think we can…

7 Local Foods To Try In Cinque Terre

Until the late 1960’s five little towns hidden somewhere in the mighty cliffs of the Italian Rivera were virtually unknown to the rest of the world. These little sleepy Italian fishing villages have now become some of the most famous coastal landscapes in the world. The Cinque Terre forms every…

Restaurants Around The World – L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele

Naples is known as the birthplace of pizza and for that one and only reason, we decided to make the two-and-a-half-hour drive from Roma to Napoli in search of the world’s best pizza. Truth be told, if we had more hours in Naples, we most likely would have gone on…

10 Local Foods To Try In South Africa

In South Africa, you’ll find an array of local dishes inspired by the indigenous population. Cultural traditions along with Dutch, French, Indian and Malaysian influences have led to a range of unique and vibrant dishes that have become known as home -grown and which, should form part of every traveller’s…

Sunsets In Cinque Terre

Some of the strangest adventures are the ones you don’t really plan out properly and that’s what I truly love about Europe… travel is just so easy that it makes adventuring and exploring so much fun! After a pretty night out in Florence, filled with pistachio cannoli’s… Wanderings through the…

Getting Started: Everything you need to know about teaching abroad

So, you’ve just finished university and you’re thinking about taking a gap year. Maybe you’ve been doing the 9 am – 5 pm corporate life for far too long and you really can’t take another meeting or boardroom drama. Then the thought strikes: why not teach abroad. You’ve heard about…

Best Places To Visit In September

With kids back at school, September is the perfect month to enjoy some lovely weather without peak season crowds. It’s also one of the best times of the years to travel if you love everything to do with the earthy colours fall and cooler temperatures! From warm and dry cities…

30 Travel Tips You Need To Know Before Visiting Italy

Italy is one of the most beautiful countries to visit in the world. Filed with iconic ruins to explore… Tuscan back roads… mouth-watering pizza… freshly made pasta… and some of the most delicious wines, it is a must to visit at least once in your lifetime.

Best Places To Visit In August

Late summer in the northern hemisphere is one of the most popular times to travel with warm, balmy climates, lush greenery and the some of the best opportunities to spot wildlife. From cool, dry Kenya in the midst of a great migration to the bustling marine life of the Galápagos…

Best places to visit in June

Whether you’re situated in the northern hemisphere or the south, June is the perfect time for a middle-of-the-year adventure. Wander the alleyways of European cities where the sun only sets after nine or sail down glittering canals with a glass of chilled sangria in one hand! June forms the perfect…

Makeovers at Sephora, NYC

With baby sis living in the Big Apple for close to three months, it was an absolute adventure to be able to visit her and finally get to tick off New York from my bucket list. One week into my visit we had done so much already… Climbing Empire State,…

Restaurants Around The World – Magnolia Bakery

In 1996 two women opened a tiny bakery on Bleecker Street in New York City. Four years later, Carrie Bradshaw ate a pretty pink frosted vanilla cupcake on a bench outside… and so became one of NYC’s famous little gems – Magnolia Bakery. Known for its cupcakes and all famous…

Wandering through Brooklyn at night

Sometimes the smallest adventures are the most exciting ones! One evening after grabbing some dinner, my sister and I decided to take an evening train from Manhattan into Brooklyn and do what we do best… just get lost. Is there any better way to travel? We’ve had so many adventures…

Essential phrases you should know before travelling to Italy

The best way to pick up a new language is by fully immersing yourself in the culture and environment of that country… but even before then, I like to brush up on a few basic communication essentials that will help make my first few hours (or days) easier. Simple words…

Tasting Pizza In Napoli: L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele

Finding (and surviving) the crazy streets of Naples

The funny thing about driving a car in Italy is that you just don’t know what to expect. If it’s your first time renting a car in Europe, there are tons of tips you can pick up beforehand to make your adventure a little easier, but really, where’s the fun…

Italy by car: A complete itinerary

Exploring Italy has been on my bucket list for years. Maybe it’s knowing that there are endless pizzerias along every corner or maybe, just maybe I’ve had a secret fantasy of riding a turquoise blue vesper through the back roads of Tuscany! With such pretty little cities, each with its…

Renting A Car In Italy: What You Need To Know

Italy has been on my bucket list for years but never in a million years did I think that I would be brave enough to rent a car and drive from city to city for 11 days straight. I guess I should start at the top and be completely honest……

10 interesting things to find when exploring Japan

If you’re a first timer in Japan then you’re in for a treat! This East Asian metropolis is known worldwide for the bizarre and interesting things you’ll find here… but if this is your first time here, it can be a bit intimidating. The bigger cities are always bustling and…

The 30 Best Eat Pray Love Quotes Every Woman Needs To Live Fearlessly

Sometimes life hits us with something unexpected that sends our world crashing down and knocks us to the very core of our soul. Honestly though, why wouldn’t it? The universe knows that everything can’t always go as planned and things can’t always be rosy (regardless of how much we plan,…

8 Whimsical Parisian Quotes

There’s a reason why so many people are in love with Paris. Perhaps it’s the sparkling lights… or the wonder and mystery associated with a city known for magical love affairs. Perhaps it’s the sheer beauty of cobble stoned streets, pretty cafes and delicious pastries. Either way… these 8 whimsical…

Hello New York: this is the real me

New York has always been one of my dream destinations. You may have remembered me rambling on a few posts back about how much I wanted to visit the Big Apple for my 30th birthday and while that never happened, I somehow ended up passing through en route to some…

10 Photos to inspire you to visit Amersfoort

Tucked away somewhere between Utrecht, Amsterdam and Arnhem lies the littlest city of Amersfoort. Amers-what? Exactly. We’d never heard of this little medieval town either until a random day of Dutch city hopping that consisted of jumping on the first train we saw and randomly picking cities along the line…

Seven Months: Everything Before & After

Change… that funny, weird, crazy, unexpected thing that creeps up on you when you least expect it. Sounds like a cliche, doesn’t it? Perhaps. But the last seven months of my life have been filled with so many ups and downs that I can only describe it as being a…

Finding Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo

Known as one of the busiest intersections in the world, the famous Shibuya crossing was at the top of my Tokyo bucket list ever since I found out we would be spending seven days in Japan! Shibuya is one of the most famous bustling districts in all of Tokyo. In…

Exploring 101: 10 simple things to find when exploring Japan

If you’re a first timer in Japan then you’re in for a treat! This East Asian metropolis is known worldwide for the bizarre and interesting things you’ll find. But if this is your first time here, it can be a bit intimidating. What should you do?! What should see?! What…

The 10 Best Quotes About Amsterdam

Amsterdam is a vibrant bustling city with a culture so rich it will have you feeling a flurry of emotions from the moment you step foot out the train station. Filled with tulips, cheese, art, music and a rich history, the Capital of the Netherlands forms a truly unique city…

How to choose the perfect suitcase

Adventures are fun… but way before any kind of exploring can begin you’ve got to first pack your suitcase! Simple task, right? Well… maybe… until you start wondering whether to choose a suitcase based on quality or color… price or size… style or… stress! Every traveler has at some point…

Great Travel Lessons From A Journey To The Centre Of The Earth

Sea Point’s MOJO Market, Cape Town

One of my favorite places in all of Cape Town, (probably because of the memories made here in 2017!) is the artsy food and lifestyle market located on Sea Point’s iconic Regent Road. Designed by Indigo Fusion and Jade & Ginja, MOJO market has an chic urban street-like feel to…

10 magical travel words to add to your vocabulary

You leave, have an adventure then come home with a flurry of emotions. Suddenly, you just can’t seem to find the right words to capture the intensity of experiences you had and the feelings you felt. Something magical, something beautiful, something whimsical. Here are ten foreign words that come pretty…

A simple guide to choosing the right Caribbean Island

With over 30 islands to choose from when visiting the Caribbean, picking just one or two to adventure in can be a pretty difficult decision to make. From beautiful beaches, to hiking trails, to finding bio-luminescent plankton… there is so much to do and see that it can be overwhelming, leaving…

10 magical things you will find on a beach in the Virgin Islands

The US Virgin Islands is known for its beautiful beaches with soft white sands and glistening blue waters. But that’s not all you’ll find here. Wandering here on our Christmas vacation revealed some of the natural wonders hidden away in the Caribbean… wonders that can be only be found when…

#SFIWoman: TRAVEL, TRAVEL, TRAVEL & THEN… TRAVEL AGAIN

“There is nothing more beautiful than a well-travelled woman with an amazing story to tell.” It’s easy to get bored of everyday life… to let monotony set in and drain your soul as you sit in weekly presentations, fill up the tank of your car and round up your enzyme…

15 Interesting facts about Table Mountain

Overlooking the beautiful city of Cape Town is one of South Africa’s most visited attractions. In fact, you can’t really visit the Mother City without visiting the all famous Table Mountain. Surrounded by Devil’s Peak to the east and Lion’s Head to the west, the dramatic backdrop of mountains is…

A seven day Japan Itinerary

Japan has long been on my list of places to explore. In fact, it was a trip that started being planned back in 2015 although I only ever got round to visiting the year after. Filled with ancient traditions, picturesque locations and a culture that is so unique to the…

Unexpectedly Tasting Shark Fin Soup In China

Food forms a big part of Chinese culture with tradition and meaning accompanying almost every step of a meal. Business dinners, weddings and other special occasions are almost always met with some form of exotic dish. Shark fin soup is a delicacy found in traditional Chinese cuisine and is made…

Series: The SFIWoman’s Guide to Surviving Everyday Life

In this difficult world, our constant need for definition and success can sometimes make it near impossible to see the beauty which is still existent in everyday life. Let’s face it – life is hard. It’s a phrase that I’ve been saying for years now and despite where I am…

Tales Of A Travelling Gypsy – Moving To Nijmegen

If there’s one thing I’ll never regret in this lifetime, it’s travelling. Often, it’s easy to forget what the world still has to offer among daily obstacles and whilst the dwellings of everyday life can be somewhat draining and monotonous, I’ve always found travelling or even the idea of it, to…

How to say ‘Hello’ in 30 different languages

One of the first words you’ll most likely use when meeting people while traveling is hello! It’s the simplest of words regardless of the language being spoken or the country you’re visiting but together with a smile, it always conveys an air of politeness, respect and kindness. Hello is one…

Did we really find a cemetery in Kyoto?

What do you do when, whilst walking through thousands of vermilion gates and Shinto shrines, you unexpectedly wander off the common path and stumble into what looks like a traditional Japanese cemetery? Little does one know, that nestled away among the bright red Torii Gates and endless sacred shrines of Fushi-Inari Taisha…