Welcome to the SIWYOE blog post library. Here, you’ll find most of our content arranged by categories.
You’ll find ‘life & advice’ posts, ‘itineraries’ and posts relating to our 2018 ‘South East Asian adventure’ .
And, thanks to Covid, you can now find posts relating to ‘UK Locations’ too.
Your Perfect 2 Week Bali Route
Who doesn’t want to go to Bali? You might think you don’t want to go to Bali, but you could be wrong. I say it time and time again. Popular (or touristy) places are popular for a reason. Because they’re…
SE Asia – 6 Month Itinerary
The almost full year of travelling is drawing to a close. Don’t get me started on how I feel about it. That will be a post for another day. For now, I want to share our route through SE Asia…
Borneo – 10 Day Itinerary
In August we spent around 10 days in beautiful Borneo. This trip differed from the norm for us because one of my besties, Kerry, decided to venture into the wilderness with us. Coming all the way from England for 10…
Laos – 1 Month Itinerary
Laos was one of those countries that totally blew us away. We had absolutely zero expectations and we were really only visiting because we had the time to do so. Laos has remained one of our favourite spots of our…
Kuala Lumpur – 48 Hours on a Budget
Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia. I have been through its airport a number of times. Thanks to a delayed flight, I once even made it out to the outskirts of the city for a night. Exciting times they were.…
Thailand – 1 Month Itinerary
Before we left the UK back in January, we researched the places we wanted to see most. It was important to us not to be stuck to a plan which would inhibit us from spontaneous travelling. At the same time,…
Golden Hands Bridge Vietnam
Wow. This bridge has been seriously doing the rounds on Instagram this year – and I can see why! It’s amazing to behold. The bridge, which has been nicknamed ‘the hands of God’ gives the illusion that you’re being held…
6 Reasons to Visit Dubai
I first got the chance to visit Dubai last year. My absolutely gorgeous cousin Joanne moved there two years ago with her husband after they were offered a once in a lifetime opportunity. I mention that she’s gorgeous because 1. It’s…
SE Asia – 6 Month Itinerary
The almost full year of travelling is drawing to a close. Don’t get me started on how I feel about it. That will be a post for another day. For now, I want to share our route through SE Asia…
Cameron Highlands – Malaysia
That’s right. Malaysia. Not Scotland. Which, is exactly where this name would sound right at home. The two are similar in the sense that Cameron Highlands proved to be a bit nippy and a bit wet. I draw the line…
The Philippines & The Tao Experience
The Philippines Just mentioning it conjures images of crystal clear water, white sandy beaches, secret lagoons and paradise. We were excited to fly here after our adventures in Vietnam but we didn’t really know what to expect. It’s such a…
Motorbiking Dalat to Nha Trang
The Fear Motorbiking the coast of Vietnam has been on my bucket list for years. I have always said I wanted to do it. But, stepping out onto the streets of HCMC I swiftly changed my mind. How we didn’t…
Learning to Dive – The Philippines
I proudly write this blog post as a Certified Open Water Diver. Yay! It’s quite a surreal feeling. Today marks 133 days travelling. The entire time we’ve been on the move we’ve been saying we’re going to learn to scuba…
Cruising Halong Bay
New 7 Natures Wonders Bucket list item. Ticked. I have always wanted to go and see Halong Bay. It’s just one of those places. The pictures blow you away, but deep down you know that what you’re looking at doesn’t…
Sihanoukville’s Otres – Hippy Heaven
After the best bus journey a traveller could ask for, we arrived late evening into Sihanoukville. We hopped straight on a TukTuk bound for our accommodation in Otres. Friends of mine who had been to Sihanoukville years ago raved about…
Cambodia’s Beautiful Beaches – Koh Rong Samloem
It seems silly to me now, but before arriving on the coast of Cambodia I hadn’t anticipated beautiful beaches. I hadn’t really anticipated beaches at all. Imagine my surprise when I landed on Koh Rong Samloem and found Saracen Bay.…
Phnom Penh – a City Hidden in History
Phnom Penh It’s been a week since leaving Phnom Penh and still, my recollection of this city is so fresh in my mind. The USA style organisation of the streets, the pretty walk along the Ton Saple River (a river…
Angkor Wat & What Else?
Siem Reap After a long journey crossing the border from Laos, we eventually arrived at our guesthouse in Siem Reap. Like many travellers and tourists, we came here to see Angkor Wat. Built in the 12th century the UNESCO World…
The 4000 Islands – Forget All Your Troubles & Maybe More…
The 4000 Islands Have you ever landed in a new country, town or city and instantly felt overcome with clichéd positive vibes? After we made the long (and I mean loooong) journey down to The 4000 Islands from Vientiane, we…
Vientiane – Worth The Trip?
One thing I hadn’t expected from travelling was just how frequently we would run into the same faces. The slow boat from the border of Laos to Luang Prabang gave us the opportunity to meet and spend two solid days…
Vang Vieng – Maxin’ Relaxin’
Vang Vieng In a true non-nomadic way, I did a little research on Vang Vieng before we left the UK. An attempt to pick up on what the ‘vibe’ was like and whether I thought it was somewhere we would…
The Snowdon Horseshoe
A week after climbing England’s highest peak, I drove through to Snowdonia to tackle Wales’s highest peak – Mount Snowdon. Or at least, that’s all I thought I was getting myself into… I had booked a private guide with Seren…
Hiking in the Lake District & Scafell Pike (England’s Highest Peak)
Hiking in the Lake District & Scafell Pike (England’s Highest Peak) Having ruled out any possibility of getting out of the UK (it just didn’t seem worth the hassle), I set about planning 2 weeks of roaming the place I’ve…
Charity Challenge Trek to Machu Picchu
We finally made it to Machu Picchu after three long years of waiting and believe me it as a trip worth waiting for. Our trek in the Andes was organised by Charity Challenge. We were a group of ten, led…
Charity Trek to Machu Picchu
Finally. 2022 is the year our charity trek to Machu Picchu will go ahead! What Charity Trek to Machu Picchu? Toby & I booked into this trek in 2020 and, well I don’t need to tell you the rest. This…
Working for a… Cult?
Intro After returning from a year of backpacking, I arrived home to England full of lifelong memories but also lacking in direction, money and about to turn 30. To pay my way, I found myself working as a temp for…
5 Books for Women of the World
Winter Blues How is it still winter? If we are likeminded, then you too are done with winter. The second that that Christmas tree comes down, it’s over. The fun, alcohol infused cosiness of December quickly disintegrates and transforms into…
Audiobooks – Why You Should Try
I’ve mentioned before that I love audiobooks. But I didn’t always listen to them. Growing up, I read a lot but as it became more important to spend time with my friends, my beloved books fell on the back burner.…
Palm Oil & Why You Shouldn’t Stop Using It
The orangutan Iceland advert has been doing the rounds like crazy this week. Cool… It’s got everyone talking about palm oil and awareness is great. But, there is so much more to consider before you decide to completely avoid palm oil.…
How I Beat my Fear of Flying
Jumping out of a plane was something I legit thought I would NEVER do. I used to be terrified of flying. My ground rule was that I would never let my fear stop me from going anywhere. I would rather…
Gifts for Earth Lovers
With Christmas just around the corner, I thought it a nice idea to collate some gift ideas. So, whether you’ve got a pesky Secret Santa, you know someone going on their trip of a lifetime in 2019, or just have…
5 Times We Were Too Lazy to Beat the Crowds
Tourists. Tourists everywhere. Does it bother you? It seems nowadays that visiting a touristy place is a bad thing. I get that some people have that adventurer gene and want to feel like they’re the first person to discover something.…
Dealing with Sleep Paralysis
The first time I experienced sleep paralysis I was terrified. I woke in the night, unable to move and unable to make a sound. The sensation of pins and needles was prominent through my entire body, my head included. I…
5 Things I Love to Hate About SE Asia
Having grown up mostly in the UK, I sometimes felt like I was on a different planet whilst visiting South East Asia. Sure, the breathtaking beauty and the scenery doesn’t compare to what you will find in England, but it’s…
7 Items to Improve Any Journey
Planes, trains and automobiles. We use them all and yet, we tend not to look forward to using them. They are but a means to an end. Especially for those of us who don’t enjoy flying or struggle with travel…
7 Lessons I Learnt from Travelling
It’s been a whole week since we’ve returned back to the UK. So, here comes the obvious ‘I’ve been travelling and now I’m just, like, so wise’ post. Before leaving, I never stopped to consider how the trip might impact me…
The Time a Bat Pissed in my Eye
A Full Account, By Christine Dutaut Take deep breathes and remember that clouds always pass to reveal a blue sky. Right. Sure. Andy from Headspace has clearly never been convinced he’s about to die in what I can only imagine…
6 Steps To Finding Your Perfect Accommodation
Accommodation – Book ahead or wing it? Are you thinking about travelling and wonder how you’ll decide where to stay? Or what the accommodation you’ll stay in will be like? Or maybe you’re travelling now and often find yourself disappointed…
Animals & Tourism – Drawing the Line
Bucket Lists Do you have a bucket list? Side note…If you don’t, go and write one now! A bucket list should consist of your dreams and goals, regardless of what category they come under. Unsurprisingly, mine largely consist of travel-related…
5 Tips to Ease the Anxious Adventurer
Before we left in January I was a nervous wreck. I was leaving everything I knew behind and other than my amazing boyfriend, I was leaving everyone I knew behind too. I was leaving all those who had shown me…
5 Steps for Planning the Perfect Trip
Does a trip really need to be planned? I think so. Not every tiny aspect, no. You’re going to want some surprises. I like planning a rough route at the very least. Where’s the sense in wasting time and money…
10 Tips For Beginners Motorbiking South East Asia
Let me start by saying sorry mum, this post will likely give you palpitations. I wanted to share my experience in case there is anyone out there who has never driven a scooter before and is considering motorbiking in SE…
Tips for a Relatively Comfortable Long Bus Journey in SE Asia
The Bus Journey I’m sitting on a 6-hour bus from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh as I write this. There are so many people on this bus. There are people sitting in the aisle on the floor. I wish I…