Hi I'm James, a professional chef with a career spanning 20 years and 2 hemispheres, but now I'm out of the kitchens, I run this travel blog as I travel the world. I'm passionate about food and fitness as well as being my family's travel organiser. I take care of the nuts and bolts of how to get from a to b, currencies, visas and all the usual dad … read more
World Food
Best Hoi An Eco Cooking Class- Fun With Vietnamese Food!
Walk around Hoi An Old Town and her maze of backstreets and you'll see a dedicated Hoi An cooking class on offer at every turn. Sometimes from purpose built cookery schools other times at local restaurants. Hoi An is often recognised as a culinary centre of Vietnam and the local businesses rightfully capitalise on their cuisine culture. Being a chef I couldn't resist getting my family (with kids) and myself on a … Continue reading
Mi Quang, Eating and Cooking Noodles in Vietnam
Mi Quang- Mì Quảng is a noodle dish that originated in the Quang Nam province of Central Vietnam. It translates as Quang (province) style noodles. Travelling around central Vietnam you will see an abundance of street stalls all offering mi quang for around $1 US. After 4 months in Hoi An I haven't seen any mi quang for offer in the restaurants I've visited but have tried plenty of different street stalls, all … Continue reading
International Ironman and Travel Fitness
Ironman Malaysia. Race Recap
My 'A' race and only race of 2017 was Ironman Malaysia located on the tropical island of Langkawi, an Island of the north eastern coast of Malaysia. Originally I was targeting Ironman Wales but due to a lack of accommodation and running out of time to train we decided to head overseas and give Ironman Malaysia 2017 in November a go. I'd previously raced the Thailand half Ironman in Phuket in 2016 and was keen to have … continue reading
Sunglasses for Triathlon
You'll need sunglasses for triathlon in nearly every instance. If you're competing in a hot sunny climate then they are a must but even on those colder northern hemisphere races you'll want them for the bike. Having a bug or similar go into your eyes at 35 km per hour 10 km into your 180 km bike ride will ruin your day very quickly. I've tried and tested a few styles and types of sunglasses for Triathlon and … continue reading
Being a Chef
Getting Chef Work in London
Getting Chef work in London is surprisingly easy. Numerous agencies are ready to sign you up and make commission on the back of your hard work, or you can take the option of freelance work. Perhaps you want to get a regular full-time job with all the perks that they offer? Here I'll explain some of the options London offers chefs looking to work. I'll also detail what path I've chosen on my return to the capital and … Continue reading
The Secret Life of Chefs
Have you ever wanted to know what goes on behind the scenes in 5 star kitchens? I've worked in many, on two continents, for 20 years+. I was exec chef of one, before I quit to travel more, work less. Here are a few things that may surprise you about a chef's working life, the secret life of chefs. I can't spill the beans too much, I still may need a job, but I can tell you a little about the way chefs really work and … Continue reading
Latest Posts
Bangkok To Siem Reap. By Plane, Train, Bus or Otherwise
One of the most well travelled journeys across Asia is from Bangkok to Siem Reap. Siem Reap is the town closest to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Angkor Wat in North Eastern Cambodia. A sprawling ancient city of deserted temples dating back to the 12th century Khmer Empire. How to get from Bakgkok to […]
Brasov International Marathon , Race Report
I didn’t plan on doing the Brasov International Marathon in Transylvania. In fact I only signed up a week before after a few too many beers on a Sunday evening and noticing an ad on Facebook. I hadn’t been sitting on a couch up until this point and I’m in training for Ironman Wales in […]
Danang to Hoi An Vietnam
The best way to get from Danang to Hoi An is by road. Most travllers will stay in Hoi An, the picture perfect UNESCO Heritage listed town but will arrive into Danang by air or rail. This is because Hoi An has neither a railway station nor an airport but don’t worry it isn’t far […]
Hai Van Pass and Getting From Hoi An to Danang and Hue
Hai Van Pass – Đèo Hải Vân lies just north of the central Vietnamese city of Danang and is part of the Annamite range that extends down to the East Vietnamese Sea. The name means Cloud Pass or Ocean Cloud Pass as a result of the constant fog that can cover the mountains even while the lower […]
Water Parks Malaysia. Top 5 Guide Including Legoland Water Park
With Malaysia’s tropical climate there is a definite need for the many water parks that call Malaysia home. What is the best water parks Malaysia? Here is my guide to the top 5. The water parks are located across Malaysia from The Lost World of Tambun in Ipoh right down to Legoland water park near […]
