Supermarkets in Porto are fairly easy to find, especially since the city is small. If your accommodation is located downtown or in the city/central area, chances are high that your nearest supermarket or grocery store is only a short walk away.

 

Since I've lived here for over 4 years, I thought I would put together a little guide detailing the types of supermarkets in the Porto downtown/central area that might serve you. I’ve also included a a few that are out of the city, if organic/health-food is what you need. 

 

Whenever I travel to any new city, I like to check out a local supermarket to see the kind of food they have and how different the choices are compared to what I’m used to. For example, in Porto it’s common to see big pieces of ‘bacalhau’ (salted/dried cod fish - a national staple) being sold, especially in (but not limited to) larger stores. 

 

Obviously, shopping at a supermarket is also a great way to save money if you’re on a budget and can’t afford to pay for a restaurant meal every time you need to eat. Many travellers or tourists I know like to stock up on basic items such as milk, yoghurt, cereals, and/or fruit, which can help with breakfast in the morning. A lot of Airbnb apartments also come with a kitchen so it’s possible to buy meat/vegetables etc to cook a hot meal for lunch or dinner. 

 

Of course, now that I live in Porto, I do a lot of my grocery shopping at my local supermarket. By that, I mean I often send Ricardo down to the shop.

A useful thing to note is that ’supermarket’ in Portuguese is ’supermercado’, and ‘grocery store’ is ‘mercearia’. 

Jump to USEFUL PORTUGUESE WORDS & PHRASES.

 

If you're looking for specialty shops for traditional food to bring home, jump to SUPERMARKETS IN PORTO FOR TRADITIONAL PRODUCTS. I recommend paying a visit to one of these if only just to look around!

 

Important info:
You can buy local wine and/or beer in pretty much all of these supermarkets for a fair price.

 

GUIDE TO SUPERMARKETS IN PORTO

GENERAL/CHAIN SUPERMARKETS IN PORTO

These are in Porto (or Portugal) what Tesco and Sainsbury’s are in London or the UK. They offer a good variety of popular, local name-brand products at affordable or low prices. 

 

Some of these stores may be very small compared to what you’re used to (especially if you come from the USA!). This is normal in Porto as the downtown area has very old infrastructure with narrow buildings that don’t really allow for anything much larger. The larger supermarkets or hypermarkets are mostly found in the suburban areas surrounding the city (rather than the central/downtown area). We go to these once every fortnight, with our car! 

 

Here is a quick rundown of the main supermarket chain names that you can find in/around Porto:

Pingo Doce

This is one of the most popular chain supermarkets in Porto. It’s really your average supermarket for common everyday items. There are about 4 or 5 in the city but note that none are in the historic centre of Porto, which constitutes the areas closer to the river.

 

These Pingo Doce supermarkets generally close by around 9pm, give or take 30 minutes. The easiest way to find one closest to you is to search for ‘Pingo Doce’ on Google Maps!

Minipreço / Dia

Another popular chain; may sometimes be referred to as ‘Dia’ by locals. 

 

They’re generally smaller than Pingo Doce stores and some are ‘Minipreço Express’ which can mean they’re even smaller. But on the upside, some stay open until 11pm. This is great if you like midnight snacking or if you simply enjoy shopping at night like a weirdo.

 

There are six Minipreco supermarkets in the city, three of which (the most central ones) close at 11pm. Click here for Google Maps 'Minipreço' search results in Porto.

 

In fact, one is located within the historic centre of Porto (see next heading) and this will be the one I’m guessing will be the most convenient to you if you are a visitor/tourist in the city. It’s close to the Clérigos Tower/ Torre dos Clérigos.

 

Largo dos Lóios 46

4050-338 Porto

 

Opening hours: 9am - 11pm daily

Supermercados Froiz

Froiz is a Spanish supermarket chain and it is one of our favourite supermarkets in Porto. It has only one branch and I would call it medium sized.  You can find it inside a small shopping arcade (Galeria Trindade Domus), not far from Aliados (the big main square in Porto), and the Trindade metro station which is 150m away.

 

They have a good meat selection with an in-house butcher, alongside a fish counter. We like to get our ground/minced meat here as they do it on-demand here (rather than pre-packaged ground meat). It also has a small organic/health food section with a few gluten-free items. The bread is said to be pretty good, too!

 

This is where we go whenever we’re looking for something a bit more specific or uncommon, that might not be found in other stores. For example, bottled anchovies and Spanish nougat (only during Christmas season though). They also sometimes have mangosteens (but for a premium price).

 

Galeria Trindade Domus

R. dos Heróis e dos Mártires de Angola Loja 11

4000-285 Porto

 

Opening hours: 9am - 10pm daily (except Sundays from 10am)

Continente

Continente is a larger supermarket brand with many bigger branches (that are more like hypermarkets) located outside the city in suburban neighbourhoods, catering to families and more long-term shopping. 

 

BUT there is one in the city and you can find it in basement level of Via Catarina Shopping Centre, which is on the main shopping street (Rua de Santa Catarina) in town. This is useful if you’re staying in this area (outside the historic centre) and want more variety especially in terms of fresh produce/ingredients for cooking.

 

Rua de Santa Catarina 312-350

4000-433 Porto

 

Opening hours: 10am - 9pm daily

GROCERY STORES IN THE HISTORIC CENTRE OF PORTO

A handy little section with a list of convenience stores ( to their small size) located in the most central area of the Porto, where most tourist attractions are.

SPAR Ribeira

’Tiny’ would be the more appropriate word to describe this shop. More of a convenience store or mini-market which tourists frequent due to its close proximity to the riverside (Ribeira). Good for picking up essential items if you happen to be staying in this busy area. Although SPAR supermarkets are known for their low prices, this is not the case here. You pay for the convenience :)

 

Rua de São João 44
4150-678 Porto

Opening hours: 8am - 8pm daily

SPAR Passeio das Virtudes

This is a well-known area where locals and visitors alike come to watch the sun set. You’ll likely have this on your ’to-do’ or ‘must-see’ lis if you're visiting. This SPAR serves as a convenient place to pick up a cold drink and/or a snack before settling on a nice spot with a view.

 

Passeio das Virtudes 78

4050-629 Porto

 

Opening hours: 9.30am - 10pm Mon-Fri; 10.30am - 10pm Sat-Sun

Minipreço Express

As described above (under 'General/Chain Supermarkets), this is one branch that is located in the historic centre of Porto. It's close to the Clérigos Tower.

 

Largo dos Lóios 46
4050-338 Porto

Opening hours: 9am - 11pm daily

Mercado São Joao

Another small shop on the same street as SPAR Ribeira with fair prices for fresh fruit and vegetables, plus other essential items.

 

R. de São João 11
4050-199 Porto

Opening hours: To be confirmed!

Mercearia BeloSabor

"Your neighbourhood grocery store".

Not far from the bottom of the popular 'Rua das Flores'.

 

R. de Belomonte 44
4050-093 Porto

Opening hours: 9am - 8pm daily (except Sundays 7pm)

Mercearia Frutaria Misangala

Small shop for essential items close to Passeio das Virtudes.

 

Rua das Taipas 49
Porto, Portugal

Opening hours: 7am - 8pm Mon-Sat. Closed Sundays.

 

SUPERMARKETS IN PORTO FOR TRADITIONAL/LOCAL PRODUCTS

These supermarkets/shops are perfect if you are looking for locally produced groceries and other Portuguese delicacies. When I say this I mean items such as cheese, bread, wine, olive oil, jams, preserved meats (sausages and ham), as well as canned/tinned fish and seafood, which are popular in Portugal.  OH and not forgetting 'bacalhau' (dried/salted coffish).

 

If you’re only visiting, you might like to visit these shops buy something to bring home. When I used to come to Porto on holiday, I would buy sardine paté, canned ‘bacalhau’, and even canned octopus/sardines as a gift or souvenir, either for my friends or for myself (the latter is mostly the case).

 

Marmalade and pumpkin jam are good items to consider bringing home - the Portuguese enjoy eating cheese topped with either marmalade or pumpkin jam. I personally love the pumpkin jam ('doce de abóbora')!

 

The grocery stores listed below generally pride themselves on selling gourmet, high-quality, fine foods from Portugal. They are old-world shops (some over 100 years old!) that are packed with traditional and regional Portuguese foodstuff including a variety of natural products such as of nuts, grains, spices, loose tea leaves, olives, and dried fruit, which you can purchase by weight. Also sweets and chocolates!

 

Some walking tours in the city will include at least one of these shops as part of their itinerary as many tourists enjoy having the opportunity to visit a traditional supermarket in Porto

 

Note: Many of these are in the close vicinty of the iconic Bolhão Market (Mercado do Bolhão - which at the time of writing (August 2019) is still closed for refurbishment). You'll notice that a few of them are on the same street.

 

Casa Chinesa  

Lots of teas and dried fruit! Even has dried octopus.

Rua de Sá da Bandeira 343
4000-435 Porto

Opening hours: 9am - 7pm Mondays to Fridays / 9am - 1pm Saturdays. Closed Sundays.

 

NOTE: There used to be a very similar store right next to Casa Chinesa called Casa Ramos, but they have unfortunately closed and relocated elsewhere.

A Favorita do Bolhão

 

 

 

Personally my favourite place for buying Portuguese food as gifts for my friends whenever I'm making a trip back to London or Malaysia.

Rua Fernandes Tomás, 783
4000-218 Porto

Opening hours: 9am - 7.30pm Mon-Sat. Closed Sundays.

A Pérola do Bolhão

 

 

 

This shop dates back to 1917, meaning it's over 100 years old! Its name translates to 'The Pearl of Bolhão'.

Rua Formosa 279
4000-252 Porto

Opening hours: 9.30am - 7.30pm Mon-Fri; 9am - 1pm Sat; Closed Sundays

Mercearia do Bolhão

 

 

 

Not to be confused with 'MERCADO do Bolhão' which is the MARKET (that is currently closed for refurbishment). This shop used to be called 'Confeitaria do Bolhão'.

Rua Formosa 305
4000-252 Porto

Opening hours: 9am - 1pm & 2pm - 7pm Mon-Sat. Closed Sundays.

Casa Natal

 

 

Claims to have the best 'bacalhau' in Porto. The name translates literally to 'Christmas House'! It is a family-run business which dates back to 1900.

Rua de Fernandes Tomás 833
4000-219 Porto

Opening hours: 9am - 7.30pm Mon-Fri; 9am - 1pm & 230pm - 7pm Saturdays. Closed Sundays.

*Special hours in December: Open every day inclusing Sundays & holidays.

Comer e Chorar Por Mais

 

 

Another centenary traditional grocery store, opened in 1916. They also serve some 'tapas' (small plates of food) which you can enjoy with a glass of good Portuguese wine.

Rua Formosa 300
4000-248 Porto

Opening hours: 9am - 7.30pm Mon-Sat. Closed Sundays.

BONUS: Casa Diogo

This is in the Cedofeita/Arts District area. Casa Diogo is a charming family-owned shop + restaurant business set in on the ground floor with rooms with decor that mimic an old Portuguese house. 

 

Opened in 2014, the shop sells locally produced groceries such as olive oil, biscuits, fruits, jams, and even wine. Bread and biscuits are baked by the family in their own rustic oven in a village north of Porto.

 

Traditional dishes are served (lunch only), with limited but cosy seating areas spread across two rooms and the general shop area.

 

The tiny restaurant has a lovely atmosphere and serves some traditional dishes.

 

Rua de Miguel Bombarda 416
4050-342 Porto

Opening hours: 11am - 7.30pm Mon-Sat. Closed Sundays.

ORGANIC & HEALTH FOOD SUPERMARKETS IN PORTO

If you are looking for health-food items or organic grocery products in porto, you may have to venture a little farther as there aren’t many options downtown/in the central area. Bear in mind also that you may have to pay a higher price than ’normal’ groceries as demand for these items isn’t as high in Porto as in some other bigger cities you may be used to. Plus, many items have to be imported.

 

I’ll start the list with a little shop/cafe that is more accessible from downtown Porto:

Quintal Bioshop

This is a combined cafe and shop with English-speaking staff. The shop offers a fair selection of organic groceries including vegetarian and vegan products. I’m pretty sure I have seen vegan cheese and faux meat in the fridge. 

 

If you’re not keen to cook, there is a cafe at the back that serves wholesome vegetarian/vegan meals. In addition to freshly pressed juices, they serve organic, gluten-free beer.

 

The space extends into a pretty little outdoor terrace/patio at the back, which is also enjoyed by a few resident cats.

 

Quintal Bishop is located in the Arts District of Porto (Cedofeita) which is fairly easy to get to from the centre of town on foot.

 

Rua do Rosário 177
4050-124 Porto

 

Opening hours: 10.30am - 8pm Mon-Sat. Closed Sundays.

IdealBio

This is a proper grocery store/supermarket and it is located in the Boavista area near Casa da Musica, which is about a 30-40 minute walk from downtown (depending on where you start), or a quick uber/taxi ride away. This is the closest organic supermarket to the city of its size. It has a good variety of organic and ‘biological’ groceries, as well as personal care items (like face creams).

 

R. de 5 de Outubro 352

4050 Porto

 

Opening hours: 9am - 8pm Mon-Sat. Closed Sundays.

Go Natural

Lots of vegan and vegetarian groceries as well as organic products. Has a cafe attached to it. Kind of like a 'Whole Foods'. You'll have to take a bus, taxi, or cycle as this supermarket is located in Foz, by the river. If you're determined enough you could also go on foot but it will take you more than an hour.

 

Rua da Senhora da Luz
4150-058 Porto

 

Opening hours: 8.30am - 9pm daily except Fri & Sat until 10pm.

Maçaroca

This organic grocery store is just slightly farther than IdealBio (about a 20 min walk from Casa da Música). Also has a small cafe attached to it.

 

Rua São João Bosco 244
4100-247 Porto

 

Opening hours: 9am - 8pm Mon-Sat. Closed Sundays.

ASIAN SUPERMARKETS IN PORTO

VERY IMPORTANT SECTION especially if you are Asian like me and the ability to source Asian ingredients is an absolute necessity in life.

 

There are two Asian supermarkets in Porto. IMPORTANT: On Google Maps they are BOTH referred to as 'Supermercado Chen', but as of now, one of them is called 'Supermercado Asiático'. 

 

Our preferred option is Supermercado Chen on Rua do Bolhão, which is the newer and bigger store. We find the staff more friendly and the store more organised. Both stores have a good selection of essential food items from Japanese, Korean, and other South-East Asian cuisine. 

 

Thanks to these stores, we have been able to stock up on basic Asian cooking items such as sesame oil, soy sauce, oyster sauce, fish sauce, and rice vinegar/wine. If you like Japanese food, miso paste, mirin, dried seaweed, and tamari soy sauce are available here.

 

One thing I wish they had was refrigerated or fresh kimchi. At the moment you can only get canned or bottled kimchi, which isn’t ideal but does the job in desperate situations!

 

NOTE: They do not accept card payments unless you have a local/Portuguese bank card.

陳氏超市 Supermercado Chen

Rua do Bolhão 105

4000-121 Porto

 

Opening hours:
9.30am - 8.30pm Mon-Fri
10am - 8.30pm Sat
10am - 8pm Sun.

Supermercado Asiático

Praça da República 103
4050-122 Porto

 

Opening hours: 10am - 8pm daily
May sometimes close for lunch

OTHER INTERNATIONAL SUPERMARKETS IN PORTO

Glood

Glood is a supermarket in Porto offering international/imported groceries from all over the world. It’s located slightly outside the city next to Carolina Michaelis metro station, and this is where you can find a lot of British and American (even Australian) products especially snack food such as Pop-Tarts, lots of different crisps/potato chips, and proper butter shortbread biscuits.

 

I like going there to get fluffy pancake mix, Horlicks, and Vegemite. Expect to pay higher prices for the convenience of having your favourite snacks from home! 

 

Rua de Oliveira Monteiro 198
4050-438 Porto

 

Opening hours:
10am - 8pm Mon-Sat
10am - 7pm Sundays & holidays
Closed for lunch 3pm - 3.30pm during all opening days

Ali Indian Groceries

The only Indian supermarket in Porto! It’s located close to São Bento train station at the back of it. Can be a little difficult to find.

 

This is the place to go if you’re looking for grains and spices (and curry leaves!) for basic Indian cooking. It has a fresh meat counter that provides halal beef and chicken.

 

They sell some ready food as well, e.g. samosas (called 'chamuças' in Portuguese).

 

Rua de Cimo de Vila 105
4000-171 Porto

 

Opening hours: 9am - 9pm daily except Sundays 11am - 9pm

USEFUL PORTUGUESE WORDS & PHRASES

The post Guide to Supermarkets in Porto, Portugal – Everything You Need to Know + Handy Tips! appeared first on SMALLCRAZY.

HAMBURG ON TOUR IN LONDON

Last weekend, the Old Truman Brewery on Brick Lane was made a lot more fun and colourful because..

I was there!

Haha but more importantly, I was there to attend Hamburg On Tour, which was in its second year running in London. Hamburg On Tour is a FREE festival showcasing local products from Hamburg including food, drinks, music.. and even a few Hamburgers loitering around.

(Wondering about Hamburgers and Hamburg? My last post explains it.)

It felt especially nice for me to be there after having visited Hamburg for the first time earlier in August! I felt like I knew everything about the city, although obviously I didn't.

But in my mind I felt proud for knowing, for example, that inflatable arm floats were invented in Hamburg.

STREET ART & SAILORS

I don't know how many exactly were flown in for the event, but there were a good number of big sailor figurines - a symbol of Hamburg as a port city and its maritime history - scattered around and outside the Truman Brewery, stretching out to Dray Walk too!

The sailors all had their own names - as seen on their hats! In the photo above I am flanked by Jan and Simon. They had extra-small hips and extra-large feet.

There was also a fun yellow mural specially commissioned to advertise the free festival, and signs on the ground to direct people to it.

HANGING OUT IN THE SUN

We were so so lucky with the weather! The sun shone bright and proud on both the Saturday and Sunday when the event took place. Either that or it simply loves Hamburg ;)

 The festival extended into a little open space at the back where people could lounge around or enjoy a game of foosball or VR cycling. I tried the cycling and it didn't work out well - the seat was too high/my legs were too short. Also, when it was my turn the sensor was misplaced so I ended up cycling sideways through the 'countryside' the whole way!

I also tried the free currywurst samples being given out at the bar and that worked out better.

FREE FOOD & THINGS

I think a lot of people were attracted by the free food being served at Hamburg On Tour. I was one of them.

They served three different 'main meal' options and there was also the most refreshingly delicious dessert of red fruits/jam in a cup topped with smooth vanilla cream. That was my favourite.

There was labskaus (second photo), which is a traditional dish from Hamburg consisting of a beetroot mash, pickles, onions, herring, and bits of beef. Oh and an egg. I loved everything about this dish except the herring, which was cooked! I think herring tastes better raw.

Around the venue there was also free coffee. This obviously attracted a lot of coffee addicts. I was not one of them. Coffee makes me feel sick. There were regular gin and beer tastings throughout the day, samples of high-quality chocolate, and.. organic tea/juices.

Since I also do not drink tea and am not a fan of chocolate, the gin was my favourite free thing to taste. It was very good gin!

There was also a cute Hamburg merchandise table, where you could take something home in exchange for a donation in an amount of your choice. 

LIVE MUSIC & THE BEATLES

Of COURSE, the festival had to have a Beatles feature. The Beatles having had their crucial beginnings in Hamburg was clearly something that the city was very proud of.

Stefanie Hempel has been running her infamous Beatles Tour in Hamburg for something like decades?? I can't remember exactly, but it must have been something like 17 years! A true Beatles enthusiast.

She entertained us with a few live performances of a variety of Beatles classics throughout the day. My favourite part was when they moved the couch out onto the street to sing for the crowds outside. 

So much fun!

^This was the best photo I got of Willy Man.. an over-enthusiastic stranger who kept jumping in to join the hip hop dance performance group (from Hamburg) doing their thing on the street!

 

HAMBURG ON TOUR IN COLOUR

Being able to experience the event with fellow blogger Janet Newenham made it all the more fun! I'd been wanting to meet her for a while and it was a lucky coincidence that we were covering the same event.

It was nice to see so many people so excited about one not-so-little city. I thought it was a great event that gave people a glimpse of Hamburg lifestyle.. and not just because of the free food.

I loved the art they put on the walls outside.. made using coloured tape!

If you're curious about what's fun in Hamburg.. click on the post below :)

Related Post

• Best Restaurants in Lahore For First-Time Visitors

*This post was created in collaboration with Hamburg On Tour

The post Hamburg On Tour in London 2018 appeared first on SMALLCRAZY.

This is a shocker (to me at least): Hamburg has over 2300 bridges! That's more than any other city in the world. 

Last fun fact: Montblanc pens were born in Hamburg! I assumed they were French :p

MS DOCKVILLE 2018

*Photo by Bobo & Chichi

The main item on the agenda was to attend MS Dockville music festival. We went on the Friday and Saturday.

I was really excited to find out that Megan and Scott (hyperlapse experts who blog at Bobo & Chichi) were on the same trip and would be coming to the festival as well! I had been wanting to meet them forever.

And for good reason, too - they were totally on the same kooky planet as I was. We silly-danced and laughed a LOT!

*Megan and me! Thanks Bobo & Chichi for pics

My fun pink playsuit is by Humphries & Begg.

The festival grounds were not huge; there were two large stages including the main stage, and a handful of smaller ones.

Fancy dress wasn't really a theme, so I was a little bummed about that but because I had such good company, I had a fun time overall.

The only act I recognised (and that I saw) was Bonobo; but that's because I'm not too familiar with popular artists these days (my taste in music is too quirky).

Food and toilets were average, with the the usual long lines you'd expect for such an event. The festival site had a kind of industrial feel to it. It was packed and clearly a popular event with the locals.

There were a few art installations and even light shows/light projections on buildings on the other side of the river.. the latter of which we sadly missed (but saw photos after the festival was over).

My favourite was (of course) the rainbow tunnel and a kind of tower of colourful blocks.

I brought a few packets of glitter gel by Projekt Glitter and they went down a treat!

I travel with glitter all the time now. It's such an easy way add some literal sparkle into your day.

If only sparkle came with extra energy, because by the middle of the second night, we were all so exhausted that we decided to go home before one of the headliners (Alt-J?) came on. 

It had been a longgggg day - we'd overexerted ourselves by having gone canoeing that morning.

CANOEING IN WINTERHUDE

I LOOOOVE festivals but in Hamburg, the canoeing activity was my favourite thing that we did, and a definite highlight of the trip.

Before visiting, I didn't know much about the makeup and textures of the city. So I had no idea that there were so many canals snaking around.

On a sunny Saturday morning, we were taken to the neighbourhood of Winterhude to do a bit of canoeing. That 'bit of canoeing' turned out to be 'a lot of canoeing'.

A lot of people like to do a lot of canoeing in Winterhude - we passed many of them and tried greeting them with an enthusiastic German 'Hallo' whenever we had the opportunity (and courage) to do so.

Saying 'hallo' is really amusing and entertaining when you're used to the less drawn out English 'hello'.

♥

Anyway, Winterhude is BEAUTIFUL! The canals were BEAUTIFUL! I was reminded of Hampstead in London.. or Regents Canal near the zoo.

There were big fancy houses with direct access to the canals via their backyards. Some parts were rich with low hanging foliage which made our floating journey feel magical and romantic.

Jessi, our Hamburger host, mentioned that Winterhude was unfortunately not that well connected when it came to public transport, hence she rarely visited, and that it was a pity because each time she does make it over, she loves it.

MINIATUR WUNDERLAND

It seems that no trip to Hamburg is complete without at least a quick visit to Miniatur Wunderland, the world's largest model railway exhibition.

At first I wasn't too interested to go. If it weren't for Megan and Scott, I would've probably given it a miss.

BUT, we made it there and.. wow. There were so many miniature cities and villages and things. With really tiny people! I saw a lot of impressive models of Italian places, such as Venice and Cinque Terre (pictured above). It was all very creative and impressive!

The lighting was constantly fading in and out to alternate between a daytime and nighttime environment. There was even a miniature airport with a runway and little planes that took off and landed on it, complete with sound effects.

We entertained ourselves further by trying to spot tiny people doing naughty things, with or without clothing. We found a few instances of hanky panky going on, but not nearly as many as we had envisioned. 

I was soon tired of seeing miniature things. There were just SO MANY. After a while, it felt repetitive. I'm still glad I went and saw it though - I'd never seen anything like it before.

Ticket prices for Miniatur Wunderland are currently €15 each (adult).

ST PAULI STREET ART TOUR

We stayed in the neighbourhood of St Pauli (St Pauli Quarter), which is bit grungy and known for its abundance of street art/graffiti. They could be seen everywhere!

A short walking tour of the area revealed some of the more prominent artists/pieces. They were mostly quite messy and crazy. I guess it would be a lot more exciting to a graffiti enthusiast.. which I am sadly not!

WHERE TO STAY IN HAMBURG

As I mentioned above, we stayed in the area of St Pauli, at Superbude St Pauli, which is a hostel/hotel which is modern, bright, stylish, and slightly quirky.

On first impression it seemed to be a place that mainly catered to teenagers and young adults, but we saw many older people and families staying there that weekend.

I really liked the location, too. The surrounding area was lively and had a buzzing restaurant and bar scene. 

Superbude St Pauli
Juliusstraße 1-7
22769 Hamburg
Germany

WHAT I ATE IN HAMBURG

In our short time, we really only got to dine at two restaurants in Hamburg, both of which exceeded my expectations (for some reason, I didn't have high hopes :p).

Hatari The Corner in St Pauli was where I had a really juicy burger that came with a poached egg, and the most delicious roasted potatoes on the side. The burger was huge and it was sloppy. Which I liked. It made for a really enjoyable meal!

We also had pizza at Pizza Social Club, topped with the creamiest burrata cheese. For starters we were treated to a good variety of high-quality cold meats including bresaola, one of my favourites.

On my last day, I ventured out for a solo lunch at Ban Canteen, which offered Vietnamese street food in a hipster style setting. Although the dishes were made for the European palate, it was still pretty tasty and a good effort.

MORE FUN WITH FRIENDS

My experience in Hamburg was made a lot more colourful because I was lucky enough to have Megan and Scott (of Bobo & Chichi) around to explore with.

I would recommend visiting Hamburg (and anywhere else in the universe) with someone who brings out your fun side and encourages you to be more adventurous and curious! Someone you can crab-walk on the sidewalk with, or someone who will take your picture (multiple times) when you get shat on by a pigeon.

However, if you cannot find a suitably silly friend, I would say Hamburg is a great (and safe) city for a solo trip, too ;)

Here's a fun little video produced by Bobo & Chichi based on our silly antics!

HAMBURG ON TOUR - IN LONDON!

If you're still unsure about Hamburg as your next city-break destination, are simply curious, or have nothing better to do this weekend AND you're in London, then you're in for a treat because..

Hamburg is coming to London!

In the form of a two-day weekend festival in East London where there will be music, food, and art on display. All meant to show you the best of Hamburg.

Best of all: IT'S FREE!

More information and the event programme can be found on the Hamburg on Tour website.

BESTEST OF ALL: I will be there! Come and meet me!

 

*This post was brought to you in collaboration with Hamburg on Tour and Hamburg Tourism

The post Hamburg – A Fun Festival Weekend! appeared first on SMALLCRAZY.

This is a rundown of three activity-filled days spent in Salzburg on a beer-themed trip organised by the local tourism board in May. A.K.A How to have fun in Salzburg!

I've been to Salzburg twice before, but always only for a fleeting day or so, en route to (or coming back from) the beautiful mountains of Austria. I didn't remember much other than visiting Mozart's house and doing a Sound of Music tour!

We were super fortunate with the weather, which was warm and sunny, and really too good for the start of May.

BEAUTIFUL IN SPRING

I spent the first day walking around the city and along the river. I didn't really know where I was going, but Salzburg isn't big and I'm not that ambitious a walker.

The whole place seemed to be glowing in the sun. It was pretty and almost.. heavenly? This seemed the most apparent at the famous Mirabell Gardens, where I stopped to relax and take a few photos.

This is where you can find those steps where part of the Do-Re-Mi song was filmed in The Sound of Music movie. Now, you'll often find crowds of tourists trying to get a photo on one of the steps. 

I felt a bit nostalgic being there. I thought of when my mom and I ran through the tunnel (like Maria did), laughing all the way. My mom is a huge fan of The Sound of Music and that was one of the reasons I brought her to Salzburg last time. She loved it!

AN E-BIKE TOUR!

Have you been on an e-bike before? This was my first time and it was a REVELATION!

Ricardo loves cycling - he's constantly trying to get me on the bike at home. But I usually crush his hopes with my two main excuses:

"I hate cycling in in the city"
"There are too many hills here!"

Well with an E-BIKE, cycling was a complete breeze! It's like, not even cycling. It gave me the boost I needed to feel more confident in urban areas (and like a hero on empty/countryside paths).

We started the tour in the city in Mozartplatz Square, where we picked up the bikes. I was happy to know that we were going to cycle straight OUT of town!

Within 5-10 minutes, the scenery had completely changed. We were soon on a path flanked by green grass on each side and mountains in the distance. 

I wanted to stop SO MANY TIMES (so many beautiful spots!) but as per group tour etiquette that was a bit difficult. I did almost get left behind a couple of times because I took too long taking pictures somewhere.

My favourite part was cycling along Hellbrunner Allee - a long (5km), straight road lined with tall chestnut trees. It was along this road that Maria had danced and sang 'I Am Confident' and entered into the grounds of the Von Trapp mansion - in real life known as Schloss Frohnburg (Frohnburg Castle) It's the yellow building seen in the photo above.

Hellbrunner Allee connects to Hellbrunn Castle and its gardens, so that's where we ended up next. Again, it's a popular spot for Sound of Music fans as this is where the famous gazebo is now located!

I have to note that I loooooved this part of the trip the most - it was so exhilarating to be speeding through the beautiful countryside with so little effort! Haha

KALTENHAUSEN BREWERY

Our bike tour ended at Kaltenhausen Brewery - Austria's oldest brewery. It's been around since 1475!

We were treated to a whole variety of beer to taste - from traditional recipes to more innovative, specialty beers. I couldn't finish all of it.. I'm not a great beer drinker (I'm very slow). I generally prefer dark beers and I remember they had a really good one.

I couldn't decide what filled me up more - all the ham and cheese or all that beer!

Still, I had a sweet tooth and asked for an apple strudel after. That was my favourite part :p

 

AUGUSTINER BREWERY

Another day, another brewery!

This time it was Augustiner Brewery (or Augustiner Bräu - not to be confused with the one in Munich), which seemed to be a popular beer hangout as they had a huge outdoor seating area. They also served a variety of snack food to go with the very large mugs of beer they served.

The spiced sausage things (sausage cake??) were really good.

Fun fact: the building used to be a monastery, and the monks who lived there began brewing beer in 1621! 

MAKING MY OWN BEER!

Our trip included a beer brewing experience at Bierkulturhaus, which is a kind of.. beer academy.

I can't say I'm super interested in brewing any of my own beer in future, so I've easily forgotten everything they tried to teach us here. But what's important is that I remember I had fun doing it!

Oh yeah and.. undeveloped beer smells a bit like Marmite. 

Also they had a cool toy/game downstairs, which was a strong magnetic stick and a bunch of bottle caps you can throw at it!

LEDERHOSENDONNERSTAG

I'm just going to quote the information that was given to us to describe #lederhosendonnerstag as it is straight to the point:

In 2013, two guys started encouraging people to wear their Lederhosen (or Dirndl) not just for baptisms and for the Festival. The picked Thursday randomly and the project spread through word-of-mouth. Every Thursday, men dress in Lederhosen and combine them with Chucks and business shirts. No rules. Once a month, everybody gets together for an after-work-clubbing with live DJs and everybody dresses in their Lederhosen or Dirndl.

Doesn't it sound like a super fun event!! I looked forward to this evening the most.

We had our attire rented locally in Salzburg and we were ready to go on Saturday evening - Saturday because Salzburg had advanced in some football tournament and the usual Thursday was a no-go, haha.

Our experience was supplemented with lessons on how to play the alpine horn.. and also how to yodel.

With the alpine horn.. I think we all just made a lot of fart noises with our mouths. I think the key to playing the horn well is to be able to make the most well-controlled fart sounds with your mouth. I could be wrong. But I sure was a lousy alpine horn.. artist? haha

Yodelling was less challenging but so hilarious. We all laughed a lot and I think found the whole thing amusing and a lot of fun. I have not practised my yodel since leaving the party, however.

^With Christine, who was so great to party with!

The party was set outdoors and I was really entertained by the sight of so many people in traditional clothes and dancing to hip hop/whatever that's popular these days.

It was good to dance - all that beer made it easy for me to tolerate the music (hahaha). 

In fact I had so much fun that I was sad when we had to leave!

RAISING THE MAYPOLE

Since it was early May, we were lucky to be able to attend the raising of the Maypole festivities taking place at Stiegl Brewery. Basically another reason to drink yet even more beer!

I'd never witnessed such an event before and it didn't occur to me that it literally meant raising a giant, wooden pole upright from the ground. Using a series of sticks of varying lengths. It took a few hours.

The place was packed with people and their families. I think everyone was extra happy as it was a sunny day too.

TWO MORE THINGS I LOVE

THIS VIEW!

You can find it by using the Mönchsberg lift that takes you up (60m in 30 seconds!) to a popular lookout terrace.  Just look it up on Google Maps.

 

ICEZEIT ICE CREAM BAR

The weather was so hot that this place really saved me. Also, the staff were so friendly and nice that I got free ice cream when they noticed I kept coming back!

 

This post was created in collaboration with Visit Salzburg - check out the website for lots of useful info on how to plan your visit, how to make the most of your time, and most importantly how to have fun in Salzburg!

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The post Fun in Salzburg: Beer & Dirndls! appeared first on SMALLCRAZY.

We were introduced and oriented to our pool villa by our personal butler, Kemlek.  

Once the door was open, it was like stepping into paradise! IT WAS LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT.

The attention to detail put into the design and aesthetics of the villa was truly impressive. I loved the colour scheme of gold, black, and white - highlighted with bright accents of yellow and orange and calmed by the lush greenery of tropical plants carefully placed all over.

Every villa comes with a fully equipped bar, outdoor shower and bath, and a private, shaded roof terrace.

It felt like a big, picture-perfect playground that was both elegant and fun! We pranced around barefoot a lot. We played a lot of happy music using the bluetooth speakers provided.

It was so enjoyable to be in the villa that it became a huge challenge to get ourselves out to do anything else! Haha.

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BATHROOM

The bathroom and dressing area was located at the back of the villa, accessible through an 'outdoor' pathway that connects it to the bedroom.

IT WAS BEAUTIFUL. THE BATHROOM OF DREAMS.

I can still feel the cool marble tiles under my feet and the freshness of that artificially cooled air every time I entered through the glass door.

Getting ready had never been so joyful!

 

 

Delightful Things TO NOTE

Gold taps & (rain) shower.
Double sinks.
Real flowers (lotus flowers folded into roses!).
Many towels of various sizes.
Lots of power sockets.
Male & female sized slippers/robes.

Upon checking in we were offered an unpacking service. 

This was a standard of luxury I had never experienced before, so I excitedly agreed and quickly envisioned seeing all my colourful items neatly arranged in the walk-in wardrobe, with zero effort from me. It was a glorious idea!

So imagine my face when I saw that.. only Ricardo's clothes had been taken out and hung/folded! My bag remained open on the bench.

I concluded that Kemlek must've not wanted to touch my rubber deer mask and blue sequinned wand. Or maybe my things were just so messy that he'd rather not.. :lol:

MAGICAL EVENINGS BY THE POOL

The bedroom has floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open up to the pool area, which was of a generous length and ends at a tall and shiny mirror wall on the other side.

You know what? There aren't enough outdoor mirrors in this world! 

We loved lounging around the pool during the evenings when the weather cooled down.. although the mosquitoes also had the same idea.

MY BUTLER IS BETTER THAN YOURS

Kemlek helped us with everything, including making arrangements for any activity or excursion we were interested in. Really, the whole team of butlers was amazing. Friendly, attentive, and helpful. We were treated so well that I sometimes I had to question reality. 

Kemlek organised for us to catch sunrise at Angkor Wat, which was a total pain to wake up for especially if you hate mornings (like me)! Although I shouldn't complain - we were lucky to do the temple tour using a nice air-conditioned car provided by the hotel. They also packed us mats to sit on and a nice picnic.

And oh! Look at these sweet handwritten notes that were left for us!

One day, I thought I would be a giant cliché and ask for.. a flower bath. I'd never had one before and this was the only occasion where I felt like I could ask for one without sounding like a diva!

And so.. the staff filled up the stone bath with pink lily petals.
They also placed four too-big candles around it. 

I felt like asking for more petals for more coverage, but decided that it would bring me up to diva level, which I didn't want.

Anyhow, they managed to figure out my secret desires and I walked in one afternoon to an industrial sized bubble-making machine by the pool. YES! BUBBLES!!!

You will have seen it in the video. If not, go watch it.

THE ROOF TERRACE

We didn't spend enough time on the terrace!

It has a spacious lounge sofa that can be turned into to a bed on request - so you can spend the night 'under the stars'. And with the mosquitoes.

It was a hard sell when the king-sized bed downstairs was so damn comfy.

One night, we were treated to a most sumptuous BBQ dinner on the terrace, prepared by the head chef. There was so much food! It was delicious.

We were spoilt rotten. But I didn't want the unused/uncooked food to also be spoilt rotten, so asked if the staff could take it home for themselves. It wasn't allowed due to hotel protocol but I was told they could use it for lunch/breakfast the next day.

THE COOKING CLASS

I shall point out that I have by now long forgotten how to cook any of these dishes. Who actually remembers any instructions from cooking classes? 

We had the privilege of spending some time with the head chef at Kroya, the main restaurant for Shinta Mani just across the road. Breakfast is served here for Bensley pool villa guests. We never made it for breakfast so I can't comment on that!

During the cooking class, we were taught how to make a spicy papaya salad, fish amok (a kind of steamed fish curry), and this beef sour soup with morning glory (last pic) which was MY FAVOURITE. Well that and the fish amok. Hard to decide - everything was incredibly tasty!

I think I'll need to re-learn these recipes, especially that beef soup because it needs to be more present in my life.

SHINTA MANI FOUNDATION
Open Doors, Open Hearts

During our stay, we were offered a visit to one of the villages supported by the Shinta Mani Foundation, which is an initiative funded by revenue made from Shinta Mani hotels (and donations) aimed at giving back to the local community.

Sadly, Ricardo wasn't feeling well/couldn't leave the toilet, so I went on my own.

“The only way to positively impact Cambodia is by giving each individual the power to realise their own dreams"

What I love about it is that the Foundation aims to empower the underprivileged with the tools they need to fight poverty; so providing long-term, sustainable solutions that create independence. These include teaching them how to establish and run their own businesses (such as setting up a shop), and encouraging them to learn to grow their own food/manage a small farm.

The Shinta Mani Foundation takes care of dozens of surrounding villages. One of the goals is to build a water well for every family so that the time and effort spent on collecting water from afar can be cut down. In addition, bicycles are provided and assistance given to the construction of simple yet functional homes for the families.

At the village, I got the opportunity to observe the various levels of progress made by different families. It was heartening to be able to see tangible results of the Foundation's work, which were manifest in small but thriving vegetable farms, small tuck shops, and of course, happy faces of children running around.

One thing I noticed was how  neat and CLEAN the village was. Even the dirt/sand paths seemed cleaner than.. normal dirt? It's hard to explain!

Shinta Mani Farm & School of Hospitality

On the way back, we stopped by the Shinta Mani Farm. This was a good-sized vegetable and fruit plantation that supplied fresh produce to the Shinta Mani hotels/restaurants!

Kemlek (our personal butler, in case you forgot) filled our car with a bunch of vegetables harvested that day to bring back with us.

He told me that he was attending farming lessons there, too. Shinta Mani staff are apparently given access to free education and training in farming, so they can learn how to build and upkeep their own farm.

Some of the hospitality staff at Shinta Mani are graduates of the Shinta Mani School of Hospitality, which invites a group of underprivileged locals into their programme (at no cost to them) every year, based on need and potential. The School gives them a chance to gain the knowledge and experience required to get a job in the growing hospitality sector in Siem Reap.

Lastly, Cambodian doctors are supported by the Foundation in providing healthcare and dental care to rural areas, as well as schools with underprivileged children. Again, education is key - so people are also taught proper hygiene practices and habits to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Click here for more info about the Shinta Mani Foundation (and how you can get involved)!

SHINTA MANI ANGKOR (BENSLEY COLLECTION)
Why You Should Stay Here

 

 

EVERY STAY COMES WITH

Daily breakfast at Kroya
Personal Bensley Butler
Private roundtrip airport transfers
Fast-track immigration on arrival
Use of a tuk-tuk within Siem Reap for 24 hours
Complimentary laundry service
Packing/Unpacking service
Welcome drink & daily seasonal fruit
Mobile wifi device

 

 

WHAT I ESPECIALLY LOVED

Fresh ingredients & tasty food at Kroya
Location - only 15 min from Angkor Wat
Level of service (exceptional)
Having a spacious outdoor space that was private
My butler, Kemlek!
The spa - best massage ever
Shinta Mani Foundation <3

The post Shinta Mani Angkor – Bensley Collection Pool Villa (The Place to Stay in Siem Reap!) appeared first on SMALLCRAZY.

Last November, I made my second visit to Japan – my first time being in 2000 when I was fortunate enough to spend five weeks as part of a cultural exchange programme, when I was still at school!

This time I only had one week, split between Tokyo & Kagoshima. The trip was organised by the JNTO (Japanese National Tourism Organisation) and I could select a preferred region/city to visit. I chose Kagoshima as that was where I’d been before and I wanted to see it with my new, grown-up eyes. And a digital camera. Haha.

I had hopes of meeting up with my old foster family, but luck had it that they were out of town that week.

*skip to bottom of post for a video round-up!

GETTING INTO TOKYO 

Flying from London Heathrow to Tokyo took under 12 hours direct, with ANA (Japan’s largest airline). I slept most of the way as it was a red-eye. I was amused by the in-flight menu which was presented as a laminated card with pictures of four meal options to choose from, including rice porridge (which I love).

It was on this flight that I discovered my love for menbei – a kind of rice cracker made with spiced cod roe (a specialty of the  Fukuoka region). They were served as snacks throughout the flight. I ate a lot of them.

Sadly, I spent my first couple of days in Tokyo feeling extremely unwell from the worst sore throat I’d ever had in my life.

My hosts bought me pretty much the entire pharmacy. I tried  one of those white face masks for the first time and I must say – IT WORKS. It made breathing so much easier at night!

TODEN-ARAKAWA LINE

When I was well enough to get out for a bit, we went to experience riding a streetcar/tram on the Toden Arakawa Line, which took us into the quieter, older parts of Tokyo, away from the popular tourist spots.

This tram was unlike any tram I’d seen or ridden before. It was SO CLEAN! And the conductor’s uniform was too cute and perfect. At every crossing there was a ‘ding ding’ of a bell. It was almost like we were in a toy-town. Japan tends to make me feel that way.

This was.. I think.. the most scenic tram route I’d ever taken. Perhaps I also enjoyed the novelty of passing through the small, suburban streets and neighbourhoods along the way.

ARAKAWA AMUSEMENT PARK

We got off at Yuenchi-mae station to have a stroll around Arakawa Amusement Park. It’s said to be one of  the oldest in Tokyo!

It had a really retro feel to it. In today’s world it would seem more like a fun-fair. It reminded me of my childhood. The rides were carnival-style (small and simple) and there was a mini-zoo as well (including a lot of monkeys!). More suited for families/kids and frequented by locals, mostly. I liked it.

JOYFUL-MINOWA SHOPPING ARCADE

Made another stop at Minowabashi to have a quick stroll at Joyful-Minowa Shopping Street (still in Arakawa ward). This is another remnant of old Tokyo and is made up of pedestrian alleys lined with stalls and shops selling food, flowers, and other market-things. I watched and smelt pickles being made there!

We also sampled a couple of snacks, such as yakitori and other grilled food. Unfortunately, it still felt like knives when I tried to swallow them >.<

Definitely a place to check out if you’re looking for a taste of local life and something outside of the usual tourist routes.

OFF TO KAGOSHIMA!

I was really excited about this part of the trip. Partially because by now my sore throat had finally alleviated (thanks to a clinic visit in Tokyo which got me some much-needed antibiotics)!

We flew to Kagoshima via Tokyo Haneda Airport. I was glad it was a short flight of under two hours because I got the worst seat on the plane. I mean literally THE WORST. I was in the middle seat of the middle section, in the last row.

Windows stopped existing from 3-4 rows ahead of me. It was kinda sad and dark.

Did you know that Kagoshima Prefecture is one of the top producers of tea in Japan? So naturally, on arrival at Kagoshima Airport, we were served some green tea as a token of welcome.

We then boarded a bus that took us to the city. This took about 45 minutes and as you can see in the photo above – it was packed. I couldn’t help laughing at the pull-down seats in the aisle. Apparently it’s like this in China, too.

We went straight to lunch at a cosy, traditional restaurant called MOZE, where I ordered a set menu consisting of a a number of local dishes, including the famous Kuronbuta pork (from black pigs). I remember the food in Kagoshima being immensely good during my first visit, and this meal didn’t disappoint!

SENGAN-EN GARDEN

Next on the itinerary was a visit to Sengan-en, a beautiful Japanese garden that’s also UNESCO World Heritage site.

Tickets are ¥1000 (about USD10 per adult) and can be purchased at the entrance.

We were able to see Sakurajima, the city’s iconic volcanic island, from the garden. It was too bad about the gloomy weather, but at least it didn’t rain!

There was an annual chrysanthemum flower growing competition going on when we were there – it was funny to see who was obviously not good at growing these plants, haha.

Sengan-en is a must-do for anyone visiting Kagoshima. You can easily spend a good couple of hours here. There’s a hill to be climbed that supposedly leads to a good viewpoint, but that was something I didn’t do because.. I got lazy.

I spent time wandering around the picture-perfect gardens and took some photos with our lovely hosts instead.

We ended the afternoon with some sweet potato ice cream, and also shochu ice cream. I was excited about the sweet potato (probably because it was purple), but turns out I much preferred the shochu flavour.

DAY TRIP TO SAKURAJIMA

Another must-do in Kagoshima, we took the ferry 15 minutes across to Sakurajima. On a clear day it’s usually puffing away beautifully against the blue sky, but we were unfortunate – it was cold and gloomy.

I loved the welcome art on the floor of the visitor centre. Apparently, this is created every single day and has gone on for many years.

Just beyond the visitor centre was a 100m hot spring (onsen) foot bath. Kagoshima is well known for its abundant hot springs and there are quite a number of these foot baths scattered around the region.

I don’t know how I had the amazing foresight to wear a dress – it made my foot bath experience so much more convenient, haha. I don’t remember doing this when I visited in 2000.

Our stay on Sakurajima was brief. We stopped by a random temple and I think that was it. I was disappointed at not having seen a giant/mutant radish, which the island is meant to be famed for.

IBUSUKI NO TAMATEBAKO

In the afternoon, we took a special (themed) train journey to Ibusuki, which is farther down south. The train is half black, half white, divided along its length and only has two carriages.

It was the cutest train I’d ever been on in my life. 

It was a magical experience, like a fairytale! The wooden interiors included bookshelves and most seats came with a a table top or space for you to have lunch, for example. There are even sofas and a play area for children. There were swivel seats next to big windows on the side of the train, providing passengers with a great view of the sea.

We bought a special black sesame pudding sold on the train and it was delicious. We especially enjoyed taking pictures wearing train conductor hats handed out by one of the staff – what a fun idea! The journey from Kagoshima to Ibusuki was about one hour.

Seats are limited and advance reservation is advised. Tickets are about USD10 per way.

How do I look?  🙂

IBUSUKI NATURAL SAND STEAMED BATH

Getting buried under hot black sand is the thing to do in Ibusuki!

We went to one called Sayuri, about 15 minutes by car from Ibusuki train station. It had the baths next to the sea, which normally is very scenic but when we arrived it was raining, hence we had to do it in a covered area (under some tents!).

We were given yukatas to change into – you’re not supposed to wear anything else under it. I think this is because you go straight  to the onsen for a dip after your hot sand experience is over. As you may already know, it is customary in Japan to enter hot springs completely nude.

After picking our ‘plots’, we were each given a towel to wrap around our necks. It reminded me of a cemetery..

Once laid down, warm black sand was piled onto our bodies using a shovel (haha) until we were completely covered from the neck down. I was surprised at how heavy the sand felt. There is a 15 minute limit for how long you can stay buried. When the time was up, we simply wiggled out and shook off any remaining sand – it was kind of hilarious.

Completing the experience in the indoor onsen was amazing. I felt warm and refreshed after it. Warm enough to have an ice cream at the reception area even though it was still raining!

NISHI-OYAMA STATION

Our last stop in Ibusuki was to Nishi-Oyama Station, the southernmost train station in Japan.

The grey weather kind of ruined the scene, especially after I learnt that during the warmer months, the surrounding fields would be flush with yellow flowers!

Still, it was beautiful. It’s only a tiny station with a view of Kaimondake volcano in the background.

Apparently, it brings good fortune to send a postcard via the bright yellow postbox outside, so we bought some colourful postcards from the shop nearby and did just that. I sent one to my mom and kept the extra postcards for myself, as they were pretty.

KAGOSHIMA FISH MARKET TOUR

The following day was tough – we had to get up super early. If you know me, you’ll also know that I hate early mornings with a passion. Luckily, this time was worth it!

We were meeting at 6.45am for the Kagoshima Fish Market Tour, which is run by group of local hotels/ryokans.
If you happen to be staying at one of these hotels, your ticket will cost ¥1000. Otherwise, its ¥1500.
Tours run every Saturday from March to October and last one hour.

It was a lot more fun than I anticipated, despite it raining hard when we arrived. It was windy and really cold, but I felt like it was fitting weather for a fish market tour. Perhaps I like a dramatic setting.

Rain boots can be borrowed.. along with hats that look like fish and other sea-things! I was pleased to be a yellow fish that morning.

An English-speaking guide took us through the market to observe the fish landing and lively auctions that began with the repetitive sound of a loud bell. Buyers would be mulling around boxes of fish, trying to decide, I think.

At one point, I witnessed a large number of hammerhead sharks being thrown into pile – which was really a bizarre scene to  me. They had apparently swum into the net that morning by accident. Fortunately, they won’t go to waste – they’ll be resold or eaten eventually.

There were only two restaurants by the market. We picked one, without any particular preference other than it was less crowded.

I had a typical Japanese breakfast of rice with grilled mackerel and a bowl of miso soup with clams. It was fantastic. What a great  morning. I highly recommend the fish market tour if you’re in Kagoshima.

WHERE TO STAY IN KAGOSHIMA

Nestled on a hill with spectacular views of Sakurajima, Hotel Shiroyama is undoubtedly the best place to stay in Kagoshima City.

I remember my foster parents driving me up here one evening, 17 years ago, just so we would enjoy a stroll around fountain with the city lights twinkling beneath us. Something I’ll never forget.

During the night, they put in a musical fountain show complete with cheesy music and dancing lights. I watched from my window and loved it!

Other plus points include a beautiful open-air onsen looking out at Sakurajima and a generous and diverse breakfast spread 😉

Check room rates at Hotel Shiroyama 

Watch the video below for a recap of my entire trip! 

The post How to Have Fun in Kagoshima appeared first on SMALLCRAZY.

I gave the city another chance on my way back to Porto from Vilnius recently – as the flight worked out cheaper and more convenient that way. It was September. The better weather helped a lot by illuminating more parts of the colour spectrum! The presence of leaves on trees also contributed to a better experience.

MOXY BERLIN OSTBAHNHOF

I spent the first two nights staying at The Moxy hotel, an affordable chic in the Friedrichshain area. Although the name makes me think of fried chicken, it’s supposedly a very cool and hip part of Berlin, in the south-east.

I LOVED THIS HOTEL. It was SO ME!

I love this hotel because they think that Berlin is funnier with me in it. Such fun vibes in the lobby/bar too!

I found the location fantastic – it seemed to be close to a lot of things I wanted to see and do.

The hotel must also be popular with the party crowd – as it’s close to the popular superclub Berghain. A friend did invite me to go to a day rave there, but I couldn’t think of anything more unsavoury than trying to dress a certain way or create a certain impression in the hopes that some lame dude at the door will like me and grant me entry.

ANYWAY!

Rooms at The Moxy start from €80 – I totally recommend it if you’re after something modern and trendy but don’t wanna break the bank!

BITE BERLIN FOOD TOUR

I started my first full day with a food tour by Bite Berlin, as it’s generally recommended that food tours are booked to occur at the beginning of your trip, so that you can collect useful tips and recommendations from your guide for the rest of your time.

Bite Berlin is run by three women who have collectively spent almost 25 years in the city. The tour included typical ‘German food’, such as pretzels and.. currywurst!

Did you know that the currywurst was invented by a woman who obtained ketchup and curry powder from British soldiers in Germany? Well I didn’t anyway.

I was a few minutes late – German trains are NOT always on time – so everyone was waiting for me by the time I got to the meeting point at Hackescher Markt. There were six other people: an Australian couple with a baby, a Dutch couple, and two Iraeli girls who were travelling together for Lollapalooza Festival,  which coincided that weekend.

DISTRICT MOT

My favourite stop on the tour was District Mot, a Vietnamese street food concept restaurant with a buzzing atmosphere. The decor was very appealing and carefully thought of.

This included colourful animal-shaped Chinese lanterns commonly seen during the mid-autumn festival – the ones with colourful sheets of plastic spread over metal wires that have been shaped into animals (like these). It reminded me of my childhood – I’m now making a note to ask my mom to find me one next time I’m home!

The food was delicious and I saw that the menu boasted frogs’ legs, which I love, but sadly I didn’t quite get the chance to go back to try them. Got carried away with other things.

More info on Bite Berlin here.

BERLIN WELCOME CARD

Getting around Berlin was pretty easy, as you can imagine. I used a Berlin Welcome Card that covered the whole duration of my trip. What was most convenient was being able to pick it up at the airport and use the free public transport benefit immediately.

Yet, I missed my bus stop coming into town from Tegel Airport. It was a frustrating reminder that bus culture (is that even a thing?) can be different everywhere!

I pressed the button when my stop was coming up. However, when the bus stopped, no doors opened and so I assumed it was simply a traffic-light stop. WRONG. It then zoomed off and I saw on the screen that it had progressed to the next location after mine. Apparently, I had to go closer to the door to indicate that yes, I am getting off here.

Anyway, the best part of the Welcome Card for me was definitely the free public transport. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to take advantage of the discounts to attractions/museums. I did find the map helpful though!

You can buy the Berlin Welcome Card online.

BERLIN CITY SNAPS

These gold (actually brass) tiles are called ‘Stolpersteine’, which mean tripping or stumbling stones. They’re made to stick out of the ground slightly.. so you could actually, stumble upon one.

They’re inscribed with the name and life dates of victims of Nazi extermination or persecution – at exactly their last place of residency or work that was freely chosen by them.

My friends Eulanda and Omo dropped in for half a day and we went on a hunt for street art one afternoon. I’m not a huge fan of street art – not enough to actively look for it anyway – so I didn’t quite enjoy this excursion.

I also felt that a lot of the street art in Berlin seemed to be located in places that didn’t make sense. Some of them were difficult to see completely and some were occluded by things like a flyover or ugly signposts or lampposts.

I guess I like effortless and convenient street art.. or street art the lazy way!

PRINZESSINNENGARTEN MARKET

First: What a name.
Second: What a terrible photo of me; where are my eyes?

Luckily, the street art excursion was saved by accidentally discovering this gem of a market in Kreuzberg. It was huge! It used to be a wasteland for over half a century that’s now been turned into a green space where organic food production and climate protection are taught and encouraged.

There was a bustling flea market happening when we were there. It was a Sunday. I didn’t buy anything as my suitcase was already bursting but I loved wandering around under all those green leafy trees.

It also reminded me of my first few years of living in London, when I would spend my weekends rummaging for vintage treasures (often hidden in smelly piles of things) at various markets, mostly in the east.

MOVENPICK HOTEL BERLIN

My final two nights in Berlin were a real treat, as I got to spend them at the Movenpick Hotel Berlin, which is closer to the city centre..  it’s not in a particularly hip location and it’s more of a business type hotel, but I really enjoyed the classic hotel vibes.

Also, my (deluxe) room had yellow walls. This made me love my room even more.

I specifically came home early one night just so I could spend more time surrounded by these yellow walls, in the comfy bed, and wearing no underwear. It was fantastic! I even lied to Ricardo when he tried to call – I said I was busy.

If you’re looking for a higher level of comfort/service and want to be more central, stay at the Movenpick Berlin 🙂

My most amazing rainbow headpiece is by Ciara Monahan!

THE BEST THING I DID IN BERLIN

This actually deserves a whole post on its own.

Thanks to Adam – my favourite person to pester for Berlin recs – I found a MAGICAL REALM OF LIGHTS and mirrors and colours hidden away in a sort of warehouse space (former power station) in what seemed like a pretty blah area of town (Köpenicker Straße).

It was an art and photography exhibition hosted by Olympus, called Perspective Playground. It takes place a few times a year in various European cities. Unfortunately, by the time you read this, the Berlin playground will be over. But you can watch the website to see where it goes next!

I spent HOURS in there by myself. This was seriously the biggest highlight of my little Berlin break.

Ok I’m gonna have to write a separate post about this to share the rest of the photos!

The rest of my time in Berlin I spent meeting strangers, drinking/bar hopping, and eating. I didn’t really take any photos of those.

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*Sponsors for this post include: Moxy Hotels, Movenpick Hotels, and Visit Berlin

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I’ve been to Bucharest three times.

The first two occasions were to visit my friend Cristina, who’s one of the best people I’ve ever met on my travels. We crossed paths during surf camp in Algarve and enjoyed a dramatic sunset together. I was attracted to the way she laughed – loudly and carelessly and with so much joy!

Since then we’ve reunited twice in her home city, Bucharest; both times when it was cold and snowing. Winter in Romania sounds dreadful but because Cristina was such a wonderful host, I loved it anyway. Plus she served me a colorful breakfast in bed and took me snowboarding.

In May this year I was blessed with the opportunity to visit again as part of the Experience Bucharest programme. I saw Bucharest in a new light (or rather, more light..), reconnected with old friends, and made some new ones. Bucharest is more fun in the sun!

Here’s what I did and what I loved:

THE VARIETY OF BUILDING SHAPES

Some buildings looked grand and decorated whilst others looked worn and unloved yet appealing. There were many beautiful historical structures that stood proud in the city.  Others looked so ugly but in an intriguing way – it was funny to imagine how they were permitted to exist in the first place.

There was just so much variety. Kinda like visiting a charity shop, where you have to sift through junk to find the good stuff but then sometimes stumble upon a rubbish item that “actually, this looks good in a weird way..”

COTROCENI ARCHITECTURAL TREASURE HUNT

A small group of us participated in what they called an architectural treasure hunt. We were split into three teams before being given a list of items to look for and questions which answers could be found by taking an observant walk around the quiet neighbourhood of Cotroceni. This required a lot of patience.

I’d never heard of Cotroceni prior to this and I wondered why Cristina withheld this little gem from me. So as to be polite, I wondered in my head.

Cotroceni is apparently where wealthy people have large houses and their streets are lined with leafy green trees. Cristina and I had a great time wandering around while Mihai, her boyfriend, did almost all of the treasure hunting – which involved spotting a boat-shaped house and that didn’t really look like a boat.

^Cristina with Mihai

Overall, I really enjoyed this activity, although I wish I remembered more names of the various architectural styles that were present. One of them was definitely a ‘Haunted House’ style.

More info about the tour – which is mostly self-guided – here!

BEAUTIFUL DECAY TOUR

^Top left: I am apparently staring at penis graffiti

This was a walking tour that took you to Bucharest’s historical and industrial landmarks, focusing on the abandoned and ‘decayed’.

The highlight for me (and everyone else, I think!) was a very large, multi-level building that used to be a palace. There seemed to be a lot of pre-loved palaces around the city.

This particular used-to-be palace looked like a dump from the outside. I mean it looked like any big old building. Entry was through a small door off the sidewalk that was guarded by an old man, leading into a dark corridor that was occupied by some suspicious smells.

The tour was described as ‘for the adventurous’ so I walked along making sure not to look at all fazed.
Luckily, the corridor was short.

It was BEAUTIFUL inside. Rich in textures and sounds and shades of grey and brown. There was also a lack of any more suspicious smells.

The floor was crunchy and wonderful. It was like walking on giant pieces of cereal except that it was shards of broken glass and other construction debris that would not taste good with milk.

The stairway going up (to the four or so levels we visited) had no handrails and I think there was even a hole in the ground at some point. This really made me feel like I was brave and adventurous.

I loved this tour a lot.

For more info: Beautiful Decay Tour

CISMIGIU GARDENS

One thing that surprised me about Bucharest this time around was how GREEN it was!

I always imagined that it was a pretty dull city in terms of the colour spectrum, considering its Communist past. Communism seems like a monochromatic situation, right? I also saw a lot of snow and concrete during my previous two visits under the blanket of winter, so I guess my perception was skewed.

Anyway. Cismigiu Park.. it’s a beautifully leafy park not so much unlike Regents Park in London, except it has a vending machine for fresh orange juice so it’s slightly better.

Here are some other green spaces I loved..

GRADINA EDEN

Bucharest seems to have a big Secret Garden theme going on at the moment, and Gradina Eden (Eden Garden) seems to be one of the best known.

And possibly biggest.

It’s slightly wild and untamed yet full of wooden chairs and tables set out in a very organised way. There is probably enough space to seat 1000 people but that’s just my estimate and I am not very good at estimating. But there were A LOT of tables and chairs. Amongst a jungle of greenery.

It has a super relaxed atmosphere. I wondered why there weren’t any beds or bed-shaped things installed because it seemed to be the perfect place to take a nap.

Gradina Eden can be accessed by walking towards the behind of the centrally located and neoclassical Stirbei Palace, which looks like a another member of the city’s Abandoned Palaces Club. Apparently cool parties are held in the basement sometimes.

The people in Bucharest must be constantly faced with the dilemma of ‘which old palace should I have a party in tonight?’.

MODELiER

Sometimes old buildings are turned into cool burger joints. MODELiER is such an example.

I had such a fun time hanging out with Cristina and other friends who I had met with her on my previous trip (at a high-school reunion in a dodgy underground bar that served pork crackling that somehow still tasted good despite being exposed to the clouds of cigarette smoke floating around inside).

Anyway.

The burgers at MODELiER were good (they had hot sauce) and the cocktails even better.

Past the house there is outdoor seating and a terrace, a swing, and.. an in-house DJ! The music was the kind that made you feel cool and want to stay longer so you can continue to feel cool. I wanted to eat and dance at the same time. This is possible with good multi-tasking skills and a bib.

DIANEI 4

So this old building was turned into a brunch spot, Dianei 4, that also serves speciality coffee and craft beer.

The space is in keeping with the Secret Garden theme and the interior of the house had been turned into a bar. The walls were full of character and texture, which I loved.

It’s too bad that the food was mostly dismal. My egg yolks were overcooked. I think all the eggs on the table were overcooked.

Daryl and Mindy of 2FoodTrippers tried to have eggs in several places around Bucharest and the conclusion was that they should look for runny eggs elsewhere.

My avocado slices were crunchy and could have been an interesting addition to the crunchiness of an abandoned palace floor.

I did love the space though and perhaps I’d prefer enjoying a drink or two there without food.

NIGHTTIME PLAYTIME

^From top: Street dance party in the old town / Parcul Herăstrău / Fake DJ / DESCHIS Gastrobar

The amazing team at Experience Bucharest put on a party every night – which is no easy feat considering the number of people involved in the programme – but some nights I escaped so I could spend more time with Cristina etc and be taken to more local spots with good house music.. or music I’d enjoy more.

I am that person who hates anything pop, R&B, hip hop, and rap. Hip hop has got to be the worst. Anything that’s in any Top 40 chart or that has a high production accompanying music video = No. Meaning I cannot go to most popular clubs.

Baraka Bar & Lounge @ Herăstrău Park

Herăstrău Park is a giant park in the north of Bucharest where… bones of the woolly mammoth have been found in the area before! It has a long history dating back to Paleolithic times.

The park now is open 24 hours. This means you are free to take a leisurely stroll at 3am if you wish.

A few bars/clubs have opened up inside the park, including Baraka, which lets you dance until 4am on a Saturday night. I didn’t stay that late but I had fun!

DESCHIS Gastrobar

This was MY FAVOURITE new discovery in Bucharest.

I don’t have any photos of the rooftop of the industrial-looking building, where we danced, under a giant moon and fairy lights. I loved the music!

Too bad the party ended early due to some noise complaints. We moved inside the building where I pretended to be a DJ (pics above) and did not order any drinks from the bar that was not open.

We hoped the party on the roof would restart, but it didn’t. I wasn’t too bummed because I’d been feeling pretty worn out and was looking forward to getting back to my VERY LARGE hotel room..

HOTEL CISMIGIU

I LOVED THIS HOTEL, including the font they used for their name.

The location is perfect – right next to Cismigiu Park and only a few minutes on foot to the Old Town. This hotel was a huge part of why my time in Bucharest was so enjoyable.

When I checked in late at night, the receptionist told me with a funny look that if I had any problems with the room to let him know and he could switch me to another one.

I went up the lift thinking that maybe I’d been given a crappy room with a view of a stairwell or something.

I opened the door without any high expectations and was greeted with a huge suite. I had my own living room and kitchen, a spacious bathroom, and two front-facing balconies.

That sneaky little receptionist! But it was a good trick.

At the end of every long day I would fantasise about returning to my room to do nothing.

Hotel Cismigiu

Bulevardul Regina Elisabeta 38
București 050017
Romania
Book here!

OTHER FUN THINGS

^Top from left to right: Lavi, Me, Cristina, Alexandra / Bottom: With Kash of Budget Traveller

I don’t have many photos of all the people I met and danced with but I take that as a good sign that we were too preoccupied with other things. Like living in real life and talking to each other.

I conclude this post with the two best things about Bucharest:

Colourful umbrellas

and

Papanași, a traditional Romanian dessert which is pretty much big donut things topped with soft cheese and sour jam.

I LOVE BUCHAREST

Now that I’ve seen how alive Bucharest can be in fairer weather, it is one of my favourite city-break destinations in Europe.

So many new spaces – new bars, cafes, shops, restaurants – have opened up in just two to three years. The people, especially the younger generation, are beginning to feel more passionate and proud of their city, and it shows. I feel it! I feel new energy that’s more confident and vibrant and that makes me want to stay and play.

I especially felt this new buzz in the team at Experience Bucharest  (largely made up of volunteers, too), who showed off the city like it was a shiny new toy even though it was something that they’d known all (or most of) their lives.

Cristina herself tells me that she is now more excited about living in Bucharest, whereas when I’d met her there the first time, she was mostly resigned to it.

I love Bucharest!

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The app I talk about is the new Ribena Doodle Your World app – it lets you add still or animated doodles (made out of fruits and other Ribena characters) to your photos or videos.

Did you grow up with Ribena? Because I did. Ribena was a big part of my childhood. I loved seeing those cartoon blackcurrants (happy purple round things) talking on TV. Our kitchen always had a big glass bottle of Ribena syrup. Mixed with water and ice, it was the best thing to have on a hot day. Since it is hot every day in Malaysia (where I grew up), it was the best drink to have every day.

I haven’t actually had any Ribena for a while and I’m so happy to see it reappear in my world again, this time in digital form/as an app. It brings back so many memories and I’ve had such a fun time creating these Ribenary photos.. which were, of course, taken in my two preferred green havens in Porto (on hot days, no less):

JARDIM BOTÂNICO / BOTANICAL GARDEN

The Botanical Garden is located just slightly out of the city centre and it is a little bit of paradise. It’s not huge. In fact it’s probably one of the smallest botanical gardens I’ve ever been to. But that’s great because I can see every part of it in a short time.

The way it’s laid out is on par with many other things in Portugal that don’t make sense. There are some random wild and unmanicured areas. Suddenly there is a big red house. Then a mini bamboo forest. Near some fallen tree trunks. Next to a beautiful row of hydrangeas. Somewhere there is what looks like a cactus farm. A giant hedge.

Like my Ribenary creations? Don’t worry – there’s more!

Here are some photos of the Botanical Garden taken last year:

Some of my friends were impressed that I dyed my hair to match the hydrangeas, but the truth is that I did not even know that those flowers were called hydrangeas before the photo was taken and I couldn’t care less about them.

I did, however, care to take advantage of the happy coincidence (by making Ricardo snap multiple of me and the hydrangeas in the same position).

I added the little Ribena rabbit there because its nose matches my hair.

Since Ricardo always looks so boring and me already fruity (inside and out), I decided to award him three Doodles and me none.

“What’s the time?”

RIBENA O’Clock

But alas! For Ribena O’Clock to occur in Portugal two conditions must be met:
– Availability of Ribena in stores
– A good understanding of the concept of time & timekeeping

Only one of these has any probability of happening.

^Top left: Tiles! / Top right: Flowers! / Bottom: Me with eyes closed, probably walking into banister.

There were a lot of bees around the yellow flowers. Ricardo hates bees. He either screams like a girl or shouts profanities at the poor bees. Therefore I really enjoyed us being around those yellow flowers.

Porto isn’t as green as London. You won’t be spoilt for choice when looking for a large grassy area to play or picnic in, that’s for sure. But it does have a few little gems, especially if you venture out a little. Which brings me to my next favourite:

PARQUE DE SÃO ROQUE

This park ROCKS.

There is an abandoned old yellow house decorated with peeling paint and faded tiles, to greet you when you first enter.

Do you like my exploding pineapple, funky pigeon, and grumpy fox (the one playing golf)?

As health & safety is less of an issue here, there are bit of building debris and shards of glass you can step on (and enjoy their crunchy sounds) if you go to the right spots around the house. Tip: one such spot is on the balcony by the stairs.

THIS PARK HAS A HEDGE MAZE.

This park has a hedge maze. That’s awesome!

It’s slightly short but still fun. I’m not so tall anyway. And if I wear my fox mask I’m as blind as not-a-bat-but-almost. That’s fun too!

The other parts of the park include some fairytale-like features and also open spaces for families or groups to have picnics etc.

Another bonus is the existence of stray cats on the grounds. Since I don’t have a cat of my own to touch, I resort to touching whatever cats I can find in the public domain.

PS I really like that I’m pointing at a GIANT FLAMINGO!

^My pink boat shoes are by Quvel

We were taking a series of ten photos of us. Ricardo got bored halfway and decided to pick up a loose tile to show me. I’m rolling my eyes under my sunglasses.

I hope you enjoyed this post as much as I did creating it!

PARK INFO:

Jardim Botânico do Porto
Rua do Campo Alegre 1191
4150-173 Porto
Portugal
>> Map

Parque de São Roque
R. São Roque da Lameira 2040
4350-307 Porto
Portugal
>> Map

RIBENA APP:

Add colourful, animated characters and objects to your photos and videos using augmented reality!
Click here to download 🙂

This post has been supported by Ribena® but all thoughts and doodles are my own.
Images used in this post are not actual app production.

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Jumper: Pull & Bear // Skirt: Zara

I visited Paris for the fourth time in December. My little sister, who was still under the legal drinking age in the US, was flying over to share a few bottles of wine with me. I was so excited. I hadn’t seen her for almost two years. We were meeting at Le Marais early on a Sunday morning. Except we got the dates wrong and she was only to arrive on Monday.

Meaning, I got on that EXTREMELY EARLY (6am) flight FOR NOTHING! I blame everything on my sister of course (no but really it was her fault).

I was in town by 9am. By this time, I was already feeling glad that I’d arranged my accommodation via Cobblestone Paris – I had the mobile number for David, who was my ‘personal English-speaking greeter’ (haha) and who was making a special effort to ensure I could access the apartment early. You know that feeling of being taken care of? When you can relax in the security that someone’s there just to make sure you get to your destination smoothly and safely? IT IS A VERY GOOD FEELING.

I passed (read:wasted) some time drinking expensive hot chocolate (I had just come from Portugal, so if it cost more than €2, it’s expensive) at a cafe across the street, which name I still giggle at when I say it in my mind (Cafe Le Spicy). I was SO GLAD when David came and rescued me – I was about to drop dead from sleep deprivation ..and watery hot chocolate.

One of those corner units on the left was where I stayed.

According to David, apartments with a wraparound corner balcony were highly sought after in Paris.

Once in the building, I ticked off a new life experience:
I rode in the tiniest lift in the world. It must’ve been something like 75x75cm! Amazing!!

The exhaustion I was feeling dissipated as soon as I stepped inside and saw just how beautiful the apartment was:

No, the flowers aren’t real, haha!

The living room had the high ceilings that I LOVE, and a generous helping of those tall French windows that I LOVE.

I WAS IN LOVE.

Chestnut, my pet fox, came to Paris too. It was his first time.

Charming chandelier.

Guidebooks galore.

More faux flora.

HIGH SPEED WIFI.

HEATERS IN ALL ROOMS.

Life was good!

Oh, the apartment also comes with a landline that you’re free to use make calls to any country in the world except one (was it Nicaragua? I forgot).

Even though David shared a good list of local recommendations with me, shamefully I barely remembered anything.. French names are really difficult to remember if you can’t visualise them!

I suppose I didn’t work my brain too hard because I knew that David was so communicative by text and I could ask him again at any time.. (which I did).

There was also comprehensive Apartment Guidebook with more than you’d need to know. This includes instructions for the dishwasher, laundry, etc, and most importantly, information about WHERE TO EAT.

It even has a page about Parisian social etiquette – Parisians are not RUDE. They are FORMAL. 😀

Looks like I was set for a great few days in Paris. No stress!

PATISSERIE STOHRER // RUE MONTORGUIEL

Rue Montorgueil – one of David’s ‘local recommendations’ – is a lively pedestrian street – one of Paris’ permanent market streets – occupied by a diverse selection of restaurants, patisseries, cafes, cheese & wine shops, fishmongers & butchers, and even a few bars and bistros. Only a short walk from our apartment, we wandered here on one of our lazy days.

The aim was to visit La Maison Stohrer, “La plus ancienne pâtisserie de Paris”.
Meaning.. ‘The oldest pastry shop in Paris”.

It was apparently so popular that even the Queen herself had made a visit – as you can see from the postcards on display, they’re not too modest to hide any evidence of this.

I was visually impressed by the savoury ‘cakes’ in the front window, with the crab shells and foie gras and smoked salmon, but couldn’t bring myself to sample any. I wanted something sweet. Plus, David raved about a certain rum cake that I absolutely must try, so it was that one item I walked out of the shop with. But stupidly, I didn’t eat it immediately and all the sticky rum juice later spilled out onto mine and my sister’s things. Lesson: Eat delicious things IMMEDIATELY.

Amazing jazz & swing band!

The best part was running into this swing band performing in a corner, made up of four old friends. I loved them so much I bought their CD! CD? Who still uses CDs?? Haha.

HÔTEL DE VILLE

Hôtel De Ville, home of the Paris City Hall, was also around the corner from the apartment. The square had turned into a vibrant meeting point during the holiday season, with a beautiful carousel and a number of street performers looking to bring some joy to adults and children alike (and then get their money).

I didn’t ride the carousel nor did I try to catch the bubbles – I think being in Paris made me feel like I had to be a bit more… FORMAL?!
So I just stood rigidly taking photos while my hands turned numb from the cold. I enjoyed it.

LE MOULIN ROUGE

This wasn’t anywhere near Le Marais but I had such a fun time that I wanted to share!

You may or may not already be familiar, but there is a huge drain cover opposite the Moulin Rouge building that creates a sort of vertical wind tunnel on the street (?? What do you call those things??). Loads of people were on it, mostly throwing their scarves in the air while their friends photographed them.

Lucky me, I had a skirt, and who knew it could be such fun to try to keep your skirt down in public? 😀

COBBLESTONE PARIS

Just can’t get enough of these windows..

I really couldn’t recommend Cobblestone enough if you’re looking for an apartment to rent in Paris and would prefer a stress-free, hassle-free experience. They’ve been in the business since 2004 – long before the age of Airbnb – and so they know what they’re doing. They currently offer 26 centrally located, beautifully furnished, fully serviced apartments that will definitely make you feel like you’re living the Parisian dream!

The apartment featured in this post is La Charme Du Marais.
If you use the code SMCRZY, you’ll get 10% off your booking 🙂

My favourite things about the apartment:

• Wraparound balcony
• Many many tall French windows with sash curtains – isn’t it also your dream to open the doors to look out at life from the terrace?
• Wifi with super fast internet speeds
• Complimentary bottle of wine and chocolate
• It was warm in winter

Not-so-favourite things (hey gotta keep it real):

• The pillows were rather hard
• Small bathroom

*My stay with Cobblestone Paris was complimentary. All opinions are my own and are always honest!

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