Author Archives: tikichris

About tikichris

Chris Osburn is the founder, administrator and editor of tikichris. In addition to blogging, he works as a freelance journalist, photographer, consultant and curator.

7 Tourist Scams to Avoid in Amsterdam

Amsterdam is one of those cities that you have to visit at least once in your entire life. There are so many things you can do, see, and experience while visiting this city – but there are dangers that come with those as well. Continue reading

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Win a Skull-Shaped Bottle Filled with Absinthe Emanuelle from Il Gusto

Just in time for Halloween, I’ve teamed up with Il Gusto for an especially spirited competition that’ll see one lucky tikichris reader win a skull-shaped bottle filled with absinthe. Continue reading

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Henry Jeffreys about His New Book: The Home Bar | #TCTalks Episode 39

For episode 39 of tikichris Talks, I chat with drinks writer Henry Jeffreys at the celebrated Dukes Bar in St James’s. Henry talks about his new book, The Home Bar, and offers tips on how to create your own bar at home. Continue reading

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Inigo Sushi Handrolls

Inigo Sushi Handrolls are served from a cubbyhole kiosk and provide a yummy quick fix for passersby near Bank Station. Continue reading

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Tequila & Mezcal Fest 2018 | Index

I hope you enjoyed reading about the team up with this year’s Tequila and Mezcal Fest and that you were able to take advantage of the deep discount for ticket and some of the prizes offered to tikichris readers. Continue reading

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Learning to Cook (City AM)

The Cook Islands is a nation comprising 15 small islands sprinkled across a patch of the South Pacific, roughly halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand. As remote as they are spectacular, the collection of islands is reminiscent of Hawaii before its mid-century tourism-boom, and though the largest of its islands is today ringed by boutique hotels, much of the country is untouched and feels wildly tropical. Continue reading

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7 Tips for Eeking Out a Bit of Fun When You Travel for Business (Miles Away)

Do you have some work-related travel coming up that has you wondering if you’ll be able to see more than the airport, your hotel and the boardroom? Getting beyond the beige to experience a touch of local color while earning your livelihood isn’t always easy, but it’s usually not impossible. Continue reading

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Tequila & Mezcal Fest 2018 | What to Drink at the Fest!

I had so much fun last night sampling my way across three floors full of nearly 40 tequila and mezcal producers. Located in Bargehouse (next to OXO Tower), the fest continues today and tomorrow (Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 October). If you’re looking for something tasty to get up to this weekend, keep this fifth iteration of Europe’s biggest agave extravaganza in mind – and be sure to use my TIKICHRIS discount code to save 20% when booking your tickets online. Continue reading

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Preview: Organ Reframed at Union Chapel

Organ Reframed is a festival of new music and cross-collaboration for organ. Returning for its third year with a weekend of live performance, film and discussion at Union Chapel near Highbury & Islington Station. Continue reading

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Why Gen Xers Will Fall in Love with These 6 Awesome Destinations! (Going Places)

We gave Gen Xers and their interests some thought and came up with this list of six perfect getaways for a maturing but still youthful set of savvy travelers. Continue reading

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What is Linux VPS Hosting and Why Do You Need It?

VPS technology offers tech-savvy webmasters, and web developers a reliable hosting platform, that combines the performance of a dedicated server at the cost of a shared hosting. Professionals know what importance does it hold to have a well-configured server. Continue reading

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Seedlip X Behind This Wall | “No and Lo” CBD Cocktails

Riding high on the “no and lo” wave is Seedlip, the world’s first distilled non-alcoholic spirit. Mixing up quality cocktails using Seedlip spirits alongside their own house brewed CBD oil is the team at Behind this Wall. A recent event at this cosy basement bar in Hackney presented an opportunity to sample a few showcase drinks made by BTW and featuring both Seedlip and CBD oil prominently. Continue reading

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Getaways to Truly Get Away: Here Are 9 of the Most Laid-Back Cities to Visit Around the World (Miles Away)

Take a look at our list of cities around the world that are fun and worth visiting – no hectic itineraries needed! Continue reading

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Blackbeard’s Wake | Weighing Anchor

Hey folks. I’m weighing anchor and sailing on to cover other topics, but I hope you enjoyed reading about my Blackbeard-based tour of the Carolina and Georgia coast and that you had a chance to listen to my two related podcast episodes. Continue reading

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Yayoi Kusama: The Moving Moment When I Went to the Universe at Victoria Miro

The Moving Moment When I Went to the Universe brings new works, a trippy Infinity Mirror Room and plenty of giant pumpkins and more by celebrated Japanese artist, Yayoi Kusama, to Victoria Miro. Continue reading

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Savannah, Georgia | Blackbeard’s Wake

Direct links between Blackbeard and Savannah are scarce, tenuous and not well documented. However, it’s as swashbuckling a city as ever you’ll come by. Plus, when initially planning my trip, I had hoped to shove off from to explore Georgia island that bears the pirate’s name. Continue reading

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Discussing Fact and Fiction with Historian Kevin Duffus | Blackbeard’s Wake | #TCTalks Episode 38

Another tie in with the Blackbeard’s Wake miniseries on my blog, Episode 28 of tikichris Talks finds me in conversation with research historian, author and documentary filmmaker Kevin Duffus. Continue reading

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Win Free Parking at Glasgow or Gatwick Airport with Airport Park and Ride

Planning to fly out of Gatwick or Glasgow anytime in the next year? I’ve teamed up with Airport Park and Ride to make your travels easier and cheaper with up to two weeks of free parking at either of these airports. Continue reading

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Charleston, South Carolina | Blackbeard’s Wake

I learned about Blackbeard’s blockade and all sorts of local lore during a guided tour with captivating storyteller Eric Lavender of Charleston Pirate Tours. As informative and insightful as he was hilarious in his deadpan delivery, roaming around some the city’s most historic and beautiful streets with Eric in his full pirate garb was a great way to spend a morning – and an activity I’d recommend to anyone visiting Charleston. Continue reading

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10 Places Worth Visiting for the Fall Foliage in America – NOT in New England! (Miles Away)

Yes, of course, New England is undeniably beautiful during fall; however, the region doesn’t hold the patent on fall foliage. There are loads of other areas of the U.S. where Mother Nature puts on a fiery festival to admire before winter sets in. Continue reading

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Ocracoke Historian Philip Howard | Blackbeard’s Wake | #TCTalks Episode 37

Episode 37 of tikichris Talks is a tie in with the Blackbeard’s Wake miniseries on my blog. It features an interview with Ocracoke Island historian, Philip Howard. Philip is the eighth-generation descendant of William Howard – the fourth and last colonial owner of Ocracoke who before that allegedly served as quartermaster for the infamous pirate Blackbeard. Continue reading

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Tequila & Mezcal Fest 2018 | Comida to Crave

The Tequila & Mezcal Fest will be here soon and I’ve got a sneak peek of what to eat when you go. The biggest agave extravaganza in Europe isn’t only an opportunity to drink premium Mexican spirits in a festive … Continue reading

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Ocracoke, North Carolina | Blackbeard’s Wake

From Greenville, I made for the Outer Banks, specifically to the island of Ocracoke, where Blackbeard’s legacy seemed to hang in the air like Spanish moss on a live oak. Continue reading

Posted in Bars, Beer, Blackbeard's Wake, Blogs, Drink, Food, History, Hotels, North Carolina, Restaurants, road trip, Travel, USA | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Greenville, North Carolina | Blackbeard’s Wake

As much as I savoured reacquainting myself with such a tasty town, I was primarily there to take a peek into the East Carolina University lab where artefacts from Blackbeard’s sunken flagship are being preserved and studied for a more accurate record of North Carolina’s coastal heritage. Continue reading

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Sushi Shop 20th Anniversary Limited Edition Box

Celebrating its 20th anniversary, Sushi Shop has partnered with three legendary street artists to create three distinctive designs for a limited edition 42-piece sushi box. Continue reading

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In Blackbeard’s Wake

Ahoy, y’all! I’m back in London and starting to sift through the notes from my latest road trip. This one was along the US Atlantic coast of North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia on the trail of fact and fiction pertaining to one of the world’s most notorious pirates: Blackbeard. Continue reading

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Win a Bottle of Patron Reposado Tequila

Love tequila? My team up with Tequila & Mezcal Fest 2018 just got a lot tastier with this competition offering the chance for one tikichris reader to win a bottle of some of Mexico’s best: Patron Reposado. Continue reading

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Must Eat Mexico City (Going Places)

What happens when one of the world’s most delicious cuisines meets one of the world’s most dynamic megacities? Damas y Caballeros, welcome to Mexico City! We hope you’ve brought your appetite. This expansive capital city is a cultural and culinary hub that’s as exciting a foodie frontier to explore as anywhere in the world. Continue reading

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My Coffee with Melitta | What to Look for When Buying a Machine

From sleek cutting edge technology to tried-and-true champs of yore, the range of machines offered by Melitta has you covered whatever way you like to make your coffee Continue reading

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3 Tips on Booking the Right London Hotel for You

Planning a visit to London and wondering which part of town will be your ideal base? Continue reading

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Jose Pizarro | All Consumed Episode 3 | #TCTalks Episode 36

For this episode of tikichris Talks I’m sharing the third and episode of All Consumed, a podcast that I coproduce with fellow food, drink and travel writer Neil Davey. It features an in depth discussion with Chef Jose Pizarro. Continue reading

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Win Tickets to the Tequila & Mezcal Fest 2018

Coming to London the first weekend of October for its fifth anniversary is the Tequila & Mezcal Fest – the biggest agave extravaganza in Europe. As part of my team up with Teq Fest, I’ve set aside a pair of day tickets to share with one lucky tikichris reader. Continue reading

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The Secrets of Successful Solo Travelers (Going Places)

For the uninitiated, the idea of travel by one’s self can seem daunting. But those with experience traveling on their own are well aware that it often can lead to life affirming adventures and the happiest of memories. Achieving success as a solo traveler starts with identifying why you’re going it alone and what you want to get out of your time away. Continue reading

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Green Means GO! Here’s a Look at Europe’s Best Road Trips (Miles Away)

Here’s our look at nine countries with some of Europe’s best road trips – all worth checking out from behind the wheel on your next vacation! Continue reading

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Must Try Iconic Foods From Around The World

Have you ever dreamt of tasting scrumptious food while sitting in the cafe with a breathtaking view? We know where to find this beauty. This mouth-watering article will help you choose the destination for the next food tour. What can … Continue reading

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