Cognac: Spirit of Place

IMG_7221

Cognac. It’s a drink. It’s a place. It’s an experience to be savoured.

Or at least my summertime visit to the town of Cognac and vineyards sprawling across it nearby countryside was a memorably delicious trip. I was there to become better acquainted with the area’s eponymous spirit and the age-old traditions that have gone into making it such a distinctive drink. Continue reading

Posted in Cognac: Spirit of Place, Drink, Food, France, Hotels, Shopping, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

#TCTalks | Episode 4 | Rarotonga

#TCTalks | Episode 4 | Rarotonga

Audio Player
Posted in Art, Cook Islands, interview, Live Performance, Music, Podcast, TCTalks, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

BLADE: A Unique Experience in Hairdressing

FullSizeRender (37)

Demi Perera has a hair clubbing experience at Blade Soho.

As you walk through the streets of Soho you will find yourself in one the most vibrant, eclectic and historic areas of London. The sheer energy of this part of town cannot be denied. Soho is filled to the brim with theatres, bars, coffee shops and restaurants. We can now add Blade Hairclub to that list. Continue reading

Posted in Bars, Coffee, Drink, Fashion, London, Shopping, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

How to Do Hong Kong for $100 a Day (Miles Away)

How to do Hong Kong for $100 a Day

Hong Kong is famous for a lot of things. Being an inexpensive city isn’t one of them. Nevertheless, experiencing east-meets-west with big city glitz doesn’t have to cost a fortune.

As a destination known for making the most of the limited space and for having one of the world’s most fiercely competitive food scenes, bargains mostly certainly do abound. In fact, some of the coolest things about any visit to Hong Kong happen in the street and, if not actually free, they are negligible in price.

Allow us to lay out a few ideas to help you save money on during your trip with some tips on where to stay and how to play on a limited budget. We’re assuming you already have your airfare taken care of and that you won’t be renting a car. The local currency is the Hong Kong Dollar (HK$) with an exchange rate of (at the time this post was written) HK$7.8125 to 1 United States Dollar (US$).

Read my complete post at Miles Away.

Posted in CheapOair, China, Miles Away, Money, Travel | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Yodel for Valais | Index

P1060896

Yodel odel lay hee who had fun travelling in Valais and experiencing Jodlerfest 2017? I did!

I hope you had fun too reading about my trip and that my tales may help you plan your own Alpine adventures.

Interested in browsing my complete Yodel for Valais miniseries? Here’s a list with links to all the posts:

Yodel for Valais

Make sure to have a look at all tikichris miniseries and special features.

Posted in Drink, Entertainment, Food, Live Performance, Music, Restaurants, Switzerland, Travel, Yodel for Valais | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Miss P’s, BBQ in East Croydon

P1090042

Deep South BBQ and more in far South London? Miss P’s in Croydon brings it.

The folks at Hellmann’s (yes, the “bring out the best” mayonnaise brand – a staple in my kitchen for decades) were in touch recently to see if I’d like to head down to East Croydon to try some chicken wings. Continue reading

Posted in Drink, Food, London, Restaurants | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Yodel for Valais | Alpine Eats!

P1060682

Before wrapping up my series about all the fun I had in the Valais, I thought I should take a moment to talk about how well I ate and drank while there.

Here’s a taste of the best bites and sips from trip. Continue reading

Posted in Drink, Food, Restaurants, Shopping, Switzerland, Travel, Wine, Yodel for Valais | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Getting Past Writer’s Block

DSC_1005

Keeping my mind ready and running when writer’s block hits can be tough. Despite being a writer now for many years, I’m not sure I’ve really figured out how best to get around it.

But it seems to happen with less frequency and for shorter durations than it used to. So maybe I am making progress with minimising its efforts.

Do you ever suffer from writer’s block? Maybe my tactics for combating it can help. Here are a few ideas for things to do that tend to help me unclog my thoughts and get back to productive writing when I come up against a wall. Continue reading

Posted in Entertainment | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Yodel for Valais | Jodlerfest 2017

P1060945

So my reason for being in Valais was to experience Jodlerfest 2017 in the town of Brig. And what an experience it was!

My time at this triennial yodeling extravaganza and celebration of Alpine culture was so much fun and enlightening too. I had no idea how beautiful yodeling could be, how complex and beguiling its harmonic arrangements could be, or how completely full on its most ardent adherents were toward its preservation. Continue reading

Posted in Live Performance, Music, Switzerland, Travel, Yodel for Valais | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Airlines That Still Offer Free Amenities (Miles Away)

Airlines That Still Offer Free Amenities

Many airlines’ a la carte approach to pricing can leave even the most experienced flyers wondering what the final cost for a ticket will be and turn what initially looked like a bargain into a fee that seems more expensive than it should be.

How to cope? Well, it’s not all nickels and dimes in the sky. Here’s a look at amenities still offered for free by certain airlines. (Keep in mind while reading this post that rules and policies can change and so can the fine print. In these cases involving air travel, it’s a good idea to double check what’s free and what’s for-a-fee with the specific airline you plan to fly with next.)

Read my complete post at Miles Away.

Posted in CheapOair, Freebies, Miles Away, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Yodel for Valais | Around Aletsch Arena

P1060867

From Champéry, my journey to Jodlerfest led to the Aletsch Arena and the tiny resort village of Riederalp.

The Aletsch Arena is a mountain resort area on the German speaking side of Valias (or, Wallis as they say in German). It encompasses three villages: Riederalp, Bettmeralp and Fiescheralp. Due to its outstanding natural beauty, it was the first site in the Alps to receive UNESCO World Heritage status. The big draw here is the Great Aletsch Glacier, the largest in the Alps. Continue reading

Posted in Food, Hotels, Museums, Switzerland, Travel, Yodel for Valais | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

#TCTalks | Episode 3 | #365LDNCafes

#TCTalks | Episode 3 | #365LDNCafes

Audio Player
Posted in Blogs, Coffee, Drink, Food, interview, London, Podcast, TCTalks | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Yodel for Valais | Cultural Tour of Champéry

P1060743

First stop on my way to Jodlerfest was the Val d’Illiez village of Champéry on the Swiss side of the Portes du Soleil.

The Portes du Soleil is a major skiing and mountain sports destination in the Alps and one of the biggest outdoor destinations of its kind in the world. Spanning across 13 resort areas, it’s more than 1,000 sq km in size and stretches from Mont Blanc in France to the far side of Lake Geneva in Switzerland. Among the baker’s dozen of Portes du Soleil resort areas is the Val d’Illiez. As enchanting and rugged as any place as I’ve ever encountered, the Val sits loftily above 900m (3000ft) in elevation. Amid all its Alpine splendour is the charming little village of Champéry. Continue reading

Posted in Food, Hotels, Museums, Shopping, Switzerland, Travel, Yodel for Valais | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Win a Pair of Tickets to The Chocolate Show

Win a Pair of Tickets to The Chocolate Show

COMPETITION IS NOW OVER AND THE WINNER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. THANKS SO MUCH FOR READING TIKICHRIS. PLEASE STAY TUNED FOR LOTS MORE FUN AND FREEBIES TO COME!

Chocolate lovers check it out! I’ve got a pair of tickets up for grabs to this year’s Chocolate Show in London.

A celebration of chocolate in all its most delicious forms, The Chocolate Show runs from Friday the 13th through Sunday the 15th of October at Olympia London. Continue reading

Posted in Chocolate, Competition, Drink, Food, Freebies, London, Shopping | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Yodel for Valais

P1060966

Jodlerfest is a triennial celebration of Swiss Alps culture and that most melodious of Alpine traditions, yodelling.

In June, I tagged along to the 2017 Jodlerfest held in the town of Brig in the canton of Valais (known as Wallis in German) to take in the sights and sounds of this fun event. Continue reading

Posted in Entertainment, Live Performance, Music, Switzerland, Travel, Yodel for Valais | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

8 Free Smartphone Apps You Need When You Travel (Going Places)

8 Free Smartphone Apps You Need When You Travel

Check out this octet of free to download apps for iPhone and Android devices that everyone should have on their phone when they travel.

Sure there are loads of other handy apps out there for when you’re on the go (we thought about including Uber and Netflix) but only went with these eight because they genuinely are free to use and should apply to helping get you where you need to go with minimal stress.

Read my complete post at Going Places.

Posted in Apps, Going Places, OneTravel, Travel | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The Dayrooms Café WC1

P1080676

The Dayrooms Café has opened a second outlet, this one on Theobald’s Road.

I really enjoyed my visit to the original Notting Hill Dayrooms several weeks back and was glad to learn The Aussie inspired all day café has come at least a little farther east toward my side of town. Continue reading

Posted in Bars, Coffee, Drink, Food, London, Restaurants | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Christmas Menus at The Bull & The Hide

FullSizeRender

The Bull & The Hide pub has launched its A Very London Christmas festive season menus for 2017.

I tagged along for a tasting of the Grazing menu, one of the pub’s four festive season packages offered. It featured heart handheld dishes big on flavour and fun. I liked the mini brisket burgers, breaded harissa halloumi fingers and macaroni cheese balls best but it was all pretty yummy. Continue reading

Posted in Christmas, Drink, Food, Hotels, London, Restaurants, Travel, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Courtesan: Bigger, Better, Later.

Courtesan

Demi Perera pays a visit to the rebooted Courtesan in Brixton.

When you live in a city as diverse as London you soon learn that there is a list of pulsating, uber cool, queues out of the door, “you’re not on the list” venues that simmer just below the surface. They give this city its edge. BUT you have to be in the know. Continue reading

Posted in Bars, Drink, Food, London, Restaurants | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Luggage of the Future … Today! 4 of the Best Smart Suitcases You Can Buy Right Now (Going Places)

A post shared by Modobag (@modobag) on

You’ve got a smartphone. And you’re certainly a very smart traveler. So why not pack your things in a smart suitcase?

It’s the latest travel and tech trend going on today: luggage with built-in high-tech features to make modern travel less of a hassle. Some come with battery and USB outlets to charge your phone or tablet, some work with your cell phone to prevent you from losing your bags, and some even double as motorized transport you can ride (seriously). But all of them are redefining how we pack our stuff and what the specs and function of luggage should be.

Here’s a look at four smart suitcases that you can buy right now.

Read my complete post at Going Places.

Posted in Design, Going Places, OneTravel, Shopping, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Decorex 2017

Shade Volume

Kemey Lafond checks out Decorex 2017 and shares the highlights here.

Leading in the field of interior design, Decorex 2017 focuses on design collaborations, details and craftsmanship for the luxury market. Continue reading

Posted in Art, Design, London, Shopping | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Marks & Spencer’s Great Lunch Giveaway | Free Lunch to Win Every 12 Seconds | #mandsfreelunch

m and s voucher

M&S has launched its biggest ever lunch giveaway.

Starting Monday 18 September and running for two weeks, M&S is offering the chance for people to win a free lunch every 12 seconds. Continue reading

Posted in Competition, Drink, Food, Freebies, London, Shopping | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ready, Player One? 6 of the Best Arcades to Visit in New York City (Going Places)

Ready, Player One? 6 of the Best Arcades to Visit in New York City

Start spreading the news, limbering up your wrists and saving your quarters! As if you needed yet another reason to visit New York, here’s a look at a few of the best of its many amazing video game arcades.

From old school throwbacks to next generation technology, gaming is big fun in the Big Apple. The city is home to some of the coolest arcades ranging from the family oriented and kid friendly to grownup playgrounds serving craft beer and cocktails.

We recommend having a blast at one of these six arcades next time you visit.

Read my complete post at Going Places.

Posted in Going Places, New York, OneTravel, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

How Emotional Support Animal Registration Helps You with Staying in Hotels with Your Dog

Emotional Support Animal Registration

If you have an emotional support animal and want to travel, you will need to get an emotional support animal letter or registration as soon as possible.

There is a tremendous amount of confusion out there when it comes to what a person can or cannot do with an emotional support animal, or ESA, so we wanted to clear the air in a manner of speaking. Continue reading

Posted in Hotels, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Wine Explorers at Carluccio’s

La Segreta Il Bianco

On now and running until 1 October, Italian restaurant group Carluccio’s is sharing its passion for top quality but perhaps less celebrated Italian wines with its Wine Explorers special.

The limited run offers customers the chance to try a bottle of an underappreciated but nonetheless extra delicious wine for only £10. Continue reading

Posted in Drink, Food, London, Restaurants, Shopping, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Preview: London Mezcal Week – A Celebration of Mezcal, Mexican Culture, Art and Food

London-Mezcal-Week

Zay Ahmed previews London’s first Mezcal Week.

In Oaxaca, Mexico they say that mezcal doesn’t make you drunk, it makes you magical. If you’ve tried it you know what they mean. If you haven’t, you’re about to because the first official London Mezcal Week is happening this week, 11 to 17 September 2017. Continue reading

Posted in Bars, Drink, London | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Win Two Bottles Each of the Five New Soda Folk Flavours

Win Soda Folk

COMPETITION IS NOW OVER AND THE WINNER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. THANKS SO MUCH FOR READING TIKICHRIS. PLEASE STAY TUNED FOR LOTS MORE FUN AND FREEBIES TO COME!

Thirsty for something deliciously different, made with care and with only a few quality ingredients? Soda Folk’s got five new flavours for you to try.

And get this! One of you lucky tikichris readers can have two bottles each of all five sent to your door for free. Continue reading

Posted in Competition, Drink, Food, Freebies, London, Restaurants, Shopping, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Up in the Air About Downtime?

Clerkenwell

I’ve got a long haul trip coming up. I’m really looking forward to reaching my destination, but I can’t say I’m terribly excited about the flights to get there (and back) not to mention hanging around in airports or my transfers between home, airports and accommodations. To be honest, I’m not exactly dreading the travel. In fact, in some small regard, I see the time I’ll be waiting around for my flight and then sitting on planes for several hours as a chance to sort of catch up with myself and make the most of some imposed downtime.

What do you do during episodes of travel downtime? Here’s a look at a few ways I plan to spend the less exciting moments of my next big trip. Continue reading

Posted in Travel | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

At Flight Experience London You’re the Pilot

P1080504

The world’s leading flight simulator has landed in London (Putney to be exact) and offers a fun – and very realistic – opportunity to get in front of the controls in an actual Boeing 737 cockpit and see what it’s like to fly a commercial jet airliner.

I booked a session at Flight Experience recently and had such a good time. And even though I was well aware that I was only there for a bit of fun once I was in the pilot’s seat the pressure was on and the simulation felt and looked real. Continue reading

Posted in London, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Happy Birthday Bubbledogs!

IMG_7488

Demi Perera celebrates Bubbledogs’ fifth anniversary.

It was champagne and hot dogs at dusk on Monday 4th September to celebrate the fifth birthday of Bubbledogs – the brainchild of Sandia Chang and James Knappett. They, of Michelin star restaurant Kitchen Table fame, threw a mother of a party at Borough Market with the return of The Hot Dog Challenge 2017. Continue reading

Posted in Competition, Drink, Food, London, Restaurants | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Rhythm Kitchen at Westfield Stratford City

P1080497

At Westfield Stratford City and craving something good to eat? Might I recommend Rhythm Kitchen for quality Caribbean food?

I really enjoyed my recent lunch there. Continue reading

Posted in Drink, Food, London, Restaurants | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

#TCTalks | Episode 2 | 2017 Folkestone Triennial

#TCTalks | Episode 2 | 2017 Folkestone Triennial

Audio Player
Posted in Art, England, Freebies, Podcast, TCTalks, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Infographic | Photographing the Milky Way

Screen Shot 2017-09-04 at 14.29.35

Ever wondered how best to take a photo of the twinkling stars at night?

Then check out this insightful infographic with tips on how to capture the beauty of the nighttime sky through photography. Continue reading

Posted in infographic, Photography, Shopping | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

4 Eccentric Family Fun Excursions in Mykonos

Mykonos

Happen to be travelling to Mykonos with your family and children? Well, in this article, I will be listing a few family fun excursions you could plan to go on to ensure you have the perfect family vacation.

These activities in Mykonos will make your trip a memorable one for sure! A lot of the excursions are extremely cheap to suit the budget and needs of your family and they will help in entertaining and educating your children whilst they are on holiday. Continue reading

Posted in Greece, Hotels, Travel | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Good Stuff #70

Good Stuff

Good stuff and lots of it!

Here’s the low down on some fine things to see, sip, savour and more – all of which I’ve recently come across and thought were worth sharing with you. Enjoy. Continue reading

Posted in Drink, Food, Good Stuff, Shopping | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment