/ Georgina Does

Why I went all the way to Thailand for a week

Friday, 12 May 2023

This was a question I got asked over and over again - by friends at home, by people I met there and by strangers on the Internet.

Before covid, I was booking flights and jumping on planes on my own at every opportunity. Solo travel in Southeast Asia is something that has changed my life not only in the experiences it has brought but also the confidence and trust in myself that I have gained from doing it.

I’ve had a lot going on recently and in an (successful) attempt to disconnect from my daily routine and reflect on my life, I booked a week off. I had the choice of anywhere but I picked Thailand because it makes me happy.

So regardless of only having a week spare, I was more than happy to sit on at 14-hour flight if it meant I could spend my holiday where I wanted to spend my holiday.

One of the main reasons why I decided to travel alone was to rest. I experience crazy fomo when I'm at home and can’t say no to anything, but being in Phuket, I was able to slow down. I spent hours lounging by the pool, reading, journalling, taking photos and swimming. All alone. And I loved every minute of it.

And in the evening, I ate and I went to bed early. It was blissful; not only in the fact of having an early night but in that I wasn’t stressed that I should be doing something ‘fun’ instead.

Thai food was another highlight and one of the reasons I go back again and again. I eat at some of Londons best restaurants usually, but the food markets are my favourite thing in the world. There's nothing quite like watching a Pad See Ew being made fresh in the vibrant street markets, something I did multiply times a day. I was also able to satisfy my Thai tea addiction whilst I was there.

I also very much enjoyed the freedom to do exactly what I wanted, when I wanted. I woke up naturally at 6 am, so I got up and went for a walk, one morning I spent an hour throwing myself around on a surf machine and another, I journalled on the balcony. I ate when I got hungry and I went back to the same 5* hotel three times because I liked the spa there. I booked luxury transfers instead of buses and postponed a boat trip I had scheduled because I could. I didn't need to follow anyone else's itinerary but my own.

Solo travel has always been a great way for me to feel good about myself and build trust in my abilities, and three years after my last solo trip, that was something I desperately needed.

It reminded me that I can do things alone and that I can be happy doing it.

If you're considering traveling alone, I highly recommend it. It's a chance to gain clarity and perspective, try new things, and create unforgettable memories.

Monday, 3 April 2023

Sweeping views, mountain roads and picturesque towns perched on the cliffs. If like me, Instagram has persuaded you to take a trip to the Amalfi coast this year, then driving is a great way to explore it properly.

Renting a car gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace and discover hidden gems off the beaten path. Apart from that, I was looking forward to the warm afternoons cruising along the coastline with the roof down and the wind in my hair. Our cute little fiat 500 provided me with just that.

After four days of exploring, I've put together a list of top tips and things to know for your next trip!

The drive itself is quite a feat - luckily for me, I wasn't the one doing it. The coast can be very challenging with hairpin turns and steep drops the whole way along so a small car is best.

Roads get very narrow and whilst the Italians don't like to stay in their lanes, you'll have to get used to overtaking otherwise you'll be stuck behind tour busses all day. This becomes especially tiresome once you realise they insist on hooting every time they turn a corner.

A convertible is a great choice as it adds to the fun and provides a great way to enjoy the warm weather. Our Fiat 500 was perfect because its extended sunroof style meant we were well protected from the wind.

Parking wasn't a huge problem in low season. We found as you start getting into the towns like Positano, there were big car parks everywhere. They can be expensive if you stop off for a long time - we paid €6 per hour - but it was money well spend to have the car local and safe whilst we explored.

Don't forget to stop for refreshments. Lemon stands are a common sight and not only are they a great way to experience the local culture and cuisine, they also provide some incredible sightseeing opportunities. The vendors we met were all friendly and knowledgeable and a freshly squeezed juice break was much appreciated.

Finally, our car had no aux, which was initially devastating but after some playing around, we stumbled across Radio Ibiza (at 107.00) which provided the perfect vibe. Just an FYI.

Monday, 6 March 2023

I love the gym, I do, but if I stick to the same workout for weeks on end, I often get bored so instead, I like to change it up. I will do everything from the classic gym workout and yoga classes, cycles, runs or even a little session with my kettlebell at home. Each activity requires a totally different outfit so in collaboration with Brooks Running, here, I'm going to run through what I like to wear for each.

Running outside

Whether it's the treadmill or the street, running requires a high-impact sports bra so I always start with that. Shoes are also important here, so I use proper running trainers as they are much gentler on my joints, particularly my knees.

Gym

My gym uniform involves as little material as possible because I hate getting sweaty so a pair of shorts and a sports bra is a combination that works perfectly for me. I love my Adidas running shorts and have the same pair in a few different colours which I wear on rotation - usually paired with converse or another flat soled shoe as they work best for lifting.

Yoga

Granted, I do my yoga at the gym but it is far different from my time there usually. I do yoga for my mind, more than I do for my body so it's about being as comfortable as possible. It's also one of the few times I will ever wear leggings to work out, for two reasons. Firstly, it's much slower and less cardiovascular so I get cold and secondly, loose and short shorts are less than preferable when waving my legs in the air.

Cycle

I don't go on huge cycles anymore but I do enjoy cycling along the river on a sunny afternoon. This is another time I'll wear leggings, assuming it's not too warm outside, just because I'll get covered in mud otherwise. Along with that will be a big sweatshirt, which often comes off with a crop top underneath, and of course a helmet!

Home

Home workouts are my most frequent activity and most varied in what I wear. I have a kettlebell, so I often use that in front of the mirror when I don't want to go to the gym. I usually just grab whatever's nearby for these, so it varies. I do, however, make sure that I wear shoes for my home workouts as I find my shins always start to ache otherwise.

Tuesday, 20 December 2022

We went to Jersey for a lazy spa weekend but after my fill of massages, saunas and long boozy lunches, we decided to go for a little explore on our last afternoon.

We soon found ourselves wandering around Mont Orgueil Castle.

It was a cold and windy afternoon so I took my new coat with. It's the Expedition Down Parker from Land's end and I picked the black one with grey fur lining the hood. With sealed seams, rib knit inner storm cuffs, and down insulation, it did a great job at shutting all of the elements out, protecting me from the cold, the wind and the rain.

We had a look around the old building and then grabbed a jersey cream cone to eat by the seaside. It was a lovely end to the trip!

*Gifted Jacket

Monday, 28 November 2022

Thanks to a very good Instagram marketing campaign, I have been excitedly waiting for this place to open for months, so as soon as the email dropped in my inbox, I made a booking for opening night.

Bacchanalia, located just on the corner of Berekley Square and Mount Street is a Greek/Italian fusion restaurant and Richard Carings newest culinary venture.

I'm very glad to have been although in short, I'm not sure I'll be be in a rush go back the same way I have been with some of the other restaurants nearby.

The restaurant design looked amazing in the photos, with huge sculptures and a Sistine Chapel-style ceiling but in reality, it seemed a little.. faker than I'd have hoped. I was also a bit sad that they weren't able to accommodate my request for a table on the main floor because 'there were lots of press coming in' who they needed those tables for.

The bar downstairs was great, as was the atmosphere so we spent some time there before heading up to our table on the balcony floor which had a much quieter vibe. The design was strangely familiar to the set up at Annabel's, another of Carings places but the cocktails were very unique so I'd definitely come back for those.

I ordered a MAENAD which was gin based with raspberry and eucalyptus, and very rich and creamy thanks to the addition of white chocolate, Greek yoghurt & egg white. We also had to try the KARPOUZI just because of the description. Basically, sold to us as somewhere between and Aperol Spritz and a greek salad, this one was created with watermelon, and feta infused vodka.

Food and drinks were just a little bit more expensive than the other places which I think was a little unnecessary, but we did enjoy everything.

When it came to food, we decided on a classic burrata, a steak tartare with a nduja twist and my favourite, unsurprisingly, was the octopus. I love octopus and this was I exception, paired with some Greek pulses.

On to the mains, we had a plate of pasta that whilst good - it's hard to go wrong with truffle - was pretty average and decided against a proper

main dish and dessert, unheard of for me. Nothing really took my fancy, apart from the tirimasu dessert, although I didn't fancy taking a £35 risk on that.

So, in conclusion, I'd most definitely pop back for a drink. The sparkling bar, and the cocktail list impressed but in terms for the food I think it was just a little too expensive to get excited about again.

SLIDER