Today I saw a black and red bug for the first time. I’m being very specific when I say this because my research suggests “black and red bug” is the insect’s official name. The Latin name is Lygaeus equestris. The only black and red bugs I ever saw in...
How Czech Money Compares to the Euro
I’ve been using Czech money for nearly a month now and I have to say that I like it. In fact, I prefer it to the euro and that’s my main currency. Before I arrived in the Czech Republic, I’d been using euros for over two-and-a-half years, but it...
Trying Not to Feel a Prick During My First Visit to a Travel Clinic
Today I went to a travel clinic in Prague. I wanted to get immunized against Hepatitis A. In some of the countries I plan on visiting soon it’s possible to catch Hepatitis A from food and water. It’s a dangerous disease so I’ve been wanting to sort this out...
How to Avoid Bank Fees and Get the Best Currency Conversion Rate
Banks are greedy. They want your money. When you are travelling, seldom offer the best currency conversion rate and have all kinds of other ways of making you pay. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be like that. There are ways to avoid bank fees and, if you are looking...
Swiss Army Knife Review: The Victorinox Spartan
I’ve been travelling with my Victorinox Spartan for more than three years and I’ve used it a lot, so I think I’m suitably qualified to write this Swiss Army Knife review. I know what the Spartan can and cannot do and I’m confident it will still be a valued...
After Walking Around Prague for Seven Hours I Was Very Impressed
When you’ve just spent 18 hours travelling by bus, you don’t exactly have springs on your heels so I was feeling a little the worse for wear when I arrived in Prague bright and early yesterday morning. However, I had a few hours to kill before I could go...
Duisburg to Prague with FlixBus: A Cheap Way to Travel, but Murder on Your Bum
I’ve just made the journey from Duisburg to Prague. I was dropped off at Prague central station at around 5:30 this morning. As is often the case, I travelled with FlixBus. I like FlixBus, but long bus journeys can be a pain in the bum. After a few hours...
The Lifesaver Fountain in Duisburg: What’s That All About?
The Lifesaver Fountain in Duisburg, Germany gets full points for creativity and there’s no denying the sculpture that’s the main focal point of the fountain is colourful, but what it’s meant to signify is anybody’s guess. With a name like “Lifesaver”, it seems likely the chubby-looking female form in...
German Corned Beef Is Nothing Like English Corned Beef
German corned beef is very different to British corned beef. It’s low in fat and has a better flavour. Gram for gram it probably costs more than the British version, but it’s definitely the superior option. Back in the UK, I rarely bought tins of corned beef. Even a...
Woolworths Stores Are Still Going Strong in Germany
I went into a Woolworths store today. That was something I never expected to do. I thought Woolworths was dead and gone. Apparently not. Although the UK chain went bankrupt and shut up shop a number of years ago, The Woolworths stores in Germany are still going strong, albeit...