London is a great city with so much to see and do but it’s pretty big so getting around can be a bit of a pain. Most people tend to use the tube because it’s quick and easy, and it doesn’t cost that much. The only problem is if you spend all of your time getting around the city on the tube, you’re going to be underground for half of your trip. You’ll miss out on all the great stuff along the way and you won’t have the opportunity to discover a lot of the hidden gems that the city has to offer. Next time you visit London, why not try some of these alternative ways to get around.

Walking

London is a big place so if you’re heading for somewhere across the city, walking is out of the question unless you want to waste half a day. But so many people end up getting the tube for just one or two stops which just isn’t necessary. You should use public transport for some of the longer trips but if you’re only going a short distance, there’s no reason why you can’t just walk it.

Boris Bikes

The best known legacy of the ex mayor of London is surely the Boris Bikes. While walking is a good way to see more of the city, sometimes it isn’t viable. If you still want to see the sights while you’re getting around but it’s too far to walk, why not try cycling? The Boris Bikes are popular with tourists and locals alike, many of whom use them to get to work. It’s a really easy system to use, just grab a bike from one of the many stations and ride where you need to go, then drop the bike off and the money will be taken off your card.

Rickshaws

If you want the sightseeing benefits of cycling but you don’t fancy doing all of that legwork while you’re on your holidays, get a rickshaw instead. See v london city for more information on where to find them. They’ll usually cost you a bit more than a cab but if the weather is nice, it’s a pleasant way to get around. They’re also a great option for people that are concerned about the environment because you’re not contributing to carbon emissions whatsoever.

Thames Boats

The tube and bus systems are a good way of getting around but they get pretty busy, especially during rush hour. If you’re after a more relaxing way of getting from A to B that’s still efficient, the Thames Boat services are perfect. They run regularly and they’re a lot quicker than you’d think. There’s a restaurant on board where you can get a quick bite to eat while you travel and there’s even Wifi if you’re visiting the city for work. Seeing the city from the river while you travel is a whole new way to experience London.

As you may know, I am a big foodie and a huge fan of asian cuisine. Maybe you remember this korean recipe I posted a while ago. Especially after moving here, in London. With lots of  restaurants and takeaways. One of my favourite recipe is Stir-fry noodless. Very quick and easy, and of course mega delicious. In the past french fries or chips (how you call them in UK) with fried eggs and sauseges, used to be my favourite meal. Now is without any doubts - Stir-fry noodless. Today I made this yummy delicious meal again. But with something more healthy - Soybean Noodless, gluten free and organic. From Yutaka - a pioneer of Japanese food in UK. Yutaka noodless are very good, with the authentic taste of natural homemade ingredients. Here is my recipe for Stir-fry noodless. 

You will need:

- One pack of Soybean noodless

- 2 Spring onions

- 1 clove of garlic

- 1 tp of minced ginger

- 1 red bell pepper

- 2-3 carrots

- snow peas

- soy sauce

- black toasted sesame seeds

The fun part starts now. Cook the noodless acording to the package, rinse and dry well with cold water to not get sticky.Chop your veggies: garlic, ginger and green onions. Then the rest of all. Quickly fry the garlic with ginger (1 min) then add the rest of the veggies. Cook well and add the nodless, then add soy sauce or tamari soy sauce. Fry for about 3 min, then add the spring onions. 

Garnish with black toasted sesame seeds. You can add of course chicken or shrimps, depends how you like more. Mine was a vegetarian type, which was absolutely delicious!

Bon appetit!

If you are due to go on holiday then you will know what an exciting experience it can be. You may find that the whole thing is thrilling and that you have so much to do and so much to see. On top of this, you also have to think about packing and how you are going to prepare for your trip and this is harder than it seems.

Insurance and the Boring Details

Before you leave home, you need to make sure that you find a reputable travel provider who can actually meet your needs in terms of your cover. If you have a medical condition then it is a good idea to make sure that this is going to be covered and you also need to make sure that your insurance provider is aware of any activities that you are going to be taking part in as well. If you know that you’ll be bungee jumping then your insurance provider may want to know about this before you go in and claim for a broken leg. You will also need to make sure that you have enough medication to last you for the duration of your trip as well, and that you are always trying to do everything you can to ensure you have your contact details set in place if you do happen to experience an emergency.

Bookings

When you do start booking, you need to look out for the best car rental deals. When you do this, you can easily find out everything you need to know and you can even base your trip around this as well. It also helps to leave your hotel details with a relative so they know where you are going to be staying. If you have a trip booked for when you get there or if you are taking part in any recreational activities then make sure that you have a way to get there. If you are planning on using a car-hire service then you won’t have any issues, but if you don’t then it helps to ring the hotel in advance so that they can arrange the booking for you.

Clothes and Sunscreen

The next thing that you need to do is make sure that you are packing the appropriate clothes for your trip. You have to make sure that you have enough clothing to last you for the duration of your holiday and you also have to make sure that you are packing properly as well. For example, if you are planning on seeing the sights then it helps to have a bag that you can zip up and carry with you as this will help to prevent thieves from targeting you. If you are going to the beach then it helps to have a beach bag that can carry your sunscreen and even your personal belongings as well. If you are not sure what you’re going to need then remember it is more than possible for you to buy clothes when you are there, but this can be expensive so by planning in advance, you can be sure to have the best time possible.

It’s finally happened and you’ve booked the trip of a lifetime. Congratulations are in order because lots of people are too scared to take the plunge. However, there is one pitfall and that is your property. While you are away, it’s essential to keep it in good knick. No one wants to come home to broken windows, kicked in doors and squatters doing unthinkable things in the living room. Securing a house is easier to say than do, mainly because you won’t be a phone call away. Still, there are ways to prepare a home so that the building is standing when you return home.

Here are the basics:

Call In A Favour

You don’t need to hire someone to help, but you do need to give a friend a key. While you are away, it’s vital that someone drops by in the morning and at night to draw the curtains, turn off the lights, and keep an eye on things. To be honest, it is an annoying job because it takes time out of their daily schedule. That is why you should ask a friend or a family member to do you a favour. Neighbours are handy, but they may not want the responsibility.

Cancel Direct Debits

Travelling costs money and you don’t want to waste any while you are enjoying the journey. With that in mind, call the relevant bodies and cancel any debits which are unnecessary. For instance, there is no reason to pay for a newspaper you won’t read. Plus, stacks of paper are signs that no one is home, which will make the property a target. You may want to redirect your mail, too. Depending on the season, cut the gas and electric to the house. In the summer, there is no need to use energy as the heat warms the property.

Secure The Area

Of course, the first job is to prevent break-ins should a thief take a liking to your home. An alarm system is a must, as are CCTV cameras. Outside lights are also imperative as they illuminate the darkness and make it harder to sneak around. But, please don’t forget that this is a world of lawsuits and you may be liable even if someone else is trespassing. With that in mind, try these general protection Bryson Products for the exterior. Also, move any equipment that could be considered a hazard, such as power tools.

Find A New Home

Not for you but for your pets. Cats and dogs are not independent animals and need constant care and attention. To leave them alone for months on end would be akin to animal cruelty, which is why they need a new owner for the duration of your trip. Hopefully, family and friends will take the strain and take them in, but there are kennels and catteries too. If you don’t want to move them, ask someone to drop by the house and give them food/take for a walk.

You shouldn’t turn down the trip of a lifetime, but are you prepared to leave the house in good shape?