While I’ve not shortage of places to explore in China and I’m getting more and more excited about my upcoming tour of the United States, I’ve recently begun to plan for an eventual trip to Europe as well.

It’s something of a backpacking holy grail for me, and for as long as I’ve day-dreamed about travel – I’ve daydreamed about spending a year backpacking around Europe and taking in all of the history, culture, and often overlooked natural beauty. It’s definitely at the top of a very crowded pile.

And while it’s true that I can’t wait to explore the English countryside, marvel at the Greek ruins, feast in Italy, be moved in Germany, and have a wild time in Amsterdam – there are some less common destinations on my own list that I’d like to share with you. Others might rave about siestas in Spain, partying on the Greek islands, or soaking in art & culture in Paris, but I’m going to highlight five less orthodox destinations in Europe that I can’t wait to visit.

Enough rambling, Chris! On with the show…

The sun sets over the Danube Delta in Romania. Photo from Fotopedia.

#5 – Romania

It might be the home of Count Dracula, but there’s more to Romania than just spooky stories and the common misconception that its people are gypsies. Like many of the other countries I’ve included on this list, Romania draws a lot of its appeal from its natural beauty and its rich history.

A Romanian vacation really can be anything you want it to be. Want to be pampered at a Black Sea resort? A sucker for the history and majesty of castles? See wildlife on the beautiful Danube Delta? Visit traditional villages in modern day Transylvania? Hike and camp in the Carpathian Mountains? Barter for authentic crafts in a bustling Romanian village market?

The region not only fascinates me, but it also made my Top 10 Places I Want to Visit count-down in late 2010. It might have been usurped by a few of the regions below, but it’s still one that I am utterly fascinated with visiting.

Mist on Lake Bled, Slovenia. Photo from Fotopedia.

#4 – Slovenia

Cramming some very distinct landscapes into a small space, Slovenian tourism draws a lot of its appeal from the opportunity to experience so many different terrains and climates without having to travel great distances. Slovenia boasts over 10,000km of marked hiking trails, Karst caves to explore, its variety of terrains means that nature lovers and outdoorspeople are not going to be short of things to see.

Iconic Lake Bled and the capital, Ljubljana are other must see spots in the small but stunningly beautiful country. Churches, monasteries, Gothic architecture, and even Roman ruins dot the landscape for those with an interest in man-made wonders and there’s no shortage of museums for those wanting to learn a little bit more about one of the world’s lesser known spots.

I’m lucky enough to have a friend in Slovenia, so hopefully someday I’ll be able to visit it and check off a few of the above myself.

Icebergs in Greenland. Photo from Fotopedia.

#3 – Greenland

While Greenland is still technically a part of Denmark, it gets a pass on account of having home rule. It’s my list, so I can bend the rules. The opportunity to explore this land of frozen wonders is one I hope to someday seize. Icebergs, herds of reindeer, scuba diving in sub-zero waters, skiing, kayaking, fishing, exploring glaciers, studying Viking history, seeing a 24/7 day (or night), and wildlife spotting (or hunting) are just some of the many options that add up to make Greenland a nature lover’s paradise.

And if that’s not enough for you, why not head up to the north pole and see if you can spot Santa?

Greenland tourism is rapidly developing, and if you want a change from the hustle and bustle of the mainland – a visit to the continent’s frozen north might be just the tonic.

Sun rise over Kurilskoye Lake in eastern Russia. Photo from Fotopedia.

#2 – Eastern Russia

Obviously Russia is a very popular tourist destination, particularly its western cities – Moscow and St Petersburg. And while there’s an obvious interest on my part to visit these cities, my real fascination is with the untamed wilds of eastern Russia. From isolated Vladivostok in the far west to the icy wilds of Siberia to the fusion of Christian and Muslim culture in Tatarstan – there’s a hell of a lot to explore in the world’s largest country, yet so little of it goes explored.

I’d kill to visit the world’s deepest lake (Lake Baikal) or see Siberian tigers and bears in the wild. Having recently explored Xinjiang – where traditional Chinese culture mixes with Central Asian culture, the opportunity to explore Tartastan and see Russia’s own ‘east meets west’ scenario is also appealing. Eco-tourism in far eastern Russia is growing rapidly as more people realise the natural beauty that can be seen on the frosty coastline.

You’ve probably never heard of them, but the opportunity to explore the Kuril Islands (north east of Japan), see the volcanoes and geological wonders of Kamchatka; and risk life and limb traveling the remote and lawless ‘Road of Bones’ (Kolyma Highway) are all very real draws for skipping over Westernised western Russia and exploring the outlands of far eastern Russia.

Canals in Copenhagen, Denmark

#1 – Denmark

Maybe it’s the big kid in me, but damned if I can’t include one of the original Viking states on my European itinerary. Denmark is not exactly a place that doesn’t draw its fair share of tourists, but I feel it’s often overlooked in favor of the ‘Classic’ states such as France, Greece, Spain, and the UK. But it’s not just a chance to learn more about the Viking Era that draws me to Denmark.

It’s the opportunity to celebrate Christmas in a country that helped to originate many of the traditions we’ve embraced in the Western world. It’s the chance to visit the world’s oldest theme park, Bakken; to partake in the country’s growing microbrewery culture; to visit quirky, progressive communities such as Christiana; and dine on some of the region’s more unique dishes.

There’s the opportunity to go out to see in a Viking longboat, explore the lands that inspired Hans Christian Anderson’s famed fairy-tales, and soak in the culture and architecture of a cosmopolitan hub like Copenhagen. For me, there really is no destination that grabs my attention more than Denmark. The Danish tourism website is utterly fantastic and one I’ve spent a few hours now crawling through.

What are yours?

Ever been to any of these destinations and have tips to share? Do you have a less commonly visited European destination you’ve been dying to get to?

The preceding post was brought to you by Flight Center Australia. Check out their great selection of vacation tours.

It’s been a few months now since I shared my (ever-growing) bucket list with the web. You may have noticed that I’ve made next to no progress on it – having checked off a lonesome one of two hundred and ninety since undertaking the project.

That’s right, folks. I paid a very attractive girl (although not solely thanks to nature, she was proud to inform me) to grind up in my face and was able to check off:

169 – Get a lap dance in a strip club. 

That was on January 14th and I’ve made precious little progress since then. Incidentally, you can read all about it and my adventures in King’s Cross right here.

While my recent trip to Xinjiang in western China was undoubtedly a once in a lifetime experience, it didn’t check off a single bucket list item. A bit of a shame when you consider there are several China specific entries on the bucket list…

With the year almost half done, I’ll be hard pressed to reach my New Year’s resolution target of checking off no less than ten before the year is out. It’s a sorry state of affairs.

But never fear! A recent challenge from Ben at The Red Rucksack has put a fire under my ass and reminded me that life is too short to be wasted on marathon Civilization V sessions or sitting in the dark watching entire seasons of Community. The other 289 items on my bucket list aren’t going to check themselves off, and I’m not getting any younger.

My upcoming trip to the United States presents an excellent opportunity for me to put a real dent in my bucket list. Thanks to one particularly wonderful friend, I’ll be checking off more than a couple as we hit a few of the country’s more iconic cities and spots. Which ones? Allow me to present:

The US Trip Itinerary

Back in 2009 I traveled in the United States with my then girlfriend. Based out of beautiful Coeur d’Alene in northern Idaho; we spent time in Portland, Boise, Phoenix, Flagstaff, and Las Vegas as well as hitting the Grand Canyon and paying a visit to Silverwood amusement park. We caught  Jason Mraz concert in Spokane, sampled clam chowder in Seaside, and ate our weight in greasy food at the Arizona State Fair.

This time around I’m aiming to hit a few new spots as well as catching up with friends in some old haunts.

I fly into Washington DC on June 30th where I’ll meet up with my friend whom I’ll be staying with for three weeks in Annapolis, Maryland. I’d be lying if I said there weren’t just a little romantic interest (okay, a lot) motivating my decision to spend three weeks in this particular corner of the country, but I’m excited to check it out and see the sights. It’s proximity to Philadelphia, New York, and DC don’t hurt it either.

Below is just a sample of the things we’ve got planned for my three weeks on the east coast.

• Explore Annapolis, Baltimore, and their surrounds.
• Hit up King’s Dominion and Six Flags.
• Visit Philadelphia.
• Celebrate the 4th of July.
• Spend some time camping on the beach.
• Visit Washington DC.
• Spend a weekend in New York City.
• Go to a Orioles baseball match.

The Bucket List

Romantic & Risque

Feasible

Long Shots

One of the first things that any traveler should learn is the importance of planning ahead. This should be obvious to anybody who has ever taken a vacation, yet somehow it eluded me when it came time to board the plane for Urumqi in far-western China for a week of exploring one of China’s last real frontiers.

Despite having made the decision to visit Xinjiang almost a month in advance and having tickets booked and paid for, it somehow came to be 10am on the day of our departure and I’d yet to so much as fold a t-shirt or locate my passport. Coupled with a wild night of drinking that featured tequila shots, an hour long walk in the pouring rain, and entirely too much lamb at a pricey teppanyaki joint – it’s fair to say there was a bit of a mad dash to get everything prepared.

About as much effort as I put into planning my Xinjiang trip

As if my frantic cramming of clothes into a backpack and debate over whether my laptop or iPad should accompany me weren’t enough, I was painfully aware that we’d so far failed to book accommodation for our first night in Urumqi or sit down to work out a single facet of our trip beyond its return leg. Hardly the level of organisation you would expect from somebody whose been to a few rodeos in the past.

So, what follows is probably not a fair assessment of Urumqi – arguably Xinjiang’s most cosmopolitan city and it’s gateway to the more untamed frontiers. In fact, it’s more of a cautionary tale. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Touchdown

Getting to Xinjiang was surprisingly painless. China Southern Airlines are not near the horrendous service that China Eastern Airlines are, and we covered the five and a half hours to Xinjiang in relative comfort. The only hiccup was an unannounced layover in an airport that seemed to exist solely to service layovers. It was surrounded on all sides by desert and little else.

Oh yeah, there was this hat too

With bellies full of tolerable airline food and packs heavy on our shoulders, Kara and I made our first rookie mistake of the journey – we jumped in the cab of a guy who enthusiastically rushed up to us the moment we’d stepped out of the airport. One hundred RMB (roughly $14) later, we were deposited out front of the City Hotel. We would later learn that 40 RMB was a far fairer price.

Full of confidence we waltzed up the stairs and asked for a room. We were told it would be 350 RMB – about 200 RMB more than we’d been hoping to pay for a room. In hindsight, we’d have saved ourselves a lot of trouble if we’d just accepted it.

But it was only 10pm and we were determined to land ourselves the best possible deal, so we set off in search of one of the many Super 8 hotels that we had read the city had. After wandering aimlessly down a few darkened streets and seeing nothing remotely resembling a hotel, we started showing locals a photo of the Far West China website’s accommodation screen in hopes they’d recognize one of the addresses. They didn’t.

Some pointed helpfully but it amounted to naught, and by 11pm we were still no closer to finding a room. Standing by a quiet bus stop, we spotted a pair of pretty Chinese girls and I nudged Kara (with her superior grasp of Mandarin) in their direction. Thankfully the pair spoke a little English, so between that and Kara’s halting Mandarin we were able to discern that the Super 8 was not only far away – but also more expensive than the last place.

“But if you trust me,” the prettier of the two girls said, “I can take you to the hotel in a cab”.

Her friend didn’t seem overjoyed by this, but soon enough we were piling into a cab and being taken to the Home Inn – part of a chain of budget hotels. I offered to pay for the cab ride but the girl waved away my offer and departed with a smile – the first of many acts of hospitality that endeared the region to me.

The Home Inn... would not be our home

But if we’d expected the Home Inn to be our resting place, we were sadly mistaken.

“No vacancy,” the girl at the counter informed us apologetically. Seeing our dismay, she snatched up one of the hotel business cards and began calling their other Urumqi locations.

No luck.

“Do you have Wi-Fi?” Kara asked hopefully. The girl nodded and directed us to a couch already crowded with others seeking a reprieve from the cool night air.

My iPad had only 5% battery, so we began frantically searching for other hotel options. Kara’s ever present notebook was soon full of scribbled hotel names and we were off again. It was now after midnight.

The hotels we passed were all upscale business hotels. We disregarded the majority of them but eventually caved in at the Honsghan New Century Suites Business Hotel. Stepping through its huge double doors we gulped. Marble floors, chandeliers overhead, and clocks from around the world on the wall above reception. Yeah, we couldn’t afford this place.

“We need a room?” Kara asked hopefully.

The girl quickly shot back a price of 450 RMB.

“300?” Kara queried.

The man next to her, perhaps sensing our desperation, whispered something.

“330″ the girl offered. We gratefully handed over the money and a 500 RMB deposit (deposits at hotels are standard across Xinjiang) and were soon directed up to our room.

It was 2am and we would have been happy with a warm, sheltered corner at this point - so our near luxury room was a welcome sight after some four hours of roaming the increasingly chilly streets of Urumqi. Even the sight of a single double bed didn’t dishearten us. We were soon snoring atop the covers, grateful that our lack of preparation hadn’t meant a night sleeping in the streets.

Worst Tour Ever

The next day saw us up bright and early ready to tackle one of Urumqi’s iconic spots. Would we visit one of the many mosques or museums in the city? Or would we venture further afield with a day trip out to the Heavenly Lake? Something much less inspiring.

We stopped off at the hotel’s tour desk to book our flights to Kashgar for the following morning and then decided that our next move should be finding a cheaper hotel for the night to come. We returned to the Home Inn and again found it full, but this time the attendant was able to direct us to one of their other locations and we were soon checked into a humble enough room overlooking a litter strewn street.

Delicious savory bread snack packed with meat, spices, and vegetables.

Somewhat buoyed by our successes, we ventured out in search of food and fun. We found food in the form of wonton soup and some savory breads and also snatched up a big bag of dried peaches (as well as some regrettable dried ginger) to take with us on our exploration of Urumqi. But if we’d expected our unplanned walk to reap fascinating dividends, we were sadly disappointed.

Markets like this catered to all of our snacking needs

After blundering through a crowded home-wares market that didn’t offer much in the way of charm, we were soon walking through a clearly industrial portion of the city taking photos of tin sheds and rotting couches in alleys. Urumqi – like much of Xinjiang – is rapidly growing and catching up with the rest of China, so we saw more construction sites than anything else.

A rotten couch in an Urumqi back alley

A breathtaking vista of welding sheds in scenic Urumqi

Soon enough we spotted a park and decided it was as good a place as any to stop for a while. Its balding green-brown hills weren’t particularly inspiring, so we perched on a low wall underneath a vaguely phallic sculpture and watched kite-fliers while we vowed that our time in Kashgar would not be nearly as boring.

A rainbow phallus. Every city should have one.

Kites soaring over the Urumqi skyline

Kara – a former cheerleader – showed off some of her moves before encouraging me to turn my first cartwheel since I scored a double past my brother in under 18s high school soccer.

That brush with silliness done, it was time to head back to a hotel we had no idea how to find. But the sun was bright and the day had a few hours left in it, so we embarked on a lengthy walk in the vague direction we imagined our hotel to be in.

What we found was a dense commercial area and – stomach’s rumbling – ventured into a mall in search of something edible. We didn’t find food, but did find a whole level of the mall dedicated to obnoxiously loud arcade games and play areas for children.

Kara right at home with other ridiculously short people

I was asked not to take this photo. Probably because the attraction isn't licensed.

But Kara did eventually lead us back to our hotel where, exhausted from the world’s most underwhelming tour and knowing we had an 8am flight to catch, we decided to call it a day.

But not before recording a special bonus edition of Test Drive for you guys!

Not All Bad

We did return to Urumqi for the final day of our trip. While we didn’t manage to take in any of its tourist sites, we did find a few glimmers of light in what proved to be a very disappointing city for us.

And, again, that can be laid solely at our feet for not being adequately prepared.

But special mention needs to go to the Maitian International Youth Hostel for being probably the nicest place we stayed while in Xinjiang (and the cheapest) and to the inexplicably awesome Texas Cafe in downtown Urumqi.

The former – our home for a single night before returning to Nanjing – not only had WiFi (a rare commodity in Xinjiang) but also had a nicer room than any of the supposed business hotels we stayed in.

And the latter? What can I say about the Texas Cafe? The proprietor, a grizzled Texan with almost half a century of work in the industry to his name, runs a bloody nice establishment. We’re talking great food, fantastic country music, and a really comfortable vibe.

We spent a good two hours indulging our inner fat boy with chocolate milkshakes, cheesy bean quesadillas, and some truly decadent brownies dripping with ice cream. Sweet Lord, I had a food boner.

I cannot recommend the Texas Cafe highly enough. If you are in Urumqi and in need of Western food – seek this place out. It is, hands down, the best foreigner bar I’ve encountered in my four years living abroad. That’s including my time in South Korea. That it’s tucked away in such an isolated corner of China is a real shame.

What to do in Urumqi

What you’ve read is a veritable how not to do Urumqi guide, but the city is not one without its charms. Most travel guides and websites will recommend that you check out one of the many museums in the city. The pick of the lot are said to be the Xinjiang Uygur Regional Museum and the Xinjiang Silk Road Museum. For those interested in the history of this isolated corner of the world, they’d be a must.

Nearby attractions such as the picturesque Heavenly Lake and the Number One Glacier are a good way to get out of the city without going too far afield.

If you’ve got any of your own Urumqi experiences to share, I’d love to hear them. Hopefully your own trip was a little less ‘meh’ than my own.

There’s something wonderfully serene about the gentle lap of water against the hull of a boat and the way the wind tussles your hair as a boat cuts through the water. While these days the roads and the skies have become our main modes of transportation, it wasn’t so long ago that the waterways of the world were a prime way from getting from point A to point B.

These days river cruises are luxuries best enjoyed while on holiday, and there’s no shortage of rivers to explore or companies offering to take you out on the water. While hitching a ride upriver might not be the fastest or most cost efficient way to travel, it does provide one hell of an experience as well as letting you see a country from an entirely different angle.

To that end, and fully aware that the heat of summer will soon make a cool breeze on the water a Godsend, I’ve put together a list of five iconic river cruises I’d love to do before I check out.

Honorable Mention – The Yangtze River, China

Unlucky to miss out is China’s Yangtze River, which is odd when you consider it’s the cruise I’m mostly likely to make out of the ones on this list. The third longest river in the world, the Yangtze starts in China’s Qingai province and winds its way through ten others before emerging into the Yellow Sea in Shanghai. When you consider the sheer size of China and the geographic diversity that exists in the country, you get an idea of just what an epic journey a Yangtze River cruise could be.

A boat cruses under the Wanxian Bridge on the Yangtze River. Photo from Fotopedia.

With stretches passing through regions such as Tibet, the legendary Three Gorges, and a number of towns – both inhabited and abandoned – a cruise along the Yangtze can be catered to whatever interests you might have: be those historical, natural, or cultural.

Cruises typically last somewhere between 4 and 16 days and offer a range of prices (the most expensive being 1600 RMB for a private cabin, which is a steal). Meals and shore trips are often included, so shop around for the best fit for your budget and interests.

#5 – Mekong River, South-East Asia

A river surrounded in mystery and with countless stories to tell, the Mekong finds its origins in China but is most certainly more associated with the steamy tropics of South East Asia. Long has the Mekong been the lifeblood of trade and day to day life in the nations of Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia – and it’s no surprise that a bustling river trade still exists both on its shores and in its waters.

The chance to see life as the locals live it is a real lure for me when it comes to the Mekong river, but there’s also no shortage of cultural wonders to take in or beautiful scenery to photograph.  Still very much a treacherous waterway, the Mekong also boasts waterfalls and canyons and rapids to get hearts pumping.

The river holds an almost mythic quality, and I look forward to someday lazily batting at mosquitoes as I sip a cold Singha after a long day of exploring riverside markets or snapping photos of curious wildlife.

#4 – The Mississippi River, USA

The glory days of paddle boat steamers may be well behind them, but there’s still a great deal of charm to be found in a lazy crawl down the mighty Mississippi River in the southern United States.

A boat sails lazily along the Mississippi River. Photo from Fotopedia.

Unlike the other rivers on the list, the Mississippi doesn’t offer quite the variety when it comes to cruise companies – but those that exist do offer a variety of options ranging from themed day trips to several night journeys. All of the cliches of riverboat travel are there for the taking – decadent food, raucous music, and the laid back pace that seems synonymous with the American south.

Weighing in quite a bit cheaper than the Chinese or South East Asian tours, a Mississippi river cruise might just make it on my upcoming US itinerary…

#3 – The Danube, Europe

Everything is more expensive in Europe, and that certainly seems true of cruising one of Europe’s most famous rivers. But if you’re looking to travel in the lap of luxury while taking on some of Europe’s most famous sights, a river cruise along the Danube can’t really be beaten.

There is an abundance of options when it comes to selecting a cruise along the Danube, with many bundling in several days stay in cities along the way as well. Prices vary from as low as $1000 for a trip to upwards of $4,000 depending on where you look. You’ll be sipping fine wine and dining on fine food as you go, though, so it’s an indulgence that will garner countless fond memories and fun tales to share down the line.

Viking Cruises, in particular, has a number of cruise specials worth looking at; including some fly cruise deals that discount the cost of your flight to Europe if you’re going to be taking one of their tours. Not a bad way to see Europe at all.

#2 – The Amazon, South America

Meandering through the heart of the largest forest in the world, the Amazon really is one of the last frontiers. As you can imagine, cruises along the Amazon aren’t so much about high-flying decadence or cities along the way, as wildlife takes center stage. The biodiversity on display in the Amazon is second to none and large stretches of the river are still undeveloped, allowing tourists an opportunity to see the mysterious jungle in all of its foreboding glory.

Being the second longest river in the world, there’s plenty of options when it comes to starting and finishing locations. Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, and Brazil all have cruises companies – so if you’re likely to be in South America and want to try the cruise, don’t forget to shop around the various countries.

#1 – The Nile, Africa

It really had to be #1. It’s not just that the Nile is the longest river in the world, or even that it makes its way through the stunning scenery of Egypt, either; it’s the fact that the Nile is more seeped in history than any other river I can imagine. It was (and still is) the lifeblood of such a huge part of Africa. What stories must have unfolded on the reed lined shores of the Nile? How many broken hearts, shattered dreams, and moments of triumph?

Probably best not to book a cruise over the Blue Nile Falls though...

The lion’s share of boats are Egyptian and they are graded from the pricey (and fancy) five stars right down to what I can only assume is a rusted dingy with zero stars. That gives you plenty of flexibility budget wise, and should let you dictate the style of trip you want. Do you want to eat caviar as you coast? Or see a hippo or crocodile up close and personal as your boat lists dangerously to the left?*

*I sincerely doubt any tourist boat is actually like this, but it’s a fun image.

Your Dream Cruises

There’s no shortage of rivers out there to cruise, so which would you add to the above list? Already done a river cruise? I’d love to hear more about it!

When I first decided to relocate to China to continue my ESL teaching career, my head was filled with the travel possibilities that I would be presented with living in one of the largest and oldest nations in the world.

Days spent exploring Beijing’s countless iconic sites such as Tienamen Square, the Forbidden City, and the nearby Great Wall; dining in cosmopolitan Shaghai; rolling the dice in Macau or exploring Hong Kong Disney; sunbathing in Hainan; or checking off any of my 10 different places to visit in China.

Then there were the other places within a short flight. I could spend some time in Japan or catch up with old friends in South Korea. I could jet off to South East Asia to do a little more scuba or have a jaunt up to Mongolia to get my yurt on. I could winter in Vladivostok or brave the heights in Tibet.

So, when I found I had a week’s vacation coming to me for May Day (or Golden Week), my mind raced with the possibilities. Originally my mind turned to the sun-dappled beaches and cheap cocktails of Hainan, but then my friend Kara had an interesting suggestion.

Why not visit Xinjiang?

I’d first heard of China’s westernmost (and largest) provinces after I posted my very popular 10 Different Things to do in China entry a few weeks ago. The most vocal comments were wondering why I hadn’t thought to include China’s mountainous and vastly different province. And truth be told, I hadn’t even heard of it.

After Kara’s suggestion, I knuckled down and did a bit of research. I found out plenty to make me excited about a prospective week in Xinjiang. Here’s just a sample of what I found:

• Sharing borders with Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan; Xinjiang province has an incredibly diverse population dominated by the Central Asian minorities rather than the Han majority that rules over most of China.
• Within a single day you can travel from densely built up urban areas to parched deserts and on into visually stunning snow-capped mountains.
• You can see K2 (the world’s second tallest mountain) from Xinjiang.
• Xinjiang’s Uighur people are renowned across China for their food – particularly lamb kebabs, naan, and a ‘deadly dessert’ which I’ll discuss later.
• Uighar girls are considered to be among China’s prettiest. After all, they combine the best features of the Han with the dark skin and eyes of the Central Asian nations.
• China’s Muslim population is centered largely in the province.

Couple this new-found knowledge with the glowing recommendations from a number of my readers and Twitter followers, and you had me hooked. It didn’t hurt that Josh from Far West China was on hand to give a little encouragement. It’s just a shame such a fantastic resource on China’s oft forgotten western province is blocked in China…

What the hell is Xinjiang?

I wouldn’t be at all surprised if you hadn’t heard of Xinjiang. The majority of tourists seem to flock to China’s built up eastern coast. But to discount Xinjiang from your Chinese itinerary would be doing you a great disservice. You’re not just ruling out a land of startling natural beauty, but also one with a lot of history of its own.

How big is it? Xinjiang is larger than any one European country not named Russia. That gives you a pretty damned big area to explore, and while my own trip would focus almost solely on the area around Kashgar near the Sino-Pakistan border, I could have spent a month or more exploring and still not done the province justice.

And while the region is now experiencing a rapid introduction into 21st century Chinese culture, it is still possible to see the region as the predominantly Central Asian/Middle Eastern place that it was for a very long time. Whether I was wandering through alleys lined with vendors selling lamb & silk (not together, obviously) or hunkering down over a fire outside of a yurt in the mountains - I never really felt like I was still in China. Hell, we were often hard pressed to find somebody who spoke enough Mandarin to help us get by, let alone English.

Not that Xinjiang’s a simple hop, skip, and jump away from the east coast. My flight from Nanjing to Urumqi took almost five hours, and it was another ninety minutes from relatively modern Urumqi to the more isolated Kashgar on the western side of the country.

Not Quite China

While Xinjiang is rapidly being absorbed into modern China, it is a long way from feeling like the densely built up and commercial place that the western world is coming to know. Oh, there are still garish neon lights and China Mobile stores on every block – but these are interspersed by dusty market streets and livestock. It wasn’t unusual to see a pristine company car pulled up alongside a donkey drawn cart in Kashgar.

And while it exists roughly the same distance away from Beijing as Perth is from Sydney, Xinjiang still runs on Beijing time. This leads to some very confusing moments where you’re in bed at 11pm and still having sun filter through your curtains. Officially, the locals run on Beijing time – but it proved generally safe to operate on a two hour delay. Most things stayed open until the 11pm sunset.

Xinjiang is a somewhat (some would say completely) reluctant part of China. It’s officially an Autonomous region, but the dissatisfaction with Han dominated society is evident in the semi regular riots that occur in the region. Having spent a week in the region, it was somewhat easy to understand why the minorities that make up Xinjiang’s majority might not be satisfied with their lot.

It’s not just the rigid adherence to a Beijing time that frustrates the locals. The discrepancy between the standard of living between the native Uighur and the controlling Han is stark, and the Han government’s treatment of traditional sites in the region leaves a lot to be desired. In a later entry I’ll tell you about (and show you) the beautiful Golden Grasslands – a lush tract of land that has been taken from the nomadic people who called it whom in order to increase tourist revenue in nearby Tashgorkan.

Xinjiang presents a land of startling contrasts – not just geographically and ethnically, but also culturally. In the space of a week I experienced so many wonderful, weird, or downright confronting moments. It was a week I’ll remember fondly – food poisoning and all – for the rest of my life.

So, why visit?

Over the next fortnight I’ve got eight entries packed full of photos and stories from my week in Xinjiang. Ranging from crowded market bazaars to towering mountains, from breath-takingly clear blue lakes to the dry expanse of the world’s second largest shifting sand desert, Taklamakan – there really is no shortage of reasons to add Xinjiang to your Chinese itinerary, or even the focus of your visit.

But if I had to choose five, they would be:

The People

Moreso than eastern China which, like it or not, has a reputation with tourists as being somewhat rude and standoffish, I find the Uighur people (and the other ethnic groups) to be warm, open, and helpful. While there were obvious language barriers and the cultural differences one would expect when interacting with an Islamic populace, by and large people seemed genuinely happy that we were taking an interest in their region and it’s culture.

Our guide, himself a Uighur, often stopped to shake hands with people along the way and on multiple occasions wound down his window to ask a local for directions. Not once was he shooed away or greeted without a smile.

Kara and I posing with the female staff of Ruslan Restaurant, Kashgar

A highlight of the people for us (my friend Kara and I) were the wonderfully warm and inviting staff of the Ruslan Restaurant in Kashgar. Situated across from the New Delhi Business Hotel, the charming Uighur restaurant not only had fantastic food – but also had a staff that beamed with excitement at the prospect of Westerners in their establishment. Two in particular fawned and doted over us on both of our visits, and we left feeling more welcome than I’ve ever felt in a restaurant before.

The History

While it’s history might not stretch back quite as far as the more well known Chinese dynasties, there’s still no shortage of stories to be found in Xinjiang. From 40,000 year old mummies in the desert to ancient stone fortresses like that in Tashkorgan to Muslim sites such as Abakh Kojah to the long history of nomadic existence in the mountains of the region – there’s plenty to see and soak in.

The 1,500 year old 'Stone Fort' that gives Tashkorgan its name

Of particular interest for me was learning about the many smaller kingdoms that once made up the area and the way they related to one another. Hearing stories of political marriages with Afghani kings or about the ancient Silk Road traders who risked their lives in the perilous pursuit of wealth transported me to a time much harsher than my own. It was a real pleasure.

The Food

I should preface this by saying that the Xinjiang diet focuses pretty heavily on lamb – a meat I generally detest. My view of the meat was not changed by the visit. If anything, the mere smell of cooking lamb now makes me gag.

But when you look past that steadfast reliance on the meat, there’s still a wealth of flavors to be experienced in Xinjiang. I was particularly fond of what translates into ‘big plate chicken’ as well as a delicious dessert known as Doha. The former, a plate of chicken and potatoes served in a spicy sauce, is particularly good at the aforementioned Ruslan Restaurant. The latter – a so-called deadly dessert – is a delightfully chill bowl of shaved ice, yogurt, and sugar syrup that really hits the spot on a stinking hot day.

The aptly named 'Big Plate Chicken' is a delicious Uighur specialty

I’ll do a separate entry on the foods of Xinjiang, but suffice to say – there was something there even for a picky bastard like myself.

The Desert

I have an enduring fascination with deserts. Having lived in the Australian outback on two separate occasions and seen first hand just how danger and beauty can be so intrinsically linked – I’ve long wanted to explore deserts abroad. The Taklimakan Desert, sometimes known as the Desert of Death, is a vast expanse of shifting dunes that dominates over 337,000 square kilometres of western Xinjiang.

Battered works on the fringe of the Taklamakan Desert (Desert of Death)

While it’s possible to take buses or trains that traverse the entire desert, day trips to the very borders of the desert offer some insight into just how tough the traders on the Silk Road had to be. With its shifting sands and hostile wildlife, it’s not hard to envisage just how good one of the oasis towns must have looked when they came into view.

It’s not quite the Sahara, but if you’re at all interested in deserts or desert life, the Taklamakan is a great option. And it should garner you mad cool points to say you camped a night in a placed labelled the Desert of Death, right?

The Mountains

While the desert was beautiful, it’s the mountainous terrain that really drew me to Xinjiang. Coming from the flattest continent in the world, the very idea of mountains is an alien one to me. Australia’s Mount Kosciuszko is a paltry 2,228m above sea level – placing it some 800m lower than Tashkorgan and close to 5,000 meters lower than K2 in the province’s far south.

Mountains loom over Tashkurgan's Stone Fort in far west Xinjiang, China

And while my brush with altitude sickness was far from pleasant, I can say that the nausea and headaches were worth the stunning mountain views I was able to witness. The drive along the Karakoram Highway is laden with breath-taking vistas to take in, and my poor Canon earned its keep (and burned through three sets of cheap Chinese batteries) in attempting to take it all in.

The option is there to climb a lot of the mountains and I’m told areas of Xinjiang are popular for skiing and other winter sports, but simply seeing them was a real pleasure and totally worth the experience.

But wait, there’s more!

This is the first of an envisaged nine part series on my experiences in Xinjiang. I’ve got more focused entries on Kashgar, Tashkurgan, Urumqi, the Karakorum Highway, Yarkand and the Taklimakan Desert, Xinjiang food, Xinjiang sights I’ve yet to see, and Xinjiang’s burgeoning bazaar culture to come. Brace yourselves!

While compiling my list of 10 different things to do in London recently, I confessed my general disinterest in visiting the seat of the Commonwealth of which my own nation is a member, but that isn’t to say that I have no interest in visiting the land affectionately known in Australia as ‘the Old Dart’ or its neighbors: Scotland, Wales, and the Irelands.

Freshly back from a week of deserts, bazaars, camels, and middle eastern cuisine in China’s Xinjiang province (more on that soon), I thought I’d change things up by compiling my dream list of different experiences to be had in the British Isles. With a growing number of options for self-catering holidays in the UK, it’s becoming a more affordable option to spend time in the UK.

So here are 10 different things to do in the UK. Enjoy!

#10 – Soak in the Coast

Britain may not be well known for its beautiful beaches, but it would be a gross oversight to discount its coastline just because the weather isn’t suitable for sunbathing and surfing.

Boasting stretches such as the Jurassic Coast, the Lizard Peninsula, and the world renowned White Cliffs of Dover. And let’s not forget the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland, either.

While the tradition might be to soak in England’s history and the rolling green hills of its interior, don’t overlook the stunning vistas and breath-taking scenery to be found all along the coasts of the Isles.

#9 – Explore the Eden Project

I stumbled across this one while researching and I was immediately intrigued. Boasting ‘the world’s largest rainforest in captivity’, the Eden Project in Cornwall is something I never imagined I’d find on the shores of fair Britain.

Like something out of science fiction, the Eden Project’s domes (or biomes) house a number of different climates. There are waterfalls, sculptures, streams, and plenty of information about sustainability and nature for the inquisitively minded. Whether you love nature, science, or simply want to put your camera through its paces – I daresay a visit to the Eden Project should fit the bill.

#8 – Test Drive a Tank

It’s becoming a ‘must do’ activity in South-East Asia to fire an automatic rifle or throw a grenade, so why not step things up by getting behind the wheel of a retired tank and reeking a little havoc? It’s not just tanks, either. You can fire antique muskets, lob a few shells from a mortar, or participate in other military themed challenges guaranteed to bring out the big kid in any man worth his salt.

While you do pay for the privilege (the Full Monty package goes for around 250 pounds), it’s certainly a little beyond the normal visits to Big Ben and the Tower of London. You can learn more about it by visiting Tanks Alot’s website.

#7 – Witness the World’s Largest Football Game

It’s not a secret that the Poms are obsessed with their football (or soccer, if you’re American) – but the people of Ashbourne take it to a whole other level with their massive, two-day game every Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday. With an entire town’s worth of participants, a three mile long field, and the kind of mind-boggling rules that only the British could understand, the Royal Shrovetide game is a must see if you want to experience British life as it was (and still is) outside of the cosmopolitan cities.

With the game taking place over two days every year, you’ll need to time your trip right to make it happen – but witnessing this bizarre spectacle should make your UK trip stand out, that’s for sure.

#6 – Embrace Your Wild Side at Nae Limits

The highlands of Scotland have long been associated with being just a little wild, and Nae Limits takes that to its natural conclusion by giving adrenaline junkies and thrill-seekers an action packed playground to explore. William Wallace himself might have balked at the laundry list of adventure sports on offer. To name a few:

• White Water Rafting
• Canyon Tubing
• ‘Sphereing’ (similar to zorbing)
• Abseiling
• ‘Bugging’

For the mild at heart, there are more tame options such as 4WD safaris, pony riding, and clay pigeon shooting.

After having fallen in love with Queenstown’s adventure culture, a place like Nae Limits sounds like the perfect way for me to break up visits to museums and cultural icons. You’ve got to let loose sometimes.

#5 – Explore London with Urban Freeflow

Casino Royale might have brought the ‘sport’ of parkour (or free-running, although they are slightly different things) to the public eye – but very few people realise just how accessible the sport can be. Urban Freeflow offers classes three days a week for as little as ten pounds per person.

While not all of us are equipped for vaulting over low walls or tic-taccing our way up to a balcony, the lessons offer a great chance to experience something new while also taking in London’s built up urban environment. Urban Freeflow classes are just another way to take in traditionally sedate environments in a much more heart-pounding way. Me gusta!

#4 – Attend the Highland Games

Maybe it’s because I hail from Australia’s self professed Celtic capital (Glen Innes), but I’ve always had an abiding fascination with the unusual sports and the fantastic warrior culture of the Scots. It seems a natural decision for me, then, to include the world renowned highland games on my UK itinerary.

With bag pipes blaring, traditional dance, and manly pursuits such as caber tossing and the always fun tug-of-war competition, a highland games experience is part festival and part Olympics. There’s no shortage of options (highland games are run by shires and counties across the UK), so it’s just a matter of timing your visit right and choosing which festival looks like the best fit for your family.

And whatever you do, man up and try some haggis.

#3 – Participate in a Murder Mystery

Images of the fog-shrouded moors and mysterious English manors have long been staples of murder mystery fiction, so it stands to reason that there’s big appeal in the opportunity to participate in a live action murder mystery of your own.

A little research leads me to believe that one of Joy Swift’s Murder Weekends is the way to go, and while 270 pounds might seem cheap – this does include an entire weekend of fun, mystery, food, and board in an authentic British country manor. You’re not just there to play the part in a mystery, either. The weekend also involves games, dinner parties, and a themed party – not to mention the opportunity to meet your fellow cast members as you work to solve the mystery.

With new plots cycled in regularly and a number of venues across the country, a weekend of indulgent role-play might just be what a former theater major like myself needs.

#2 – Experience the UK’s haunted past

I’m a sucker for the macabre (as if the previous entry on this list didn’t give that away) and there are few places with the grisly history of the United Kingdom. While the lion’;s share can certainly be found in the storied streets of London, sites like Haunted Places in the UK lists off a shopping list of manors, castles, houses, hotels, and locations where the spirit world has (allegedly) bled into our own.

If you’re not up to exploring on your own, Haunted Happenings offers a calendar of paid tours all across the UK that should get hairs raised on the back of necks and skin crawling. Whether you’re a skeptic or a true believer, the opportunity to overnight in a spooky spot should be a tempter.

#1 – Drink it all in!

I do love a good drink and the British are no slouches when it comes to brewing a good beer or distilling a fine spirit. Whether you’re sampling the stouts, lagers, and IPAs with a good old fashioned London pub crawl; savouring a Guinness in one of the brand’s Irish breweries, or enjoying a good Scotch whisky – there is no shortage of opportunities to imbibe while on the isles.

The mad-men at Beer Travelers took the pub crawl to extremes by integrating a little rambling in a mammoth five day bender, but there are more organised (and less time consuming) options for those without the testicular fortitude for a working week piss-up. The London Pub Crawl Company offers a selection of tours, guided or otherwise, that should suit the hardcore and the casual alike.

The Scottish Whisky Experience gives fans of the fine spirit a chance to explore a distillery and taste a variety of whiskys, and tours of the Guinness Storehouse are a must if you’re a fan of the Irish drop.

There really is no shortage of opportunities to drink in the UK. Pub culture is alive and well in the Old Dart and a fan of the grain should be able to find or organise a suitable crawl or tour without much trouble. I’m thirsty just thinking about it…

Your Suggestions?

This list is the result of a few days of intensive Googling as I research a trip I might never take, so I’d love to hear from those of you who have actually hit the UK already and found a few less conventional ways to experience it all.

What would you recommend to a UK visitor looking to add a little something beyond the typical stops?

I’m 0 for 3 so far when it comes to finding a Chinese snack food I would actually voluntarily eat in the future, so let’s see if China’s most famous residents – the pandas – have the right idea.

This week I’m trialing some kind of spicy bamboo shoot. We all know how much pandas love their spicy food.

Will the fourth time be a charm? Or will I once again leave with my taste buds defeated and my stomach upset?

Yeah, you can call me Dances with Pandas…

Back again with another of my Test Drive segments.

What’s that? Well, each week I’ll bite into another weird and wonderful treat and share my experiences with you. I haven’t tried these foods before and in many cases, haven’t the faintest idea how they’ll taste.

Watch in awe as I struggle to control my gag reflex! Gasp as I fight back tears!

This week sees me sampling some kind of chewy, nut filled treat.

You know it’s good when your first thought upon biting into a food is ‘this feels like I am biting into human fingers‘.

On with the show…

If I’m being brutally honest, the desire has never really existed within me to visit London. I know that must make me some kind of Philistine, but I’ve always struggled to see the appeal of dreary weather over crowded streets in one of the world’s most expensive cities.

It’s not that I have no desire to visit the United Kingdom – far from it – but the ‘lure’ of London just seems lost on me. Sure, it might be cool to say I’ve been in the Tower of London or seen Madam Tussaud’s, but at the end of the day, very few things infuriate me more the press of a crowd.

But with the London Olympics just around the corner, what better time to turn my eye to the old dart and suggest some different things to do in London? Much like I recently did when discussing different places to go in China, I’ve put together a list of ten slightly less clichéd things to do in London.

Live sport gives a fantastic insight into a city's culture

#10 – Check out one of the ‘other’ footballs

While it’s true that England is most famed for football of the soccer variety, it certainly isn’t the only game in town. London also plays hosts to teams playing rugby union and rugby league. Why shell out a few hundred quid for a seat at Emirates (Arsenal) or Stamford Bridge (Chelsea) when you can get a seat to watch the London Broncos in the English Super League, or the London Wasps; Harlequins; or London Irish in the English Aviva Premiership.

While you won’t get the pageantry of a singing crowd at a ‘soccer’ football match, you’ll still be seeing a traditionally English sport being played and you’ll be spending of a fraction of the price.

If seeing the round ball game is a priority for you, why not opt to avoid lining the coffers of Chelsea, Arsenal, or Tottenham in favor of supporting one of London’s less internationally renowned clubs? Charlton Athletic, Fulham, Millwall, Leyton Orient, and Crystal Palace are all viable choices if you’re looking to see football without the billion dollar squads. A ticket to see Leyton Orient play will set you back as little as 14 pounds.

Heck, go balls deep and aim for the really cheap seats. Catch powerhouses like Cray Wanderers, Tooting & Mitcham United, or Dulwich Hamlet FC hoofing the ball about in the lower tiers of England’s immense footballing pyramid. You can see mighty Dulwich Hamlet run around for a humble 8 pounds.

#9 – Indulge in some people watching in Shoreditch

This suggestion comes courtesy of the supremely talented photographer, Kyle Hepp, who you can follow on Twitter @kylehepp. A bit of people watching is one of her favorite things to do in London.

Somewhat akin to Sydney’s Newtown, Shoreditch is a built up area of trendy eateries & night spots; street markets; and a bit of an indy shopping mecca. And much like Newtown or hippie cities such as Portland in the United States, Shoreditch is a great place to sit down and while a way an hour or two people watching while you eat at one of the countless eateries in the area.

Whether you’re bargain hunting in Brick Lane Market or sipping a cocktail in one of the many unique bars and night clubs in the area, the formerly trendy London suburb still has a lot to offer those wanting a step away from the grind of High Street.

The crowd at Borough Market

#8 – Browse the Borough Markets

Two separate readers suggested a visit to Borough Markets as one of the best things to do in London, so I’m taking that as fairly high praise. While I’m not one for shopping at markets, I do enjoy the festival atmosphere and the sense of community you can experience when people get together to buy and sell all manner of odds and ends.

Borough Markets is all about that most important of vices – a good bit of gluttony. Boasting the best of food from around London, the UK, and the world – there’s no shortage of tempting tastes and sumptuous snacks to sink your teeth into. The sights and smells alone are likely to be worth the trip, but there’s plenty of opportunities to eat while you’re browsing the stalls and admiring the work of the artists who also display their wares on site.

With the markets running on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, there should be ample opportunity to fit a visit into your itinerary.

#7 – Gorge yourself at the Pieminister

My good mate Brendan (who I still owe about five Long Island Ice Teas) suggested this one and I was hooked as soon as I browsed the site.

There are a few foods that are distinctly British in my mind. Fish & chips, beer, a good curry (albeit via India), and the humble pie. A staple in the Australian diet, the folks at Pieminister have taken it to a whole other level with an utterly mind-blowing selection of pies in all shapes and flavors. From the traditional meat pie to minty lamb, steak and blue cheese, fish, and everything in between.

There’s even a selection of sausage rolls for those who prefer their meals with a bit more phallic innuendo.

It might not be a day trip and it certainly won’t be good for the waist line, but you’ve got to eat like the locals do – and better a fancy gourmet pie than a dodgy one from an even dodgier corner store, right?

#6 – Do a Monopoly Pub Crawl

This one will someday warrant an entry all on its own, but thanks to @Seduniatravel for suggesting that a Monopoly themed pub crawl be added to my imagined itinerary.

Hell, I’m contemplating a visit to London solely so I can attempt this feat myself.

There are several websites dedicated to suggesting routes for your Monopoly Pub Crawl and the traditional one includes no less than twenty six pubs. That’s a whole lot of beer if you’re sticking to the rules and sinking a frosty pint at each stop…

With pubs ranging from shonky dives to classier establishments, you’ll not only be getting blind – but taking in London from a completely unorthodox angle as you stumble, stagger, and bus your way between the iconic stops on the world’s most recognizable game board.

Where do I sign up?

Take in a play at the historic Globe Theatre

#5 – Experience the majesty of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre

This one goes against my original guideline of avoiding the crowded tourist clichés, but what kind of thespian and Shakespeare lover would I be if I didn’t pay a visit to the grandest tribute to ‘the bard’ that there is. It really is my #1 must do on this list of things to do in London.

While the original Globe burned to the ground in 1613, the reconstruction was built to be as close to the original as possible. What results is an impressive open air theatre that embraces the rowdy, raucous, and communal feel of theatre as it was performed before the audience were sealed off behind the fourth wall in comfy chairs.

While tours of the Globe Theatre are available for around 13.50, to truly experience the theatre you need to see a play performed as it might have been in Shakespeare’s lifetime. A year round schedule of classic performances is available from the Globe Theatre’s website and is a great chance to embrace England’s classic culture.

#4 – Soak in London’s haunted past

In a city as old as London, there is no shortage of horror stories to be told. From Jack the Ripper’s violent ‘crusade’ against prostitutes to the horrors of the Black Plague; it’s no surprise that the English capital boasts a vast selection of companies offering to guide you through the city’s sordid past.

Having taken a Rocks ghost tour in Sydney last year, I have developed a bit of an addiction. While I certainly don’t expect to encounter a supernatural being, there’s something very enjoyable about hearing a city’s darker secrets while you roam its even darker streets. The guides are typically performers with a real talent for weaving a picture with their words, and the streets of London are a perfect backdrop.

Ghost tours of London are a great way to learn a bit of history and fill up those usually dull evenings spent locked in hotel rooms or cafes. There’s also a very interesting looking death & debauchery tour that touches on the likes of Sweeney Todd and other haunted locales.

What's not to love?

#3 – Go white water rafting or zorbing

The popular image of the prim and proper Brit perhaps make it surprising that there are a number of extreme sports to be had right in the heart of the old Empire. While rock climbing, kayaking, and even ice climbing are all options – I couldn’t go past the danger double of a bit of white water rafting and a thrilling zorb ride.

The zorbing through Zorbing UK certainly isn’t cheap at 49.99 a ride, but from my own experiences zorbing in Rotorua have convinced me that everybody needs to give it a whirl at least once. I mean, what’s not to love about tumbling down a hill inside of a giant ball? It’s awesome!

A bit of white water rafting not with Lee Valley White Water Centre not only looks like fun, but it would also help me check off an item from my ever-growing (and rarely dwindling) Bucket List. A somewhat hefty 49.99 gets you out on the rapids for some adrenaline pumping fun and change of pace from London life.

While white water rafting is the big draw at Lee Valley for mine, there are certainly other options. These include kayaking, ice skating, orienteering, horseback riding, and sailing.

Listen to the words of the inspired or the just plain nuts at Speakers Corner

#2 – Be ‘enlightened’ at the Speakers Corner

The original ‘speakers corner’ exists in the north-western corner of London’s Hyde Park, and it’s certainly an interesting (and free) way to kill some time while in the city.

A place where free speech is taken to extremes by its collection of kooks, would-be politicians, and eccentrics – there’s never a shortage of interesting tales (intermixed with nonsensical ramblings) to be found at the notorious spot.

Pull up a chair, grab a sandwich, and enjoy a bit of live theatre. Heck, nut up and give a speech yourself!

#1 – Take a walk!

There are so many different walking tours of London available that I found it impossible to just highlight one or two of them. London Walks has done a fantastic job of compiling an exhaustive list of fascinating walks covering everything from rail history to horror to sex to sites from classic literature such as James Bond or the works of Dickens.

While I was disappointed to find there was not yet a tour dedicated to the sites of Neil Gaiman’s fantastic Neverwhere, there are certainly enough alternatives to ensure I’d get plenty of exercise while I learned all about the many facets of London.

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What did I miss?

Not having been to London myself, I relied pretty heavily on Google and the suggestions of friends to put this list together. I’ve no doubt left off a few interesting spots not named Buckingham Palace or Big Ben, so feel free to let me know what I’m missing out on. What are your favorite different things to do in London?

Who knows? You might even be the one who convinces me to go.

While it’s true London isn’t the cheapest city in the world to visit, I think I’ve highlighted a few good reasons to go beyond the obvious. And with it getting easier and easier to find a cheap holiday rental apartment, the dream isn’t so unattainable.

Okay, so I learned my lesson last time around. Do not record direct to YouTube from your webcam!

A lot of you have emailed or Tweeted me to tell me that the video stops actually playing picture after a few seconds and you’re left with only sound. So, in possession of a perfectly serviceable HD video camera – I enlisted my friend’s Jenny and Kara to record today’s edition of ‘Test Drive’ where I’ll be trying out some Japanese style rice cakes with mysterious contents inside their doughy exterior.

Mystery abounds!

Unfamiliar with the segment? Each week I’ll sink my teeth (literally) into a new and unusual food here in China. I’ll give my live (and completely unscripted review).

Now, I realise that doesn’t sound interesting – but bear in mind that I’m a funny bastard and I’ve been entertaining live crowds since I was a five year old. This is my jam, yo.

So… yeah, go watch!