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Indian Afternoon Tea Review- Cinnamon Bazaar Covent Garden

Stealing from Forest Gump, I feel like a blog email inbox is like a box of chocolates- you never know what you’re gonna get. ‘Influencer’ opportunities can be amazing and sometimes you wonder what the PR was thinking when he or she chose you and hit ‘send.’ Shortly before Afternoon Tea week, I received the press release for Cinnamon Bazaar’s launch of their Indian Afternoon Tea. My heart fluttered when I saw the headline.

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‘Chef Vivek and Bake Off star Tamal Ray launch modern Indian Afternoon Tea’

My excitement about this invitation ignited for two reasons. It was perfect! Just days before- a viewer left a comment on the Sunny News YouTube channel requesting more coverage of Indian food in London.

And, among the sea of afternoon teas in London, this seemed to offer a different spin. The press release indicated it would ‘shake up the traditional afternoon tea with an injection of fire and spice’. So I had to know immediately if it truly would…

Cinnamon Bazaar Indian Afternoon Tea – History

Actually, the chefs who collaborated on Cinnamon Bazaar’s Indian Afternoon Tea also caught my attention. Chef Vivek Singh has a restaurant empire spanning two decades. He created the Cinnamon Collective portfolio, with which anyone on London’s restaurant scene is familiar. It includes: The Cinnamon Club, The Cinnamon Kitchen and of course- Cinnamon Bazaar. He is known as a pioneer of the modern Indian cuisine movement in London.

Next, Tamal Ray was a finalist in the 2015 series of The Great British Bake Off. Not only does he contribute to a monthly food column in The Guardian, but also he has a career as an NHS doctor.

Do you see why this combo offers the perfect medicine to inject some much needed spice in to the tired themed afternoon tea scene in London? 😉

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Cinnamon Bazaar Indian Afternoon Tea – Company

While the focus is the food at afternoon tea, it can be ruined by bad company. After countless afternoon teas, it seems two hours is the standard amount of minimum time in London for the experience. Therefore, one must carefully select a guest who offers thoughtful commentary on the food as well as great conversation.

A catch up with Catherine of LuxLife blog was long overdue. And she fits the description above perfectly!

We met back in 2014 when Sunny in London was less than a year old. I have followed her move to Australia and back, as well as all her fantastic travel adventures around the world. Her honest and hilarious Instastories share the challenges of daily life balanced with glamorous travel. I always look forward to seeing what she posts.

Cinnamon Bazaar Indian Afternoon Tea – Gastronomy

So, now for the juicy part! From the list of Indian spiced teas, I chose the White Peony. While it was nice, the colourful teapots in which the tea is served add a wonderful touch to the experience.

In fact, when I walked in to Cinnamon Bazaar from Maiden Lane in Covent Garden, I felt like I had entered Oz. The colourful decor of the restaurant adds even more fun flavour to this afternoon tea in London.

Along with our tea, we received the Chaat. This included:

  • Papadi Chaat- crisp wheat, tangy tamarind, yoghurt and chickpea vermicelli
  • Puchka/Pani Puri- semolina shell with tangy sweet and sour water
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Next, our stand arrived with the Nibbles and Sweets.

  • Fish Finger Sandwich with tomato chutney
  • Chicken Katti Roll-in pastry with mustard and paper
  • Macaron- macaron with cinnamon cream
  • Mishti Doi- baked/steamed yoghurt with mango curd (gluten free)
  • Pistachio Cake- with rosewater marshmallow
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Cinnamon Bazaar Indian Afternoon Tea- Final Thoughts

In summary, this afternoon tea is quite good. I generally don’t prefer food that is very spicy and wasn’t too overwhelmed by the items that featured the promised ‘injection of fire’. Some people might be. I’m guessing that if you enjoy Indian food, then you know what to anticipate for flavour and will agree that everything meets expectations.

I enjoyed every item. However there is no dodging around the issue that the bread for the sandwiches was a bit stale. That’s the only suggestion I have for this afternoon tea.

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My favourite item was the Sweets. That shouldn’t be a surprise because if you enjoy afternoon tea, it’s likely because you have a sweet spot for sugar. But, what is surprising is I have never really associated the Indian culinary experience with a strength in desserts. I only starting eating Indian food when I moved to London, so this could be from lack of experience.

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Can you add your thoughts on this in the comments? What popular Indian desserts have you enjoyed?

I really didn’t want my little dish of Mishti Doi to end. It was so delicious!

The final ‘Wow’ of the experience happened when Catherine and I left. As we walked to our next destinations, she pointed out that there were actually no scones at the afternoon tea.

With so many London restaurants offering afternoon tea with champagne or Prosecco, it’s common for the actual tea to be understated and minimal in its overall appearance in the food ensemble. Yet to get away with not having the classic staple of scones and still be fab is a big two thumbs up for Cinnamon Bazaar!

If you hadn’t guessed already from the start of this Indian Afternoon Tea review, our experience was complimentary. That hasn’t affected my thoughts. The service was excellent too. I look forward to adding Cinnamon Bazaar to my next revision of the Best London Restaurant Guide for Foodies.

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Subscribe to the Sunny in London email and immediately get the ‘Local’s Pocket Restaurant Guide to London.’ It’s the ultimate free travel accessory for your London trip. The Guide has top recommended restaurants from a local, organised by neighbourhood. With it you can easily find a place to eat when you’re on a London street. Downloading the file to your phone means skipping Wi-fi and finding a fab foodie place- fast!

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Top Food Travel Destinations for 2020

Where should you go for food travel in 2020? If you’ve been following me on Instagram, you know that in the past few months I have been to the top two food travel destinations in the world.

At the end of July you also saw on my social media that I spent two days at the National Geographic Traveller Food Festival in London. Through my research and writing as a London food blogger, trips I have taken and exhibitions I have attended, I can make some fairly strong predictions for future food travel.

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The two panel discussions to which I was most looking forward at the National Geographic Traveller Food Festival were the Culinary Trends and Food Hotspots.

To learn about the healthy food trends coming up in 2020, you can watch the Sunny News YouTube video below. I also included on the blog the ‘non-healthy’ information for Top Food Trends 2020.

But, let’s rewind a bit more.

Top Food Travel Destinations 2020- World Travel Market

For several years I have attended the Blogger Speed Networking event at World Travel Market. Below is my stand from 2015. At the most recent exhibition, I categorised myself as a food travel blogger.

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In the video I share two regions that were keen to talk to all food bloggers about promoting their destination. One I don’t mention is Serbia.

Mr Sunny, a former sound engineer and war cameraman for NBC News, was quite shocked when I returned home that do to say they were inquiring about organising press trips to promote food.

Cuisine in Serbia mixes Byzantine-Greek, Mediterranean, Turkish-Oriental and the cuisine of the Austro-Hungairan Empire. It also has Slavic influences. Perhaps since unlike the USA, Serbia bans production and import of GMO’s it will be able to make a big leap for being a world recognised cuisine?

In the past at WTM I have attended press conferences on increasing travel to Croatia. Now, several years later we are reading about the problems of overtourism in Croatia.

So, do you think this recent campaign Serbia to attract influencers to promote their cuisine will create the same buzz and attraction?

Top Food Travel Destinations 2020- National Geographic Food Festival

Again, in the video I indicate some hot topics at the panel discussion. But, what I don’t include is one panel member’s indication that Ireland will achieve higher status for its cuisine.

If you research articles published by National Geographic, you will see Ireland as a top listing. They cite its craft beer and cider development, as well as fresh seafood. It also offers highly regional options.

If you are a food traveller, you know the top consideration in people’s profile when they travel is authenticity.

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One cuisine that I shrugged off when a panel member mentioned it is Mexican. Specifically, the discussion was about Baja California.

I just don’t see it happening. Growing up in Florida, I ate Mexican food regularly. There is a very high Hispanic population in the state. In many places it’s the only language spoken. So, you’re able to get amazing Mexican food right in Florida. Having been to Baja California, I don’t feel it offers anything that much different than authentically owned and operated Mexican restaurants in Florida.

Top Food Travel Destinations 2020- USA

In the video I mention the standard cities for American cuisine popularity. They will still thrive in 2020. However, there are two cities that I indicate are really under rated. Having lived in both, I can say it is easy to eat well in them, and they have regional dishes that are famous and often replicated poorly world wide.

One place I don’t mention is Miami. Between Cuban food, Mexican, seafood, and steakhouses frequented by celebrities, this city has a lot to offer a British traveller. You might say it’s a great way to get damn good plates from many international locations.

If you want to consider what to eat in Florida that is regional, you can watch this one too.

Or, if you visit my hometown, take my advice as a local.

Top Food Travel Destinations 2020- Mr Sunny

A rising star that Mr Sunny endorses is Beirut. He regularly says it would be the one city in which he would most want to return. We eat Lebanese food as often as we can in London. Its influences are Ottoman, Armenian, Palestinian, Syrian, French and Israeli.

He also said that he agreed with me when I indicated that Israel’s wine selection at the National Geographic Traveller Food Festival were impressive.

We will both be cheering for Israel making a name for its cuisine in the future.

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Top Food Travel Destinations 2020- Final Thoughts

So, who is going to take the leap with me and vote for London for 2021?

After living here six years, I can honestly say that British cuisine is quite impressive. London’s food has come a long way since when I first lived here in the late 90’s. Steep competition (pun intended!) among themed afternoon teas makes them quite extraordinary compared to two decades ago.

Further, it seems Michelin starred restaurants and things to do in London for food are popping up everywhere.

What do you think, Sunny friends? Have you travelled to any of the above places and agree? What rising stars and old favourites do you have?

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Want a London food freebie?

Subscribe to the Sunny in London weekly email and immediately get the ‘Local’s Pocket Restaurant Guide to London.’ It’s the ultimate free travel accessory for your London trip. The Guide has top recommended restaurants from a local, organised by neighbourhood. With it you can easily find a place to eat when you’re on a London street. Downloading the file to your phone means skipping Wi-fi and finding a fab foodie place- fast!

As part of the welcome, you will also receive several other free downloads that will guide you through trip planning, plus a weekly edition of the hottest happenings in London.

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Food Travel Related Blog Articles and YouTube

Why Villas Make the Perfect Holiday Home

If you’re planning to venture abroad this summer, join the club! Very often, it’s easier to relax when we are far away from home. Before you book your accommodation, though, have you considered a villa holiday? Many people feel this kind of lodging tends to top all others.

Let’s think about some of the reasons why.

A Home from Home

Do you seek holiday lodgings that still keep some sacred items and conveniences you have at home? If so, you’re probably not alone. After all, isn’t the whole point of a vacation to feel as comfortable and as relaxed as possible? If you choose to stay in a villa, you’ll be able to relax in your own space, at a pace that suits you.

My sister frequently travels with her husband and a small group of other couples and rents a villa to share among them. They have never had a bad experience. One of the secrets she says is to choose people in which you have many travel and budget similarities.

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While in a hotel, you’re typically confined to one room, villas offer a more spacious, airy feel to guests. You feel more free to roam the house at your leisure, and you’ll be more likely to settle in than you would be at a hotel or inn.

A villa can guarantee a home-from-home experience for travellers, especially those who don’t mind doing some cooking or grilling while they are away on holiday. My sister and her friends frequently go diving or do water sports during the day on a vacation and then return to a villa and relax with a BBQ for the evening while sipping on their island themed cocktails. By all of them chipping in together for booze and food, it makes the holiday experience a little cheaper and more fun for them.

Constant Privacy

When it is your holiday, you will likely want to unwind in your own space. Though hotels provide this benefit to some extent, villas can offer ultimate peace and seclusion.

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If you seek somewhere to relax after a big day of adventures in your travel destination, or you just want to lounge around your lodgings, a villa could be the best type of accommodation for you. That way, you and your group can enjoy your holiday to the full without interference from anyone else. How many times have you been in a hotel and suffered the experience of hearing someone’s wedding party blast through the corridors at 2am like the festivities haven’t ended? Or woken up in the morning and faced a cold shower because it seems everyone in the hotel hit their bathroom at the same time?

While Mr Sunny and I love sunning ourselves by a ginormous pool at a luxury hotel, we also don’t enjoy getting splashed by every dad playing ‘here comes the canon ball’ with his kids while everyone else dodge’s the oblivious mom on her oversized inflatable unicorn on the other side.

With a villa that is close to your chosen amenities and places of interest, you will also be able to secure easy travel as well privacy during your trip.

Sounds like being a celebrity or dare I say… a royal?!

Personal Touches

Let’s face it, as pleasant as hotels can be, they typically offer little opportunity to personalise your room. In fact, many don’t allow any kinds of unique touches to be made – and if you’re going on a special holiday, this could really dampen your mood.

A villa, on the other hand, provides a nice, private space that – for the duration of your trip – is entirely yours. Wouldn’t it be nice at the end of a long day of excursions to lay on a couch and watch television or a film in a space that didn’t double as your bed? Or one of those stiff chairs that is probably holding half your luggage too?

In particular, this makes villas an ideal place to stay if you aim to throw parties or events while you’re away – as the house is temporarily yours, you can decorate it as much as you like. Even better, you’ll be able to tidy up afterwards in your own time, too.

A villa vacation seems to offer everything to the person who wants a customisable trip.

Many of us dream of peaceful holidays – and with a villa holiday, you probably have the chance to achieve just that.

How many of you have tried a villa holiday? What was your experience? What tips do you have for someone planning their first villa holiday?

Best Places to Visit in South of France- 20 Photos to Inspire Your Trip Planning

Are you thinking of planning a trip to South of France? The French Riviera, AKA Cote d’Azur, was one of the first modern resort areas in the world. It has always been number one on my travel bucket list.

After a four night trip there with Mr Sunny, I can honestly say it is my top sunny destination to recommend to people who want a relaxed atmosphere, delicious food and sunny views. We spent time in Nice, Monaco and Cannes, and I consider those three locations the best places to visit in South of France.

Rather than give you a list of things to do in this Mediterranean playground, I will show you the sights through 20 photos I took on our foodie holiday in the French Riviera.

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Best Places to Visit in South of France- Street Scenes

We stayed in Nice, the largest city in the south of France. Our hotel was in a perfect location because it provided easy access to everything we wanted to do and had an amazing view from our room. We booked the whole trip through British Airways. For other guests’ feedback, you can read reviews on TripAdvisor. Or, you can read my review.

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The Promenade de Anglais is just one of the many streets that offers endless photo opportunities. That is the famous street you see in the image above. Whether you are going for a jog, strolling casually, or venturing around on a bike, I think it’s easy to agree that the views are exquisite.

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However, even the small streets away from the sea in Nice offer inspiration. The flowers and beautiful colour palettes of the buildings popping against the azure sky are such a contrast from London’s city sights.

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It seemed like to matter where we wondered and looked, there was a hidden gem that led us to another adventure full of candy for our eyes. For example, take a look at the waterfall in the top centre of the photo below. We spotted this from a street market and took the short hike to visit this area called the Parc Forestier du Mont-Boron.

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While walking around we saw plush trees and waterfalls, and the views of Nice were majestic.

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Best Places to Visit in South of France- Views

I would suggest planning to spend a half a day in this area, especially if you enjoy photography. The shots you can capture to make your followers even more Insta-envious are endless. And, if you enjoy boating there are some drool worthy sights for you here too.

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Best Places to Visit in South of France- Boats

The Monaco Boat show is billed as the World’s Greatest Superyacht Event. It takes place in the end of September. Even though we visited in South of France in the middle of October, there was no shortage of boat and yacht images available. These shots are from Nice and our day trips to Monaco and Cannes.

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Best Places to Visit in South of France- Coastal Views

We took a train to Monaco and Cannes for our daytrips. For more on how to do that, I give Travel Tips and Advice for the South of France in the YouTube video below. It includes a quick hotel room tour as well.

Along the way for both of these train trips we were privy to more coastal views. And, through just wandering around Monaco and Cannes we were able to grab even more shots of the azure Mediterranean Sea.

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Places to Visit in South of France- Beaches

The beach in Nice and Cannes had sun bathers and wasn’t too crowded, but I would imagine if you visited in the late Spring or Summer, you would find it much more crowded.

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And just to see if you’re paying attention, I want you to look at the two planes above. Which one do you think is the real plane in the photo? Sunny friends, I added one of the planes in Adobe Photoshop.

Something that really bothers me is when people do so much editing to their pictures that they create false expectations about the location. We hear of many places experiencing ‘overtourism’ now. I think one of the contributors could to this is social media influencers and bloggers misrepresenting how ‘ideal’ the location can be.

DISCLAIMER: Aside from the extra plane above for humour, I have only enhanced the colours in all of my photos from my foodie holiday in South of France. So, truly, what you see is what you get in the French Riviera. It is THAT stunning.

There are so many places in the South of France that offer endless beach and blue sea views. FOR. REAL.

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Best Places to Visit in South of France- Final Thoughts

I hope to return to the South of France because our short trip did not allow us to get to Saint-Tropez or many other seaside resorts. If you have explored these areas or are from the French Riviera, please leave suggestions in the comments. We are relaxed foodie travellers. Ideas about hotels, restaurants and casual things to do in the during a visit in the South of France would be great!

Since my blog is called Sunny in London, I rarely publish photos of locations at night. However, just to show you that South of France is equally as stunning in the evening, I have this image for you.

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And it wouldn’t be a true blog post if we didn’t hear a word from Mr Sunny, my London born husband with a very English sense of humor. Here is a photo he wanted me to include on his behalf. He calls it ‘Pardon My French’

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Hyatt Regency Nice France Review- Where to Stay in Cote d’Azur

What do you look for when choosing a hotel? Mr Sunny and I quickly decided on the Hyatt Regency Nice France or the ‘Hyatt Regency Nice Palais de la Mediterranee’ for our four night stay in the south of France. It was one of the top hotels featured on all of the holiday booking websites we researched. We knew we wanted our room to have a view of the sea and a balcony. I did not really mean for that to rhyme, but everything just becomes poetic in France, doesn’t it?

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Hyatt Regency Nice France Review- Location

As I mentioned, our primary reason for choosing the Hyatt Regency hotel in Nice is because it faces the beach. If you look at Google maps, you will see it is located on the famous Promenade des Anglais. And if you want a moving look at all we could see and do from our hotel, I have made a YouTube video about it too.

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It is a short ride from the Nice Airport. We took Uber both to and from the hotel to the airport. Our flight to London departed at 7:15pm so we left the hotel at 4:30pm. By 5:15 we had checked our bag with British Airways and been through security. The ride was about €15.

Aside from those two Uber rides, the only time we used any transportation was trains for our day trips. The station was just an easy 10 minute walk away.

The Hyatt Regency, in our opinion, is perfectly located within walking distance of Old Town. We spent two days wandering the streets there and even had the chance to explore the views from Castle Hill, which are said to the best of Nice and the beach. That is where I took the photograph above. It’s actually at the top of this… and yes we walked all the way to the top!

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I would strongly suggest you have a sea view room because the azure water is such a treat to see from the moment you wake up each day. We also slept with the balcony door open a few nights. The sound of the ocean waves rolling on to the beach throughout the night was especially soothing. It absolutely reminded me of when I lived on the beach in my hometown Daytona Beach, Florida.

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Hyatt Regency Nice France- Service

Our room was very clean, freshly made and spacious, and we never once actually saw an attendant. They are pretty stealthy!

Each day we were greeted and seated immediately for breakfast. I never waited more than 2 minutes for my morning latte. As a person who spent 10+ years living in New York, a good coffee very early is a non-negotiable for me.

The pastries at breakfast are lovely. I was surprised to see several separate shelves of baked goods each day that were gluten free. However, after eating responsibly our first morning, I decided to give in the rest of the trip and indulged in the real deal. I am so grateful I did because one morning they had cheese cake and it was divine! Surely, you saw my plate that day on Instagram? If not, you might want to give me a follow so you have all the behind the scenes views of the Sunny adventures!

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Most noteworthy in terms of service during our stay was the evening concierge, Antonio. We relied on his advice several times for restaurants nearby and travel tips for our day trips to Monaco and Cannes. Our favourite French food experience, Franchine, was his suggestion our first evening.

Mr Sunny enjoyed the pool one morning. He did try to go for a swim when we returned from our day trip from Cannes but the water was a bit too cold and there were quite a few kids already in the water. To be fair, we did stay at the end of October so the fact that he was able to enjoy it one day is quite remarkable. Temperatures highs were around 70°-75° Fahrenheit each day of our visit.

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Hyatt Regency Nice France- Final Thoughts

Our four night trip to Nice was easily my favorite one this year. Vienna in February was ridiculously cold and grey. Prague in the end of May was sweltering. The French Rivieria is breathtaking. It’s a much quieter and more relaxed version of South Beach, Miami, albeit French not Cuban- influenced obviously.

However, from the conversations I had with the Nice locals, I don’t think the temperatures we experienced are typical of this time of year. Our Uber driver for the return to the airport trip indicated that it is typical for it to be as sunny as we saw it in mid-Autumn but definitely cooler.

We booked our trip as a package holiday through British Airways. You can also see the hotel’s excellent reviews on TripAdvisor too.

I can’t imagine the Côte d’Azur ever being unpleasant. What thoughts do you have Sunny friends? Was our weather really atypical? Do you have any south of France suggestions for other readers?

If you would like a closer ‘sea view’ of the amazing sights of Nice, with a few tips too, don’t forget I have a video for you. Ugh- again with the rhyming!!

 

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ArcelorMittal Orbit Slide Review and Video

Why is the ArcelorMittal Orbit Slide the #1 thing to do in London this year?

That’s exactly the question I went to answer this week as I headed out to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, London.

Two years ago I had the opportunity to attend a press trip in the area and saw the spectacular views from the top of the attraction. Naturally, when I was invited to descend the world’s highest and longest tunnel slide down this public artwork, I quickly  grabbed all my gear to go!

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ArcelorMittal Orbit Slide Review London Attraction review

ArcelorMittal Orbit Slide: What’s Involved

For the 40-second trip, you circle around the ArcelorMittal Orbit 12 times. While you weave your way through the loops and curves of the iconic structure, you pass through light and dark sections with London’s dramatic skyscape whizzing around! Finally, you end with a 50m straight run.

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ArcelorMittal Orbit Slide: Guidelines

To take this daring challenge down the art installation, there are a few things you to know. You must be 1.3m in height and at least 8 years old. Obviously, you can’t have any medical conditions or be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Other important questions you might need answered are:

      • You cannot ride with anyone else.
      • You should wear comfortable clothes and shoes. It’s suggested you have on long sleeves.
      • At the time of this blog, you cannot film the event on your own.

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Photo courtesy of AttractionTix

ArcelorMittal Orbit Slide Review London Attraction review

Photo courtesy of AttractionTix

ArcelorMittal Orbit Slide: How Scary Is It?

In one review I saw the person said it was scarier than skydiving. I’ll let you be the judge as you watch my experience here…

The Sunny News YouTube channel, shares even more advice for things to do and what you’ll need to know about London. This includes safety tips, pub advice and a shopping guide. The blog also has a Guide for Americans Visiting London which is a collection of the top experiences I recommend. You’ll definitely want to bookmark it and visit the Pinterest boards created to help trip London planning too. Please leave any questions/ideas you have about things to do in London and how to plan your trip below. Would you Ride the Slide?

My experience at the ArcelorMittal Orbit was complimentary courtesy of AttractionTix. I went on the slide twice because I loved it so much and would highly recommend it to thrill-seekers visiting London or living in London. You can read other people’s reviews on TripAdvisor too.

ArcelorMittal Orbit Slide Review London Attraction review

Photo courtesy of AttractionTix

 ArcelorMittal Orbit Slide Review London Attraction review

When to Use a Fake British Accent (like Madonna)

‘Are you going to have a fake British accent like Madonna?’

That’s the big question my personal Facebook friends asked me when I announced I was getting married and moving back to London from America.

A fake British accent was the least of my worries.

Finding an international shipping company, applying for a fiance visa, and getting a job held top spots on my list. Then, I planned to get ‘Into the Groove’ of London life. However, I knew I wasn’t going back to Florida with a fake British accent and having all my friends mates wonder ‘Who’s That Girl?’ when I visited.

Like most Americans, I find a British accent endearing. But, I’m not trying to be a phony. I’m American. Not British (even though my great grandmother was from North London). I had no plans to speak with an accent. Well, not at first.

After a few months of living in London, I realized realised I would need to give in. ‘What would be the reason to have a fake British accent?’, you ask.

Let me explain…

When to Use a Fake British Accent Like Madonna (an American Expat's speaking dillema) While Americans and Britons technically speak English, it’s no news that British people use different words than Americans for many things. Knowing them is one thing. Using them is another.

Some of these words sound silly to me when I hear them. For example, if you’re at a restaurant or pub in London, it’s standard to say, ‘Where’s the toilet?’ if you need to use the bathroom.

I have issues with that. It just sounds so crass to me.  I feel like I am saying, ‘I have to take a piss. Where’s the pot in this place to do that?’ It’s just not cool.

When to Use a Fake British Accent Like Madonna (an American Expat's speaking dillema) For the first few months I continued to ask for the restroom. Finally, I just got plain sick of the blank stare back from the person I was asking. Saying it over and over at a louder, slower pace always works but it is time-consuming. I realised I needed to surrender.

In a conversation with my sister, who moved from Florida to Michigan a few years ago and is noticeably losing her Southern twang and speaking like a Michigander, the phenomenon I explained to her made sense.

She said that if I start talking like British people, it is more a matter of speaking to be understood than trying to have a fake British accent (like Madonna). You reach a point where you just need to Express Yourself. It was a Ray of Light for me!

When to Use a Fake British Accent Like Madonna (an American Expat's speaking dillema) Reluctantly, I have started to convert.

I cringe every time I say ‘veg’ in London instead of vegetables. My eyes silently roll to the back of my head when I say the word ‘brolly’ when referring to an umbrella.

And, I’m starting to really let the American accent mutha flippin’ go by dropping the ‘r’ sound from many words like ‘paper’ ‘water’ and ‘register’ so I can save time and not have to repeat what I need so often. It’s time efficient, not an attempt to be a Material Girl.

I just don’t have the time and energy to keep going round, and round, and round in London. When to Use a Fake British Accent Like Madonna (an American Expat's speaking dillema)

The basics for when and how to have a fake British accent:

  1. Be a Wanker- Choose certain words that you know are different for American vs British English when you need to communicate something quickly. It’s not Borderline. It’s a matter of talking to people in a language they understand. And- it will make life or your visit Holiday easier.
  2. Open Your Heart-  There’s a few keywords that go a long way in England. Please, Thank You, and Sorry. Master them with the full on accent. Sometimes you just need to say these words in order to keep calm and carry on ‘being British’ for a few fleeting London moments. Sorry.
  3. Deepah and Deepah- Drop the ‘R’ if it ends a word. Think of that dreaded thick Boston accent that Matt Damon and Ben Affleck rocked back in the day of Good Will Hunting.
  4. Don’t Start Spreadin’ the News- I have a friend who left New York two years ago and has completely Hung Up her thick New Yawk kawwwwfeeee talk. She sounds nearly British now. It’s not very Vogue. In fact, it’s a little too fast and phony for me. However, another American expat friend of mine (also from New York) has lived in London for 16 years and has no trace of Brit speak when I talk to her. It’s refreshing. Yet, when she speaks with English people, she fluently converts to the exact words she needs with mild British inflections. Bloody brilliant!
  5. Crazy for You- Don’t use a fake British accent with your UK spouse, if that’s your living scenario like me. If you married a Brit and moved to London as an American expat, translating your ‘parseltongue’ is part of the deal he/she signed up for. You don’t have to wave the whole Union Jack at home.When to Use a Fake British Accent Like Madonna (an American Expat's speaking dillema)
  6. Like a Virgin, Talkin’ for the Very First Time- When you’re with a group of American expat friends in London, on a return trip home in the US, or entertaining American visitors in the UK, remember your roots. Don’t try to show off your ‘bilingualism’ and have a fake British accent in their company. The need is gone so you’ll look like a ridiculous show off with no social skills. Those are times you don’t need to take extra steps to bridge any gaps.When to Use a Fake British Accent Like Madonna (an American Expat's speaking dillema)

These are the words and phrases I am still refusing to use: ‘take the mick’, kip, chuffed, fag (for the word ‘cigarette’), gutted, ‘got the hump’, knackered and whinge. What words are on your list?

These are the words I secretly love and actually try to use as much as possible: dodgey, slapper, nicked, ‘on the piss’, ‘one off’, Blimey! Bullocks! Crikey! Hiya!

What words do you find yourself using to have a fake British accent in London, if you’re an American expat living here? Any Canadians, Kiwis, or Aussies suffering from the same language barriers?

Do you agree that it’s a matter of being understood and not being an imposter when you purposely say things with another accent as an expat? Is it any different from speaking Spanish or French with the proper accent?

For the Sunny friends you lot who want to know more about the American expat experience in London, just Like a Prayer there are loads of articles on the blog to explore.

I think that’s about all for now. Innit, brov? Unless, you want to read this blog post again to see how many Madonna songs were featured? Please, please don’t click on the picture below. You’ll be sorry!!!

If you’re planning a visit to London, the Sunny News YouTube channel has regular updates of advice for things to do and what you’ll need to know about London. This includes safety tips, pub advice, and a shopping guide.

What to Pack for Florida (if You’re British)

‘Do you know what to pack for Florida?’ I asked my British husband as we prepared for his first trip to my home state.

‘Pants and socks’ is his response.

Yikes!

Packing for a trip to Florida is never tough for me. No matter how long I live in London as an American expat, I always know what to pack when I make a trip to my home state, no matter what time of year it is.

However, when my British husband and I were days away from our first trip to Florida together, I realised I was at a huge advantage compared to him. While he travelled the world as an international cameraman for NBC News, he neither had an assignment in nor made a personal trip to the Sunshine State.

His response to my question about what to pack for Florida was both humorous and concerning.

I give him credit for the reasoning, ‘It’s just not stuff I want to have to deal with buying there.’ However, there are other essentials that he might not want to buy, or even have access to, once we arrive in Florida. While there are certain things that are easier to find in Florida than in the UK, such as many CBD or hemp oil based products, when you’re going to Florida it is always better to come fully prepared. However, if you are looking for a cbd florida guide, there are many places that you can look at to familiarise yourself with the CBD products in the Sunshine State.

To figure out what to pack for Florida if you’re British and going there for holiday, start with all your typical warm weather basics. Then, make sure you add all the items below to your pre-trip shopping list.

A list of what to pack for Florida for British tourists going on holiday to the Sunshine State

What to Pack for Florida: Bug Repellant

Florida is crawling with bugs (and reptiles, but there’s not a damn thing you can do about that in terms of what to pack). Whether they are mosquitoes, love bugs or ‘no see ’ems’, the little suckers are everywhere.

Bring bug repellant in your suitcase. Don’t wait until it’s too late and ruin your holiday with welts the size of Florida oranges on your body.

I was thrilled when I found Avon Skin So Soft on Amazon UK as I searched bug repellant to write this blog post.

Why?

This is the brand everyone in Florida uses. It’s the most recommended product from Florida natives. Trust me!

And, just in case you don’t believe me, I took this picture of the screen of my mother’s porch when I was in Florida last August. Notice all the critters?

A list of what to pack and NOT to pack for British tourists going on a Florida holiday

What to Pack for Florida: Suntan Lotion

This is where the Sunny in London blog will get painful. I’m going to be really honest here. Don’t get on a plane to Florida without suntan lotion if you’re British! Florida sun is powerful and intense.

If you’re an Englishman, like my husband, you don’t tan. Instead you get super red, super fast if you even look outside on a sunny day. On our beaches, we Floridians can spot you (and you’re white legs) from miles away.

When I worked at Universal Studios Orlando prior to moving to London, I regularly met burned British tourists. Those that spent their first day of holiday at Walt Disney World, then went to our theme park, hit the hot list. If they skipped suntan lotion in this two-day combo and ‘enjoyed’ our Jaws ride seated on the outside row of the boat, they were seared.

Ok, not like literally in the lawsuit sense. But, because there is an amount of heat generated from the ‘explosions’ on the ride, they experience great discomfort during those moments and don’t enjoy their visit as much. I would chat with them in Guest Services/VIP Studio Tours often and they always regretted not applying suntan lotion multiple times during their theme park visits.

What product does this Florida girl recommend? Anything from Hawaiian Tropic.

Why? The brand originated in my home town, Daytona Beach. So, it’s about loyalty. The company obviously knows about Florida sun and how to cope with it.


The one above is really cheap and features Protective Sun Lotion 50 Plus. Don’t mess around. Start with an SPF 50. You’ll thank me later. Profusely.

What to Pack for Florida: Drugs

You don’t want to take time to weed out what to buy when you’re in trouble. Make sure you throw some Paracetamol in your carry on suitcase. We don’t have the brand in the US. Our equivalent, I guess, is Tylenol or Aleve. As an American expat living in London, I never buy Paracetamol because it doesn’t work for me. You might experience the same phenomenon with American products when you visit, so pack what you know.

Further, if you’re being tossed around a lot on our theme park rides, you might need some motion sickness tablets. Or you can pick up some of these before you leave…


Again, these Travel Sickness Bands were super cheap when I searched them, and listed as a #1 Best Seller. 😉

What to Pack for Florida: Beach and Pool Gear

There is no doubt you’ll want to hit at least one of our countless beaches when you are in Florida. Make sure you have these items ready for your beach trip:

Hats

Bring at least one, especially if you’re a bloke who’s losing his hair. In America, we rock baseball caps, so if you want to look like a Yank, this is what you should wear. You can do this one of two ways. If you want to look British and get attention that way, bring one of these…


Any baseball cap with an English futbol team will catch attention across the pond.

However, if you want to look ‘American’ and really blend in with the Florida crackers, then you must wear a Florida State University (FSU) baseball cap that recognises them as the 2013 BCS National Football Champions.

    • If you aren’t familiar with our football system, that championship game is the equivalent of winning the Super Bowl for a university team. FSU is the Florida team that’s won it most recently. Please, please, don’t rock up in University of Florida (UF) gator gear.

Ick!

I found a wide range of Florida State University baseball caps online, if you’d rather have one that’s Garnet and Gold (the team’s colours). Oh yeah, it’s also where I received my Bachelor of Science degree, so I’m naturally biased here too.

Sunglasses

Florida winter days are much longer than England’s. If you visit during this season, you’ll have far more time to wear them compared to being in London where it gets dark at 4:00pm. Although, it generally gets dark in the summer around 8pm.

Swimwear for Kids

Inflatable Armbands (In Florida we call them ‘swimmies’ or ‘floogles’). Bring these for your babies who are too little (or don’t know how) to swim on their own.

    They’re also a great way to prevent anything tragic happening while you aren’t looking at the pool. Both my younger sister and I had them as kids.

A Beach Cooler for Beer

Specifically for packing purposes, you should bring an Inflatable Beach Cooler. You wil need one to keep your beer cool in the Florida heat. These are the ones I think Floridians would love seeing on our Florida beaches and pool decks:


However, I think the ultimate kick arse cooler is this Party Sombrero. Florida has a huge population of Mexican people, so this would be brilliant on the beach with your Dos Equis or Corona beer!

Multiple Suits

Bring at least two bathing suits (or ‘bathing costumes’ as you call them). There’s nothing worse than putting one of these things on wet, so bring two with you. One can dry on a day while you wear the other.

What to Pack for Florida: Apparel

Florida humidity is excruciating in the months of May-September, even at 6:00am. Be sure to pack lightweight clothes to wear. Don’t even put jeans in your suitcase during those months.

Regarding shoes, flip flops are part of our lifestyle. We literally value them like art.

What to Pack for Florida if You're a British Tourist Going on Holiday

Bring a pair to match every one of your outfits. Just make sure to put suntan lotion on the tops of your feet too! It’s a painful place to be burned and often is forgotten in application. Bring some smart clothes in case you decide to visit somewhere like the Francisca Restaurant but make sure you have plenty of shorts and cool clothes!

What NOT to Pack for Florida: A Speedo

I couldn’t end this blog post with integrity if I didn’t include the ONE thing you absolutely CANNOT pack for Florida, boys.

I beg you. Please, please, please don’t show up to my home state beaches and pools in one of these! The banana hammock just isn’t something Floridians want to see. EVER!

What to Pack for Florida: Final Thoughts

There you have it! It’s a good thing Mr. Sunny (my husband) has me to guide him through what to pack for Florida, so he doesn’t end up with just ‘pants and socks’ in his suitcase. Oh, and for you American readers, by ‘pants’, he means underwear.

If you are British and know people who are or want to have a holiday in Florida, please share this blog post on Facebook, Twitter, StumbleUpon or any social network you value. It would be great if you pinned the picture below too so your British mates have a better chance at a sunny, happy holiday in Florida.

Update: And don’t miss this YouTube video published in August 2018 with even more travel tips!

A list of what to pack and NOT to pack for British tourists going on a Florida holiday

If there’s anything you can suggest to add to the list, please do so in the comments! I’m eager to answer any Florida questions you may have as well. Don’t forget the blog has tons of expat living and Things to Do in London posts, as well as a Guide for Visitors.

An Expat Shopping List: What Do Expats Buy When Home?

What are things you absolutely could not live without? Aside from family, health and the other non-materialistic obvious necessities, there are certainly items that you cherish and probably can’t imagine not having.

What would you do if those things weren’t as readily available to you because you moved to another country?

This phenomenon happens to expats around the globe. While many items are available worldwide, sometimes this means paying substantially more than you would in your home country and possibly having the goods shipped across continents to you.

Each time I visit my home country, America, I have a list of items I plan on buying.

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An American Expat Shopping List:

Michael Kors.

Anything Michael Kors. While there’s several stores in London that most likely carry the exact same items, I feel it’s much cheaper to buy my favourite brand in the U.S.

This past trip I stocked up on prescription glasses, a handbag, perfume and two dresses.

expat-shopping-list-expats-chat

Kate Spade.

Again, you can find her merchandise at London’s Westfield Malls and Covent Garden. Plus soon there will be a store on Regent Street.

However, look at the price difference below. Days before I flew home I purchased the yellow iPhone 6 case for £40 (around $55 US dollars). While in Florida two weeks later, I found the bottom phone cover for 50% off. It was originally $40 (around £25) but I paid $20 (around £12). Look at the price tags near the barcodes. They both say ’40’ but the pound sterling  sure doesn’t equal a dollar.

expat-shopping-list-expats-chat

expat-shopping-list-expats-chatHmmmm.

I also stock up on shirts for Mr. Sunny. While Nautica and other labels he loves are available in London, they are nearly half the price in America. On top of this, I use tons of coupons at Macy’s, This stack of shirts was about £70.

expat-shopping-list-expats-chat

Yankee Candles.

I’ve mentioned my fetish for Yankee Candles several times on the blog. People always include in the comments or on Twitter that they’re available in the UK stores and online. I know that. But the selection is so limited and, unflavourful if you will, that I don’t even bother.

Look at the Fall line, which was on display in Florida when I was there in August…

expat-shopping-list-expats-chat

Seriously. There’s an entire product line devoted to wine!

A British Expat Shopping List:

When I interviewed a British expat living in America for the past twenty years, she also had a clear list of what she purchased when she visited London.

Her items weren’t focused on apparel and accessories like my must have shopping list. Instead, they hit another home ‘comfort’ category- food.

This British expat stocks up on Marmite and Twiglets.


While we aren’t talking about cuisine in this blog post, she did mention that satisfying as many crispy duck cravings in London’s Chinatown and eating authentic Indian food also were goals she had when visiting home as an British expat living in America.

Those are just two small lists from one other person and myself. Surely, if you’re an expat or have ever been one, there are many items you can add. Please write them in the comments below.

Expat Shopping List: Final Thoughts

I’d love to hear more from you about this topic. Please leave your comments and questions about expat life and what you miss below.

 

4 Reasons to Visit Thai Square Spa

What is a much cheaper alternative to buying a first class airplane ticket for an eight hour international flight?

Sitting in an economy seat and scheduling a luxurious massage at Thai Square Spa in London a few days after you land!

Yes, Sunny friends, it was much easier to return to London from a one month holiday in Florida knowing that I had an afternoon booked at a spa in Covent Garden.

I received the email to enjoy a Ritual Massage at the Thai Square Spa while I was visiting my family and friends in Florida a few weeks ago. Before accepting, I gave the spa’s website a good look so I would have an idea of what they offered.

Now that I have visited and can say that I loved the Ritual Massage experience, I can give you four other solid reasons why the Thai Square Spa should be on your list of treats to experience in London.

a-thai-square-spa-london

#1 Thai Square Spa- Special Products

The spa has its own product line, which consists of a lifestyle collection and is available at their spas or online. In November they plan to launch several skincare ranges. It’s called iMantara, and it means ‘a sacred word, syllable or phrase, repeated in prayer or meditation.

thai-square-spa-london-imantara

Thai Jasmine, Jasmine Sambac and Plai essential oils, plus Rachawadee – a Thai flower with an imagined fragrance, are just a few of the new brand’s signature ingredients.

#2 Thai Square Spa- Menu

As I mentioned above, the website formed my inital impression and determined whether or not I would pursue the invitation. It’s very informative and includes all of their options for beauty services, body treatments, facial treatments, hand and foot treatments, ritual hair remedies, ritual therapies, royal treaments, specialist maternity therapies, treatments for travellers, and wet treatments.

thai-square-spa-london-imantara

Yes. It’s a really big list with gorgeous tempting pictures and descriptions.

#3 Thai Square Spa- Service

When I arrived, I was greeted immediately. Since I wanted to take a few pictures and ask some questions about the spa, I arrived about twenty minutes early. Unlike most spas, which normally run very behind when booking appointments, Thai Square Spa was ready for me to begin my treatment as soon as I arrived.

However, first I spent a few minutes sitting in this area completing a consultation form that inquired about any medications, concerns, etc.

thai-square-spa-london-imantara

During my treatment, my therapist was exceptionally professional. A few minutes in to the massage, she checked to see if the pressure was too much, just right, or too little.

#4 Thai Square Spa- Cleanliness

Something that is super important to me when I visit a spa is how the facility is presented in terms of hygiene. Recently I visited an extremely popular international brand to have a spa treatment and was downright horrified at how dirty everything was. The floors were an absolute mess on a beautiful sunny day, so it wasn’t like people were dragging in dirt on their shoes from winter.

Thai Square Spa obviously takes tremendous pride in the appearance of their venue. It is evident in every corner I investigated. The locker rooms for ladies were spotless, and they made sure that I wore their spa’s flip flops when entering the room.

thai-square-spa-london-imantara

#5 Thai Square Spa- Ambiance

My appointment was at 12:30pm on a Monday. While I appreciate that spas are perhaps more ‘bustling’ on weekends, I felt as if I had the entire location to myself. After I finished my massage, I enjoyed a refreshing glass of water.

thai-square-spa-london-imantara

Ok, I know you don’t need literally to see a picture of a glass of water to understand what I mean. That picture above was more about the locker room key, which is on the right. I just thought it was a super cool way for spa guests to keep track of a key!

Anyhow, I sat for about 10-15 minutes in this area pictured below enjoying my water and making sure I had all the pictures I needed before leaving.

thai-square-spa-london-imantara

It was nice having the area to myself. I also secretly sat there wishing I could stay forever 😉

Thai Square Spa- New Location and Sunny Discount!

A few days after my massage, I learned that this location will move in the end of November 2015. So please know if you are reading this review after that time, or are in the process of scheduling a treatment around then that you check with the spa to make sure you understand where you are booking.

The new location will be 22-25 Northumberland Avenue.

Sunny in London readers can receive a 10% off discount for iMantara products. You can use ‘sunnypromo’ both in the stores or online at www.imantara.com.

You can follow Thai Square Spa on Twitter and Instagram. They also have a Twitter account for iMantara.

My massage was complimentary for the purpose of a review. This certainly didn’t influence my opinion of the experience. I would be thrilled about the opportunity to return to the spa for services. 

What relaxation methods do you use after long plane flights? Are spa treatments part of your regular activities? What do you think of this shirt I wore to the spa to convey how I felt when I arrived?

thai-square-spa-london-imantara

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