How To Flee Those January Blues

Christmas is over, it's the final day of December and we all know what is coming next... January. And what accompanies January? You got it - the January Blues. I know 2017 isn't over yet, but really we are all already dreading that cold depressing month where nothing interesting happens and we all return to the monotony of work and the stresses that come with it... But have no fear, January doesn't have to be this depressing!

1. Plan a holiday
It's not too late! The Xmas/January sales have just begun and this is the best time of year to get a holiday deal, hence why I have just booked tickets to the Philippines (ahhhh!). Anyway, give yourself something to look forward to and escape to the sun. Nothing makes you feel better than discovering another culture and exploring new places.

2. Go on a staycation
If you can't leave the country why not go for a weekend away. It may be slightly colder than Spain but sometimes a change of scenery is all you need. Find a cosy cottage to book in to or a swanky apartment in the fast paced city, just escape reality.

3. Plan a night in or out with the girls/guys
So maybe you don't have the money to go away for a whole weekend/week you can still enjoy yourself where you are. Plan an evening with your friends, go out for cocktails, go to a jazz night or even just plan your own 'come dine with me' night in. It's important to give yourself something to look forward to and just being with your friends can instantly lift your spirits.

4. Learn a new skill
"New Year, New Me"... It sounds like a cliché, but give yourself an aim in January and challenge yourself physically or mentally by investing time into a new skill. Every year I always think of the new things I want to learn - guitar, sewing, a new language - the list could go on. My aim in 2018 is to keep up my blogging and attempt to play the ukulele. In 2017 it was to learn to cook new meals each week. Expand your skills and spend time doing something new, different, and rewarding.

5. Feel fit and healthy
Tight waistband? Feeling like a mince pie after all those large Christmas meals? An instant pick me up is a health fix. Set yourself a goal and do a certain amount of exercise per week or maybe just get some fresh air and go for a walk, match that with eating clean and you'll be feeling better about January in no time. Make sure you carry it on past January... don't want to slip back in to that lull.

How are you going to flee those January blues? Let me know in the comments below...

Ubud's Monkey Forest

Now what can I say about Ubud? If you are looking for a fast paced and eccentric environment you are definitely thinking of the wrong place. Ubud's calm and relaxed atmosphere is soothing for the soul, everything can be taken at your own pace. Try some yoga  (even if you can't touch your toes), eat vegan or maybe check out some markets and discover something unique. Out of all the places in Bali, this was without a doubt my favourite. I wish I had longer to just be there, or even live there for a month or two but all I had was a few short days. So as you can imagine I tried to pack everything I could in. However, the number one thing I was so determined to experience was the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary. I have a mad love for animals.

In the busy little town the one thing you don't expect to see is 12.5 hectares of open forest with over 700 monkeys hanging around, but Ubud is no normal place. Now when I first heard about the Monkey Forest I've got to say I was a bit nervous, I mean to an English girl who is used to the local wildlife being pigeons, monkeys was quite the step. Building up to this experience I had seen wild monkeys in other parts of Bali (e.g. the top of the volcano) and let me tell you I would have taken pigeons any day. They stole food, hissed and even took a woman's flip flop from her foot. However, the monkey forest was different.

Yes I arrived a bit apprehensive and I tell you what the sign telling me 'not to stare a monkey in the eye' or 'don't run in the forest as this only spurs them on more to chase you' did not put me at ease. I walked through the forest to begin with on egg shells and the monkeys were everywhere. Me and my friend so wanted to feed them but we were petrified (though we did not want to admit it). One thing I would totally recommend doing if you felt like me was talking to the monkey handlers. They calmed us down instantly. We told them we wanted to attempt to feed the monkeys and they were all for it.

They started to call a monkey over with that little clicking noise they do and instantly one came strolling over. However, it was not the one i wanted! I didn't fancy my first monkey experience to be a toddler sized MALE monkey with quite frankly the biggest genitals ever. I instantly said no and asked (begged) for a smaller monkey. He tapped the monster on the head and off the Male one went. This time he sat me down, gave me a banana (stereotypical monkey food) and I waited. Sure enough a much smaller female monkey came along. Perfect - this monkey seemed friendly.

Now I originally thought monkeys would have sharp claws that would dig deep in to my skin. Boy, was I wrong. Their little hands were so soft as they climbed up you and they were very light footed. The female monkey took the banana out of my hand and just sat and chomped happily away on my head until it was done and then climbed off. Also a tip - apparently if you don't want a monkey on you anymore you just start walking and they get the hint. After this short but wonderful experience, of course I wanted another go. This time however, he gave some other sort of monkey food - not completely sure what it was but I'm sure it was delicious. Sure enough another female monkey but this time with a baby attached (CUTEEEEE!) came wandering towards me.

Just like last time the monkey climbed up and I awwed and oooed at how cute her and the baby were. She climbed on my shoulder and reached out to my hand and it was all going so well, until.... WHAT IS HAPPENING. I felt suddenly warm. Now i know what your thinking, Bali is a roasting hot country in Asia and it was probably the sun. Yes my friends, I thought this too and I still wished it was this until this day. However, if you haven't already guessed this friendly little fellow or it's baby was taking a wee on my back while feeding. Classy. My fresh white top was officially stained and for the first time ever I could say a monkey has weed on me. If you would like to see this experience in pictures take a look at my collage below.

Despite this minor blip, this day was definitely a one of a kind experience and is definitely a must do. Even if you aren't brave (or stupid enough) to try feed a monkey you can always get the comedy factor of seeing a monkey steal a man's food.

Singapore In 48 Hours

Now 48 hours is barely any time to spend in this futuristic city but if this is the case there are definitely some things you need to do/see.

I went to Singapore in May this year and let me tell you it was incredible. The city was spotless and everything was so sci-fi, it felt like something out of the future if I'm honest. I wouldn't have been shocked if a floating car had zoomed by (very back to the future I know). I only got to experience the city for a few short days but there are definitely some places I would not miss out on if you've never been before.

1. Marina Bay Sands

This hotel is so insane. If you've never seen it before it is literally three 55 story buildings joined together by a huge boat on the top. I've have not seen another hotel like it, not even in Vegas. Now, I'm not writing this part to go get you to stay at the hotel. I mean you could if you wanted, heck I would of if I could afford it *cough* £400 a night *cough*. Despite that, you can just go to the hotel without staying in it, unfortuntley the only downside is you can't swim in there amazing infinity pool but there is plenty more to see. I would definitely recommend going to the Bay to see the hotel itself but also going inside. To get the best view in Singapore going to the observation deck is definitely necessary. Whether this means you just go to have a look around or go to the bar at the top of the hotel to sit and have a cocktail and enjoy the view, both are worth it.

2. Sentosa Island

Sentosa Island i.e. The State Of Fun is a must do. There are so many different activities to do on the island - definitely something for everyone. I didn't get to go all around the island, however, I did manage to fit in two activities. We started off the day by zip lining over the jungle canopy and the white sandy beaches. Now this is a total must do and I loved every minute of it. I did this with the company Mega Adventure and even though I'm not a huge fan of dangling 75 metres up in the air I don't regret it at all. In my opinion, it was over way to quickly. Universal is also another must do on Sentosa. From huge rollercoasters to a Madagascar log flume to Far Far Away Land, you've got to go to one of the first theme parks in Asia.

3. Gardens by the Bay

Singapore is the greenest city I've ever experienced. You expect it to be fast paced and intense but actually it is quite the opposite with the help of the many green areas there is to offer. You can find a place in the Garden's by the Bay and be completely by yourself. Perfect, I know. You can relax in the Chinese Gardens or by the Dragon Fly and Kingfisher lakes. If relaxing isn't for you, discover the Cloud Forest or stroll among the clouds on the skyway. You almost forget you are in a city...

4. Clarke Quay

Now if partying is your thing, you must check out Clarke Quay. It's Singapore's vibrant after dark play ground. I got recommended this by a friend as when the sun goes down and the working day is over, Clarke Quay is the place to be. With it's range of quirky restaurants and cute bars, wining and dining is definitely on the menu. It's also very easy to bar hop and try many of the different places Singapore has to offer. However, if you want to continue the party into the early morning why not try the clubs.

5. Raffles

Now if you want to have a classy evening why not try the birth place of the Singapore Sling - Raffles Hotel. It's pretty pricey but where else can you do this in the world. It would definitely be on my to do list. Enough said.

I'm sure there is so much more to see and do in Singapore like the amazing shopping etc. but these are just a few of the parts I wouldn't miss. Now go explore and book yourself on the first plane there, you won't regret it!

Why you should go to Glastonbury at least once...

Coming from a fellow Glastonbury regular (okay so I've only been twice), you need to experience this festival at least once in your life. Now I know your going to ask me 'why is it different to any other festival?' but let me stop you right there - it just is.  It's not the world's most famous festival for nothing guys! You need to go and experience it for yourself to truly understand (even George Ezra agrees with me), however, I'll give it my best shot to explain.

The music. At Glastonbury there are so many different types that everyone can find something they want to go and listen to. From the Pyramid stage to Glasto Latino, you might even discover your new favourite band like I did with Rationale. The great thing is you can go see people who you might not normally pay to see and realise how much you actually love them. I did this a few times this year with Gabrielle Aplin and Jamie Cullum. Both are incredible live and I would definitely pay to go see them. You might also experience people you definitely wouldn't see again... (but let's not get into that).

Another great thing about Glastonbury is that it is so unpredictable. One moment you could be singing the Dalai Lama happy birthday the next you could be forming the world's biggest human peace sign - yes I was a part of this. There is something different round every corner, it's definitely not just the music that makes it. One thing I am so upset I missed this year was seeing Johnny Depp at the drive in cinema - I'll never forgive myself for that.

Glastonbury is a great place for guaranteed celeb spots...unless your me and you pay literally no attention to people around you which is what I constantly do in life. One time I even sat in front of Olly Murs for nearly an hour and didn't even realise until my friend pointed it out. I am a moron. Luckily, my friends do point them out. This year we managed to spot Dan, the lead singer of Bastille, floating around a tent to see Rationale on the Thursday night. Obviously we had to ask for a photo...

Now one thing I shouldn't class as a hobby but I sort of do, is eating. For those of you who are like me, the food is not a disappointment at Glastonbury. From Thai food to an ostrich burger, you name it  and I bet it's there. My personal favourite (which I had twice this year) was the mammoth Yorkshire pudding filled with sausages mash and gravy. It was truly incredible. I literally raved about it from the moment we ordered the tickets, clearly it had impressed me the first time I had it.

Now if you don't go out out often you should definitely do it at least once during your time at Glastonbury. Literally you can party in to the early hours at Shangri-La and let me tell you it'll blow your mind. You may have to queue to get in but it's totally worth the wait. You might find yourself bopping around in S.H.I.T.V to a Spanish funk band, standing in a huge room with screens everywhere watching armies around the world to music or even standing in front of a huge wall with 20 DJs performing at once. Put it this way, this ain't no normal night out. See below me trying not to die the next day, notice the huge bottle of water.

The Fashion. At Glastonbury you can wear whatever you want when you want. This year seemed to be the time for metallic mermaid leggings (Amazon) - I definitely didn't get the memo for this yet I still desperately want them. Come on, I could wear them to work. Shoreditch is clearly the only place I could get away with them in day to day life. However, I opted for other looks. On one day I wore a sequin body and a head piece from Gypsy Shrine. I was pretty damn festive. My recommendation is go all out.

Finally, but definitely not least, I love what Glastonbury stands for. Year on year the festival keeps its ethos to be a positive influence locally and internationally. Everything is environmentally friendly and is for such a good cause. You can see this throughout the whole site, even down to the toilets.

Now make sure you book your tickets for 2019... or live to regret it! I know I will be.