another of our little secrets…

secret cinema

Our friend Katie recently checked out one of our favourite hush-hush London events: Secret Cinema. Every month is a totally different experience, and the best part? You have no idea what you’re getting into until you’re in it. Got to love a bit of suspense, right? This definitely redefines the typical movie date night. Check out Katie’s night with Utopia Skyways:

utopia skyways

The main attraction to flying with Utopia Skyways is their in-flight movie, and only those lucky enough to score a travel pass can board. The dress code is very specific, so my fellow traveller and I were dressed to impress.

Our destination had warnings of acid rain so we were sure to have goggles and gas masks for our own safety. Ascending the escalator at Canary Wharf, we were greeted by a gaggle of American air stewardesses: “Welcome to Utopia Skyways ladies, great to have you on board. Where you are going represents the best of your past and the worst of your future. Please go over there to collect your travel pass.”

getting ready for the flight

Walking past a number of armed police, we were whisked away in small shuttles to the holding zone, before being guided right into the heart of China Town. Constantly aware of the danger of Replicants, we had to watch out in this dark underworld full of vagabonds, misfits and robbing dwarves.

Luckily for us, the time had finally come. As we took our seats and the lights went down, we sat with our fellow travellers ready for take off. And our in-flight movie? Shhh, it’s a secret…

For your own Secret Cinema experience, register online and await your instructions…

(2 votes, average: 4.50 out of 5)

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paul heads to the pearl of africa

trekking through uganda

Our African expert, Paul, is always heading off on those once-in-a-life-time-trips that gets us all green with envy back at HQ. Read on to find out why Paul’s last trip to Uganda got our hearts melting.

We hadn’t been trekking for very long when the porter who was walking in front of me said “look, there they are!” I lifted my binoculars to my eyes and could hardly believe it – a young gorilla was feeding in the top of a small tree. I had imagined us negotiating muddy trails up slippery, steep hillsides for hours before finding them. It had taken us just 30 minutes and we had hardly broken a sweat.

the teenagers hanging around

After another ten minutes or so we were with them. For so many people, it’s life long ambitions to see gorillas in the wild, and I can easily understand why. They’re fascinating creatures and I was immediately engrossed by them. I think what sets them (and chimps) apart from other mammals are their human characteristics. They mostly took no notice of us while going about their daily routine of sleeping, playing, grooming and eating. The youngsters are particularly entertaining as they play fight and chase one another, just like little kids on the playground. A little infant had my undivided attention for awhile. It lay on its mother’s back while looking at me with its huge brown eyes. It was one of those moment I won’t ever forget.

The older ‘teenagers’ were trying to impress by climbing up to the tree tops as quick as they could only to crash back onto the ground within a few seconds. And then of course there is the Silverback. He had such a massive presence and instantly commandd respect. It’s hard to believe that something so massive and imposing can be so gentle. He was totally relaxed in our presence and not once did he show any aggression or irritation. After what seemed like barely minutes, our guide said that our time was up and we needed to start heading back.

the silverback snacking

It’s not only the gorillas that draw people to Uganda. There are 13 species of primate including the Chimpanzee, Black and White Colobus, the Red-Tailed and Blue Monkeys. It’s also a bird lovers paradise with over 1000 species ocurring in a country smaller than the US state of Oregon. It’s home to the legendary snow capped Rwenzori Mountain Range, often referred to as the Mountains of the Moon. It’s also the source of the mighty Nile River and the town of Jinja is home to some of the best white water rafting in the world. As a pioneering tourist, Winston Churchill referred to it as the Pearl of Africa.

People often associate Uganda with the monster that was Idi Amin. Those days are long gone and stability has returned to most parts of the country. Tourists are welcomed with open arms. Wherever you go you will be greeted with “Hello Mzungu!” which means European, or aimless wanderer. I would have happily been a wanderer here awhile longer…

To go on your own gorilla safari in Uganda, get in touch with Paul and he can help you plan an unforgettable experience.

(2 votes, average: 4.50 out of 5)

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take your seat at the modern (toilet) restaurant

Ok, so this ones a little strange, but go along with us – it’s just a bit of fun.

While hunting for the latest craze to hit Taiwan we found this – the Modern Toilet Restaurant.  It’s a restaurant based upon the idea of…well a toilet.

tuck in

Supposedly the owner, originally a street vendor, felt inspired after years of scooping chocolate ice cream, so he transformed his idea into the world’s first restaurant of its kind, which is now popping up all over Taiwan.

So, allow yourself to be seated on a stylish acrylic toilet (lid down, of course) and take your place at a glass table, with a sink below your feet.  Your meal is served in a mini toilet bowl (in all sorts of ‘interesting’ shapes we must add) and you’ll sip your drink from you own mini plastic urinal (which you may keep by the way).  Tempted?  Well, it sure is different.

(4 votes, average: 3.25 out of 5)

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