California Calling

My Trek America posts may be over but my time in the USA certainly wasn't. I still had one more week of solo travel before it was time to return to the UK, and so I made the most of it by hanging around LA for a few more days.

Originally, I was meant to spend 4 days in LA, giving me plenty of time to see the whole city. Of course, when you're traveling, plans change at the last minute so I ended up with only one full day in LA!

I made use of the time that I had and opted to find the cheapest Beverly Hills tour I could find and explore the Hollywood Hills. As it was so cheap, it did mean going around in some crappy van with no sun protection, so my advice would be to spend that little bit more for decent AC and cover. Nevertheless, I still got to see some pretty cool sights, including some of the famous houses of the rich and famous.

The tour took us to a cool view point of the Hollywood hills and sign, as well as around the 90210 area where we saw amazing houses including Lauren Conrad's house that was featured in The Hills (fangirl moment)!!

It also took us down Rodeo Drive, although I didn't spot any celebs shopping whilst I was there.

I took a walk down to Sunset Boulevard, which is home to the iconic clubs and bars that have hosted famous bands in venues such as Whisky a Go Go and The Viper Room. It was pretty cool, but I was there on my own in the dark so I did feel a little unsafe, especially as there was a protest happening at the same time. I thought it may be better to go back to the hustle and bustle of the Walk of Fame, and it just so happened to be a premiere of Westworld that night!

It was cool so actually see Hollywood in action! I even met JJ Abrahams whilst waiting to spot some celebrities. Pretty cool huh?!

Also, my favourite chocolate shop in the world is based on the walk of fame: Ghirardelli! Seriously, go in there and you are greeted with a free sample! Who could turn down free chocolate?! I may have walked in there multiple times throughout the day...

My next destination was San Francisco! With it being a 5-hour drive from LA, it is the perfect place to visit for a few days. You can either take the freeway route (less pretty) or the coastal route (very pretty) although it does take longer, but the views make it worthwhile.

Going from 30 degrees in LA to 12 degrees in San Fran was a bit of a shock, so I ended up buying a coat in Forever 21 as soon as I got there, so bear this in mind!

There are loads of things to do in San Fran, which is a city like no other! From the steep hills to the piers by the water, you'll find something to do here!

Lombard Street

I wandered around the city for a bit and visited the largest Chinatown in a city, which had loads of cute shops featuring Chinese souvenirs. The restaurants are also nice around this area.

Our first stop was to Lombard Street, the windiest street in the world! It was nice to take pictures, but be warned, the hills do make your thighs burn! From here, we strolled down to Fisherman's Wharf, where the piers are based. Around here is seafood galore, and you can pick up a cheap, tasty meal to eat by the water.

Someone had told me previously that the best corn dogs were found in San Francisco, so I had to try one! My verdict: It was ok, it didn't blow me away and I kind of wished I had tried the fish, but it wasn't the worst!

First taste of the Golden Gate Bridge

Make sure to check out the world's best chocolate shop in this area, yep you guessed it, Ghirardelli (it is the birthplace after all!)

Next on the agenda was a trip up to the Twin Peaks. Basically, this is an awesome viewpoint of the city and makes for some great Instagram pictures. From here, we walked down to the Golden Gate Park which is absolutely huge and would take all day to walk around.

Twin Peaks Viewpoint

Golden Gate Park

The name gives away the next place to visit, which is the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. Luckily, the weather was amazing to see it and gave us some really good photos. We walked across the bridge, just taking in the views and the fact that we were walking on the most famous bridge in the world.

There is so much more to do in San Francisco, including a visit to Alcatraz, which unfortunately I didn't have time to do. Union Square is a central place to stay which is close to the shops and cool restaurants, including the Cheesecake Factory which is a must visit.

San Francisco is the perfect place to visit if you are on the West Coast of America. It's only an hours flight away from LA or a 5 hour drive, but make sure it is on your list of places to visit. You will not be disappointed!

It's always time for cereal...

If you are visiting London and want to eat somewhere unique, different and quirky, then look no further than this post!

I'm a big fan of cereal but I do get bored of having shreddies every day. But, if you visit the Cereal Killer Cafe in either Camden Market or Brick Lane, then prepare to be blown away.

On a busy sunny day in London, we headed to the Camden branch of the cafe. The menu is laden with a vast array of cereals from all over the world.

If you fancy chocolate, honey, smore's or peanut butter flavoured cereal, you will find it here. The amount of cereal's on offer is mindblowing, and trying to choose one comes with difficulty.

I opted for one of the cereal cocktails, where you get a mix of different types. Mine was called the 'Lion King', which was a bowl of chocolatey/caramel sweetness. It even came with caramel milk, however I'm one of those weird people who prefers eating cereal dry and opted out of the milk.

If you think this cereal won't fill you as a meal, don't be fooled. The medium sized bowls don't look like much, but in real life, it counted as my lunch.

My advice would be to eat in, where you can choose to sit on a bed whilst you eat. If you are an 80/90s kid, you will be transported back to your childhood bedroom, complete with Spice Girls wallpaper and beany baby's.

The prices are expensive for cereal, but when you think about the types of cereal and the overall experience, it really isn't overpriced at all.

The Proudest Moment of my Life

If someone would have said to me 6 months ago that I would have been able to cycle from London to Paris in 3 days, I would have laughed in their face and told them there is no chance of it happening.

But it did.

Writing this, I can say that this is one of the proudest achievements that I have completed. It's not everyday you meet someone who can tell you they cycled over 200 miles, through the sun, rain and wind to arrive directly in front of the Eiffel tower and be able to say "I made it".

It was a gruelling challenge, that pushed my body and mind both physically and mentally.

Not only do you have to deal with the looming hills and long distances between breaks, but you are also running on very little sleep and relying on sugar and adrenaline.

Day One

My challenge started early, with a 5.30am rise in London to meet at Hersham playing fields. As it was July 1st, I was expecting a calm, summer sunrise but unfortunately this being Britain, we were greeted with the cold, wind and rain.
As we set off in our groups, we cycled out of the busy streets of London and left the city for the rolling hills of Surrey. At this point, as the distance racks up, I started to doubt whether I could pull this off. The hills are steep and challenging, but it is the moments when you see how far you've come, but how far you've got left that are the most difficult.

I have to admit, I did very little training for this. It was my own fault, but training would have helped a lot! However, I did not let this stop me and make me give up! I powered through, determined not to make it into the support vehicle.

After a challenging day, we arrived at Portsmouth in the evening (after the most horrendous hill), proud to have completed day one. A quick shower and some carb loading, and we were boarding the overnight ferry to Caen, ready for day two.

Possibly the worst selfie in the world

Day Two

As 4.45am dawned, we had arrived in Caen with possibly the worst nights sleep ever, having only a chair as our beds. Nevertheless, we prepared ourselves for day two, with 87 miles of the French countryside between us and Evreux.

I have to say, the best parts of this trip are cycling through the picturesque French villages. I stopped for a coffee in one and it looked like a movie set. Just being able to see France like this makes the cycle worth it.

This was the hardest day, with the weather doing all it possibly could to dampen our spirits.
But it did not defeat us, all this hard work and fundraising could not stop me from giving up. As the miles slowly increased, we arrived at Evreux in time for a traditional French meal and a well deserved nights sleep.

Day Three

The final day rolled around, and this time, the 5.30am start was taking its toll on me. However, as soon as we started cycling again, the adrenaline kicked in and the thought of arriving in Paris at the end of the day motivated me to keep going.

After 74 miles, we reached the outskirts of Paris, and together as a team, we cycled through the (rainy) Parisian streets. Thanks to the Euro 2016 football being on, and with France playing that evening, the French morale was high, and this only encouraged us to make it to the Trocadero.

This had to be the best feeling in the world. Seeing the Eiffel Tower in front of you, having cycled there from London, was a euphoric moment. It just proves that no matter what you set your mind to doing, you can achieve it! I have surprised not only my friends and family, but also myself on what I am capable of achieving. This trip was so surreal and I encourage anyone who gets given the opportunity to do something like this to grab it with both hands.

Of course, the most important aspect about this trip was that it was raising money for Breast Cancer Now. Collectively, we raised over £270,000 for the charity, with myself contributing over £1000 to it.

I am so thankful for the generosity of the general public, who helped me to do something so special for the charity and to help save lives in the future. If you still want to donate, then you can at:

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Charlotte-Davis20

On a final note, I would just like to say the biggest thank you to anyone who supported me and donated to this worthy cause. It has really surprised me that although there is so much pain and hatred in this world, love and unity will always conquer.

Thank you for reading this post,

Love,

Charlotte

Trek America Wish List

With the evenings getting lighter and the temperature slowly creeping up, I can't help but get excited for summer.

I'm not going to America till September, but I still am getting prepared by drawing up to-do lists of what I want to buy.

I thought I would compile a wish list for the USA, which is taking inspiration from other peoples travels. Hopefully I will have the money and I can treat myself to these things to take with me on my travels.

1. Go Pro

This is every travellers dream camera, which can be used underwater and films the most amazing videos to cherish those memories forever. It does come with a hefty price tag, with a typical Go Pro costing around £94 for the cheapest model. Cheaper versions are available which I may have to resort to if I can't save the money, but this is the perfect camera to film those amazing moments, such as the helicopter ride I will be taking over the Grand Canyon, or travelling across the Golden Gate bridge in San Fransisco. This is my must have item.

2. Bum Bag

This is what I've grown up calling them but essentially its a fanny pack. I've found some funky ones with cool patterns on, and this will be perfect for walking around the cities. It holds just enough for the essentials, like money, phone and camera, and keeps it safe in front of you. Check out this cute one I found on amazon!

3. Backpack

Essential for hiking in Yosemite or for a day around Disneyland. I use backpacks when I need to carry more than the basics, such as water and a rain mac. It's so much better than a one shoulder bag and helps with the backache as well. You can also make it look fashionable, with most high street stores like Topshop, New Look etc. offering cool bags that will suit all types of outfits.

4. Iphone Charger

My phone contract needs upgrading soon, so I will be resorting back to the iPhone. The reason I ditched an iPhone last time was the disappointing battery life, but after having a Sony, it's made me miss it and this time I will prepare myself with a portable charger. This means I can charge it whilst on the go and still the able to use it for connecting with friends/family and taking pictures. I'm going for the Anker Astro E4 for around £20, but there are loads on the market for a range of prices.

5. Ray Bans

A must for traveling around sunny California with. I've never invested in a real pair, I actually opt for the fake ones. As I will be visiting Turkey this year, I will no doubt be utilising my bargaining skills to buy a new pair at the markets. That way I don't mind if they get ruined or broken.

6. Nike Air Max Trainers

Perfect for walking around and seeing the city sights, plus they can make an outfit casual and comfortable. Although they are pricey at £90, these will last a long time and can be used for exercise, worn with jeans or to dress down a going out outfit. They are also available in loads of varieties and colours, meaning I can wear them with pretty much any outfit. The classic white are my favourite and I can just picture myself wearing these with denim shorts in the American heat!

A Peep Down the Rabbit Hole...

A weekend in London would not be complete without visiting somewhere I hadn't been before, and this time it was the turn of the British Library.

Nestled around the corner of St Pancras station, and right next to that hotel where the Spice Girls filmed there 'Wannabe' video (just so you know), this building takes pride in the rich historical legacies it holds.

Recognise these steps?

It was also the perfect place to host the latest exhibition about Alice in Wonderland.

The small Alice-inspired display is perfect for somewhere to pop into briefly without taking up too much of your time, and educational in the sense that you can learn about Lewis Carroll and the evolution of Alice in Wonderland, and how it has been shaped by illustrations throughout the decades.

You will be able to view the original manuscript, as well as take in some Alice memorabilia.

The exhibition is small, but it's a great opportunity to visit the British Library and take in the extensive sources of literature. There is also a pop up shop to accompany the display which sells really unique souvenirs, from copies of the book to apple crumble smelling candles and small bottles of wine with 'Drink Me' labels on.

I personally wanted to buy something unique as it is a pop up shop so the souvenirs are only available for a limited amount of time. I came across this cute trinket box that looked like a macaroon, and with my love of baking, I thought it was perfect for me and I could store jewellery in it at the same time.

Of course a trip to London would not be complete without trying out a new restaurant as well, and so we took the tube to Warren Street and walked to Charlotte Street (best name in the world) and explored the vast array of restaurants there.

You can get anything you want from Hawaiian, Italian, Vietnamese and loads more. Seriously, this is a whole street lined with food from all over the world.
Eventually we settled on a cool looking pizza place called Icco, where they do amazing Italian style pizzas. My advice would be to avoid rush hour if you want to get a seat, or alternatively takeaway one of the many pizza choices. But do check out this cool, inexpensive restaurant if you are around that area.

There's always room for dessert as well as after taking a long stroll for Goodge Street to Camden via Regent's Park, we managed to find a cute little cafe called Camden Coffee House tucked away down a side street for a nice cup of tea and a indulgent triple chocolate cookie after a day well spent in London.

2015 in Pictures

To build on my previous post, I thought it would be nice to summarise my year in pictures I have taken.

Here are my top pictures of 2015:

Starting off January with one of the best emails ever!

Driving in snow!

Enjoying a bright slushy with a view like that in Barcelona

Exploring the streets of Barcelona where the Cheetah Girls 2 was filmed- Life = made.

Witnessing a beautiful sky like this in the UK

Baking the perfect batch of Hot Cross Buns for Easter

Taking one last photo before the dip dye was chopped off

Buying this sweater, which pretty much summed me up

Saying goodbye to revision notes and year two university exams was such a relief

Taking silly photos with Charlotte on our way to Birmingham

Blowing out the candles of my Birthday and Leaving cupcakes, of course whilst wearing Minnie ears!

Landing in New York to see this this!

Getting to Times Square early because of jet lag and taking this picture!

Arriving in Hilton Head Island and seeing this view whilst cycling across this bridge everyday

Trying my first Mickey waffle

Receiving the badge of honour!

Getting up at 6am to see this everyday before work

Going to the beach whenever I wanted

Slicing my finger on a tomato slicer and having to get stitches 

Trying my first Chick-fil-a

Doing a ghost tour of Savannah in a hearse

Walking down Main Street and seeing this for the first time in over 5 years

Being inspired by Wishes for the first time ever

Witnessing another beautiful sunset

Seeing a shark in the ocean!

Exploring the beauty of Charleston

Another beautiful sunset

Feeling lucky to be able to have spent 3 months on this beautiful island

Taking a selfie of my last ever shift at work

Getting my first tattoo

Saying goodbye to this view

Fro-yo!

My welcome home!

Finding this photo from an asda shop which I had accidentally taken

Watching One Direction before they take a break

Seeing the natural beauty from many walks

Falling in love with London

Getting festive

Watching christmas carrolers 

Whilst sipping on a festive drink

Going back to Disneyland Paris after ages and being blown away by the Christmas lights

Seeing this view!

Baking Mince Pies which were delicious

And there we are. As another year draws to a close, take a look back on your pictures from the year and you can see just how much you have achieved. Memories are precious, so taking photos are a great way of preserving them.

I wish you all a happy new year full of health and prosperity!

x