Travel Snapshots

Columbia Road Flower Markets, London

Columbia Road began in the 1200s as a pathway which lead sheep to the abbatoir. On a sunny Sunday morning my friend Karla and I disappeared down the gauntlet that is now the lively Columbia Road Flower Market.

Cockney calls of "FIVE ROSES FOR A FIVER!" made me think of Oliver Twist. As we moved along with the bustling crowd snapping up their blooms from friendly vendors, my eyes feasted on flowers of every shape, size and colour - most I had never seen before.

Some store holders have been selling their flowers and herbs for over 40 years, passing on skills from father to son. 

The best way to score a bargain is to visit just before closing time.

Red Light District, Amsterdam

My girlfriends and I spent a night wandering the red light district of Amsterdam sneaking peeks at the 'girls in the windows'. It's expensive to hire window space so naturally, they're keen for business. They have a room behind their window where the deed is done.

Women of all shapes and sizes gyrate in dim red-lit windows beckoning men as they 'window shop'. There's a lady for every preference. Blonde, brunette, busty, bootylicious, white, dark, Asian, Russian. It's like a collection of real-life dolls in lingerie.

We watched men approaching the windows to negotiate. Some men were on stag dos, others travelling alone. One group of men drew straws and giggled as they sent a mate towards a window with a pat on the back. 

We found ourselves being talked into the Moulin Rouge to watch a Live Sex Show. By the time we'd sunk our five free vodkas, it was time for the big finale. A man (or was it Fabio) and a nonchalant women left their boots and high heels on, ticking off every position on a seedy rotating stage.

After the show, we retreated back to our guesthouse and decided to get into the spirit. This is my gorgeous friend posing in our hotel window. She could have made a lot of cash had she been legit!

Positano, Italy

There are some places that seduce you instantly. The Amalfi Coast is one of them. After catching two trains from Rome to Sorrento via Naples (sharing a carriage with a feisty Napoli family), my sister and I were finally relaxing on the ferry. As we cruised past luxurious seaside towns, we knew we were about to set foot somewhere spectacular.

We arrived at the Positano wharf and cast our eyes up over the pastel-coloured terraces. Well dressed men and women dripping with style sauntered past as shiny Italian cars hugged the mountain bends and disappeared from view. With gelato shops dotted on every corner, love at first sight was affirmed. 

We took the shortcut of 500 steps straight up to our guest lodge. By the time we reached the top, our aching bodies were covered in sweat and we were thinking we should have listened to the local who urged us to catch the bus instead ("You are crazy ladies!"). A happy Italian man in his mid 60s named Carlo warmly welcomed us. "Bonjourno bellas, you must be sisters!"

We were feeling a nervous about choosing a budget guesthouse in a notoriously expensive location, but as we stepped onto the balcony with white lacey curtains dancing in the sea breeze, our doubts were gone. Before our eyes lay the azure Mediterranean sea in all her glory. Yachts and speedboats cruised by in the distance and below us beach-goers sunbathed and swam in the sparkling water.

When I think back of our balmy Positano nights, my favourite memory is grabbing a margarita pizza and prosecco and taking it back to our little balcony. We feasted on the flavours and sights of Positano, savouring every delicious morsel of our time together in Italy.

Amazon Jungle, Ecuador

"They're actually kind of cute!" was the first thing I said laying eyes on my first tarantula. Staring up his huge hairy body, I could could count each of his eyelashes.

Still, I was't taking any chances. Spending three nights in the Amazon jungle sleeping in palm thatched huts, I tucked my mosquito net under my mattress every night to avoid a spidery invasion.

The jungle at night was like a noisy soundtrack. Birds, animals, frogs and bugs created a symphony while howler monkeys called out to each other in the distance.

Our time with the indigenous Ricancie community was incredible. Early the next day we set off on a jungle walk with a local guide and heard stories about trees that had had kidnapped naughty children. We spotted thorny colourful bugs and huge stick-like creatures. We tried giant widgety grubs and nervously swam in the Amazon freaking out about candiru fish that can apparently swim up your urethra!

The next day we rode canoes down the river bumping over a few rapids and passing children playing in the water. We arrived at a little village and joined in a game of football. Naturally, we got flogged 100-0.

Back at our lodge, the owner of our camp showed us how to blow darts. To make the arrows poisonous for hunting, they use toxic secretions a colourful small native frog. After a having a few goes and shooting everything but the target, we decided to leave it to the experts. 

My favourite part of our stay was the party on the last night. The village locals were curious about their guests. We each stood up in front of our hosts and said our intorductions Spanish: "Hi, my name is Emma. I am 26. I am from Australia and I am not married." The thought of stuffing up was rather daunting but interested faces smiled and nodded while the kids giggled at our terrible Spanglish.

After the introductions were complete, we danced with the locals and the kids into the night to the sound of the drums.