THE FORMULA FOR GETTING A GOOD NIGHT SLEEP.

Tuesday, 29 October 2019

[Disclaimer: This is a collaborative post but all words and opinions are still mine and honest]

Do you know what keeps me up at night? trying to remember everything I have to do tomorrow. The sudden motivation to write a blog post at 1:30am. Remembering that I forgot to reply to an email. Putting my phone to charge and then reaching over to look at it to see if that boy who hasn't replied to me for 6 hours has finally sent a message.

Apart from the latter, these are all things that I can control when it comes to getting a better night's sleep. It's definitely something I've been working on and I never thought I'd become a morning person (my mum and housemates at uni can confirm that), but recently I've found myself naturally waking up at 6am. These are a couple of things we can tweak to ensure we're getting a good night's sleep.

1. Write it all down before you go to bed.

This doesn't mean you have to go out and buy a diary and lock and write about your feelings everyday (but that's totally ok too), but just making a list of everything that's currently on your mind will clear the clutter in your brain. A survey by beds.net found that '73% of Brits are being kept awake by stress' and it's no surprise why! My generation especially loves this idea of being 'busy' all the time but there's only so much your brain and body can handle. If at the end of the day you haven't done everything you wanted to do, chances are you'll lie in bed thinking about it all. So the best thing to do is get a pen and paper, or make a note on your phone of everything you need to get done in the week or to worry about tomorrow.

2. Stop drinking at least two hours before you go to sleep.

Getting 3 litres of water in a day is great, what's not so great is getting up to pee at 4 in the morning after you told yourself at 10pm you didn't need to go that bad because you were too comfy in bed. Try and get most of your water intake earlier in the day, and then maybe switch to a cup of tea at night because you won't be able to drink that as quickly.

3. Put your phone on silent/do not disturb when you're winding down.

I know every article out there on sleep tells you to get off your phone an hour before you're going to sleep, but I enjoy having a scroll and laugh through twitter before bed and hey, sometimes it can be educational. Instead I make sure that once I'm going to sleep I put my phone on silent and put it facing down so even if I'm facing it the light of a notification doesn't tempt me to look.

4. Buy an eye mask

I think part of the reason why I'm naturally waking up at 6am is because even with the blinds down I still get sunlight coming into my room, and I've lost my eye mask. If you're someone who's easily woken up by light or needs to sleep in complete darkness then get your hands on one!

5. Don't snooze.

For the longest time, I'd always set two alarms in the morning. One for the time I actually had to get up, and one 30 minutes earlier to give me a heads up that I only had 30 minutes left to sleep. I thought this was a good idea at the time but found that if I fell back into a deep sleep again it only made it harder to get up. Now I only set one alarm and as soon as it goes off I don't even think about anything, I just get up and get ready.

What tends to keep you up at night?

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MY QUICK NIGHT TIME SKINCARE ROUTINE (FOR LAZY GIRLS).

Wednesday, 23 October 2019

[Disclaimer: this blog post is written in collaboration with Beds.net but all words and thoughts are my own. This post also contains items that had been gifted for a previous review.]

Ever since I moved to Australia back in March, I've had more of an interest in skincare products and have enjoyed trying different brands. Probably because firstly, when my skin breaks out from using new products I don't have to see tons of people I know on a daily basis like back home, and secondly because I'm wearing less make-up here so I don't have foundation clogging up my pores. That being said I still don't have a very complicated skincare routine. These are some of my favourite skincare products that I like to use before bed.

Cleanser - Sukin Purifying Balancing Cleanser

This has probably been my favourite and most used brand in Australia. All their products are natural, Australian made and don't come with the hefty price tag. My skin is a mix of combintation and oily and this helps remove excess oils and leaves my skin feeling really fresh. I also find it aesthetically pleasing that the gel is black because it contains bamboo charcoal.

Toner - Sukin Oil Balancing Clarifying Facial Tonic

Admittedly, I had gone a couple of months without using a toner. Now that the temperature has heated up here there's nothing better than wiping your face with this at the end of the day after I've been at the gym, walking around in the sun and sweating. This product contains Willowherb with has anti-inflammatory properties and helps eliminate impurities.

Moisturiser - Sukin Sensitive Facial Moisturiser

Ok I'm obsessed with this - the cream smells like japonesas (custard donuts). The cream is fast absorbing and contains rosehip, seseme and joboba oils. It does what it's meant to do, moisturise the skin!

Face Scrub - Alya Skin Pomegranate Exfoliating Scrub (Gifted)

I use this product twice a week - Wednesdays and Sundays usually. I might like it that extra bit more because the packaging and the cream is pink too. It smells delicious, pomegranate is my favourite fruit so if I could use this everyday I would. It's not too harsh on the skin and it leaves your face with a nice fresh glow after use.

Eye Cream - Nakin Eye Cream Complex (Gifted)

This eye cream is weightless and spreads on very finely. At my age (25) I have to start looking out for those signs of ageing so I have implemented using an eye cream at night time!

Lip Balm - Nakin Lip Treatment Balm (Gifted)

My lips are always dry AF at night because 99% of the time I'm wearing lipstick during the day, so this adds the moisture right back in and doesn't leave a sticky finish

Light Therapy - Dermatec Personal LED (Gifted)

I won't go into too much detail here as I have written a separate blogpost all about the Dermatec Personal LED and the benefits of light therapy. The great thing about this product is that you don't need to stand in front of the bathroom mirror whilst using it, you can just move it around your face whilst you're lying in bed watching Netflix or reading a book.

What are your favourite skincare products to use before bed?

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MY ADVICE FOR TAKING CARE OF YOUR (COLOURED) HAIR.

Friday, 18 October 2019

[Disclaimer: this is a collaborative post but all words and thoughts are my own]

I remember the first time I dyed my hair I was 15 - Cheryl Cole had just debuted her red hair on X-Factor and suddenly every hair dye brand in Morrisons was stocking red hairdye. Obviously, I begged my mum to please let me dye it and that it was ok because it wasn't 'permanent'. She gave me the usual talk that 'my natural hair was lovely' and 'you'll get grey hairs sooner and you will have to keep dying it now'. In the end, we walked out of Morrisons with two boxes of L'Oreal Casting Creme in Mahogany and like always, mum was right. After 10 years of dying my hair 50 shades of red (and black, and pink ombre, and a failed attempt of going blonde) I finally booked into a hair salon, stripped my hair dye and finally jumped onto the balayage trend. If you're someone who colours your hair often, this is my advice for making sure it stays looking bright, healthy and glossy!

1. Use products for coloured hair.

I'm going to start this list with a *duh*. I've been using XXXX for ages and it does the job and its inexpensive. Now that my hair is lighter I've obviously had to switch to the holy grail for blonde hair, Pro-Voke Touch of Silver. It's also pretty good to stick to the same brand for both your shampoo and conditioner, as it will have a similar formulation and will target specific hair concerns.

2. Limit the use of hot appliances.

I think the last time I straightened my hair was two years ago, I wish I had the energy and patience to curl my hair everyday but alas, I don't. Your hair probably looks a lot nicer natural than you think it does, it just might take some getting used to!

3. Try and wash your hair only once or twice a week.

I know people who wash their hair everyday and I just think, how do you have the energy? I know some people get greasier hair than others, especially if your hair is finer. Washing your hair too often will remove healthy oils and can leave your hair looking more dry and damaged, and it's just so much effort.

4. Use a detangling hairbrush.

Just the thought of brushing my hair with a tooth comb sounds painful, my hair used to get so knotty but having short hair has definitely helped a lot (admittedly I don't brush my hair very often). A detangling brush isn't as harsh on your hair and will help prevent split ends.

5. Choose satin pillow covers.

Not only will you feel like Princess Jasmine, and make your bed look even more aesthetically pleasing. But you'll also help smooth frizzy hair and minimise static. You can get some inexpensive ones on amazon.

6. Book into a hair salon.

I think I've had a fringe (or a variation of one) pretty much all my life. I've become so attached to it that it's rare that I let anyone cut it for me. That being said, I try to visit a salon at least once a year to cut my split ends. I know letting someone else touch your hair can be a scary thing, so just make sure you do your research on the best salons in the area and read the reviews! I've collaborated with a top hairdresser in Manchester on this post so if you're in the North of England make sure you check them out!

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SKINCARE SUNDAY | MY THOUGHTS ON DERMATEC SKINCARE'S PERSONAL LED.

Sunday, 13 October 2019

[Disclaimer: This post contains a gifted product but all words and opinions are still mine and honest]

I was only introduced to the world of LED light therapy two months ago, when I went for a treatment at The Loft Beauty. I'd also been exposed to the red light therapy when I went to a thermal spa in Bucharest where there was an area to lay on hammocks that had the red light shining on you from above. I had no idea the benefits of it back then and just remember lying there thinking 'I don't know what this is doing, but it's making me feel very calm and sleepy.'

When I came across Dermatec's Personal LED product on Instagram I was very intrigued. I thought this is perfect, I don't even have to get out of bed to use this! I'm always a bit skeptical of 'at home' devices. After doing a bit of research on the product and the reviews it had received, I saw it was working for a lot of people. So when Dermatec kindly sent me an LED personal device for me to try and see the benefits for myself, I very quickly made this product part of my night time routine! I've detailed a bit more about the product below, what LED light therapy is, and of course what I made of the product.

How does a LED Light Therapy device work?

A personal LED is a photodynamic therapy device that harnesses light energy to improve the skin. The blue (417nm) and red (633nm) lights target specific skin concerns such as reducing the appearance of wrinkles, collagen renewal, acne clearance, rosacea and even mild psoriasis.

The light energy stimulates your skin cells to repair and rejuvenate themselves. Whilst using the device you only feel a light sense of heat hitting your skin but it's not uncomfortable or painful at all, but rather quite relaxing.

How I use the Personal LED

I find the best time for me to use this is before bed, after I've cleansed my skin, showered and changed into my PJs. You simply click a button to switch it on, and then select the duration you want the light on for (1min, 3 mins or 5 mins). You also get a pair of black eye goggles as the blue light can be damaging if you look directly into it for an excessive amount of time. I usually use it around my chin and neck area whilst reading a book (it doubles as a great reading light haha!). Then when I move onto the areas closer to my eyes I put the goggles on and put on a podcast or listen to Lana Del Rey or something to get me ready to sleep.

My thoughts on the Personal LED

Admittedly at first, I thought 'how is a light hitting my face going to actually change anything on my skin?'. I think when you're having a treatment done that doesn't involve product to skin contact it's always easy to be a bit skeptical. It took a while for me to get into the routine of using it daily as I kept using the excuse of 'not having time' or forgetting to charge it. But with everything, it's all about creating a new habit and sticking to it. So now I charge the device every night after I use it the same way as I put my phone to charge, and make time for using it the same way as I cleanse my face every night.

I've been using the device for a month now and I think the biggest improvement I've seen is a reduction in redness on my face. I feel like I have more of a bright and clear complexion. Your 20s are all about prevention - so I'm hoping this device will delay those wrinkles and lines we all have to deal with as we age! In terms of spots, I have a few in my chin area that I get due to hormones and I haven't really seen a change in that.

The verdict

The product retails at $349 (AUD) and comes with a 1 year warranty and 60 day money back guarantee. Considering a session of LED at a salon can cost you upwards of $70 (AUD), it really is a good investment. I'd say if you had really bad acne or don't get any beauty treatments done then this probably isn't the product for you. Otherwise, I think it's a great product for daily use and it's so portable that you can do it pretty much anywhere - so it also makes for a great travel accessory (and you don't have to use up your liquid allowance for it!). I'm going to continue using it and at the end of the year I will probably post an update on my Instagram stories - so make sure you're following me at Tea With Gi!

Have you ever tried LED light therapy?

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MY THOUGHTS ON THE MODERN WORLD OF ONLINE DATING.

Thursday, 10 October 2019

[Disclaimer: this post is written in collaboration with Urban Social Dating but all words and thoughts are my own]

Before Tinder, it wasn't really acceptable to say you had met your significant other online was it? I remember being 16 and having more of a thing for English boys (have to thank One Direction for that) so I signed up for this website called snog marry avoid, which was just as brutal as it sounds. You would snog, marry or avoid other teenagers based on their photos and profile (I'd even go as far as to say Tinder probably isn't as harsh). As superficial as it sounds, I actually met up with two boys from that website after speaking for ages, and 9 years later I'm still in contact with them! I remember telling my friends I had met them on holiday as I was too embarrassed to say I'd met them online.

Fast forward to now, and I think around 40% of relationships start online and nobody bats an eyelid when you mention to people that you met your S/O on Tinder, Bumble, Hinge, Twitter or on a video game chat room.

Funnily enough nowadays I rely less on dating apps and prefer making connections in person. But apart from a guy who ran up to me in the cinema a couple of weeks ago to ask for my number, it seems meeting people the old fashioned way isn't as easy anymore. I think a lot of it (online and offline) has to do with location.

For example, back home in Gibraltar there's no way I'd use swipe right on someone I knew and then have that possibility of bumping into them in town later that day, awkward. Whereas in bigger cities like London and Sydney, I think the chances of meeting someone you have a connection with both in person and online is higher as there is more, variety per say and things to do.

There's also definitely a difference in the types of men across different dating websites. Tinder is usually where you'll get bombarded with messages asking 'what you doing now?' at 1am whereas Bumble only lets ladies make the first move, so there'll be no unsolicited messages there. Whereas a dating website like UrbanSocial is aimed more at people in their late 20s and older, who are actually looking for a serious relationship and not just there to mess about.

At 25 and having been single for several years, what I don't want to do now is waste my time. Which is why I deleted Tinder, as I hate small talk and most conversations always end up being dead ends. Even if I did meet someone online, I'd much rather speak for a day then arrange to meet for a coffee the next. I think the longer you wait to meet someone in person the more awkward the situation can get.

What has your experience been with online dating?

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5 HIGH PROTEIN SMOOTHIES TO TRY THIS WEEK.

Monday, 7 October 2019

As an avid gym goer, protein shakes are one of the 'supplements' I take daily to help with my recovery and to get those lean gainz. There are people who simply enjoy downing protein powder mixed with water straight after the gym and that's that. I am not that organised and I like to spice mine up a bit. Here are five smoothie recipes that contain more than 20g of protein that I have on a regular basis.

1. Chocolate & Strawberry Smoothie

I'm a big chocaholic, and back home I always find myself ordering the Cupid Kiss smoothie from Joost. For this smoothie I used Inca Organics' Raw Cacao Protein Powder* that only use 3 ingredients in their product. Organic whey protein, fair trade cacao powder and stevia. You can taste the good quality and you don't get any of that 'powdery protein' taste that you find with some cheaper protein powders. The fact that it includes cacao powder means I don't have to reach for the drinking chocolate powder which of course, is slightly heavier in calories.

chocolate and strawberry protein smoothie

2. Blueberry Oats Smoothie

This one is rather filling, so if like me you prefer a more refreshing breakfast in the hotter months this one is perfect. Here I used Ultimately Natural's Cinnamon Banana* protein blend. I can easily drink this with just half a banana thrown into it for thickness, because it actually tastes like you're drinking a smoothie and not just a protein shake. Again it just has a handful of ingredients - whey protein, banana, agave, manuka honey, cinnamon and stevia - so all the good stuff! If you prefer a hot breakfast, you could also mix a scoop of this into your porridge.

3. Green Smoothie

I don't actually make green smoothies very often, but I eat a **** load of spinach anyway so I'm excused! I tried this one out and was pleasantly surprised by the taste, and the fact that it didn't taste like green veg at all.

4. Mocha Protein Shake

I've been having this a lot lately because coffee doesn't appeal to me much on hot days (unless we're talking about iced coffee). But I still need that little boost of energy so this is the perfect way to get it whilst also getting a good amount of protein in. Think of it as a healthier frappuccino!

5. Chocolate Avocado Protein Pudding

I know what you're thinking, avocado in a smoothie? I actually find it makes the texture a lot nicer and creamier than bananas do, so it's a great alternative if you're following a keto diet or just don't like bananas all that much. I used to ask for this custom smoothie all the time (more milk/water so it wasn't a pudding) and for some reason it tasted like a chocolate doughnut, so I wasn't complaining.

What are some of your favourite smoothie recipes? Which one of these do you think you'd enjoy most?

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* This post contains gifted items but all words and opinions are my own.

MY ADVICE FOR CUTTING COSTS WHEN TRAVELLING.

Friday, 20 September 2019

How many times have you said to yourself or a friend about someone on social media 'omg they're always on holiday! Sometimes it might just be down to them having a lot of disposable income or rich parents who pay for everything, but travelling frequently can actually be cheaper than you think. Most of my money definitely goes on trips (or eating out), and at the moment I'm currently saving for a 10 week trip through Asia. Here are some of the ways I'm cutting costs when planning my trip, and my advice on minimising costs when you're actually out there.

1. Use price comparison websites

I don't think I've booked any flights or accommodation anywhere other than through Skyscanner or Booking.com in the last few years. I've even earned 'Frequent Traveller/Genuis' status through booking which gets me 15% off some hotels, for using them so many times! The great thing about Skyscanner is you can also set up price alerts so you'll be emailed when there has been a change in the fare price.

2. Book at least three months in advance.

Or if you're anything like me, you'll have your hotels booked (free cancellation of course) a year in advance! If you're planning on travelling in peak season or around holidays, then it's probably best to book even earlier. The app Hopper lets you know when the best time to book your flight for a destination is, and whether you should wait or go ahead and book. Apparently Thursdays are now the cheapest day of the week to book too, whilst weekends being the worst.

3. Create a budget and stick to it.

Part of the fun of planning a trip for me is creating spreadsheets and itineraries (lame I know). But it makes things a lot easier if you know how much exactly you need to save for your trip, for fixed items (flights/hotels) and for activities and spending. For each city I'm visiting I'll make a list of things I have to pay for in advance, and then divide the rest of my allocated 'trip' money between activities and eating out.

4. Use cash.

It's so easy to overspend when you're just tapping your card left, right and centre. When you're actually physically holding money and spending it you'll become more accountable and be wiser with it as you can actually see how much you have left. It will also save you money to change all your currency at once, instead of constantly withdrawing from an ATM.

5. Choose overnight transport.

For my east coast Australia trip at the end of the year, I've got 2 overnight coach trips which means I won't have to pay for hotel stays that night. Especially if you're in beach locations, even if your flight isn't until 8pm you can check out that morning, leave your bag in storage at the hotel and just go lounge at the beach instead of paying for another nights stay.

6. Ask yourself what you actually want to spend your money on.

The first thing most of us do when travelling to a new city, is research the tourist spots and sight seeing attractions. One mistake we often make is visiting spots just because 'it's what you do there' even if you haven't got the slightest bit of interest in museums, gardens or the Opera. If you're a foodie and eating out twice a day is what you look forward to, then allocate your spending to that. If you love photographing 100 types of flora and fauna, then definitely go to Singapore or Fiji.

7. Consider a short-term loan.

If there's a trip you really want to take (friends wedding? hen party?) and aren't currently in debt as it stands, then asking for a loan could be an option. CashLady.com offers short-term loans and their services are completely free to use. You can choose anything from £100 to £1000 and can pay it back over 12 months, so it really is quite manageable.

8. Don't splurge everyday!

Admittedly I still haven't got very good at this myself. It's so easy to say to yourself being you go away - 'ok I'm going to pack my snacks for the plane, only eat out once a day and walk everywhere instead of getting taxis'. Next thing you know I'm sat in Starbucks at Gatwick Airport with a white chocolate frappucino and a bag of Maltesers. Obviously you're on holiday to have fun and spend a little more than you would back home, but be smart about it. Don't order dessert every night at dinner, share starters, use a refillable bottle of water, and so on!

What are some of your money saving tips for travelling?

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* This is a collaborative post but all words and opinions are my own.

HOLY GRAIL BEAUTY PRODUCTS FOR SURVIVING LONG-HAUL TRIPS.

Tuesday, 17 September 2019

Over the past couple of years I've got pretty good at only taking the essentials on my trips. Most of my Europe breaks are now hand luggage only so minimising the amount of beauty products to a little ziplock bag has taken some work (yet you can bet there'll still be around 5 lipsticks in there). When you're flying for an extended period of time there are a couple of things that are useful to keep on board with you, because as we all know that that cabin air does not do wonders for your skin. Whether you're flying or taking a long coach trip, these are some of my favourite products to keep handy when travelling.

1. Eye Mask

A couple of years ago, I would have been too embarrassed to be sat in a plane full of people with an eye mask in case I looked like Sharpay from High School Musical. When I started travelling longer distances I went to the other extreme and pulled a 'f*ck off' eye mask over my eyes (it was a gift) and I haven't looked back since. This way if the person next to you decides they want to keep the window open or their light on at night to read a book, you can still try and sleep for some of it.

Image Source

2. Nakin Eye Cream Complex [Gifted]

Before you go and pop your eye mask on, make sure to apply this and you'll arrive at your destination looking like you've had a nights sleep at Premier Inn. This product is weightless so won't take up much space in your luggage, and has natural anti-ageing ingredients. It helps reduce the appearance of fine lines, puffyness and dark circles. I've found this product to be quite hydrating and just a dot of the cream can cover your eye area and more.

3. Nakin Lip Treatment Balm [Gifted]

I can't believe I'm saying this, but I've found a lip balm that I'm now more loyal to that Vaseline (I finally had enough of those hard to open tins). It's an anti-ageing product to help with lines around the lips, but honestly I'm just loving the glossy and plump look it gives my lips. There's barely a day that goes by where I don't wear lipstick but this actually makes it look like you've got something on. It's made with shea, mint, argan and baobab oil and I love the ever so slight tingly effect it has.

4. This Works In Transit No Traces Cleansing Pads

How good does it feel to wash your face after a long trip? My skin is on the oilier side so these pads are great for removing excess oil and brightening my complexion. Or for when removing make-up when the plane has boarded and your potential future husband hasn't sat next to you.

Image Source

5. Verso Deep Hydrating Mask [Gifted]

This feels so good on. I wouldn't recommend putting it on whilst you're flying as you'll scare the cabin (I was laughing for a good 5 minutes because I looked like squid ward). These masks provide 120 hours of moisture so they're perfect to use the night before your trip. They provide a good cooling effect and you can feel the hyaluronic acid working. The grapefruit extract helps to encourage collagen production and helps give your skin a healthy complexion.

6. The Body Shop Rose Dewy Glow Facial Spray

I first picked this up whilst on holiday in Malta when we were dying in Valletta in the 40 degree heat. I've never used a lot of spray on beauty products before because I flinch a ton before actually getting the product on my face. That being said this product has been a life saver for refreshing my skin.

7. Dermatec Personal Light Therapy Device [Gifted]

I was only introduced to Light Therapy last month when I had a treatment done at The Loft Beauty. It's hard to believe shining a red/blue light on your face can have real results hey? But the reviews and benefits of light therapy has been great. In a nutshell, the red light can help reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles, calm rosacea, calm inflammation and stimulates collagen production. Whilst the blue light kills acne bacteria and calms the skin. This device has a head that includes both light functions. I love how compact and easy to use it is, and what better way to use it than when you're passing the time on your flight whilst watching the in-flight movie?

8. A Water Bottle

Most of us (myself included) tend to drink lower amounts of water when flying, probably because we don't want to pay the extortionate airport prices for more than one bottle of water. The best thing to do is carry an aluminium water bottle with you and have a member of the cabin crew fill it up for you. Just try and make sure you're sat on the isle, or you'll be asking your neighbours to move a lot when you need to run to the toilet every hour.

Image Source

What beauty products do you take with you on your travels?

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GUEST POST | FOCUS AND DISCIPLINE: HOW LEARNING MARTIAL ARTS CAN BREAK BAD HABITS.

Monday, 16 September 2019

One way to deal with digital overload is to decompress and learn martial arts online.

Image Source

In our digital and hyper-connected era when many of us are glued to our gadgets and can't seem to put them down for a second, it can be hard to retain concentration and focus on what we're doing. For children, it can be particularly difficult, as parents battle to keep smartphones and tablets out of their little ones' hands so they can do their homework, get ready for school or go to sleep.

It's no wonder a growing number of people are putting aside their gadgets, at least for a while, and undergoing a mind-clearing digital detox. It's not always easy, however, especially with endless thoughts of what your friends are up to on social media and who might be messaging you right now with something you’ve just got to know.

Taking a breather from our attention-seeking devices can certainly be an exercise in refreshing and clearing the mind, and in doing so allow us to focus on things that really matter, whether at work, home or play. But how to go about it?

Martial Arts to the Rescue

It turns out that there's a lot we can do to kick our bad online and other habits, and learning something like the ancient sport of martial arts can go a long way towards instilling much-needed discipline in people of all ages, according to a leading kung fu practitioner and star of many Asian martial arts films.

"Practicing Chinese kung fu not only gives you the ability to learn the combat skills and techniques, but [it] also keeps you healthier physically and mentally," Bruce Leung Siu-lung, who displayed his martial arts prowess in Hong Kong films in the 1970s and 1980, said. The 71-year-old said that these days, many children are overindulged by their parents and addicted to their smartphones and other devices, and are so wrapped up in the online world that they often find it hard to cope when they go out into the real world.

"There are a lot of children who are spoiled by their parents and lack independence in real life, and there are some who struggle to face setbacks and even commit suicide," said the retired martial arts actor. "Chinese kung fu is more than just a set of skills and techniques. It is full of profound Chinese philosophy and core values, which focus on the spirit of love, kindness, tolerance, perseverance and strong will."

Learn Martial Arts Online

Due to the popularity of the many forms of self-defence and attack disciplines — which also include karate, judo, Jeet Kune Do, Tae Kwon Do, Muay Thai, jujitsu, sumo, kendo and others — it is now possible to learn martial arts online and find out everything you need to know so that you can become an expert, and way more disciplined in every aspect of your life.

One of the benefits of learning martial arts online is you can have a look at and study several before deciding which one is best suited to you. And whichever discipline you choose, you can be happy knowing that it will help you to develop a healthy lifestyle and positive outlook on life, as well as giving you lots of self-confidence.

You'll get in great shape while enjoying the many moves of martial arts and will most likely lose weight too. What you'll also get is an appreciation of everything around and a strong sense of stillness, awareness and focus — you'll see and hear things you might not have noticed when you were stuck to those digital devices that are no longer the centre of your universe.

* This is a guest post, but all content published on Tea With Gi is still kept relevant to this blog. *

A FIRST TIMER'S GUIDE TO THE FIJI ISLANDS.

Wednesday, 4 September 2019

Fiji is one of those places that I never thought I'd actually get round to visiting. It's just so far away from Europe and I don't think I could have justified spending £1000 on flights just to go relax on a beach. Luckily, me currently living in Australia means a birthday trip to Fiji only set me back $500 (flights and accommodation) and there are always a couple of ways to cut costs when travelling. I've met lots of Australians who take yearly trips here as it's only a short 3 hour flight away. If like me this will be your first time visiting the archipelago of more than 300 islands, here's my advice on where to stay, what to do and of course, where to eat!

NADI

When you're flying into Fiji you will most likely arrive at Nadi International Airport, which is a short 10 minute drive to the centre of Nadi and where you will find most of the hotels. I'd recommend staying in Nadi 2 nights and having that as your base for your excursions and tours.

Where to Stay

Budget - Bamboo Backpackers

We stayed here on our last night in Fiji and we were pleasantly surprised. We opted for a private bunk bed room with a shared bathroom (as we were getting up at 5am) but the hostel also offers shared dormitory rooms. The hostel is located right on the beach, and hosts kava ceremonies every evening. The hostels restaurant is backpacker price friendly and was probably one of the best meals I had in Fiji.

3 Star - Mercure Nadi

We started our trip off here and we were in a great location (Queens Road) where you'll find an abundance of restaurants and Fiji's best nightlife. The hotel features pools, hammocks and its own on site restaurant. I thought the piña colada toiletries in the bedrooms were a nice touch. What I wasn't a fan of was that the restaurant/bar didn't have a happy hour!!

Luxury - First Landing

I say luxury, but this resort was actually quite affordable. Our driver took us here for a quick look before we carried on with our tour as it's the location where the first man stood on the land. The resort has its own private beach, and a happy hour!!

What to Do

Garden of the Sleeping Giant

So we actually skipped this because ~~plants bore me~~ we planned to go on Sunday and the gardens actually close at 12pm then and we woke up too late. If you are a flora and fauna fan, then this garden features over 2000 types of orchids and plants. It gets its name because if you look at the area from far away, it looks like you guessed it, a sleeping giant.

Mud Pools

Next to the gardens you will find two mud pool areas you can visit. Sabeto being the newest establishment, and Tifajek being the original. Our driver took us to Tifajek as he told us it was slightly cheaper, and better in his opinion. You cover yourself with mud from head to toe, then move from pool to pool (hot to less hot) washing away the clay and then come out feeling like a goddess.

Have a boogie

We didn't plan on having a night out, but once our driver hyped us up about Ed's Bar we thought, yolo it's my birthday weekend. This place is popular with locals and tourists alike, although the place didn't start getting busy until 12pm, so you should go have a few drinks at The Bounty Bar first.

Visit a Fijian Village (and go chasing waterfalls)

This was probably my favourite part of the trip. We booked a tour through Viator with Discover Fiji Tours that included a visit to a Fijian village, swimming in a waterfall and river rafting. We were picked up in a small coach at 6am and it took 3 hours to reach our destination (don't worry you get a toilet break!). We first took a boat ride to the waterfalls where some of the more adventurous members of the group jumped about (I wasn't feeling as brave as when I was canyoneering in the Philippines). We then head back through a raft and our guide explained to us this is how their ancestors used to travel along the river.

After we head to the village and our guide was incredible - him and the people from the village made us feel so welcome, and he was really funny. We were treated to a kava ceremony, danced with them, had the children of the village sing a few songs for us and best of all, had an amazing typical Fijian buffet lunch prepared for us. My vegan friend was very excited that the vegetarian dishes weren't just salad.

Where to Eat

Masala Twist

We head here on our first night as it was just opposite our hotel. The restaurant serves a variety of indian and thai dishes. I opted for two side dishes - tandoori chicken and palak paneer. We also shared nan bread with a variety of dips (although we didn't rate any of the dips sadly).

Tu's Place

This was definitely one of those cases where my eyes were bigger than my appetite. This place serves traditional Fijian dishes at affordable prices. It looked popular and there was only around 10 tables, so make sure you get there early! I tried the creamy moca soup (local spinach soup flavoured with paprika) and the kokoda starter (marinated fish in light coconut milk, similar to ceviche). I couldn't finish this, probably because we had a snack of cassava chips two hours earlier at our hotel. The starter kokoda size was also plenty!

Bounty Bar

Bounty serves a variety of seafood, grill and pasta. Prices are slightly higher than normal for Fiji but it's what you would expect to pay for steaks etc. in western countries. Of course, I went for the bounty pineapple boat (chicken cubes with capsicums, mushrooms and pineapple in a white wine and cream sauce served in a pineapple).

Bulaccino Cafe

My google maps was acting up this morning, so what we thought was a 10 minute walk to the cafe ended up being a 25 minute walk in 30 degree heat. The viti bowls were worth it though. The cafe has plenty of vegan options and their cake selection looked delicious. I opted for a Votualevu bowl (Organic soursop, jackfruit, starfruit and bu).

MAMANUCA ISLANDS

In this group of islands, you will find the island where the movie Castaways was filmed. So it is appropiately called Castaway Island. A short 30 minute ferry ride from the Denarau port (20 minutes from Nadi town) you will find the tiny island of South Sea Island. A further 15 minutes takes you to the popular backpacker island Beachcomber, which is where I spent my birthday! Since that's the only island we got to visit, I'll go into a bit more detail about it here.