Running from London to Surrey Hills (Reigate Hill)
I had an idea of visiting Surrey Hills National Landscape two years ago, and planned to start from London on foot - running! The route has long been saved on my Strava app. However, the plan has never been fulfilled until this week……
Why do I study and sketch hotels and hotels?
Hotels and hostels are temporary accommodations when people are traveling. As the physical space involves humans, it can be studied in an academic way (e.g. psychology, sociology, archaeology and anthropology) while I learn by curiosity, observation and sketching.
Z Hotel in Bath — paying attention to details contribute to nice staying experience
During my trip to Bath in March this year (2025), I stayed in two hotels. Besides Travelodge on Sunday which had a very great price for SuperRoom, I also tried Z Hotel.
A visit to Crossness Pumping Station
I have longed for visiting this beautiful Victorian pumping station in Abbey Wood, east London, and it finally came true this summer.
Is Worthing worth visiting?
I didn't know Worthing until Travelodge website showed me. I have been there twice in March this year (2025), and believe I will come back.
The Rise and Fall of the Pier — Bognor Regis
During my trip to Bognor Regis in April this year, I visited their local museum and bought three small books. One of them is called The Rise and Fall of the Pier.
Where did I visit during these two weeks by bus and tram only in London?
In the previous article, I talked about my experience of going all-in bus and tram only in London, with less than £25 per week visiting various places. Here are my list of places I went to in the recent two weeks.
An experiment of going all-in bus and tram in London
As a person who live in zone 4, I challenged myself to go all-in bus and tram. How was the experience and can I live without railway (aka Underground, Overground and National Rail) in London? I will discuss it in terms of fare, challenges and benefits.
A visit to Croydon Airport
Croydon has had a very reputation for many people: a dangerous place in London when they heard the news. But in fact Croydon is more than that, especially when there was once an airport: Croydon Airport.
My second trip to Margate, and the first time to Broadstairs
I visited Margate in August last year for a day trip, and I knew it was a great place that I should revisit. This time I planned to stay overnight so that I could have more time to visit Broadstairs which is nearby as well!
The Secret app — the most meaningful and authentic travel guide created by doers and creators
I am pleased to become one of the doers/creators of The Secret App, which is composed of amazing people curating nice places in cities where they are based in.
Drawing the sky view of London in Horizon 22 again
There are a lot of viewing platforms in London, and some of them are free. Of them my favourite is Horizon 22 which is now the highest in the city. I made the second visit and sketched the same view again.
A flight without entertainment and internet
Don’t forget we have choice: don’t let technology replace offline lifestyle, and we can have both.
A trip to Portsmouth, Gosport and Bognor Regis
Under such the perfect weather in early April, I had a trip which was a little bit different because of visiting more than one place/town at once instead. I started from Portsmouth and ended in Bognor Regis.
Trips to Myanmar, 2016
I made my first Myanmar visit when I was visiting Chiang Rai, the border of Thailand in early 2016, realising that there were a 24-hour walk-in visa (I called it the "entrance fee" because no papers or documents were issued, and the border officials only took my photo with an iPad.) After a 2-hour walk in Tachileik, I had a rough idea of having another trip which came true in September the same year.
Chatsworth Hotel in Worthing — a detailed review of the oldest hotel in the town
Chatsworth Hotel is the oldest hotel in the seafront of Worthing, which is a bit close to Brighton. The family has owned it for more than 200 years, and the Georgian building has already become Grade II listed.
Back to hostel — The Bristol Wing
Last year (2024) when I was visiting Bristol and decided to extend my stay, I suddenly wanted to stay in a hostel again, and I booked The Bristol Wing in the last minute.
Folkestone Harbour station, as well as historic branch lines in coastal Taiwan
Folkestone is a coast town in England. The nearest current station, Folkestone Central, is located away from the coast which needs 20-min walk. But can you imagine if the train can reach next to the sea so that you can even connect a ship to France?
My first trip to Ramsgate
Since coming to London I have arranged trips to different parts of the country, and most of them are coastal towns because I love the sea a lot. Travelling along the coast can make me more inspired and energetic. Starting this year (as of Feb 2025), I have made some trips so far, of them Ramsgate is the place I first visited.
My sketches of Crystal Palace Subway
I have two related sketches now. One is the imaginative cross-section showing the whole picture of the subway. Another one was done during my second visit as the session was purposed for photography and sketching.