Roath conservatory: Back to the garden

Set innocuously enough in the heart of Roath Park in Cardiff,  the botanical garden there looks unspectacular if of moderate interest. Step inside though and you would be surprised to find a stunningly lovely tropical garden, filled to the brim with exotic plants, flowers and fruit.

Water vapour hangs heavy in the air, causing the palm leaves to drip water into pools of water filled with carp, terrapins and birds (which you can feed using seeds brought at the front desk). The garden itself is surprisingly spacious, stretching further back then you would expect and hiding orchids, coconuts and other far flung plants.

The warm glow from light hitting the glass and tropical temperatures make it an ideal location to chase away the winter blues. And the veritable feast of animals and plants make it an exciting location for the kids to explore. Make sure to check the opening times before coming to avoid disappointment.

In short if you come to Cardiff, make sure to visit the garden and enjoy one of Roath Park's best kept secrets.

Phu Quoc island

After three weeks volunteering and a few days of non stop traveling I felt the time had come to take a well deserved break. Rather then taking another flight, I decided to take a sleeper bus instead and was rewarded with passing through the incredibly scenic Mekong Delta (more on that later).

This being about my fourth desert island I decided that relaxing was the way forward and I spent much of my days there idly chilling at the hostel or on the beach, with the occasional swim or spectacular sunset to round out my day.

The food on the island was surprising good, with some truly excellent fresh seafood. The highlight came when the hostel I was staying at put on a great late night BBQ which included freshly cooked squid, some massive prawns and freshly cooked fish. What with all this, great company and a band made up of two rather free spirited gentlemen strumming away on their guitars I really enjoyed my rather brief stay on the island.

Cambodia: Koh Rong island

After arriving in Cambodia I decided I desperately needed the beach and so after spending one night in Phnom Penh I jumped on the nearest bus and boat heading to Koh Rong Island. I arrived and was immediately greeted with white sand beaches and crystal clear blue waters.

Life on the island was attractively laid back and I spent most days trekking to and then lazing on some of the best beaches I have had the pleasure of experiencing while traveling. At night I would explore the island's many restaurants and clubs.

The Island was also home to some amazing wildlife including monkeys, many kind of fish as well as some snakes. The best though was saved for when I took a late night snorkel tour of the island's luminous plankton. With each wave of my arms it was like swimming through an ocean of glittering stars.

About four nights in I managed to contract a stomach bug that had been going around the island and was pretty much confined to my dorms for the next three days. After I had recovered though I decided it was time to head out to pastures new.

Sadly though this beautiful island is under the threat of serious development, many parts of the island have been brought up by Chinese developers who are planning to extensively develop the island (including building an airport). These types of developments rarely end well for the ecosystems of islands like this and it would be sad to see this island go the same way.