July 8, 2019
SRI LANKA, KANDY: After procuring a motorbike I decided to search for a local gym to do some progressive reps. Whilst on my way to one on the outskirts fo Kandy I saw a neon sign blinking which read NOODLES! So after U-turn I sat down for a highly entertaining bowl of Sri Lankan noodles.
July 8, 2019
SRI LANKA, KANDY: As I drove away from Kandy my motorbike kept breaking down. Not in the mood to be stranded on some rural road in the middle of the jungles of central Sri Lanka I searched for hotels using Google Maps. Turns out just a short one hour drive North of my position there was a hotel with a 9.7 star rating on Booking.com. This I had never seen before! I've also never seen anything in this price range either away from both a beach and a major city. After 2 minutes of going back and forth with myself curiosity got the better of me and I made an executive call. I booked the room at the Sri Lankan resort in the middle of the jungle. Now all I had to do was find it before the bike broke down yet again....
July 9, 2019
SRI LANKA, KANDY: My whole life I've always hated hotel breakfasts with a passion! Yes, PASSION! Dry crispy flavorless white bread with a bunch of cereals and toppings no man would ever choose were he staring into his own fridge. On top of that they end ridiculously early (so that most people won't be able to make it to this 'free' meal'. So why even bother? Well, seeing as this was the priciest hotel I've ever stayed at, I was kind of obligated to at least see what this Sri Lankan jungle hotel breakfast looked like.. .
July 10, 2019
SRI LANKA, KANDY: After a brief drive to the nearest town called Ukuwala, I asked around for the nearest store selling entertaining beverages. My plan was to simply film a minute or two of interacting with the shop owners before driving back to my hotel. That was until I ran into Sri Lanka's fine white wine man!
July 10, 2019
SRI LANKA, MATALE: On my way from Matalel to Dambulla I suddenly spotted a woman selling fresh king coconuts, avocados and others delicacies on the side of the road. I’m always intrigued by little one man operations such as this so decided to go for a little investigation. Turns out this little store was not just a business though but someone’s home.....
July 12, 2019
SRI LANKA, UDAWELA: Sri Lankan roads are not for the faint hearted. Neither is the process through which Sri Lankan villagers clear their lands of unwanted vegetation. Combine the two and you have a situation that resembles Dante’s Inferno within minutes! So how do the villagers control such situations and is there any help at hand?
July 12, 2019
SRI LANKA, UDAWELA: One of the greatest things about road trips in Asia are the ubiquitous stalls along the highways selling everything from pork chops to umbrellas. After driving through the fire you saw in the last episode I was mighty thirsty for some refreshments. Enter random fresh water lake with sandy beach and woman selling fresh orange juice. This juice however, although fresh, did come with a twist..... English
July 13, 2019
SRI LANKA, ELLA: Sri Lanka is a land of opportunities. Yet, despite actually doing my utmost to meet local entrepreneurs and established business owners I found it incredibly difficult do just that. But whilst on a long drive though the mountains and tea plantations of Ella I finally stumbled upon one by pure accident. What he told me was a mighty impressive story of how he'd taken the leap to open his own little tea shop at the age of 26. Is this man Sri Lanka's next Ceylon tea millionaire? This called for a full-scale Harald investigates!
July 14, 2019
SRI LANKA, ELLA: As much as enjoy touring a country by motorbike it does come with one major downside. You only meet people for a few minutes every time you stop for food or petrol and then you're on your way. You really do miss out on a more wholesome experience. For that there's nothing better than traveling by train. Preferably in third class. People there are always in a an exalted mood and eager to socialize. I don't know if it's the sound of the railway joints colliding with the steel wheels or the fact that people all know we're gonna be stuck together in this confined space for hours ahead. So that was my plan for the day. Park the bike at my hotel and travel by train, on what has been deemed the best railway journey in the world, starting in Ella. But that was just the beginning...
July 14, 2019
SRI LANKA, HAPUTALE: After unsuccessfully trying to find something that looked edible and unlikely to make for a troublesome return bus journey to Ella, I opted for the safety of a Snickers and Mars bar. With my newfound sugar high it was time to check out the local Haputale market. Perched high on a cliff side adjacent to the train station, this market offers stunningly high views and correspondingly low prices. A rare combination. So just how cheap is this market and what do they sell here? Why is the Yes Man of Haputale following me? And did I manage to escape the Yes Man of Sri Lanka in the end?
July 17, 2019
SRI LANKA, BANDARAWELA: After the rock bottom prices at the Haputale market shopping spree I knew it was impossible to find cheaper goods in the city of Bandarawela. But after the street barber rejected me for a shave I had some time to spare before my bus back to Ella. So I decided to go for yet another mega bargain hunt trip at the largest market in this part of Sri Lanka: Bandarawela Market. As usual I met quite a few characters. None as wild as the now legendary 'Yes Man of Haputale', but one did come close: The Bandarawela Market Playah, who proudly (and unapologetically) was parading around with what others described as: NOT his wife!
July 17, 2019
SRI LANKA, YALA NATIONAL PARK: In Sri Lanka there are five star hotels and then there is the Wild Coast Tented Lodge. An ultra luxurious all inclusive resort located inside the boundaries of Yala's National Park. This one of a kind hotel is unrivaled, not only in terms of scenic beauty but in price. At a night, your hotel room is actually not even a room but a tent. Given this price and Sri Lanka's current tourism 'situation', you may be thinking they're struggling to rent these rooms out. You'd be very wrong. I had to wait two days before I was able to get a room here. But was it a wait worthwhile? Is it worth the money? And what does this ultra luxury hotel room look like? Join me on a luxury version of Harald Investigates as I tour my hotel room, check out all its features in great detail and live through my first ever all inclusive resort experience.
July 18, 2019
SRI LANKA, YALA NATIONAL PARK: As the sun set on Sri Lanka’s ultra luxury resort in Yala’s national park my day was by no means over. Determined to make the utmost of this incredibly expensive stay I ventured out to my private swimming pool with the flashlight and sat there in silence searching for wildlife. Lucky for men it turns out that the hotel’s staff and the rangers were far more adept at that than me. The next day I go for my second ever five star hotel dining experience before embarking on an elephant safari.
July 21, 2019
SRI LANKA, SIGIRIYA: After locating the entrance and bypassing the Japanese tour group I was ready for a brief climb to see the famous 1600 year of frescos and scale the summit of the Sigiriya rock. Initially I thought it would be a brisk 10 ascent. I was wrong....
July 21, 2019
ITALY, VENICE: Sometimes it’s ok to splurge. Or at at least that’s what I told myself before I rented a Venetian Palazzo on Airbnb for myself and 8 friends whilst in Italy for the weekend. Given the outrageously expensive price tag it should come as no surprise that it was also incredibly spacious and lavishly furnished. So just how luxurious was this fabulous one of a kind Italian apartment?
July 22, 2019
ITALY, FLORENCE: Florence is famous for her beef but the Florentines also love a good pork chop. So do I! So come along as I wander the streets of Tuscany's capital in search of Italy's finest pork sandwich.
July 25, 2019
You guys have requested a Q&A video for years. So I finally caved. If there are any questions you'd want me to answer in future Q&A's please let me hear it in the comment section.
July 27, 2019
ITALY, FLORENCE: Ever since I arrived in Florence people have been telling me to please try the famous dish named lampredotto. Often sold as fast food from vans on the streets of Florence this dish have a rather exotic ingredient: the 4th stomach of a cow! Not one to shy away from an Italian street food challenge, THIS was something I had to try!
July 29, 2019
ITALY, FLORENCE: Of all the great achievements of Renaissance Italy, one reigns supreme. The construction of an epic brick dome by Brunelleschi in the middle of the 15th century. This architectural masterpiece has stood the test of time and you can still walk on top as well as inside it in the year 2019. So that's exactly what I did whilst giving you guys a little tip on how to enjoy history to the max on your travels.
July 30, 2019
ITALY, FLORENCE: Tuscany's capital is world famous for its Bistecca Alla Fiorentina. A type of beef that isn't necessarily slayed locally but instead derived from a special breed of bull and prepared in a specific manner which dates back to the middle ages. Traditionally they are served extremely rare! As a huge connoisseur of beef, this was naturally something I had to try and film for you guys. I therefore started sampling various restaurants across Florence over two weeks ago in search of the finest T-bone cut in he city. In all honesty I've yet to run into a bad steak anywhere in this city. But there is one restaurant I keep coming back to that offers the best value in terms of price and quality: Trattoria Dall'Oste. Hence why I choose this restaurant to showcase Florence's greatest dish. So did I defeat the mighty 1.6kg T-bone steak put in front of me? And were I able to walk afterwards?
July 31, 2019
September 3, 2019
ITALY, FLORENCE: The most challenging meal I've indulged in thus far in Florence, wasn't the 1.6 kg T-bone steak but Lisa's Lampredotto. It's not that the sandwich wasn't good. It really was quite tasty! It was more about having the knowledge of what I was eating and somehow muster the willpower to keep munching down on it despite my better judgement. Having seen my Lampredotto video, Martina, Florence's greatest tour guide, challenged me to sample some even more exotic ancient meals of Florence. So down to the 130 year old street food market known locally as Mercato di San Lorenzo I went. Objective: devour the most daring meals the city has got to offer. But first I was lured into taking the job as an Italian street food master chef! My first order, Panino con l'arrosto (whatever that is).
September 4, 2019
ITALY, FLORENCE: In Mercato di San Lorenzo, Florence's 130 year old Italian street food market, not a single part of the cow goes to waste. The cow's stomach are all local delicacies. The tongue is also devoured and so are the cheeks, liver, heart and everything else. One thing I didn't expect to eat though was the very spring of life itself as one food vendor put it.....
September 13, 2019
CATANIA, SICILY: Arriving in Catania by bus from Palermo, we drove past the railway station on the way to the hotel. It looked like a lively little eating area with lots of Sicilian street food options for the intriguing tongue. The next evening after an unfortunate meal at the hotel during my first evening in the city, I was ready to try the local Sicily street food delicacy: the mighty horse meat sandwich. Having previously devoured this animal at a restaurant in Serbia, and thinking it too dry to consume regularly, I was curious as to whether horse meat in Catania would have the same texture....
September 14, 2019
CATANIA, SICILY: Europe's most aggressive volcano, Mount Etna, is located on the Italian island of Sicily. You'd think that given her frequent hissy fits, the latest one which was yesterday, this volcano would be off limits to the general public. But that isn't the case. Mount Etna is Catania's biggest tourist attraction and a mighty entertaining one I must add. I didn't know quite what to expect as I jumped into the funicular taking me half way up the mountain but I knew I was in for an adventure. And Mount Etna didn't disappoint.
September 18, 2019
CEFALU, SICILY: There's some great deals to be had on Airbnb around the world but not in Italy. If you're hunting for bargain accommodations in this country the B&B's are your best option. Most of them can be found on Booking.com or by simply wandering the streets of the city you just arrived in. Airbnb in Italy is great for expensive apartments in prime locations though. Almost always more expensive than a hotel in the same street, the apartments I've found for rent across this country come with only one major advantage: space. Case in point, this 300 Euro 4 story beachfront apartment in Cefalu Sicily.
September 25, 2019
THAILAND, BANGKOK: As the world plunges ever deeper into climate cris is, I've made a solemn food vow! To stop eating beef, pork, horse, dogs, cobra snakes and humans and get all my protein from one abundant climate neutral source: bugs and insects! Easier said than done though. As i wandered around Bangkok's famous night market in Ratchada I ran into one tasty temptuous Thai street food delicacy after the other. From seafood to juicy pork chops and spare ribs, this market had it all. And to make it extra hard to resist, roughly 80% of the market stalls were staffed by hotties! What's a man to do... As I started asking for directions to the bug street vendors I had a bright idea! But would Greta approve?
September 25, 2019
THAILAND, BANGKOK: Bugs are highly rich in protein. But there's a catch. They look somewhat unappetizing. They're also quite weird to chew down on. But can our aversion to putting these creepy crawlies in our mouth be over come by seasoning, spices and a crowd cheering you on? I went to find out in Bangkok's famous Ratchada Rot Fai market where I tried every bug, incest and Scorpion on the menu. But did I manage to keep it all down..... ?
September 27, 2019
HANOI, VIETNAM: Vietnam's capital is fast catching up to the other mega cities of South-East Asia like Bangkok, Manilla and Saigon in when it comes to economic growth. Case in point, the city's skyline is now littered with flashy new hotels sporting roof top terraces giving international tourists a taste of the high-life few of them could afford back home. (Myself included!) Only having been modestly satisfied with the hotel I stayed in the last time I was in Hanoi, I decided to pay a little extra to see what you'd get in the 4 star hotel range. Did O'Gallery Classy hotel & Spa downtown Hanoi live up to her promise? And how well do the locals speak English in Hanoi these days? That and more in this first video from Vietnam.
September 28, 2019
HANOI, VIETNAM: As I was making a street tea video in the centre of Hanoi I stumbled upon an old temptation of mine which made me reminisce about India: a street barber. Not just that, this barber was female! Something I've never seen this before as this is a heavily male dominated profession. The only problem was I don't want to cut my hair and I also didn't even have a 2 day beard to shave! The only thing the barber could go to work on would be my treasured precious goatee!!!! So what was a straight white male to do?
September 29, 2019
HANOI, VIETNAM: After having the conversations from the shave video translated by you guys I realized that the awesome woman who was selling those postcards was even more awesome than I'd initially thought. She thus warranted a Harald Investigates! The only problem was she wasn't selling the postcards at the same location next to the barber. Dismayed I decided to cross the road for some of Hanoi's finest Noodles known as Fo (probably not the proper spelling), as I didn't want to have travelled across town for nothing. As soon as I'd crossed, I heard a familiar voice say Hello....
September 29, 2019
HANOI, VIETNAM: During my first visit to the famous train street in Vietnam's capitol Hanoi, I thought given the amount of cafes there, that it would be an even livelier area at night. So after a visit to the gym and a well deserved (and mucho mucho needed) shower, I went back to see if I could not only catch a train hurtling by, but some entertaining beverages as well. . . Before I started filing a spent roughly an hour and a half here. It really is the coolest place to meet locals as well as other Asian tourists in possibly the whole city. Elsewhere people can be less talkative and groups of people somewhat hard to break in to. Not here...
September 30, 2019
HANOI, VIETNAM: One of the most unique hotels I've ever slept in was the newly opened Capsule hotel in Hanoi. When I stayed there back in May I was one of their first customers. Knowing there was nothing about this hotel on Youtube I decided to Vlog the whole check-in process and stay. As I now find myself back in Hanoi one of you guys wrote that the hotel really liked my video and that they're looping it in the reception 24/7. This I had to investigate....
September 30, 2019
HANOI, VIETNAM: When it's pork o'clock it's important to dress to impress. You don't want to be the odd one out at the pork party. That's why I decided to sport my Hugo Boss blazer and shirt as I sampled some of Hanoi's unique Vietnamese street food. After the pork had been secured, I continued a little tour of this downtown food market before withdrawing to my private quarters to sample the greatest delicacy known to man: pork cake!
October 1, 2019
HONG HA, VIETNAM: Just because you're traveling in a country where you don't speak the local language doesn't mean you can't stop for a laugh with the locals. Case in point, my current roadtrip through Northern Vietnam. Whenever I see something interesting I stop to investigate. Here's a collection of chance encounters I had with random strangers today in the North of Vietnam.
October 2, 2019
HONG HA, VIETNAM: After 2 hours of sleep it was time to hit the road for a Vietnamese breakfast. The only problem was, I don't know anything about what people eat in the morning. I was curious to find out though. So after a brief stop at a gas station I scouted out 3 little Mom & Pop roadside restaurants, all preparing for a morning rush of hungry customers. Eager to experiment, I chose the most exotic looking dish on offer.... does anyone know the name of it?
October 3, 2019
BAO HA, VIETNAM: I felt like I'd been on the road for a week, yet it had barely been a couple of hours. Little did I know the today's journey had just begun. Up until 10AM riding around the villages and hills of Northern Vietnam is a cool leisurely experience. That changes abruptly once the sun truly gets going. Luckily there are a ridiculous amount of things to see and keep your mind off of the heat along the roads. For every time you stop, you must of course indulge in the peace pipe ritual the locals are so fond of with their unquenchable thirst for the strong tobacco known as thuốc lào...
October 4, 2019
LAO CAI, VIETNAM: After over 13 hours of riding on the most horrific of roads, albeit with countless stops along the way, I'd finally arrived in the Northern Vietnamese city of Lao Cai. From here you can look across a tiny river straight over to China. If you have a visa for china you can also cross over here by foot. Sadly I don't have one. A journey I thought would be merely a time consuming monotonous ride along endless rice fields had actually turned out to be one of the more entertaining rides of my YouTube career due to the many welcoming people i met along the way. But just a few hours short of the border I ran into a guy who turned out to be the friendliest of all....
October 6, 2019
HAI PHONG, VIETNAM: My main motivation to explore Vietnam's northern most regions, other than mountains with tiered rice fields, was to go shopping in a Hill Tribe market. Now these colorful hill tribe markets are harder to find than you'd think. Many are only once per week, often on Saturday, and are staged in far flung mountainous locations. After a little research I did discover one that was open everyday and only a 90 minute drive from Lao Cai. Seeing as it only required a 60 minute detour from the direction I would otherwise have driven in, I decided to go for it.
October 6, 2019
LUNG PHIN, VIETNAM: I've always wanted to see the terrace rice fields in the mountains of Vietnam. We've all seen photos of these stunning testaments to mankind's most formidable invention; agriculture, but what are they like in real life? Do they live up to the hype and how easy are they to find? Not knowing what to expect I set out east, trailing along Vietnam's northern most border with China in search of the most stunning mountain range I could find.
October 7, 2019
October 9, 2019
VIETNAM: After struggling to get out of a mountain city with the most confusing road system I've ever encountered (I drove through the city 3 times) I finally emerged into a valley. Upon closer inspection looked like a beautiful river was running through it. This called for a Harald Investigates! So down into the valley I went until I reached a shoddy looking bridge....
October 11, 2019
VIETNAM: After a VERY long but extremely successful day riding through mountains of Northern Vietnam, I faced a somewhat serious dilemma. The sun was a bout to set and Google Maps said I was still hours away from my final destination. Not that I truly had one as I was winging it taking random roads this day but I had a tentative goal where I at least knew there were hotels. Reaching that city now seemed impossible. I thus decided to stop at a cafe overlooking some incredible rice fields. This set of a chain reaction of curious events...
October 17, 2019
BOLIVIA, LA PAZ: After a heavy session at the gym I was mighty hungry for some fresh nuts. Thinking my Spanish would be what it once were (semi-functional), I wandered off to a street that is known for being full of nuts. As I approached the first nut vendor though, I realized to my great dismay... that I don't speak any Spanish at all . . .
October 17, 2019
BOLIVIA, LA PAZ: The Llama is Bolivia's national animal. They bring good luck and is thus greatly revered amongst the populace. It may this seem strange that Llama corpses are sold in the streets of La Paz. Naturally this was something I had to investigate... by buying my very own Llama to take home as a good luck charm. But can I bring it to Europe? And would Bald allow it in the hotel room?
October 18, 2019
BOLIVIA, EL ALTO: Above the valley that hosts Bolivia's metropolis La Paz, sits a vast plain which houses Latin America's largest market by square meters: El Alto Market. Rumor has it this is also the country's cheapest market by far. . So what better place to bring my new pet Llama, young Jeff Gundlach, for an afternoon of bargain shopping in the freezing Bolivian rain.
October 19, 2019
PERU, CUSCO; After Bolivia I wasn't quite sure what to expect from Peru. But given the high rates for hotels I did suspect Peru to be far more developed and better at setting their cities up for tourism. Once I got past a ridiculously inefficient immigration system, my initial thoughts were confirmed. Peru, or at least Cusco, is lightyears ahead when it comes to development of its tourism sector compared to her neighbor to the east. Given the proximity of this city to one of the world's most sought after tourist attractions, Machu Pichu, that should come as no surprise but still I didn't expect Peruvians and the architecture of Cusco to be as pleasant as they both are. So after finding a taxi and something to eat it was time to check-in to my hotel. Even hostels were quite pricey when I checked on Booking.com so I knew that a hotel room even in the + category wouldn't mean much. I therefore opted for a boutique hotel at just under . But was it worth it?
October 25, 2019
PERU, CUSCO; In Bolivia many market vendors do not want to sell what's in their store to you. So what about Peru? Things couldn't be more different. Whilst many Peruvians also don't speak the Queen's english, they do their utmost to make you feel welcome in their stores and explain the meaning behind their native statues, knitted Llama shirts and all the other goods they specialize in. Shopping at Cusco's native market in the center of the city was therefore and incredibly pleasant experience. But what about the prices? Can you get some bargains here? And what goods do they sell? And what about the quality? Join me on this bargain market tour of my first Peruvian shopping experience. . .
November 7, 2019
November 8, 2019
MACHU PICCHU, PERU: When people hear Machu Picchu, they probably don't think of shopping, but there is nevertheless a market there as soon as you get off the train and start wandering towards either the ruins or your hotel. So naturally I felt compelled to go and check out what was on sale plus gauge the prices there vis-a-vis other markets in Cusco and Bolivia. To say that the prices shocked me would be understatement of the year.... this is by far the priciest market I've visited in South America but they did indeed have some nice things for sale. Bargains though, they were not, as many vendors would not budge even one Soles. That made for a pretty entertaining back and forths...
November 9, 2019
November 11, 2019
November 13, 2019
PERU, CUSCO: After taking a bus up to a more economical residential neighborhood than downtown Cusco, it was time to check out Cyrus' home. Actually it isn't his home, but belongs to his sister who also lives there with her family. The house had 5 rooms, not counting the little studio detached house where Cyrus sits and paints. Real estate prices in Cusco are absolutely unreal compared to what people earn and I was shocked to hear that even a house in this part of Cusco can cost tens of thousands of dollars!
November 13, 2019
PERU, CUSCO: There's local cuisine and then there's ultra local cuisine. In Peru you can't get anything more quintessential local than grilled Guinea Pig, or Cuy as they call it. Always up for an exotic meal I decided to take Cyrus up on his offer to show me his favorite restaurant for indulging in this questionable Peruvan delicacy..... Don't worry, it tasted even better than chicken he kept saying! So off we went. I've had Cobra heart and Scorpion claws I thought so how bad could this Cuy be?
November 14, 2019
PERU, CUSCO: Every city I visit, regardless of which country, the vast majority of my time is spent trying to find entrepreneurs I can help. Not just with an incentive to continue on the path they are on (i.e. a financial contribution) but through the publicity they may gain (and subsequent boost) from local media attention. In Cusco, nobody fit the criteria better than Cyrus!
November 14, 2019
PERU, CUSCO: There are few things I dislike more in life than sitting still for 30 minutes whilst getting an incredibly mediocre and horrendously overpriced haircut. Hence why I've been cutting my own hair for the past 2 decades. However as soon as I find myself traveling to a new country my aversion to barbers is not as strong. For abroad the prices are low and the people who work as barbers generally make for some entertaining conversations. So seeing as I find myself in Peru, and many of you guys for reasons unbeknownst to me enjoy watching me either get a shave or my hair cut, I decided to check out a local barber in Cusco.
November 15, 2019
PERU, CUSCO: I'm often asked what I do with all the things I buy on my market shopping sprees in foreign lands. Socks and boxers I keep until I lose them (which is frequent). The rest I either send to friends or give away to people who work at the hotel I stay in. This San Pedro Market Cusco shopping spree however is different. I'm going to send everything I buy to you guys. Exactly how I haven't figured out yet but follow my Instagram: Heraldo Baldieri and we'll figure out the parameters in a livestream there. I'm thinking we can find a way to reward 5 of you with a little souvenir from this market.
November 16, 2019
PERU, PISAC: Whilst no mountain filled with historical ruins I've ever encountered could rival the sheer aesthetic beauty of Machu Picchu, said site does come with two major drawbacks: 1. There will be thousands of other people there during YOUR visit which somewhat puts a dampener on your ability to enjoy the site 2. Huge parts of it are off bounds to tourists which puts a mega dampener on your ability to enjoy the Inca ruins. At the Inca ruins of Pisac, which for the record encompasses a site which is 4 times larger than Macchu Picchu, you will not encounter any of these issues. I was the only one there for the first 2 hours of my hike. But the main advantage of Pisac's Inca Ruins is that the hike itself is more scenic and interesting that any hike you can do on your day visit to Macchu Picchu. Don't believe me? Well, let me hear what you think after having seen the superb hiking trails I traversed up this morning starting at 05:55 AM at Pisac central market.
November 17, 2019
PERU, PISAC: When the Spanish conquered the Inca empire they quickly set about planting vineyards in areas where the soil permitted. The first grapes were imported soon after the take over and a drink called Pisco, named after either the city or the bottles it was stored in, commenced. It has since become one of the most popular drinks in the country. Naturally this was something I had to try. So I did upon arrival in Cusco 3 weeks ago. The glass I had however was so strong I promised to never have another Pisco ever again..... until I in the market of a city called Pisac saw a sign outside a shop advertising free Pisco inside! Was this a sign from Rati? His holiness the Muffsiah of Burundi, was compelled to investigate!
November 18, 2019
PERU, SACRED VALLEY: In a region famed for her abundance of Inca ruins, the Sacred Valley of Cusco, the last thing I expected was to uncover one of the best hotels I have ever stayed at plus have said premises all to myself. Yet that is exactly what happened at Sacred Lodge Luxury hotel. Upon arrival the receptionist wasn't even there. So what then makes this hotel such great value for money? And why were there no other guests there if this is the case? Why is there a cat in my room? And why on earth did I swim in that wild river? That and more in today's episode from Peru's sacred valley. . .
November 19, 2019
PERU, SACRED VALLEY: Given the impressive state of the sacred Lodge Hotel, by far the best hotel I've stayed at in Peru, I was quite intrigued to dine at their restaurant. But I wasn't to psyched about eating alone. Luckily as soon as I'd sat down in the restaurant Jeffaldo, Peru's friendliest non-binary cat, showed up. So I decided to invite him to sit and wine and dine at my table. Great success I thought until I saw the table manners (or lack thereof) Jeffaldo brought to my court.....
November 20, 2019
PERU, SACRED VALLEY: Ollantaytambo was an important gateway city to Machu Picchu even 600 years ago. Today tourists pass through this town either by rail or road to the world famous Inca ruins. But this city have some pretty impressive ruins dating back to the heyday of the Inca empire as well. Due to her strategic significance the city contained a fort which along with some agricultural terraces can be seen up close even today. Naturally this was something I had to investigate.
November 20, 2019
PERU, SACRED VALLEY: As I was making my way through Peru's famed Sacred valley, after the city of Urubamba, I started heading over the mountains towards Cusco. Having not had any breakfast as usual (because hotel breakfasts ALWAYS suck) I had decided to put my food intake on a hold until I'd reached my final destination. Those plans however flew out the window as I spotted a delicious juicy pork being roasted on the street as I came around a bend. After 3 weeks in the country it was finally time for a genuine Peru street food experience and my first pork o'clock!
November 21, 2019
PERU, SACRED VALLEY: The second last thing I expected to see driving through Peru's Sacred Valley were markets selling sweaters and other local products popular amongst tourists. But seeing as I did come across two, I decided to stop at them both and see what good they were peddling. At the second market, I came across a group of women who at first weren't overly eager to interact with me, but after a minute insinuated that the nuts they were cutting was for human consumption. So I decided to give them a go....
November 22, 2019
PERU, CUSCO: Before I head to Lima for the Copa Libertadores final tomorrow, I had some things to do in Cusco. I started the day with the Livestream giveaway on Instagram which was chaotic to say the least but highly entertaining. If you missed it don't worry. We can make this a monthly event. After finding a winner from Philippines, India and Ireland I went to the Cusco post office with Cyrus to ship the goods to the respective winners. Only the costs weren't exactly as expected.... After the headache of the Cusco post office I headed off to the gym before I gave you guys a tour of my hotel room and headed off to the market to do some last minute shopping.
November 23, 2019
PERU, CUSCO: Having had nothing but poor overpriced meals (with two possible exceptions) in restaurants throughout Peru my expectations weren't exactly sky high as I ordered a pizza from the hotel I'd just arrived at in Lima. In fact I'd promised myself to not eat at a restaurant again whilst here. But three things made me change my mind. First, I had not had time breakfast in Cusco before my flight to Lima, and was hence starving. Second, the boutique hotel I'd just checked into was so ridicilously pricey that I thought, surely they can cook a decent meal. Third, and most importantly, the restaurant menu was dominated by Western fast food option. In other words, my kind of menu! So I decided to give pizza in Peru yet another go! Needless to say, that's something I shouldn't have done. . . for nothing could have prepared me for the disaster that showed up when room service came knocking at my door! This was hands down the worst pizza I've ever had!
November 24, 2019
PERU, CUSCO: Having been to Brazil during the World Cup in 2014 and thus knowing that football in this part of the world mean one hell of a party outside the stadium before the game, hopes were sky high as I broke into my Federal Reserves to secure myself a ticket for the Copa Libertadores final in Lima Between Argentina's River Plate and Brazil's Flamengo. This was essentially like a national team match between Brazil vs. Argentina seeing a Peru's capital was full of people who'd flown in to support their team from two said nations. There was only one problem. I had to go an pick up the ticket at a designated area before I could make my way to the match. And this little footnote , plus the organizers misinformation about what personal items were allowed into the stadium, pretty much ruined the whole Copa Libertadores final experience for me...
November 26, 2019
MEXICO CITY: I've always rated Mexican food up there along with Italian (and recently Indian) as my favorite food. But seeing as I'd never been to Mexico before I'd never tried the world famous Mexican Taco on its home turf. That changed today after my plans of spending 7 hours at the international airport in Mexico City fell through. Seeing how poorly it was run I decided to head downtown for a little food excursion. That was a decision I did not regret as it lead to the discovery of the best tasting greatest bargain meal of all time!!
December 6, 2019
December 8, 2019
NEPAL, KATHMANDU: One of the first things I saw when I arrived downtown Kathmandu was a run down barber shop. From 7 in the morning til at least 8 at night (which is the latest I've walked by) this family of barbers work seven days a week. Usually I prefer the sitting on a chair on the street type of haircut experiences but I figured I'd give this barber a go for a change. It turned out to be quite an entertaining haircut to say the least....
December 8, 2019
December 9, 2019
NEPAL, KATHMANDU: I spent today wandering around Kathmandu's many markets looking for unique shops to buy Nepalese souvenirs from. To be honest I didn't find many stores that piqued my interest. But one stood out, the Ghurka knife shop selling Kukris in the centre of Kathmandu. Kukris come in many shapes and sizes. Some are ceremonial. Others are used for hunting and in combat. This shop had it all so I felt compelled to investigate and make a purchase.
December 9, 2019
NEPAL, KATHMANDU: Incredible work guys. Thank you so much to all who helped give Sunil's Foundation a flying start by donating. This money is saving not just the lives of those who get the treatment but those of the parents who get to see their kids grow up. So what has Sunil learnt during his first 4 days in Nepal visiting hospitals and meeting the families who have been hit by the ultimate tragedy? What is his future plans for the foundation this week? And what does he think about the incredible amount of money YOU GUYS have sent him? This plus some footage from the homes and families he have visited in today's episode of American Hero in Nepal.
December 10, 2019
NEPAL, KATHMANDU: Wherever I go in this world I like to stay in hotels in the to range. Even in Europe or America it's generally possible to find something in that range. You just have to compromise a lot on quality, amenities and comfort. But how cheap can a hotel room get if you're willing to compromise on hygiene, cleanliness, amenities, quality (essentially everything) in a country like Nepal? Well, that's what I set out to investigate as I left the relative comfort of my suite hotel room to search for Kathmandu's cheapest hotel room.
December 11, 2019
NEPAL, KATHMANDU: After checking in to the world's greatest five dollar hotel room, my new friend from the reception wanted to take me to the market. Given the state of the hotel room, I could only imagine the state of the local market. So this was something I had to see with my own eyes. My new friend didn't speak a word of English but he is one of the most jovial characters I've met in a while. He was therefore mighty excited when it finally sunk in that I wasn't shopping for myself at this bargain Nepalese market but for him....
December 11, 2019
NEPAL, KATHMANDU: The centre of Nepal's capital have more markets than any other downtown area I've seen in Asia. The two biggest merge into one another and become indistinguishable from one another as street after street is lined with shops and stalls selling t-shirt, knives, shoes and local souvenirs. Surprisingly though given its size and the incredible number of people who wander around here bargain hunting, the noise level of this place isn't anywhere near what you'd expect in the equivalent market of India or Vietnam. Still, given the chaos that reigns across this market it's one of the most intriguing I've ever seen.
December 12, 2019
NEPAL, KATHMANDU: 2020 is visit Nepal year and seeing as I've got the budget food and hotel covered in the videos I've made up until now, I decided to investigate what the hotel options for those who truly do not care what they pay for accommodation are. My choice of resort thus fell on Dwarika's Resort Dhulikel, about and hour outside Kathmandu with a great view of the Himalayas. I've stayed briefly in luxury hotels and resorts in Sri Lanka and somewhat knew what to expect. But what I wasn't prepared for is how the Nepalese take service in such establishments above and beyond to accommodate their guests and ensure they have a luxurious worry free stay...
December 12, 2019
NEPAL, DHULIKHEL: As the sun set on this ultra luxurious resort on the outskirts of Kathmandu I started getting hungry. But there was only one problem. I didn't feel like sitting in the restaurant as I was still dead tired and not in the mood to leave the comfort of my luxurious executive suite. Enter room service to the rescue. Turns out there was no need to journey down to the restaurant as they'd bring everything to your room. The menu consisted of two set option. A locally sourced Nepalese 3 course dinner or some Western cuisine. I opted for the former as I had yet to truly investigate the Nepalese kitchen. Praying that it'd taste like Indian food I sat down and waited....
December 13, 2019
NEPAL, KATHMANDU: As I got into Kumar's taxi, I decided to film from the get go as I wanted to make a little 2 minute update for you guys about how he was doing and his life as a cab driver. I already knew he is likely Nepal's funniest taxi driver but little did I know that he'd launch into a 30 minute monologue which would end up rivaling the best of the great Borat! Jagshemash. . . . . The drive was so entertaining that I had to force a pit stop at Pizza Hut. So this is the story of Harald and Kumar goes to Nepal's Pizza Hut.
December 14, 2019
NEPAL, KATHMANDU: It was 9:30 in Kathmandu and after 3 more or less sleepless nights I was awoken abruptly by a phone call. "Good morning Sir", said an over the top jovial voice at the other end. It was Kumar, Nepal's funniest taxi driver, and he seemed to be up for another adventure. A couple of hours later after dragging myself out of bed I ventured downtown Kathmandu to see him. My plan was to do a market hunt and witness his bargaining skills first hand. It turns out however that Kumar had different plans......
December 15, 2019
NEPAL, KATHMANDU: This Sunday evening I was invited to wine and dine with my favorite Nepali citizen. Since I'm not one to show up without presents, I decided to go shopping at Kathmandu's Bhrikuti Bazaar first. This is perhaps the cheapest market in Nepal's capital so I decided to truly investigate how low the vendors would go for a Northface Winter jacket here. To my amazement it was the vendors that operated with fixed prices that had the best bargains of all....
December 16, 2019
NEPAL, KATHMANDU: Apartment in Nepal may not be the most modern looking but they are incredible value for money compared to Europe and America. Case in point, Kumar's presidential palace. I had the privilege of attending a dinner with his whole family present. Afterwards he gave me a little tour of his apartment in Nepal's capital Kathmandu.
December 23, 2019
For the full length videos where the clips used in this funniest men of 2019 video is taken from see the list below. Do you disagree with this list? Did I forget someone you thought is funny enough to be on this list? Let me hear it in the comment below.
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