Your Ticket to Stories of Adventure, Aviation and Culture
Welcome The Boarding Pass, where an exciting new adventure begins. Travel has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. From the rugged edges of the Falkland Islands to the lush tropics of Brunei, from sun-kissed San Diego to the heart of Kenya, I’ve always felt at home in motion. I’ve had a beer in Oklahoma State bars, wandered Valencia’s old town, travelled through East Germany to West Berlin, and everywhere I’ve visited I’ve looked for more than a view. I’ve looked for the story behind the place.
Speaking another language
French is not my forte, and I have often made a fool of myself. More in that in a future edition of The Boarding Pass. I'd love to be able to speak Spanish fluently, that's something I am going to work on. Spanish is such a beautiful language, and I hope that comes across in this travel blog.
La vida es mejor con tapas.
Life is better with tapas.
The Boarding Pass will be bringing you more about Valencia later on, but for now, did you know?
The "bat origin" in Valencia comes from a legend during the 13th-century Reconquista, where a bat supposedly alerted King James I's troops to a surprise Moorish attack, ensuring victory. The bat became a symbol of good fortune and victory and was incorporated into the city's coat of arms and the logos of local sports teams, like Valencia CF, and can be found throughout the city as a representation of its rich history and heritage.
According to the legend, a bat landed on the king's tent or flag, which he interpreted as a sign of good luck. Later that night, a bat fluttered and made noise, waking the king and his troops just in time to warn them of a planned surprise attack.
The Boarding Pass is my way of sharing those stories with you.
Here’s what you can expect:
- Mexico, Spain, and the USA: my three favourite countries, explored through history, food, hidden corners and language.
- Aviation: living under Heathrow’s flight path gives me a front-row seat to the world’s aircraft. Expect tips, hacks and insights that can make your next journey smoother.
- Unfiltered stories: I’m not here to sell packages or push brands. Everything is impartial, fact-checked and written with the curious traveller in mind.
Why This Travel Blog Is About More Than Just Destinations
Because travel is more than a destination. It’s the food you discover in a tucked-away café, the conversation you manage in broken Spanish, the rush of take-off and the anticipation of landing somewhere new.
Food is not just Michelin stars, but street snacks, market food, and “the coffee that fuels the morning wander.
As a sustainability consultant, I will be giving a nod to travelling thoughtfully: reusable bottles, choosing local, respecting heritage.
And sometimes it’s the journey itself that becomes the story. In 1998, I set out from England to Jamaica on what should have been a three-day military flight. Thanks to a series of mechanical failures, it stretched into a seven-day saga. Airports blurred into one another, crew grew weary, and passengers adapted with humour and resilience.
I kinda got tired of washing my smalls in the hotel sink. Yes, you heard it. Our friendly loadmaster wouldn't allow us to take our bags of the Hercules C-130. As the saying goes "Travel light, freeze at night."
By the time we finally touched down in Kingston, it felt less like an arrival and more like completing a small expedition. Experiences like that remind me why aviation is as much a part of travel as the destination itself.
We based ourselves in Port Antonio, a lush corner of the island not exactly synonymous with package tourism. Our site had a claim to fame though: it was once where Hollywood swashbuckler Errol Flynn lived. The glamour ended there.
Our accommodation was barely a single star, and that’s me being generous. We slept in leaking tents, and a midnight trip to the bathroom meant dodging very large crabs wandering in from the beach. To add to the comedy, bare electrical wiring ran through each tent and the shower block. It became a kind of lottery, with someone inevitably shouting profanities after the next minor electrocution. Not exactly Club Med, but it made for a story I still laugh about today.
And that’s really what The Boarding Pass is about: not just ticking destinations off a list, but finding the fun, the chaos and the small, human moments that travel gifts us.
All aboard a Royal Air Force C-130 Transport Plane
Our transport was a Royal Air Force C-130 Hercules, a beast of an aircraft better known for carrying troops and kit than holidaymakers in shorts and flip-flops.
We didn’t even make it to the end of the runway on day one. A mechanical fault kept us grounded before the wheels had properly spun up to speed. It set the tone for what became a seven-day “three-day trip” — each day bringing a fresh delay, repair, or outright cancellation. At one point I was convinced the aircraft needed therapy as much as an engineer.
Still, there’s something unforgettable about rumbling along in that cavernous cargo hold, webbed seating down the sides, and the roar of four turboprop engines shaking your teeth. Luxury it was not, but as with the leaky tents and kamikaze crabs, it all stitched itself into a story worth retelling.
So buckle up, because The Boarding Pass is your ticket to something different, and I hope the travel blog raises a smile or two.
👉 Subscribe now to The Boarding Pass and be part of this journey. Your next adventure could be just one story away.
Where’s your next holiday destination? ✈️🌍
Have a great day. qué tengas un lindo día
Frequently Asked Questions about The Boarding Pass Travel Blog
What is The Boarding Pass travel blog about?
The Boarding Pass is a travel blog that blends adventure, aviation and culture. From Spain’s Costa Blanca to San Diego, you’ll find stories, tips and tales with a personal twist.
Who writes The Boarding Pass?
I’m a traveller who’s been everywhere from the Falkland Islands to Brunei. Living under Heathrow’s flight path, I mix aviation insights with travel stories from around the world.
What makes this travel blog different?
It’s not about package deals or glossy brochures. The Boarding Pass is about real experiences — missed flights, street food discoveries, cultural quirks and the fun of the journey itself.
Which destinations will be covered?
Expect a focus on Spain, Mexico and the USA, with plenty of side trips to unexpected corners. Aviation tales and cultural reflections will keep things varied.
How can I follow new posts?
Simply subscribe to The Boarding Pass travel blog and get every new adventure direct to your inbox.