A Life Well Travelled

AK4500 Gimbal Stabalizer Review | Best Gimbal Stabalizer for Vloggers

As someone who’s background is in TV but has a YouTube channel I’m always looking for ways to improve my videos and bring them up to the standard I’m used to for my shows. Whilst many cameras now offer in built stabilisation, it’s nothing compared to the smooth shots using a gimbal stabiliser can offer.

I use a Nikon z7 mirrorless which weighs under a kg, however with a lens is considerably heavier so I was looking for the best gimbal for DSLR or mirrorless cameras that could take the weight of my current kit, yet wasn’t too heavy in itself. The FeiyuTech AK4500 is the lightest DSLR gimbal at only 1.6kg with its space-level ultra-light aluminium alloy. Comparatively the DJI Ronin S is 1.86 kg & the Ronin M is 2.3kg before cameras so the AK4500 is much preferable in terms of weight. Despite it’s lighter weight it can actually hold up to 4.6kg.

How easy is it to set up the AK4500?
Once you have the camera balanced it’s easy to set up and pack down and what’s really cool is there are a lot of components to suit every eventuality of filming requirement but equally one can choose to only use the basic set up with a monopod style handle if you’re trying to cut down on what you’re carrying.

What features does the AK4500 have that I found useful?
I am a huge fan of timelapses and I find that they really elevate my work. The AK4500 has a motion timelapse option allowing for moving timelapses that highlight the beauty of landscapes in an unbeatable way.

Whilst this mode is excellent for cinematic shots it’s also helpful for vloggers like myself who want to set up a shot that they are in, but still have some camera movement. You can send up a start point & end point and the amount of time you want it to shoot for and then easily start recording to create the illusion of having a camera crew when in fact it’s just you! Furthermore, the ‘used last’ setting is great for creating similar shots in different places, rather than having to remember and reset the gimbal you can simply choose that option and then recreate clips for consistency in your filming.

Whilst I’m usually shooting in landscape it does also allow for easy switching between portrait and landscape so if you’re focusing more on TikTok or IGTV then it’s ideal. Equally, having a touch screen saves you the headache you may have with other gimbals which is often having to use an app. Almost all of the functionality of the AK4500 is inbuilt and able to be controlled with the touch screen which is very helpful.

Who is the AK4500 best for?
It’s actually a very sophisticated piece of kit although not initially the simplest to use, however it’s at a great price point and sturdy so it’s ideal for those looking to upgrade their videos and work to include smooth moving shots & more documentary style videos.

It does come with a great suitcase style carry case but once set up it’s not able to fit back in this initial box, however the gimbal does fold down fairly small and I was able to safely store it in my regular large camera bag without too much trouble which means it’s definitely suitable for travel vloggers

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Thanks for reading my review of Feiyutech AK4500, in my opinion the best gimbal for DSLR / best gimbal for mirrorless on the market in 2020.

This was part of a gifted collaboration but I was under no obligation to post and was not paid.

Street Art in Downtown St Petersburg Florida | Free things to do in downtown St Petersburg, Fl

If you’re looking for free things to do in St Petersburg Florida, then consider a self guided mural tour of downtown St Petersburg, Fl & the 600 Block. There’s a lot of famous street art in the area and local artists have managed to much of downtown St Petersburg, Fl into a kind of open air gallery complete with beautiful multicoloured pieces of art adorning the walls and even bins & security cameras. The 600 Block, which must be the coolest block in the area, should be top of your list.

Start at the back of the Craft Art Centre on the corner of 5th St North opposite Cottage Café. The initial idea here was to decorate the fire escape, but the project actually turned into a much large project involving humour and expressive colour. Commissioned by the craft centre and funded by a local bank the design shaped like a man next to a jellyfish with a brain. Much of the street art in downtown St Pete, Fl. takes a look at society and the artists have created pieces that may give different messages to each viewer.On the other side of the same car park is the Sunken Gardens Mural. This piece includes a memorial to St Pete Grand Prix driver who tragically died, Dan Wheldon. Whilst the whole mural is not dedicated to him, he will be forever remembered in this piece. Also seen in this design the famous Don Cesar Hotel.

A lot of the street art in the 600 Block of St Pete is actually adorning whole buildings and commissioned by the building owners themselves. St Pete brewing company is a great example of this. It’s spray painted to look like a banyan tree and includes a design showing a plane flown by Tony Janis, this is to commemorate the first commercial plane flight which was from St Pete to Tampa.

On the corner of 1st Ave North and 6th St North is an electrical box. Decorated You may notice the P logo at the bottom of the design, this is a link to an app called Pixelstix. Pixelstix is working alongside Shine Mural Festival and you can actually use the app to find the best street art in downtown St Petersburg Fl. and actually make your self guided mural tour even easier to follow.

One of the most famous areas of downtown St Petersburg, Fl & the 600 Block for street art/murals is between Central Ave North and 1st Ave North. This whole street was meant to be regenerated but after the financial crash this unfortunately never happened. Instead however local artists took to the streets and painted each building and even wheelie bins and garages with some of the best murals in St Pete. USATop pieces include Frieda Kahlo, a giant shark with a cage you can appear to stand in and some beautiful Russian dolls.

Other downtown St Petersburg Fl favourites include a piece on the side of the Morean Arts Centre. This mural is both welcoming and foreboding in equal measures and represents the war in Eastern Europe as remembered by the artist. It’s generally considered one of the top pieces in St Pete and is the work of AKuT / Damir Tabakovic.Old school graffiti styles can also be seen around downtown St Petersburg Fl. On 714 1st Avenue North two artists, one local and one from Bulgaria designed some colourful pieces that fortunately are usually in shade so have lasted well. These designs include the 3rd eye triangle which is often seen on pieces around the town. There have been a few debates as to what this represents. Is it their imaginations?On the South side of Central 600 Block is a huge black and white mural designed by St Pete favourite, artist Bask — aka, Ales Hostomsky. His work attracted the attention of Robert Downey, Jr. who ended up calling to request his work for Iron Man 3! The story goes that when Bask originally got the call asking for his work to be in the movie he actually hung up the first time as he thought it was a prank!What to pack for your downtown St Petersburg day out.

Comfy shoes – You’ll be doing plenty of walking around downtown St Petersburg so make sure to wear some comfortable shoes or sandals.
Sunglasses & sunscreen – It’s often hot, hot, hot in downtown St Petersburg and there isn’t that much shade so be sure to pack your sunglasses and sun protection so you don’t end up getting sunburnt.
Camera – With so many incredible pieces of art around the streets of downtown St Petersburg you’re bound to need your camera to snap some of the famous murals
Water – Obviously there are plenty of lovely cafes & bars around downtown St Petersburg but it’s a good idea to bring a refillable water bottle as it’s quite easy to get dehydrated when you’re walking around in the hot Florida sun.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this guide to the street art in downtown St Petersburg, Florida. It’s a vibrant, arty place with a lot going on, but if you want to save some money and find free things to do in downtown St Petersburg, Fl then a walking tour is highly recommended.

Food in Uzbekistan | What is the cuisine in Uzbekistan?

Food in Uzbekistan is not really famed so you’d be forgiven for being unsure as to what the cuisine in Uzbekistan is like. I’ll admit that wasn’t expecting much from food in Uzbekistan, however, in general it was quite tasty. The cuisine in Uzbekistan is very meat heavy, and also carb loaded probably to help in the extreme winter. It’s not a country for fussy eaters, but if you’re open to try new things you may be pleasantly surprised.

There are lots of local specialities to try and below are some of my top recommendations of food in Uzbekistan that you have to try!

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Trying horse milk in Uzbekistan

An Uzbekistan speciality, horse milk was something I didn’t even realise people drank until I was offered it at a market.

The market seller had a litre coke bottle full of it kept at outside temperature. It was a very cold day but somehow the milk managed to taste that horrible ‘not quite cold but not quite warm level’ .The price was 5000 a cup, around 75c.

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Well horse milk smells very yeasty, and even less like cows milk than any none dairy equivalents I’ve seen before. Taste wise, I’m not a fan AT ALL and neither was anyone not a local in our group. It tasted like sour beer, and to be honest, rather like it shouldn’t be consumed. Our guide said that many people feel drunk if they have more than a small amount especially on an empty stomach. It seemed amongst the locals in our group that liking it was something of a national pride thing, and I’m certainly glad I tried it for the story, but it’s not something I’m in a rush to try again.

Eating Horse meat in Uzbekistan

Horses are farmed for meat in Uzbekistan and the meat is found everywhere fairly cheaply. Horse meat in Uzbekistan is seen as a delicacy. It’s served in many forms, one of which is a noodle based broth which originated in Kazakhstan. The second version I saw at virtually every market we passed and is served as a plate piled high with shredded fried dough strips with tiny pieces of meat mixed in, topped by some horse meat sausage. The second dish was actually fairly tasty although quite heavy, the meat tasted rich like venison.

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It’s unusual for us in Europe to eat horse meat and it did take a little while for me to get my head around it. Equally I’m not 100% sure of the ethics of eating horse meat but for those amongst us who are big foodies it’s worth a try especially if you’re keen to try a famous food in Uzbekistan.

Pon | Bread in Uzbekistan

No meal in Uzbekistan seems to be complete without at least a plate full of bread. Cooked in a tandoor oven, the traditional bread of Uzbekistan is round & soft, often topped with sesame seeds and a lovely accompaniment to your meal. If you’re ordering meat as well at an outside grill, request your bread is reheated by sitting with the meat which also soaks up the juices and tastes delicious.

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Pilaf | Famous dish in Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan’s national dish is actually a Pilau. Similar to what you may have tried in India or in an Indian restaurant; the rice is cooked with onions & carrots and usually meat such as beef or lamb. Expect it to be fairly oily but pretty tasty. The rice dish varies from province to province, with different types of rice, different vegetables & cuts of meat.

Dumplings, kebabs & dried fruit

Dumplings are abundant in Uzbekistan cuisine; usually filled with beef and onions. They are cheap & easy to grab as a snack from the side of the road. Most markets sell kebabs of various types, often keema or chicken but also beef liver is quite popular. Another easy and cheap buy are the dried fruit and vegetables, available in every variation possible including melon, chickpeas and grapes. Street food in Uzbekistan isn’t as easy to get your head around as in some places like Thailand, but dried fruit and kebabs are plentiful and recognisable if you’re a slightly more fussy eater.

Hope you’ve enjoyed this guide to food in Uzbekistan. Make sure to try some specialities in Uzbekistan cuisine & if you’ve tried it then let us what you think the taste of Horse Milk is like!

Visiting Khewra Salt mines | Himalayan Salt Mine in Pakistan

Located between Lahore & Islamabad are the Khewra Salt Mines. The largest in Pakistan and second largest in the world, the mines are now a popular tourist attraction. The discovery of rock salt dates back to the days of Alexander the Great, with initial mining properly starting in 1500 AD with salt production crossing 50,000 tonnes at the turn of the last century.

Location and how to get to Khewra Salt Mines.

The mine itself is located in the salt range which is an outer range of the Himalayas. It is situated in Pind Dadan Khan Tehsil of Jhelum District. Located about 180 km from Islamabad and 250km from Lahore, it is about 30 kilometres (20 miles) off the Lilla interchange while going towards Pind Dadan Khan on the Lilla road.

There is currently no public transport going to the mines so the only way to get there is either by hiring a private car or by going through an agency or travel portal. Travel Portal Find My Adventure can arrange transportation and guides.

What to expect in Khewra Salt Mines

To get inside the mines you can either take the free train which leaves at random intervals when it’s full, or it’s possible to walk which takes around 15 mins.

Once inside you can walk a circular route starting on the right hand side tunnel. You’ll be able to see the bricks made from the pink, red & white Himalayan rock salt. There are 17 levels of the mine which the tourist area on the 5th level. The mix of salts can appear at any level however.

One of the first sights you’ll arrive at is the mosque made entirely out of salt. Built in the 1950s it is fully functional as a prayer area for the miners but is also undeniably beautiful to look at! There is a replica of the Minar e Pakistan, the famous monument of Lahore, a spectacular red and orange glowing structure.

The air in the salt mine is said to be good for health and there’s a salt clinic/hospital inside. Visitors with asthma and other respiratory illnesses can visit the Khrewra Salt Mines and actually spend up to 10 days there which is said to improve breathing ability.

There’s a small shop inside the mine selling salt lamps to improve the air in rooms back home, salt letter shapes and a variety of seemingly random non salt related objects.

It’s worth noting that there are no toilets/restrooms inside Khewra Salt Mines. The only available facilities are outside the mine.

Khewra Salt Mines Opening hours – Daily 9am to 6pm

Cost of entry to Khewra Salt Mines
Foreingers 2900 rupees
Locals 220 rupees

The Khewra Salt mines make an excellent day trip from Islamabad or day trip from Lahore and the scenery on the way is beautiful too. It’s definitely a top thing to do in Pakistan.

What to wear in Pakistan as a tourist | Pakistan clothing guide

Finding a balance between being comfortable in the clothing you’re wearing for travel and being conscious of local customs and traditions is important. Pakistan is a country of diversity in terms of terrain and temperature, with a great variation between the cities and the more rural areas, as well the mountains and the plains.

I’ve put together a guide as to how to dress in Pakistan with some tips on what to wear to be respectful as well as comfortable.

How women should dress in Pakistan

The title is perhaps slightly misleading as there isn’t necessarily a ‘should’ in terms of what to wear in Pakistan. I asked many of my local friends what to wear in Pakistan, and the response was usually that I could wear what I wanted, and that jeans and a t shirt would be fine. Whilst I’m sure this was true, and in cities such as Karachi where it’s more liberal would probably be fine, the reality is that outside of malls and higher end restaurants then most women did seem to dress for more traditionally or at least more conservatively.

Once I was out of the major cities and particularly in the North then most women covered their heads, and whilst this wasn’t a requirement at all except inside mosques, most tourists would perhaps feel more comfortable dressing a little more conservatively. I actually had many people come up to me and say they appreciated that I was wearing a kurta and they were happy that I was being respectful in this way. I’d like to point out again that nobody asked me to wear a kurta, it was my choice; just a choice that seemed to be appreciated.

The traditional Pakistani clothing for women is made up of the Shalwar Kameez, a sort of long sleeved shirt worn with a shawl for modesty alongside loose trousers tapered at the ankles. Often these items are colourful and sometimes even adorned with designs and jewels. The Shalwar Kameez serves two purposes; one it’s modest as it covers the shoulders, chest and usually arms and secondly the lightweight material is helpful for hot weather. It’s actually a delight to wear as European fashions aren’t usually so colourful.

Ideas as to what to wear in Pakistan for women

Asos has a great selection of modest clothing that look stylish. I chose a few maxi dresses with long sleeves and tapered at the waist to maintain some shape. Equally oversized shirts work well and the looseness means you’ll have a little bit more air.

Mix and match your own clothing with local items
Wearing a kurta with jeans is easy and comfortable. The kurta will of course go down below your hips to be a little more conservative but you’ve still got the comfort of jeans (and pockets) which you’re probably used to.

Why not buy some local outfits during your travels in Pakistan?
Some of the regional clothing from Pakistan is beautiful. I bought a few items during my travels that not only proved practical (and will be for future trips) but also colourful and enjoyable to wear. Furthermore, local people often seemed thrilled that I was wearing items of clothing from their country and region which is often met with happy gestures and smiles.

What to wear in religious sites or mosques in Pakistan.

Outside many mosques there will be a sign that says that women must adhere to proper Islamic dress to enter. This means that your arms legs and shoulders must be covered and also your head. It’s always wise to carry a scarf with you but often they can be provided if you have forgotten to bring one.

To cover your head you can simply use the scarf to drape over your hair or so it doesn’t keep needing adjusting then consider tying it up in a top knot.

What to wear as a male tourist in Pakistan

There’s more flexibility for what to wear in Pakistan for men. In the cities then jeans and t-shirt are perfectly normal and acceptable, it’s worth noting though that during the particularly hot summers then heavy jeans might be a bit too hot. Shorts, whilst not offensive are not that commonly worn except in the more modern areas of Karachi etc.

Outside of the major cities then almost all men wear the matching traditional wear, this is made up a long shirt with a grandad style collar and a loose trouser. It’s lightweight and fairly smart to be honest. Even in the rural areas then most men seem to have their traditional wear in immaculate condition and usually pressed. Once again you’re definitely not expected to dress in a traditional fashion and it may not be practical for you but many people actually find that the cool materials are helpful in the Summer. Otherwise, wearing jeans and a t shirt even in the rural areas won’t really attract any more attention than you’d expect as a tourist anyway.

Does it get cold in Pakistan?
Pakistan does have seasonal weather and during my trip in September I could feel the temperature dropping day by day. As you travel further north it will certainly become cooler, particularly at night time, so it’s wise to travel with a scarf and light jacket. In terms of what to wear in Pakistan in winter however it’s a different story in the mountains, and be sure to check temperatures before you travel to decide what level of warm clothing to take. Waterproof boots for snow, gloves, hats and thermals are all necessities in the far North and Balochistan.

First time to Pakistan tips | Pakistan Travel Guide

So you’ve decided to visit Pakistan! Voted as one of Forbes places to visit in 2019, Pakistan is truly one of the up and coming destinations for the more discerning traveller, particularly those keen to get a little off grid.

I’ve put together a Pakistan travel guide to questions I’ve been asked about first time travel to Pakistan, as well as some general tips for travel to Pakistan.

Is Pakistan safe?

In a word, yes, but let’s look a little deeper.

Pakistan has been in the media a lot over the past few years which has unfortunately given it somewhat a bad reputation in the eyes of many. When the Taliban insurgence in the mid 2000s took place a lot of the border areas with Afghanistan and some of the more Northern Areas became off limits and potentially dangerous to visit. Of course we are now 10 years past this and actually Swat and the North of Pakistan are becoming some of the highlights of the country for many people. Many countries find their previous reputation hard to shake and indeed the British government still has Swat on it’s ‘Do not travel’ list. For me however it was a highlight of my visit.

In any country it’s wise to travel with caution, but in Pakistan I actually experienced less general day to day trouble than in many places. Street harassment by shop keepers and other members of the public was very low and actually the people that did want to come and chat to me were pretty respectful and polite. Not once did I feel concerned for my safety in Pakistan.

What are the people like in Pakistan? / Are people friendly in Pakistan?

Pakistan is known for its hospitality; on a superficial level I was warmly welcomed on social media, with many people offering help if I needed it. In reality these kind of offers were actually acted upon and wherever I went then locals seemed to go out of their way to offer me drinks and food. Equally whenever there was a queue then locals would insist that I went to the front so I didn’t have to wait, of course this almost made me feel rude but the people were so insistent and kind. Pakistani hospitality has rightfully gained a reputation for being excellent and I was made to feel so welcome during my time there.

What to wear in Pakistan

What to wear in Pakistan as a women – Most of my Pakistani friends said that I could wear jeans and a t-shirt, and whilst ‘could’ is probably true, then in reality outside of the major cities (particularly Karachi) then women dress more conservatively including looser pants, kurtas or Shalwar Kameez. In mosques or religious sites then it’s necessary to cover your head and observe ‘proper Islamic dress’, which generally means long sleeves and full length skirt or trousers. See my full article on what to wear in Pakistan as a woman here.

What to wear in Pakistan as a man – In the cities many men wear jeans and t-shirts, but once you get into the countryside then generally men wear traditional clothing. Male tourists can get away with wearing jeans wherever they visit but shorts (whilst allowed) are not particularly common. See my full article on what to wear in Pakistan as a man here.

Getting a visa for Pakistan
It’s easier than previously to apply for a Pakistani visa, however my advice would be to apply well in advance as particularly during busy periods then it may take a lot longer than stated online to receive your visa.

How to get a Pakistan visa as a British citizen – It’s possible to get an e-visa for Pakistan as British citizen, however don’t underestimate how long this will take. Online it states that it will take 7-10 working days, however it actually took 5 weeks for my visa to come through and I had to go into the high commission twice to speed this along! The staff were really nice but clearly a little snowed under with work. You’ll need details of any sponsor if you have one, approximate travel dates, and potentially even bank statements. Apply here.
30 countries can now apply for visa on arrival for Pakistan (which can take 48 hours to apply for.) This includes citizens of Germany, Switzerland, Austria and New Zealand. Full list of countries can be found here.

How to get around in Pakistan? / Do you need to go with a tour group in Pakistan?

I may be a little biased as I never travel with tour groups but I did make use of Pakistan’s only online travel portal Find My Adventure They offer fully customisable itineraries including cars, guides and accommodation. This was particularly helpful for the places that I wanted to visit that didn’t have any public transport going to them, they can also offer Pakistan travel advice and tips.

Intercity buses in Pakistan go from the terminals in each city and are pretty cheap. For the smaller journeys then minibuses leave at unspecified intervals, usually for less than 50 rupees if you can avoid the foreigner tax! The minibuses often line up quite well with each other so you’ll be able to get off one when it finishes it’s route and probably not have to wait too long for the next to arrive.

What is food like in Pakistan? / Pakistani cuisine
There are some similarities between Indian food & Pakistani food, but I also noticed a very distinct cuisine and style of cooking in Pakistan. I mentioned on Twitter that I felt Pakistani cuisine was quite meat heavy and received quite a lot of messages from people saying that they agreed. Note, that I’m not implying that all meals involved meat, just that if you are a vegan for example, you may find the cuisine in Pakistan a little more challenging than in a few other countries. Having said this, as I found the people to be so hospitable then they would go out of their way if you did have any special dietary requirements. A couple of times I was caught out ordering Dal in Pakistan when trying to find something without meat, despite asking if it was meat free it did end up coming with chicken in!

Pakistani food is rich and flavoursome, with a range of breads rather addictive for us carb lovers. The food is often quite oily, but with the benefit of being rather filling. Street food in Pakistan is also delicious and many simple snacks like grilled corn tossed in salt can be found cheaply and easily.

I hope you enjoyed this guide for first time travel to Pakistan and that you found some helpful tips for travel to Pakistan.

If you’ve been to Pakistan yourself or you’re from there and have your own tips for travel to Pakistan please leave a comment below.

Tipu Sultan Summer Palace | Visitor’s Guide

Located less than 100km from Bangalore is the summer palace of Tipu Sultan. Built in 1784 in Indo Islamic style out of mainly teak.

It stands on a raised platform and is rectangular in shape with pillars supporting the roof. What is unique and most impressive about the palace itself though is that every inch of the building is decorated in incredibly intricate detail with paintings depicting victories in battle and other stories.

The Tipu Sultan Museum makes up part of the heritage town of Srirangapatna and is one of the top places to visit in Karnataka due to its history, beauty and collection of historic artefacts and art.

Who was Tipu Sultan?

Tipu Sultan was the ruler of the Srirangapatna area from 1783. He was a well educated man who could speak four languages; Arabic, Kannada, Persian & Urdu. Tipu died fighting in the Fourth Mysore War on 4th May 1799.

How to get to Tipu Sultan Summer Palace from Bangalore.

Tipu Sultan Museum | Opening Times & Costs

Museum is open from 9am to 5pm on all days.

Entry Fee – 5 Rupees for Indians and 100 Rupees for Foreigners.

What to expect?

With it’s vast gardens leading up to the palace, the Daria Daulat Bagh houses the Tipu Sultan Museum. The most impressive thing about the building is every inch of it is covered in incredibly ornate pictures and paintings. All of the pillars, walls and canopies are covered with the outer walls depicting battle scenes and portrait images, with the interior walls decorated with foliage and floral patterns. Even the wooden ceilings are pasted with floral designs. On the Western Wall the paintings depict the victory of Haider & Tipu over the English contingent in the battle at Pollinur.

It’s a unique place full of royal colours; navy and dark greens with deep reds, as well as impressive designs including grand balconies and gold patterned pillars leading up to magnificent decorated ceilings.

Inside the museum itself which is mostly confined to the ground floor are many artefacts relating to Tipu Sultan; consisting of oil paintings, sketches, costumes and military items. Whilst photography is generally not allowed inside the museum, it is possible to use you phone to get information about many points from the app/downloadables numbered around the building,.

The museum is a must for history lovers and the wide ranging displays include medals belonging to Tipu Sultan and coins of various denominations as well as clothes and weaponry all impeccably well preserved.

For more information visit –

https://www.bangaloretourism.org/bangalore-Tipu-Sultans-Palace.php