Eating Out Review : Cosmo Restaurants (Romford branch)

I don't really write about many restaurants i go to, partly because i am very unadventurous when it comes to food. I like the comfort of having food that is reliable and won't be too radically different to what i am used to. That does make me sound boring doesn't it? I think i just have a very mild paranoia around food and the way it should taste and feel in my mouth. Okay, i definitely am weird!

Anyway, so after a few recommendations from friends i headed to to Cosmo Restaurants in Romford. It had been given great reviews in terms of its food and the fact that it was a buffet meant that even if i didn't like the food, no one would judge me for having chips. The food is laid out according to countries so you have India, Italy, Japan and many more. You are left to eat whatever you want from the buffet and as much as you want too. 

The first thing that struck me the most about Cosmo is the lack of atmosphere and that is partly due to its location. It is based inside a shopping centre so you get tired shoppers there at the end of the day to put their feet up. The food is not delicious, it is average and you get a good variety for your money. I was a little annoyed by the fact that no one was actually looking after the food as many kids were walking around putting their hands in the ice cream and in the dessert bowls and that really put me off the dessert. It is a good place to go to after a hard day's shopping but not one i would frequent for myself as a place to go eat. 

Visiting World Travel Market 2014

Africa stand at WTM

I do love visiting exhibitions at the London Excel centre, it is one of those spaces which completely transforms itself for events. One event which i feel i can never not attend is World Travel Market. It is magnificent. Every single country in the world's tourism boards all term up once year to show off what is great about them and why they should be mentioned. I was lucky enough to attend on their Festival night, which is normally when most stands put on live performances and give out samples of their food. I do love the atmosphere at World Travel Market as there is a buzz in the air and as i am almost obsessed with discovering new places, i enjoy being drawn in to stands and being told about their new tourism ventures,

The UAE and Dubai never fail to make an effort for World Travel Market and this year they had an edible skyline of Dubai. They also had a very patient live Falcon on display which reminded me of my travels to the country and how much i enjoyed it. 

An edible Atlantis at the Dubai stand

Legoland coming soon to Dubai

Dubai also announced their new venture in the form of their own Pixar studios and their own Legoland and Bollywood Parks. I can't wait to see these in action in the future. They sound amazing and they were giving our free popcorn on the night to entice customers. 

Etihad Airways  debuted their new suites

Brazil had beautifully dressed dancers entertaining visitors

My weekend in Paris

Avenue Des Champs -Elysees and Arc De Triomphe

I was lucky enough to visit Paris for the weekend a weeks ago and i just had to share my photos with you. It really is a beautiful city but i was rather disappointed with the lack of historical context in places, including the amount of tourists. I understand that like every European city has its influx of tourists but Paris even more so. They do disturb the peace with every single attraction being exploited to make money off the people visiting it. I wish there were more opportunities to learn about the history of France because i am sure that it would have made this visit worthwhile for me. 

Notre Dame De Paris

Interior of Notre Dame De Paris

Musee Du Louvre

Views from Paris' tallest point Montparnasse

Cruise on the River Siene

Visiting Sacre Couer

Happy 49th Birthday Shah Rukh Khan!

Shah Rukh Khan is one celebrity who has had a great impact on my life. I was short of obsessed with him when i was younger and there is nothing more in the world i wanted was to meet him and see him in the flesh. I remember my mum saying that the only way this would happen is if i became a journalist and that is what i did. Thanks to BizAsia Showbiz i have had the unique opportunity to meet him twice and he still never stops amazing me and inspiring me.

Read here my feature wishing Mr Khan, a very happy birthday: http://www.media247.co.uk/showbiz/happy-birthday-king-khan-shah-rukh-khan

My trip to Dubai: Desert Safari

The Falcon Display

Having seen all the photos and vlogs about the Desert Safari, i was desperate to have a go and see just what the fuss was about. Words cannot describe how amazed i was seeing the vast expanse of the Arabia desert before me when i got my first glimpse. It is beautiful and i loved how alluring and mysterious it is. First up on the tour was the falcon display where a poor little falcon was put on display showing the immense speed it can fly at when it hunts its prey. The heat in the desert was ridiculous and the falcon was really put through its paces and was physically panting at the end of its 15 minute display. It was informative too as its trainer told us all about the amount of work and time it takes to train up the falcon to perform for him. 

Riding the sand dunes

Sliding down the sand dunes enclosed inside a vehicle was one experience that i was not looking forward to. It looked terrifying and i really don't have the stomach to be thrown around in a jeep at high speeds down sandy slopes. I am happy to report that it wasn't as terrible as i thought it would be and it was rather fun. The slipping and sliding on the sand dunes had my teeth on edge at some point when it looked as though the jeep would flip over, however, i survived and chalked it up to a life experience. 

Dinner for two in the sand dunes

I had a very memorable moment in the desert courtesy of my soulmate but i don't think it is appropriate for me to talk about it on here. However i was treated to a camel ride which was a great laugh for both of us. Our camel was called Ferrari and he took care of us as he slid down the sand dunes carrying us as his heavy load. We then had a very romantic dinner for two in the desert with our very own personal chef. The food was delicious and each course was better than the one before. The amount of care and attention we had throughout the safari was brilliant and they helped create some lovely memories for both of us.