The Sunday Post (Newcastle)

The East is so glam, but Llandudno lives on

- By Bill Gibb

I’VE done a lot of travelling and have been to some very unusual and beautiful places in the world.

But my fondest memories as a child were doing things in my home county of Lancashire with my grandfathe­r.

They were days to the seaside at Blackpool and Llandudno or bus trips where it’s the sweet shop visits I remember.

As far removed from those days as possible was a two-month cruise of the Far East with my ex-husband.

We started in Thailand, did Singapore, Vietnam, Japan, Cambodia, so many places.

I found it an absolutely wonderful experience because it was so stress-free.

We had our own private butler, so once I was on the ship there was nothing to do, not even unpack.

At some ports we’d be there for two or three days and we’d stay in a hotel on shore and get a bit more of a true experience of the place.

My mother’s from Thailand, so I have heritage from the Far East, but I’m a massive fan of Europe.

It has culture, lifestyle and beauty that I find appealing. You have everything from fabulous beaches to historic buildings that really aren’t that far away.

I’m quite outdoorsy and I’ve done lots of rambling in Switzerlan­d.

I really love fishing and competitio­ns have taken me all over the world.

I found a love for it when I first met my ex-husband and we used to do as a pastime together. Now it’s something I do with Jake.

Sometimes the places have been glamorous.

We went to the Maldives and fished for four days.

But I just love Scotland. I got married in Dornoch Cathedral, with another ceremony in Skibo Castle where Madonna and Guy Ritchie were married.

Away from all the fancier side of things, though, I’m just blown away by the beauty of Scotland and I love to go back.

I feel totally at peace there.

 ??  ?? ▼ Some of Ampika’s fondest holiday memories are of seaside trips to Llandudno.
▼ Some of Ampika’s fondest holiday memories are of seaside trips to Llandudno.

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