Georgina Ustik

How to Spend Consciously When You Travel

Coco Em

Nairobi

It’s a craft fair market place where you can buy stuff made locally in Kenya and I often DJ there with a couple of my friends. If you’re looking for t-shirts, perfume, cards or books, you can find it there and just chill and listen to us DJ for you. It happens every 2 months.

The name ‘Oliech’ is indigenous of Western areas of Kenya. They’re known for fish because they have Lake Victoria there. She sells a lot of fish and plays a lot of Rumba Lingala music too. It’s a crazy vibe because they have live bands there too. It’s really cool.

WLL is an amazing space in Westlands that’s one of my favourite places to hang out. It was started by a DJ/producer, who was really into book swapping. He’d host these big book swap event with people talking about literature and DJs playing. It really is the world's loudest library.

Coco Em Trippin in Nairobi

Shay Lia

Abidjan

The Bushman Cafe Hotel is a necessary stop in Abidjan! It’s a hotel, an art gallery, a creative space, a rooftop bar and a cafe all in one. What makes it so special is the decor - it’s tastefully filled with that 70’s afro-aesthetic I can’t get enough of. The abundance of intriguing sculpture, prints, colours, art and plants is incredible and you leave feeling different. That level of beauty gives a sense of freedom and stimulation that is enhanced by the spirit of this place. You’ll see people going to their singing or yoga class in the art gallery, while others will be in the cafe looking for their calm, others will be laughing out loud on the rooftop at the restaurant!

Le Cafe des Jardins is a new, very modern cafe with a western approach and design to it. It has that green, soothing and relaxing set up. There aren’t that many places like that in Abidjan. The food is absolutely delicious. I recommend the fish skewers or the salmon with peanut butter sauce. The desserts are all very delicious too! If you're looking for a young, refreshing restaurant with a European aesthetic and a more elevated dining experience, this is for you.

The Ivorian soil is so abundant. Every direction you look in, you see green. It feels like one big jungle so there are garden centres everywhere in Abidjan. They don’t have a specific name or a registered address (like many places in Africa) but they are definitely worth mentioning. It’s an affordable way to sight-see too! I took this picture at my favourite one, in the neighbourhood I stay in.


Everyone who’s been to Abidjan knows about the CAVA. Translated from French, these four letters stand for “The Crafted Centre of the City of Abidjan”. It is the best place to buy authentic handcrafted gifts. It looks like a small village where all merchants and artists are selling fabric, sculptures, paintings, jewellery and more. It’s such a beautiful, colourful, charming and inspiring place to go. It exhibits the talent and identity of Abidjan so well and is also the perfect place to practise your bargaining skills!


Domaine Bini is the place to disconnect from society. From the city of Abidjan, it will take about half an hour to get there. You’ll be welcomed in full nature by professional guides and a welcoming staff and can go on an educational walk in the woods where you will be introduced to the surrounding ecosystem. It’s a beautiful way to learn about how coconut palms grow; why rubber trees are bent and the cocoa circuit. After the hike you’ll be able to take a bath outside, covered in the natural clay of your choice. Then comes lunch - a selection of delicious traditional meals. They also have bedrooms if you decide to pay for 2 days! It’s a divine place to connect with Mother Nature and educate yourself while spending a good time with friends and family.

The historic town of Grand-Bassam is the first capital of Côte d’Ivoire. It is so well preserved and protected by UNESCO. Being there feels like travelling through time and going back to the late 19th- and early 20th-century. It is an incredibly charming and calm little town where you can spend the day walking around and wondering about the past. Grand-Bassam was the most important port, economic and judicial centre of Côte d’Ivoire when the country was a French colony.

The Equinox Fitness is a Fitness Centre located in Cocody. I love this place! If you want to stay in shape during your stay in Abidjan I highly recommend it. It has a huge, well equipped gym on two floors, a basketball court, a pool and a small spa. The best thing is that it’s never packed, so you don’t have to worry about Covid-19! I love that the coaches are very nice and helpful. It’s also very affordable considering all the services that also include full access to all the classes (afro dance, spinning, boxing, yoga etc.). A very friendly peaceful atmosphere with good music!! It will boost your mood!

Top Spots in Abidjan with Shay Lia

PLANET

Sydney

Great day spot to continue a big night out. Can play giant Jenga, queue tunes on the jukebox and play some games of pool. The bistro is pretty sick as well.

Perfect spot for a post swim schoo. This one is hard to beat from a view perspective - grab a drink from the bar, take a seat on the grass and just vibe. If the mood strikes you can take off your shoes and roll some balls at another, smaller ball. Bliss.

From questionable origins to BBQ heaven. Great spot to come and enjoy some Southern style BBQ in an eclectic beer garden with more plants than a Newtown sharehouse bathroom. Lovely.

They say never mix business with pleasure. ‘They’ are wrong. Had a good few PLANET business meetings here, always very productive. KPI’s smashed. Has a playground for the youngins.

The story here goes that when an old bloke doesn’t show up to his chair one arvo the other locals say “Diddy die?” and that’s how it got called The Diddy. Good ol’ unpretentious bowling club but has had a facelift over the years. Reschs on tap.

Sydney's Best Beer Gardens with PLANET

Lorenzo BITW

Rome

One of the biggest food markets of the city and a place where you can get lost really easily. I love to go shopping there when I have time to spend and find some particular food or something very typical that you won’t find in supermarkets.

Il Mangiadischi is a small record store situated in the area of San Lorenzo, Fidel Kato the owner is an hip hop and rap connoisseur and he will make you feel at home when you enter into the store.

The place is tiny and you can’t even sit inside, they will call it now street food but it’s something we always had in Rome. Supplì is the best thing to try there, a fried rice balls with ragù inside.

I love the fact that the owners of this spot are quite rude and they have the characteristics of the typical Roman guys. The bar is situated in popular area of Testaccio and the best thing to try there is Zabaione.

This is where locals in my area, Prati, go to have a drink or to chill but it’s not the usual Prati spot because it’s cheap and people are friendly. If you go there try Spritz mezzo e mezzo.

This beautiful building was built by Borromini and it has a unique architecture, inside there is also an incredible library. The place is not always open so it’s a matter of luck of walking by and find the doors opened.

This place is kind of magic and it has his own charm. Hanging everywhere there are communist posters and they serve only wine or prosecco. They have a really good selection of wine and you can also bring your own food and eat there.

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