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Jess Esa

Jess is the creator and editor of Books and Bao. They're passionate about the world, its literature, food, culture, and people. She enjoys sharing her travel tips with others and capturing those perfect moments.

Bristol is often considered the hipster capital of the UK. It is also our former home and one of our most cherished cities. A large part of the reason for that is the enormous selection of magnificent Bristol bookshops. In Bristol, you’ll find two Waterstones and a Foyles. There’s also a wealth of independent bookshops …

Read More about 12 Beautiful Bristol Bookshops to Blissfully Browse

Japanese food is a culinary adventure! From classic dishes like sushi and ramen to street foods like takoyaki and taiyaki, there is something for everyone to adore when it comes to Japanese food. And although London is a fair way from Tokyo, there are some fantastic Japanese cooking classes available in London. One such London …

Read More about Make Tempura and Udon in London at Yuki’s Kitchen

What would we do without our phones? Where would we be? How would we function in day-to-day life? Technology, as it has rapidly advanced over the last ten years, has opened up so many doors in terms of communication and work options. Many of our jobs can be done from anywhere and phones have played …

Read More about How Phones Allow the Freedom to Work From Anywhere (Phones Are Good)

Covent Garden is famous for being one of the most picturesque, photogenic, and lively areas in London. Tourists and locals alike flock there every single day for the market, the unique shopping experiences, and the great pubs, restaurants, and Covent Garden hotels. Covent Garden is also a haven for bookworms! Here, you’ll find some of …

Read More about A Literary Guide to Covent Garden for Bookworms

When you see a mixologist going about their work, pouring in myriad liquids and finishing up with a dramatic flourish and some dry ice, you have to admit that it doesn’t look so far removed from real magic — especially if you’re already a few cocktails deep. As the years have gone on, mixology has …

Read More about Mix Wizarding Cocktails at this London Potions Class

For so many of us, there’s nothing more soothing and warming than relaxing in a cosy cafe, nursing a coffee, and losing hours to a thrilling novel. There’s something about a cafe atmosphere that enhances the experience of reading, making a memory of the experience. And that goes double for book cafes. A book cafe …

Read More about 5 Beautiful Book Cafes around East Asia

Yangon is an exciting city with streets full of colonial heritage buildings to explore and exciting culture to get stuck into. But when you’re done, most people head off to one of the greenest and most fascinating spots in the country, where you can hop from pagoda to pagoda, watch marionette shows and cruise along …

Read More about How to Get From Yangon to Bagan (4 Ways)

One of the most popular journeys to undertake as a traveller in Myanmar is the Mandalay to Bagan route . A historic journey which takes you from the old royal capital of Myanmar to the ancient city of Bagan. Along the way, visit a landscape dominated by pagodas and lush green rolling hills and mountains; …

Read More about How to Get From Mandalay to Bagan (the 5 Best Ways)

Myanmar (once known as Burma) is opening itself up to world travellers in a big way, and is fast becoming a dream destination for many people. It certainly was for me. During my adventure across Myanmar, I stayed at a fair few hotels, both big and small, and so here we’re going to look at …

Read More about Where to Stay in Myanmar — Hotels, Hostels & Homestays

My trip to Myanmar was quite short notice, as most things seem to be these days. And I immediately found myself scouring the internet looking for what to wear in Myanmar, as well things to take and, naturally, I had just a few days to buy them. Despite the research, there were definitely some things …

Read More about What to Wear in Myanmar (+Backpacking List)