When bored at an airport waiting for my flight, I find myself oftentimes looking at complete strangers walk by — some good-looking, some just plain weird. It helps time go by, but the best thing about people watching is the stories one can come up with.

The mysterious woman with jet-black hair, purple eye shadow and red hot lipstick dressed in stiletto Louboutin heals is a power woman in the fashion world boarding her flight to Milan for Fashion Week. The rundown man, with scruffy hair, a one-week beard and red eyes just survived his first heart break and has no hope for love anymore.

Every person has a story; some are intriguing, some aren’t. We catch a glimpse of these people for merely seconds and probably will never see them again, leaving us full of thoughts when we bump into someone who seems to have an inspiring story (or beautiful eyes). What happens when you want to know more?

Virgin America has the solution. If you’re lucky enough to be on the same flight as your prince charming or queen of your dreams, you’ll be able to use the airline’s “Red” in-flight entertainment system to order a drink and send it off to the person your heart has chosen.

The concept is quite simple: browse through the menu and pick a drink, meal or snack to send over, following by a text message sent through the system.

Cheesy or not, Richard Branson calls his new concept his “Guide to Getting Lucky” and introduced Red through a funny video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_Bes6P2isY&feature=youtu.be

Virgin America will launch Red on its Los Angeles to Las Vegas service this week and will also be available on all U.S. flights.

Martin Grant, living currently in Paris, began thinking about designing a new line of clothing for cabin crew while on a return flight from Milan to Paris. He had noticed that flight attendants were wearing green jackets with navy blue and noted that green was a “risky color.”

“For the past ten years, a good part of my time has been spent flying Paris to NY and Paris to Milan; it’s almost like taking a bus for me,” says Grant. “The thing I am always searching at airports is the company logo, sometimes rushing just five minutes to make a flight. The eye is roaming as I’m running and the logo is in my visual library. When I finally glimpse it, I know I’m there.”

Having always loved the Qantas logo, Grant’s line incorporates the red and white colors of Qantas with navy blue and expands the airline’s red into a whole palette of reddish colors, ranging from fuschia pink to ruby red.

Grant designed 35 different styles for the airline, producing nearly 400,000 garments. All uniforms will be delivered to 85 locations in 21 countries for the cabin crew to wear.

To celebrate its new look, Qantas launched an event reminiscent of Fashion Week in Sydney. Several models took part in the catwalk, but the star of the night was ex-Victoria Secret Angel Miranda Kerr. If you’ve been dreaming of your own pair of Louboutins, why not join Qantas’ cabin crew?

Check out a video from the catwalk here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=mViKAEXzrOs

VeryFirstTo’s services enable customers to be the first to know about and experience luxury products, ranging from travel, fashion and watches to cars, events and restaurants. Last month, the website launched their very first £1 million holiday, thinking that nobody would be insane enough to take on the adventure… Until a Chinese man signed up for the deal.

This rich, unnamed Chinese man is currently preparing for his two-year trip to more than 150 countries to discover the planet’s 962 Unesco world heritage sites. The tour, comprising of only business tickets and luxury hotels, will take the man to more than one site every single day.

If you have so much cash in your bank account that it is about to explode, check out VeryFirstTo’s deals here. You might snatch an experience that will make you feel like a star.

Meet Azzam, the world’s largest yacht measured at 180m, eclipsing Roman Abramovich’s Eclipse at 162 meters. Designed by Nauta Yachts in Italy and interiorly decorated by Christophe Leoni, the luxurious Azzam is practically the size of two football fields — or in other words, almost just as big as certain cruise ships navigating the sea.

Not surprisingly, such a beauty comes with an astounding price tag of $609 million, as a 29m main salon and a beam of 18m with an open plan are part of her numerous features. Traveling at an excess of 30 knots, Azzam is powered by 2 gas turbines and 2 diesel engines with a horsepower of 94,000. And did I mention that she needs a crew of 50 people to be maintained? Now, that’s large scale luxury.

Read more about the Azzam on the Lürssen website

Here’s a “how-to-act-native” guide to fit in perfectly no matter where you are.

Tip 1: Watch local TV

It’s not as difficult as it sounds once you start. Begin by watching movies in the local language with subtitles in English, just so you get a flair for the basic vocabulary and gestures. One of the ways I learned Spanish was by watching telenovelas to get a hang of local customs in Central America.

Tip 2: Go people watching

The key to mastering a language not only lies in the words, but as well as in the gestures used to emphasis on certain things. Pick a bench in the city center or go to a local market and examine the way people interact with each other. Do they talk with their hands? Do they keep a distance from each other, or are they close when they speak? Incorporating all these little details will make it seem as if you grew up on the block.

Tip 3: Give it everything you have

You must be fully committed to fitting in, right from the beginning of your trip. If you don’t have time to enroll in a language class, help out at a local store, listen to the radio, read magazines, try ordering your food in the language; just imagine that each experience is a free lesson and one step forward to mastering the lingo.

Tip 4: Don’t be afraid of speaking

How do you plan on learning if you’re too afraid to mispronounce a word? As a baby, you first learned by listening to your parents. Imagine how your life would have been if you were too afraid to pronounce your first word!

Tip 5: Make friends (or date a local)

Doesn’t je t’aime sound much more romantic in French than I love you does in English? Mingling with natives will help you learn the local slang and will increase your vocabulary repertoire. Plus, it’s more fun to learn a language while out at a bar than studying in a classroom!

Photo credit: Timothy Vollmer (Flickr)

Get to your gate at the speed of light

Walking around with your suitcase can become quite a hassle. Samsonite has provided you with the ability to turn your bag into a scooter, thus eliminating the difficulties that come with a handheld luggage. Micro Suitcase Scooter eliminates the need to carry a heavy bag around the airport and getting to the gate has suddenly become much faster. All you have to do is pull down the scooter from the back of the luggage and pull out the handle.

Purchase the Micro Suitecase Scooter here

Remain charged all day long

While traveling you can have your phone inside a bag throughout the whole day without touching it once, but when you finally need it the battery is dead. With Powerbag, this issue is no longer of concern. All you need to do is charge the compact battery inside the backpack before leaving and it will later do the rest for your electronics. The bag comes with various wires enabling not only the charging of an iPhone or Blackberry but also cameras, tablets and game devices while you are on the go.

Learn more about Powerbag here

Stay in touch with the people you love

Whenever people come back from vacation, they always complain about how high their phone bill is from being on roaming for a week. With Spare One, all you need to do is purchase a local SIM card and all your problems will be solved. Spare One allows for up to 10 hours of phone calls on a single AA battery, which is probably more than enough for a single trip’s worth. The simplified phone comes with a waterproof bag and will work at temperatures where your Smartphone won’t even turn on due to a high resistance body. It also has a one touch emergency button for the use of which no SIM is required.

Read more about Spare One here

Get reception wherever you are

Unfortunately not all phones have reception in a desert, a jungle or even in the basement of your house. For the more adventurous travelers, a satellite phone is more of a necessity as opposed to being a handy gadget. InReach 2 way satellite communicator provides you with the ability to call and text in the most secluded of locations, while your regular phone is on SOS mode.

Learn more about inReach 2 way satellite communicator here

Carry batteries with you

Batteries are always useful to have, but most of the time when you actually need them there are none just lying around. The new USB charged batteries are not only eco friendly, but also very convenient. One set can be used for 500 charge cycles. Whenever they are running low on juice, all you need to do is plug them into the computer, instead of going through the hassle of venturing to the nearest store.

Buy USB charged batteries here

Speak the local language as if you were fluent

Learning another language is one of the many benefits of traveling around the world. Obviously, you won’t be fluent in Mandarin after a one-week trip, but you will learn words and phrases essential for communication. Franklin Electronic Translator makes your life much simpler by providing you with 12 languages to communicate in throughout your travels.

Purchase Franklin Electronic Translator here

Stay fit while traveling the globe

People who enjoy sports on a regular basis have always been looking for gadgets to help track their calories and heart rate for years now. There are watches, shoes and phone applications all for the purpose of helping you get in shape. Fitbug Orb differs by its unique shape and the ability to monitor you not only in action but also in your sleep. While it records your physical activities throughout the day, it also monitors your sleep cycles at night enabling for a better lifestyle.

Learn more about FitBug here

Don’t worry about getting robbed

Going to the beach alone can be very relaxing. With a book in hand you can pretty much spend the whole day by the sea without noticing the time go by. The difficulty occurs when you want to go for a swim. It is normal to get nervous about the safety of your personal belongings while in the water. With Reef Stash innovative sandals there is no need to worry. The secret compartment in the shoe has just enough space for your room key and money, and since they are not the most stylish of sandals there is no need to worry about someone snatching them away.

Read more about ReefStash here

Be cool even when it’s 50°C

Have you ever gone outside into the sun and wished for a portable air conditioner to help keep you cool? Well, your wish has finally been granted. Handy Cooler is a handheld ventilator powered by batteries and chargeable via USB. You no longer have to roast yourself in the sun or exhaust your hands by waving a fan all day long, just make sure to have 4 AA batteries and Handy Cooler will do the rest.

Purchase Handy Cooler here

Wash your hair while on the road

Going for a swim in a mountain lake is a great experience, but if you want to wash your hair while you are at it, then it becomes tricky. Holding your head just above the water and dipping it in without getting water or soap in your eyes is already a challenge. Moreover, using soap in the lake means polluting it, possibly affecting the wildlife of the lake itself and the nature around it. With Sea to Summit Pocket Shower all you have to do is fill it with water, hook it onto a tree and enjoy a nice fresh shower: quick, easy and pollution free.

Buy Sea to Summit Pocket Shower here

These are gadgets that will appeal to everyone, some make for easier travel and others are simply useful to have around the house. Don’t underestimate the value of these little utensils, just pack some in your bag and use whenever in need.

]]> http://theworldwider.net/the-buzz/advice-travel-buzz/10-gadgets-trip/feed/ 0 http://theworldwider.net/city-hopping/orleans-taxis-revamped-soda-vending-machines/ http://theworldwider.net/city-hopping/orleans-taxis-revamped-soda-vending-machines/#comments Mon, 08 Apr 2013 16:07:56 +0000 Sharon Bijo http://theworldwider.net/?p=6670 From time to time, you’ll be lucky enough to jump into a taxi with free magazines or other goodies to keep you busy while getting from point A to B. If you happen to be in New Orleans, you might be even luckier if you climb into one of the city’s 250 taxis equipped with a soda vending machine.

Run by the New Orleans Carriage Cab, this new concept provides each taxi with up to 36 soft drinks, which are kept cold in a refrigerator located behind the seat. Each vending machine offers a wide variety of choices all at 99 cents, from Coke and Fanta to Nestea and Sprite. Suiting any customer’s tastes — even those on a diet — the non-alcoholic beverages can be purchased via a touchscreen menu and paid for by credit or debit card.

New Orleans is the first city in the United States to boast taxis with vending machines. Simon Garber, founder of the concept and owner of the New Orleans Carriage Cab, got the idea from his son and took four years to develop the project. His hope, he says, is to eventually expand to Chicago and New York City and ultimately offer other types of products such as umbrellas and perfumes through the vending machine.

If you’re trying to lose weight before the summer, here’s another motivation for you to hit the gym and sweat off those kilos.

Samoa Air has recently decided to charge passengers based on how much you and your baggage weigh. To calculate the cost of a ticket, the airline charges a fare plus a rate per kilo for the passenger and his or her baggage. Rates range from $1 per kilo on the shortest domestic flights to about $4 kg on longer flights.

According to New Zealand’s 3 News, a person weighing 75kg traveling with 15kg of luggage will be charged $1.66 per kilo when traveling from Fagali’i in Western Samoa to Pago Pago in American Samoa. This person’s total fare will amount to $149.40.

“This is the fairest way of you travelling with your family or yourself. You can put your baggage on, there are no separate fees because of excess baggage – a kilo is a kilo is a kilo,” said Chris Langton, chief executive of Samoa Air. To avoid changes in weight between the time a passenger books the flight and travels, Samoa Air also weighs passengers at the check-in counter before the flight.

Given that the airline doesn’t charge based on seat requirement, a family with young children is able to travel for considerably less than on other airlines. All Samoa Air does is weigh the children to charge an appropriate fee.

Samoa Air’s new policy strives to economically sustain its fleet of three- to nine-passenger planes. “The smaller the aircraft you’re in, the less variance you can accept in terms of the differences in weights between passengers,” explained Langton.

In fact, weight has a huge impact on the costs of operating an airplane. The heavier the plane is, the more fuel it needs to operate. Furthermore, knowing each passenger’s weight helps the cabin crew spread the passengers evenly around the aircraft.

“Booking a flight with us is as easy as inputting your approximate weight into our online booking engine (don’t worry, we will weigh you again at the airport) – you then can prepay your ‘guesstimate’, guaranteeing you that much weight is allocated to you for that flight … with Samoa Air, you are the master of how much (or little!) your air ticket will cost,” shares the company’s website.

]]> http://theworldwider.net/the-buzz/samoa-air-charge-fliers-weight/feed/ 0 http://theworldwider.net/the-buzz/advice-travel-buzz/superfly-personalized-airfare-search-engine/ http://theworldwider.net/the-buzz/advice-travel-buzz/superfly-personalized-airfare-search-engine/#comments Mon, 25 Mar 2013 13:53:09 +0000 Sharon Bijo http://theworldwider.net/?p=6638 Search engines, like Kayak and Skyscanner, may provide travelers with a cheap ticket, but not necessarily one that will earn them the most benefits. While dozens of metasearch websites help find flights at the most affordable prices, Superfly operates on a different premise: to maximize mileage and benefits for travelers.

Launched in November 2011, Superfly was created to personalize travel. The website lists airfares by “net value” –  the cost of ticket minus the cash value of the miles you could earn by flying and someday claim for rewards like free flights and upgrades – rather than by price.

Superfly integrates over 100 loyalty programs run by airlines, hotel chains, credit cards, train lines and car rental companies worldwide. Upon signing up, the website uses your current mileage balances to offer a unique search based on your own travel history and loyalty memberships. Superfly also takes into account your travel status. For instance, if you’re a Gold member with Star Alliance, the search engine will consider it when calculating the net value of your ticket.

Superfly allows travelers, like you, to gain control over flights and ultimately, get the most personalized experience possible out of buying a ticket, as well as getting to your destination.

For more information, visit the website: www.superfly.com

Instead of the usual piled-up, unappealing food you could find in a buffet, Las Vegas’ prestigious Bellagio hotel is taking all-you-can-eat one step further by introducing a glamorous caviar experience to the masses.

Food lovers will be enchanted by the $38 caviar buffet, which comes with a waiter that serves caviar on buckwheat, waffles, fresh sushi, Ahi tuna cones and bilnis. Enthusiasts will find all types of caviar, ranging from red flying fish tobiko caviar to exotic black American sturgeon caviar. Each dish can come topped with chopped eggs, onions or crème fraiche.

Next time you’re in Sin City, don’t play those $38 dollars in the casino — instead, invest them in a delicious caviar dinner.

Opening hours: 3:30 PM to 10:00 PM every Friday and Saturday

Address: 3600 Las Vegas Blvd. South, Las Vegas, NV 89109

This London pop-up restaurant offers diners a low-cal menu, but also an environment that helps burn off 573 calories while eating. As a concept restaurant, Steam is a tool to promote German appliance manufacturer Miele’s new steam-cooking line. The restaurant is run by The Boundary’s Chef Frederick Forster and will only run for one night.

The restaurant is kept at chilly temperatures, so as to enhance the chances of burning calories. Upon entering the room, patrons are first given metabolism-boosting green tea and cold drinks to warm up for a workout. Then, they participate in a 40-minute Body Balance Class – a mix of Tai-Chi, Yoga and Pilates created by former Olympian Les Mills  – that promises to burn 300 calories (trust me, it works. I take this class two times a week and swear by it).

Diners then get to sit down and enjoy a full-course meal of only 573 calories, comprising of Scallop and Chorizo Brochette with Cucumber and Ginger Dressing (95 calories), Beef Fillet with Beansprout Salad (131 calories), Quail Egg Cocotte with Mushroom and Leek Fondue (75 calories), Prawn Stuffed Lemon Sole with Herb Butter Sauce (135 calories), and Banana Cake with Confit Pineapple and Crème Chantilly for dessert (137 calories).

Patrons must hold tight to their seats while eating though, since the chairs have vibrating pads which are activated during the entire meal. Steam claims that these pads burn 50 calories per 30-minute intervals, and the restaurant further encourages laughing during dinner and talking while eating to burn an additional 40 and 57 calories. After-meal entertainment includes pingpong, boxing and exercise band workouts.

Although the concept will only run for a night, rumor has it that it may expand to the rest of England, and maybe, overseas to the United States. But honestly speaking, how can you enjoy a good slice of banana cake while sitting on a vibrating chair without getting sick?

Kempinski may be the oldest luxury hotel brand in Europe (it was founded in 1897), but the chain sure knows how to create hotels of utmost luxury and modernity. As the chain’s first independently managed hotel in East Delhi, the Kempinski Ambience Hotel is located in the capital’s nicest district of Shadara.

Staying true to the spiritual roots of India, the hotel was inaugurated and blessed by nobody else than Nobel Peace Prize recipient and Buddhist spiritual leader, his Holiness the Dalai Lama. On December 25, the Dalai Lama lit a ceremonial lamp to commemorate the opening of the prestigious hotel.

“Today’s world is deeply interconnected and progress of any region must be viewed from a perspective of oneness of humanity. I am touched by the massive effort and compassion that has gone into building such a magnanimous property in East Delhi, and the efforts the hotel is taking in community development, which will lead to betterment of this entire region. I met with several people from the hotel including the owners, the executive committee, the kitchen staff and security guards, and wish that they always remain filled with the same positive energy to serve and to spread joy. I wish to recognise the support extended to us by Kempinski Ambience Hotel,” shared the Dalai Lama during the ceremony.

The 480 rooms of the hotel are located in two twin towers. Connected by a sky bridge, each tower has its own entrance, lobby and check-in counter. The hotel boasts four restaurants — Café Knosh (serves all day), Dilli 32 (Indian cuisine), Mei Kun (Asian cuisine) and Casaluna (Italian cuisine) — as well as a panoramic glass bar, two business centers, a health club with spa, hammam and an ice fountain, two fitness centers, a hair salon and two outdoor heated pools.

“Shahdara fits our vision perfectly, through its unique blend of a rustic Old Delhi charm coupled with an early embrace of the most sophisticated modern infrastructure technology,” commented Mr Reto Wittwer, President and CEO of Kempinski Hotels. ”Asia, as a whole, is a very dynamic region. As we venture in the diverse and vital Indian subcontinent, we extend our global brand promise to our guests — no matter which hotel you visit, we ensure that the remarkable European Flair offers you a consistent Kempinski guest experience, while respecting and incorporating different cultures to imbue the uniqueness of each individual hotel.”

1 Central Business District , 110032 Delhi +91 11 4908 8888, website.

Cairns is a holiday maker’s paradise with attractions, tours and plenty of things to do. The city is a 1,700 km drive north from Queensland’s state capital – Brisbane. It takes at least two days but I recommend at least a week as there are many interesting places along the way.  The Sunshine Coast, Fraser Island, Yeppoon, the Whitsundays and Townsville are all destinations demanding some of your time.

The Beachfront

Most visitors expect Cairns to have palm-fringed sandy beaches, but you need to go north to find those. The city is built beside mudflats; in fact, the Cairns Esplanade was a grassy wasteland until recently. The development of an outdoor amphitheatre, a large swimming pool lagoon, picnic areas, exercise tracks, free public barbeques and children’s playground have transformed the area. The locals flock here for a swim and the tourists lie around in tropical bliss.

Palm Cove

My favourite part of Cairns is Palm Cove, a beach settlement some 20 kilometres north of the main city. It has been extensively developed, yet it has not been ruined. The foreshore road meanders around magnificent paper bark trees and parking is limited, encouraging visitors to walk or cycle. There are some excellent resorts and restaurants and a great palm-fringed beach. Prices tend to be high, but most facilities are first class. The beach is magical, particularly in the afternoon when you can lie under the shade and let the world pass by.

Palm Cove is home to the Reef House Spa, one of the most lauded in Australia. There are fully qualified therapists, indigenous-inspired techniques, treatments and therapies and an ambience that is soothing and relaxing. We seem to float as we exit into the tropical gardens.

The Reef and Rainforest

Cairns provides a good base for exploring and enjoying the varied pleasures of this region.

The Great Barrier Reef, now a national marine park, provides superb recreational activities such as snorkelling, diving, swimming, coral viewing and fishing. Numerous vessels leave Cairns everyday to visit parts of this wonderland. Some visit islands while others anchor at reef pontoons which provide semi-submersibles and glass bottomed boats to see the colourful coral and abundant fish life.

Inland is the picturesque Atherton Tablelands. You can drive yourself or take a tour to see waterfalls, rainforest, volcanic lakes and various other attractions.

Kuranda is a popular nearby destination. We combined the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway with the famous Kuranda Scenic Railway for an excellent day. Skyrail takes you over Australia’s World Heritage listed rainforests. We enjoyed birds-eye views as we glided just metres over the canopy, before exploring the forest floor at two rainforest mid-stations. The Kuranda Scenic Railway provides a historic, scenic journey as it passes through hand carved tunnels and past tumbling rainforest waterfalls.

Port Douglas and Mossman

We strongly recommend a drive north along one of the world’s most scenic coastal roads to Port Douglas and Mossman. You can also go further to explore the pretty township of Daintree and cross the river into the national parks of Cape Tribulation. The Daintree Cape Tribulation rainforest is one of the most diverse and beautiful places in Australia.  It is said to contain the highest number of plant and animal species that are rare, or threatened with near extinction, anywhere in the world.

Port Douglas has abundant accommodation and is a popular starting point for a reef day trip. Mossman Gorge at Mossman gives you spectacular rainforest, sparkling water and an Australian aboriginal experience.

Shopping

Opposite the Cairns Esplanade is the Cairns Night Markets, which showcase local and indigenous artworks, tourism trinkets and fast food, seven nights a week. The market has around 130 stalls and is a permanent air-conditioned center. There is also a 200-seat food court with 13 food outlets, many serving Asian food or local seafood.

Adjacent to the Cairns Esplanade is The Pier shopping centre, which appears to be struggling a little. When locals go shopping, they go to the air-conditioned Cairns Central with over 180 stores.  DFS Galleria is the place for the ultimate in high-end luxury shopping. We look in wonder at the prices of Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Calvin Klein, Burberry and Cartier items. More our style is the Direct Factory Outlets, a popular shopping center located just a five-minute drive from Cairns CBD where there are many bargains.

There are endless little souvenir shops selling cuddly kangaroos and koalas, printed T-shirts, flags, Aboriginal paintings, boomerangs and didgeridoos. Unfortunately, many are made in China rather than Australia.

Eating

The Great Barrier Reef is abundant with fresh seafood and the Atherton Tablelands grows exotic fruit and vegetables. All this is available in a range of eateries in Cairns that cater to most tastes.  Tamarind Restaurant in the Pullman Hotel and Casino is one of our favorites for its fusion dishes. Sushi Paradise has fresh and cheap sushi in a casual atmosphere while Little Ricardo’s, a fully-licensed pizzeria and trattoria, offers pizza and pasta, steak, seafood and chicken and veal dishes. The Bushfire Flame Grill in the Pacific International Hotel is a meat lover’s delight.

Because Cairns is a popular tourist town there are many more outlets and styles of food than you would expect. It is just a matter of finding the right one and we found that walking the main streets was an excellent way of doing this.

Whitfield House

Accommodation in the region is diverse too, ranging from luxury resorts to budget style apartments and backpacker lodges. For something really special, a stay at Whitfield House will surpass your expectations. The historic house only has four suites so privacy is ensured.

Our suite had the usual five-star amenities with a writing desk, high-speed internet access, flat screen television with cable access and beautiful spa facilities within a large marble bathroom. There were magnificent forest and garden views from our window and a heated pool and adjacent gazebo in tropical gardens.

Perhaps the best aspect for us was the personalised hospitality that we enjoyed. We were welcome to use the Fitzalan Library with its rare Australian books while sipping on complimentary champagne. We appreciated the nightly bed turndown and the chocolates. We remember the afternoon teas served beneath majestic trees. We luxuriated in the daily complementary massages.

Cairns could be right out of the pages of one of Somerset Maugham’s books. In my experience there are few places left like this in the world.

Photo credits: Phensri Rutledge (except photo of Whitfield House)

All photographs are subject to copyright and may not be used without the consent of Phensri Rutledge

Sounds fantastic, doesn’t it? You’ll find such a heavenly gem just off the coast of Tanzania on one of the six little islands of the Songo Songo Archipelago. With its crystal clear waters, 11km of intact coral reef and abundant wildlife, Fanjove Island will rejuvenate your body and soul.

The tiny island opened as a private resort this January, boasting only six suites – called bandas – set across the beach, guaranteeing maximum privacy for the guests.

Rustic and simple, the bandas are powered by solar energy and offer guests a Robinson Crusoe type experience. All suites feature ensuite bathrooms with open-air hot showers under the African stars.

Not only are the suites typical of the region, but so is the mode of transportation to get to the island. The trip can be booked through Enchanting-Africa and small dhows – a lateen-rigged ship with one or two masts – will sail guests to beach paradise.

Besides dolphin watching, snorkeling and maybe even helping save some of the green sea turtles that nest on the beach, there’s not much to do on the island. But isn’t that what makes it so appealing? I’d fly to Fanjove anytime!

]]> http://theworldwider.net/city-hopping/fanjove-island-private-getaway/feed/ 0 http://theworldwider.net/the-buzz/advice-travel-buzz/lifestyle/ http://theworldwider.net/the-buzz/advice-travel-buzz/lifestyle/#comments Tue, 12 Mar 2013 14:18:48 +0000 Leat Ahrony http://theworldwider.net/?p=6561 When you place your adventurous cap on and leave traces of your travel steps with luggage wheels, a venture into a new world is about to take place.

Photo credit: Clapstar (Flickr)

Whether you are on bolstering beaches in Mexico in tank tops or in icy mountains in Switzerland embraced with warm coats, assimilation takes place.  One carries their culture and identity with them permanently, but sometimes we are forced to understand, respect, and practice other cultures that we run into. Living in Taiwan all my life, I met countless foreign students; some embraced the local culture and even adapted new norms and behaviors. Others could not wait to get out of there. To keep things more flavorful, think about lifestyle changes while traveling or relocating.

The minute you walk through the doors at the airport, ferry terminal, or train station, you enter a new experience. You may have cleared through airport customs, but the process of understanding customs of a different nature has only just begun.

My head experienced culturemania during last summer. Switching from Israel (Middle East) to Taiwan (Asia) and then back to Canada (North America) felt like a typhoon. Just as I was getting comfortable and cushioned in one place, it was time to move on to the next. What I gained from all three experiences however was unique customs, behaviors and morals. In Israel, I felt the warm and energetic people grow on me; I smiled more, greeted people with hugs, and friendly heat radiated off me.

I needed to take a step back in Taiwan however as greets with hugs or kisses send off a message that displays affection rather than politeness. I also had to be extremely cautious when crossing roads. With those insane taxi drivers especially, do not expect any car to stop for you in Taiwan.

This changed in Canada: drivers are generally courteous and pedestrians have priority with zebra lines. The entire journey and cultural transformations from place to place got me thinking to introduce a unique flavor to my life. I wanted a lifestyle change that included one element from each continental region.

Photo credit: Decodrama Visual (Flickr)

The first step to creating a lifestyle change is setting a goal and identifying what you are dissatisfied with in your life. I wanted to be more physically fit and distribute more time towards social activity.  Putting the puzzle pieces together, I bought a bike, planned dates with friends, and set time for relaxation. In Taiwan, everything was in the neighbourhood and close by; I rode to school since middle school and did errands on two sturdy wheels that contributed 0% greenhouse gases.

Although Canadians love driving everywhere, I stuck to my belief that if walking, biking or busing is an option, I prefer this. I ride my bicycle to campus everyday (rain, shine, or light snow), and with two basket attachments, grocery shopping is solved.  Bicycles are such amazing vehicles!

Water is so precious in Israel that I appreciated it even more. Canada has the luxury to own abundant water and other natural resources. My values are not changing however, because I believe no matter how plentiful, wasting is just plain wrong. Canada’s more relaxed and chilled atmosphere (compared to Middle East and Asia) helped me relax more. My Canadian friends made me realize the importance of sleep and taking some time to just lower the intensity and anxieties that often swallow me.

With more sleep and deep breaths, I realized I felt calmer and was able to remain composed in hectic situations. Adjusting little things here and there was necessary for completing my lifestyle change project. Changing perspectives, windows, and values can be challenging. On the other hand however, when travelling or relocating, look at it as an opportunity to improve your lifestyle for personal health and wellness purposes.

If you try Yoga while traveling in India and enjoy the activity, why ever stop? Yoga has gained a positive worldly reputation for increasing spirituality and serenity. I love travelling because you give and gain from every place, and eventually it all comes back to you, your adaptations and change of living styles. I believe lifestyle changes are an excellent way to keep our lives colorful and interesting. It adds an extra spice and flavor to your travel dish. Change is goal orientated and refreshing. And who could argue with that?

Photo credit: Graham King (Flickr)

Photo credits: Clappstar, Decodrama Visual and Graham King

The newly opened landmark hotel, the JW Marriott Marquis Dubai, spans not one but two towers, leaving its mark on Dubai’s skyline at 354m high. Situated in the Business Bay area of the city, the hotel hosted an unforgettable opening ceremony on February 27 with 1,200 VIP guests.

Among the lucky guests that night were fashion designer Donna Karan, local singing star Salha and the Million Dolar Band and Dubai TV personality DJ Bliss. Guests walked the stunning signature JW Marriott black carpet with fire dancers and stilt walkers and danced throughout the night to the beats of an exclusive concert given by British singer Leona Lewis.

The 684-room hotel, which took seven years to complete, comprises of 72 stories and ten restaurants, including Izakaya, Prime 68 La Farina, Tong Thai and Rang Mahal by Atul Kocchar, the first Indian chef to get a Michelin star. The JW Marriott Marquis Dubai also boasts four bars, two lounges, two ballrooms, and a 4,000 square-meter Saray Spa and Health Club.

Check out the video below for a glimpse of the opening ceremony:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=GWF3jsMAyak

It might seem uncommon for a Chinese hotel, but this new themed getaway immerses guests into the real experience of this endangered species. Located at the foot of Emei Mountain in China’s Sichuan province, the Haoduo Panda Hotel will open its doors in May. All rooms will be decorated with panda photos, cuddly plush bears and furniture decorated with the animal.

Giant pandas have long been the international emblem of China, as demonstrated by the use of the animal as a mascot  at the Beijing Olympics. There are only about 1,590 pandas left today in the wild, and more than 30% of them live in Sichuan province.

“I hope that all of these pandas will help people return to nature and find simple and true happiness,” told the hotel manager to China News in an article this February.

Haoduo Panda Hotel claims to be the world’s first hotel to pay tribute to China’s endangered species. Instead of meeting a panda in a zoo, why not spend a couple of days surrounded by several of them?

Room rates range from $48 a night to $80

Photo credit: Salvation Army USA West (Flickr)

Travelling is a great opportunity for eye-opening adventures. In terms of nutrition and food however, it could spur in two directions. There are the young backpack travelers that often count pennies and end up relying on cheap fast food, and the more cautious eaters that want to indulge into the whole cultural food experience.

As a young 19-year-old, I committed to a healthy and whole eating lifestyle seven years ago. It has been that long since I touched McDonald’s or any unhealthy and processed foods. This causes some inflexibility while traveling, but my stubbornness does not give up that easily. It can be difficult and more pricy to commit to healthy habits while traveling, but it reduces your chances of a surprised face when you step back on the scale after a vacation.

If you have are able to find accommodation that offers a partial or full kitchen, that is the best option since purchasing fresh foods and cooking them yourself is both pleasurable and healthy. Realistically speaking however, this is often rare when traveling. Not to fret however, because there are other tips.

Tip one: Keep healthy snacks in your travel bag or vehicle

Photo credit: Martin Weller (Flickr)

Whether you are on a plane, in a car, or walking by foot, snacking is inevitable. Tt’s not a wrong thing either, but what you are snacking on does matter. If you love seaweed or kale chips, both are excellent snacking options. Instead of sugary power and granola bars, try a fresh fruit, plain nuts (almonds, walnuts, sunflower/pumpkin seeds) that are natural, whole, and packed full of vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids. Steer towards fresh fruit stands in tropical countries especially. The juices ooze out of the fruit like no other; how could one resist?

Tip two: Choose whole grains over processed flour products

Photo credit: Alpha (Flickr)

Choose whole grains over processed flour products. Pancakes, bagels, confectionary items, and pastries might satisfy your sweet tooth, but it certainly does not benefit your daily caloric intake, and it skyrockets your glycemic index too. Remember Goldilocks? Well she was right that oatmeal is more nutritious, fibrous and less fattening. Choose whole grains like brown or wild rice, and don’t just go for the squishy, airy “whole wheat” bread. True whole grain bread is generally dark in color, grainy, not fluffy, and requires quite a bit of jaw exercise to chew. Don’t waste your money on gum when you can practice on wholesome bread!

Tip three: Remember portion size

Depending on where you are, portion sizes can be a major contributor to weight gain. If traveling in Asia or Europe, this is not so much of an issue. In North America however, splitting an order with a friend or packing half of the meal before starting is a wise option.

Tip four: Stay away from dressing and sauces

Why ruin your vegetable with creamy, over artificially flavored liquids when the best is to go plain? I eat salad without any dressing, but this is not a feasible solution for many. So go the Israeli way and dress up salads with 3 healthy ingredients: olive oil (preferably cold pressed extra virgin), fresh squeezed lemon wedge/juice and a little salt.

Tip five: Look out for grocery stores

Photo credit: Allen Sheffield (Flickr)

All of this may seem difficult on a trip, but when you try a little more than look for the next McDonald’s, it is actually easier than it seems. If you spot a grocery store, supermarket, or even better, a fresh farmer’s market, take advantage and purchase fresh produce for the road.

Tip six: Make special requests at restaurants

It is their service to you — especially if you have special dietary needs. Some countries are not as developed or educated about allergies, so if you are celiac, lactose intolerant, or vegan, your food precaution radar should be on high. In Taiwan for example, restaurants generally don’t know what “kosher” or “gluten free” is. Visit www.happycow.com before travelling if you’re a vegan or vegetarian. You’ll find a global directory of veg-friendly restaurants and health food stores. People are generally attracted by the word “Food” like a magnet, but we should not ignore the essential physical component.

Tip seven: Never stop walking

Photo credit: Linde Jesus (Flickr)

Put those sturdy feet to use and race those miles. Too many people underestimate the power of walking and rely too much on vehicles that make us lethargic. If you are on a road trip, walking is probably not a feasible option, but once you arrive at your destination, utilizes those precious toes if it is a reasonable walking distance (10-45 minutes). Make use of public transport which often still requires some exercise such as climbing stairs in the Skytrain (Metro Railway) station. Generally reaching a bus stop also requires some walking effort.

I like to marinate my travel days with the whole and full experience which includes food, history, culture, people, sightseeing, exercise and spirituality. On our family vacations, my parents feared I would be undernourished because of long walking distances and refusal to consume fast-dining options. I proved them wrong. I managed with grocery stores and fresh farmer’s markets. Even in department store food courts, I found steamed or boiled vegetables with a special request of no sauces or dressings. I stuck to Sashimi, plain tofu and vegetable bean stews for protein, and purchased or carried plain oatmeal with me. Hotel buffets were a smart option because a huge healthful breakfast filled with fruits, oatmeal, nuts and vegetables generally kept me full until the late afternoon.

There are too many messages these days that confuse people. One day coffee is good and the next study will say something different. The same goes with fish, oils, grains and almost everything that is edible. Stick to the concept that the more whole, unprocessed and real the product is, the better it is for you.

No one should come back from a trip dismayed with a weight gain or sickness due to unhealthy eating habits. Even if budgeting and spending allowance is limited, there are always cheaper dining options. McDonald’s in Canada or Israel for example are often more expensive than cheaper and better quality foods in restaurants or supermarkets. Also, in the long run, you would probably suffer more physically and pay more for medical bills. Part of travelling is being exposed to new features, places, people and culture, but the other part is also making sure your body is strong enough to accomplish all these wonderful experiences. And by strong, I mean smart and healthful eating.

Photo credits from Flickr: Salvation Army USA West, Martin Weller, Alpa, Allen Sheffield and Linde Jesus

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zmt3gzwNP2k

Air India is the fourth largest airline by market share. Besides its history in labor problems, the carrier has been also struggling in recent years due to competition faced by private companies.

In the five-minute video, Captain Anjum Chabra, first officer with Air India’s now grounded Dreamliner fleet, gets dressed, receives a call that his flight got cancelled, and goes on a rant about the airline’s ageing hostesses, management and labor unions. ”How do I fly with women in their sixties,” he rapped. “They call them air hostesses, we call them aunties.”

Although the pilot already apologised for his action, the damage has already been done since the video has gone viral, receiving more than 150,000 views since it was first uploaded on Feb. 12.

“I’m working Air India, I am in India, but not in the air. Is there anyone here who’s got some extra money to spare?” raps the pilot, angrily.

“I don’t wanna sit at home and I wanna f**ing fly. If I don’t touch my stick soon I’m soon gonna die,” he adds. Funny, stupid, or just plain sarcastic, Air India Rap is one man’s difficult reality.

With its futuristic skyline boasting the tallest building in the world — the Burj Khalifa — Dubai will soon be welcoming a new addition to the family: the Dubai Eye.

The fast-growing city of Dubai recently announced the construction of the Dubai Eye — a ferris wheel much like its counterpart in London, except double its height. The Dubai Eye will majestically triumph all world records at a heart-thromping 210 meters. The Singapore Flyer, the tallest at the moment, stands at 165 meters; the Star of Nanchang in Southeastern China at 160 meters; and the London Eye at 135 meters.

Obviously, the title of being “the tallest ferris wheel in the world” comes with a big price tag. Approximately $1.5 billion was put into its development, according to Emirates News Agency.

The Dubai Eye is the rising star of the ongoing Bluewaters Project; the resort island right off the coast of the Jumeirah Beach Residence. The ferris wheel will be part of an entertainment zone, comprising of a beautiful promenade, a waterpark and an amphitheatre.

Adding on to the Burj Khalifa, the city just inaugurated the tallest hotel in the world — the JW Marriott Marquis Dubai. Dubai seems to like all things tall. And indeed, it’s a city that gives its visitors a chance to be on top of the world, even if its just for a couple of minutes.

Walking down the street I hear the call to Islamic prayer from every minaret being accompanied by hip-hop music from open shop fronts. Elsewhere I see women in head-to-toe chador drinking coffee in international cafes, while blond women in ponytails sip cocktails in blue-lit bars.

Istanbul seems to be a compressed version of the world and it has all the benefits and problems that this can bring. Fortunately, for the tourist it is usually friendly, intriguing and quite fascinating.

Old City

Istanbul’s old city overwhelms with its mosques and castles, its markets and underground reservoirs, and the crush of locals, tourists and hustlers. My wife and I spend days here exploring and watching the vast tide of people coming and going. While the Turkish Republic is only 90 years old this year, Istanbul has been a world city for over two millennia.

Aya Sofya dominates one section of Sultanahmet. For nearly one thousand years, this was the largest enclosed space on earth (photographed above). The building was originally a church, then a mosque and now a museum. Close by is Topkapi Palace, the political centre of the Ottoman Empire for four centuries. On the other side is the Blue Mosque, impressive from the outside but somewhat disappointing inside, due to the crowds, the smell of feet, the gloominess and the imperfections in the architecture and the decoration. Don’t get me wrong, it is well worth seeing but it is really size that matters here.

We visit the eerie underground reservoir called Basilica Cistern, the Million Stone which was known as the “centre of the world” in Byzantine times, the Obelisk which was originally erected in the 16^th century BC in Luxor, and Valens Aqueduct that brought water to the city from the fourth century AD.

This whole area is undeniably exotic and difficult to leave, but we realised that this is just one side of a fascinating city.

The Bazaars

The bazaars are a joy to visit and you can find many traditional and original items. The 3500 shop Grand Bazaar is one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world and is a ‘must-visit’, but there are other places which may be more authentic. The Egyptian Bazaar or Spice market (photographed above) is another market frequented by tourists. Besides spices, it also sells teas, dried fruits and nuts, oils, essences and sweets.

Less well known is the Arasta Bazaar, a small and simple traditional market with about 40 shops lined on both sides of a street behind the Blue Mosque. Another is the Sahaflar Carsisi, a second-hand book bazaar which occupies an old courtyard near the Grand Bazaar.

Galata and Beyoglu

We cross the Galata Bridge and enter a different world. This was originally a different city to old Constantinople and it was later occupied by the Genoese and became the center for European powers. The most obvious landmark is the Galata Tower which was built in 1348.

You can by-pass this area by taking the Tunel, a short underground railway which was the second to be built in the world. The upper station opens on to Istiklal Caddesi, the main street through ‘New Istanbul’ with its characteristic Istiklal Tramway. To the right and left steep, mysterious back streets reveal hidden bars, restaurants and Turkish baths. This area is going through a renaissance at warp speed.

Taksim Square is a major tourist and leisure district famed for its restaurants and shops while some of Istanbul’s grandest hotels are here. It is also a transport hub for buses, the Metro and the funicular that connects to the Kabatas tramway station.

The Bosphorus

The Bosphorus is a source of pride for Istanbul’s residents and of admiration for its visitors. While locals use ferries for daily commuting, for visitors they can be one of the city’s highlights. There are various tourist cruises and a sightseeing boat that goes almost up to the Black Sea.

The cheapest and probably most fun way to travel, however, is on the public ferries. Some of these just connect the Asian and European shores but others go from village to village and provide a perfect bench for sightseeing. One of the best trips is from the Eyup Pier near the Eyup Sultan Mosque down the Golden Horn and eventually across the Bosphorus to Uskudar on the Asian shore.

Another is to go up the Bosphorus under the two huge suspension bridges to Yenikoy or Sariyer.  After enjoying lunch at a seafood restaurant on the Bosphorus shore, we took a bus and stopped at the Sadberk Hanin Museum to see the marvellous art and antiques, climbed the castle walls at the Rumeli Hisari Fortress and people-watched in Ortakoy.

The Asian shore

The Asian side is much less visited by tourists and this is a good reason to go. There are not the same tourist attractions but there are vast suburbs and small villages to explore. Kadikoy is on the northern shore of the Sea of Marmara with good views back to Old Istanbul. It is a lively and busy place with its numerous bars, cinemas and bookshops. Turkey’s biggest food market is here and the Toy Museum is worth a stop.

Further north is attractive Uskudar with its impressive architecture and tranquil atmosphere. This is an excellent shopping centre and northwards from here are some of the best waterfront homes in Istanbul. There are further villages before you reach the Beylerbeyi Palace, then it’s on to the pretty village of Cengelkoy. We eventually reach Anadolu Kavagi, a sleepy fishing village with ruined castles, fortifications and ancient temples nearby. We walk to the top of a hill from where we see the mosques of Istanbul in one direction and the Black Sea in the other.

Dinner with the locals

Tonight my wife and I go to dinner with a local family as part of an Urban Adventure run by Intrepid. There are just us, the family of three and a guide. The family speak no English but our bilingual guide translates. We play with the two-year-old daughter then sit on the floor to enjoy a typical Turkish meal.

The home-cooked food is delicious and the atmosphere warm and relaxed. We have brought some fresh baklava as a small gift and we all enjoy it for dessert. We feel very privileged to get this insight into their lives and it will long remain a memory.

Afterwards we walk the cobbled back-streets of the area with the guide and drop into a local tea house. While drinking tea, sampling a waterpipe, playing backgammon and enjoying views over the Marmara Sea, we realise that this has been a real highlight of our Istanbul visit.

Photo credits: Phensri Rutledge

All photographs are subject to copyright and may not be used without the consent of Phensri Rutledge

If you are one of those people, then the Maldives is a place for you. Speaking as someone who has recently craved a trip away from the real world, I can say that this is a place like no other. Immediately upon arrival, all thoughts of reality perish and you enter a completely new, unknown world.

The Maldives consists of a large number of islands and is located in the Indian Ocean. If I were asked to define paradise on Earth, the Maldives would be it. The one particular island I am thinking of is the property of Soneva Fushi and is by far the most relaxing natural place that I have ever been to.

The journey from Europe is tedious for everyone, even those who are very familiar with the occasional overnight flight. But do not fret; the trip is absolutely worth it. However, do keep in mind that Male, the capital of the Maldives is not your final stop. It doesn’t matter what resort you are going to, once you come out of the airport, your air taxi will be waiting.

Now this does not sound very exciting after having been seated in an aircraft for over eight hours, but it actually is. Since the ‘taxi’ planes are the kind that land on water, they fly much lower than your regular airplane and you get the possibility to see the beauty of many Maldivian islands from above.

30 minutes later and the taxi will finally touch the ocean right beside your holiday destination. Today it will be Soneva Fushi. As you are waiting for the plane to get to the ‘airport’ you can see your paradise on Earth in its full might for the first time. The international airport consists of a 3×4 meter wooden float with a small set of stairs to help you get onto the boat that will then take you to the island at last. According to the staff, the ‘airport’ is the most popular place for guests to take photos – completely understandable considering how comical it is in appearance.

At this point the journey is almost over; just a five-minute boat ride to the island and then you can finally relax and enjoy your vacation to its fullest. Now, one of the main rules on this island is that you don’t wear shoes, ever. I know, at first it sounds weird and awkward, I mean how many times have you been to a resort where they tell you not to wear shoes until you go back home.

My first reaction was the same; my first year there I tried to fight the system and wear shoes every now and then. However, after having visited the island several times I have accepted this odd rule and have been able to enjoy ten whole days without having covered my feet one single time.

I can go on for hours about all the fascinating aspects of Soneva Fushi, but all you really need to know is that this is a place of relaxation and comfort. The islands main concern is to keep you happy, the next item on the agenda is being green. The whole island completely avoids the use of plastic and recycles everything they can. I can say this for myself and probably many of you can double my motion, it is rather unusual to go to a resort where they ask you to take your plastic back home with you.

The whole island is based on the idea of Robinson Crusoe and the uninhabited island he made his home. The villa you live in is mainly made out of wood and so are the many appliances inside, even the air conditioners have been painted brown to blend in. Even the pens are wooden, and all the paper used on the island is recycled. Guests are also advised to sleep with nets over their beds so as to avoid mostly mosquitoes but also occasional bugs falling from the ceiling over night.

At first glance, this tropical getaway doesn’t sound too appealing, however once you are all settled in and really get a chance to look around the island the perception immediately changes. When walking around the island, it is a tropical forest: birds singing from the branches, rabbits and chicken running on the ground and lizards hiding from you beside fallen leaves. But on the outside, you’ll see a sandy beach with light blue, see-through ocean all around and crabs of all sizes running around right in front of you.

Despite it being a tiny island in the middle of the Indian Ocean, there is still much to be done. Starting from the obvious: there is PADI approved diving school with five amazing diving instructors to help you get the best out of your underwater experience. It doesn’t matter if you don’t have any experience or go diving every several months; there are opportunities for everyone in Soneva Fushi. The more experienced divers can take a private boat out into the ocean and beginners can explore the vast beauties of the house reef.

For those who enjoy the water but are scared or unable to dive, there are plenty of other water sports to enjoy while on the island. To go snorkeling, you can get your fins and mask at the diving center. As for wind surfing and other above water activities, you can go to the water sports center located right by the main restaurant on the island. And of course, if you don’t want to get into the water at all you can always explore the ocean by taking a boat to look at the dolphins.

Soneva Fushi also offers a variety of on the island activities such as volleyball, tennis, yoga, gym, table tennis, chess, backgammon and snooker. And for those of you who enjoy a nice bike ride, every villa comes with a bike personalised just for you, you even get a name tag to be able to find your bike again after lunch.

Since the resort concentrates on the relaxation of the visitors, the Six Senses Spa is a big hit amongst the majority of the guests. It has a number of very good resident masseuses as well as world-renowned ones who travel all the way from other corners of the world to help you further enjoy your stay. Not only does the spa offer a large variety of massages ranging from Indian and Thai to Swedish, but it also offers many other treatments for you and your partner. It is also at the spa where you can sign up for yoga or Tai Chi classes privately or in groups. The treatments can be done either at the spa itself or in your own villa, which makes the experience even more personalised.

One last important thing to know about Soneva Fushi is its cuisine. The island has a main restaurant, which is open for breakfast and lunch. The restaurant is divided into several parts: there is an open air buffet for traditional Maldivian food as well as sushi and freshly caught and grilled fish (for breakfast the buffet offers a large number of different fruits); then there is the pizza stand where the chef can satisfy your every desire; a pasta stand where you can choose the type of pasta as well as the vegetables, nuts and meats that you would like in it (this is also the omelet bar during breakfast); an indoor salad bar with both fresh vegetables as well as many original and delicious salads; indoor cheese and dry meat room with delights from all over the world; and lastly the desert room with ice creams and sorbets as well as a separate chocolate room.

The three other restaurants are open only for dinner. The first one is located right by the main buffet and is called the Nine restaurant, which offers more traditional cuisine that can also be found in the in-villa dinning card. The second restaurant is called Fresh and has its own vegetable garden. This particular restaurant is more of a vegetarian choice even though they do serve meat or fish. However the real attraction to this restaurant is that is it located at the top of a cabin, from where you can see above the tropical forest and into the vast ocean surrounding the island. It is also where the conservatorium is located and the view of the stars at night is most beautiful.

The last restaurant is called By The Beach and it is a traditional sushi restaurant, something that you can find all around Europe, however in this case you are served freshly caught fish. As can be derived from the name, it is located right on the ocean shore, where you can admire the sunset while having a delicious meal. A few minutes walk from the restaurant and you will find yourself at the Champagne Bar, which is suspended over the ocean. During the day it is the best place to look at the coral reef surrounding the island and the thousands of fish living there.

I can go on about the beauty and uniqueness of this island forever, however the experience cannot be passed on through the sole use of worlds. Soneva Fushi is a pearl of the Indian Ocean and a place to get away from reality and its troubles. Of course this type of vacation is nowhere near cheap, but at least one trip in a life time will open your eyes up to a whole new world.

Address: Kunfunadhoo Island, Baa Atoll, Republic of Maldives

Telephone: +960 660 0304

Find out more about Soneva Fushi on the website

Photo credits: Olga Tumanova

All photos are subject to copyright and may not be used without the consent of Olga Tumanova 

If you’re car crazy, like me, then you ought to be in Geneva during its prestigious automobile show. From March 7-17, Geneva’s 83rd International Motor Show will bring together over 700,000 visitors and 260 car brands in 11 days of jaw-dropping excitement.

As one of the top five car shows in the world, Geneva’s motor exhibition showcases novelties of the automobile industry, from the cars themselves, to their technology and design.

This year, the exhibition halls of Palexpo have been enlarged to accommodate for newcomers, such as the new Chinese brand Qoros and McLaren’s range of sports cars. Expect to see over 130 World and European premieres and 900 different cars, 10% of them running on green power, meaning that they emit less than 100 grams of CO2 per kilometre.

As a visitor, you’ll be able to attend a series of conferences given by ten experts on ecology, security, performance and evolution of automobile advertising. And, you’ll also get to meet the President of Switzerland, Ueli Maurer, who will be giving the opening credits on the first day!

While there are a ton of reasons to visit Geneva, any car fan knows that it’s the place to be in March. But don’t worry if you can’t make it, I’ll be there for you covering all the innovations via Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and of course, The Worldwider. See you in a couple of days, my dears.

Opening hours: from 10 AM to 8 PM during the week; from 9 AM to 7 PM on weekends.

Address: Route de Coloverex 33, 1218 Le Grand-Saconnex

How to get there: Take the Bus line 5 direction Aéroport and get off at Palexpo. Parking is available for those driving there.

To get a chance to win a new car and buy entry tickets, check out the website.

The Pellas family’s link with Nicaragua goes way back to 1878, when Francisco Alfredo Pellas Canessa began running a small family business, Caribbean Pacific Transit Co, at only 25 years old.

From small to huge, the business turned into a 16-company corporation present in over a dozen countries worldwide. Today, the Pellas legacy lives on through a special land of 6,758,250 square meters which plays host to Nicaragua’s first luxury resort: Mukul.

As one of Latin America’s 50 most influential people, Carlos Pellas is the man behind the scenes of the Mukul. He is also the owner of the renowned Vivian Pellas Hospital and the Flor de Cana distillery which has won over 130 awards from international tasting competitions.

This $250 million project will open its doors this month on the shores of Nicaragua’s Emerald Coast. Featuring a Six-casita spa, a golf course designed by David McLay Kidd, ocean front villas with private pools and hiking trails populated by iguanas and sloths, Mukul will add a bit more sparkle and glam to Nicaragua’s prestigious landscapes.

Nearby, guests will also have the opportunity to visit the country’s illustrious Cerro Negro Volcano, standing at about 500 meters. The resort provides guests with a private helicopter tour over the volcano’s steaming active crater. The fitter travelers might fancy a one-hour hike up the volcano. If you’re more the adventurous type, you can sandboard — much like snowboard — down the steep hills instead of walking down (read more about sandboarding here).

$250 million project for 6,758,250 square meters sounds like an astonishing amount of cash, deforestation and pollution, which is why Pellas dedicated part of the land to install an on-site recycled water irrigation system and committed himself to replanting 1,500 trees that were taken away during construction. Mukul also gives out micro-loans to beachfront shops and restaurants in the nearby city of Gigante.

No matter how popular Nicaragua becomes, Mukul always promises to keep nature and mankind close to its heart. At Mukul, you’ll get all the luxury you want plus an eco-friendly touch. But such a fancy treat doesn’t come without a bit of a splurge; double rooms start at $550.

This line of over a thousand monks is a daily ritual of a quest for food. Depending on the ingredients, often largely consisting of rice and fried chicken, it would take only $200 to feed all the monks at once. Donors are welcome to participate on any given day and in return receive a group prayer from their collective voices once finally seated for the meal (Mandalay Monestary)

This is not a Fanta stand; it’s a typical gas station!

Shattered by earthquakes and a lack of restoration, this unfinished pagoda, located an hour away from Mandalay, is about the size of the Great Pyramid of Giza. Should it have been complete, it would have surpassed its current height three times. Protected by the crumbling ghosts of the Sphinx-like lions facing the nearby river, its construction was abruptly aborted following the death of the king.

Power lines – no wonder Internet connection was mostly non-existent. When finally discovered at hotels and at some of the tourist attractions, there was only enough bandwidth to support text. Power outages are more common than anywhere else in the neighboring regions, street lamps are sparse, and manholes are many.

Burmese people have still seen very few foreigners. While the country lacks any even remotely modern developments such as credit systems (the country operates on 100% cash only), proper power lines, street lamps, and hygiene standards, they do have the latest mobile devices which they promptly use to capture the ‘odd-looking’ foreigners.

Unlike most ancient monuments in well-developed tourist destinations, Myanmar still allows everyone to climb to the top of its relic highlights. And so along with the monks, we all made the pilgrimage to the top to witness the sunset in silence.

Mandalay river is one of the few fresh water pools inhabited by dolphins that can be witnessed splashing around in the calm waves. Along the banks are the huts which represent the majority of the country’s standard of living.

Made of three metals (silver, gold and bronze), the insides of the largest working bell in the world are inscribed by the words of locals and visitors.

The Japanese beheaded these statues, known as the Beheaded Buddhas, during their invasion. To our inquiries as to why they did so, our guide’s English was only good enough to say, “They were cruel.”

While not quite as old as Egypt (about 2,000 years old), the ancient city of Bagan remained untouched until only a few years ago. Bagan surely looks prehistoric, as some of the more special highlights are only lit during the night. The whole area looks like a Hollywood movie set built with a lot of help from a special effects studio.

Photo credits: Raisa Berger

All photographs are subject to copyright and may not be used without the consent of Raisa Berger

From up in the clouds, we feel as if we conquered it all. War, famine, destruction, all these negative sides of humanity appear to be so far away from us. It’s only when we get closer and closer to earth that reality strikes again.

Let’s take a moment to admire the beauty of our planet; the wide variety of landscapes, lights, shadows and nature. It all seems so beautiful from up above. If only we could live forever in the sky.

Photo credits: All from Flickr Creative Commons

There’s always a blast from the past that brings us back to our childhood days. In Tunisia and among their descendants, it is the Makroud that brings them back in time to a place of innocence and purity.

Over the past few weeks I’ve been in Paris with many French friends; some whose parents and grandparents arrived in France from Tunisia, Morocco and Algeria and others who have more French history than the sand on Normandy beach. During my stay in Paris, my Tunisian friends introduced me to the childhood treat from their motherland: Makroud.

Makroud is pastry made of a filling of dates, honey and sesame. It makes a great dessert or treat if you’re having guests over. It’s so cultural — for many it makes a great conversation story of how you heard about the the amazing treat, or about Tunisia itself.

Makroud is enjoyed so much among my Tunisian friends that they’ve even turned it into an adjective; “you are as beautiful as a Makroud,” they’d say. It might be a bit extreme, but every time they have this treat they turn into little kids in their mother’s house in Tunisia. There must be something magical about Makroud.

Here’s a recipe to make it yourself. It will take you about an hour.

You’ll need for the pastry:

200g fine semolina

2g ground saffron

100ml vegetable oil

20g butter

2ml salt

You’ll need for the filling:

150g deglet nour dates (or any other variety of dates)

2g ground cinnamon

You’ll need for the syrup:

150g powdered sugar

75g honey

1/2 lemon

50ml geranium flower water, or orange flower water

250ml water

You’ll need for the decoration:

Just a pinch of sesame seeds, or ground almonds

Now, just follow these steps to bring you to Makroud heaven:

Step 1: Heat the butter and mix it in a bowl with the vegetable oil. Prepare the pastry by mixing the semolina, saffron and salt in another bowl. Add the butter and oil mixture with the pastry mix.

Step 2: Combine all the ingredients with a spatula, while gradually adding in 100ml (6 tablespoons) of warm water to make an elastic dough.

Step 3: Knead the dough on a work surface and form it into a ball. Spread out the dough by using the heel of your hand. Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rest for 30 minutes.

Step 4: After 30 minutes, knead the dough again with the heel of your hand. Divide the dough into three equal pieces and form the pieces into cylinders of 2 cm in diameter. Form a cavity along the length of the cylinders. Fill the cavity with the date filling and seal the edges of the cylinder by smoothing it lengthwise.

Step 5: Flatten the pastry with a wooden press or a rolling pin. Cut the cylinders into rectangles and then cut into equal-sized triangles. Squeeze the juice out of half of a lemon and combine the ingredients for the syrup. Fry the triangles in hot oil until they are golden. Drain them on paper towels to take out the excess oil, then immerse the triangles into the syrup.

Now that you’ve tasted Makroud, join in on the fun on Makroud United, a Facebook page dedicated entirely to this Tunisian treat!

Photo credit: Jeff Sternfeld

The photograph is subject to copyright and may not be used without the consent of Jeff Sternfeld

Forget about smart-phones; by mid-2013, we will be welcoming smart-roads in the Netherlands.

During the course of this year, the Dutch highways will feature glow-in-the-dark pavement that lights up with the weather conditions. “I started imagining this Route 66 of the future where technology jumps out of the computer screen and becomes part of us,” said Daan Roosegaarde, the designer behind the concept Smart Highway.

Having already won Best Future Concept at the Dutch Design Awards, the Smart Highway will replace the usual road markings with photoluminescent powder that charges with daylight to glow at night.

Not only will the road markings shine at night, but the highways will light up with snowflakes when the temperature drops below zero to warn drivers of possible ice. Next steps for the highways include lights that turn on just when cars pass by to save energy, as well as “induction lanes” that can charge electric cars on the road.

Although smart-roads will only be available in the Netherlands for now, other countries could benefit from such high-tech roads.  ”India is really keen on it; they have a lot of blackouts there, it would be hallelujah to them,” said Roosegaarde, adding that the US west coast with tech companies, like Google, would love such an invention too.

“It’s incredibly important we keep imagining what our reality is going to look. A lot of people have told me along the way that what I wanted could not be done, and it’s my job to prove them wrong,” Roosegaarde told Wired.com.

What do you think about this invention? I’d love to see this all over the world!

First stop in Galway- a Guinness! Stepping out of the cold and into the Tig Choili bar (spelled Tiġ Ċoilí in Gaelic on their sign), I was greeted by two fiddles, a guitar, a banjo and a subdued, Thursday after-work crowd.

Dinner was delicious savory pies from the aptly named Pie Shop. I recommend the gravy and sausage and the spinach and feta. The rest of my Thursday night consisted of a series of live music venues and a beer tent at the Christmas market. I was pleasantly surprised to hear Steve Earle’s Galway Girl played live, twice.

I woke up Friday to a gorgeous (albeit cold) sunny day. After a homemade breakfast – a typical Irish fry consists of eggs, black and white pudding, sausage, bacon, beans, fried tomatoes and chips – I took a long walk down Galway’s famous footpath along the bay. I spent a happy afternoon taking photos and wandering in and out of pubs, specialty shops and bookstores. Lunch was a plate of fish and chips from McDunagh’s followed by a hot whiskey at Neáchtain’s, which was hands down my favorite pub in Galway.

On Saturday, I ventured to the Aran Island of Inishmore (Árainn Mhór). It’s about a 45-minute bus or car ride to the ferry, and another 45 minutes on the ferry. Although people live on the Isle of Inishmore year round, few tourists visit in the winter and it was nearly deserted on a Saturday. Bike rentals and tours are available, but my friend Mickey and I opted to walk around in the rain after a hearty lamb stew (and of course, a Baileys and a Guinness) at an American themed bar called The Bar.

Inishmore is beautiful and the closest point to the United States in Europe. If you have Irish heritage, walking around there gives you a lot to think about. Living abroad is a piece of cake these days when you think about people who left their homes seeking an unknown, but hopefully better life during the late 19^th Century, before the days of budget airlines, e-mail and Skype.

Inishmore has almost an abandoned feel to it. We walked through endless green fields with low stone walls blocking off plots of land.  It’s part of Galway county, where the highest concentration of Gaelic speakers in Ireland live, and so I heard it throughout my visit but even more so on Inishmore. The touristic highlight of Inishmore is the fort Dun Aengus.

Sundays in Galway are best spent wandering Shop Street and also the local market.  The best money I spent all weekend was in Sheridans Cheesemongers, which has both Irish and European cheeses. Their homemade crackers and mulled wine are a must try. After sampling a few of them, I settled on a soft Irish cheese that is kept in ash.

Locals told me that the best time to visit Ireland is in the spring, but nevertheless I was happy to have my first visit in the winter. I was almost overwhelmed by how friendly everyone was – from offering directions before I could even ask or striking up a pleasant conversation in a pub. Galway fit the bill of whatever romantic notions I had of Ireland. Sunday dinner of boiled ham, cabbage, carrots and potatoes sealed the deal.

How to get there:

Bus from Dublin to Galway, 30€ rt, www.CityLink.ie

Ferry to Inishmore, 25€ rt, www.aranislandferries.com

What to drink:

Guinness, Galway Hooker and Hot Whiskey served with lemon, cloves and sugar

Galway Hooker

Where to eat:

The Pie Shop, 10 Cross Street Uper

Mc Donagh’s Fish and Chips, 22 Quay Street

Sheridans Cheesemongers, 14-16 Churchyard Street

The Homeplate, 13 Mary Street, (for breakfast)

Where to stay:

Kinlay Eyre Square Hostel, Eyre Square. Twin privates from 19€/night

Park House Hotel, Forster Square, Eyre Square. Doubles from 78€/night

Glenlo Abbey Hotel, Bushypark, Galway. Doubles from 300€/night

Photo credit: Amelia LeBlanc

All photographs are subject to copyright and may not be used without the consent of Amelia LeBlanc

However, stay calm — a startup at the Consumer Electronics Show has an answer: Trakdot. Created by GlobaTrac, this small mobile device travels in your luggage and tracks its location. At $50, Trakdot allows you to pinpoint the location of your suitcase via a website and alerts you of its whereabouts by text message.

To operate, the device sends and receives signals from cell towers through a wireless carrier called Aspenta. Via roaming agreements with important carriers, Trakdot works worldwide simply through cellular signals, rather than through GPS. GlobaTrac CTO Joseph Morgan explains that the startup decided to use cellular signals just because with GPS “if you don’t have a good view of the sky it can still get lost.”

Trackdot operates with double-A batteries and stays charged for around three weeks, according to Morgan. For those who are worried about using electronic devices during takeoff and landing, Trackdot turns itself off automatically through an accelerometer that senses the aircraft’s speed. Isn’t that amazing?

Morgan has more plans for Trackdot than just helping you find your luggage. Plans include the creation of an app for iPhone and Android, which will allow you to watch the progress of your suitcase on the conveyor belt while you’re waiting for your luggage.

Total price: $50 for the Trackdot, plus a $12 yearly charge to use the service.

She is inquisitive, curious and intelligent; after all travel is the best form of education. She can talk for hours about her travel tales and with her passion and enthusiasm, you will never get bored. She is open-minded, flexible and adaptable; if she can pee in a squat toilet in Vietnam or stay in a hostel with dozens of unwashed backpackers in New Zealand, tolerating your untidy bedroom is a piece of cake.

She has watched the sunrise over Angkor Wat, watched elephants in the wild in Kenya and dipped her feet into the top of Niagara Falls. A girl that travels knows how to appreciate the beauty in this world. She never loses sight of the good things in life. She will be ever appreciative of those little notes you leave her when you go to work or the ‘I’m thinking of you’ texts you send her with nothing but a kiss.

A girl that travels never gets bored, in fact quite the opposite – there are not enough hours in the day! She recognises every opportunity for fun, excitement and adventure. Keen to experience new and unusual things, whether home or abroad, she wants to take you along with her. From skydiving and mountain trekking to volunteering and building houses in Ethiopia, her sense of adventure is limitless and you will never get bored with her.

She doesn’t want expensive gifts. She doesn’t want three wardrobes and dozens of pairs of shoes. She is not materialistic. There is no need to spend lots of money on a girl that travels, rather buy her some incense sticks to remind her of the smells of Bali or some Milo hot chocolate to bring back the tastes of Australia. Or better still, take a nice picture of you and her travelling and frame it, she will appreciate that so much more than a new necklace.

She can look good, beautiful even, and on occasion she will dress up for you. But she is most comfortable in her vest top and shorts, hair tied back and freckles prominently sitting across her nose. Her hair is bleached from the sun and skin tanned and freckly. She sports numerous tatty looking bracelets around her ankles and wrists that she has collected from across the world. She is a traveller and she is beautiful.

She is happy and enthusiastic, loving and giving. She may be away a lot, but she will never forget you. You might not hear from her in days, but she writes about how she misses you in her diary, she tells the backpackers in her room all about how wonderful you are, she thinks of you before she goes to sleep. She will try her best to get to a place with WiFi, so that she can send you that Whatsapp message or call you on Skype. She misses you.

She won’t mind if you’re running late for a date, because she realises that sometimes the journey is more important than the destination. Heck, after travelling in India, she knows that ‘tomorrow’ is a perfectly fine time to get things done. Life is no rush, it’s often the slower, simpler pace of life that is more enjoyable, she won’t rush you, so don’t rush her.

So is she worth it? She most definitely is. She might seem a challenge to pin down, or to arrange a date with, but if she likes you, she will pull out all the stops to make sure it happens. A girl that travels has seen so many places and met so many people, so if she likes you, you should grab the opportunity with both hands. She has dated the romantic Parisian, the fun-loving Australian and the sensual Brazilian, so if she has chosen you, there must be something special there. Don’t let your insecurities or jealousies get in the way, if she likes you, she will always come home to you and, for once, she might even look forward to coming home too.

Travelling is a journey of self discovery; often learning as much about yourself as you do about the destinations you are visiting. She loves to travel, but if you play your cards right, she just might love you that little bit more. And perhaps that next romantic Goan sunset can be admired by you both… Date a girl that travels and your life will never be the same again.

First published on Life As A Butterfly

Photo credit: “Mike” Michael L. Baird (Flickr)

Ever wondered what the most popular place tagged on Instagram during 2012 was? You might be surprised.

It’s not the Statue of Liberty, Buckingham Palace or Amsterdam’s famous Red Light District. Out of millions of destinations across the planet, it turns out that Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport outnumbered all the rest, with over 100,000 photos taken during 2012.

Recently opened in 2006, the gigantic and modern airport has been known as one of the most beautiful of Asia. With a variety of shops, from haute couture to high-street fashion, Suvarnabhumi Airport looks more like a mall than an airport. Plus, the lounge has been ranked as one of the best in the world.

By Instagram standards, Thailand clearly tops the list as the capital’s Siam Paragon shopping mall has also been a favorite among travellers. With a huge food court and an entertainment area that includes an IMAX Theater, Siam Paragon also houses an Ocean World where visitors can dive with sharks.

Here’s the full list:

• Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) – Bangkok
• Siam Paragon – Bangkok
• Disneyland Park – Anaheim, California
• Times Square – New York City
• AT&T Park – San Francisco
• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) – Los Angeles
• Dodger Stadium – Los Angeles
• Eiffel Tower – Paris
• Staples Center – Los Angeles
• Santa Monica Pier – Los Angeles

Photo credit: Instagram Blog

As a result of The Bank of Italy and the Vatican fighting over the tiny country’s failure to comply with international anti-money laundering regulations, Italy’s central bank has blocked all electronic payments by cash or credit card in Vatican City.

From now on, tourists won’t be able to swipe their credit cards to enter the Sistine Chapel — they’ll need to have spare euros in their pockets to visit the world’s smallest state.

It turns out that The Vatican is not part of the European Commission’s “white list,” in which all nations that have complied with anti-money laundering and anti-tax fraud are listed. In fact, the Council of Europe experts only passed The Vatican in nine out of 16 core recommendations in measures to combat money laundering.

It appears that The Vatican’s finances aren’t as transparent as some would think. To restore the use of credit cards and cash machines in the state, The Vatican must prove that it can comply with international regulations. It must also take the necessary steps to show that it always had a proper banking regime.

The Vatican Museums attract millions of visitors each year. Do you think the state’s tourism will suffer as a result of not being able to pay with credit cards?

Photo credit: Kevin Gessner (Flickr)

Located on Oslo’s Tjuvholmen Island, The Thief commemorates the sordid past of the area where drug dealers and criminals were once exiled and executed.

Tjuvholmen is now home to Oslo’s greatest art, design and architecture. As an art-deco hotel, The Thief’s Art Curator is no other than the Director of Norway’s National Museum, Sune Nordgren. Passionate about building spaces to experience art, Nordgren has handpicked all pieces showcased at The Thief.

“We choose from established international artists and the best Norwegian ones, primarily in photography and graphic art. This is possible because the hotel does not have more than 120 rooms,” says Nordgren.

Promising sensory impressions and aesthetics no matter where guests are in the hotel, Nordgren also works closely with the Astrup Fearnley contemporary art museum located just next to The Thief. Nordgren explains on the hotel website that they have entered a sponsorship agreement with the Astrup Fearnley, predicting that the museum will become one of Norway’s greatest attractions. The agreement states that The Thief  can borrow works from the museum’s collection and place them in strategic locations of the hotel.

Through art, the hotel also participates in the ROM 13 project. The project, run by the Oslo Red Cross, raises money to help ex-cons reenter society through the sale of high profile portraits.

“Art will be an important identity carrier for The Thief, while the hotel will also become an extension of the atmosphere on Tjuvholmen,” says Nordgren.

Book your room now at http://thethief.com/en/. Rates start at US$300.

Address: Landgangen 1, N-0252, Oslo

Phone number: +47 95 17 55 26

Photos courtesy of The Thief Hotel

Only 250,000 people live in the world’s biggest city? Yes, you’ve read correctly. You probably were thinking that Tokyo, Mexico City or São Paulo were the biggest ones, but what if we told you that the largest city in size is called Hulunbuir?

You’d probably think we’re kidding. Big cities are generally synonymous with crazy shoppers, insane traffic and impressive skylines. But in Hulunbuir, a city of Inner Mongolia, you’ll find no trace of 21^st Century civilization. You’ll only come across grasslands, herds of cattle, sheep, goats and only a few thousand people.

Located just west of Manchuria in northeastern China, Hulunbuir is one of China’s most gorgeous wilderness locations. Its urban center, called Hailar, is populated by only a quarter of a million people and appears to be just a tiny patch in the middle of the region’s vast grassland.

Hulunbuir has more sheep than people, yet it’s larger than 42 states in the U.S. and is roughly the size of Great Britain. So, what really makes a city that big, is it the number of people living in it, or the size of the area?

Photo credit: Zeep van der Kist (Flickr)

Vinh was not even featured in my Vietnam guidebook, so I didn’t expect there to be much to do. But it certainly was a destination both difficult to reach and difficult to escape. After 24 hours of travelling and another six to go, I did not appreciate it much.

I set off for Vinh from Luang Prabang in Laos a day earlier. I had no intentions of visiting the city, but only to transfer onto Hanoi, due a to lack of direct buses. After waiting over an hour for the bus to leave Luang Prabang, I began what turned out to be a rather memorable bus journey.

It was evening time. While meandering around the Laos mountain scape, I sat watching the Asian sunset on my last day in this beautiful country. This bus journey would take me onto a new destination and a new place to explore. But little did I know that the journey itself would turn out to be such an adventure.

As the picture perfect landscape was submerged by darkness, I closed my eyes in attempt to get some sleep. Normally, I find sleeping on transport relatively easy; the gentle movements and vibrations sending me off like a baby in a car seat. The winding mountain roads however, that I previously enjoyed driving through and admiring the view, were now becoming a bit of a hindrance.

After intermittently sleeping for a couple of hours and gaining a few bruises from being thrown around the bus in the process, the bus came to a stop and everyone got off. Being near the back of the bus, I was one of the last to disembark. I expected to get off to find a service station or something, but I was certainly not prepared for the sight before me.

Toilet? Who needs that when there’s a street to pee in? That was clearly the train of thought amongst my fellow passengers. I was shocked to step off the bus to find dozens of people with their trousers dropped to their knees using the middle of the street as a toilet!

I couldn’t believe my eyes. I am always keen to experience a bit of cultural immersion, but this was a bit too much for me. Luckily, there was one other Western girl onboard, so we teamed up to find what we thought was a more appropriate place to do our business.

Slightly overwhelmed by this rather unusual lavatory experience, I resumed my place on the bus to continue my journey to Vietnam. By the time we reached the boarder, I had become quite accustomed to these toilet stops, with the bus and its passengers having repeated this every couple of hours throughout the night.

We arrived at the border about an hour before it opened. This was a great chance to get a bit of sleep, as there was no tossing and turning, and no bumpy roads to keep me awake. But sleep did not come as easily as I had hoped; this was when I realized the air conditioning on the bus was faulty. I had been in Asia for months now and was quite used to the heat and humidity, but the contrast between the cool mountain night air and morning heat was huge. Sweating profusely, and having had barely any sleep, I was beginning to get a bit irritable.

After, what seemed like hours of waiting, we finally made it across the boarder and I proudly gained one new stamp in my passport. I was in Vietnam, so I was almost in Vinh, right?

Wrong. The journey continued throughout most of the day. I sat on the bus, frantically trying to fan myself to bring my body heat down to a moderate level. Toilet stops were slightly more civilized on this side of the border. I never knew how much I would appreciate a dirty old squat toilet in a wooden hut out in a pigpen. We also stopped for noodle soup, which was much appreciated after so many hours on the road.

The remainder of the journey to Vinh was quite uneventful, aside from a sick woman on board. There was a lady that laid across the aisle, repeatedly being sick into a bag. The noise of her heaving for hours was most unpleasant, and when I saw the contents of the bag spilling out and running the length of the bus I began to feel rather nauseous myself. I closed my eyes and wished the rest of the bus journey away.

I was so pleased to finally arrive at Vinh. I stepped into the bus station to attempt to purchase my onwards bus ticket. But it seems this was easier said than done. After numerous attempts, the common response from the staff at the bus station was simply to raise their hand in front of my face. I tried to remember that this is probably not rude in their culture, but after getting this response continuously for hours, I started to get incredibly infuriated.

There were hourly buses from Vinh to Hanoi, and the one person that did speak a little English told us what time to come and buy the ticket. However each time we arrived, we were told that all tickets were sold out.

Three hours later and three missed buses, I was beginning to lose my temper, so I bypassed the bus station altogether and attempted to board a bus to Hanoi.

This was like no other bus I had ever seen. It had three lanes of bunk beds and a soft, cushioned floor in between. All of the beds were taken, and most of the floor space too, so we found a space and sat down; we would be doing the rest of our seven-hour journey on the floor.

People had been squashed in the bus like sardines in a tin can. I was incredibly happy to now be on the final leg of my journey, but I wished I hadn’t been squashed between two oversized Vietnamese men, one with their head on my feet and the other with his foot on my shoulder. It really was a unique bus experience.

Half way through the journey we had yet another eventful toilet stop. The passengers rushed off the bus, donned their footwear and headed to the toilet area. When I walked in I genuinely thought I had entered the men’s toilet, rather than the women’s. The toilet reminded me of a typical Asian shower; no cubicle, no privacy, just a slanted floor to let the water run down. Imagine this in a communal toilet form, and you probably won’t be far wrong from what I experienced this day.

Yet again, slightly horrified from another Asian toilet experience, I was glad that in just a couple of hours we would finally arrive at our destination. I had been on the road for around 30 hours by this point and was very excited at the prospect of reaching the hostel, taking a shower and slipping into a nice clean bed. However, the biggest of the journey’s dramas was yet to come.

Upon arrival, we were approached by a number of taxi drivers. We negotiated a price with one of the drivers and were on our way. Relieved to finally get off the bus, I sat back, relaxed and began to take in some of the sites of this new city.

Being 2 a.m., the city was eerily quiet. The streets were narrow and easy to get lost in. There were rats scurrying across the streets and homeless sleeping on street corners. The taxi arrived at the hostel after about 10 minutes and we got out and attempted to pay.

The taxi driver, however, very quickly became aggressive and demanded more money than had been agreed upon – a lot more. Refusing to pay this outrageous fee, he then proceeded to take my rucksack and physically threatened us.

My heart started thumping. I was in a strange city, in the middle of the night, with an aggressive local. I was glad my friend from the bus was still with me and I wasn’t alone. After a long, arduous battle, we paid the taxi driver the amount he asked for and went inside the hostel.

Before I left for Vietnam, I was told that it was very touristic now and commercialized and that it was difficult to have a true cultural experience. I had only been in the country for a matter of hours, but would already disagree. If this wasn’t a cultural experience, I don’t know what is.

It might have been a rather dramatic, testing and certainly memorable bus journey, but it was the beginning of a fantastic month travelling through truly wonderful country. I wouldn’t change a thing.

Photo credits: Hayley Wright

All photographs are subject to copyright and may not be used without the consent of Hayley Wright

With over 25 years of photography experience, George Steinmetz‘s speciality is soaring through the sky to get some of the most amazing aerial shots. From the seat of a motorised paraglider, Steinmetz gets an unlimited view of 180°, horizontally and vertically, which allows him to take aerial photographs that no other photographer can.

In his new book called Desert Air, Steinmetz compiled over 150 aerial photographs. Steinmetz spent 15 years of his life working on Desert Air – he traveled to 27 countries to fly over some of the world’s extreme deserts, from China’s great Gobi Desert to the Death Valley in California.

To purchase the book for $60, visit Abrams.

I celebrated the beginning of 2012 in Barcelona, right after I moved back from New York to Geneva. While walking along the beach on a windy day in Barcelona, I began thinking about ways I could share my love for writing. Keep a diary? Write a blog? What about a book? Many thoughts raced through my mind, however, I didn’t realize how important this future baby of mine would shortly become in my life.

It has been an incredible year — a year where my passion for writing came to life with The Worldwider. Since launching The Worldwider in March 2012, we’ve come a long way. I started The Worldwider with just seven posts all written by myself, and in less than a month, the magazine grew from having one contributor to three. The rest is now history.

We’ve covered all sorts of destinations together during 2012. From Australia, Hong Kong and Taiwan to Switzerland, Morocco and Brazil, we’ve been on a never-ending adventure ever since my first article What’s Your Travel Type?.

2012 was a year of beginnings for me, and I’ll never forget all the experiences I had. It’s the second day of 2013, and my thoughts are racing as I remember all the incredible moments I had the past year. I feel so grateful for all the adventures I’ve had and for The Worldwider, but more importantly, for you my readers. You’re what makes The Worldwider such a success.

As I think about the memories made in 2012, I’d like to share with you the ones that topped my list. Picking specific travel memories that I’ve had out of so many is difficult. Oh well, I’ll try my best!

Hong Kong, July 2012

Best view: from Victoria Peak, Hong Kong.

Best city: São Paulo, for its duality. It’s a big city like New York, however, I constantly felt part of two worlds — the elite and the poor. No other city in the world has ever taught me the real value of happiness. Money isn’t all that counts.

Best pizza: the Nutella pizza in Luigia, Geneva.

Best swim: in the outdoor rooftop pool at the Silks Place in Taroko Gorge, Taiwan. I’ve never seen such a breathtaking view of mountains before.

Best airline: Swiss will top my list every year. There are months that I spend more time on an airplane than in my own bed, and one of the only airlines in which I feel comfortable is Swiss. The flight attendants make you feel at home, plus they even serve you Movenpick ice cream and mouth-watering chocolate. What more can you ask for?

Best store: Brandy Melville, in New York.

Best cake: The authentic, delicious Sacher Torte in Vienna. Made out of chocolate and apricot jam, the Sacher Torte is so good that its recipe was even disputed in court!

Best adventure: when I was stranded in a pile of garbage in the mountains of Taiwan for the entire day.

Stranded in a dump in Taiwan, July 2012

Best restaurant: Figueira Rubaiyat, in São Paulo. Not only is it known for the best beef in town, but the restaurant is truly built around the spreading branches of a giant fig tree. Besides beef, Figueira Rubaiyat also serves a variety of excellent Mediterranean seafood and fish.

Best nightlife: Tel Aviv, because the city simply never sleeps.

Best road trip: in June when I drove through three countries — Switzerland, France and Italy — in less than one hour. I went from Geneva to Turin for the day.

Best show: the noodle show at the Star House, Hong Kong.

Best trip: going back to Taipei, my birth city, after 14 years.

Best massage: Regent Hotel, in Taipei. The masseuse was very professional and the atmosphere was extremely relaxing and luxurious.

Best hair salon: The Dry Bar, in New York.

Best drinks: in Barcelona, a city known for all of its shot bars.

Remember when you were seven years old? Remember how we ran around the house pretending to be superman or a princess? Remember how fearless we were and how we pretended the knowledge of our parents was just unintelligent chatter? ‘No you can’t’ was translated to ‘yes I will’.

Now, we are all grown up and 2012 has passed. Back then our ambitions were beyond practicality, but our imagination conquered all.

What happened to our childhood dreams and ambitions? We’ve traded in our superman costumes for suits; we’ve exchanged our ballerina outfits for medical coats. We aren’t the the people we expected to be when we were children. What did we turn in to? What have we learned since then? What is that feeling that we used to get as a child? Does it ever return?

It does return — for some of us it’s a result of following our dreams, creating something new and innovative, simply graduating or starting at our first job.

But for many of us, we get that encompassing feeling through traveling and jetting around the world; that rush to the airport preparations and the thought that we will be far from home with no worry in the world.

Over the past year, many of us had the pleasure of seeing through the eyes of our many contributors. Our contributors come from diverse backgrounds, nationalities and religions, however, they are brought together with one common childhood dream: to spread their wings and travel the world. We all have it in us and found our way around. We tasted different foods, got lost in foreign cultures, and of course, lived our dreams.

2012 was a busy year for many of us. Through the eyes of The Worldwider we saw images of the concrete jungles of São Paulo, Hong Kong and New York. We visited Taiwan, Australia, Morocco and many more places. We learned about the experiences and dreams of others.

Though 2012 was a great year and an amazing launch for many of us, it was not all laughter and smiles. Unfortunately we ended the year with a tragedy that shook the United States and the world; the mass murder of innocent children and adults in Maytown, Connecticut.

We used to be all that size and that defenseless. Children with dreams of saving the world and becoming princesses faded and fell short. Anyone with a heart felt the pain of these victims.

As we enter 2013, we must remember the dreams of yesteryear, the ambitions of our childhood and the energy of creating greatness. We should funnel all the latter into creating a better tomorrow. A tomorrow where we wake up with more energy, where 15 hours of work is really 15 hours of fun.

Life carries us through in an interesting way. Our childhood dreams may not have completely come true, but through such imagination and perseverance, even the failures will lead us to the great innovators of tomorrow; as long as we stay true to what we believe and follow our ambitions.

What are your resolutions for 2013?

In preparation for the FIFA World Cup of 2014, a photo and movie studio named MOOV produced a video about Rio de Janeiro.

Through a mix of sequences in slow motion, time lapse, hyper lapse, rails and motion controllers, MOOV gets us all hyped about flying to the sunshine of Rio.

Music: “Oh Wee” by Immortal Beets and “Whispering Through” by Asura

Once upon a time, Havaianas, the iconic Brazilian flip-flops, were a well-kept national secret, only known by locals and solely stumbled upon by foreigners by pure coincidence.

At only $3 to $5 a pair at the time, Havaianas were comfortable and affordable shoes for the Brazilian population. Sold in national supermarkets and tiny grocery stores, locals began wearing them around the house, in the city and on the beach.

It didn’t take long for the brand to attract international attention. Women began customizing their pairs, surfers started a new trend where they removed the straps for the flip-flops and put them back on with the sole up.

Since the inception of Havaianas in 1962, the brand has gone a long way.  Today, the world’s most famous beach footwear is exported to 82 countries. With only one model in 1994, the brand now sells over 600 models and has sold over 4 billion pairs worldwide. According to BBC, “put end to end that is enough pairs to go around the world 40 times.”

With so many models, it makes it nearly impossible for you and your best friend to have the same pair. Plus, you get to customize your own flip-flops at the Havaianas flagship store, in São Paulo’s fanciest street, Oscar Freire.

Mirroring the laid back concept of the brand, the Havaianas store is divided into four zones: a market stall with the original flip-flops, a cargo container where the footwear is showcased for export, transparent cylinders carrying the new hot designer models (currently from Missoni) and an area to create your own pair.

By choosing a base and a strap (thick or thin) in any color, you’ll get to personalize your flip-flops even more. You can also add crystals, hearts, flags and more – there is something for every taste in the store.

Inspired by the Japanese zori sandals, Havaianas today is more than just a flip-flop; it’s a fashion icon, symbolizing a national success story and uniting Brazilians all over the world.

Address: Rua Oscar Freire, 1116 Jardins, Sao Paulo

Hours: Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sunday from 12 p.m. until 6 p.m.

Website: click here

Airbus recently revealed what they saw as the future of the aviation industry. However, take all predictions lightly – nothing is ever guaranteed. In the 1900s, the French artist Jean-Marc Côté had stated that by the 21st century, we would all be flying around in personal mini-aircrafts… He turned out to be wrong (so far).

1.    Check out the stars through a transparent ceiling

In 2050, you won’t have to fight over the window seat anymore. Rumor has it that the airplanes of the future will have glass ceilings and walls.

2.    Feel more comfortable in a spacious environment

With Airbus’ A350 XWB concept, you will be more pampered, more comfortable, more connected and more satisfied. Scheduled to be out by mid-2014, Qatar airways has already ordered 80 aircrafts.

3.    Running on biofuels

Made from living species, such as algae, biofuels could be a way to reduce carbon footprint in the future.

4.    Flying side by side

To reduce air resistance, Airbus predicts airplanes flying in formation. According to Airbus, aircrafts will be able to “self-organise” and pick the most efficient and eco-friendly routes. 

In a city like London known for its drizzly, gray weather, why would people wait two-hours in a line to get soaked in even more rain?

London’s Barbican Art Gallery’s latest exhibition, the Rain Room, has been attracting huge crowds on a daily basis. The concept is quite simple: as soon as you enter the room, you’ll feel as if caught in the middle of a rainstorm with the humidity sticking to your skin and the sound of the drops hitting the floor. But, you won’t get drenched in the Rain Room. In fact, you’re the master: you control every drop that falls (or doesn’t).

As you walk through the room, the water will stop as you get closer to it. The modern art group behind the show, Random International, is known for getting the audience involved in their works. Random International designed the show to push people out of their comfort zone and react differently when faced with daily situations.

Whether you choose to dance under a real rainstorm or whether you rather experience how it would be like without getting soaked, check out the Rain Room when in London until March 3, 2013.

Tickets: Free

Opening hours: Open daily from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. On Thursdays, open until 10 p.m. Please note that the last admission to line is approximately two hours before closing.

Although I went to Chicago to join my father for the RSNA (Radiologist Society of North America) convention, I spent my days exploring the architectural history and art scene throughout the beautifully decorated streets. I enjoyed dining at excellent restaurants, such as Alinea, which is currently rated as the best restaurant in the country and seventh in the world. If you wish to learn more about my experience at Alinea, click here.

Although I could linger on many features of Chicago, I wish to devote my words to the spectacular architecture that makes this city truly unique. Its 550 parks and striking cleanliness give way to appreciate its variety of structures in an open space.

Currently spiking excitement is Anish Kapoor’s Cloud Gate – simply renamed as “the bean” by the locals due to its shape. Stand right underneath it and look above your head at a 90° angle to see yourself as a tiny dot in the middle of space.

Close by, still in Grant Park (given in honor of President Ulysses Grant, who helped get Chicago back on its feet after it burnt down in 1871) – stands the Pritzker Pavilion, where the Grant Park Symphony Orchestra plays. It was designed by none other than the architect Frank Gehry.

Although less significant in structure, some buildings in Chicago are known for housing important events, such as the Prudential Building, where the 2012 Obama re-election campaign headquarters was located.

My personal favorites, for their elegance and significance, are the Aqua Tower, the tallest building designed by a woman (Jeanne Gang) and Marina City, a building complex designed by Bertrand Goldberg. As its name indicates, the latter complex is a city inside a city, with parking spots, clubs, a movie theater and a shopping mall — a great solution to avoid going out during the coldest days of Chicago.

Despite constantly welcoming innovative design projects, Chicago has imprints of its oldest architects everywhere. Just look on the façades of buildings to spot a Louis Sullivan engraving and signature style.

Photo credit: Kimberly de Geer

All photographs are subject to copyright and may not be used without the consent of Kimberly de Geer

1. Attend Nature’s Show of Lights

Photo credit: Image Editor (Flickr)

After NASA predicted the brightest display of northern lights in 50 years, this is the right time for you to finally see the natural phenomenon. From now until the end of March, attend nature’s phenomenal show either in Iceland, Norway or Sweden. For a real Icelandic experience, read through our latest article.

2. Party With Lemurs in Madagascar

Photo credit: Robert Spiegel (Flickr)

Madagascar should be on every globetrotter’s travel bucket list. This rich island, full of lemurs, baobab trees and unusual species is quickly getting back on the tourism radar. Take advantage before the flock of tourists arrive.

3. Travel Light With Your Smartphone

Photo credit: Sarah Page (Flickr)

The days when you had to drag your bookcase, closet and photography gear on your trips are long gone. Now, just store everything in your phone and you’re ready to go. Besides, apps such as Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Pininterest are becoming the new postcards to send your memories back home. Check out our best travel apps to help you along the way.

4. Yes, Camping Can be Glamorous

Photo credit: Caitlin (Flickr)

Take your camping trip to the next level by adding a Latin vibe and a large dose of spectacular scenery to it. You’ll be peacefully relaxing under the stars in between sparkling rivers and waterfalls, while your private waiter brings you your mojito. You’ll find a great choice of luxury camping sites in Peru, Venezuela, Patagonia and Ecuador.

5. Hollywood Fever 

Photo credit: Benedict Adam (Flickr)

Ever felt inspired to discover a destination after leaving the movies? Kensington anticipates The Hobbit fans traveling to New Zealand in 2013, as well as Life of Pi fans flying off to India and The Lone Ranger addicts exploring the Wild West.

6. Experience Brazil – Whether You’re a Soccer Fan or Not

Photo credit: Ronnie Macdonald

From June 15 to June 30 2013, the Confederation Cup will be attracting travelers to stadiums across Brazil. Avoid the sky-high prices of the 2014 World Cup (and 2016 Olympics) by visiting the exotic country the year before the season kicks off.

7. Cruise Through Europe And Beyond

Photo credit: Mynik Foto (Flickr)

With the rise in popularity of European river cruises, why not try out an adventure along South East Asia’s Mekong, the Brazilian Amazon or Botswana’s Zambezi?

8. Sri Lanka on the Travel Radar

Photo credit: Joseph Ferris III (Flickr)

Lonely Planet and The New York Times put Sri Lanka on their 2013 travel list – book a flight now and discover the island’s renowned tea plantations, temples, jungles, elephant sanctuaries and more.

9. Indonesian Safari: Orangutans, Komodo Dragons and More

10. Forget Phuket: Get a Tan in Africa

Photo credit: Alfred Payne (Flickr)

Don’t always go with the flow – in 2013, escape the crowds of Miami Beach and Phuket. Try out some of Africa’s most prestigious white-sand beaches instead, such as Mozambique, Seychelles and Mauritius.

Photo credits: Image Editor, Brian Snelson, Robert Spiegel, Sarah Page, Caitlin, Benedict Adam, Ronnie Macdonald, Mynikfoto, Joseph Ferris III and Alfred Payne.     

With the emergence of the Panamanian isthmus three million years ago, the world’s biodiversity transformed significantly. The Atlantic and Pacific oceans split in half, connecting North America and South America. Streams were born, climate changed drastically and continents got united.

What came out of this change was a world of opposites. Africa turned into a dry continent, while most of Europe became a warm land. Believe it or not, Africa used to be full of rainforests until the Gulf Stream was born. Today, the African landscape is populated by savannas and deserts and no longer only by tree trunks.

It’s incredible to think that our biodiversity was created in such a thin isthmus of 75,517 km². For generations, Panama has attracted some of the most renowned biologists and scientists, as epitomized by the nearly 100 years of work done by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in the country.

Panama has always been a biological bridge between the Americas. This thought inspired the Canadian architect Frank Gehry to undertake his first project in Latin America. Gehry, known for his work with the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, has been labeled by Vanity Fair to be “the most influential architect of our age.”

Mixing world-class natural science and wacky design, Gehry’s latest masterpiece is Panama’s biodiversity museum, named Biomuseo. With its bright, vivid colors, the museum will be a work of art in itself as soon as it opens in 2013.

With the aim to safeguard our natural heritage for the future, no other place on the planet has the biodiversity storytelling capacity that Panama has. The Biomuseo’s galleries will stand as a tale of natural history, biodiversity and national pride, reminding generations what our world used to be, and is now thanks to Panama.

Learn more about the Biomuseo here.

Video credit: Crane.tv

London’s iconic black cabs were rated, once again, to be the best in the world by Hotels.com. With doors that lock and unlock automatically and a personal privacy switch available to passengers, the black cabs will be adding one new benefit to their list next year: free high-speed WiFi service.

The London-based startup, Eyetease, will be in charge of rolling out the first WiFi service to taxis over the course of 2013. Eyeteases’s free WiFi service, called CabWiFi, will run based on an “ads-for-access” method that requires users to sit through a short 15-second ad for every 15 minutes of Internet access. Intelligent, given that the average time spent in the back of a cab is more or less 15 minutes.

Similarly to the free WiFi access available on the London underground, passengers will be able to answer e-mails, watch series online and download music in a cab without being charged excessive data costs on their existing plans. The system simply turns 3G and 4G mobile connectivity into a WiFi hotspot.

“Our ultimate goal is to make CabWiFi a standard service in all London black cabs,” said Richard Corbett, founder and CEO of Eyetease. Currently, close to 1,000 out of London’s 24,000 taxis have signed up.

Rumor has it that several leading consumer brands, including a renowned credit card company and a major mobile phone marker will sponsor CabWiFi when it launches in early 2013.

“This is really great news for London. With dwell times averaging 15 minutes in the back of a taxi, what better way to pass the time than to use your laptop, tablet, book reader or phone with guilt free internet access,” Corbett added.

Photo credit: Jimmy Barrett (Flickr)

Wine Spa

Wine-based spa treatments exist around the world, but the Yunessun Spa is the first one to offer a large pool where customers can sip wine from a 3.6-meter bottle while swimming in dark ruby water. Accessible for only a 12-day period each year, the spa claims that the treatment is rejuvenating for the body. Apparently, Queen Cleopatra of Egypt used to bathe in wine to keep herself from ageing!

Sounds like an oenophile’s fantasy. The trend of rejuvenating in wine has been going on for a while already. Besides, it turns out that grapes, grape seeds and vines happen to contain some of the world’s most powerful antioxidants.

Sake Spa

While a huge cask drips fresh sake in an outdoor pool, visitors benefit from the rice wine’s potential to remove freckles and age spots. Many beauty products contain sake already due to the kojic acid’s ability to moisturize skin and prevent spots.

Coffee Spa

With real coffee made with hot spring water, Yunessun promotes this pool as the way to recover from fatigue, reduce puffiness and eliminate cellulite. Fresh batches of coffee are poured in the pool throughout the day.

Green Tea Spa

Authentic green tea from the Tanzawa and Hakone mountains flows throughout the day in this tub. Right after water, tea might be the most consumed drink on earth. In addition to its ability to activate the body’s immune system to fight against disease-causing agents, tea also boosts skin health.

For those with a sweet tooth, Yunessun also offers a chocolate bath on Valentine’s Day. It’s probably less healthy than the other hot tubs, but hey, who doesn’t deserve a break from the usual?

For more: Yunessun’s website.

How many of you actually turn off your cellphone, iPad, Kindle or personal computer when on board an aircraft? Now, if I tell you that these rules were put into place before the iPad was even released, wouldn’t you be surprised?

During our travels, we are forced to use more traditional ways to keep us entertained, like books and magazines, and even colored crayons for some (remember the good old days?). These regulations are a result of rules enforced by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). However, the last testing of the use of personal electronics on board flights was done in 2006 — 4 years before the iPad was first introduced to the market.

With current predictions for the end of 2012 stating that more than 40 million eReaders and 60 million tablets will be owned solely in the United States, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski wants to see things change. In a letter he sent to the FAA, he asked for more relaxed restrictions on in-flight device use during takeoff and landing.

“Mobile devices are increasingly interwoven in our daily lives. They empower people to stay informed and connected with friends and family, and they enable both large and small businesses to be more productive and efficient, helping drive economic growth and boost U.S. competitiveness,” stated Genachowski.

In fact, the FCC  prohibits only the use of cellular phones on the 800MHz frequency and other wireless devices that function the same way, due to their potential interference with aircraft safety. At the same time, the FAA bans in-flight use of wireless devices due to possible interference with internal aircraft navigation and communication systems.

After Genachowski’s letter, Laura J. Brown, FAA deputy assistant administrator for public affairs, told the New York Times that the agency will take a “fresh look” at in-flight use of electronic devices.

With the advent of new technology, and because airlines have not conducted the testing necessary to approve new devices such as the iPad, Brown confirmed that the FAA is taking a closer look at the current regulations.

The FAA is attempting to work with electronic manufacturers and vendors, as well as aircraft manufacturers, to discover a way to allow the use of personal electronics on board, even during takeoff and landings.

The scary thing is that even with all the current regulations, are passengers really switching their devices off? What if the testing shows that iPads and Kindles are a threat to aircraft safety? There is no way to prevent our generation from traveling without personal devices — they are attached to our hip, just like our pants are.

Photo credit: Yagan Kiely (Flickr)

You’re standing at the brink of a frozen lake, with your bare feet touching the cool ice. You don’t even feel the cold anymore, since your feet are not the only part of your body that remain unclothed. You take a look at your arms, your legs, and you see them slightly turning a bit blue.

You tell yourself that you can do this. That over 90% of the Finnish population has tried it once. You dip your toe in to the icy water as a thrill of adrenaline and fear runs through your body. You’re probably hoping not to catch a cold right now, but you still decide to take the leap as you contemplate the thick hole shining through the crust of ice.

You breathe deeply, and you plunge right in. The shock is terrible and you feel yourself shiver right until your bones. You might regret your decision, but you know that it’s the norm in Northern Europe. In Finland, ice swimming is just as much of a tradition as saunas are.

It’s hard to believe that you’ll survive given that it takes less than five minutes in freezing water for hypothermia to kick in. But bathing in ice is nothing for the World Record holder, Wim Hof, who stayed immersed in an ice bath for 1 hour, 13 minutes and 48 seconds — and he came out alive! So you can do it too.

Called avantouinti, ice swimming is a popular winter activity in Finland with more than 120,000 people dipping in the ice-cold water from October to March each year. Ice swimmers either break the ice or enter where a spring prevents the water from freezing. This activity is not recommended for first timers, as it can be quite dangerous. However, if you want to live through the experience, you can try out an ice-swimming center; there are about 12 in the capital Helsinki alone.

You’d tend to believe that ice swimming is the perfect way to get pneumonia, but alarmingly the possibility of falling sick drops to 40% among ice swimmers. In fact, studies have shown that ice swimming increases the immune system and relieves pain from rheumatism, fibromyglia and asthma. During an experiment on a control group, ice swimmers showed less stress and fatigue and more vigor than people that have never put their bodies in frozen water.

The Finns believe that ice swimming is suitable for almost everyone, regardless of age, however one must consult a doctor before trying the activity. Ice swimming is linked with saunas, as most of the Finns go to the sauna and then jump in the icy water to cool off rapidly.

If you fancy an adrenaline rush, why not revitalise your body and soul with the Finnish national sport?

Photo credit: Franz Conde (Flickr)

Meaning ‘magnificent’ in the local Aboriginal language, Taroko Gorge is a slice of tropical heaven. Legend says that an Aborigine climbed to the top of the canyon. As soon as he set eyes on the spectacular land, he yelled “Taroko!”. With marble white rocks dried up on the shore, perfectly cut by the strength of the Liwu River, this Taiwanese region surrounded by a subtropical rainforest is truly breathtaking. You’ll come back from your holiday with your energy restored, albeit a couple of sore muscles from all the hiking you did in the mountains.

With the reputation of being Japan’s most gorgeous city, Kyoto used to be the capital of the nation for over a millennium. Despite its beauty title, visitors will have to work their way through the urban jungle of Kyoto before reaching its heavenly side. During the time when Kyoto was the capital, the city expanded by constructing temples, shrines and parks to honor the emperors, shoguns and monks. Today, the city if full of serene parks and charming temples. Be persistent and patient while getting through the modern part of the city; you’ll soon discover the diamond in the rough and know that there is more to Kyoto than what meets the eye.

Born in 1904 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Niemeyer was known as a legend in modern architecture. At a time when a rule book was how architects followed design, Niemeyer discarded the norm and followed his own path. He didn’t believe in straight lines; instead, he created magnificent buildings with each turn portraying another corner of his brilliance.

Brasilia, Brazil

Sao Paulo, Brazil

Besse Cooper, the world’s oldest woman, passed away at the age of 116.

Cooper, living in Monroe Georgia, passed away peacefully yesterday after getting her hair done while watching a Christmas video. The title of the world’s oldest person has been passed on to Dina Manfredi of Iowa, at 115 years old. The oldest person of known history was the French woman Jeanne Calment, who passed away at 122 in 1997.

Just imagine all what Cooper has seen since 1896 – she witnessed both World War 1 and 2, lived through three centuries and got through Y2K. If she survived 116 years marked by tragic events, we can make it to 2013 without breaking a sweat.

Is your couple named Mary and Joseph? If so, the Travelodge hotel chain is giving away free rooms to all couples with the festive names for the Christmas holidays.

After having offered a similar promotion for the past five years, the British low-cost hotel chain decided to offer a family room in any one of its 500 hotels from December 24 until January 5. Not only do guests get a free room, but as well are granted a free parking space “for the couple’s donkey.”

Mary and Joseph couples can claim the Christmas gift by registering until Friday, December 21, at christmas@travelodge.co.uk. Don’t forget to prove your identity!

For more information, read the latest Travelodge Press Release.

Photo credit: Valentina Storti (Flickr)

The Egyptian Cobra is known to have venom so poisonous that it can kill an elephant in three hours – and a human being in less than 15 minutes.

No wonder passengers aboard an Egypt Air flight were alarmed on Monday when they saw a cobra slithering under their seats.

The snake apparently freed itself from the carry-on of a 48-year old Kuwaiti reptile shop owner. The man had smuggled the snake pass security and boarded the flight from Cairo to Kuwait.

According to The Jordan Times, the cobra escaped and bit the owner, thus causing the plane to make an emergency landing in the Egyptian resort town of Al Ghardaqa.

Upon landing, local authorities took away the snake and the flight resumed its route. Apparently, the man refused medical treatment when doctors asked him to spend 24 hours under observation at a hospital.

Next time on board a flight, don’t be scared of turbulence. Check under your seats, you may find a creepy reptile lurking in the darkness.

Photo credit: Michael Allen Smith (Flickr)

The photograph is subject to copyright and may not be used without attributing Michael Allen Smith.

Tucked away in the unremarkable corner of a strip mall just off of South Seattle’s Jackson Street, on the border where Chinatown fades quietly into Little Saigon, Tamarind Tree sits waiting to be stumbled upon. Sandwiched between a Vietnamese grocery store and a dilapidated parking lot, the only thing that hints to the promising insides of the restaurant is its beautiful burnished copper sign, very at odds with the otherwise plain surroundings. At its sight, you’ll scurry past a nondescript fence made of bamboo rods, and hopefully pull open the door.

The first thing you’ll notice is the serene silence. It washes over you, starkly different from the ominous silence of this particular neighborhood at night. It’s a tranquil and muted silence, the welcoming, unhurried silence of a Vietnamese hamlet. It’s also dim and soothing, with decor that relies heavily on foliage in contrast with modern lines. There is a long bar that looks right out of a chic lounge, with many brilliant and interesting cocktails being stirred up right there for all to see.

The restaurant is filled with clusters of small tables, and though they are a little close together for taste, the mood is intimate and reserved. I was here on a weekday, but I’ve been at Tamarind Tree a couple times before on weekends. Though the restaurant does get full with groups of various sizes, every table’s conversation stays turned in on itself, like a cluster of little islands, and the volume doesn’t ever seem to get too loud or the atmosphere unquiet.

As soon as you’re seated, you and your dining companions will turn inward on yourselves, losing yourself momentarily in the extensive menu, as if creeping through the lush jungles of Vietnam itself. The menu is traditionally Vietnamese, but brought to new heights by presentation, thoughtful flavor pairings and preparation.

Prices are a little on the higher side, but comparable to a restaurant of the same quality. For example, they offer a seven-course tasting menu for two, which features beef in an array of different traditional preparations for $33. The last time I visited the Tamarind Tree, we had the green mango salad, the duck salad, and the grilled chicken rolls, all of which were very fresh, flavorful and cleansing, which ran at about $15 apiece.

If you’re looking for a juxtaposition of clean, beautifully presented food with classic Vietnamese flavors and preparation, seek out Tamarind Tree the next time you’re in Seattle and let yourself be surprised by a collision of old and the new.

Tip: I recommend the cinnamon pork rice balls and one of their killer Asian-themed fusion cocktails.

1036 South Jackson Street, Suite A, Seattle, Washington 98104. Tel: (206) 860-1404; website here. 

Opening hours: Friday – Saturday: 10:00 a.m. through midnight; Sunday – Thursday: 10:00 a.m. through 10:00 p.m.

 Photo credit: Helen Potter

The photograph is subject to copyright and may not be used without the consent of Helen Potter

Blackberry picking is a norm in Victoria, but coming from Asia, this was a new adventure for me.

Where I grew up in the populous city of Taipei, there were roadside trees and flowers, but it was rare to see any fruit trees blossom. When I arrived in Victoria for university in late August, I noticed apple and plum trees while taking brisk walks. August and September are the perfect fruitful months for tree and bush picking.

“We are going blackberry picking this weekend,” said Liz Belsten, a single mother who is a close friend of mine.

“Blackberry picking? Where?” I answered.

“It’s actually just a ten minute bike ride from your university,” Belsten replied.

How did I not know about this?

Without hesitation, it was a date!

Luckily the sky was clear and the air fresh. The sun brightly warmed our backs like a comfortable hot pad. The area was visibly wild, with a sandy pathway in the middle. The entrance blocked cars and vehicles out with a metal gate. It was only for pedestrians and cyclists.

I was excited to walk the promenade of berry kingdom. My fingertips tingled, and my immediate reaction was to taste the first blackberry I saw. It was not large in size, but the sugary and tangy rich dark liquid oozed into my mouth. I knew I could not eat for the whole picking duration, so it was time to get to work.

When you are swallowed by wild blackberry bushes everywhere, you feel lost in a maze sometimes, but your eyes work hard to find the largest, juiciest and perfect piece. Make sure you bring a large container like a giant ice-cream tub or a handled gardening bucket. It depends on how much you want to pick.

In two hours, I managed to fill a 1 liter ice-cream bucket. Be warned however, the berries do not come off without spiking you first.

The vines, like roses, have spikes, so when picking, be extra careful, however the berries are not poisonous. I did not realize how many red scratches I received until I rinsed the dark natural blackberry ink off my hands and fingers.

Bring some plastic or surgical gloves to protect your fingers and hands. When you begin the searching process, make sure you look all around.

Inexperienced pickers tend to look from far and pick the most visible berries in sight. This is great in my perspective, because it leaves the larger naughty ones that play hide-and-seek undiscovered. Look high above, under leaves and even below on the ground. You should encounter many blackberry surprises.

As you will continue to venture deeper into the veins of fruit heaven, you will begin to realize how lucky you are to have such an abundant source and volume of blackberries. In Taiwan, I only ate blackberries at hotel dinner breakfast buffets – and even then, they were not always offered.

It was like flipping a coin, going from not ever eating berries, to having all the berries I wanted. Blackberries do not last long however, and even though I can devour large amount of fruits, one liter was too much to eat in the duration of three to four days. Berries only last so long in the refrigerator once they’ve been picked. So what do people do with so many berries?

Freeze them.

Step 1: rinse the blackberries in a sieve with cold running water. Gently roll them around to make sure all pieces are rinsed. Be gentle however; you would not want to crush the delicate diamonds.

Step 2: Take a large baking tray and clothe it with a piece of parchment/wax paper or saran wrap.

Step 3: Carefully transfer the drained blackberries and spread them apart on the baking tray.

Step 4: Place the baking tray into the freezer horizontally and in a stable position where the tray will not topple over. Leave it in the freezer for at least six hours.

Step 5: Remove the tray from the freezer and transfer the frozen blackberries into a large airtight seal bag. Make sure you get all the air out: you can do this by sealing the bag, but leaving a tiny hole on the side. Use a straw to suck all the air out and then seal it completely.

Step 6: Date the bag and pop it in the freezer. You can use it for cakes, smoothies, jam, snacks and more. Make sure each time you put it back in the freezer that it is sealed completely; this prevents the berries from becoming freezer burnt.

The most important thing however is to have fun, enjoy nature’s blossoming fruit – despite its invasiveness – and make sure you show off and tell people, “I picked them myself!”

After coming back from São Paulo, I can state that yes, my teachers were right. Brazil ranks among the world’s highest nations on the Gini coefficient index of inequality assessment and the country has serious crime issues with around 15 homicides a day in São Paulo state only.

As we drove through São Paulo’s crowded streets, a thick river of cars and motorcycles seemed to pull us deeper into the endless horizons of a city populated by over 11 million souls. Cars honked and swarms of people crossed the streets. We passed through modern buildings and dilapidated, graffiti-decorated walls.

While we were on the way to our hotel, someone somewhere was trying to find a free, secluded stretch of cement to spend the night. While we stopped at the neighborhood padaria – a Brazilian diner – a helpless beggar was roaming the streets searching for just a bite to get through the day.

I was instantly overwhelmed by the duality of São Paulo – a mix of wealth and poverty so unreal that I had to blink twice to reassure myself that I wasn’t dreaming.

In São Paulo, I felt constantly trapped in between the jet-set metropolitan lifestyle, with the city’s trendy restaurants and boutiques, and the guilty mindset of how the other half lived while I was having the time of my life.

The truth is, I arrived to the gigantic city believing that poverty equals misery, just like what I was taught in high school. But as soon as I set foot into São Paulo’s old city center, this misconception seemed to evaporate into thin air.

Located smack in the middle of the old city, São Paulo’s Mercado Municipal (Municipal Market) is one of the cornerstones of the city’s culture. As a traditional gourmet point of the city, one could find pretty much anything there – from a variety of nuts and oils to fruits that I’ve never seen before.

Upon entering the market, the divide between social classes suddenly disappeared. All types of people were drinking and eating together; some rich, some poor. Nobody seemed to care where you were from, how you got to the market, or what you were doing. Everyone was just happy to be together.

We had a bite to eat at the market cafeteria, and then moved on to our next adventure. We walked our way to the old church in the city center, passing by homeless men and women sleeping on cardboard mattresses.

As we approached the church, we heard loud singing, almost as loud as a stereo blasting in our ears. Intrigued by the ecstatic melody, we followed the direction of the music.

Then, it hit me. I felt like I just understood São Paulo.

Men and women — some toothless, some hairless, some shoeless — were dancing, singing, and laughing all together. They probably didn’t have a place to spend the night, didn’t know where they would be tomorrow and didn’t know what they would have for dinner; but they were full of joy.

That’s what São Paulo was for me – a constant struggle between wealth and poverty, happiness and misery. You do see poverty everywhere, even at the steps of your hotel in a residential neighborhood. But one thing that my high school professors failed to teach me was that no matter the extent of the inequality and crime, even the man sleeping half-naked near a dump with nobody to love is happy – probably even happier than most of us are.

Photo credits: Michelle Bijo

All photographs are subject to copyright and may not be used without the consent of Michelle Bijo

Dubbed the “worst building in the history of mankind” by Esquire magazine in 2008, the famous pyramid Ryugyong hotel in North Korea has been the spotlight in travel news lately.

“It’s hideously ugly, even by communist standards,” stated Esquire Magazine (2008)

Pointing out from Pyongyang’s skyline at 330m, the landmark is the 47th tallest building in the world, and soon to be one of the tallest hotels on earth. Construction began in 1987 and was supposed to be done in 1989 for the 13th World Festival of Youth and Students. But with a bad economy and such a closed system, the construction was abandoned in 1992.

Since then, Ryugyong hotel has been left alone. Picked up by the Kempinski group recently, the hotel literally “scared” the world just in time for Halloween. According to the Kempinski CEO Reto Rittwer, only the 150 rooms on the top of the building will be used as a hotel.

But where will North Korea find the tourists to feed the hotel? Wittwer said, “We have to get this hotel if there is ever a chance, because this will be a money-printing machine if North Korea opens up.”

However, industry experts are not so convinced of its money-making power. “This is not going to be one of the hotel chain’s biggest earners,” stated Bruce Goslin, executive managing director of K2 intelligence and expert on North Korea. “It may be more symbolic than anything else.”

In a world where records matter, Ryugyong will surely not only get the title of the building that took the longest to construct, but as well, the honour of being the most mysterious hotel ever.

Read more about the hotel on their website.

 Photo credit: Jensowagner  on Flicker

When New Yorkers were evacuated from “Zone A” during hurricane Irene last year, it was more of an inconvenience than a real emergency. Having had that experience, we did not take news seriously this time with Hurricane Sandy.

So many New Yorkers remained at home, Instagraming photos of their empty fridges as a silly joke. This continued even after the hurricane had taken so many homes, businesses,  cell phone reception, power stations in lower Manhattan and then hot water from those who had been affected.

Uptown Manhattan remained in business as usual for a while before the images on the news finally began to sink in. On the night Sandy was announced to make its entry, many New Yorkers decided to go out for a stroll.

Just as predicted, around 8:15 p.m., trees were falling left and right and water was creeping up from the shore. But we continued to dance in the rain still hoping the whole thing would be media-overblown, like it was last year.

We were in Lower-East Manhattan when a flash of green light lit the sky accompanied with an alien starship-like noise (I have no idea how else to describe this sound as I’ve only heard it in sci-fi movies before).

What could that have been? Probably just lightning with thunder – odd, but what else could it possibly have been? When street lights began to flicker all around us, we finally started to make our way back, carefully looking all around just in case we needed to dodge the flying debris.

A brief brownout gave us the final notice before all of lower Manhattan went completely pitch black for the first time in decades.

This is my favorite view of Manhattan; normally dazzling in billions of lights, reflected in the ripples of the water and framed by the sky.

The bright green light and the unrecognizable woo sound came from the explosion of this power station. We were only seven blocks away; it’s a miracle no one got hurt.

The FDR was still knee-deep in water in some areas 10 hours after the storm. People must have confused the FDR with the boardwalk, as there were crowds marching over the higher dry parts. This is normally one of the major ways to get around the city; no one could ever run across it without encountering traffic.

Basements of buildings in 3rd Avenue were drowning in water. Those who used the basement as a garage found a dirty soup of salty water and cars after the hurricane.

Those who could, began taking out the water immediately.

So many cars, including police and other emergency vehicles, looked like this the morning after the storm.

23rd Street gas station located on the waterfront, dismantled into pieces.

Photo credits: Raisa Berger

All photographs are subject to copyright and may not be used without the consent of Raisa Berger

Island cruising

My wife and I drive down the coast from the tropical city of Townsville and pull into Airlie Beach at noon just in time to park at the Abel Point marina and catch the Cruise Whitsundays’ half-day trip to Whitehaven Beach. We first head to beautiful Cid Harbour with its calm waters, beautiful coastline and soaring peaks.

These waters and islands are home to turtles, dugong and sea eagles but unfortunately we see little of these creatures today. Heading onwards we pass Hamilton Island en route to the southern end of Whitehaven Beach.

After one and a half hours of relaxing on Whitehaven Beach, it’s on through Hook Passage and eventually back to Airlie Beach. The trip has been great, the boat comfortable and we feel relaxed and invigorated.Whitehaven Beach is a definite must-see in the Whitsundays. The crystal clear aqua waters and pristine white silica sand stretch for over seven kilometres along Whitsunday Island. This is the most photographed beach in Australia and has been named “Queensland’s Most Beautiful Beach.”

Accommodation in Airlie Beach

Airlie Beach is the mainland centre for Whitsundays and it is well supplied with accommodation. There are hotels, apartments, motels, caravan parks and backpacker resorts.

Our accommodation tonight is at the Best Western Mango House Resort a couple of kilometres out of town on the Shute Harbour Road. The 4-star resort has self-contained apartments with balconies overlooking a large pool and spa.

The apartment is a spacious air-conditioned unit with a fully equipped kitchen, washing machine and dryer, large lounge and dining room and undercover parking. The resort has been designed with privacy in mind and we are impressed with the tropical garden with its BBQ area. We immediately wish we were staying longer.

Later, when we return from Daydream Island, we stay at the excellent Airlie Beach Hotel in the centre of town. The accommodation is good and the food in Capers Restaurant is outstanding. The whole of Airlie Beach is walkable from here so it’s a great location for shopping, cruising and meeting the locals.

Eating and partying

Airlie Beach is a tourist centre so there is no shortage of places to eat. There is no disguising the fact that Australian restaurant prices are high, so after inspecting several places we select a new nice-quality pizza restaurant called Mr Bones near the lagoon for dinner and then wander the main street to check out the action.

There is plenty of action in the nightspots for the younger crowd but the noise level is high. We are pleased that we are not staying in the middle of town because sleep may not come easily. Fortunately, a quiet place for a drink emerges from the chaos and we manage to talk while listening to some cool blues and jazz.

The next morning, we hear about the Whitsunday Sailing Club and go there for lunch. It advertises itself as the place with the best view in Airlie Beach — and it probably is. Sitting on the terrace overlooking the marina, the water and the forested hills of Mandalay is an experience to savour and we do that for longer than we had planned.

Daydream Island

Several of the Whitsunday islands have resorts and these mostly cater for interstate and overseas visitors. Hayman Island is probably the most up-market but we choose a favorite from the past.

Daydream Island welcomes us with a shell lei, a music group, a drink and a brief orientation. It makes everyone feel special and is done very professionally. By the time we reach our room, we are relaxed, happy and looking forward to a great stay.

The room is lovely. It is spacious, clean and well decorated. Glass doors lead to a small balcony and we gaze out onto palm trees, blue water, and some of the 74 islands that make this region so special.

Time flies until we find ourselves in Mermaids Restaurant for dinner. Our table looks out onto stunning views illuminated by flaming torches. Curlews strut around on the terrace while a wallaby hovers. After eating, we wander through the gardens and stop at the Lagoon Lounge to listen to the live music.

We start our new day at the buffet breakfast at Waterfalls Restaurant. Daydream is a popular resort with families and there are plenty of kid’s activities. Management has very cleverly ensured that adults who want quietness also have special spaces. We eat our breakfast buffet in the adults only room while overlooking the Living Reef.

This is one of the world’s largest man-made living coral reef lagoons with more than 80 species of fish and 50 species of coral. I get a close-up view of the lagoon when I enter the water to feed stingrays and a shark in the Stingray Splash experience which can be booked in advance.

Daydream Island is suitable for couples, families, retirees, and anyone who wants to be pampered in style in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. It has confirmed itself as my favourite Whitsunday island.

Ocean Rafting

Back at Airlie Beach, we again head out onto the water. There are smiling faces everywhere as we skim across the water at breakneck speed. The weather is kind so we are in for a fun, fast ride. We’ve been on the Ocean Rafting ride for about five minutes and already we love it.

Here we are on a modified sea rescue boat with two other Australians and 21 young overseas visitors. We had arrived at the Coral Sea Resort jetty in time to be decked out in stinger suits (they call them sunsuits) before hitting the water at 10 a.m.

The 25-minute ride to Hook Island is exhilarating. Our crew members, Jason and Willis are competent, smart and cheerful. Our fellow passengers revel in the scene of islands, blue water and passing watercraft. We stop at Border Island and grab snorkels and floatation devices before exploring the coral reef. The coral is just okay but the fish are spectacular. After an hour, we emerge happy and invigorated.

Now it’s off to Whitsunday Island. We take a guided walking tour to see the stunning views at Hill Inlet Lookout. White silica sand contrasts brilliantly with the swirling turquoise ocean. Our whole group is spellbound. We are now powering to our lunch spot. In a matter of minutes the buffet is prepared and we are sitting on the beach with a huge plateful of food.

Two hours later we reluctantly leave. We have walked the beach, swum in the clear water and explored the edge of Whitsundays.

Photo credit: Phensri Rutledge

All  photos are subject to copyright and may not be used without the consent of Phensri Rutledge

Although flights can be pricey, you can visit Hawaii on a budget and still experience all the best the islands have to offer. Here’s a list of the things you shouldn’t miss.

Photo credit: Amelia LeBlanc

1. Pearl Harbour

Photo credit: Lrargerich (Flickr)

Pearl Harbour’s stillness will move you like no other experience. Oil continues to leak from the destroyed ships, making the event seem recent and nothing like the movie. Visiting this US National Monument on the island of Oahu is a must. Due to limited parking, it’s best to book with a tour group and go when Pearl Harbour first opens in the morning to beat both the crowds and the heat.

2. The Polynesian Cultural Center

Photo credit: Foot Fingers (Flickr)

Also located on Oahu, this huge outdoor museum will whet your appetite for all the islands in the Pacific. You’ll meet people from every island, like Tahiti, and get a taste of their life there, while sampling their most typical food. At the Polynesian Cultural Center, you will have the opportunity to experience live performances of dances and traditions of Pacific culture, such as two men racing up opposite palm trees to see who can gather coconuts the fastest.

3. Cliff jumping and snorkelling

Photo credit: Amelia LeBlanc

When you go to Hawaii, I recommend buying your own snorkel set which can be purchased cheaply on the mainland at any sporting goods store or even at Target. Snorkelling anywhere off the coast is incredible — wild sea turtles are common and hearing a parrot fish chew (yes, they have teeth!) is one of the most interesting sounds I have ever heard. Get tips from locals and also online and you’ll be swimming in a natural aquarium before you know it. There are also great cliffs to jump off into perfect cerulean water along every coast. My favorite was at the most southern tip of the Big Island, which is also the most southern tip of the United States. You can swim anywhere (as long as it isn’t marked as prohibited) and parking alongside the road is easy if there aren’t designated parking spaces.

4. Shrimp farms

Photo credit: Life Supercharger (Flickr)

Hawaii no longer exports pineapple, as much of the former farmland has been converted into shrimp farms. What this means for you is the best shrimp scampi in the world. Parked along the road in northeast Oahu, you’ll see trailers advertising their dishes. Pull over and enjoy a heaping paper plate of fresh, garlicky shrimp scampi served over a bed of rice.

5. Volcano National Park

Photo credit: Lauren Bacon (Flickr)

If you ever wanted to know what walking on the moon looked like, this is the place for you. On Hawaii’s Big Island, many of the volcanoes are still active. Some can be seen from a distance, while others are deep enough within the earth to walk on top of and see bits of steam escaping through cracks in the ground. At night, you can hike to the coast where you can see lava flowing into the sea and witness the Big Island get even bigger.

6. Black sand beaches

Photo credit: AZ Adam (Flickr)

The best part of Hawaii is its beaches. I suggest renting a car so that you can pull over at anytime to go for a swim. I found most of the islands to be deserted once I got away from the more touristy parts of each island. Black sand beaches are the most impressive, since the sand is composed of powdered lava. Located on the Big Island, you’ll find the Pololu Valley Lookout, an easy family hike down to a deserted black sand beach in Kohala Forest Reserve.

7. Sky dive

Photo credit: MN Napoleon (Flickr)

I checked sky diving off my bucket list on the North Shore of Oahu. I found it to be much cheaper than any place on the mainland and the views were unforgettable. I went with a company called Sky Dive Hawaii. Although it is recommended to book in advance, I didn’t make the appointment until I arrived. Sky Dive Hawaii also provided transportation to and from my hotel.

8. Go to a luau

Photo credit: Randi Chui (Flickr)

It might be a Hawaiian cliché, yet the luau is a delicious and truly beautiful display of the islands’ culture. Before the main meal, you’ll learn the traditional hula dance. After the all-you-can-eat feast during a gorgeous sunset, you can attend a live performance of the hula as well as a fire show about the history of Hawaii.

9. Kahakuloa Village

Photo credit: Amelia LeBlanc

When I was in Maui, the famous Road to Hana was closed due to rain, so instead we looped the other way on Highway 340 (which is actually a one-lane road along a cliff). During this slow, beautiful drive, people will walk up to your car to sell you fresh trail mix and you will experience a completely different Hawaii — think tropical rainforest. Halfway along the highway, stop in Kahakuloa Village and sample Julia’s Best Banana Bread on the Planet.

10. Eat shave ice and plate lunches

Photo credit: _e.t (Flickr)

Yes, I said shave ice, not shaved. Shaving ice is a Hawaiian art and the best slushie you will ever have. Also, plate lunches are a great way to try local foods and are also cheap. A typical plate lunch comes in a box, so it’s perfect to go. Expect a main entrée with rice, macaroni salad, and of course poi, which is made from the taro plant.

Final tip: Pack light. I promise you will need nothing more than a bathing suit on whatever islands your adventures takes you.

Although there is a lot to do, above all visiting Hawaii is a relaxing vacation. It’s easy to sync your internal clock with the flow of the islands. It’s been three years since I visited and I’m currently figuring out how to make Hawaii a permanent home in the future, and not just a great vacation spot. Aloha!

Photo credits: Amelia LeBlanc, Lrargerich, Foot Fingers, Randy Chiu, Life Supercharger, Lauren Bacon, AZ Adam, MN Napoleon, and_E.T, 

All photos are subject to copyright and may not be used without the consent of the photographers stated above

Udon Thani is the fourth largest city in the country and is surrounded by major agricultural areas, yet in the past it has been by-passed by visitors. There are good daily train, bus and plane connections with the capital and it is on the Thailand-Laos Highway, making it easy to reach today.

In recent years, Udon Thani has become a regional hub for agriculture and shopping. Tourism is also building, and although Udon Thani is not as popular as some other areas, there are many facilities catering to international tourists, and a number of interesting sites to visit.

How to learn more about Udon Thani’s history:

The Udon Thani City Museum (Tel: +66-42-245976) was built in 1920 as a school. Since 2004, it has been a museum and it is an excellent place to come face to face with the long history of the region. It contains some relics from the Ban Chiang village, widely accepted as the world’s first bronze civilization.

There is also information about the Phu Prabat Historical Park, where remains from 1,800 years ago have been found in the form of paintings on cave walls and battlements buried around a stone pillar. Wat Ku Kaeo from 1200 years ago has contributed ancient iron remains while Mon-brick stupas from 700 years ago hid silver-lined Buddha images.

How to explore Udon Thani’s attractions:

Navigation around Udon Thani is made easier by three large roundabouts on Highway 2 which run through the centre of town – the clock circle, the fountain circle and Prince Prajak Circle. The latter houses the Prince Prachaksinlapakhom Monument, which commemorates the founder of Udon Thani. Nearby are some of the city’s best shopping areas and a few hotels.

The city has several interesting attractions, which we visit with local tourism operator Jet-Isan (Tel: 042-242165) that offers English language tours, car rental and accommodation bookings. We find the Ban Chiang Archaeological Site the most unique tour among them. This archaeological site, which was designated as a World Heritage Site in 1992, is outstanding.

I first visited here in 1988 and was blown away. Much has changed since then but the excellent experience remains. The Ban Chiang National Museum displays 7,000 year old artefacts, as well as ancient Ban Chiang tools and utensils, and the open air museum provides a fascinating glimpse into Bronze Age life and culture.

After returning from Ban Chiang we travel north to Ban Nakha, along Route 2. This is a village famous for selling home-woven silk and cotton garments, but it is more commercialized than we had hoped. Nevertheless there are still some bargains.

Now it’s north-west to Phu Phrabat Historical Park. Exploring the park can take anything from 40 minutes to a day depending on what you want to see. Highlights for us are the bizarre rock formations and the Bronze Age cave paintings. Back closer to the city, we visit the interesting Shell, Fossil and Dinosaur Museum on the Nong Bua road.

Our final trip is south to a large wetlands area called Khumpawapi. This is being heavily promoted as Udon Thani’s newest tourist attraction. Teeming with fish and wild life, and carpeted with red lotus in the winter, it is largely unspoiled. The best time to visit is early morning when the flowers are at their best and the temperature is not too hot. It is recommended to go here on a tour as the best part is going out on the lake into the middle of the flowers. It is really something quite special.

Where to shop in Udon Thani:

Shopping facilities abound and we found some prices significantly cheaper than Bangkok. There is a large night market that opens at about 5 p.m. near the train station. Also in this area is UD Town, a walking mall with a food court, Tesco Lotus store, numerous restaurants and fast food outlets, and small retail businesses.

Central Plaza is Udon Thani’s largest indoor shopping mall, featuring five floors of shopping, including a Robinson’s Department Store, Tops Supermarket, numerous restaurants, IT products and a major Cineplex.

Street food vendors abound throughout the city. Satay, noodle soup, pad Thai, sum tum, grilled chicken and so on are available all day. There is a large range of buffet restaurants including Korean-style cook-it-yourself BBQ and many Western cuisines are also available.

How to experience Udon Thani’s spirituality:

Two temples are worth visiting within the city. Wat Phothisomphon has a collection of buildings and a new golden stupa. Chao Pu – Chao Ya Shrine is a large Chinese spirit shrine beside a garden and large lotus pond at the other end of the central area.

My wife and I are keen to see more so we visit Nong Prajack Park, a large recreational area and the primary site for locals to exercise and chill out. There is a large lake with several small islands and there is nightly aerobics to Thai pop music. For the more active, jogging around the outside of the lake is popular. The huge floating white lotus sculpture is another attraction.

Where to stay in Udon Thani:

Udon Thani has many accommodation options including the four-star Centara Hotel & Convention Centre (Tel: 042-343555) which is linked to the largest shopping and entertainment centre in the city. An alternative could be the three-star Paradise Hotel (Tel: 042-244719). Both are in central city locations.  For those looking at comfortable out-of-town accommodation (18km from the city), the family-run Hotel Home Stay Stc (Tel: 089-7150722) might suffice.

 Photo credit: Phensri Rutledge

All  photos are subject to copyright and may not be used without the consent of Phensri Rutledge

As New Yorkers we tend to think we are invincible. A day without the subways running, our morning Starbucks and store hopping would simply just be catastrophic beyond any comparison. Well, that day has come and passed beyond such horror.

With no ability to truly defend ourselves, we just did what we thought was best. Two types of people emerged; the people who stocked up for the end of the world and the people who sat outside in their pjs and drank mojitos as the storm swept through. Neither were wrong.

Though this has turned into a terrible disaster with hundreds of thousands of people without power, with an insane perseverance and crazy mindset, New Yorkers concurred the great storm. LIFE CONTINUED. The daily crazies were still out on the streets.

At 9:00 a.m. everyone from my company packed into a van in Brooklyn and headed to Manhattan. We were told that it would be impossible, that there was no way in; we simply didn’t care. We relied on just being crazy enough to try. Though the bridges were all closed, we managed to find our way across one when “the coast was clear.”

Downtown Manhattan was dead, pulseless. In Midtown, where it usually is a constant struggle to walk between obsessed camera-snapping tourists and rush hour foot traffic, it was possible to lay a mattress on Fifth Avenue and go to sleep smack in middle of the street.

By 12:00 p.m. we had some entertainment. A man was dancing down Fifth Avenue singing while playing the trumpet.

During the entire day, our company’s sample sale was non-stop busy since we were one of the only stores opened. From 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. non-stop foot traffic. At 11:00 p.m., we finally closed and made our way back to Brooklyn.

Driving back was beyond surreal. The lack of night lights, the dead silent streets, and the emptiness of New York life were overwhelming. Who could ever think that they would miss the craziness of this city? Crossing over the Manhattan Bridge, we could see Lower Manhattan completely dark, with only the light if the Empire State Building visible.

Though many are without power and are flooded due to Hurricane Sandy, New Yorkers are determined to get life back to normal. We will find our way back to the craziness we are known for. And with the help of the police, fire department, EMT and city workers, life will continue on as it always does. The journey to normality begins one step at a time starting from yesterday.

For more photos of Hurricane Sandy, follow Jeff on Instagram @jeff_nyc

Did Frankenstorm Sandy come to haunt you too? 

But therein, I think, hangs its appeal.

As soon as you set foot in this part of France, time seems to slow down. In Bergerac’s quaint little airport there’s definitely no hurry as a gnarled old baggage handler stops for a puff on his cigarette between lifting each bag onto the makeshift carousel.

Outside the building, autumn has just arrived, but the temperature is still quite pleasant. On the trees, colours are changing, highlighting tinges of amber in the morning sun as the breeze discards their early dying leaves towards the skies.

This isn’t my first visit – I have done this trip many times – but it is my favourite time of year.

Gone are the sunflowers for which the Dordogne is so famous, chequering the vista with their bright yellow patchwork. Now the deep rich red soil is exposed.

As we climb the hill towards Montbazillac, Bergerac and its whole valley spread out towards the blue sky behind us, displaying rows of recently harvested vines, their leaves too changing with the season. My heart skips as I admire the spectacle, despite seeing it many times before. Towering on the nearby hill, Chateau Montbazillac faces the same view like a sentinel guarding its crop, its perfect round turrets mirroring each other like a drawing in a child’s fairy-story.

View from Montbazillac captured by Andy Frazier 

Heading south, we come to the village of Eymet which has become a headquarters for British travellers and expats alike. But, unlike during its summer frenzy, now the narrow streets are quiet with colourful wooden shutters closed on a few of its picturesque medieval buildings. In the square, the odd shop-keeper glances out, maybe to snare one last tourist before the season pulls on its gloves for winter. We pass the English shop, selling Marmite and Kellogg’s for those who can never quite sever the tie, and the pretty English café that serves bacon butties in the mornings and cream scones for tea.

My mission here is a simple one, to pick up a present for my host from Mitch’s well stocked wine cave. She welcomes me in her soft Irish brogue and recommends a bottle from a local vineyard now owned by Russian money. Somehow I find it slightly unnerving that the French wine trade is no longer resistant to foreign influence.

Then it’s on South again, exchanging the Dordogne for Lot-et-Garonne, with its heavier land and huge fields, the landscape dotted with high wooden barns, once used for drying tobacco, and occasional rambling farmhouses falling to decay. Small villages are sprinkled with new bungalows, all white and shiny like new toys, each with a chain-linked fence and electric gates; a reminder of new money and changing times.

My host is an old school friend who has traded the fast life of UK for that of tranquillity and open space in an isolated farmhouse, surrounded by animals. It’s a familiar story in these parts and, sitting on his terrace looking out on to a wonderful view of a deserted windmill and rolling countryside, it is not hard to understand why.

Over the next few hours the wine bottles disappear along with the warmth of the day, re-assuring us that this part of the world has winter as sharp as any other, when it gets round to it.

Next day, an early morning mist burns off in the sun by breakfast-time before we head off to a Sunday market in the gorgeous village of Issigeac. Of all the towns in this region, I hold this one the dearest, with its huge Chateau guarding the entrance to winding narrow streets. It’s like going back in time, or being on a Hollywood film set, and I half-expect to see D’Artagnan swinging from an upstairs window in swashbuckling style. As we near the square, the smells and colours of the bustling market are vivid and extreme.

Issigeac Market captured by Peter Stephens

Many of the vegetables I don’t recognise, as little French ladies stuff their shopping bags with greens, maroons, reds and yellows, jabbering incomprehensibly.

Lunch today is in a small restaurant, serving a simple menu for 15 euros each. On a weekday it would only be 12 euros, explains my host, but on Sundays we get better cutlery and finer glasses. To me, it’s a steal, especially as the wine is included and the food sumptuous.

From here a 20-minute drive takes us through fabulous scenery on to Monpazier, another medieval town, this time sitting high up on a hill. Founded in 1287 by King Edward I, this is considered to be one of the best examples of Bastide architecture in the whole of Southern France. Battles have been fought throughout its interesting history, mainly against the English, and yet during that time it has somehow remained remarkably unchanged. Now its narrow symmetrical streets are lined with charming little shops selling antiques and chocolate, many tucked away under stone archways and arcades within its town walls.

Back in the car, we wind our way north-west towards Sarlat, stopping briefly to admire Chateau Beynac high on its rock, from a little street café beside the river. But despite its ancient centre, Sarlat isn’t what it used to be and I find it a little disappointing after the tranquillity of the previous two stops. Yes it still has its ancient city centre but the surrounding urban area is now clogged up with commercialism at every turn. We don’t stay long before heading back east along the River Dordogne. On the way we pass through occasional deserted villages nestled on its bank, already shut down for winter.

The view of the Valley of La Dordogne from Chateau Beynac, captured by David Martin

Approaching Bergerac from the east, street lights are already starting to twinkle as the dusk descends. After bidding my host farewell, I wander the narrow streets of the town centre, stopping at a small bar in a stone courtyard for a glass of local wine to reflect on my day. In the square beyond me, a bronze statue of Cyrano gleams shiny under a neon light.

The Cyrano de Bergerac statue captured by RG1033 

Ironically, this city’s most celebrated son never even visited the place, although his famous nose is always a good draw for the tourists. Down at the water’s edge, the river flows casually by, as a couple of young lads skim stones off its sparkling surface. Apart from that, the town is still and peaceful; so far removed from the rigours of bustling UK that I find myself wishing I wasn’t leaving in the morning.

Photo credits: Andy Frazier, Peter Stephens, RG1033 and David Martin.  

Titanic Belfast:

Recently opened in 2012, the Titanic Belfast building commemorates the legendary Titanic.

One ship has always been synonymous with Belfast. Now the legendary White Star liner, RMS Titanic, is celebrated here 100 years after its one disastrous voyage. Titanic Belfast is a 97 million pound marvel. This brand new (2012) visitor attraction spreads over four floors in nine magnificent galleries. This is really a state of the art experience and you will be continually amazed by the technology as you move through the display.

Gallery 1 is all about boomtown Belfast in the early 1900s, while Gallery 2 gives a Disney-like ride through the massive shipyard. Further galleries explore the launch, the fit-out and the maiden voyage. Some of the ‘effects’ are quite amazing. Gallery 6 covers the sinking when Titanic hit an iceberg and the next two galleries cover the aftermath and the myths and legends surrounding the ship. The final gallery is stunning with a huge video display of the ship at the bottom of the ocean. You can have lunch in Bistro 401 or a snack at the Gallery Cafe on the ground floor or visit the shop. Don’t miss this place. We were super impressed.

Titanic Walking Tour:

Join the Titanic Walking Tour to learn more about the history of the famous Titanic ship.

Belfast is where the Titanic was built and a tour of the shipyard and waterfront is a fascinating way to learn something about the history of the ship and the city. To learn more, join a Titanic Walking Tour. The tour starts with a ‘bang’ by accessing the old Harland and Wolff head office where we entered the drawing office where Titanic was designed. The drawing office remains intact with plans and photographs around the walls. Next we explored the slipway where Titanic was built and launched. The slipways are gone but the shape of the ship is outlined on the concrete. It is about a kilometre to the next major site. On the way we saw an old World War One ship, the HMS Caroline.

The next highlight is the old pump house with its massive pumping engines, original engineer’s workshop and two audio/visual experiences. The pump house was used to pump water from the dry dock where Titanic was outfitted. The Thompson Graving Dock was the last place Titanic rested on dry land and it is virtually unchanged since 1911. One hundred years slip easily away as we stand at the bottom of the dry dock. We were overwhelmed by its size and for the first time we got a great appreciation of just how large Titanic was.

Irish Pubs:

Experience an authentic Irish pub at the Duke of York in Belfast.

Irish pubs can be found worldwide but the imitations can never beat the originals in Ireland. With their cozy snugs, elaborate stained glass and wonderful old posters, they have an attraction to most visitors. One of our favourite things to do in Belfast is to enjoy a pint of Guinness at the Duke of York pub. The Duke of York has the appearance of an old fashioned property and dates back to 1710, but it was bombed in 1973 and has been rebuilt since. Look out for the stone and tiled floor as well as lots of mirrors and posters from the printing presses that used to be located close by.

The Crown Bar is perhaps the finest Victorian ‘gin palace’ in the whole of the United Kingdom. The ornate interior has been enjoyed by travellers since 1885 and now that it is owned by the National Trust, it is guaranteed to stay that way for many more years.

Then there is McHugh’s, one of the oldest bars and buildings in Belfast. Established in 1711, it’s located right in the centre of Belfast on Queen’s Square. The main bar is a popular meeting place to enjoy drinks and a great atmosphere. The Basement Bar showcases live bands and DJ’s Thursday to Saturday, and there is a 100-seat restaurant.

Merchant Hotel:

Located in the historic quarter of Belfast, the Merchant hotel will provide you with a glimpse into Belfast’s vibrant nightlife, fabulous arts scene and stunning architectural design.

The Merchant Hotel is an elegant hotel in the heart of the historic Cathedral Quarter of Belfast. It is home to fascinating architecture, vibrant nightlife and a dynamic music and arts scene. It also happens to have the most highly appointed, elegant and spacious rooms in the city. The original building has Victorian rooms with velvet throws, silk curtains, antique furniture and original works of art. The decadence rooms are in the Art Deco building. Some people like these even more because of their sleek, uncompromising style.

One of the best things about the hotel is the bars and restaurants. The Great Room Restaurant offers fine dining in an architectural gem evoking timeless grandeur. It is famous for its delicious afternoon tea. The Bar was officially named the ‘World’s Best Cocktail Bar 2010’. It has a cocktail list of biblical proportions to suit all tastes. Berts bar and restaurant is a French style bistro with live jazz seven nights a week and on Sunday afternoons. The Cloth Ear is the warm and welcoming public bar where we enjoyed homemade favourite dishes with a creative touch. Ollie’s Club is a lavish space with state of the art light and sound features.

Black Taxi Tour:

Take the Black Taxi Tour to visit the iconic monuments of Belfast, such as the Town Hall.

There is no better way to see Belfast than on a Black Taxi Tour. This iconic tour shows Northern Ireland’s dynamic capital and its emerging, distinctive quarters from the back of a traditional black cab. After exploring the central city around Saint Anne’s Cathedral, we stopped and photographed one of the most imposing and impressive City Halls in Europe: the 1895 Grand Opera House and Ulster Hall.

We saw the colourful wall murals in the Shankill and Falls Road areas – some modern and positive but others dark and threatening – then moved on to the Queen’s Quarter, which is much more positive. We checked out some historic pubs and did a quick run through of the Titanic Quarter before being returned to our hotel. Along the way we heard a hundred stories about the people and places that make Belfast unique.

The MAC:

Recently inaugurated, the MAC features art, dance, theatre and music.

Belfast’s new Metropolitan Arts Centre is another new development which has opened this year. The £18 million cutting-edge building, which features two theatres and three art galleries, is the latest attraction to open in the long-running redevelopment of the historic cobbled streets which circle St Anne’s Cathedral, now dubbed the city’s Cathedral Quarter.

Unfortunately out time was short, but we explored the three galleries and learned that the centre aims to select, create and mix up music, theatre, dance and art under one roof. We see The Permanent Present by Mark Garry, a graceful spectrum of light made up of hundreds of lines of colour that travels through the MAC’s atrium space. There is a canteen which is open for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, pre-show dinner or post-show light bites, or even just a drink.

Restaurants:

In Belfast, you’ll find plenty of restaurants to satisfy your food cravings.

Belfast residents love their food so it’s no surprise there are plenty of good restaurants across the city for drinks and dining. There are currently no Michelin-starred restaurants in the city; but there are gastro pubs, fine dining and everything in between.

The Great Room Restaurant at the Merchant Hotel is considered the most atmospheric of the up-market restaurants. It is in a grand old banking hall, set behind the impressive Victorian façade of the former Ulster Bank. Deanes at 36 Howard Street is another popular place. It is actually two places in one. There is a stylish brassiere serving interesting, classically based dishes and a smaller eatery which offers more casual seafood dining.  These two restaurants have very European menus so it was very nice to find Cayenne on Shaftesbury Square, a stylish restaurant with an Asian/Oriental touch to its menu.

One of our favourite eating spots is The Cloth Ear. It is the public bar of the Merchant Hotel but we enjoyed its relaxed and cosy ambiance and the menu inspired by homemade comfort foods. Try ‘bangers and mash’ here, or at a dozen other pub/restaurants around the city. You won’t be disappointed.

And when I say gigantic, I really mean colossal. This isn’t some sci-fi storyline; it occurred on Wednesday on Florida’s Pompano Beach. Since then, people’s minds all around the world are buzzing trying to figure which marine animal’s eyeball just popped out.

According to the assistant of a biology professor at the International University of Florida, in Miami, the rightful owner of the round mass could be either a giant squid or a big swordfish.

The news went viral through the web right after a beachcomber found the eyeball. Instead of ignoring it, the hero brought it to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission on Wednesday. The eyeball was shortly after handed over to the Fish and Wildlife Institute in St. Petersburg Florida for genetic testing.

The rightful owner hasn’t been determined yet. However, people around the world are trying to help via the Commission’s Facebook page.

If you happen to see a one-eyed squid, let me know.

Photo credit: Keystone

– UPDATED ON OCTOBER 14, BY SHARON BIJO –

According to Slate, the mysterious eyeball found on the shores of a Florida Beach belonged to a swordfish, and not some marine animal unknown to human kind. A Duke marine biologist stated that the eye “definitely” belonged to a swordfish.

Another source, a Shark expert named George Burgess, confirmed the statement, believing that fishermen probably took out the eye from a dead swordfish as a “souvenir.”

It was my second day in Hong Kong. After spending the first day discovering Victoria Peak, I decided to go for a more authentic experience to grasp the real, local side of the city.

“Why you go to ginseng street? I ask because only sick people take ginseng,” the driver explained, before I had time to even react.

We were heading towards Wing Lok Street, famous for ginseng, a tuber plant credited for its medicinal properties. Known as the Asian type of Western ginger, ginseng is the Chinese version of Red Bull.

Expensive, tasty and aromatic, the adrenaline-pumping root is usually sold dried up to be put into tea or soup. Ginseng can be taken for several purposes, from giving energy and curing headaches to being an aphrodisiac. The Chinese believe that it is to be consumed only when weak, old or ill – hence, the driver’s startling question.

As the driver stopped at a red light, he lifted a water bottle full of dry leaves to his lips. “Green tea good for health,” he said, with a smirk. Green and herbal teas are key to the Chinese lifestyle. In fact, everything revolves around a healthy routine. Given the high percentage of diabetes in China due to the consumption of rice, the Chinese ban sugar from their eating habits.

“No sugar at all?” I asked, wondering how I would ever be able to survive without my daily dose of chocolate. “No sugar. Care about your own health,” he insisted.

I could tell that he meant it. Wearing a red and beige checkered shirt, the driver looked 40 instead of 60, his age. A great lesson can be learned from such simple people.

He carries his green tea to work every day, occasionally taking a sip here and there while driving. For lunch, he has homemade soup and for dinner, either rice or noodles. It’s the same routine each day.

“You foreign country drink too much wine and whiskey. It makes your mind too hot! That’s why so much fat in America,” he added, chuckling. I knew he was dead serious though, despite the laugh. That explained why it was so hard to find Coca Cola during my trip, too.

Having reached my destination, I got off the car, thanking the driver for such an enlightening ride. I set foot on Wing Lok Street, my camera twitching in my hands ready to shoot, excited to learn more about the mysterious root.

I felt completely lost in between the signs with Chinese characters and the hustle and bustle of people walking through the street. Somehow, it reminded me of childhood moments spent grocery shopping in markets with my mom in Taiwan.

I walked past several tiny shops, their windows displaying bottles full of bird nests, dried up plants that I’ve never seen before and some animal skins (I was later told that it was shark skins). Bags of beans and seeds sat on the street, showcasing the products sold inside the typical Chinese stores.

As I entered a small shop, the smell of a mixture between forest wood and salty sea water hit my nose. Bottles were stacked up on shelves with dry creatures and plants. A long glass table, placed in front of the cashier, displayed rows of ginseng in all sizes and cuts.

Ginseng can be bought either cut in thin slices or as whole chunks. They come in different colors; in red, dark brown, beige, and black. Talking with the owner of the shop in broken English, I learned that it was a family-run business for over 30 years. Quickly sympathizing with her, we chose a Korean ginseng, recommended to be the best.

Unlike Westernized stores, typical Chinese shops use ancient tools to weigh and price their goods. The shop owner weighed the shredded pieces of the root on an antique, fragile balance. She then calculated the total cost on an abacus that looked as if it was created sometime during the Chinese Ding Dynasty in 1500 BC.

“Good for head,” she said, handing me over the ginseng. “Drink more with time and you’ll be smart.”

I left the shop, realising that these past hours had made me smarter without even having a sip of ginseng. I learned all about a side of the Chinese culture that no guidebook or tourist trap could teach me.

Ginseng is not only to be experienced through the palette. It’s the whole process of discussing with locals, choosing the right root and understanding the belief behind it that makes it worthwhile to try.

Photo credits: Michelle Bijo

All photos are subject to copyright and may not be used without the consent of Michelle Bijo

I’m rapidly discovering that very few things are considered unusual at Undara. The wildlife, the vegetation, the lava tubes and the railway carriage accommodation would all be considered very different elsewhere, but here they are part of the amazing Undara Experience.

I am in Queensland, Australia revisiting one of the most fascinating Outback destinations easily accessible from the coast. I first visited Undara with cattleman Gerry Collins back in the late 1980s when he had a dream to develop this unique area into a tourist attraction. At the time he was battling the Queensland Government for approvals and was trying to save his land from compulsory acquisition.

In the end he succeeded with his dream and Queensland has a unique top quality experience for both local and international visitors. It is a wonderful destination from either Townsville or Cairns.

It takes a while to sort out the Undara Experience. The whole package consists of accommodation, meals and facilities, tours and activities. You can cherry-pick bits and pieces, but you will find that more is always better because this experience is very special.

For accommodation, we choose the beautifully restored one hundred year old railway carriages. These are set along the original Cobb & Co. coach road and are shaded by tall trees. The rooms contain a very comfortable double bed, old railway seats and three ceiling fans.

Most are not self-contained but there are showers and toilets at each end of the carriage and plenty of external bathrooms connected by walkways. The carriages are unique, comfortable and romantic. We love them. Other options are the permanent swag tents, some of which have their own kitchen, the caravan park and campground, and self-contained air-conditioned cabins.

After settling in we go exploring. We find the free tea and coffee that is always available and then relax in the deck chairs by the lagoon pool. This is perfect after the drive from Townsville. After recharging, we go on a self-guided bush walk. There are nine tracks ranging from 1.5 km to 12 km return. We climb a nearby knoll and gaze over the plateau towards some of the 164 old volcanoes in the province. There is no sign of human occupation as far as we can see.

We enquire about tours and are told about the Wildlife at Sunset trip that departs each day at around 5.30 p.m. Naturally we go on it. We watch the sunset while enjoying sparkling wine and cheese and then are taken to the entrance of a lava tube at dusk to see pythons and tree snakes capturing a meal of micro bats as they emerge from the darkness in their thousands.

Dinner at night is at the Iron Pot Bistro. The a-la-carte menu has beef, sausages, kangaroo, emu, crocodile, chicken, fish and vegetarian noodle stir-fry dishes. Meals are large, delicious and filling. We linger over several glasses of wine and then share a ‘chocolate volcano’ dessert. After dinner we relax around the campfire, enjoy the brilliant starry sky then wander back through the Australian bush to our railway carriage for a good night’s sleep.

It’s morning. The kangaroos have woken me so I watch nature’s world through the window. There are wallabies, wallaroos, parrots, kookaburras, currawongs and magpies all happily going about the business of eating. I guess it is time for our breakfast.

We wander off into the bush along a well-defined track and soon come upon the Ringers Camp. The fire is burning, the billy tea is boiling and the freshly brewed coffee spreads its aroma throughout the camp.

Cereal, fruit, sausages, baked beans, eggs, sautéed vegetables, bacon, pancakes and a variety of juices make for a great breakfast. We toast bread over the coals of the fire and spread it with honey and jam. Why do I eat so much more when in a setting like this?

It’s 8 a.m. and we gather for the Archway Explorer tour. There are ten of us in the minibus as we drive to a lava tube. Lava tubes are the result of volcanic lava flowing down depressions. Eventually the surface cooled and formed a crust but underneath the lava continued to flow.

The eruption eventually stopped and lava flowed out of the far end of the tubes, leaving tunnels beneath the land. Eventually holes appeared when the roof collapsed on the tubes and rainforest sprang up in these dark, moist hollows.

We enter one of these depressions and are surrounded by life. The dry savannah has given way to lush vegetation. Dozens of butterflies flit around our heads. We are in a different world. The huge entrance to a lava tube is straight ahead.

Entering the tube is a wonderful experience. We come face to face with 190,000 years of history. Timber walkways lead deep into the darkness. Our guide gives us environmental, geological and historical information on the region.

We visit two other tubes. A long wet season has raised the water table and some tubes are part-filled with water. At one we strip to our swimwear and bathe in the clear water.

While it is possible to experience the highlights of Undara by staying one night, a two-night stay is clearly better. This gives you time to take a longer tour of the tubes, explore more of the walking trails and visit some of the other attractions in the area.

Discover more about the Undara Experience here.

Photo credits: Phensri Rutledge

All photographs are subject to copyright and may not be used without the consent of Phensri Rutledge

The Bloukrans bungy bridge can be found on the Garden Route, a beautiful coastline that stretches 200km along South Africa’s south-eastern tip. The scenery along the Garden Route is as diverse as it is spectacular – sweeping mountain ranges, stormy rivers and beautiful beaches.

The Bloukrans bridge sits over Bloukrans River and is run by Face Adrenalin. I was the only one from my tour who opted to do the bungy, so with my heart beating up in my throat, I ventured out alone to join the next group of jumpers.

I was really nervous about the jump. I have no fear of heights and quite enjoy this sort of adrenaline-seeking past time — but, without going into too much detail, the month leading up to this had been quite a tough one. I had just flown back from Johannesburg unexpectedly, as a friend had gone into hospital, and then had been involved in a serious car accident while at home. Less than a week after the accident, I was back on the long-haul flight from Australia to Johannesburg, and onwards to the bungy bridge.

After having our harness fitted, we were led out on to the sky-bridge, which was an experience in itself. The sky-bridge ran beneath the bridge and led out on to the platform where the jumpers would take the leap. It was made from something that seemed only slightly sturdier than chicken wire.

Once it was our turn to jump, we were trussed up with our feet tied and attached to the bungy rope. I think the most gut-wrenching moment was after my feet were tied, when they picked me up and carried me to the edge of the bridge. What if they dropped me?

At that point, I just thought to aim for the mountains. And with that… Five. Four. Three. Two. One.

It was an absolutely amazing, liberating feeling. The jump and free fall was just fantastic, and literally takes your breath away.

Completing the jump, considering everything that had happened in the previous month, was quite therapeutic in a way. Being in a rolling car is a scary experience, as you lose complete control of what happens to your body for those few seconds. For me to be able to jump into a similar situation reinforced the stoic self-belief that I normally have in myself, that had been a bit beaten up until then.

So… can you take the leap?

Living in such a diverse city as New York, you are bound to have moments of genuine immersion into another culture. In fact, you’ll have friends from different backgrounds eager to use the city’s resources to share the highlights of their country.

A few Swedish friends of mine decided to tackle the task of initiating their foreign peers to the art of the crayfish celebration and succeeded to perfection.

Here is a breakdown of the events, so you too, can impress your friends with some Swedish fun:

1.     Welcome your guests by putting a ridiculous hat on their heads and forcing them to keep it.

2.     Cook the crayfish in salted water with dill and beer like the Swedish do.

3.     Study the art of opening crayfish shells on this link to be the reference during the dinner.

4.     Know that crayfish is accompanied with Cnäckebröd (thin crust bread) topped with all sorts of cheese.

5.     As for drinks (besides the shots), choose Schnapps and beer. But you can also serve fun cocktails such as Saint Germain mixed with white wine and seltzer.

6.     In the midst of filling your bellies with crayfish, take breaks to sing traditional drinking songs (Snapps Visor) such as Helan Gär. See lyrics here.

7.     End your meal with a fruit-based dessert, such as apple pie or strawberries and cream.

8.     Then, just keep on drinking!

Tip: If you are in New York, the cheapest place to buy crayfish is in Chinatown – where they sell it cooked with cajun spices. That’s also how they eat it in Louisiana, where crayfish is a popular dish.

Photo credits: Kimberly de Geer

All photographs are subject to copyright and may only be used with the consent of Kimberly de Geer

“Where is the GPS taking us?” I said with concern cemented in my voice. When our car finally came to a stop after winding and twining in alleys the size of narrow hallways, we saw the Characters “冷泉” (cold springs), carved into a tall narrow rock that almost resembled the shape of Taiwan.

Cold springs are rare – found at few places around the world – among which Italy and Taiwan boast the luxury of having them. My feet did not tingle to get into the water.

Cold mineral springs originally emerge from the ground, and are genuinely clear, cool, and odorless. The water is naturally carbonated and can be used for bathing. Like many tourist destinations, they can be crowded which lowers the overall experience and satisfaction.

Peeking from the outside, the curved pool was bordered with red brick walls.  I lost my appetite at the sight of a million feet in the water. “Let’s go behind here,” I pointed toward a mysterious road on the far left. “Do some exploration.” My parents were convinced.

Our steps lead to a semi-steep mountain pathway. “Let’s keep walking upwards. Maybe we will find a wild scenic area,” said my father.

As our muscles went into full gear uphill, The Zhinan Taoist architectural temple (指南宮) slowly came into sight. Hot and sweaty, we managed to climb up the steepest end and were pleased to see a few friendly faces.

A middle-aged man dressed in a plain white beater and casual short pants greeted us with his Chi-Wawa dog. We were invited to explore the insides of the temple. He talked about the different gods and the meanings of paintings on the wall.

Unlike Christianity or Islam, Taoism is a polytheistic religion, and greatly surrounds around body and spirit, and the high respect for gods. The gods are idols – often with long narrow beards – and people worship them with food and prayer paper money on the high holidays.

We conversed with the man, telling him about the crowded cold springs (冷泉). ”Oh yes, cold springs are very rare,” he replied. “Geographically, it happens because the Taiwan and Philippine plates create a certain angle. We are fortunate to have this luxury. The water is cold and contains large amounts of carbon dioxide. This is different from the famous Taiwan hot springs, which are concentrated with sulfur.”

If you want the full experience, ask the locals. ”Don’t go to that crowded fake pool,” he said. “It is just all the leftover water. You need to go to the other cold spring pool that we locals use; it is just down the hill from here. That is the pure cold spring.”

The Taiwanese people not only have a good heart, but are generally willing to show you more than what is expected of them. ”I will take you to the cold springs,” said the man. “Follow me.” The next thing we knew, we were in our car, following the tail of smoke that spewed out of his scooter.

The ticket booth was merely a desk table with two workers collecting entrance tickets. It was obvious no money was spent for extravagant decoration, but it was honest. It was also cheap, costing only $NT50 ($1.70).

You would go to the outside pool with a swim suit, and the indoor pool unclothed. The black and white spotted pebbles decorated the floors and were magnified by the crystal clear water. My body shivered from the chilliness, but I have to admit, it was refreshing.

After about half an hour of bathing in mineral water, the clouds in the sky swayed towards each other and grew into a darker shade of grey. The rain was coming. I looked at my watch, and our instincts told us the day was coming to an end.

Yilan’s cold springs were energizing and perfectly cool for a hot steamy summer day, but every journey has its finish point. ”Come again” the man said. “I’ll show you more places next time.”

The warmth of this sentence urged us to come back, and we thanked the man once again for treating us tourists as if we were locals, and for showing us the true and non-commercialized cold springs.

Photo credits: Leat Ahrony

All photographs are subject to copyright and may not be used without the consent of Leat Ahrony

Traveling to a country with a different culture than your own changes you. And if that country is like Morocco with high levels of extreme poverty, and where almost half of the population can’t read or write, it humbles you as well.

I saw Morocco through the dusty window of a twelve-passenger van, but I experienced the North African country by talking to the people – only men and children – who lived there. Not only were the people I met open-hearted with small souvenirs or cups of sweet mint tea, more importantly they were generous with their time. Anyone that I talked to told me about their life and asked me about mine.

After traveling to a camp by camel in the Sahara Desert, bordering Algeria and the Atlas Mountains, we spent two nights sleeping on mattresses with heavy wool blankets enclosed by a circle of cloth tents.

The desert is like nothing I’ve ever experienced before. My camera was unable to capture the contrasting blue of the sky with the ever-changing yellow, brown, and orange colors of the sand.

Having lived in Montana, I thought I had seen the best view of stars the night sky had to offer, but after driving for an entire day through nothing, to arrive nowhere and then ride a camel even farther into this unknown land, the possibility of any artificial light disturbing the constellations was impossible.

Two nights in the desert then led us to Fez, a gorgeous city of white buildings and narrow streets filled with motorbikes, carts pulled by donkeys, and people from all over the world.

I was glad that I waited to buy gifts until going there. Unlike Marrakech, in Fez we first saw where things were made and met the artisans who made them before buying their products. Now when I use my backpack, I remember climbing to the roof of a building with mint leaves pressed to my nose to watch the process of animal skins being made into leather.

The smells, tastes, and sounds of Morocco whetted my appetite for travel through cultural immersion. I still get chills when I look at the photos I have of a twelfth-century building whose tiles are held perfectly in place by only egg yolks. Even my photo of the Eiffel Tower fails to give me such satisfaction.

Photo credits: Amelia LeBlanc

All photographs are subject to copyright and may not be used without the consent of Amelia LeBlanc

We all ordered the lamb stew dinner, with a side of lamb pate on rye bread, sipping on either hot tea or coffee. It was hearty, rejuvenating food. Feeling restored, I looked out above the streets, to the snow-capped mountains barely visible in the rain. I glanced up at the sky, trying to determine if the rain would abate in time for us to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights later that night.

As I drank the broth of my soup, washing it down with strong, black coffee, I finally started to understand Iceland.

In fact, I said it out loud. I get you, Iceland.

You’re not easy. Things here can be tough, and damp, and sometimes you need stinging black coffee and protein-rich meals to get by. It’s about sustenance.

This is also why there are bulk candy stores on every block of Reykjavik, like Starbucks in New York City, and why the people, while universally nice in my experience, are soft-spoken and understated.

Iceland isn’t special because it has the best cuisine in the world, or the infamous artworks of Italy, or the beaches of the Caribbean. Iceland inspires devotees not despite, but because of its difficulty; the country has a palpable sense of magic.

1. Glacier Hiking

As I struggled with fastening the crampons to my brand new, barely-broken-in hiking boots, one of the guides handed me an ice ax. I looked up at her, wide-eyed and silent, as she distributed the rest of the axes.

I had not signed up for ice climbing.

One of the German women in the group must have been experiencing the same panic, because she asked, “What are the axes for?”

Without missing a beat, the main guide replied, his Icelandic accent strong, “Oh, yes. This is for the trolls.”

It took a moment for everyone to realize he was joking.

This was the general tone of our entire hiking excursion. The tourists approached every step with trepidation, while the Icelanders feared nothing. On our descent, one guide went ahead of the group, mapping the best route. Because a glacier is constantly changing with the weather, this is unlike standard trail hiking where you follow the nicely marked stones along the path. There is no path, because when the sun is shining – as it was that day – the path melts away.

We were coming to the end of the hike, the bus in sight. To our left were two small crevasses, to our right a deep ditch, and ahead a potentially easy way down to the bottom of the glacier. The guide, testing out the ice ahead, fell through. A few girls shrieked in concern, but even standing in the shallow ice water, he laughed.

The other guides used their axes to carve a path above the two crevasses and helped us over. I was shaking as they helped me step over the breaks, but when my feet found solid ground on the other side, I was filled with adrenaline. We were cold and starving when we got back to the bus, and sore for the rest of the week, but nothing could outweigh the feeling of walking with confidence across a glacier.

We took the tour with Reykjavik Excursions,and it was a great experience. This is one activity that must be taken with a tour, as proven by my guide falling through the ice.

2. The Golden Circle

We also used Reykjavik Excursions to see the Golden Circle, but a lot of people choose to drive to these sites. No matter how you go about it, the Golden Circle encapsulates the wonder of Iceland. The name came up on every Iceland travel guide I read, but I didn’t understand it until each landmark was in front of me.

The Golden Circle is a series of three sites in the south of Iceland, which make up a circle on a map. (I’m not sure why it’s “golden,” but I choose not to think about the possible inappropriate interpretations.) The three stops are the Gullfoss waterfall, the Geysir, and the national park Þingvellir.

Please, don’t ask me to pronounce Þingvellir.

Gullfoss is epic in scope, even for someone who has seen Niagara Falls. Unlike Niagara, Gullfoss is completely undeveloped, offering the experience of nature at its purest and most powerful.

If you have seen The Princess Bride, then you may recognize the area Geysir as the Fire Swamp. This part of the Golden Circle offers exploding geysers, shallow pools filled with boiling, aquamarine water, and expanses of complexly red earth, making it look like something that could be found on Mars.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PoxK8w5k1Q&feature=g-upl

Þingvellir was the final, and perhaps most incredible stop. Þingvellir was the original meeting place of the Icelandic parliament, giving it a deep, almost mythical sense of history. It’s also one of the places in Iceland where you can view the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the tectonic plates are pulling apart. I’m no geologist, but I’m fairly certain that’s the closest I’ll ever come to seeing the inside of the earth.

3. The Northern Lights

This goes without saying, right? If you travel to Iceland between September and April, you have a moral obligation to at least attempt to glimpse the aurora borealis.

We almost missed it; we were coming back towards Reykjavik when, finally, the green glimmer showed through the sky. The bus pulled over and we all ran out. I slipped through the snow in an attempt to get as close as possible to the changing sky. I didn’t witness the variety of colors or formations that photos often show — in fact, the lights were too weak to catch on my camera — but seeing the sky transform with the green hues was enough.

(The other people on my tour probably remember me as the girl who got so excited about the Northern Lights she cried.)

We went with Reykjavik Excursions again, but the best way to do this is with a car so you can control when and how long you go. A lot of people will tell you to keep your expectations low because you might not see anything, but I won’t, because I know from experience that it is impossible.

If you’re looking for evidence of magic in daily life, turn to the sky in an Icelandic winter. It doesn’t get clearer than that.

Photo credits: Rachel Miller

All photographs are subject to copyright and may not be used without the consent of Rachel Miller

Feira da Ladra is the oldest and most famous flea market in Lisbon. It is believed to have been alive since the 12^th Century, but it acquired its current name only three centuries later.

With its name literally meaning “thieve’s market,” wandering through Feira da Ladra you are overwhelmed by different feelings: wonder, curiosity, spirit of adventure, but also fear – fear of the pickpockets.

Pickpockets are numerous in Lisbon. Local people always recommend paying attention to one’s personal belongings while touring the city. But, with some precautions, you will be able to enjoy Feira da Ladra for what it really is: a folkloric experience.

Flea markets are always fascinating. Precious things are hidden among the general junk. Twice a week, Lisboetas and tourists mingle together in the area of Campo de Santa Clara, to buy second-hand or fresh new things at low prices.

All sorts of stuff can be found at the market; from books, retro electronic devices, and old photos, to vintage jewels and second-hand clothes for merely 50 cents.

The atmosphere is charming, since it is not only an opportunity to make good deals, but also to witness and experience part of Lisbon’s ordinary life.

Feira da Ladra is a must-see in Lisbon as it stands as a magnifying glass on Lisbon’s past, tradition and society. If you happen to be in Lisbon on a Thursday or Saturday morning, don’t miss out on it. Possibly, you will discover a hidden treasure.

Photo credits: Francesca Tedesco

All photographs are subject to copyright and may not be used without the consent of Francesca Tedesco

As you’ll walk through the busy streets of Tel Aviv, watching locals buzzing around yapping on their cellphones, wondering why are there a hundred cats seeking refuge under trash cans and cars, and staring at the old, half-demolished buildings with clothes hanging out the balconies as natural dryers, it is hard to believe that the city beholds anything special except a population scarred by a blood-spattered history and a couple of stray animals.

But as you’ll continue to venture deeper into the veins of the city, you’ll discover that the guy selling chewing gums in the nearest makolet (kiosk) might be a stranger that you’ll get to know better than your childhood best friend in fifteen minutes.

He’ll tell you his life story and deepest secrets; that his wife is cheating on him with his best friend, that she is threatening to leave him if he doesn’t make more money, and that his son doesn’t want to take over his business one day. You’ll feel bad for him and buy more things from his little shop than you actually needed.

You’ll discover that regardless of the pain, the heartache and the stress, this guy works ten jobs during the week to support his family’s needs and will never give up on the hope of a perfect future.

You’ll leave the makolet with three packs of chewing gum, sun block and five magazines, when you originally just went in for a pack of Trident. You’ll walk towards Shuk HaCarmel, because people told you that that’s the place to go to if you’re searching for the real Israeli experience.

You’ll enter the market, having heard that years ago a bomb was set off in its midst, scarring the place for life. The smell of fresh fruit, nuts and vegetables will overwhelm you while you walk through the array of goods available to purchase, thinking about those who lost their life in the explosion.

You’ll fall in love with a beaded necklace, or you’ll desperately want the not-yet-released DVD you’ve been waiting for. You’ll want to buy it, but you’ll quickly realize that you’ll have to bargain Israeli-style — like if your life depended on it — to get a decent price. You’ll leave, with your packs of chewing gum, magazines, sun block and your new purchase.

You’ll walk towards Hayarkon Street and begin to stroll next to the beach, admiring the sun setting in the infinite horizon on the beach. You’ll look at the young kids playing soccer on the sand, the girls laying down enjoying the last rays of sun. You’ll secretly wish you could be one of those kids without a care in the world, but if only you knew how much pressure they had to carry on their shoulders.

You’ll be almost at the end of the boardwalk, beads of sweat running down your forehead and back, your head somehow feeling extremely heavy due to the humidity. You’ll see the crowd heading towards Clara, the nearest club, ready to party like if the night never ended.

You’ll dance to the music, your body swaying in accord with the beats of the music. You’ll order one drink, two, or maybe even three. You’ll admire the population, a real melting pot of cultures. You’ll meet people from the four corners of the globe – Israelis, Russians, French, Brazilians, Belgians, Americans, Canadians and more.

You’ll leave Israel, heavy-hearted, knowing that its streets inhabit more than just a sad story of wars. You’ll understand that despite the national security problems and the high threats, the crowd will never cease to live life to the fullest.

You’ll notice that no matter how hard life gets, there is always a better tomorrow. In Israel, the sun never sets.

Photo credits: Sharon Bijo

All photographs are subject to copyright and may not be used without the consent of Sharon Bijo

We continue to remember September 11th, 2001 as one of the most tragic days of our generation. A cloudless morning so beautiful you just wanted to call in sick and play hooky. It turned into a day of tears, broken hearts and torn souls of loved ones. But as sad as this day was, we must all remember the deeds of the unsuspected heroes – the heroes without a uniform.

If you ask someone where they were at 3:00 P.M. last Wednesday, they might not be able to tell you anything about that day. But if you ask anyone from around the world where they were on September 11th, 2001 they could tell you how many teaspoons of sugar they put in their coffee as they heard about the attacks of that day.

This day of tragedy has been imprinted in the minds of all; a New York morning that began with cloudless blue skies but will always be remembered with tear-filled eyes.

On a day that began so typical, it is difficult to imagine how its ending changed the path of history. As the memory of the events of 9/11 blanket our minds and hearts with sadness for the loss of life, we should also remember the other part of this tragic day; the countless number of ordinary people who dropped everything to run towards the helpless as they were being buried in the engulfed thick grey smoke that flooded lower Manhattan.

Known as “the concrete jungle,” New York City is a powerhouse with incredible energy. For anyone who lives in or has visited New York City, they can tell you all about the sea of people on the streets.

People on the train usually don’t communicate with other passengers. They generally stay to themselves until another stranger invades their personal space. New Yorkers don’t express emotion (unless it is commanded of them). They just go about on their day with a mission to get from point A to point B… Or at least it seems that way.

But on that dark Tuesday, people broke out in a river of tears. Nobody was a stranger; the line that usually divided New Yorkers by ethnicity, religion, nationality and social class disappeared.

CEOs rolled up their sleeves and removed their ties to carry out the injured. The firefighter, the IT guy who just made it out of the building along with passersbys, came together to do whatever they could to help.

It was as if the bond of humanity brought them together as a whole to save, aid and nurse those in need. Strangers next you in the street lent their shoulders to cry on. The fishermen transformed their boats into ferries to rescue the helpless.

The helpless were literally lifted by great warriors in their chariots. Except these heroes weren’t dressed as Superman or Batman – they were the unsuspected citizens who you would brush by in the street and completely ignore.

They were the people of society who did this not for a metal or a hero’s ceremony; they did it because the world was in need of decency and selflessness.  They simply couldn’t stand the sight of others in pain.

It will always be known as a day of tragedy but what could we take away from our experiences? Those images we saw on the news, what could we learn from them? How can we move on from yesteryear and build a better tomorrow?

Years from now, when our children will ask us what happened on 9/11, we should not just talk about the destruction and the loss of life. We should also recount the glorious history of humanity; a time of pain that transformed the ordinary man into a superhero.

What we can learn from this day is that no matter what happens, in days of tragedy, humanity will always get together to help each other. May we always remember those who perished as they lived their lives embracing freedom.

Photo credits: Jeff Sternfeld

All photographs are subject to copyright and may not be used without the consent of Jeff Sternfeld

Did we know back then what our world was capable of? No. But we do know now.

No matter where we were on 9/11, our age, and our activities, we all remember the details of the day we witnessed one of the worst crimes in humanity.

To mourn the loss of the victims of 9/11, The Worldwider put together quotes from all of our thoughts at the time of the tragedy. We turn our memories, all of us, to those who perished on that horrid day.

Natalie Silvera, 11 at the time, was at school in Panama City, Panama: “I remember we were in class and a mother came in shouting, looking for her son. We all started writing short letters because we thought we were never going to see each other again. They sent us home as soon as possible. I remember everyone crying and very afraid. Nobody really knew what was happening; it was all chaos and tears.

Leat Ahrony, 8 at the time, was watching a movie at home with her parents in Taipei, Taiwan: “I remember hearing the phone ring – it was our close friends who lived in the neighborhood. My father – who went to pick up the phone – came rushing into the TV room. I knew something was up. He grabbed the remote control off the table and switched to CNN. The images were shocking. We could not believe our eyes. Was this really happening? I was still at a very young age, so I did not understand very much what was going on at the time. Later on, after my parents explained to me, I finally understood a little better. Now, years later, as I look back, I can still remember the vivid images.”

Sharon Bijo, 11 at the time, was riding the school bus back home in Geneva, Switzerland: “There was always chaos on the school bus – little kids shouting, playing around with each other, just like we were supposed to. Suddenly, the driver yelled, “Keep your voices down,” as he turned up the volume of the radio. Twin Towers and plane are the only words I understood. I looked at my best friend, with a troubled face, trying to understand more of the situation. “Hey Sharon, I think a plane landed on the towers. That’s strange,” he told me, as I got off the bus in front of my house. As I walked through the door, still confused, I saw my parents sitting on the couch in the TV room, totally in shock with the images flooding the screen. Towers in flames, crashing down into oblivion. My little eyes couldn’t believe what they were witnessing. It was one of the greatest crimes in humanity. Until today, I’ll never forget my trip to Manhattan one month prior to the tragedy – in August 2001 – when I begged my mom to go up to top of the towers. She told me, “You always have to leave something for the next time,” she said. But mom, there won’t be another time…”

Jeff Sternfeld, 11 at the time, was in class in Brooklyn, New York: “I remember seeing the shocking, but silent reactions of the teachers and staff in school. They seemed to be confused, afraid and unsure what to say or do. Students began to get a bit nervous. After breakfast we went to class but there was mayhem without any real order. Students were lined up at the main office and the payphones trying to reach their parents and family members. The most shocking thing I vividly remember was one of my classmates running around in desperation trying to reach his father who worked at the World Trade Center. Sadly, his father died in the building and only fractions of his body were found. This chaos lasted until everyone was dismissed. As the buildings collapsed, within a few minutes a very heavy cloud of smoke began to fill the cloudless New York City air. The smoke brought fear and panic to everyone, especially since there was a rumor that the Empire Building was also attacked. When I got home, my older brother explained to me what happened. He was in shock that the view of the World Trade Center was replaced with a pillar of dark smoke, something people only visualize at the movie theatres. Burned papers and ashes began to fall all over my neighborhood as the smoke filled the city. Though we were 6.5 miles (10.5km) away (in Brooklyn) we felt as if we were right there. A city known as the concrete jungle fell to its knees.”

Francesca Tedesco, 11 at the time, was watching TV with her family in Brindisi, Italy: “I remember we were sitting on our couch and suddenly the show we were watching was interrupted by the news. US had been attacked. I still remember those images that my TV was showing. Even if I was far from NY, I felt sadness and fear. Fear of being attacked. I think that that moment made us all know the dangers of this world. At the age of 11, I couldn’t believe man could be so cruel. And I cried for all those people who lost their beloved in a such cruel and brutal way.”

Rachel Miller, 13 at the time, was in middle school in Huntington, New York: “I remember being in math class, and sitting in the second to last row. The kid sitting behind me had some kind of radio or Walkman, and he said to the kid sitting next to him, “The Twin Towers just got bombed” – or something like that. I remember thinking, “What an idiot—there’s no way.” A few minutes later, an announcement came on the speakers calling students whose parents worked in the World Trade Center down to the principal’s office. I remember our school was on lock down all day. We were afraid of what might happen to us, being an hour outside of Manhattan. The rest of the day was kind of a blur. I remember fear and crying, and watching the footage on a TV in the Tech classroom. Most of all, I remember coming home and finding my mom sobbing on her bed. My uncle was working in the World Trade Center that day, she told me. He’d taken a new job there a few weeks before. She had just heard from him for the first time all day. He had walked down 87 flights of stairs in the second tower, after being told it was safe to go back to work. While all the elevators were headed back up, he took the stairs down. It took him all day, but he made it home.”

Kimberly de Geer, 11 at the time, was on her way home from school in Switzerland: “My mom picked me up from school and explained what had happened, while listening to details on the radio on our way home. I was utterly shocked because to me, the twin towers represented the unconquerable tip of the most powerful city in the world. When we arrived home, I couldn’t lay my eyes off the TV screen, shocked by the repetitive images of the plane crashes, the clouds of smoke and the collapse of the towers. Although I was far from the event, I cried and mourned for the families of the victims and for New York, a city I now call home.”

Raisa Berger, 18 at the time, was in class in Brooklyn, New York: “I just barely began to speak and understand broken English as my family immigrated to America about a year before the attack in attempt to find peace and opportunity in a country that doesn’t know the pain of wounds surging from the soil plowed with bombs, a place where people are not afraid to be who they. From what I could understand that morning, there was a plumbing problem in school. The teacher stormed into the classroom, unusually late, with her eyes beginning to water. I turned to other kids to try and understand what she was rapidly trying to say, but I guess I hadn’t learned the violent terms they were using in English yet. My second class that morning was an art class where the teacher drew the Twin Towers on the blackboard, then added the airplanes to the mural, then the fire… I thought it was a joke, a Hollywood movie they were discussing, even though the picture was crystal clear. I was absolutely positive it had nothing to do with reality. Suddenly, the sirens at school went off and the whole 5,000 (James Madison High School – the biggest high school in New York) student body was evacuated. We were all taken a couple of blocks away from the school building to where teachers had their cars parked. A few of them blasted the radio so everyone could hear the news. Most people were trying to make phone calls without any success, including myself. I was lost in a cloud of panic that felt like a nuclear explosion that I was walking right into, because I couldn’t see or hear it while everyone else could.

Serena Phillips, 11 at the time, was away at camp with her classmates in Las Vegas: “We were away in the mountains with my classmates for a leadership camp. We didn’t have any access to Internet, telephones, or television. Our teachers found out about the attacks, but chose not to tell us. They all were acting strange all week. On the way home from camp, we saw all the American flags at half-mast. Once we were home, we were bombarded with news from the media and our families. It was all very confusing because a week had gone by, our country had changed, and we were finding out bits and pieces after the rest of the world already knew.”

Where were you when you heard about the attacks? What do you remember? Tell us more in the comment box. We will share some of the memories on our Facebook page. 

Photo credits: Jeff Sternfeld

All photographs are subject to copyright and may not be used without the consent of Jeff Sternfeld

If you stick around long enough in Taiwan, you will realize people travel far and pay big money for fresh, live seafood. After the early Japanese colonial period, Taiwan’s aquaculture gained significance and coastal fisheries were priority.  Famous Taiwan fish markets are located in Keelung (基隆), Su’ao, (蘇澳), and Kaohsiung (高雄).

Keelung’s fishery is perfect for early birds because they operate daily from 3 to 7 A.M. This is why my family decided to take a road trip to Su’ao instead. We left Taipei at noontime. With the 12.94 km (8.042 mi) Snow Mountain Tunnel (雪山隧道), we reached our destination in about an hour from Taipei.

As we entered the harbor, a perfume of salty, musty seawater greeted our nose. I’m definitely going to wash my hair tonight. One would think the crowd would clear by noontime, but all the parking spaces were taken; people were even double-parked. After about 15 minutes of strolling, the car wheels rolled between two white parking lines.

The 36 degrees Celsius heat and humidity was like a steam room. The water drops ran profusely down my forehead as my footsteps accelerated. It didn’t matter however, because I could almost taste the fresh sea. All around us were active and retired fish boats, and seafood restaurants.

My eyes widened when I saw the variety of sea creatures around me. From all kinds of sizes and shapes to rainbow colors, it was difficult to keep my eyes on one spot. It took us more than an hour to select the perfect fish. It was quarter past two; our stomachs growled heavily.

The fish choices and seafood selection are endless in Su’ Ao’s Fish Market.

The fish choices were endless: Bonito, Mahi Mahi, Mackerel, Pompano, Salmon, Sailfish, Snapper, Tuna, and hundreds of others. There were additional seafood selections like crabs, shrimps, lobsters, eel, shark, and more. Sizes varied – some shrimps and fishes were as tiny as toothpicks and some as large as two meters.

Unlike supermarkets, the fishes you buy here can be boxed up in a Styrofoam container with ice kept up to 12 hours without spoiling. The other solution is to buy the fish and bring it to the restaurants nearby for cleaning and cooking.

Sellers were sitting on the floor, promoting their selection of fishes. Tent vendors provided extra refrigeration and boxing service. Countless wholesalers had fresh chewy selections of sashimi.

It was not fancy, but even the worst experts of seafood could tell the choices here were nothing but fresh. It was the Gucci of seafood paradise. There wasn’t anything frozen here — except for the imported salmon.

My family bought two gigantic fishes – sliced into 20 thick pieces – costing only $NT 2,000 ($US 67). We spent another $NT400 ($US 13.4) on six petite 3 inch-wide (8 cm) whole fishes, which were perfect for Japanese-style grilling.

As our boxed-up fish enjoyed the icy freezer air, we walked towards a typical Taiwanese seafood restaurant. We placed the two types of fishes in their hands. Here, the customer instructs the chef how they want to cook their seafood.

“How would you like your fish to be cooked?” asked the chef at the entrance. The kitchen was no bigger than an American-size bathroom, but we knew the food was going to be promising.

Fish Soup: diced up fresh fish boiled in a pot of hot water, seasoned with hair-thin ginger strips, salt, rice wine, and scallion. Japanese-styled seafood grill: smothered in salt and pepper with a juicy squeeze of lemon on top. The soft, chewy, and muscular texture oozed sea scent into our mouths.

“The fish you used for soup was a plant eater,” said the sous-chef. ”This is why it was less oily and more muscular.”

In Taiwan, people generally like to preserve the natural scent and flavor of seafood. It’s almost a sin to burden fish soup with artificial flavoring.

Accompanying our two delicate fishes were steamed sweet potato leaves (燙地瓜葉), white cabbage (高麗菜), and rice.  I searched every last bone, head, and tail for any remaining precious piece of protein. We left the restaurant satisfied and fulfilled, picked up our ten kilos of purchased fresh fish – probably enough to last us a couple of months – and moved on to our next exciting destination.

I suddenly felt the sky darken; the sun was setting to a perfect ending. As much as we loved Yi Lan and its fresh fisherman’s market, we were beginning to miss the city lights of Taipei. “Come again,” the man said. “Our fish is better than Keelung’s!”

Each time I enjoy my plate of fish from Su’ao, the abundant selection of seafood twinkles like fireflies in my eyes.

Su’ao’s fish market opens till 5 P.M., so you have plenty of time to catch some fish and do bulk purchasing. The prices are ridiculously low compared to Taipei city. The price you pay for 10 or more slices in Su’ao will only buy one or two slices in Taipei. It isn’t a lengthy drive away with the Snow Mountain Tunnel.

If you like seafood, Su’ ao is heaven. If seafood is not your cup of tea, a little sea-creature exploration isn’t harmful to the eyes, ears, and nose either. Do prepare yourself for some visuals that may disturb your eyes slightly.

As a warning, don’t expect fancy bathrooms or restaurants; the restaurant stools are plastic, and the toilet is a squat bowl, but the quality of seafood beats any five-star restaurant or hotel.

The desert dwelling Bedouins have their lamb cooked in earthy scorching sand; The Taiwanese fry, bake, steam, grill, and soup their deepest oceanic seafood.

If you are ever in Taiwan, don’t miss out on this amazing fish port emblazoned with colorful, smooth, rough, chewy, tender seafood, and slimy or leathery seaweed. Whatever is under the sea becomes available on the shore. 

Photo credits: Leat Ahrony

All photographs are subject to copyright and may not be used without the consent of Leat Ahrony

Big metropolitan cities are the perfect scenario for street culture. Some of them have the honour of hosting works by famous graffiti artists like the renowned English Bansky.

When I decided to go to Lisbon, I read lots of travel guides and most of them roughly provided the same itinerary. But as every traveler knows, there is always a side of a city that only local people can show you. Thanks to local tips, I discovered another aspect of Lisbon: an artistic side through its great number of graffiti.

Armed with my notes, map and camera, I started my adventure and became a graffiti hunter for a day.

Historically, Lisbon has not what can be defined as a peaceful past; but after an earthquake, a tsunami and various fires, the city got back on its feet and started a period of reconstruction. Today Lisbon is a vortex of different styles and realities – one of them being its street art.

Just by walking through the city, many graffiti can be spotted. I quickly uncovered the perfect place to find street art in the bohemian Bairro Alto. In Bairro Alto, most of the graffiti are hidden and you have to focus your eyes on each corner of the streets. But when you finally find them and you notice the multitude of different styles that melt together, you realize how strong the street art tradition is in Lisbon.

It comes as no surprise that one of the most famous graffiti artists of the moment, Alexandre Farto, known under his artistic name  Vhils, is Portuguese. His techniques are innovative and his works are astonishing.

Vhils is also one of the creators of the Crono Project, with the idea of bringing back to life old and abandoned buildings through graffiti art. Some results of this project can be seen in Av. Fontes Pereira de Melo, with its imposing, yet damaged buildings as living proof of how cities can benefit from this form of art.

They say to never judge a book by its cover, and no saying fits better Lisbon than the latter. The essence of the Portuguese capital rests under its surface; you will just need to dig a bit deeper.

Photo credits: Francesca Tedesco

All photographs are subject to copyright and may not be used without the consent of Francesca Tedesco

The Castles of Loire Valley

If there is a region in France that is filled with beautiful and elegant castles, then it has to be the Loire Valley.

Chateau Chenonceau is one of the most spectacular castles in France. You will not be disappointed with its chambers, salons, carvings, furnishings, fireplaces and staircases. It reflects the lavish lifestyle indulged by the nobles, particularly the queens and the mistresses, who considered the castle to be their homes.

Chateau Chenonceau offers a rich variety of history, arts, and culture. If you’re visiting the castle during the evening, don’t forget to tour the garden. It is one of the most romantic locations to consider if you feel like proposing to your beloved.

After a tour of the elegant garden and grandeur of Chateau Chenonceau, why not consider Chateau Chambord? You might have seen it in several films — but an up-close tour will most certainly enchant you.

The castle was originally constructed to serve as a hunting lodge for King Francois I, but it became one of the most extensive walled properties in the region. Its architecture is very impressive and its interior hosts furnishings, tapestries, and works of art that will take you back in time when horse-drawn carriages served as the main source of transportation.

Chateau Chambord holds the record of one of the largest castles in France with an impressive amount of 365 fireplaces, 440 rooms, and 84 staircases.

The enormous Chateau Chambord may cover your itinerary for the entire day, but if you schedule your castle adventure accordingly, then you will find time to visit another one within the premises of Loire Valley, Chateau Amboise. It is strategically located near the Loire River to provide its owners and guests a beautiful view of the river.

The construction of the castle began in the 11^th Century and lasted until the 13^th Century. Saint-Louis Foundation carried out its restoration in the year 1974 and visitors of the place can’t help but feel a chilling experience when they enter its premises. Many describe it as going back in time; so it is best to learn a couple of the historical events that happened it its midst for you to appreciate its beauty even more.

The Castles of Dordogne

Dordogne is not only home to fascinating castles, but also to cave tour adventures. Before you hit the road for an exciting and thrilling adventure within its caves; it is best to first get intimate with the fabulous architecture of the region.

Chateau Castelnaud fell into ruins after the Hundred Year War, but fortunately an extensive program began and renovated the place, turning it into one of the most popular and visited Chateaux in France.

A visit to Castelnaud will give you the opportunity to go through its dungeons and spooky passages — ones you may have only seen in Hollywood productions. It easily brings to mind the various stories and legends of castles thanks to the fascinating museum of medieval warfare now resting in its midst.

After the trip to the restored Chateau Castelnaud, explore Chateau de Lanquais, a castle surrounded by woodlands resting on the banks of the Dordogne River.

Although it is not as popular as others, Chateau de Lanquais is an interesting abode to explore due to its magnificent chimney place and period furniture. You are also given the freedom to leisurely roam around it and enjoy the remnants of the Medieval Age.

Last but not least, stop by Chateau Montfort. The castle is located on a rocky ledge and is believed to have been rebuilt four times.

Just like other castles, it shares its own turbulent history. There are rumors that the ghost of the daughter of Bernard de Casnac, a bold Cathar military officer of the 11^th Century, still hunts the place after being burned to death in its premises.

Unfortunately, this castle is not open to the public and the best you can do is to go to nearby areas to get a glimpse of its magnificence or make reservations so you can consider it your home for the entire week together with your friends. Chateau Montfort is one of the French castles that have been opened to the public for accommodation, but it remains exclusive to those who wish to take advantage of this offer.

You may stay for a month in the midst of France, but you will still fail to explore all of its castles. It is one of those places in the world that will always keep you asking for more.

Tip: Schedule your trip accordingly in this region and choose the best airport to begin your adventure. For the best choices, you may opt to enter the country through Beauvais Airport, which is considered the low-cost Airport. It has flights to and from Dublin, Budapest, Rome, Barcelona, and Stockholm; and it has a direct bus service to Paris.

Have you ever visited castles in France? Do you recommend any other ones that we didn’t list?

It seems like everybody loves spaghetti. Whether you try to eat them with chopsticks, slurp them like Lady and the Tramp, or gobble them down, cultures around the world have adopted noodles in their meals.

Nearly every culture has a dish with noodles – the Lebanese have Macaroon U Djej, a meal made with chicken and spaghetti, the Jews have Kreplachs and of course, there are the Italians who can’t get enough of pasta.

Yet, the dispute over who mixed flour with water to create noodles first is an ongoing one. Most think that the Chinese or the Italians were the divine creators, when in fact it seems that the Arabs first used dried pasta as a way to preserve flour while walking through the desert.

Nevertheless, noodles have been core to any Chinese meal for over 2,000 years. Chinese nutritionists believe that every meal should be divided equally between grains, starches, fan, tsai, fruits and vegetables. To keep this balance, they heavily rely on noodles. It turns out that pasta only arrived to Italy after Marco Polo tried it out in China.

Noodles are eaten as a typical lunch or snack throughout China. They can be cooked stir-fried style in a wok, or plunged in a soup.

They vary in size, just like Italian pasta. But no matter their length, the Chinese believe that cutting noodles is a sin. They should be served long and uncut, because they symbolize longevity of life.

Some noodles are made of rice, known as fen, others are done out of wheat, called mian. Depending on the way they are made and how they are cooked, the noodles can either come out thin as toothpicks or thick as toothbrushes.

Then there are the hand-pulled noodles, a Chinese specialty and an art in itself.

Making hand-pulled noodles in China is seen as an art, as the cook has to handle stretching out the dough while twirling it at the same time.

After watching the ten-minute event, mesmerized by the speed and deep concentration of the chef, I sat down and ate some of the best noodles my taste buds have ever experienced.

Minutes later, I heard the pounding noise once more from a distance. I turned around tracing the sound, and saw the chef, flattening the dough on a table, twirling it in his fingers, ready to make a fresh batch of noodles again.

With an array of menus, varying from brunch, happy hour, lunch and dinner, Brio serves up gourmet Italian cuisine for any occasion at affordable prices.

Their full dinner menu is divided into seven categories – Primi, Bruschetta, Insalata & Zuppa, Specialita, Bistecca, The Grille and Pasta, making choosing just one delicious item a test of will.

For those craving some red meat try the Artichoke Crusted Beef Medallions which come covered in a mushroom Marsala sauce with mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables on the side, need I say more?

If you think that Italy is synonymous with pasta, venture outside the traditional spaghetti and meatballs and try Brio’s Shrimp Verduta, angel hair tossed with shrimp, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, roasted artichokes and spinach, all topped with pesto bread crumbs; a perfect summer dish that will give you a flavor explosion.

If the mouth-watering menu isn’t enough to draw you in, then Brio’s ambiance surely will. Spacious dining and traditional Tuscan décor meshed with contemporary style encompasses the entire restaurant, both indoors and out. Their outside patio is a favorite of diners during the summer, a relaxing setting to sip on Brio’s signature white peach sangria and enjoy the sunset.

And if there was ever any doubt of how fresh the food is, the open concept kitchen that merges into the dining area gives a glimpse of what it takes to serve patrons the best.

Presenting a wide scope of works from artists from all around the world, the village’s photography exhibition, Les Rencontres d’Arles, never fails to impress, gets better every year and will keep you busy all day long.

In fact, the old town in Camargue becomes especially lively during the summer, as it turns its monasteries and cloisters into modern photography showrooms, while the old warehouses surrounding its former SNCF railroad station are packed with engaging works of art in film, photography and digital media.

The art relates to political, social, ecological and psychological issues artists from around the world feel strongly about. Each artist has a personal vision, which they translate in a unique display.

Aurore Valade’s photographies look like still life paintings with key styles such as portrait and interior sceneries.

The film artist Mehdi Meddaci, captivates the audiences, with his multi-screen system featuring similar scenes in slow motion with voices exchanging everyday discussions overpowered by the sound of waves and emphasized by a play of colors; a soothing and somehow reassuring film to watch.

Finally, Grégoire Alexandre, whose unique vision of fashion is displayed in one of the monasteries, is one of those key artists that are not to be missed. His work in advertising with high-end brands such as Hermès and Breitling is exposed in conjunction with his personal philosophy of working with models. He photographs them all inside a giant white cube of paper, which he explains to be his own personal world.

Arles is often the only possible place to see some very rarely publicized photographs. It also opens your eyes to new ways of using photography and what makes it such a powerful medium of communication around the world. You can also discover the early work of artists, who might become extremely famous in the near future (it has happened before).

And don’t forget to find the mascot, which is placed in a different spot each year, to make sure you are seeing everything. This year, look for the grey fox!

Chinese mythology has several figures that are seen to have their own powers. All three halls of the Wunwu Temple are dedicated to legendary people.

At the entrance of the first hall, two massive dragons carved in marble rest their paws on a ball. Dragons have numerous meanings in Chinese philosophy. They stand at the entrance of every temple to guard the sanctuary from evil.

It takes 365 stairs to get to the highest point of the temple – but it’s worth breaking a sweat. The view from the top pretty much looks like the backdrop of a theater – a perfect painted cloth fixed in the infinite horizon.

Today, a road exists to bring you to the top of the temple so you don’t have to walk up so many stairs. The steps were nicknamed the stairway to Heaven and symbolize the 365 days of the year.

The halls are devoted to three different Chinese figures. The first hall is dedicated to the Chinese God of Literature, Wenchang Wang. Always represented by a constellation of six stars, Wenchang Wang has been called upon by several scholars historically for inspiration or for luck before intellectual activities. The second hall was built as a shrine for the Warrior God Kuan Kung, one of the most idolized historical figures in China. The Warrior God was known for his braveness and allegiance. Finally, the last hall honors Confucius, China’s holiest of all teachers. As China’s legendary philosopher, Confucius emphasized on the morality of social relationships and is believed to have been the author of many renowned Chinese classic texts.

Visitors use these traditional Chinese wind chimes sort of as a wishing well. People give donations and have their names inscribed on the gold paper swaying in the wind. They then pass the chimes through the incense and finally hang them on the steps of the sanctuary that symbolize their birthdays.

The Chinese have used incense not only in religious ceremonies, but also in their personal environments for over 2,000 years.

All Chinese temple architecture mixes a lot of red and gold. In Chinese tradition, red symbolizes luck and happiness and goes hand in hand with the color gold, which in turn denotes wealth. While red stands for the fire element, gold represents the earth element. The fire element is believed to chase away all evil as well.

Photo credits: Sharon Bijo

All photographs are subject to copyright and may not be used without the consent of Sharon Bijo

Rajasthan is famously known as the land of the Maharajas, where forts and palaces still remain as a mark of the royal life style of the Maharajas. This desert landscaping province is culturally rich and has artistic and cultural traditions which reflect the ancient Indian way of life.

Rajasthani men are dressed in long-sleeved shirts with a potia on their head. The turban can be an indicator to one’s class and social status. This photo was captured in the town of Pushkar.

The women of Rajasthan are mostly dressed in saris. The saris may be either in cotton or silk and are generally embroidered. Rajasthan is the richest state in India as far as art and handicrafts are concerned. It is believed that the sheer desolate and barren landscape of the state has made its people more creative, which is amply reflected in their dress pattern.

Jodhpur is the second largest city of the Indian state of Rajasthan. The city is commonly referred to as the blue city and the reasons for this can be easily explained by the high vantage point of Meherangarh Fort’s battlements.

Women are at their dazzling best with their gorgeous saris. The most common style is for the sari to be wrapped around the waist, with one end then draped over the shoulder.

Puppets, or Kathputtlis as they are referred to in the local parlance, are an integral part of Rajasthan’s folk entertainment. The puppets are gorgeously designed and are used in puppet shows, historical legends and mythologies, to modern day issues, like education for the girls and child labour. They are highlighted during festivals and village fairs.

Photo credits: Kristian Bertel

All photographs are subject to copyright and may not be used without the consent of Kristian Bertel

As soon as I landed in Hong Kong, I was instantly intrigued by the culture and history that reined the streets.

Walking through the first street in front my hotel, I felt as if I was in the middle of Times Square in New York City.

Hundreds of people pushed and shoved. Cars honked incessantly. The neon lights hanging on every building reflected on all windows of the numerous shops. Traditional Chinese pharmacies selling several products populated the streets.

And I just stood there, mesmerized by the fanatic character of the street.

But as soon as I crossed over to the next parallel road, the scenery seemed to change right before my eyes. Suddenly, the flock of people was replaced by several designer names. I was taken away from the noise, from the flashing lights and from all the buzz.

Some people come to these kind of streets to experience calm. Others go up to the peak, to experience the entire city from the sky.

On my first morning in Hong Kong, I decided to take the tram up to the Peak.

Since the 1880s, the Peak Tram has been looking over the city’s evolution. Before that, the tram didn’t exist to take residents and visitors up to the top of the green hill that guards the towers of bustling Hong Kong.

Instead, the prominent residents of the peak were carried up and down in sedan chairs, a sort of chair carried by two or more people by two horizontal poles. Once the tram was installed, the Peak began to attract more and more people, due to its easy access, cool climate, and breathtaking view over the city.

As I boarded the tram, a radio blasted explanations in Chinese — none in English, even though Hong Kong used to be a British Colony.

Surprisingly, in over 100 years and with all the technological advancements we have today, they never thought of installing an air conditioner. I sat down, suffocating, on a wooden chair, waiting for the vehicle to depart.

Suddenly, I felt pulled back into the hard seat, my back pressing against the wood of the chair. Bulky skyscrapers bolted next to me, turning eventually into tiny little doll houses as the tram climbed the mountain steadily.

Finally at the top, I opened my eyes to one of the best panoramic views I’ve ever seen. The Peak Tower provides the best view of Hong Kong. The tower includes restaurants, boutiques and several facilities.

Tourists and locals flooded the tiny little sidewalk that runs through the panoramic view. Some come to shop and have lunch, others to admire the scenery. There are even those that leave their small Hong Kong apartment with their own foldable chair and newspaper to read while relaxing in the clouds.

After spending an hour in the blasting heat — thankfully, the wind was howling up on the peak — I embarked the tram, sadly going back to reality.

Traveling down the hill, I couldn’t help but realize how tough it should have been for the people carrying the wealthy up the steep hills on sedan chairs. All buildings looked like dominos, slanted Towers of Pisa, one after the other.

In less than five minutes, I was back in Hong Kong, just like if I had gone through a time machine.

A couple of minutes before, I felt on top of the world.

The next, I was back to roaming the streets of noisy Hong Kong, sad — yet excited — to discover more about the Asian city that never sleeps.

The toothless man was sitting in a dump on the dirty cement, between 5 large green trashcans and a multitude of white recycling bags. Tall mountain peaks surrounded us while flies hovered over our heads. Metal barrels filled with food scraps – fish bones, leftover meat, and even a dead shrimp just sat there, staring at me. A beige dog hid under a bin, almost fainting from the heat and smell.

We had been driving for an hour already from Sun Moon Lake, in the blasting sun with the air cooling us down. Three hours away from Taroko Gorge, our final destination in the mountains of Taiwan, the car broke down. Right there, in the middle of a dump.

The man talked to us in Chinese, not understanding why we didn’t speak the language. His name was Liu. He proudly said that he was the recycling man of the little village of Qingjing between two puffs of his cigarette.

Liu makes as little as 66 cents for every bottle, can, paper, or plastic he recycles. He leads a simple life and is proud of it. “Taiwan is a beautiful country with beautiful people,” he said, while going through a bag of bottles. “You should talk to everyone in Chinese so you learn our language.”

Unlike in the capital Taipei, most citizens of Taiwan don’t speak much English but always try their best to communicate with foreigners, until the point of even using sign language. Liu kindly gave us empty detergent and bleach bottles to fill with water to cool down the engine of our car.

Even with his nice gesture, we weren’t able to get the car running again. Sitting on an island full of litter, I wondered if we would end up spending the rest of the day laying down on the floor like the poor stray dog.

Hungry, tired and cranky, we found a place to sit down and eat nearby. In the midst of such a pile of garbage, we found not only a market with exotic fruits, but also a Starbucks.

Qingjing is a tiny town inhabited by minorities of Mainland China’s southwest border. With its peak at 1,750 meters high, the village has now become a tourist attraction for its pure green scenery. Why Howard Schultz decided to build a Starbucks there is beyond me, but I’m glad he had the insane idea to do so. If not I probably wouldn’t be here today to tell the story.

We waited there patiently for the car mechanic to arrive. Soon after, he showed up in a tiny bright blue pickup truck. Dressed in a jumpsuit, the mechanic was also a local and did not speak much English. He worked quickly to repair the car, using any scotch tape or piece of scrap he could find to patch up the broken part of the engine.

The sleeves of the mechanic’s shirt were rolled up half way and his arm showed off a dazzling Rolex watch. The watch, probably several years old, had many rows of diamonds on the dial to boast his accomplishments. It is customary in Taiwan to buy a fancy watch when a man starts to make money. The more successful a man gets, the more diamonds he later adds on to it.

People in Taiwan are satisfied with the most simple things. They live plain, yet sophisticated lives. They are warm-hearted, courteous, and accommodating. But no matter how much the mechanic tried, the car would still not run properly. Liters of rusty water continued to leak out of the radiator.

After waiting for five hours in the dumps with Liu, a minivan came to pick us up and brought us finally to Taroko Gorge. As we boarded the gray van, Liu looked us straight in the eyes with a smile on his face. “We will be back next year,” we said, thanking him for his help.

“I will be waiting for you,” he answered, while getting back to work.

Photo credits: Michelle Bijo

All photographs are subject to copyright and may not be used without the consent of Michelle Bijo

My first day was an “adaptation day,” where I ate solely Western food to get used to their ingredients; obviously I was dying to finally have something authentic. Waking up the second day, craving for something different, my eye caught attention of a big silver pot with a white liquid-like substance. There was no strong smell, but rather a pleasant and soothing one. Many flavorings were situated next to it.

Doctors always say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but because there are so many different cultures, no one really agrees on what is the “best.” Congee, also called conjee, is a variation of rice porridge popular in various Asian countries.

Congee can be eaten with or without flavorings and as a main or side dish depending on how it is served. When plain, it is most often a side dish, but when you add meat, fish, or other flavorings, it becomes a meal itself. Interestingly, congee is eaten as breakfast or for a late dinner in some cultures, but in others, as a substitute for rice or for the sick (since it is easily digestible and fills a lot!).

As my first experience with congee, I decided what flavorings to add from all the choices available. I added peanuts, green onions, sweet pickles and almonds but I found that some ingredients didn’t mix in adequately.  My favorite, by far, was the flavor and rubbery crunch the sweet pickle added to the taste of congee; truly an interesting breakfast!

Photo credit: Rafael Nasser

All photographs are subject to copyright and may not be used without the consent of Rafael Nasser

My eyes were teary. I was wearing pink sweatpants and pink sneakers – the cool ones with the flashing lights. But at that age, my clothes didn’t really matter; even though pink was my favorite color. All I cared about was the life that I was slowly leaving behind.

I watched the green rice patties race by me through the window of the taxi. Workers with beige straw hats and long sleeve shirts had their legs knee-deep in the murky water. I stared at them, thinking how lucky they were to be there, despite the heat burning their backs and the snakes slithering through the fields.

They were staying in Taiwan. I wasn’t. I was moving, forever.

I counted the miles left to the airport on the small green signs on the highway, tears running down my big round cheeks, hoping that my parents would change their mind.

They didn’t. It was December 26, 1998. And it felt like my universe was falling apart.

While kids all over the globe went to the mall to eat ice cream, I played in the markets eating litchis. While little girls across the ocean picked roses in the park, I ran after butterflies in the mountains through cherry blossom trees. While children watched Lion King in English, I watched all my kiddy movies in Mandarin.

(I never learned to speak Mandarin fluently, mind you. Those who think that you can learn a language just by hearing it have never tried to master Chinese.)

Taiwan was the only world I ever really knew, even if I’ve traveled since I was five months old. I was born and raised in Taipei and couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. I had made a group of friends and had gotten used to the Asian lifestyle. When my parents announced that we were moving to Switzerland, little me couldn’t believe it.

We had been visiting Switzerland every summer for as long as I can remember. It was kind of obvious that we would end up there eventually, but as a child you don’t understand these things. All I knew was that in a couple of hours I’d be landing in a far away land, not knowing the language, not having any friends to play Barbie and Ken with.

As we checked in to the flight at the airport, I looked at the black ceiling with white stars soaring above me for the last time. I boarded the airplane, heavy-hearted, rolling my small fuchsia Barbie roller board sadly behind me.

I stared through the round window of the plane, asking my dad once again when we would come back. He promised me that one day we would. I smiled through my tears, hoping that it would be soon.

Landed in Taiwan airport at 10 A.M. this morning.

This morning, I landed in Taiwan again, with the same smile on my face as I had 14 years ago. As I admired the turquoise water and tropical mountains through the window of the plane, I felt like a little girl again remembering my dad’s words.

He was right, we came back — without my pink pants, my cool sneakers and my amazing roller board. I disembarked the plane, excited to walk on the footsteps of my past.

Many things have changed in Taiwan since 1998, but one thing remains: the attachment I’ll always have to my native country.

Photo credit: Sharon Bijo

All photographs are subject to copyright and may not be used without the consent of Sharon Bijo

Even though Manhattan has so much to offer during the summer, its skyscrapers suddenly seem more like barriers keeping you away from the shore; away from the other boroughs.

But the reality is that it’s so easy to go away for a day and experience a genuine summer feeling that will make you feel particularly reinvigorated. Sometimes, you just need to get away from Manhattan. Some go to the Hamptons, Montauk or Fire Island. I say, Williamsburg – three subway stops away from Union Square – suffices to get a breath of fresh air.

The Brooklyn Flea Market showcases hundreds of vendors and great food. What’s more to ask?

Raised between Switzerland and the South of France, Sunday markets were constantly in order and I grew particularly fond of them. When I found out that Brooklyn’s Flea Market ranked among New York’s best, I just had to check it out.

After passing by one coffee shop cuter than the other, intrigued by street art decorating the brick walls, and resisting the mouth-watering smell emanating from eclectic restaurants, we finally arrived to the one-block wide market space by the East Side River.

Every Sunday throughout the summer, the Brooklyn Flea Market offers a variety of foods – baked, cooked and reinvented by young vendors – vintage goods, clothing and art, all of it set before the spectacular skyline of Manhattan.

You will easily spend several hours exploring the marvels of this market, enjoying the relaxing atmosphere in the company of enthusiastic Brooklynites.

You will finally take a deep breath and realize that these tiny skyscrapers you see from a distance aren’t so bad after all, and you’ll be ready to go back with a lighter mindset.

The Market also takes place in Fort Greene, Brooklyn from 10-5 on Saturdays.

Photo credits: Kimberly de Geer

All photographs are subject to copyright and may not be used without the consent of Kimberly de Geer

Countless wildlife and pure nature surround the exuberant regions of the land, but what really lights up the magic is the heritage Peru beholds.

Numerous reasons should push you to visit Peru. Here are The Worldwider’s top five.

1. The Rich Heritage

Today, almost half of the population are Indian descendants of the Incas, called Quechua. The Inca empire has strongly influenced Peruvian culture, making it an archaeological paradise with a millenary presence. They traced a legacy that will remain for all times.

2. The Exceptional Food

Photo from Flickr – Cvan Holder

The ingredients Peru produces are healthy, nutritious and rich in flavor. Peruvian cuisine is recognized around the world as one of the best in South America, with abundant seafood from the coast, juicy fruits from the jungle and unusual varieties of grains and potatoes from the Andes.

3. The Handful of Activities

Photo from Flickr — Whl Travel

In Peru, there is always something to do for all family members; from shopping, to theatre, to city tours, to gastronomic and art museums, to nightlife, to outdoor activities, sightseeing, and fine dining. A cultural experience you must discover in this popular paradise.

4. The Romantic Setting

Photo from Flickr — Martin Toy

If it’s love you are looking for, Parque del Amor is the right place for you. The park is home to the famous Valentines Day competition for the longest kiss.

5. The Inspirational Park

If it’s inspiration and excitement you are looking for, Parque de la Reserva is the most outstanding water fountain display you will ever encounter. It even holds a Guinness record for the biggest public park with the most water fountains in the world. If you are up to a wonderful time with the most exquisite weather, Peru is waiting for you!

They say, travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer… Going to Peru will fulfill your heart and enrich your soul.

Photo credits: Natalie Sofer, Martin Toy, Whl Travel and Cvan Holder

All photographs are subject to copyright and may not be used without the consent of the previous photographers

The advancement of technology and architecture has transformed the farmlands of New Amsterdam into the bustling city that never sleeps. But through time, much of the old has been replaced with the new. Some of the older buildings still exist but are in the shadow of greater, higher, more intimidating towers of glass.

Manhattan’s neighboring borough did not develop in the same manner. Brooklyn was mostly farmland that was turned into residential neighborhoods and factories.

Brooklyn doesn’t exactly attract the picture-snapping tourists. It doesn’t have the same spark as the concrete jungle of Manhattan. Or does it?

In Brooklyn, much of this is the same. Old factories transformed into residential buildings, rundown neighborhoods have been turned into ultra modern ones that are now the paradise for yuppies and hipsters.

Most tourists have experienced Brooklyn as a result of either bar hopping in Williamsburg or walking though DUMBO after crossing the Brooklyn Bridge. But most haven’t been brave enough to explore the other side of Brooklyn. If you go further south, you’ll arrive to Coney Island; a Brooklyn most are unfamiliar with.

Coney Island Beach is no Côte d’Azur or Ipanema. It lacks the traditional beach life ambiance… It’s simply a boardwalk that has been trapped in 1962.

Coney Island is a crummy old beach with people who lack any sort of understanding of what it means to clean up after themselves. But if there’s one place in the New York area worthwhile spending the Independence day, it would be there.

As an adult, the things that bother us most when going to the beach are simply ignored here. Coney Island transforms the adult into the little child they once were. With its lack of chic ambiance, it brings out the inner 12-year-old in us. From Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest on July 4th to the amusement park and aquarium there’s plenty to do.

Coming out of the train on a sunny July 4th day, the summer heat knocks you sideways, the bright blue sky numbs your sensitivity towards the stereotypical definition of a beach in Brooklyn, the vivid colors all around lead your eyes to a wooden Cyclone rollercoaster that is older than the boardwalk that brings you there.

As for the people, it’s a true melting pot. You’ll hear many Russian and Spanish dialects and of course the good old famous Brooklyn accent saying; “Hey Tony, Fa-gedda-boud-it!” (forget about it)

But with such diversity, there is one major common denominator; they are all happy that they’ve left the communist life 25 years ago or the economical challenges of yesteryear. They are proud to be in America and to celebrate Independence Day.

To them, it’s not just about stuffing their face with six hot dogs, beer and hot pretzels; it’s about appreciating freedom to the max. This may not be St. Tropez, but for some of these people, this is the definition of paradise.

So when you visit Coney Island this summer, be ready to be transformed into a 12-year-old boy or girl and open your eyes. For beyond all the typical Americans on the beach, these shores have thousands of footsteps of those who wished for the American dream of true freedom and have reached their version of paradise, Coney Island.

Intrigued by the monotonous tone of the Buddhist monks, the sound of the bells dancing in the wind and the exotic smell of the burning incense, I walked around barefoot, accompanied by several monks with shaved heads dressed in yellow robes.

“It makes you laugh with delight to think that anything so fantastic could exist on this sombre earth,” said Somerset Maugham, an English author from the 20th Century, when describing Thailand.

Around 15 million tourists visit Thailand, the country of smiles, every year to admire the splendor of its many monasteries.

As the official religion of the country since the end of the 13th century, Buddhism is practiced by 95% of the population.  Thailand in itself counts about 40,717 temples reuniting 450,000 monks.

Most tend to think of Buddhism as a religion — it’s actually more of a philosophy focused on reaching Nirvana; the final stage of the reincarnation cycle, where all suffering, sense of desire and self come to an end.

Based on this cycle of reincarnation, any buddhist can come back to life in the form of an ant or even a plant, as well as a human being.

Reincarnation may take several hundreds of years, but every buddhist must try to reach this goal in his or her present or future life. No buddhist can know how long it will take to reach Nirvana, but all remain hopeful thanks to the legend of Jataka, which recounts the 547 past lives of Buddha Sakyamuni — the historical Buddha.

Statue of Buddha at Wat Prathat Doi Suthep Ratchaworawiham, the buddhist temple most respected in Northern Thailand.

Buddha statues often serve as decorations in our homes. They are also known for being the focus of modern restaurants, like Buddha Bar. Words, such as Karma, Zen and even Nirvana have roots in Buddhism and have become part of our daily language as well.

Although these words are part of our lexical, Buddha is in reality neither a noun nor a person.

Buddha is the name given to any human being capable of profoundly understanding the world and able to heal all of humanity’s sufferings.

As a result, according to Buddhism, we are all capable of being Buddha, whether we are male or female.

Buddhism is based on three principles, known as The Three Jewels: Buddha, Dhamma (Buddhist laws) and Sangha (monastery community). Those who don’t practice buddhism, the laymen, have a shorten list of five principles to follow, which are common to any other religion, such as do not kill, do not steal, do not lie and do not commit adultery. However, taking drugs or consuming alcohol are also prohibited.

On the other hand, monks have 227 rules to abide by to reach perfection. Monks live a simple life — their only possessions being their robe, a belt, a bowl, a razor, a needle, a water bottle, a stick and a toothpick —  and live from offerings given to them by the laymen.

Monks wake up at 5 a.m. every day to pray and meditate. Once the prayers are over, they go to the streets and collect offerings from the laymen. Photo taken in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Due to their lack of means, monks highly depend on the rest of the population’s offerings. In return for their donations, Buddhists are granted with merits. It is an impressive scene — waking up at the crack of dawn and witnessing the yellow robes and pijama-dressed citizens filling up the streets.

When praying in the temples, Buddhists offer one candle, three incense sticks and one lotus flower. The candle symbolizes the light of truth, the lotus is considered the sacred flower reserved for Buddha and the three incense sticks stand as a reminder of The Three Jewels.

Entering a temple is an experience that calls upon all of your senses. Discovering this cultural and spiritual side is a must while visiting Thailand, as it opens your eyes to the wonders of the world.

Chiang Mai, Thailand.

“Once you’re on the temple trail, you may find you can’t stop. At first, you’re in awe of the history, the design and the details. In a short while, they might start to look all the same. But after you’ve walked inside ten or twenty or fifty, you begin to notice the myriad differences between even the most similar,” said J. Cummings and D. White, authors of Buddhist Temples of Thailand.

Photo credits: Michelle Bijo

All photos are subject to copyright and may not be used without the consent of Michelle Bijo

Lost in medieval times, Ireland is a relatively modern country.

With its fresh seafood, local ciders, whiskey and friendly people, the country home to the four-leaf clover should be the next stop on your Euro Trip.

Since this part of Ireland is part of the UK, the square is embellished with English flags for the Queen’s 60th jubilee. WWI memorial to the fallen soldiers in Bushmills, Northern Ireland.

Irish immigrants traveled on vessels of this type in the mid to late 1800s to make their way to Canada or New York over the period of 5 weeks in terrible conditions, which often resulted in about 50% of the passengers not making it alive. Femin Ship in New Ross, Ireland.

The original construction began in 1003 and consisted of a wooden structure that grew into the current state over the period of 1000 years. It was updated and rebuilt by its succeeding owners, the latest being Mr. Butler. There is an adjacent house, subsequently called Butler House, built for Mr. Butler’s wife after his passing where you can stay for a very reasonable fare. Kilkenny Castle, Kilkenny City, Ireland.

The cathedral to which this cemetery belongs was first constructed in the 800s and has a rich history of prosecuting witchcraft as well as withstanding Viking attacks. Canice’s Cathedral Cemetery, Kilkenny City, Ireland.

This 60 million year old volcanic lava cracked into nearly perfect hexagonal pieces over the course of two Ice Ages. The legend goes that the giants built this from the coast of Ireland and all the way to Scotland to test each other’s strength in a battle. Similar formations can be found on the opposite few hundred miles North, on the coast of Scotland. The Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland.

Test your will by crossing the Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge. Ballycastle, Northern Ireland.

There is no security, so if you’re not afraid of heights, step to the very edge of the cliff to hear the eco of the falling dust from under your feet and the tweets of the nesting seagulls. Make sure to hold on to something as these cliffs came to fame for throwing 400 starving Irishman in search for food off with a sudden blow of northern winds. The Cliffs of Moher, Ireland.

One of the most important reasons to visit a Pub is to be among the public and to listen to energetic and all-consuming Irish music. No wonder so many stars have grown from here. Kilkenny, Ireland

Taking the coastal roads is dangerous, but always worth the ‘taking-your-breath-away-moment’ for more than one reason. Connemara Loop, Ireland

Photo credits: Raisa Berger

All photos are subject to copyright and may not be used without the consent of Raisa Berger

When I was young, I never really understood what she meant. I would relentlessly search for a rose – or even just a stem or a petal – no matter where I was, just to prove to her that I was a good girl and did what I was told.

It was only as I grew older that I realized the significance of her words. We live in such a hectic world, where we run like ants carrying our work on our shoulders, where we rarely get the time to pause and ask ourselves: don’t we deserve a break?

Roses bring several meanings to our lives. They enlighten our homes. Their scent drifts us to another world. Their beauty blinds us.

We shouldn’t find time to stop and smell the roses just for their splendor. We should, because it’s a moment we take for ourselves.

Photograph from Flickr/T.Kiya

There are only a few places on earth which can give you such an opportunity than Yvoire, a little village located on the French side of Lake Geneva. The picturesque village is not only known for its medieval touches, but also for its renowned flower decoration.

“Wow, this is really Savta’s [grandmother in Hebrew] dream come true,” I told myself, the first time I visited the postcard-perfect village when I was 10, as I ran through the cobble-stoned streets, smelling every rose while trying not to prick my little fingers.

Roses hang from every nook of each medieval house. They connect buildings and old-stone walls. They decorate the plazas. They sway proudly in the wind near the lake. They come in every color – pink, blue, yellow, red, orange and white.

Walking through the narrow car-free alleys of Yvoire will be just enough to take you back to the 1300s. During those years, the village was the cornerstone for traders going through the Alps. By the 16^th century, Yvoire lost its importance in the world of trade and was turned into a fishermen’s village due to its strategic location on Lake Geneva.

Due to the wave of centurial influences, the Church of St Pancras, located right next to the waterfront, has gone through different architectural styles. With its onion-shaped stainless steel tower, the church can be contemplated between the rooftops and narrow alleys.

Most beautiful during spring and the warm summer months, visitors can stay overnight in one of the medieval hotels, which tend to be much cheaper than in nearby Geneva or Evian. You’ll get to see the village sinking into the night, casting its shadow on the one million roses – a plus most visitors won’t get to witness on a day trip.

The number of attractions to see is limited – the main ones being the artisanal boutiques, a small history museum, delicious restaurants and a great Five Senses Garden, where you will get to see, smell, taste, and touch different species of plants.

The remarkable garden, resting in the former kitchen garden of the town’s medieval castle, is open from Mid-may to mid-October. Entries cost €10.

Located only 20 minutes away by car from Geneva, Yvoire is the perfect village to escape to for the day and relax. From breathtaking views of the lake to some of the best crêpes you’ll ever taste, this romantic town will give you the time off you deserve.

How to get there from Geneva: driving there is by far the easiest option. Follow the signs Evian and Thonon from Geneva, and you’ll be taken on a picturesque road until you reach your destination. You can also take a boat from Nyon, a town nearby Geneva.

For more information about the village of roses, check out the tourism office’s website.

Photo credits: Sharon Bijo

All photos are subject to copyright and may not be used without the consent of Sharon Bijo

Prince Clemens von Metternich, Austria’s Foreign Minister, invited guests over for dinner, hoping to amaze them with the talent of his personal chef.

To the Prince’s misery, the chef fell sick and left the task in the hands of his sixteen-year-old apprentice, Franz Sacher. Sacher was a second year trainee in the Metternich kitchen.

“Let there be no shame on me tonight!” said the Prince, ushering Sacher to work on a dessert that would change it all.

The young apprentice dreamed up a chocolate-covered cake filled with apricot jam, which indeed, did imprint on Metternich’s guests.

Sacher’s cake, known today as the Sacher Torte, has become staple to Austrian cuisine.

Made with layers of spongy chocolate filled with apricot jam and glazed with chocolate, the Sachertorte is a dessert-lover’s dream come true.

After completing his apprenticeship in Metternich’s kitchen, Sacher ultimately opened up a speciality delicatessen in his hometown, Vienna.

After his death, Sacher passed on his culinary legacy to his eldest son, Eduard. Training first with the Royal and Imperial Pastry Chef in Vienna and later on at the Demel bakery, Eduard perfected his father’s concoction into the form it is today.

In 1876, Eduard opened the Hotel Sacher, where the famous Sachertorte is sold and eaten until today.

When in Vienna, make time to stop at the Sacher Cafe to satisfy your sweet tooth.

But controversy rose shortly after over the cake’s pedigree. Eduard claimed that the recipe was his family’s – however, the Demel bakery, where Eduard developed the cake, asserted that it was theirs.

After seven years, the Sacher legacy won the legal battle.

Sachertorte can be eaten either at The Sacher Hotel or at the Demel Bakery. Visit both locations and judge for yourself.

We bet you never knew that a cake could cause more issues than just a battle of forks for the last bite. Yet, this might be the most controversial dessert in baking history.

And it’s definitely worth fighting over.

Photo credits: Sharon Bijo, Best Bib & Tucker and Communica TI.

All photos are subject to copyright and may not be used without the consent of the previous photographers

But do you know which country has the biggest population of horse-meat lovers?

Source: Matador Network

In London, every corner of every street, every repetitive ceiling structure of every roof, store fronts and even China town, have found a way to accommodate the Queen for her 60th jubilee.

7 Dials, London

China Town, London

Harrod’s, London

Each window of the famous luxury goods department store Harod’s displayed a crown made by different luxury brands. This one was made out of foil that’s usually placed at the top of the Dom Perignon bottle.

Piccadilly Circus, London

This unique bar divided into two sides by the passing street didn’t miss the opportunity to decorate its lamp poll with the flag.

Shockingly, the London Eye did not get adorned by patriotism.

Photo credits: Raisa Berger

All photographs are subject to copyright and may not be used without the consent of Raisa Berger