All posts tagged: Blog

Best of Orlando’s Boutique Hotels

Published by

It’s no doubt that Orlando has plenty of iconic Disney resorts that cater to the needs and preferences of all vacationers travelling with kids, but what if you’re not a fan of cartoon characters? Orlando offers luxurious boutique hotels that will leave you wondering whether to book a room facing the Atlantic or the city skyline. The Point Orlando Resort For all those who’d prefer to spend the extra bucks on a stay rather than renting a car, you’re in for a treat. The Point Orlando Resort on Universal Blvd is only a few minutes away from International Drive and Universal Blvd. The hotel also offers shuttle services for easy commuting to and from attractions like Disney and Sea World. You can also choose to take Uber, which costs about $7 one-way. After a hectic day of sightseeing, feel free to grab a drink at the poolside bar that is open till 12 am. Exploring Orlando on a Budget The Eo Inn And Spa – Downtown Considered one of the finest boutique hotels in downtown …

Scuba Diving in Thailand: How I Fought the Underwater Fear

Published by

Scuba Diving for Non-swimmers Yes! You heard it right. Scuba Diving is also for non-swimmers. It’s a myth I have known for many years that you’d need to be an advanced swimmer to Scuba Dive – except some basic swimming skills can help you stay calm and confident underwater. There was a time I spent days and months online, searching for advices from other experienced divers if it was really possible for non-swimmers to go underwater. While some tips did help, some came with warnings to not attempt the dive. My fear is long since the first time I drowned when I lost grip of the ground beneath. On this trip to Thailand, I knew I had to overcome the ultimate fear of underwater. Signing up for Discover Scuba Diving One of the most famous diving destinations in Thailand is Koh Tao – also the cheapest site for getting a diver’s license. Since Phuket was on our list, we signed up for Discover Diving with South Siam Divers at Racha Yai in October, the best …

Naksel Boutique Hotel and Spa – Home in the Himalayas of Bhutan

Published by

“Every time I have some moment on a seashore, or in the mountains, or sometimes in a quiet forest, I think this is why the environment has to be preserved” – Bill Bradley As we rode beneath the exit arch of Nak – Sel bidding a faint good-bye to the gentleman we met for the first time, I managed to sum up answers to the curiosities I previously had about charming Bhutan, its friendly people and its preserved environment. As part of our interest to follow the Himalayan circuit, Vishnu and I started a motorcycle trip from Siliguri, West Bengal to Bhutan. That said, little did we expect a fine stay awaiting us on the slopes of the Chelela Mountain range. Located in Ngoba village, Nak – Sel Boutique exudes a sense of traditional Bhutanese heritage in its architecture. A few kilometers from Paro Airport, Nak – Sel is an easy find with a few winding roads towards the top-most part of the hill situated at 2700 m above sea level. Like us, if you’re mesmerized …

Exploring the Portuguese Village in Newark

Published by

Wandering the streets of Ironbound District will take you all the way to Lisbon even without having to take a flight. Since the days of Magellan, the Portuguese had spread out across the globe and, many immigrants, particularly those from the fishing villages of Northern Portugal, headed to Newark in the mid-20th century. The Ferry Street, Ironbound’s commercial center, is lined by restaurants and cafes that aim to preserve the Portuguese culture. Image via Flickr by pasa47 Adventure into European Cuisine The Ironbound neighborhood boasts some of the best Iberian eateries that are mostly family owned. You’ll find an array of stalls and restaurants as you stroll along the Ferry Street – the buzz you get in interacting with the locals is an experience by itself. Established in 1926, the Iberian Tavern and Restaurant is one of the oldest restaurants along the stretch, known for a decent seafood meal. Discover the Latin American Cuisine The rightful Hispanic immigrants – mainly from Spain as well as Latin America, have also set up restaurants in the area. For an authentic …

Bali Motorbike Travel Guide

Published by

There is no better way to explore Bali than on a motorbike. We did a 7 day road trip through Bali giving us the complete freedom to ride almost whole of Bali. In addition to the cheap bike rates, scooter rentals can be found almost everywhere. It is safe to not sign up for any expensive tours as the city provides easy navigation and plenty of available content online,. Here is an ultimate guide on the route we took, accommodation we stayed and places to see. Use International License in Bali Many tourist experts advice on getting a local Indonesian license but from our experience – an international license is enough to ride in Bali unless you’re in the city for more than a month. Apply for an International license in your local country, which in most cases will be valid for a year. Renting a bike in Bali is the most easy and cheap way to travel across the city. You wouldn’t have to keep a passport or a deposit to rent a scooter, if you rent …

Musings of a Travel Illustrator

Published by

Travel has changed me to an extent that life seems more stress-free today (in the sense I have learn’t a little better to deal with stress). At one point I took everything and anything as a struggle – from the rude conversations of people, family and relationship problems, and the daily tussle between a full-time job and a Masters Program. It was after my return from a vacation to Malaysia and Egypt in 2010 that I yearned to go back; to explore more, to indulge in a conversation with the locals, to experience the hot and cold; basically I knew I wanted to conquer the world and I would rather have a mundane day in another city than mine. It was a major decision to leave Abu Dhabi after spending over 25 years in the city, but the most I was looking forward to was a ‘change’. A change that would help me be a better person and a better daughter to my lovely parents, a change that called out my inner hopes to be an understanding wife. But most importantly I …