Recent Posts
1. Sunscreen.
There's nothing quite like a whiff of coconut oil to catapult your mind back to the beach.
2. Garlic.
The potent aroma of sizzling cloves seems to be all consuming in many 'eat streets' around the world. Guaranteed to make you hungry.
3. Flowers.
When travelling, there's always time to stop and smell the roses.
4. Suitcase squashed clothes.
Not such a nice one, but one all the same.
5. Smells unique to places.
It may be the ocean in the Maldives, rain splattered cobblestones in Prague or the fresh aroma of a Japanese hotel - but these are my favourite.
Shared on
Looking more like a movie set with its faded, colourful house facades and small, pedestrian only streets, Hoi An's old town is brimming with magic.
During the American war in Vietnam, Hoi An remained virtually untouched, therefore retaining much of its enchanting sense of history.
The oppresive heat can be an enemy, but navigating the cobbled streets on foot produces endless surprises. Street vendors cruise the pathways, cone shaped hats weaving through the crowd. Strong under the weight of the goods balanced in between their necks and shoulders, its hard to resist buying something under the glare of their joyful smiles.
Cloth shops jostle for space among cafes, restaurants and art galleries. Tailors here can create whole new wardrobes in less than a couple of days, for very little money.
Bring pictures or samples from home, or choose from the ready made ones and splurge on a pampering morning of measurements, choosing fabrics and gasping in delight at the amazingly cheap quotes flying around the store.
Suits and jackets are most popular and to safeguard againt imperfect work, shop around first and ask other clients about their experiences.
Hoi An boasts so many inviting restaurants, you could happily make the rounds all day. Tam Tam Cafe and Bar, encased in a restored tea warehouse, comes alive late afternoon. Complete with lazy, old fashioned ceiling fans and pool tables, its hard to leave once you're in.
5km east of Hoi An, Cua Dai Beach provides welcome relief from the heat. The beach is clean, sometimes deserted and during April and October, the South China Sea is a blissful mass of calm, pristine, water.
Hoi An captivates the senses and cajoles the mind with its genuinely unique, historic personality.
Shared on
(And is it safe?)
A small backpack gaped open like an inviting treasure chest, swinging loosely from a woman's shoulders. At the top, a shiny new video camera glistened in the sun and the hint a of leather wallet poked out from the side.
Quicker than two blinks of the eye, a hand snatched the items and disappeared within the mass of bodies staring up at magnificent, European architecture.
Seconds later, the woman's arm reached behind her to her rather empty bag. I watched as her hand became confused by the empty space, moving rapidly around in the darkness. Finally, she took the bag off to look inside and her face crumbled into anxious distress. Uselessly, she looked around with frantic hope, until the obvious became apparent and the tour group she was with began to yell in unison about the injustice of being robbed in broad daylight.
I had been sipping hot chocolate at a nearby restaurant, watching the drama unfold. The whole scene took a matter of seconds. It's that easy for many pick-pockets.
The debate about what's safest rages constantly. Money belt? Bum bag? Locks on the backpack? Backpack worn on the front? While I would never leave a backpack open, on my back, in a large crowd, I don't go as far as wearing money belts under my clothes. They are far too uncomfortable for me.
I prefer the long, over-the-shoulder bags, with my hand on it in obvious, high risk areas such as major tourist spots. I never put it down on a table or a chair next to me when dining (lap is safest), I never leave it, for even a second, unattended and I don't leave it hanging free when on a scooter, in a tuk tuk or even a cyclo.
I haven't had anything stolen in all my travels and I'm unbelievably thankful for my good luck. Stories circulate of items being stolen from locked, 5 star hotel rooms, bag straps cut from bodies by rogue motorcycle bandits and even expensive watches disappearing magically from wrists (without a magician in sight). Luck does seem to play a large part.
But you can, at least, deter thieves. Don't take, wear or carry your most expensive and glamorous items. Don't leave zips open (especially when a bag is on your back) and don't ever, for even a second, leave your belongings unattended. This, plus some common sense, helps; you can only tempt fate, and pick pockets, so far.
Shared on
From the dizzying heights of a highrise balcony, sweeping views south of Main Beach deliver an ocean lovers paradise.
[ Click here to read more ]
Shared on
Outside, the sun was shining, hitting the lake and reflecting back in silvery pearls of light. Inside, rain cascaded on the roof and slid peacefully down the windows, creating that cosy, 'let's camp on the rug and light the fire' mood.
For $2.00 at Montville Country Cabins, you can play weather maker and turn on the rain for your roof only; as simply as putting the coin in the machine slot
[ Click here to read more ]
Shared on
4am is time for vampires to venture indoors and farm animals to start to stir. In winter, the sun is far from rising and so, usually, am I.
But, numerous, "Don't be scared", remarks, combined with excitement spurred me out of bed and onwards, towards adventure and Canungra, a 45 minute drive from Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast, Queensland
[ Click here to read more ]
Shared on
Despite the remarkable number of black suits crowding under cover as the skies drizzled, Ivy, the new complex mixed with bars, restaurants and lounges located at 320-330 George Street, managed to retain its sumptuous vibe in the courtyard, set against a backdrop of clean, white decor splashed with yellow stripes.
[ Click here to read more ]
Shared on
My friend recently gave birth to twin girls, who were conceived in Cambodia. Stories of chubby cheeked toddlers with shiny, chocolate skin running to greet my friends in the street had flowed from their mouths in a torrent of excited words after their holiday. The twins will now have a glamorous story to tell also, about the interesting way they came to be.
It got me thinking. How many of us have been conceived with the influence of exotic children from far away lands
[ Click here to read more ]
Shared on
Obscenely large pieces of mouth watering pizza in Rome, croissants and hot chocolate for breakfast in Paris and tapas at midnight in Barcelona.
[ Click here to read more ]
Shared on
My head throbbed with the effort of sitting up, my eyes stung when open and my nose was no longer a functioning breathing tool. A searing temperature raged through my body and razor blades held my throat hostage.
Meanwhile, the loud crack of fireworks signaled the start of the festival. I craned my neck from the top bunk of my hostel bedroom to see out of the tiny window. Edinburgh Castle was alight with colour and the excited cries of the crowd echoed around the cobbled streets
[ Click here to read more ]
Shared on
|
|
|
Add Comments
Read More
Comments (1)
Comment by The Travelling Fairy Dancer
on Travelling - A Good Excuse For Food Indulgence?
Travel Magic