tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-313734422024-03-13T09:00:32.318+04:00Travel with Funk by FunkyOzziBlogging about the beautiful places I see, stories I hear and all of the fun things. A mix of photography and travel tips!Lilianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13845301181107256105noreply@blogger.comBlogger134125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31373442.post-40393836286837147722023-12-22T14:09:00.012+04:002023-12-22T20:52:45.189+04:00Discovering Albania: A Week of Cultural Riches and Natural Wonders<p><b style="background-color: white; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 16px;"><i>Destination: Albania (Kosovo and North Macedonia)<br />Travel Companion: Graham<br />Duration: 8 days</i></b></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Embarking on a week-long adventure through the heart of the Balkans, Albania revealed itself as a captivating blend of history, nature, and chill vibes. From the vibrant streets of Tirana to the serene shores of Lake Ohrid, join me as I recount the highlights of a journey that unfolded like a tapestry of diverse experiences.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwO8nBS88VkKQ9kzs1cPHbjYh4CLBZIkEc7_kRc69jmhATGuH9pVOz_iunoSN_2wefThFNajI9F4UZ4PQ8QPqV1bSmyedGIQ1c2LJ1fwiU3cDSXJcDb3mVAUpSmWNbWoFSkUCJHkxw_JvmTrGgmwY40aXbAaCpQUpwZQlfRrHt0JyhPH0frJty3A/s2000/Albania.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1333" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwO8nBS88VkKQ9kzs1cPHbjYh4CLBZIkEc7_kRc69jmhATGuH9pVOz_iunoSN_2wefThFNajI9F4UZ4PQ8QPqV1bSmyedGIQ1c2LJ1fwiU3cDSXJcDb3mVAUpSmWNbWoFSkUCJHkxw_JvmTrGgmwY40aXbAaCpQUpwZQlfRrHt0JyhPH0frJty3A/w426-h640/Albania.png" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Albania</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Before I delve in, feel free to check my trip's highlights (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/17919402737746897/" target="_blank">Albania</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/18110456818315706/" target="_blank">North Macedonia</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/17997648136818549/" target="_blank">Kosovo</a>) on my Instagram account.</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><h3 style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--tw-prose-headings); font-size: 1.25em; line-height: 1.6; margin: 1rem 0px 0.5rem; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Day 1: Tirana's Spirited Start</span></h3><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 1.25em; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Landing in Tirana, our first afternoon unfolded with a walking tour that navigated us through the city's history and gastronomy. I always try to get a walking tour first as it reveals things I could be interested in exploring further. This tour was not an easy one, it was 5 hours and a blend of food and history. While walking around, we also saw the iconic Pyramid of Tirana, now a youth IT center, symbolized the city's transformation post-communism and several bunkers spread around the city. It's estimated that there are around 170,000 bunkers built all over the country for fear of being invaded. Moreover, while in Tirana, you will see a lot of colorful buildings, this is mainly due to wanting to change things up from the communist look.</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 1.25em; white-space-collapse: preserve;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJH8rIyuWG3rXXr_QwvQt6wDmZv6-8djEr7XbQvKAZvEuBP870z30bXAfy5fAyNK6uRoiBzDVRdpjR17Rd7oZPKXRkZUC7POXkDp_V3odkxGRsQwEvGpPYajt0MScaJPx6SGSOo_fqVmszIDL6NN68opaxiZbjj5S4NpF22miFITWrps6z9eQXQw/s4032/Tirana%20Ottoman%20Bridge.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJH8rIyuWG3rXXr_QwvQt6wDmZv6-8djEr7XbQvKAZvEuBP870z30bXAfy5fAyNK6uRoiBzDVRdpjR17Rd7oZPKXRkZUC7POXkDp_V3odkxGRsQwEvGpPYajt0MScaJPx6SGSOo_fqVmszIDL6NN68opaxiZbjj5S4NpF22miFITWrps6z9eQXQw/w480-h640/Tirana%20Ottoman%20Bridge.HEIC" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tanners Bridge</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.25em; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #374151; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px;">Tirana is relatively a new city. It was founded in 1614 by the Ottoman Albanian general Sylejman Pasha Bargjini. It became Albania's capital in 1920. To visit its oldest part, you can visit Tanners Bridge (built near the Tanners Mosque) is an 18th century Ottoman period foot stone bridge, the road was the route by which livestock and produce entered the city.</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 1.25em; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Did you know that Albanians don't actually refer to themselves as "Albanians" as this name was given to them by the Romans. Instead, they are the Republika Shqipërisë.</span></i></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTz4qqX2PFRsOJmIIaL8x5964eLTwKyl1-Ezl47eIaqe31kvVmNj3474WXmKT1PCeNokyT741wicnuub45uO8NUZ1j4DF0e1SBXNiEPtFzCR34oHrYnHzI1Uj5YiwRVw464a21sbpjueHepkLzq8WPFQZoQZ6mN0K-QyhZzAWp0jwzf2iZME5PYw/s4032/Tirana%20buildings.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTz4qqX2PFRsOJmIIaL8x5964eLTwKyl1-Ezl47eIaqe31kvVmNj3474WXmKT1PCeNokyT741wicnuub45uO8NUZ1j4DF0e1SBXNiEPtFzCR34oHrYnHzI1Uj5YiwRVw464a21sbpjueHepkLzq8WPFQZoQZ6mN0K-QyhZzAWp0jwzf2iZME5PYw/w480-h640/Tirana%20buildings.HEIC" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tirana's colorful buildings</td></tr></tbody></table><h3 style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--tw-prose-headings); font-size: 1.25em; line-height: 1.6; margin: 1rem 0px 0.5rem; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Days 2 and 5: Exploring Neighbors - Kosovo and North Macedonia</span></h3><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 1.25em; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Days 2 and 5 brought us to neighboring countries, Kosovo and North Macedonia. Prizren in Kosovo left us impressed with its historical charm, while the tranquility of Lake Ohrid in North Macedonia offered a refreshing escape. Historic sites like Samuel's Fortress and the Monastery of Saint Naum added cultural depth to our journey. Given we had to sit in the car for quite a while for both day trips, I would definitely recommend depioritizing Kosovo, if you are keen on adding another country to your list, then you can try to just go over the borders to Prizren without the need to make it all the way to Pristina. As for North Macedonia, it is a must to visit. Ohrid is a charming town, but the lake itself is exquisite, make sure to keep a swimsuit on you.</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 1.25em; white-space-collapse: preserve;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAMQPQ_pQ3Y8LEW1vCFTRk6RjzGft6lOfLjRlxNAJ5YDt2Uv5Jlnjc-OJvVf3r8IJpUOWGXd_7BYP0pl7uChUYZby8sjPwZt8YzqBOGO_SWaiA0GWuR6jb3xkG_A8SB-XGOP7jVgaxjWUNuLqR8kL5wVWV8Lo0rNKLHFOHzm218m6mE2t5Km94qw/s2000/North%20Macedonia.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1333" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAMQPQ_pQ3Y8LEW1vCFTRk6RjzGft6lOfLjRlxNAJ5YDt2Uv5Jlnjc-OJvVf3r8IJpUOWGXd_7BYP0pl7uChUYZby8sjPwZt8YzqBOGO_SWaiA0GWuR6jb3xkG_A8SB-XGOP7jVgaxjWUNuLqR8kL5wVWV8Lo0rNKLHFOHzm218m6mE2t5Km94qw/w426-h640/North%20Macedonia.png" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">North Macedonia (Ohrid)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><i style="color: #374151; font-size: 16px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Did you know that North Macedonia used to be known as Macedonia before 2019, this change came as a result to the political tension with Greece which also has a region called Macedonia.</span></i><span style="color: #374151; font-size: 16px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgutYd639aiTcR3PiFvEKBiGh9vz-kOKCfdko8OljPrILuBY4-4EGhCS1lfBYINYt8R4C4_Tchi0PRYrXhC6lyUI4zEQG3uKyMbkzgqjv_fmcAHVY2u7gXOJL8scBqVXQubU4M9OWn6Ecz-ZpGX7xLFgcjzs-kHjCQLzH33gaSpPvSHeLlAHT_grw/s2000/Kosovo.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1333" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgutYd639aiTcR3PiFvEKBiGh9vz-kOKCfdko8OljPrILuBY4-4EGhCS1lfBYINYt8R4C4_Tchi0PRYrXhC6lyUI4zEQG3uKyMbkzgqjv_fmcAHVY2u7gXOJL8scBqVXQubU4M9OWn6Ecz-ZpGX7xLFgcjzs-kHjCQLzH33gaSpPvSHeLlAHT_grw/w426-h640/Kosovo.png" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kosovo (Prishtina and Prizren)</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p></p><h3 style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--tw-prose-headings); font-size: 1.25em; line-height: 1.6; margin: 1rem 0px 0.5rem; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Day 3: Lake Bovilla's Steep Serenity and Grand Park of Tirana</span></h3><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 1.25em; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">More of a half day trip, we went on a tour that took us to Lake Bovilla, it is mainly comprised of a short but invigorating hike around Lake Bovilla unveiling breathtaking views, followed by a lunch at the main restaurant there which also had the view of the lake. Given that day was relatively short, once we were back into our hotel, we went back out for a tranquil walk that afternoon at Tirana's Grand Park. It has a lot of restaurant choices on the lakeside which is a nice option for you to also try. In general, Tirana is quite a walkable city with a main square, several parks and walks by the river.</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 1.25em; white-space-collapse: preserve;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrf9jADNGydNO9K37WtMYsbpAptEwt7m6oIuppR2-RhDIe3qitbN_RqGFR0jtV5z2adPpNPzcTdtuMFjikFg92mxNxkRSN16jOp9aybId8WxHM8DcaJ19ejhXwYYdyTALVq9xeHzG8iLwlpWxl6hyphenhyphenzCV-6gJuaxAHw0PFuc7deg3kGqshmKoLxQw/s4032/Bovilla%20Lakes.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrf9jADNGydNO9K37WtMYsbpAptEwt7m6oIuppR2-RhDIe3qitbN_RqGFR0jtV5z2adPpNPzcTdtuMFjikFg92mxNxkRSN16jOp9aybId8WxHM8DcaJ19ejhXwYYdyTALVq9xeHzG8iLwlpWxl6hyphenhyphenzCV-6gJuaxAHw0PFuc7deg3kGqshmKoLxQw/w640-h480/Bovilla%20Lakes.HEIC" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Bovilla</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT5chmqp0fODn9R-tbcxd1wB0wqZL9lG1952KYdrULkHT6pWD7G3grTaZK5RtJhBXY5yzIJYhyxzQluWWV9g2euPWiXLFFoJMcXfS9ljS4f4Zkc1WZVPKkDxZLyqIletEuLDXBLMGyW6G6_PSqoTDvA6tDsrkHCyEOzkcWzN7I2lVOp252IWXnTQ/s4032/Tirana%20Park.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT5chmqp0fODn9R-tbcxd1wB0wqZL9lG1952KYdrULkHT6pWD7G3grTaZK5RtJhBXY5yzIJYhyxzQluWWV9g2euPWiXLFFoJMcXfS9ljS4f4Zkc1WZVPKkDxZLyqIletEuLDXBLMGyW6G6_PSqoTDvA6tDsrkHCyEOzkcWzN7I2lVOp252IWXnTQ/w640-h480/Tirana%20Park.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grand Park of Tirana</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><h3 style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--tw-prose-headings); font-size: 1.25em; line-height: 1.6; margin: 1rem 0px 0.5rem; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Day 4: Bunkers, Bleak History and a Cable Car Ride</span></h3><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 1.25em; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 1.25em; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">More Our exploration continues with visits to bunkers: Bunk'Art 1 and Bunk'Art 2 (not in that order). We first started with Bunk'Art 2, which is the smaller bunker turned museum and is located inside the city itself. Bunk'Art 1 is the larger multi-level bunker and situated a bit outside the city. Both will provide you with a stark glimpse into the nation's history and how extreme the regime was when it came to surveillance. </span></p><h3 style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--tw-prose-headings); line-height: 1.6; margin: 1rem 0px 0.5rem; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px 0px 1.25em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"></span></p><blockquote><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><i>Every bunker has a necessary characteristic: to have only entrance doors but no windows. One window, in fact, repeals all the fortification significance weakening it in front of the strongest threat a bunker can face: Sunlight. -- Anonymous.</i></span></span></blockquote><p></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px 0px 1.25em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">From bleak to captivating, very close to Bunk'Art 1 and only a 10 minutes walking distance, you will be able to reach the Dajti Expres (cable car) and in 20 minutes you will reach the top of the Dajti mountain offering you a beautiful panoramic view of the city, a restaurant and some family recreations, so it could be a good idea to go early and the day and spend some hours there.</span></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px 0px 1.25em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxjFXXyHFsggdeM7IlVhRKPX9Zn24sOXqKKSzivvaOdtwySiZJ1sIdAccnnt53VJ52MNOUECEelcRovzzBPTf1B4cJpgCxl8D0VNZDLiK9hQiwM4VneBpbgZwbK2R-Nx8QjM-Na6cPhg3LXcIOafi_xt2-UpboHgR7KlaJ7Slh8GLm7W2ASmDq1w/s4032/Bunker%20-%20office.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxjFXXyHFsggdeM7IlVhRKPX9Zn24sOXqKKSzivvaOdtwySiZJ1sIdAccnnt53VJ52MNOUECEelcRovzzBPTf1B4cJpgCxl8D0VNZDLiK9hQiwM4VneBpbgZwbK2R-Nx8QjM-Na6cPhg3LXcIOafi_xt2-UpboHgR7KlaJ7Slh8GLm7W2ASmDq1w/w480-h640/Bunker%20-%20office.HEIC" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The biggest living space consisting of a living room, bedroom and office built in the bunker (Bunk'Art 1) for Enver Hoxha and his wife</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p></h3><h3 style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--tw-prose-headings); font-size: 1.25em; line-height: 1.6; margin: 1rem 0px 0.5rem; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Day 6: Cape of Rodon's Majesty and Winery Delights</span></h3><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 1.25em; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The enchanting Cape of Rodon beckoned on Day 6, revealing panoramic views and a short but invigorating hike. In general, Albania's sea side is gorgeous, and Cape of Rodon itself is quite distinguished and worth visiting. From there, we continued to Duka Winery and Vineyard, offering not only a delightful winery experience but also the option for a tranquil kayak trip on the nearby lake which is a nice end to a hot summer day!</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 1.25em; white-space-collapse: preserve;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnWgNI5Wv92YWz7qJ9weNyD60V2EbCMm4g83Qk9j7pflSQFVQHc5UTCeVxbI7m9dWYbrtCy2L8HPgsuLUwG55yW68dR7H7yutmlE-UZOsZRgGCusv_LIOoSRLgi8j-eaNJ_lF4bw7CH71Us3eKeHXB08th6EH_x5F8_pvt9BLIZbBU4U5eYjw1Yw/s3884/Cape%20of%20Rodon.heic" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3884" data-original-width="2184" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnWgNI5Wv92YWz7qJ9weNyD60V2EbCMm4g83Qk9j7pflSQFVQHc5UTCeVxbI7m9dWYbrtCy2L8HPgsuLUwG55yW68dR7H7yutmlE-UZOsZRgGCusv_LIOoSRLgi8j-eaNJ_lF4bw7CH71Us3eKeHXB08th6EH_x5F8_pvt9BLIZbBU4U5eYjw1Yw/w360-h640/Cape%20of%20Rodon.heic" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cape of Rodon</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLbE8AW_TuHNk8LvnKhNQ7rAZEeLEl5hbs4pZT2GDFnwd1Ep5abuiyZuHvW2g3a1ghQYa2AxRNrqoliEhpdVnjoWNduaEChJD08cpCaH9qSA2dC7EUYp8SBk3UUjNuJgPm1WYfME0voE4HbVUwFoGCuw9Jp4YKHZ0Yo81BI6eQ5sM8iQoRPEdPUg/s4032/Cheese%20&%20Wine.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLbE8AW_TuHNk8LvnKhNQ7rAZEeLEl5hbs4pZT2GDFnwd1Ep5abuiyZuHvW2g3a1ghQYa2AxRNrqoliEhpdVnjoWNduaEChJD08cpCaH9qSA2dC7EUYp8SBk3UUjNuJgPm1WYfME0voE4HbVUwFoGCuw9Jp4YKHZ0Yo81BI6eQ5sM8iQoRPEdPUg/w480-h640/Cheese%20&%20Wine.HEIC" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wine tasting at Duka Winery & Vineyard</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><h3 style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--tw-prose-headings); font-size: 1.25em; line-height: 1.6; margin: 1rem 0px 0.5rem; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Day 7: Seaside Bliss - Albanian Riviera and Gjirokaster Folklore</span></h3><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 1.25em; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Day 7 and our last day led us to the Albanian Riviera, where we stopped few times on the way to the south. On the way to Sarandë, we made a stop at a local beach and spent an hour there for a nice albeit cold swim in the Ionian sea. My favorite part of this is that it only cost us $5 to rent an umbrella and two lounge chairs. We also had a glimpse of Greece's Corfu which is technically swimmable from Albania as it is only around 1 mile away from Ksamil. When we reached Sarandë, we enjoyed a nice seafood and fish lunch right by the Sea. When we started the drive back, we visited Gjirokaster, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where we were also surprised to find that there was a folklore festival, a rare cultural gem that happens every four years. While in Gjirokaster, we recommend visiting the Skënduli house for a dose of culture and history, it was a special tour given that our tour guide was actually a 10th generation of this family. Our journey all in all included scenic stops in Vjosa, Borsh Beach and more.</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 1.25em; white-space-collapse: preserve;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizmS7bMhp2mplFsH0SwZehUiF2XITDdeT8AFZhdyZVk1CcSEDTUdTK-zl7bH-amlOmYyTcCtrB3wUvtVnQLZ1yXYOtT0q0H_L4SIXhyaMV-lB4p82OD2wlxsIfJIcoNmyP1w6tv1hIcAt4qXl80G7QyhK7KxGJtyQfFvVYZunqClVwdDwHZEW-vg/s4032/Beach%20-%20Himara.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizmS7bMhp2mplFsH0SwZehUiF2XITDdeT8AFZhdyZVk1CcSEDTUdTK-zl7bH-amlOmYyTcCtrB3wUvtVnQLZ1yXYOtT0q0H_L4SIXhyaMV-lB4p82OD2wlxsIfJIcoNmyP1w6tv1hIcAt4qXl80G7QyhK7KxGJtyQfFvVYZunqClVwdDwHZEW-vg/w480-h640/Beach%20-%20Himara.HEIC" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Himare Beach</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoSE-QabF1ZHp_-mXItDY48TF34k1quDYjclHPk-vn2Sy-F5yurVvd7dmK-iFOePKJERjXYpz6tZ9uPK8CF1LuiUpMm4ZgqtEjI1qfo_B6K-mtc-eB023kDowhxJY-HiWIVZUuBS7G3HXDAcNwnk-gngDGTbQbmyEJHCN20GqGfD3hGpBNIzMZWQ/s4032/Gjirokaster%20Folklore%20Festival.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoSE-QabF1ZHp_-mXItDY48TF34k1quDYjclHPk-vn2Sy-F5yurVvd7dmK-iFOePKJERjXYpz6tZ9uPK8CF1LuiUpMm4ZgqtEjI1qfo_B6K-mtc-eB023kDowhxJY-HiWIVZUuBS7G3HXDAcNwnk-gngDGTbQbmyEJHCN20GqGfD3hGpBNIzMZWQ/w480-h640/Gjirokaster%20Folklore%20Festival.HEIC" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Folklore Festival</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoQbtygKo-k9jK-3dMfOtisHc6AFzPVPAFjWGOiaDCINzLq7BJi5q4LRBoQczfDI1axi44tP97LYxtpPWJ3DVhntcJ7E-gZW1IFtjSTr39Pj4Ymyf9HSjsCrha28M4XLFtnDaqsj6RyMnlEgN_yYemQCEX6r2s1zg7KFKUgNlftBxgiSVXFrWMOQ/s4032/Gjirokaster%20Panoramic.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoQbtygKo-k9jK-3dMfOtisHc6AFzPVPAFjWGOiaDCINzLq7BJi5q4LRBoQczfDI1axi44tP97LYxtpPWJ3DVhntcJ7E-gZW1IFtjSTr39Pj4Ymyf9HSjsCrha28M4XLFtnDaqsj6RyMnlEgN_yYemQCEX6r2s1zg7KFKUgNlftBxgiSVXFrWMOQ/w640-h480/Gjirokaster%20Panoramic.HEIC" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from Gjirokaster Castle</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 1.25em; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6aBwF6m3UbUms12B4x_jtgQU2NfG4osuip05Vv_He1Yy5U3Rnz23hsOOvJDruUP0xRLyTwD1Rp5yev-HFpgdsdfKurrH3LUAgSoChR_4PInhHH4ackL9LF6q6pVFyc0Z37jqSQC77Uje28yBCYH87308rgkdSpEBtGugcQYEkKBpZfEDzC0eJfQ/s4032/Vjosa.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6aBwF6m3UbUms12B4x_jtgQU2NfG4osuip05Vv_He1Yy5U3Rnz23hsOOvJDruUP0xRLyTwD1Rp5yev-HFpgdsdfKurrH3LUAgSoChR_4PInhHH4ackL9LF6q6pVFyc0Z37jqSQC77Uje28yBCYH87308rgkdSpEBtGugcQYEkKBpZfEDzC0eJfQ/w640-h480/Vjosa.HEIC" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vjosa Scenery</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><h3 style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--tw-prose-headings); font-size: 1.25em; line-height: 1.6; margin: 1rem 0px 0.5rem; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Conclusion: A Harmonious Blend of Experiences</span></h3><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 1.25em; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As we reflect on our week-long odyssey through Albania, the memories resonate like a symphony of diverse experiences. From the historic streets of Tirana to the tranquil shores of Lake Ohrid, from the cultural richness of Gjirokaster to the natural wonders of the Albanian Riviera, each day unfolded a new facet of this Balkan gem.</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u>Recommendations:</u></b></span></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="color: #374151; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Consider staying in different parts of Tirana for a more immersive experience.</span></li><li><span style="color: #374151; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Rent a car to explore the South, Tirana, and the North efficiently.</span></li><li><span style="color: #374151; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">For a deeper exploration, consider extending your stay to visit the Theth National Park.</span></li></ul><div><span style="color: #374151;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVYEHUTUOTSkO2w9TazQm9bT7daQXEoYtKx1uI3zYHraxADZt1R24dVvFENECmknAFl5ZChxXfxoBdV_tZGCY06pCYEg1AQM_lPdBxltaux7dfp2-DqrfSwFQP1Q7543ekhXa8EhfFJ-m9Dbkcnkzk08Dmh6UFFcHsYO593TOFrZdkQ5t_7pfqPw/s4032/Ice%20Cream%20-%20Saranda.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVYEHUTUOTSkO2w9TazQm9bT7daQXEoYtKx1uI3zYHraxADZt1R24dVvFENECmknAFl5ZChxXfxoBdV_tZGCY06pCYEg1AQM_lPdBxltaux7dfp2-DqrfSwFQP1Q7543ekhXa8EhfFJ-m9Dbkcnkzk08Dmh6UFFcHsYO593TOFrZdkQ5t_7pfqPw/w480-h640/Ice%20Cream%20-%20Saranda.HEIC" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nerver miss an opportunity to have a soft-serve.</td></tr></tbody></table></span></div><div><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><b><u>Quick notes:</u></b></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"></span></p><ul><li><span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><b>Flights</b>: From Dubai, it's quite easy due to the FlyDubai service to Albania.</span></span></li><li><span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><b>Transportation</b>: We arranged taxis from the airport to the hotel with booking.com. And within the capital itself, we were taking their local taxi service. We also used specific tour companies for our day trips.</span></span></li><li><span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><b>Restaurants / Coffee shops</b>: Tirana felt like it has quite a chill vibe, almost coffee style pubs all around but with cocktails and drinks. It also has a strong coffee culture, but small disclaimer, I think it's more of the vibe of going out for coffee and hanging out in a coffee shop than actual coffee quality itself. Here are some of the restaurants / coffee shops we tried and enjoyed: Era (lovely place with very nice fusion food), Artigiano (italian cuisine), Komiteti Kafe Museum (we only had drinks there but the place has a nice funky decor), Tymi (where we went in our first day with the walking tour, super funky place, but quite local / balkan inspired food), and Noor Coffee and Fine Food (cute coffee shop with an interesting decor).</span></span></li></ul><div><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></div></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizaWSYLQSxtjSYmVxrqmSOtxbT7e-65XaN3YD5LxnceZwDXoigWXq3LX2q0YiPhRxndkrhJa3fSbUb7tqSh6h4EMscrXmdOgUsuRLHTsAs7LOEDvuI9XG1aUwOnzQDPDVBi8ghra30UvnIzCkqDq8rEatUW4h9taGjec5xe8sfkGicYSf9M422nA/s4032/Coffee%20Shop.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizaWSYLQSxtjSYmVxrqmSOtxbT7e-65XaN3YD5LxnceZwDXoigWXq3LX2q0YiPhRxndkrhJa3fSbUb7tqSh6h4EMscrXmdOgUsuRLHTsAs7LOEDvuI9XG1aUwOnzQDPDVBi8ghra30UvnIzCkqDq8rEatUW4h9taGjec5xe8sfkGicYSf9M422nA/w480-h640/Coffee%20Shop.HEIC" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Komiteti Kafe Museum</td></tr></tbody></table></div><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Albania, with its rich tapestry of history, vibrant culture, and pristine landscapes, invites travelers to delve into the heart of the Balkans. As I bid farewell, I carry with me the echoes of centuries-old stories and the allure of undiscovered treasures, knowing that Albania's siren call will lead me back to explore further in the future.</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>#FromAlbaniaWithFun</i>k -- Visit on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/fromalbaniawithfunk/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>.</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Lora, serif;">This post has been mainly generated by ChatGPT 3.5 based on my own specific experience in Albania, I also edited and added a lot more details to personalize it.</i></span></p>Lilianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13845301181107256105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31373442.post-9172335041775506932023-12-19T19:16:00.008+04:002023-12-22T14:18:48.612+04:00Enchanting Thailand: A Journey Through Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Koh Samui<p><b style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Destination: Thailand<br />Travel Companion: Mom<br />Duration: 10 days</span></i></b></p><p><span face="Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"" style="font-size: 16px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">In the heart of Southeast Asia, Thailand beckons with its vibrant culture, breathtaking landscapes, and warm hospitality. My February escapade took my mother and me on an unforgettable adventure, beginning with the bustling streets of Bangkok before venturing into the cultural haven of Chiang Mai and the serenity of Koh Samui. Join me as I recount the highlights of my journey through these three captivating places.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #444444;">You can watch my trip highlights on my instagram account </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/18036606598435703/" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNm4smyqy_cilNVkKoQHc-sgXdQxdh5Qa3xwCGrKi30-930cy5WX50sktIbSa_JhYy7xKsg76bNjKaGdOBz7PTibSaqD79JjMyOfm47sPb2ANFRf8WxDsFIl3Ky8psCsg_g8tBdEU8wcFpkZSuGBdQdf4j6XIsHtzyPmwnbiod15a5jgxKgDJ2rA/s4032/IMG_8439.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNm4smyqy_cilNVkKoQHc-sgXdQxdh5Qa3xwCGrKi30-930cy5WX50sktIbSa_JhYy7xKsg76bNjKaGdOBz7PTibSaqD79JjMyOfm47sPb2ANFRf8WxDsFIl3Ky8psCsg_g8tBdEU8wcFpkZSuGBdQdf4j6XIsHtzyPmwnbiod15a5jgxKgDJ2rA/w480-h640/IMG_8439.HEIC" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Wat Umong</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span face="Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"" style="font-size: 16px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span><a name='more'></a></span></span></span><h3 style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.25em; line-height: 1.6; margin: 1rem 0px 0.5rem; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Part I - Bangkok: A Glimpse of Majesty</span></h3><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 1.25em; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Arriving in the bustling metropolis of Bangkok, I was immediately drawn into the enchanting world of Thai heritage. A whirlwind two days awaited, with the iconic Grand Palace and the impressive Wat Pho as our first stops. The intricate architecture and rich history of these landmarks left me in awe, providing a splendid introduction to Thailand's cultural tapestry.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4MuFQgPPLAO6VeYVvjvGp6NEU8DlEmaYrt443tULRUGGbl2Wv9NM4Y_fs33eOK_6FvurxYyQdmkFUzDNlJcSMNChz-fDAmqvS_BODAwvlLRAvbQexzMOajcTQDRpP4e_iuG4RqZjlKSEjHsNYDsm_PYz4nfKdK5UROaueR-RShZJohVqih0qMbA/s1180/Sleeping%20Buddha.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1180" data-original-width="1176" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4MuFQgPPLAO6VeYVvjvGp6NEU8DlEmaYrt443tULRUGGbl2Wv9NM4Y_fs33eOK_6FvurxYyQdmkFUzDNlJcSMNChz-fDAmqvS_BODAwvlLRAvbQexzMOajcTQDRpP4e_iuG4RqZjlKSEjHsNYDsm_PYz4nfKdK5UROaueR-RShZJohVqih0qMbA/w638-h640/Sleeping%20Buddha.png" width="638" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Reclining Buddha - Wat Pho temple in Bangkok<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><h3 style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.25em; line-height: 1.6; margin: 1rem 0px 0.5rem; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTNGF5oEt7vGomYpd6EXvJPN_y5NUBzEsYfdR4LaVFmWg2dAd3immL89NOOVuDFJ1XR_QH4Sd3V9weGdv9BvPRI8_L8jRB8N2U1VNoJAzLbtDQ80fUBNUyZyabxhHnDHpu1k7LCnTPqqKQlvIS9Bb94L6oJrC0n69yGFQ1ASh6AVf5ympxVILFQw/s4032/IMG_8281.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTNGF5oEt7vGomYpd6EXvJPN_y5NUBzEsYfdR4LaVFmWg2dAd3immL89NOOVuDFJ1XR_QH4Sd3V9weGdv9BvPRI8_L8jRB8N2U1VNoJAzLbtDQ80fUBNUyZyabxhHnDHpu1k7LCnTPqqKQlvIS9Bb94L6oJrC0n69yGFQ1ASh6AVf5ympxVILFQw/w480-h640/IMG_8281.HEIC" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Monkey-Demon Statue</span></td></tr></tbody></table></h3><h3 style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.25em; line-height: 1.6; margin: 1rem 0px 0.5rem; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Part II - Chiang Mai: Massage Indulgence and Culinary Delights</span></h3><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 1.25em; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Our journey continued as we boarded a flight to Chiang Mai, a city embraced by misty mountains and ancient temples. Eager to unwind, our first order of business was a rejuvenating massage at a nearby spa. The gentle Thai stretches and soothing aromas set the tone for the days to come.</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 1.25em; white-space-collapse: preserve;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUsoyEupi25MHGAQdqiZ_3-Zcv2M-uyRq6QLV39WY3Mz9dDm_3WqoZVl-sP9ZP_1JiC5XI0nvr7hdI1yTsvOc6bpMcNNohDAeytKVviAI0_xLHuHfwRUmQ2Qo3-1SZzprksenGwFS8YXrWnhyNF9_Ul_jXfTbhauS59yXMJoiONulB9gSBhjk8zQ/s4032/IMG_8359.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUsoyEupi25MHGAQdqiZ_3-Zcv2M-uyRq6QLV39WY3Mz9dDm_3WqoZVl-sP9ZP_1JiC5XI0nvr7hdI1yTsvOc6bpMcNNohDAeytKVviAI0_xLHuHfwRUmQ2Qo3-1SZzprksenGwFS8YXrWnhyNF9_Ul_jXfTbhauS59yXMJoiONulB9gSBhjk8zQ/w480-h640/IMG_8359.HEIC" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I love that every time you get a massage in Thailand, they give you tea and sweet ricecake. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600;">Day 1: Culinary Exploration</span>
The following morning, we embarked on a culinary adventure with a local food and markets guided walking tour. From savory delights such as rice skin dumplings or fried doughs shaped like dinosaurs and other animals to sweet delicacies such as mango sticky rice, each bite revealed the richness of Northern Thai flavors. The vibrant markets and welcoming locals added an extra layer of authenticity to this gastronomic exploration. </span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKYlUORFw77JqZ4kZkLxSjfHgaaIDh9wqMtF_CtONG8LZAvLRXNwnLV5A2grtEhM0NIfQaEcYrKNhE5KRcrnqjdhbYySrsJrILoAhWv2IzuSCv86ohgRT8mq-v0MM4-lMNF22IBDpYgfTW6ACDVxGgPHCwGvCfJDBZFHcXSNDSpmW1pkrg7m_6kw/s4032/IMG_8821.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKYlUORFw77JqZ4kZkLxSjfHgaaIDh9wqMtF_CtONG8LZAvLRXNwnLV5A2grtEhM0NIfQaEcYrKNhE5KRcrnqjdhbYySrsJrILoAhWv2IzuSCv86ohgRT8mq-v0MM4-lMNF22IBDpYgfTW6ACDVxGgPHCwGvCfJDBZFHcXSNDSpmW1pkrg7m_6kw/w640-h480/IMG_8821.HEIC" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The famous mango sticky rice</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">In the afternoon, we ventured to Doi Suthep mountain, where we marveled at the golden temple and luckily had the chance to witness the evening prayer ceremony by the monks. From there, you can also have an unobstructed view of Chiang Mai, sadly when we were there it quite hazy and visibility wasn't that clear. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr9lMxw7pSpsLkncxJ1qh8rjbhXzH5CNU7uBE4QxCWuhVgpYjAoJ9EHBI4J1aip9ROtJi5PreD-laKdCWiHhQsYAUODWa1DWr8j2e95xsytbCeoReN2ErU3Lvu7OV7ulT1zqfx3x7MbjSnWOWary_SxUgF1Lv3A0L57j_rD1W6-BDubryDli6VqA/s1178/Doi%20Suthep.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1178" data-original-width="938" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr9lMxw7pSpsLkncxJ1qh8rjbhXzH5CNU7uBE4QxCWuhVgpYjAoJ9EHBI4J1aip9ROtJi5PreD-laKdCWiHhQsYAUODWa1DWr8j2e95xsytbCeoReN2ErU3Lvu7OV7ulT1zqfx3x7MbjSnWOWary_SxUgF1Lv3A0L57j_rD1W6-BDubryDli6VqA/w510-h640/Doi%20Suthep.png" width="510" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Doi Suthep which is actually the mountain where Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is located.<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuMf5SHArA1Cha4HgmWdQujLEc8ZCFicqU4X7m6drZrs6Zr4UL5FnvbVN3TwOKVeMYgW090PbmkxGnkR-l6P3mlyckiEQBO4k1rKWrvpBXImWMCZIaLvx0IKVKm1Ta5T62wIV-dtp5YbRjZqEy8fyM_vU5oYPCSk4nAdIeydAIlKE62ukiVIl_9Q/s1176/Prayer%20Ceremony.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1176" data-original-width="1174" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuMf5SHArA1Cha4HgmWdQujLEc8ZCFicqU4X7m6drZrs6Zr4UL5FnvbVN3TwOKVeMYgW090PbmkxGnkR-l6P3mlyckiEQBO4k1rKWrvpBXImWMCZIaLvx0IKVKm1Ta5T62wIV-dtp5YbRjZqEy8fyM_vU5oYPCSk4nAdIeydAIlKE62ukiVIl_9Q/w638-h640/Prayer%20Ceremony.png" width="638" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Evening Prayer Ceremony</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600;">Day 2: Nature's Majesty at Doi Inthanon National Park</span>
Our exploration reached new heights as we embarked on a day trip to Doi Inthanon National Park. Thailand's highest point at Doi Inthanon National Park offered panoramic views that took our breath away where we also saw the twin pagodas. The journey continued with visits to the Sirithan and Wachiratharn waterfalls, where the sheer beauty of nature unfolded before our eyes. A short hike immersed us in the lush surroundings, making it a day filled with awe-inspiring moments. We also visited the Karen tribe village and then stopped at a local market where I tried pandan leaf chips which were so good I had originally gotten two bags with the plan to share with the rest of the group, and ended up eating both bags by myself.</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmxotvgoULgqP7LEop_aSKv2uQLnNkJPo3cAO5xY-EcC9MPWQoo8o0DJqLYgGawwfUIjJAdBUh3vGqLEqGSDX_4Xc3UY1TKjGnuhoh5J1YOQz1VHWP1zz_69xSr7gci6_7UvuRhjOoVDEY82RMD9WDlUftHE9HCvoh_0HjYAJm44qjSPAnnE9V3A/s4032/IMG_8596.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmxotvgoULgqP7LEop_aSKv2uQLnNkJPo3cAO5xY-EcC9MPWQoo8o0DJqLYgGawwfUIjJAdBUh3vGqLEqGSDX_4Xc3UY1TKjGnuhoh5J1YOQz1VHWP1zz_69xSr7gci6_7UvuRhjOoVDEY82RMD9WDlUftHE9HCvoh_0HjYAJm44qjSPAnnE9V3A/w640-h480/IMG_8596.HEIC" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">One of the twin pagodas.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-weight: 600;">Day 3: Connecting with Giants at the Ethical Elephant Sanctuary</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Our journey in Chiang Mai took an enriching turn as we embarked on a small group tour to the Ethical Elephant Sanctuary. A truly remarkable experience unfolded as we got up close and personal with five majestic elephants including baby Lanna which only weighed 800KG. Initially apprehensive, our fears melted away as we learned about their habits and routines. From watching them move gracefully to ultimately embracing them with hugs, the bond forged during our visit was unforgettable.</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKmBRMsevNcHLWO2BgrgFLs4D_d_9LS2YmX1eql7pMkyBBgAK6nopjQnG8cMuEqw3U_s2LN2H81k0eeKCKSQWVf__s318qv0lyxXkRNfneqPU0PVjzwq5KaIz-2uF2vjD07v60ACok1P1HBE0Pvpd58kA70oTAlcELkv6aKpRkNzD6_SwvPIMXlA/s4032/IMG_8748.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKmBRMsevNcHLWO2BgrgFLs4D_d_9LS2YmX1eql7pMkyBBgAK6nopjQnG8cMuEqw3U_s2LN2H81k0eeKCKSQWVf__s318qv0lyxXkRNfneqPU0PVjzwq5KaIz-2uF2vjD07v60ACok1P1HBE0Pvpd58kA70oTAlcELkv6aKpRkNzD6_SwvPIMXlA/w480-h640/IMG_8748.HEIC" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Elephant Sanctuary in Chiang Mai</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Engaging in activities like bathing the elephants and preparing protein balls for their snacks allowed us to contribute to their well-being. The ethical practices of the sanctuary made this encounter all the more meaningful, leaving us with a profound appreciation for these gentle giants.</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqYxk5Ggn5yQQI8lhLkPc9oZALBJuXxkvggjriHzM0BvLqptydIGRFh4R1yN_69gur7dm1tMq3w9o-IEH74d-37AYQFdeeSz3B6QCy5keVcVdu7L4NiusA6sssWVFUOXj1RvBsDxCKgqlKbhGwS4z9S_axSkIurZlMiRHvUmUZhP5eqIN7dSy9pQ/s4032/IMG_8793.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqYxk5Ggn5yQQI8lhLkPc9oZALBJuXxkvggjriHzM0BvLqptydIGRFh4R1yN_69gur7dm1tMq3w9o-IEH74d-37AYQFdeeSz3B6QCy5keVcVdu7L4NiusA6sssWVFUOXj1RvBsDxCKgqlKbhGwS4z9S_axSkIurZlMiRHvUmUZhP5eqIN7dSy9pQ/w480-h640/IMG_8793.HEIC" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Elephant bath time!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Evenings in Chiang Mai: Markets, Food, and Mango Sticky Rice</span></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Our evenings in Chiang Mai were a celebration of the vibrant night markets such as the Night Bazaar, filled with enticing aromas and colorful stalls. Exploring multiple markets, we delighted in a culinary journey through local delicacies, with the popular mango sticky rice standing out as a sweet highlight. Sampling diverse dishes from street vendors and trying different restaurants became a nightly ritual, each meal a testament to the rich tapestry of Thai flavors. One of the experiences we tried was going to B Sam Cook restaurant that has a set menu of 7 courses, a delightful and fun experience that I highly recommend, but make sure you are VERY hungry before you go!</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwExsxxhqDtYcATMylv-ygaXscWChrsmg7T_J7RsPhxyhvstcnGi40Y0f6WEqF3MW7dXYLRJmECfyWwc8fOOW31DlP3-xddMVsCSw-thWW9C5QjLaCQYCeWf7x1FiV_XK-kU6CYbHzSK9PWQ8WZtnY79Nj9RX2_SngpMsJuj293Bm3Gg4CMPYvNA/s4032/IMG_8820.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwExsxxhqDtYcATMylv-ygaXscWChrsmg7T_J7RsPhxyhvstcnGi40Y0f6WEqF3MW7dXYLRJmECfyWwc8fOOW31DlP3-xddMVsCSw-thWW9C5QjLaCQYCeWf7x1FiV_XK-kU6CYbHzSK9PWQ8WZtnY79Nj9RX2_SngpMsJuj293Bm3Gg4CMPYvNA/w480-h640/IMG_8820.HEIC" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">One of my favorite meals in Chiang Mai, tasty and super affordable. A small restaurant called Som Petch Kitchen that was facing our hotel "THEE Vijit Lanna".</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="color: #444444;">Moreover, in terms of transportation, there are a lot of tuktuks going around. I also used grab (like uber) multiple times to go around. You can also hire a tuktuk to do a night tour to see the temples in Chiang Mai with a drop-off at one of the markets at the end.</span></span><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><b>A bit of Chiang Mai History thanks to ChatGPT:</b></span></div><div><span style="color: #374151; font-size: 16px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></div><blockquote><div><span style="color: #374151; font-size: 16px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Chiang Mai was founded in 1296, and in the following years, the city was encircled by a defensive wall and a moat. The purpose of these structures was to protect the city from potential invasions.</i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #374151; font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #374151; font-size: 16px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>The original city wall was about 1.5 kilometers long on each side, and it had four main gates – Tha Phae Gate (east), Suan Dok Gate (west), Chiang Mai Gate (south), and Chang Puak Gate (north). Each gate had its unique architectural design and historical significance.</i></span></span></div></blockquote><div><p></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Relaxation and Rejuvenation: More Massages in Chiang Mai</span></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Chiang Mai's affordability and reputation for excellent massages drew us in for a few more sessions. The skilled hands of the therapists delivered what I can confidently call the best Thai massages I've ever experienced. It was a fitting way to unwind after days filled with exploration and adventure.</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhRQwVRiwEAliJkQ74vXuqpq5s1Wv5ufsdsDKiyhY0Rl7nmDmVB7-UFg424GNNtRC92vh6BaB2YMAMuzqTByWzk6nCj0geFUj3MkcOoBji_8trhO-TiVka26Jc6w8aZxRXXNOb-BewmLnm7vfIvbZ003Zc-LcIAlpvMVnUUeLceTYNpy0_ZvBW8XQ" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhRQwVRiwEAliJkQ74vXuqpq5s1Wv5ufsdsDKiyhY0Rl7nmDmVB7-UFg424GNNtRC92vh6BaB2YMAMuzqTByWzk6nCj0geFUj3MkcOoBji_8trhO-TiVka26Jc6w8aZxRXXNOb-BewmLnm7vfIvbZ003Zc-LcIAlpvMVnUUeLceTYNpy0_ZvBW8XQ=w480-h640" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We were lucky to find this massage place "Sense Massage Somphet" right beside our hotel "THEE Vijit Lanna"</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><h3 style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1.25em 0px; text-align: left; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-weight: 600;"></span></h3><h3 style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.25em; line-height: 1.6; margin: 1rem 0px 0.5rem; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Part III - Island Escape: Koh Samui and Mu Ko Ang Thong Park</span></h3><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Transitioning to the final leg of our journey, we flew to the serene Koh Samui island for a well-deserved chill vacation at the Melia Koh Samui hotel. Occasional ventures led us to a local temple and an unforgettable day cruise to Mu Ko Ang Thong Park. We also visited a local souvenir shop where I got myself some island style clothes and sat watching the sunset from (see photo below).</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvMjxNuzi7ZsUG6HgHudhxOEfAqMlZwBDhFftzVOUnuEPyXFVKhEWoHwG03em8u2D2W5jgDkRACkjBbghT7EJkHp7slugk4RkPhv96eSqnYg3XB-h1M7RKXqMJo_LVhxouSWCzxcVpR9SuvVGuohznEcS9WncXu40BnqpNI4Y5MpPfxmv3V77zKQ/s4032/IMG_8905.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvMjxNuzi7ZsUG6HgHudhxOEfAqMlZwBDhFftzVOUnuEPyXFVKhEWoHwG03em8u2D2W5jgDkRACkjBbghT7EJkHp7slugk4RkPhv96eSqnYg3XB-h1M7RKXqMJo_LVhxouSWCzxcVpR9SuvVGuohznEcS9WncXu40BnqpNI4Y5MpPfxmv3V77zKQ/w480-h640/IMG_8905.HEIC" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Melia Koh Samui Resort</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAUtRkaaIpM3gMsCBo3LmYURuzL2WS0_zeTG4cDDZ3rWg5x5DDjhT8WlO0a9TGf0oL4EWzwvxdZq1lIEI16Ph7WRhSbKhdrf51-C3RIFDoBMRD1KIYUh654iyM4bP3PVfWVA2_JA4hCR7B3eV3Unb8M3ocVUKU0-_6isIzJq6eWBMODuTTXhjmGw/s4032/IMG_8917.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAUtRkaaIpM3gMsCBo3LmYURuzL2WS0_zeTG4cDDZ3rWg5x5DDjhT8WlO0a9TGf0oL4EWzwvxdZq1lIEI16Ph7WRhSbKhdrf51-C3RIFDoBMRD1KIYUh654iyM4bP3PVfWVA2_JA4hCR7B3eV3Unb8M3ocVUKU0-_6isIzJq6eWBMODuTTXhjmGw/w480-h640/IMG_8917.HEIC" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Big Buddha - Koh Samui</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3VXxT1xW5qcHW_P_rX_obPFx95YwTsIVh7YPWuanOcKVBq9XaK-pdJ5PzANtLZOrl-KdVrHvUNTZrze9mbb83NrSwAADu8SQUs7TmZz9BD6S80kH28KMSdtBf9NH_-J6LI6ZK5joTCrB7AM1I764VgGA1f3wrdJJtHPHrYRtWZRmfE796YnEjbw/s4032/IMG_8970.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3VXxT1xW5qcHW_P_rX_obPFx95YwTsIVh7YPWuanOcKVBq9XaK-pdJ5PzANtLZOrl-KdVrHvUNTZrze9mbb83NrSwAADu8SQUs7TmZz9BD6S80kH28KMSdtBf9NH_-J6LI6ZK5joTCrB7AM1I764VgGA1f3wrdJJtHPHrYRtWZRmfE796YnEjbw/w480-h640/IMG_8970.HEIC" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Rawee Souvenir Shop</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaKiZ-9KF17uWTosziPfOfbceQjJ9C9TbXk_gouYDkA7WDpY2q_oh6wnjl_t9rwsOwWxmrEtnT5XBJ3QQdKlKALW_aAJKTV3pT0THFyWwsF0iThyzs7uyxmN3pveCKlVYCO_SFzgDLDQw5tEBZ4SDyoINx4g0kkdWJyldPfRNdSJFDe-DznvVF3w/s4032/IMG_9098.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaKiZ-9KF17uWTosziPfOfbceQjJ9C9TbXk_gouYDkA7WDpY2q_oh6wnjl_t9rwsOwWxmrEtnT5XBJ3QQdKlKALW_aAJKTV3pT0THFyWwsF0iThyzs7uyxmN3pveCKlVYCO_SFzgDLDQw5tEBZ4SDyoINx4g0kkdWJyldPfRNdSJFDe-DznvVF3w/w640-h480/IMG_9098.HEIC" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Melia Koh Samui Resort</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">The cruise was a delight, with generous crews, kayaking adventures, a visit to the Emerald Island with a scenic hike, and a sumptuous lunch and dessert to cap off a perfect day.</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRVUsGZC8kLIAw-yIru2vWGSH8RfJv5I1QlHGK3hE4qh1qUwMQgKxbHLUhxCjC_MmmD7wS3EXmvZQRXogio43huFOw-bVj38FAq38QiVOkASKKePbLgDB_YjZg121_OJNCSGqNPniqGJ8OC6ITGMbtLZ6tHSqhaPjoORPiwt6Pozuig6D39ZnXQg/s4032/FF31BA0A-3E24-4AD7-BE5C-EF3D1898B005.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRVUsGZC8kLIAw-yIru2vWGSH8RfJv5I1QlHGK3hE4qh1qUwMQgKxbHLUhxCjC_MmmD7wS3EXmvZQRXogio43huFOw-bVj38FAq38QiVOkASKKePbLgDB_YjZg121_OJNCSGqNPniqGJ8OC6ITGMbtLZ6tHSqhaPjoORPiwt6Pozuig6D39ZnXQg/w640-h480/FF31BA0A-3E24-4AD7-BE5C-EF3D1898B005.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Emerald Island - Mu Ko Ang Thong Park</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Memorable Airport Experience and China Market</span></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Returning to Bangkok from Koh Samui Airport was an unexpected delight. The uniquely designed outdoor airport resembled a resort, providing a memorable conclusion to our island escape. With a few hours left on our last night in Bangkok, we braved the bustling Chinatown. Amidst the crowds, we savored delicious street food, making it a fitting end to our Thai adventure.</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisndsPPeT26RLDZzJS3eBkCpuYWH24241UX2f3N4_iPAQmDn_PbckM-ys_KFSP7mq_RXdG3t7qNC7tacrPGwJwIRj6gtHLT_FGMwEVvo7Ya7azqaKl-qZWWiLnnBx3Dij1Ot_JpwMnuZ3BI7ak2UE7gnDkm6zJTwWI2G2I5d4SuaFfPioxAGxQ-Q/s2071/IMG_9123.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2071" data-original-width="1170" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisndsPPeT26RLDZzJS3eBkCpuYWH24241UX2f3N4_iPAQmDn_PbckM-ys_KFSP7mq_RXdG3t7qNC7tacrPGwJwIRj6gtHLT_FGMwEVvo7Ya7azqaKl-qZWWiLnnBx3Dij1Ot_JpwMnuZ3BI7ak2UE7gnDkm6zJTwWI2G2I5d4SuaFfPioxAGxQ-Q/w362-h640/IMG_9123.jpg" width="362" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Koh Samui Airport</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5NkUOcXqIoB9YjNRRA-uR7oxDOD8w5YqcHpqU7SsBpinYFtkTYSg0MPAyDHZ6DZX5QsFIhOC7lRM1j9EY8yB4R5cZOf9wOTrPo_8sOinrS4u0jw_EW7uxQhk0wPhC3kh7y53QqdGewMdGAJ07ERlQi6YomCISKV5sE9R5CrbyimGnlQRcKYgULQ/s1180/China%20town%20-%20Bangkok.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1180" data-original-width="1176" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5NkUOcXqIoB9YjNRRA-uR7oxDOD8w5YqcHpqU7SsBpinYFtkTYSg0MPAyDHZ6DZX5QsFIhOC7lRM1j9EY8yB4R5cZOf9wOTrPo_8sOinrS4u0jw_EW7uxQhk0wPhC3kh7y53QqdGewMdGAJ07ERlQi6YomCISKV5sE9R5CrbyimGnlQRcKYgULQ/w638-h640/China%20town%20-%20Bangkok.png" width="638" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Chinatown (Bangkok) during the day</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtKk_QMgexkoH2zDfvgaRVTLTRTrkaosYuLw5u-YFTzeIC5-3JMUSsdjc-fVOoXHZCKYnUJIJf5l2FgZJwEoTjEYhKG2X1qgzpaAyoD_25U3ZGjgroXyvmDGJ1KjrVPiaw3OarqCRq59rJLT4WITAgs4GHdSZAyLcFjqz7Cd1YxeNDL0Z4-frDOA/s4032/IMG_9135.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtKk_QMgexkoH2zDfvgaRVTLTRTrkaosYuLw5u-YFTzeIC5-3JMUSsdjc-fVOoXHZCKYnUJIJf5l2FgZJwEoTjEYhKG2X1qgzpaAyoD_25U3ZGjgroXyvmDGJ1KjrVPiaw3OarqCRq59rJLT4WITAgs4GHdSZAyLcFjqz7Cd1YxeNDL0Z4-frDOA/w480-h640/IMG_9135.HEIC" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Chinatown (Bangkok) at night</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Conclusion: A Resonating Journey in the Heart of Thailand</span></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">As I reflect on the 10-day odyssey through Thailand, I am left with indelible memories of vibrant cities, cultural wonders, culinary delights, and the tranquility of island life. Chiang Mai's distinctive charm and Koh Samui's laid-back allure created a harmonious balance. Thailand, with its diverse offerings, has etched itself in my heart, leaving me yearning for another exploration, perhaps in the enchanting realms of Phuket. Whether it's the bustling markets, serene temples, or the gentle giants of the Elephant Sanctuary, Thailand truly offers a journey that lingers long after the adventure concludes.</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8iLx7V-zvk7rKu2nPuVWHRkUYPh7-H4O63q_eOBQXbft2wB4Io_OTSzJJGvvfTFfn9hKNpDzhoH6g3XUuRuYis3KaELHBxQHiE1GG9EgPCSvjz-BVXnxVPMG_87Q4MdbBtEARfIdtsxrwolU18qomfxBAC7_hweIDQ9myzbUHpJ8zezZ3BXCsWw/s1568/Selfie%20in%20Koh%20Samui.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1172" data-original-width="1568" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8iLx7V-zvk7rKu2nPuVWHRkUYPh7-H4O63q_eOBQXbft2wB4Io_OTSzJJGvvfTFfn9hKNpDzhoH6g3XUuRuYis3KaELHBxQHiE1GG9EgPCSvjz-BVXnxVPMG_87Q4MdbBtEARfIdtsxrwolU18qomfxBAC7_hweIDQ9myzbUHpJ8zezZ3BXCsWw/s320/Selfie%20in%20Koh%20Samui.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful moment watching the sunset in Koh Samui</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-weight: 600;">A note on booking tours</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In terms of booking the tours, I have been relying a lot on GetYourGuide.com. They have really good variety to choose from, option to pay later, to reschedule and great customer service. It has been very helpful for me to know how long the tours / activities I am interested in, read the reviews and plan accordingly, I still aim to have some free time to explore on my own, but it enriches my experience when traveling with the variety of things I ended up signing up for.</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><i>#FromThailandWithFunk -- Visit on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/fromthailandwithfunk/" target="_blank">Instagram</a></i></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><i>This post has been mainly generated by ChatGPT 3.5 based on my own specific experience in Thailand, I also edited and added few more details to personalize as well as the photos.</i></span></p></div>Lilianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13845301181107256105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31373442.post-39439326988496566292023-05-14T20:01:00.012+04:002023-05-15T10:58:23.867+04:00Norway, the land of fjords, Northern Lights, and endless adventure<p>T<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;">his travel post has been generated by ChatGPT based on my inputs, and then customized to reflect our experiences in more detail. All photos are mine. Enjoy!</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-cb65b9e6-7fff-54a3-2d0e-c8cade8b84e9"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Welcome to Norway, the land of fjords, Northern Lights, and endless adventure. This beautiful country is known for its stunning natural landscapes, vibrant cities, and rich cultural heritage. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If your main purpose of visiting Norway is to see the Northern Lights, then you need to aim to go between September and Mid April as you would be maximizing your chances due to longer evenings. I invite you to check this post for more details about </span><a href="http://blog.funkyozzi.com/2018/04/predicting-aurora-for-photography.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">predicting the Northern Lights for photography</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> which a colleague of mine wrote.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWdznbxtmm8XtN5fW0EJps_ltCTsE0rMIur9RdAdHyFdaWh4mt0wld7oaDEUylr799ILHCew-1J-kURwAK6lBTAvhGuk2k3_M977hmylBrVq91MB07lI1FdP6J7p93_Sthjxigk36n8CjfvylLksZ3-JjLaJ9phf4kJDtIXSvqFEe0BvNnVA0/s1776/F846991C-337B-406A-AACE-00C43A95C937-57164-00000FB64FDD8365.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1184" data-original-width="1776" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWdznbxtmm8XtN5fW0EJps_ltCTsE0rMIur9RdAdHyFdaWh4mt0wld7oaDEUylr799ILHCew-1J-kURwAK6lBTAvhGuk2k3_M977hmylBrVq91MB07lI1FdP6J7p93_Sthjxigk36n8CjfvylLksZ3-JjLaJ9phf4kJDtIXSvqFEe0BvNnVA0/w640-h426/F846991C-337B-406A-AACE-00C43A95C937-57164-00000FB64FDD8365.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Combination of Northern Lights and city lights reflection captured in Kirkenes - Norway</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The beauty of Norway is that it’s an all year round type of destination. We chose to go to Norway in winter for its winter activities such as Dog Sledding, Snowmobiling and more. In this travel post, we'll take you on a journey to some of Norway's most exciting destinations, including Oslo, Tromsø, and Kirkenes. So buckle up, and let's get started!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span></span></p></span><span><a name='more'></a></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><h2 style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Oslo</span></h2><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our journey began in Oslo, the capital city of Norway. This vibrant city is a hub of culture, history, and cuisine, with plenty to see and do for visitors of all ages. The most striking thing for me was seeing sculptures all around. You can start your trip with a visit to the famous Vigeland Park, where you can marvel at the beautiful sculptures and statues created by Gustav Vigeland. You can also visit the iconic landmarks such as the Viking Ship Museum, Royal Palace, and the Fram Museum. Next, head to the Oslo Opera House, where you can take a guided tour and learn about the history of this stunning architectural masterpiece; moreover you can enjoy the view from there as well. If you're a foodie, don't miss the chance to try some of Oslo's famous dishes, such as reindeer meat and smoked salmon. On our first night, we went to a nearby Italian restaurant “<i>Campo De Fiori</i>” which from the looks of it was quite a popular place with the locals, and it did not disappoint at all.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcGz7XSlRuqljIf8iQibcdJeF0x-HyNmZQ-WHl8qKEcMIETvUoS6j7TyvJpIxFIt4zW4U0TkznLud68k99vbgvieGJDlWKc91jHycl4tFX-YGKrJrcKdwbmFVNDAjwVGwXu2h9-5O8o3-MksdOvOBHZ2HGnNjbF5PuqkymS1X685AdLNzFjKQ/s1184/EAED0C32-A453-4EF0-8F03-BE827AA0FCA6-44936-000007C6435FD6B0.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="980" data-original-width="1184" height="530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcGz7XSlRuqljIf8iQibcdJeF0x-HyNmZQ-WHl8qKEcMIETvUoS6j7TyvJpIxFIt4zW4U0TkznLud68k99vbgvieGJDlWKc91jHycl4tFX-YGKrJrcKdwbmFVNDAjwVGwXu2h9-5O8o3-MksdOvOBHZ2HGnNjbF5PuqkymS1X685AdLNzFjKQ/w640-h530/EAED0C32-A453-4EF0-8F03-BE827AA0FCA6-44936-000007C6435FD6B0.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Opera House - Oslo</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-F-Yba2Fz2E2myGPm2abYeiUsbKAirs3B6_lkCoD1OLAdZDw7G3sMYkEjNVGcdH3-vZYyyHpTl6sqSAQe1DaHTSZG7reyh57K3ACC_MG8tPkvlU1fPXUSfog00nl5lzsE9SM1YQUFX-lS8jOjNWKDDGUQY-ahp9i6pL_2AcNRglz9To1cjSg/s1178/49A36477-44E6-441A-B3EA-33A64F14BDC4-44936-000007C6045509E8.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1178" data-original-width="1071" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-F-Yba2Fz2E2myGPm2abYeiUsbKAirs3B6_lkCoD1OLAdZDw7G3sMYkEjNVGcdH3-vZYyyHpTl6sqSAQe1DaHTSZG7reyh57K3ACC_MG8tPkvlU1fPXUSfog00nl5lzsE9SM1YQUFX-lS8jOjNWKDDGUQY-ahp9i6pL_2AcNRglz9To1cjSg/w582-h640/49A36477-44E6-441A-B3EA-33A64F14BDC4-44936-000007C6045509E8.jpg" width="582" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Opera House - Oslo</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">While in Oslo, you can also do a short fjord sightseeing cruise. When we were there we enjoyed some beautiful light as the sun only shines for 6-7 hours a day, and our cruise was breaking through ice-sheets so we were able to hear the ice break. The cruise allows you to view Oslo’s landmarks such as the Opera House, Oslo City Hall and other viewpoints from the water. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Another thing we recommend is visiting one of the dozen sauna rooms in Oslo where you can spend time warming up then entering the ice cold fjord water for few minutes then repeating that. We didn't get the chance to do it but hopefully we can do this sometime in the future. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNtoleUL8PFJQU0JNFe9_QAQ_DHwnq3jJd9EgAILg3F-bG8ru4j6AaEytPibYxx_l3H57jeA7yRdc4E_8M83PEJXitzi2it7R9fGYWqRtYld1j2djfl1HEgM4x1BNbAp0hiGRiHH-ezUQQ6pDLZJDvqFKInVp5j-Lbm3mrfWY1rYxX-r1KAjA/s1776/A1EE5029-4768-49FF-99C9-1152A84953B0-44936-000007C6252741CB.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1184" data-original-width="1776" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNtoleUL8PFJQU0JNFe9_QAQ_DHwnq3jJd9EgAILg3F-bG8ru4j6AaEytPibYxx_l3H57jeA7yRdc4E_8M83PEJXitzi2it7R9fGYWqRtYld1j2djfl1HEgM4x1BNbAp0hiGRiHH-ezUQQ6pDLZJDvqFKInVp5j-Lbm3mrfWY1rYxX-r1KAjA/w640-h426/A1EE5029-4768-49FF-99C9-1152A84953B0-44936-000007C6252741CB.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #382c14; font-family: "Freight Pro", Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; text-align: start;">"She Lies"</em><span style="color: #382c14; font-family: "Freight Pro", Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; text-align: start;"> sculpture designed and created by Italian artist Monica Bonvicini</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #382c14; font-family: "Freight Pro", Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures;"></span></p><blockquote>"The artwork floats on a concrete platform tethered to the harbor floor, allowing it to turn and change based on the tides and currents. Its subtle movements are a reminder of nature’s constant change." Read more <a href="https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/she-lies" target="_blank">here</a>.</blockquote><p></p><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJLQswMkCCr1-foOELMbcRWAS0FzCcW8UuYgaW29tlcwt6fld4SXpSe2Ssro5MlhlPuQQHcrP6dIdnABRjuayYa0mOrq-rGchZ-hnc6rrS8zPc7iZRLX9RIqstJvhpguOuyqsI-ZsVGSEn-jJXoGcRL5cMfl9Z7q4FwCtO0ZW46lQww47xzR0/s2048/456ADE6A-D520-4BE1-9C7A-38CDF7EC5930.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJLQswMkCCr1-foOELMbcRWAS0FzCcW8UuYgaW29tlcwt6fld4SXpSe2Ssro5MlhlPuQQHcrP6dIdnABRjuayYa0mOrq-rGchZ-hnc6rrS8zPc7iZRLX9RIqstJvhpguOuyqsI-ZsVGSEn-jJXoGcRL5cMfl9Z7q4FwCtO0ZW46lQww47xzR0/w640-h640/456ADE6A-D520-4BE1-9C7A-38CDF7EC5930.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Statues all around Oslo</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"></div><br /><h2 style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cruise trip</span></h2><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Another approach can be by starting your cruise from Bergen. This cruise passes through Norway’s fjords all the way to the north allowing you to stop at different parts of the country where you can marvel at snow-capped mountains, crystal-clear waters, and lush green valleys, truly one of Norway’s most spectacular natural wonders. I know that I will be doing this again one day, possibly spring time. You'll have the opportunity to see some of Norway's most beautiful towns and villages along the way, including Oslo, Alesund, and Geiranger. Make sure to bring your camera, as the scenery is absolutely breathtaking.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2BksKAMItjlJIlFzGlb0apQyEgY8AFhwqz1OFqxxB1aa3hIedgGIhbXKkRPpI1mE7o4FBDYS3Q9EB9Fe1QiuE9rxSZJToEHumb3lT2PBkKAMSboN16Mm3BTWkETnfn66KngZGLGz7eYux0xxT_gyfZ7Mq5beqaPsHfp-zBVUR3s7VzZLPEFQ/s647/Oslo.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="647" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2BksKAMItjlJIlFzGlb0apQyEgY8AFhwqz1OFqxxB1aa3hIedgGIhbXKkRPpI1mE7o4FBDYS3Q9EB9Fe1QiuE9rxSZJToEHumb3lT2PBkKAMSboN16Mm3BTWkETnfn66KngZGLGz7eYux0xxT_gyfZ7Mq5beqaPsHfp-zBVUR3s7VzZLPEFQ/w640-h388/Oslo.png" width="640" /></a></div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></h2><h2 style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tromsø</span></h2><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">On our fourth day, we flew to Tromsø. We landed into a semi snow storm, all white around. I would say this was my first time seeing this much snow. We were amazed by the stunning natural beauty of the Arctic region. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEYSQpqUFlxhzjRjLipzawYzz9Kp1NAyQMKeKwTCyU789dcqjpAo_9D5WvcbFeQc1tcFCzlah7zAWyZRBsZvsvoy_ADOiVbXSw6tnmrXctiisDxpgrGgySdUr_YwRmAAoco-o2STEc6ITI4zvvVCohf6166cP65NqXbbq-N-G9a_Mv0m89HpY/s4032/Tromso%20town.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEYSQpqUFlxhzjRjLipzawYzz9Kp1NAyQMKeKwTCyU789dcqjpAo_9D5WvcbFeQc1tcFCzlah7zAWyZRBsZvsvoy_ADOiVbXSw6tnmrXctiisDxpgrGgySdUr_YwRmAAoco-o2STEc6ITI4zvvVCohf6166cP65NqXbbq-N-G9a_Mv0m89HpY/w640-h480/Tromso%20town.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tromsø</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRJqX-8dVYTkF5m-FPN7wehj5DSYNiWkpFpFcnu5WIOtAZpYL_8xYITa0ldJcaMskqaA_XMKkr6zRJ7fzdLgw0rhf7bAYljl-FBnuzX3bzJF9ZzUQFEUm790Qoe7K2bVwFr-KWiOS1VJ-AYMzl0cvVaW0CDWCMoajVLkOlxr9snFB48kP2GwQ/s4032/Arctic%20Cathedral.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRJqX-8dVYTkF5m-FPN7wehj5DSYNiWkpFpFcnu5WIOtAZpYL_8xYITa0ldJcaMskqaA_XMKkr6zRJ7fzdLgw0rhf7bAYljl-FBnuzX3bzJF9ZzUQFEUm790Qoe7K2bVwFr-KWiOS1VJ-AYMzl0cvVaW0CDWCMoajVLkOlxr9snFB48kP2GwQ/w640-h480/Arctic%20Cathedral.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from Tromsø Harbor of the Arctic Cathedral</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;">During your stay, you can go dog sledding with Alaskan dogs through the snow-covered forests, take an easy reindeer sleigh ride where you also get to get close to the reindeers and feed them, and learn about the Sami culture and heritage. We did all of this at Camp Tamok which was a couple hours drive away. The camp also has plenty of other activities that you can do. At night, you can embark on an unforgettable Northern Lights chase and witness the Aurora Borealis dancing across the night sky. Unfortunately we weren’t that lucky during our time there as it was very heavily cloudy. You can also take some time to explore Tromsø's charming streets and visit the Arctic Cathedral, Tromsø Harbor and the Polaria Aquarium. </span><div><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1LhT1nOEkTnky-37oENilu0N0LuGcZXQcW7m7os5XiRcCb_Fpkr3J24FIKyJCodcSTr2FGInC13sQ3H20r8st60V3fD77Ri5Ls6JY26KZelzz4xdmTW7WEbmoDsofJrZKYOnc0xIcCi_9UuhDVcu_q8uRhSDXB8Dslc7sea1z35s6M0GD5_U/s4032/Reindeer.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1LhT1nOEkTnky-37oENilu0N0LuGcZXQcW7m7os5XiRcCb_Fpkr3J24FIKyJCodcSTr2FGInC13sQ3H20r8st60V3fD77Ri5Ls6JY26KZelzz4xdmTW7WEbmoDsofJrZKYOnc0xIcCi_9UuhDVcu_q8uRhSDXB8Dslc7sea1z35s6M0GD5_U/w480-h640/Reindeer.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reindeer Sledding - Camp Tamok</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-pCnhKGMY_yVEWN2T-pq2OTlRHTUH-FxiHDOvU0ofaiMq61xtjERkXvevygcLYeZH5LM7-CrDnuxP4dDaUS7NylaBTIeM_5_1nrw1g7UzPZzV8pjSyAZc05saElPsXq82gaZwsEKzBEXSoLLjwvHn74rgXLYzMM55BXFz8zRHQhhIGudpN7E/s4032/Huskies.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-pCnhKGMY_yVEWN2T-pq2OTlRHTUH-FxiHDOvU0ofaiMq61xtjERkXvevygcLYeZH5LM7-CrDnuxP4dDaUS7NylaBTIeM_5_1nrw1g7UzPZzV8pjSyAZc05saElPsXq82gaZwsEKzBEXSoLLjwvHn74rgXLYzMM55BXFz8zRHQhhIGudpN7E/w480-h640/Huskies.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pictures with the Alaskan Huskies - Camp Tamok</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;">You can also try what apparently is the “best hotdog” in the world. We also found a really cute cafe called Svermeri [<a href="https://www.instagram.com/svermeri/" target="_blank">instagram</a>] with the nicest cups and plates and best dessert. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9pTNOeHYlld4z3Zt8AKa2U7q9X0R3NZP5JrgCdW5orcXr2c0vElw0JXY-yECQwJFnmuOaBF_3wlllvTc_0hfLlFvcyhpTH2ldNvTD3yyMN0GeTACPZPea0oKyJvRVvCORKjpcKQQulGiDzfpJ3lS-HXABte5nVzKqmVeti7TFAOHIQvkYvdk/s4032/Hot%20dog.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9pTNOeHYlld4z3Zt8AKa2U7q9X0R3NZP5JrgCdW5orcXr2c0vElw0JXY-yECQwJFnmuOaBF_3wlllvTc_0hfLlFvcyhpTH2ldNvTD3yyMN0GeTACPZPea0oKyJvRVvCORKjpcKQQulGiDzfpJ3lS-HXABte5nVzKqmVeti7TFAOHIQvkYvdk/w480-h640/Hot%20dog.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Troms<span style="font-size: 14.6667px; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">ø</span> Hotdog</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipf6jBunL3AnfloXCSafpip_PvtMcvDobxe57pqjWOye5bTcXpUc3KB66l49udHYLhEVJe8A-iCoM_lRb6NzKuPnTj4PJQBGOxggDQtzeGwDTxREjI2QTPQaCMGhsc6yjnUumNiJeSL53knxJ-Gy6zgC-X8QUycGr_YY4VpB2ljBSJcWsES9M/s4032/Tromso%20cafe.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipf6jBunL3AnfloXCSafpip_PvtMcvDobxe57pqjWOye5bTcXpUc3KB66l49udHYLhEVJe8A-iCoM_lRb6NzKuPnTj4PJQBGOxggDQtzeGwDTxREjI2QTPQaCMGhsc6yjnUumNiJeSL53knxJ-Gy6zgC-X8QUycGr_YY4VpB2ljBSJcWsES9M/w640-h480/Tromso%20cafe.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Svermeri Cafe - Tromsø</td></tr></tbody></table></span><br /><h2 style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hurtigruten Cruise</span></h2><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our on fourth day in Tromso, we boarded the </span><a href="https://global.hurtigruten.com/destinations/norway/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hurtigruten</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> for what was supposed to be a two-night voyage through the Norwegian fjords and into the Arctic Ocean in order to reach Kirkenes post. However, due to the high waves, we were informed a few hours later that we will be dropped off in the morning at another port and from there the great team had arranged for a bus to take us through Finland on an eight hour trip to reach Kirkenes. Luckily, we saw the Northern Lights that evening and during the day we savored seeing polar stratospheric clouds and some breathtaking snow-covered landscapes, towering mountains, and frozen lakes. We also had delicious Salmon for dinner and made it to Kirkenes early evening, in time to rest and be ready to start our activities early the next day. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPBLsVEraOAocujkMU3CyudlsCN-a1h1viUXhHkEG_g4p_EeVaX0ota1mvHs-eU4c2FO0aa3G7arGwaVZkl7NxFa-gTtKYgdU_we8xa_eRcv7sR7q9lSPX3zCDRDNErs_qwXCZiF_JuYIYy6NukQurAbYRJMzZetKFtnh_rgBTd_SoOe9TycI/s4032/Cruise.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPBLsVEraOAocujkMU3CyudlsCN-a1h1viUXhHkEG_g4p_EeVaX0ota1mvHs-eU4c2FO0aa3G7arGwaVZkl7NxFa-gTtKYgdU_we8xa_eRcv7sR7q9lSPX3zCDRDNErs_qwXCZiF_JuYIYy6NukQurAbYRJMzZetKFtnh_rgBTd_SoOe9TycI/w640-h480/Cruise.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nordnorge cruiseship - Hurtigruten Cruise</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijHY4eXf8i3UsN4Bi4RK37Pcc8FHweM4atrVuby1lOmFo_uA3vrvb082rzJe5HCcPwM0xY3LC86Xvm3dKqyEHrPQtRItHOlkGcSuBnuAlatn2PL4f8SUr5JiZn5beC7Odz_8dvh2RcqZrhnYFZ_XSJbreoLPJetxZA_v--szMx46isCGiQWhM/s4032/Cruise%20interior.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijHY4eXf8i3UsN4Bi4RK37Pcc8FHweM4atrVuby1lOmFo_uA3vrvb082rzJe5HCcPwM0xY3LC86Xvm3dKqyEHrPQtRItHOlkGcSuBnuAlatn2PL4f8SUr5JiZn5beC7Odz_8dvh2RcqZrhnYFZ_XSJbreoLPJetxZA_v--szMx46isCGiQWhM/w640-h480/Cruise%20interior.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interior of Nordnorge cruiseship</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We sadly didn’t get to enjoy the cruise the way we were hoping. It was our first time on a cruise ship, and I was really looking forward to living the cruise life. I can though with confidence understand the appeal of being on a cruise as you constantly have the opportunity of seeing beautiful landscapes non-stop, eating great food, having several different spots to sit and read, eat, drink. There was also a jacuzzi on the top of the cruise. </span></p><br /><h2 style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kirkenes</span></h2><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We finally made it to Kirkenes (pronounced Shirkenes), a small town located in the far north of Norway, only a few kilometers away from Russia. This charming town is a winter wonderland, with snow-covered landscapes, ice hotels, and exciting outdoor activities. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Td-eEbgPplgU84WeKjCR2He2HtQuFNmHaa8c8ABgxZXp3qCdgtpk-wvzNThhyMc0f5MP49pn4gnm8Mzs3jydvNf9HWDlhbpsWwK6PBoRpntV3YwJWizhfZoTcFB2HnWzn3R_gPJsFz4ZBD6EhhMTZv7hP9PetijFJVwV593O63EowRPSgmA/s1776/176E4081-4089-4242-A1B2-00B4CE9167EA-57164-00000FB5C29D4C68.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1184" data-original-width="1776" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Td-eEbgPplgU84WeKjCR2He2HtQuFNmHaa8c8ABgxZXp3qCdgtpk-wvzNThhyMc0f5MP49pn4gnm8Mzs3jydvNf9HWDlhbpsWwK6PBoRpntV3YwJWizhfZoTcFB2HnWzn3R_gPJsFz4ZBD6EhhMTZv7hP9PetijFJVwV593O63EowRPSgmA/w640-h426/176E4081-4089-4242-A1B2-00B4CE9167EA-57164-00000FB5C29D4C68.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Northern Lights over Kirkenes - Norway</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">During your stay, you can experience the thrill of snowmobiling (see <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CpHQdXjpxdB/" target="_blank">Reel video</a>) and snowshoeing (see <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cob4Mu7pdP-/" target="_blank">Reel video</a>) through the Arctic wilderness. On our first day, we went snowmobiling on frozen fjords and lakes, with the mid-day sun shining on us with its unique Arctic light. It was a beautiful experience. That same evening, we spent a night in the Snow Hotel, where you can sleep in a room made entirely of snow at a temperature of -4°C. They had 12 rooms with an ice bar and several ice sculptures. You spend your time in a warm lounge with never-ending tea, coffee, hot cocoa and snacks. And at night, you’re invited for a lovely dinner during which they explain to you the instructions, such as wearing a balaclava, something to warm your neck with, and picking your very warm sleeping bags made for -30°C. See our experience in this <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/Comp4pjpiD3/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==" target="_blank">reel video</a>. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibwL29ehNtN2Qxrvq5ToDFMSyxXUNY3pGE6TCcIqOnok-zLWF5SHWarAOx7tkjRDyKBKWU2GmHnMIIqgHZHDZvUwfON06iYbTRCiIN-ozGZBBb2yilqghDLkgnL89cJ3IgofVSpNsnnLmbte_owj5E_HenI_EsjwpO2DvpWTCZ49jmo5Srzck/s4032/Snowmobile.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibwL29ehNtN2Qxrvq5ToDFMSyxXUNY3pGE6TCcIqOnok-zLWF5SHWarAOx7tkjRDyKBKWU2GmHnMIIqgHZHDZvUwfON06iYbTRCiIN-ozGZBBb2yilqghDLkgnL89cJ3IgofVSpNsnnLmbte_owj5E_HenI_EsjwpO2DvpWTCZ49jmo5Srzck/w480-h640/Snowmobile.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snowmobiling over a frozen fjord in Norway.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvCHQiULDYZusQuzo-NQd3gi9nQ4DE-S-zMihnQ5oKekkNk6ppUEAIB6vZVGaI5s0f3wnFr4kfg9s-6mBuoEyysMOWc96Q3HQJjgDQu8_PoJkUt0joXD2nLYBwY43muoPJMojA23kTl8JDOzs4ReMmxlKPIjxcw-6hiFe783Sk1_Dg1ojZM6w/s4032/Snow%20hotel%20interior.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvCHQiULDYZusQuzo-NQd3gi9nQ4DE-S-zMihnQ5oKekkNk6ppUEAIB6vZVGaI5s0f3wnFr4kfg9s-6mBuoEyysMOWc96Q3HQJjgDQu8_PoJkUt0joXD2nLYBwY43muoPJMojA23kTl8JDOzs4ReMmxlKPIjxcw-6hiFe783Sk1_Dg1ojZM6w/w480-h640/Snow%20hotel%20interior.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow hotel ice bar in Kirkenes - Norway</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In that same location, Snow Hotel Kirkenes, you can also do </span><a href="https://www.snowhotelkirkenes.com/husky-safari" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">dog sledding</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. We were tempted to do this again as it’s quite fun. Arctic huskies are super energetic, and even 0°C is considered warm. They need to release this energy and move around. They usually do one or two trips per day. From what we saw, we can tell that the dogs are being very well cared for in both establishments we went to. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Is dog sledding an ethical activity? I invite you to read this </span><a href="https://positive.travel/articles/awareness/is-dog-sledding-an-ethical-activity/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">article</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> as I found it to be very interesting and insightful. </span></p><br /><h2 style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What to pack</span></h2><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">All activities provide you with shoes, gloves and overalls to wear to keep you warm. This doesn’t mean you should pack light. You are going to a very cold place where you will be doing many things on your own. You should definitely get yourself a warm parka or down jacket, wear layers (based layers, fleece), have warm gloves and snow gloves, ear muffs, neck warmer, beanie, and warm boots. You can also purchase hand and foot warmers. In some parts of Norway and any cold winter place, you will encounter icy grounds, for this I also recommend, only if you’re like me (extremely cautious and worrisome) to get crampons. There are several types, depending on the activities you will be doing and how icy the roads are. The representatives at the shop will be able to help you choose the right one. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_8UNTLYy6lboenGD-V-qi-_LWE6KcmNW58TvphOgdQXh4DHBhi0G9_VahvDbJxkcTOOFkN4uZi2ZVD7hZRu5qa805lhdIU345Nj221OS-P9XhndKsRlNwXXxT7ylo1KATMOj5D7FcFfovil7Q53GKfhe6HrdiUSr53IbImqnzA7KpwKYZzU8/s4032/Sami.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_8UNTLYy6lboenGD-V-qi-_LWE6KcmNW58TvphOgdQXh4DHBhi0G9_VahvDbJxkcTOOFkN4uZi2ZVD7hZRu5qa805lhdIU345Nj221OS-P9XhndKsRlNwXXxT7ylo1KATMOj5D7FcFfovil7Q53GKfhe6HrdiUSr53IbImqnzA7KpwKYZzU8/w480-h640/Sami.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Learning about the Sami Culture inside a Lavvu in Camp Tamok</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><br /><h2 style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Conclusion</span></h2><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This itinerary provides a perfect blend of Norway's vibrant cities, stunning natural beauty, and unique cultural experiences. From the charming streets of Oslo to the Arctic wilderness of Kirkenes, this trip is sure to leave you with unforgettable memories. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Some have asked us whether it is worth visiting both Tromsø and Kirkenes since most activities are available in both. I personally enjoyed visiting both and I felt I got to know Norway a bit more. Next on the list is to go during Autumn or Spring time and visit Bergen and Trolltunga. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>#FROMNORWAYWITHFUNK</i> - Visit on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/17955433967229969/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>.</span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Lilianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13845301181107256105noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31373442.post-32069844600755765052023-05-09T17:58:00.005+04:002023-05-15T10:46:02.201+04:00Spending a week in Romania? Here's what you can do:<b><i>Destination: Romania<br />Travel Companion: Graham<br />Duration: 7 days<br />Budget: 750$pp (excluding flights)</i></b><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><i>Disclaimer: I wrote this in March, 2020. Apologies if some of the places I am recommending no longer exist.<br /></i>
<b><i><br /></i></b>
We had eight days to spend in Romania; we spent three days in Bucharest and the rest of it road tripping through different towns. I will be sharing what our itinerary looked like but also what we would've done differently if we knew what we know now. You can also find an overview of each town below with main attractions and things to do.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKmzSimCUGEs93dqVObjZUrzI5_2A0SEDYExXQ6KtT2PJXHb8EmxZro_MLETRg0Lrg4f_4WRCaO2_H4q3z5NCuu5_J9i_VYN_tt__dl93jSHsV1-AHT9u2x6Uk3IQunMnxgZtIH79JlrbnEdA30zWYF-mG1ZSl_bV_hjkTjCMzN8ByWMikXKk/s4032/IMG_6026.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKmzSimCUGEs93dqVObjZUrzI5_2A0SEDYExXQ6KtT2PJXHb8EmxZro_MLETRg0Lrg4f_4WRCaO2_H4q3z5NCuu5_J9i_VYN_tt__dl93jSHsV1-AHT9u2x6Uk3IQunMnxgZtIH79JlrbnEdA30zWYF-mG1ZSl_bV_hjkTjCMzN8ByWMikXKk/w480-h640/IMG_6026.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Street in Bucharest</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span><a name='more'></a></span><div><br />
<b><u>Our Itinerary</u></b>:<br />
Day 1: Landing in Bucharest in the afternoon and exploring<br />
Day 2: Exploring more of Bucharest<br />
Day 3: Leaving Bucharest to Sibiu, exploring Sibiu in the afternoon and at night<br />
Day 4: Going to Sighișoara for half a day then returning to Sibiu<br />
Day 5: Leaving Sibiu to Brasov and exploring it in the afternoon and at night<br />
Day 6: Leaving Brasov and making a small detour to visit Bran Castle, then driving to Bucegi Natural Park, a bit of walking around the forest<br />
Day 7: Back to Bucharest<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Few Fun Facts about Romania</h3>
<ol>
<li>Romania has seven walled citadels* (known in German as the Siebenburgen) that are built in the 12th century by German settlers known as Transylvanian Saxons.</li>
<li>Romanian language is a Romance language, belonging to the Italic branch of the Indo-European language family, having much in common with languages such as French, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese.</li>
</ol>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYyh-FrJ2Fi3_RUIzTRKD29pBJ1WMTFRiAkRmsqxZi0DusnaXJGeBnwey1Q62rPfEqHZaJj6Z-U_JNMbqoCqVM55syaigVyw1jtG6gp2EhcO7RYSThg3BHpA8_3VNYqwkO8NnlDAFv6bUZt_pT6OId3zPOKFhfSamoEsfnn_1AZQHd0tmb4rM/s1776/A3964F20-2A42-48B3-8A04-24ADA6307284-284-0000000863CBB35E.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1776" data-original-width="1184" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYyh-FrJ2Fi3_RUIzTRKD29pBJ1WMTFRiAkRmsqxZi0DusnaXJGeBnwey1Q62rPfEqHZaJj6Z-U_JNMbqoCqVM55syaigVyw1jtG6gp2EhcO7RYSThg3BHpA8_3VNYqwkO8NnlDAFv6bUZt_pT6OId3zPOKFhfSamoEsfnn_1AZQHd0tmb4rM/w426-h640/A3964F20-2A42-48B3-8A04-24ADA6307284-284-0000000863CBB35E.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<h3>
What would I have done differently?</h3>
<ul>
<li>I would've removed a night in Brasov and added it to Bucegi to get to do more hiking and exploring the area there, it is a beautiful scenery and pure clean oxygen which city people like us need and it took us a while to drive up and down, so might as well make the best of it.</li>
<li>I would've completely skipped visiting Bran Castle, specially if you are coming all the way from Bucharest just for the day. It's a long and tenuous drive. (more details on why in the section about Bran below)</li>
<li>I would even skip Sighișoara (even though it's a beautiful town) but these towns kind of tend to look the same. So we could've just spent more time chilling in Sibiu because I felt more at home there.</li>
</ul>
<div>
<h4><u>
Transport:</u></h4>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Trains and Buses are available in most of Romania. We chose to rent a car and move around more freely.</li>
<li>You can take public transport to and from the airport. We chose to take a taxi, and then their local uber for few times as the cost was quite cheap. </li>
</ul>
<h4><u>
Recommended Duration:</u></h4>
</div>
</div>
If you were to adjust the itinerary based on the recommendations I made above, 8 days would remain enough. You can easily extend to 10 days or 14 days if you were to visit other parts not mentioned here or spend few more days in cities and parts of Romania that we thought were worth spending more time in such as Sibiu, Brasov and Bucegi. For Bucharest alone, with a day or two of out of the city trips, 4-5 days would be enough.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSOnEQD8m9030n5UnAsBhQ3V4-Gr_uELAVdy4J--dSptPm4FU6l18MmIdbCuSxnF16Gm-NfnsGJVTahGGYigdKQ-mQNeK-75f9FyOkKFBEFXkHFlziMG9KF2vsgwb_8G6w11xiEqiNQDblWmQSuoVBCN_EZkYxszx1daQenMcAeKWGo5_xDc4/s4032/IMG_6023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSOnEQD8m9030n5UnAsBhQ3V4-Gr_uELAVdy4J--dSptPm4FU6l18MmIdbCuSxnF16Gm-NfnsGJVTahGGYigdKQ-mQNeK-75f9FyOkKFBEFXkHFlziMG9KF2vsgwb_8G6w11xiEqiNQDblWmQSuoVBCN_EZkYxszx1daQenMcAeKWGo5_xDc4/w480-h640/IMG_6023.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br />
<h4>
</h4>
<h3>
Cities Overview</h3>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Bucharest</h3>
Bucharest is the capital of Romania and its largest city. It's still recovering post everything it went through, there are parts in that city that are still destroyed and other parts that are quite modern. A city with a lot of history. I personally enjoyed Bucharest and Romania in general. It has quite a character, good food, great history and a lot of beautiful nature. But most importantly an interesting characteristic about Bucharest, which is also true for many other big cities in Romania, is the fact that their streets already feel like you're walking in an outdoors museum.<br />
<br />
For a quick stories highlight overview of Bucharest, you can visit it <a href="https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/17897358175366193/">here</a>.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Things to visit / do in Bucharest:</u></b><br />
<ul>
<li>The Arch of Triumph</li>
<li>Calea Victoriei </li>
<li>Revolution Square (we did an alternative walking tour that started from there. The guide shared a lot of history but also took us to interesting parts of the city, showcasing street art, cultural moments, trends and clash of old & new)</li>
<li>Cantacuzino Palace</li>
<li>The Royal Palace</li>
<li>Art Collections Museum</li>
<li>Bucharest History & Art Museum </li>
<li>Snagov Monastery</li>
<li>"Storck" Art Museum</li>
<li>Communist Iconography Museum</li>
<li>Saint Apostles' Church</li>
<li>Stavropoleos Church</li>
<li>Carturesti Carusel translated to "The Carousel of Light" is <a href="https://www.boredpanda.com/greatest-enchanted-themed-library-in-eastern-europe-just-opened-in-bucharest/">a new library</a>, only 5 years old, situated in the heart of old Bucharest. It's a monumental 19th century edifice that was transformed into a beautiful work of architecture. The bookstore is made of 6 floors. </li>
<li>Tours: The way we discovered the city is by using <a href="https://apps.apple.com/ro/app/questo-city-games-tours/id1216630504">Questo app</a>, which is a fun way to discover a city (more below on this app), and almost every corner, every statue, every church has a great history.</li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXgICtYzNCUvjvPcOzu2SStYkXMACAtEtxHY-GMz-P3aVMCBIGkTNoTjzgDcdcMvXVw7Wdv_h7JvP8aZlUBkEam8Xt0t-vECj74TGufBeaKgRhGJZo5NyqWQCtWY1TWfQt7AyjM3tS8APskvGTd6h6rLo41wgcXGYYkgkNCtVF1oRzvjT7Ts8/s1776/C841F478-D84D-4FD4-BB82-B025AFF7026F-284-00000007162A5398.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1184" data-original-width="1776" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXgICtYzNCUvjvPcOzu2SStYkXMACAtEtxHY-GMz-P3aVMCBIGkTNoTjzgDcdcMvXVw7Wdv_h7JvP8aZlUBkEam8Xt0t-vECj74TGufBeaKgRhGJZo5NyqWQCtWY1TWfQt7AyjM3tS8APskvGTd6h6rLo41wgcXGYYkgkNCtVF1oRzvjT7Ts8/w640-h426/C841F478-D84D-4FD4-BB82-B025AFF7026F-284-00000007162A5398.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>
<div>
<b><u>Where to eat:</u></b></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><b>First Coffee</b>: One of my favorite coffee shops globally. Loved the cozy vibe and they serve amazing coffee and fresh Pain au Chocolat</li>
<li><b>Carul cu bere</b> (The Beer Wagon Restaurant): It's more of a landmark, interesting to try, service wasn't great (and it wasn't even that crowded when we were there)</li>
<li><b>Hanu' Berarilor Interbelic</b>: Good food and a nice atmosphere</li>
<li><b>Origo</b>: Another coffee shop, gets A for creativity in interior design</li>
<li><b>Lacrimi si Sfinti</b>: The folded cheese is a really delicious and a must try. We also tried the duck / goose / pork meatballs with mashed potatoes which was really good. The atmosphere is great and so is the service</li>
<li><b>Acuarela</b>: A very cute hangout place, recommended for drinks only as they don't have a kitchen there and they order food from other places.</li>
</ul><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi37QmzYNxWwIJ8XCwZ53GWfjvrZyO0e75N_PxtU0zGoHzu1R01cgoqfWAQGmgqEmMcJ_paXCyyZeyjaG0fTTKWd8umahCEyzyDFgOFOAN0leGy2leTY0v1TEEOxVmHlm9e0Zlz2VFzgrc79_VnWXX1rPgL2_4vQvY2nco4CHhuUUutnQ3gY3E/s1776/E46B07D4-6320-4E12-BB37-2A58E38BC2FD-284-000000081D7CA950.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1184" data-original-width="1776" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi37QmzYNxWwIJ8XCwZ53GWfjvrZyO0e75N_PxtU0zGoHzu1R01cgoqfWAQGmgqEmMcJ_paXCyyZeyjaG0fTTKWd8umahCEyzyDFgOFOAN0leGy2leTY0v1TEEOxVmHlm9e0Zlz2VFzgrc79_VnWXX1rPgL2_4vQvY2nco4CHhuUUutnQ3gY3E/w640-h426/E46B07D4-6320-4E12-BB37-2A58E38BC2FD-284-000000081D7CA950.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First Coffee - Coffee Shop in Bucharest</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>
</div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Sibiu</h3>
Sibiu was the first town we visit after Bucharest and definitely my favorite. It's one of the seven citadels and it's the largest and richest among them. It's around 4 hours by car from Bucharest, so it's worth visiting for at least
2 nights. I could've easily spent 3 there because I really enjoyed how chill
this town was. It's a really beautiful town, quite cozy, pedestrian friendly and full of history.</div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKQz6ROEAfJjoXo5V958qujy76j59IvMjzGwOWuzkmjaeIMFXqvOJ9TrLze33AjD40V3nZYh1Ak5fsFPXaJLFWewTe6jg03jhsDgRkiOl_xRYu-crtP8tdDpDOgxAyOVwULwYD1ZW4jzW_hcmRCcYm8Snxwbd1ZmhIREsVQDnTOk1om0OoUdk/s4032/IMG_6345.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKQz6ROEAfJjoXo5V958qujy76j59IvMjzGwOWuzkmjaeIMFXqvOJ9TrLze33AjD40V3nZYh1Ak5fsFPXaJLFWewTe6jg03jhsDgRkiOl_xRYu-crtP8tdDpDOgxAyOVwULwYD1ZW4jzW_hcmRCcYm8Snxwbd1ZmhIREsVQDnTOk1om0OoUdk/w640-h480/IMG_6345.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sibiu</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span>Sections of the medieval wall still guard the historic area, where
narrow streets pass steep-roofed 17th century buildings with gable
overhangs before opening into vast, church-dominated squares such as
Great Square and Little Square. [<a href="http://romaniatourism.com/sibiu.html#fastfacts">Source</a>]</span></i></blockquote>
<br />
We were sitting in a restaurant on our first night there and thought about exploring the city, so I looked into Getyourguide.com and I found and used for the first time, an app called Questo which allows you to explore the town you're in in a fun and challenging way, unraveling clues that help you move to the next destination. That way you pretty much end up really consumed in learning about these hidden fun facts, and you also end up walking quite a bit, even through streets you've already seen but end up looking at with a fresh eye and notice things you've missed previously. I used it in Bucharest, Brasov and Sighișoara, but the Sibiu game was the best.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxZwfQGn61Ld_kQ6rOQJrtsDBwNh0FSgvVwv5SLrcIjU_2RcQIq2HvytcOPYHw56ET7uOtpxULhNv7Do6WR1xuiRxivn5YKs9ezVFwRRfG4vOBCpLLEvsuRfwSqIrLpqGXoL-CQTEL2MRAewxrV_-Vq4Bdma9_aRob8_ohkxj-WL8jZhz2oZ4/s1776/FED3D86D-80CD-4054-B477-E2C891CD26BC-3598-00000224F92537A5.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1184" data-original-width="1776" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxZwfQGn61Ld_kQ6rOQJrtsDBwNh0FSgvVwv5SLrcIjU_2RcQIq2HvytcOPYHw56ET7uOtpxULhNv7Do6WR1xuiRxivn5YKs9ezVFwRRfG4vOBCpLLEvsuRfwSqIrLpqGXoL-CQTEL2MRAewxrV_-Vq4Bdma9_aRob8_ohkxj-WL8jZhz2oZ4/w640-h426/FED3D86D-80CD-4054-B477-E2C891CD26BC-3598-00000224F92537A5.JPG" width="640" /></a> <br />
<br />
<u><b>Things to see in Sibiu:</b></u><br />
<ul>
<li>Sibiu's Towers: Harquebusiers' Tower (Turnul Archebuzierilor), Carpenters' Tower (Turnul Dulgherilor) and Potters' Tower (Turnul Olarilor), The 16-th century Great Tower (Turnul Gros)</li>
<li>The Great Square / The Little Square</li>
<li>Upper Town / Lower Town</li>
<li>Historic Churches such as: Roman Catholic Church, Ursuline Monastery, Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral</li>
<li>Brukenthal Palace / Brukenthal Museum</li>
<li>The History Museum</li>
<li>The Bridge of Lies</li>
<li>The Stairs Passage</li>
<li>The Great Synagogue</li>
</ul><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXnV_m8yaZF70NGJgtrWXd3dByMWC109rSuckjwKj0ZVMYQXOib5BLIojtactsEqBIqyJ-g1yxpCDHC2HQ4H9GTsBOxL7YJWtQzLEzcb4hqn25NY2izZ_WVIitUwfSR7EvMldhqkvskLb6bsdEe2hkR797d6mLQkzIv_7U38Bp_hfYRLokzh4/s1800/2D20D132-CFD2-4743-BB98-A8B1531E43BF.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXnV_m8yaZF70NGJgtrWXd3dByMWC109rSuckjwKj0ZVMYQXOib5BLIojtactsEqBIqyJ-g1yxpCDHC2HQ4H9GTsBOxL7YJWtQzLEzcb4hqn25NY2izZ_WVIitUwfSR7EvMldhqkvskLb6bsdEe2hkR797d6mLQkzIv_7U38Bp_hfYRLokzh4/w512-h640/2D20D132-CFD2-4743-BB98-A8B1531E43BF.JPG" width="512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cute quirkly coffee shop in Sibiu</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Sighișoara </h3>
For several centuries, Sighisoara was a military and political stronghold. During the 14th - 16th centuries, the Saxon craft guilds erected towers around the citadel walls to protect the town from Turkish raids. Sighișoara still stands as one of the most beautiful and best-preserved medieval towns in Europe. [<a href="http://romaniatourism.com/sighisoara.html">Source</a>]</div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTFJ9qWBnNgnm6N1iVBNxLNiN4ibBeYycCCwoaaG9sVbVZC0eNzYIh-eoGh-LPOE1X1jcNpU2ZRvvI3LYwu_tagPLkruZShaZIVKdAMgNtS2OSNPUTw6XzTIl0Zz3V4epo2ofvJ5CMjM_HqQMJ0J-6PYgHtddit8S0No3dVhIIsmNfOTUnm5M/s3023/2655B66F-5A81-4FB2-A4A4-475DAF73E7CC.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3023" data-original-width="3023" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTFJ9qWBnNgnm6N1iVBNxLNiN4ibBeYycCCwoaaG9sVbVZC0eNzYIh-eoGh-LPOE1X1jcNpU2ZRvvI3LYwu_tagPLkruZShaZIVKdAMgNtS2OSNPUTw6XzTIl0Zz3V4epo2ofvJ5CMjM_HqQMJ0J-6PYgHtddit8S0No3dVhIIsmNfOTUnm5M/w640-h640/2655B66F-5A81-4FB2-A4A4-475DAF73E7CC.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sighisoara</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><br />
<b><u>Things to see in Sighișoara:</u></b><br />
<ul>
<li>Sighisoara Citadel with its large numbers of towers including: Blacksmith's Tower, Butchers' Tower, Tailors' Tower, Cobbler's Tower and many more.</li>
<li>The Citadel Square with its restaurants, craft and souvenir shops</li>
<li>The Clock Tower</li>
<li>The Church of the Dominican Monastery</li>
<li>The Church on the Hill</li>
<li>The Scholars' Stairs</li>
<li>Vlad Dracul's House (Casa Dracula)</li>
<li>The Stag House</li>
<li>The Venetian House</li>
<li>The Citadel Towers</li></ul>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Brasov</h3>
Fringed by the peaks of the Southern Carpathian Mountains and resplendent with gothic, baroque and renaissance architecture, as well as a wealth of historical attractions, Brasov is one of the most visited places in Romania.<br />
<br />
Founded by the Teutonic Knights in 1211 on an ancient Dacian site and settled by the Saxons as one of the seven walled citadels*, Brasov exudes a distinct medieval ambiance and has been used as backdrop in many recent period films. [<a href="http://romaniatourism.com/brasov.html">Source</a>]</div><div><br /></div><div>As a personal experience, Brasov was nice to visit, and I felt one night was enough. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheUL2IwMYBzQRn2QWrBj7-XgDCE_txQJucJSy1BEzE_MsuBtklMkbrYBMjzYfEsq2b6t4OK0bYWNQATjQOlHnZ0E1SkiD6r2spAwGpQRExcBrkHULge-TaS4hzfygsAZ-wtJLTxFJyhJWd21Cs1zuBzo44SwUa8IFlkmxhXJuR7jkeTWylxZY/s4032/Brasov.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheUL2IwMYBzQRn2QWrBj7-XgDCE_txQJucJSy1BEzE_MsuBtklMkbrYBMjzYfEsq2b6t4OK0bYWNQATjQOlHnZ0E1SkiD6r2spAwGpQRExcBrkHULge-TaS4hzfygsAZ-wtJLTxFJyhJWd21Cs1zuBzo44SwUa8IFlkmxhXJuR7jkeTWylxZY/w480-h640/Brasov.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brasov</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br />
<br />
<b><u>Things to see in Brasov:</u></b><br />
<ul>
<li>The Council Square</li>
<li>The Old Town Hall</li>
<li>The Black Church</li>
<li>Brasov's Defensive Fortification (we actually played a game with Questo app in order to get to know this specific part of the city and its bastions): Graft Bastions, White and Black Towers, Blacksmiths' Bastion, Catherine's Gate etc..</li>
<li>Tampa Mountain</li>
<li>Tampa Cable car</li>
</ul><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihaImF0TnSfhjidL4SfYqoiPhMPjPjqRPhW2k1uit6tui_OU0pc64jMyMdJX1nRKdKDtnVRXzjxMngIV-p3X01nnAAb8mu1UPuw1mbzAYZBM6h0wmzmeYx-8SkqtcD2jerWqCNf_zpY7UuI8xxsUVj2yEE3r3l_xeX4RqlqDTch2xIL9LJsj0/s4032/Coffee%20shop%20in%20Brasov.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihaImF0TnSfhjidL4SfYqoiPhMPjPjqRPhW2k1uit6tui_OU0pc64jMyMdJX1nRKdKDtnVRXzjxMngIV-p3X01nnAAb8mu1UPuw1mbzAYZBM6h0wmzmeYx-8SkqtcD2jerWqCNf_zpY7UuI8xxsUVj2yEE3r3l_xeX4RqlqDTch2xIL9LJsj0/w480-h640/Coffee%20shop%20in%20Brasov.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another cute coffee shop, this time in Brasov</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Bran </h3>
This is where you will find the famous Bran castle, more known as Dravula Castle. As expected, this city is much smaller than the other popular cities, however more crowded with tourists. It has a local sunday-like market and few local restaurants. It is actually a commune in Brasov county. As mentioned above, if I had to redo it, I would've skipped it. </div><div><br /></div><div>Bran is on the way to Bucharest when returning from Brasov, so it does make sense as a stop. It is quite a touristy area, and the castle did not live to the hype. In our experience, there was a long queue to enter and visiting the inside of the castle was an underwhelming experience. To be fair though, this could be due to it having been a hot summer with too many people around, who knows! But if you're expecting Dracula to greet you at the castle's gate, perhaps changing your expectations would help. </div><div><br /></div><div>On the other hand, if you want to be overwhelmed with history and beauty, I would recommend Sanssouci Palace in Vienna or Chateau de Versailles in France. I would only recommend it if you already exhausted a lot of things to do and visit in Romania, and you still have some time on your hands, also probably better experience when it's low season. A friend of mine visited for Halloween, and as you can imagine, the experience was more fun (in a spooky way).</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8JMia5JeblwHnGk3YH2a_qJvlUMlZl0vnEKl6JRPYXuxOqDOvpSlr-VEXpy3Yoz47jj0mPK3sc27OADx5QUNq5EHNweZHoyxpEe5Ocu39yxf2J3X86JZl8MsOEdJvWNxakkdPCMCPzx_JNqAZ1Xq0FO_PWgVT62lXklkZWxSCzDFTjI1B9B8/s4032/Bran%20Castle.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8JMia5JeblwHnGk3YH2a_qJvlUMlZl0vnEKl6JRPYXuxOqDOvpSlr-VEXpy3Yoz47jj0mPK3sc27OADx5QUNq5EHNweZHoyxpEe5Ocu39yxf2J3X86JZl8MsOEdJvWNxakkdPCMCPzx_JNqAZ1Xq0FO_PWgVT62lXklkZWxSCzDFTjI1B9B8/w480-h640/Bran%20Castle.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bran Castle</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Bucegi Natural Park</h3>
If you feel like you've had enough with the culture and medieval history, and want to explore nature, you can do some hiking, camping or simply enjoy being in nature. Bucegi Natural Park is around 3-4 hours away from Bucharest depending on traffic.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span>Bucegi Natural Park is situated in the Meridional Carpatians, the Bucegi Natural Park is one of the most impressive natural resorts in Romania. With more than 15 peaks over 2000 meters altitude - with Omu Peak (2505m) above all - Bucegi Natural Park is considered Romanias touristic cradle. Rising high, massive and bold above the horizon, with fierce peaks and steap valleys, alpine limestone grasslands, caves, springs and waterfalls, the Bucegi Mountains offer a breathtaking view, especially seen from the Prahova Valley. [<a href="https://www.romanianfriend.com/attractions/bucegi-natural-park">Source</a>]</span></i></blockquote><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_UJEVpscvohMOOp7kUn1q52grjQklDVZvqJiaoBDJcz9W-CAmubmsye9D1iIm3L5R3iuOyp2c_LnShc1xYgN0DsYmn3CeRY1Vb8GGpwySoE-39-3wJAjuDCL8ihscCjVDEoWCiGFkl099madQS9frDZ2j6UNLFLw168DZn-Oibl7qpP88fIs/s4032/IMG_6463.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_UJEVpscvohMOOp7kUn1q52grjQklDVZvqJiaoBDJcz9W-CAmubmsye9D1iIm3L5R3iuOyp2c_LnShc1xYgN0DsYmn3CeRY1Vb8GGpwySoE-39-3wJAjuDCL8ihscCjVDEoWCiGFkl099madQS9frDZ2j6UNLFLw168DZn-Oibl7qpP88fIs/w480-h640/IMG_6463.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<br />
<b><u>Things to do in Bucegi Natural Park:</u></b><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Camping</li>
<li>Hiking</li>
<li>Visiting Waterfalls</li>
<li>Geology fun (checking out shapes of peculiar rock formations) </li>
</ul>
<br />
<br /><i>
#FROMROMANIAWITHFUNK -- Visit on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/fromromaniawithfunk/" target="_blank">Instagram</a></i></div><br />Lilianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13845301181107256105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31373442.post-33434736109123677792023-04-20T13:01:00.016+04:002024-01-11T18:22:10.545+04:00Recommendations for things to do and see in Dubai<div class="separator">Dubai is no doubt a very popular destination and as a pass through city. In fact, in 2022, <a href="https://www.globalmediainsight.com/blog/dubai-tourism-statistics" target="_blank">14.3 million international visitors</a> visited Dubai. Out of this statistics, there's a tiny percentage of those who are people I know and ask for recommendations. So far, I've had these in a "note" on my phone, but it's time that I clean it up, fine tune it and share it here.</div><p>Given that Dubai is quite a fast moving city, there are always new restaurants that are a must try, for these, I recommend you check these three websites: <a href="http://visitdubai.com" target="_blank">Visit Dubai</a>, <a href="https://www.timeoutdubai.com/" target="_blank">Time Out</a> and <a href="https://whatson.ae/" target="_blank">What's On</a>. And for upcoming events and concerts, this is the website to visit <a href="https://dubaicalendar.me/">https://dubaicalendar.me/</a>. If you're old school and like print, you can grab a Time Out Dubai magazine for free in the departure section of our Dubai airports.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrh1vh7Ayi4VijL1O4mxj4PQdfOCPn1OOdshJxJMOt0YftLg3SXsJPWgruUSn4zRdGDdj9j_greSEM-zBV8hhSiic7SpS1CIQXWf2YTjs8m02yY0HQyCeb7jPml7ZFc7QEsxohL9Lo4Y_OqTCNL5AanY5VYz_nfpumnWUuOr68kkvIMmvXc6c/s818/Dubai%20Sunset.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="615" data-original-width="818" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrh1vh7Ayi4VijL1O4mxj4PQdfOCPn1OOdshJxJMOt0YftLg3SXsJPWgruUSn4zRdGDdj9j_greSEM-zBV8hhSiic7SpS1CIQXWf2YTjs8m02yY0HQyCeb7jPml7ZFc7QEsxohL9Lo4Y_OqTCNL5AanY5VYz_nfpumnWUuOr68kkvIMmvXc6c/w640-h482/Dubai%20Sunset.png" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><span></span><span><a name='more'></a></span><p><br /></p><p><b><u>Outline:</u></b></p><p><b><i>Where to stay</i></b></p><p><b><i>What to visit </i></b></p><p><b><i>Where to swim</i></b></p><p><b><i>Where to staycay</i></b></p><p><b><i>What experiences to experience</i></b></p><p><b><i>Where to relax</i></b></p><p><b><i>For the Art lovers</i></b></p><p><b><i>For families with kids</i></b></p><p><b><i>How to move around</i></b></p><p><br /></p><p></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Where to stay</h2><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">My favorite location in Dubai which brings you to proximity to the most vibrant part in Dubai (in my opinion) would be JBR / Marina / The Palm / Dubai Harbor. Whether you're booking through airbnb.com or a hotel, there's a large selection that can suit your preference and close to the beach. Another great location is of course Downtown, there's definitely no need to sell on this, this is more of a city vibe with great walking options nearby and a variety of great restaurants. If you're able to rent a car and prefer a cheaper option, you can always pick affordability in this case and go a bit further and book airbnbs in the likes of JVC / Barsha etc. Of course at this point, you are in a more of a residential area so you get to live like the residents do. </span></p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwSAp_3kPWxaQPOkk-zIYSCs-BSwGHDkvU7PR1b00LZxu2Zxbu47kqb2nemUTyGs5-0KPjtIOf9dxCZVcYCFXygBRdwbf6pIjRkdiwwexek7QNkZ1_uJzVg1uM3GFKsNRXulOl54Y-WfvO6R3TR14XkKVqa3Sw33vCZMFffJmaocbVTHLRFMo/s817/Al%20Maha.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="614" data-original-width="817" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwSAp_3kPWxaQPOkk-zIYSCs-BSwGHDkvU7PR1b00LZxu2Zxbu47kqb2nemUTyGs5-0KPjtIOf9dxCZVcYCFXygBRdwbf6pIjRkdiwwexek7QNkZ1_uJzVg1uM3GFKsNRXulOl54Y-WfvO6R3TR14XkKVqa3Sw33vCZMFffJmaocbVTHLRFMo/w640-h480/Al%20Maha.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Al Maha Luxury Resort</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">What to visit </h2><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><ul class="ul1" style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Bluewaters Island</b> with the giant ferris wheel, a great view of the JBR skyscrapers and a nice selection of restaurants.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Palm West beach</b>. This is one of the most recent establishments with the famous vibrant nights happening at Koko bay, February 30, .... A nice selection of beach bars and restaurants, with one of my favorites being Jones the grocer.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Madinat Jumeirah / Burj El Arab / Jumeirah Al Naseem</b>. Not new at all, but if you want a bit more of a traditional vibe with a couple of flagship well known frequently visited pubs and restaurants, this is the place to go.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Dubai Mall</b>. If you're surprised by this recommendation, then I am surprised at you being surprised. This is well known, and definitely a must visit, to see the worldwide famous <b>Dubai Fountain,</b> as well as to <a href="https://burjkhalifa.ae/en/index.aspx">visit the top of Burj Khalifa</a> for an exquisite 360 view. </span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Dubai Aquarium</b> at the Dubai Mall and the <b>Atlantis Aquarium</b> for some sea life viewing. You can watch from outside or purchase a ticket to view more from the inside.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Abu Dhabi.</b> The famous Formula 1 Grand Prix track, where Verstappen won due to that one last lap over Hamilton. Anyway, if you can dedicate at least a day to Abu Dhabi, you got the amazing Louvre Museum, Grand Mosque, Ferrari World. If you have more time, then you must experience the <a href="https://visitabudhabi.ae/en/plan-your-trip/article-hub/discover-abudhabi-islands" target="_blank">Abu Dhabi Islands</a>. For more on Abu Dhabi, you can visit <a href="https://www.visitdubai.com/en" target="_blank">Visit Abu Dhabi</a> website.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Al <a href="https://alseef.ae/en" target="_blank">Seef Dubai Creek</a>.</b> For a bit of a new old historic view of Dubai, Dhows and more.</span></li><li><b>La <a href="https://www.lamerdubai.ae/en/" target="_blank">Mer Dubai</a></b>. From retail to restaurants and a nice beach walk.</li><li><b style="font-family: inherit;">Dubai Gold Souk / Naif / Karama</b><span style="font-family: inherit;">. You can visit on your own and try and find a tour for more in depth understanding of what's happening in those neighborhoods.</span></li></ul><div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ3VJ6BV99yQ7X3CfTxQs0qFa0rv0CSWACwCZk6wJzOv4X-aCyoZYdGbXqZdUH0IZx1Ob00ierHpWXG83H7VDLHYumHw4PaByEJjdS234reXbYrmbVVGuVtGbGK3L7j_AQrBR_Olu2xTnt7bzESKJ4n6XfL1Ji95_VekqU_sfwT7dPnfXWP7E/s818/Kite%20Surfing.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="816" data-original-width="818" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ3VJ6BV99yQ7X3CfTxQs0qFa0rv0CSWACwCZk6wJzOv4X-aCyoZYdGbXqZdUH0IZx1Ob00ierHpWXG83H7VDLHYumHw4PaByEJjdS234reXbYrmbVVGuVtGbGK3L7j_AQrBR_Olu2xTnt7bzESKJ4n6XfL1Ji95_VekqU_sfwT7dPnfXWP7E/w640-h638/Kite%20Surfing.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><p></p><p></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Where to swim</h2><p>There's a chance I could be murdered if I share secret locations, but hey, it's not my fault if you can search for Secret Beach and find it on the map! Most of the below also offer kayaking, stand-up paddling services as well. You can take your own beach blanket and chair or rent.</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Kite Beach -- on windy days you can even learn how to kite surf, or actually kite surf</li><li>The Palm West Beach</li><li>Secret Beach</li><li>JBR The Beach</li><li>Night Beach</li></ul><p></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Where to staycay</h2><p>If you're here for a while, you can also visit the other Emirates in the UAE for a great couple of days of exploring. Luxury resorts such as Ritz Al Wadi in Ras Al Khaimah or Al Maha Luxury Resort also offer nature drives, safaris and more to explore and experience the desert. You can also visit Hatta where the Hatta Dam is and do some kayaking and other adventure activities there and Fujeirah for snorkeling and diving, or just chilling and camping by the beach. All of these Emirates are 1 to 2 hours away.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiayW_PhkV9mV4x2DhLt2tSjt93SUQi_9LVCBrj6YKGsPdMZKN3dV-09HtgGQm7xxOObFZl5Mv9nWYFFFqkn9x-Rm-YJlwF6CZy3f-PQ_f-CmvKpzLhphR0H0krWwAN8bRBMIVsFgnkCspVH2K7f95TDFFV_IdtZ9Bo73VPYC4dgMBnNaJfWkI/s819/Mosque.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="819" data-original-width="655" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiayW_PhkV9mV4x2DhLt2tSjt93SUQi_9LVCBrj6YKGsPdMZKN3dV-09HtgGQm7xxOObFZl5Mv9nWYFFFqkn9x-Rm-YJlwF6CZy3f-PQ_f-CmvKpzLhphR0H0krWwAN8bRBMIVsFgnkCspVH2K7f95TDFFV_IdtZ9Bo73VPYC4dgMBnNaJfWkI/w512-h640/Mosque.png" width="512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque - Abu Dhabi</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgueL2xjSQO0Ppcq90kqdTvNMG2zaAdg9PKL5g4GfSGgw4i2f1kuA8w7ctFfcbDG5rG0YC53Deky4urtw3SR-fGRqLO4OQj5a7Z8KJ4snECSshzCzLCJaCBvo85XGtD_ws4VZ5Fqh7lfC6Ov3Sdh53aVEEmCzcjIeMN-BZnuSBodRkDd6dVOS8/s820/Hatta%20Dam.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="818" data-original-width="820" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgueL2xjSQO0Ppcq90kqdTvNMG2zaAdg9PKL5g4GfSGgw4i2f1kuA8w7ctFfcbDG5rG0YC53Deky4urtw3SR-fGRqLO4OQj5a7Z8KJ4snECSshzCzLCJaCBvo85XGtD_ws4VZ5Fqh7lfC6Ov3Sdh53aVEEmCzcjIeMN-BZnuSBodRkDd6dVOS8/w640-h638/Hatta%20Dam.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hatta Dam</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">What experiences to experience</h3><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b><a href="https://www.dubaiopera.com/" target="_blank">Dubai Opera</a> </b>-- you can check out the various shows and performance on their website and book directly from there</li><li><a href="https://www.laperle.com/en/offer/friends-and-family"><b>La Perle by Dragone</b></a> -- a beautiful show a la cirque de soleil, I've been twice already</li><li><b>Desert Safari / Nature drives</b></li><li><b>Desert Camping -- </b>an easy location would be close to Al Qudra lakes</li><li><b>Love lakes / flamingo lakes</b> -- for an easy picnic and easy drive into the desert</li><li>Day trip to <b>Musandam</b> - Oman</li><li><a href="https://www.palmtowertickets.com/" target="_blank"><b>The View</b></a> for a 360 view of The palm. An expensive but more enjoyable hack is you can also eat at Sushi Samba (not cheap) and get a beautiful 360 view of Dubai.</li><li>Top of <a href="https://burjkhalifa.ae/en/index.aspx" target="_blank"><b>Burj Khalifa</b></a></li><li><b>Papillon DXB</b> [<a href="https://www.instagram.com/papillondxb/" target="_blank">instagram</a>] -- if you're looking for a great dinner with a "burlesque style" show. This is a great place to visit.</li><li><b>Scuba Diving</b> in the world's deepest pool [<a href="https://www.instagram.com/deepdivedubai/?hl=en">instagram</a>]</li><li><a href="https://itickets.ae/xline-dubai-marina-zipline" target="_blank"><b>Zip Lining</b></a> across Dubai Marina or a 90 minutes drive to Ras Al Khaimah on the world's longest zip line.</li><li><b>Sports.</b> From <b>Padel tennis</b> to hiking to golfing, Dubai is the place for you. </li><ul><li>Last time I checked, we had over 400 Padel courts which has taken Dubai by storm. For Padel booking, you can do so on the <a href="http://racketsacademy.ae/" target="_blank">Rackets Academy</a> app or simply visit Match Club [<a href="https://www.instagram.com/matchadxb/" target="_blank">instagram</a>] for a nice boho style restaurants with a yoga studio and Padel courts.</li><li><a href="https://www.timeoutdubai.com/things-to-do/the-best-hiking-trails-in-the-uae" target="_blank">Hiking</a> in the UAE (during good weather)</li><li><b>Golf</b> courses exist left and right. Definitely check your credit card loyalties for some discounts as well. </li><li><b>Cycling</b> on Al Qudra Cycling Track, trails of <a href="https://www.visitdubai.com/en/places-to-visit/mushrif-national-park" target="_blank">Mushrif National Park</a>, Dubai Canal</li></ul><li><b>Water sports</b>. As mentioned earlier, you can totally do kite surfing, kayaking, <a href="https://www.dubai-jetski.com/our-activities/parasailing/" target="_blank">parasailing</a> etc. But also you can rent jet skis and rent a boat for wakeboarding or wakesurfing. Here's an <a href="http://ignitesurface.com/" target="_blank">example of a place</a> you can book with.</li><li>Feel like flying some more? You can <a href="https://www.skydivedubai.ae/en/book-your-experience" target="_blank"><b>skydive</b></a> over the Palm or over the desert, go on the <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attractions-g295424-Activities-c61-t213-Dubai_Emirate_of_Dubai.html" target="_blank">Hot Air Balloon</a> or do a <a href="https://www.helicoptertour.ae/" target="_blank">helicopter tour</a> over Dubai</li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs70ms8DZUNL6J6V-oW1Tdyep5mRaF3EJk-3-XWDlwG9indsbn9svv8j1Gh2s0uDKlfaEiQilcQrHtAD-Sz7tCM2PADle3tAuILN6dSLV019EN3MACQtqJ-6QcX3Alb5kllQyO27JKOEFu-MH4TCqf92feiXygjotR4jq9dQ-MtJZ93QtBQaM/s818/Wakeboarding.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="818" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs70ms8DZUNL6J6V-oW1Tdyep5mRaF3EJk-3-XWDlwG9indsbn9svv8j1Gh2s0uDKlfaEiQilcQrHtAD-Sz7tCM2PADle3tAuILN6dSLV019EN3MACQtqJ-6QcX3Alb5kllQyO27JKOEFu-MH4TCqf92feiXygjotR4jq9dQ-MtJZ93QtBQaM/w640-h352/Wakeboarding.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbX2nnNK0hdSJhiRtDM4AReBS6RL71SNy6n775qv06T553gVrdg2Gcrh6o34SWfjYpeYZpGR5eiNYHHB-czNaJGZfkzsrAnvtxUwAd_O-PqiZ9tqHLNeAgf5wdJA_V9cwa4rBeVHSHsM3RewfwAsz7LiZx6aKA_Y6XFaiTlboCFV7RS76qNVA/s817/Dubai%20Marina.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="611" data-original-width="817" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbX2nnNK0hdSJhiRtDM4AReBS6RL71SNy6n775qv06T553gVrdg2Gcrh6o34SWfjYpeYZpGR5eiNYHHB-czNaJGZfkzsrAnvtxUwAd_O-PqiZ9tqHLNeAgf5wdJA_V9cwa4rBeVHSHsM3RewfwAsz7LiZx6aKA_Y6XFaiTlboCFV7RS76qNVA/w640-h478/Dubai%20Marina.png" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Where to relax</h2><div>I have one main favorite spa in all of Dubai, and if anyone can top that, please prove it to me. Therefore I am going to only recommend that one place. And that place is <a href="https://www.jumeirah.com/en/stay/dubai/jumeirah-zabeel-saray" target="_blank">Jumeirah Zabeel Saray - West Crescent of the Palm</a>. IT IS BEAUTIFUL. In terms of actual massage, they are okay, not the best, as you can expect from such a place it's more about the facilities and the overall experience. Facilities, include a sauna, a steam room, a snow room, an indoor pool and jacuzzi; they are just amazing. You will definitely be in for a treat. For proper Balinese or Thai massages, I would say you need to go to traditional massage places and try to find their best therapist. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEeYJMymWYy5wqKUkHknlbyWAG8GnFNg8KteltVLAchcF_PiM-8ZEQy53PJIvvIL_tTINnle37ynFOX-Xfzuu5lWzQqizFjFpRbwu5ASghanP5X8KK65ie8r3FoiTMWisSZvuOW_RhNXE1eUvZ5l05LsNt57TbTMYYo5NMzse2BFjN8PmAzXE/s819/Hatta.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="636" data-original-width="819" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEeYJMymWYy5wqKUkHknlbyWAG8GnFNg8KteltVLAchcF_PiM-8ZEQy53PJIvvIL_tTINnle37ynFOX-Xfzuu5lWzQqizFjFpRbwu5ASghanP5X8KK65ie8r3FoiTMWisSZvuOW_RhNXE1eUvZ5l05LsNt57TbTMYYo5NMzse2BFjN8PmAzXE/w640-h496/Hatta.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hatta</td></tr></tbody></table><div></div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Where to eat</h2><div>As I mentioned at the beginning, this city is constantly changing and I cannot keep up. I am also a bit of a routine person when it comes to food, as in, if I eat somewhere and enjoy their food, I would go again and again. I am listing below some low key restaurants as well with nice background music, that don't break the bank and do note that some of these have recently received a Michelin star or are on the Michelin guide.</div><div><br /></div><div>For reservations online (if you're like me and hate making phone calls), you can download the Reserve Out app or book through <a href="http://sevenrooms.com">sevenrooms.com</a>. </div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>3 Fils </b>(Jumeirah) [<a href="https://www.instagram.com/3.fils/" target="_blank">instagram</a>] -- places are limited, definitely book ahead. 3 Fils has a nice port view, and some really interesting menu. 3Fils is where my husband and I had one of our first dates!</li><li><b>Orfali Bros Bistro </b>(Jumeirah) [<a href="https://www.instagram.com/orfalibros_bistro/" target="_blank">instagram</a>] -- recently placed on the world's 50 best restaurants and rightfully so</li><li><b>Couqley</b> (JLT and Downtown) [<a href="https://www.instagram.com/couqleyuae/" target="_blank">instagram</a>] -- as a Lebanese, Couqley holds a special place in my heart, I was thrilled to see them open a second branch in Downtown. Consistent quality and with their flagship steak & frites, or Monday's Moule night, you cannot go wrong.</li><li><b>Maison Mathis</b> (Arabian Ranches) [<a href="https://www.instagram.com/maisonmathis/" target="_blank">instagram</a>] -- low key good food good mood type of neighborhood restaurant overseeing a golf course, so if you're into golf, this could be a 2 in 1 situations</li><li><b>Un Dimanche à Paris</b> (Bluewaters) [<a href="https://www.instagram.com/undimancheaparisuae/" target="_blank">instagram</a>] -- the food is alright, I mainly love that it's quite an affordable place with a great view</li><li><b>Clay</b> (Bluewaters) [<a href="https://www.instagram.com/clay_dubai/" target="_blank">instagram</a>] -- great Peruvian Japanese food restaurant facing the Ain Dubai (ferris wheel) and I just love their playfulness with their mini maki Ferris Wheel presentation</li><li><b>Kinoya</b> (Onyx - The Greens) [<a href="https://www.instagram.com/kinoya.ae/" target="_blank">instagram</a>] -- What started as a supper club on all things ramen, is now this successful restaurant on the Michelin guide.</li><li><b>21grams</b> (Al Wasl) [<a href="https://www.instagram.com/21grams.dubai/" target="_blank">instagram</a>] -- If you're looking for a great breakfast with some great bread, this urban balkan bistro is the place to go. </li><li><b>Bu Qtair restaurant</b> [<a href="https://www.instagram.com/buqtair/?hl=en" target="_blank">instagram</a>] -- If you're looking for an authentic experience, you must try this place. Small expectation setting needs to be done here, the menu only has catch of the day, shrimp, and paratha bread. You queue and order everything yourself, and they deliver it for you. This is far from fancy, but quite a nice experience.</li><li><b>Al Ustad Special Kebab</b> -- another cuisine to try while in the UAE, and Dubai specifically is persian, this place is quite popular with quite important people having visited it.</li><li><b>Mirzam Chocolat</b>e [<a href="https://www.instagram.com/mirzamchocolate/" target="_blank">instagram</a>] -- Best chocolate in the UAE. With a very beautiful coffee shop space as well.</li><li><b>Birch Bakery</b> [<a href="https://www.instagram.com/birch.bakery/" target="_blank">instagram</a>] -- a delicious bakery with some new take on pastry and croissant in terms of flavors, you're in for a treat. Try their Pain au Chocolate XL.</li><li><b>Canvas Gelato</b> [<a href="https://www.instagram.com/canvas.gelato/" target="_blank">instagram</a>] -- if you want a taste of some local flavors fused into gelato, this is the place to try. You can order online only.</li><li><a href="https://rawcoffeecompany.com/" target="_blank"><b>RAW Coffee</b></a> Company and Café [<a href="https://www.instagram.com/rawcoffeecompany/?hl=en" target="_blank">instagram</a>] -- it's one of my favorites, most low key with excellent coffee sourcing the best beans from the world. They also have great food options.</li><li>And of course, there is always the <a href="https://www.instagram.com/zumadubai/" target="_blank">Zuma</a>(s) of this world, Hutong, Sushi Samba, Prime68 Steakhouse...</li></ul><div><br /></div></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfPxL9RtyRSLucjM3rj5po0CXFlwFhQCVO0K_gKpKlJoShI9UkMimuF0liLHZ--ffMVr_b6GIyxefVcJj4ybYQksWaGppCkUceqG_THr9Fk5xXYuuo23nfJ5tY_JbMkEbVTKYDSaiVB-11RQ42bctC0sV9amuotBlpgo40-3XnaqaOG7GSc5w/s2048/Orfali%20Bros%20Bistro.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfPxL9RtyRSLucjM3rj5po0CXFlwFhQCVO0K_gKpKlJoShI9UkMimuF0liLHZ--ffMVr_b6GIyxefVcJj4ybYQksWaGppCkUceqG_THr9Fk5xXYuuo23nfJ5tY_JbMkEbVTKYDSaiVB-11RQ42bctC0sV9amuotBlpgo40-3XnaqaOG7GSc5w/w640-h640/Orfali%20Bros%20Bistro.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">For the art lovers</h2><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.louvreabudhabi.ae/">The Louvre Abu Dhabi</a> -- worth a visit for its beautiful architecture as well</li><li><a href="https://jameelartscentre.org/">Jameel Arts Center</a></li><li>Sharjah Art <a href="https://sharjahart.org/" target="_blank">Foundation</a></li><li>Sharjah <a href="https://rainroom.sharjahart.org/home.htm;jsessionid=9B23CA7736FE6FAF237A265FBA0C6D19?locale=en" target="_blank">Rain Room</a> Installation (book ahead of time)</li><li><a href="https://theculturetrip.com/middle-east/united-arab-emirates/articles/dubais-heritage-a-tour-of-al-bastakiya/">Bastakiya</a> for a cultural experience</li><li><a href="https://museumofthefuture.ae/en" target="_blank">Museum of the future</a> (book ahead of time)</li><li>AlSerkal Avenue Galleries</li><li><a href="https://cinemaakil.com/" target="_blank">Cinema Akil</a> for more indy movies viewings</li><li>Theater of Digital Art - <a href="https://toda.ae/" target="_blank">TODA</a></li><li>Infinity des Lumières - <a href="https://www.infinitylumieres.com/" target="_blank">exhibition booking</a></li><li><b><a href="https://www.aya-universe.com/" target="_blank">Aya Universe </a></b>- an immersive experience</li></ul><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj96RCRPRdxdZVnjuqdR0UrWYh51Lk69-ZdYiY85kta00NP8cK63wYcpdvzYbSw0LAfX8r6ILny6ObyFvbf2an_OlGv49SKZyDa0505J2XDH9UcW5aqFN5iJ50i0xUJvQpxM_mVRzG-qxZpi0OSqOlDG8lVy1cseIpHD1fjdNnUwoeavSqEAKs/s819/Museum%20of%20the%20future.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="819" data-original-width="656" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj96RCRPRdxdZVnjuqdR0UrWYh51Lk69-ZdYiY85kta00NP8cK63wYcpdvzYbSw0LAfX8r6ILny6ObyFvbf2an_OlGv49SKZyDa0505J2XDH9UcW5aqFN5iJ50i0xUJvQpxM_mVRzG-qxZpi0OSqOlDG8lVy1cseIpHD1fjdNnUwoeavSqEAKs/w512-h640/Museum%20of%20the%20future.png" width="512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Museum of the Future</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">For families with kids</h3><div>A quick tip, it might be more cost efficient for you to buy a yearly <a href="https://www.theentertainerme.com/en-ae/dubai-n-emirates" target="_blank">The Entertainer</a> subscription and get great deals on the below or <a href="http://groupon.ae">groupon.ae</a>.</div><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.dubaiparksandresorts.com/en/booking/tickets" target="_blank">Dubai Resorts & Parks</a></li><li>Atlantis Aquaventure</li><li>Wild Wadi Park</li><li>Miracle Garden (structures made of flowers and plants) / <a href="https://www.dubaigardenglow.com/">Dubai Garden Glow</a></li><li>Kidzania</li><li><a href="https://www.visitdubai.com/en/places-to-visit/aventura-parks" target="_blank">Rope Courses</a></li><li><a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=the+green+planet" target="_blank">The Green Planet</a></li><li><a href="https://www.globalvillage.ae/" target="_blank">Global Village</a> (November to April)</li><li>Expo Village</li><li>Picnics / Hikes in Mushrif Park, Safa Park, Zabeel Park</li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWzOZM3u1cXFyR9pyAaRuysGIoTTRU_M09u_1KfBAx2oJ7qhzfnxDRmgeT1iLb7ctcTWC58xxmCqE4ojQD5D44Mlg7J3uqIUkoOJ0NWzCjcaJekSLWsNeNIH6iKNSf_YXFktiLtpKJeH4_joe7VmrmL9EMN8L9PR85UdGSBCFStQ9sebMWJss/s817/Dubai%20Harbor.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="612" data-original-width="817" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWzOZM3u1cXFyR9pyAaRuysGIoTTRU_M09u_1KfBAx2oJ7qhzfnxDRmgeT1iLb7ctcTWC58xxmCqE4ojQD5D44Mlg7J3uqIUkoOJ0NWzCjcaJekSLWsNeNIH6iKNSf_YXFktiLtpKJeH4_joe7VmrmL9EMN8L9PR85UdGSBCFStQ9sebMWJss/w640-h480/Dubai%20Harbor.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">How to move around</h2><div>In Dubai, it's mainly taxis, you can book them through Uber or Careem apps. Through Careem you can also book the actual RTA taxis. You can use the metro and tram, but those are quite limited. If you do book an airbnb in JLT or Barsha Heights for example, you could be in walking proximity to a metro station, most of the destinations are malls though.</div><div>And of course you can rent a car!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks for reading, there's definitely more. I did not share much about clubbing because I don't go clubbing! In general though, the list of things to do and places to visit in Dubai is probably endless. If there is anything else you think I should add here let me know! Enjoy your time in Dubai and if you need any more tips, feel free to reach out to me through my Instagram account <a href="http://instagram.com/travelwithfunk" target="_blank">@travelwithfunk</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Lilianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13845301181107256105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31373442.post-14784508356226568692022-06-07T19:40:00.006+04:002023-05-09T17:16:22.098+04:00Socotra: The land of the Dragon Blood Tree and other wonders<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">Being in Socotra felt like everyone almost knew each other, running into people you met along the way on top of some mountain hiking under the sun or having the daily dinner at the local restaurant in Hadibo catching up on the news about the "guy" who is walking the whole island. As it turns out, this guy is <a href="https://www.instagram.com/hichame.moubarak/?hl=en" target="_blank">Hichame Moubarak</a>, a philanthropist that was walking / running around the island during that week to help raise money for local schools in Yemen. You can find more about his story <a href="https://www.arabnews.com/node/1893906/offbeat" target="_blank">here</a>.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX-khzMFeZr2TDHt37ny5PnSNOT6PhcoK9v6Wa31wX5FFuVOrTA728pig5J2mA6oaEk7dRFqx9XvlcWoc6XhVm5rQaE7ypyWP9YCp2e9_jR-2iu5M9Mg9puDoFFk6KJnV9fiZhInbg2evSt4MePCEYG0r8QoG8wmT52kNblAiBbxFRbsOfccs/s1440/Feet%20photo.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX-khzMFeZr2TDHt37ny5PnSNOT6PhcoK9v6Wa31wX5FFuVOrTA728pig5J2mA6oaEk7dRFqx9XvlcWoc6XhVm5rQaE7ypyWP9YCp2e9_jR-2iu5M9Mg9puDoFFk6KJnV9fiZhInbg2evSt4MePCEYG0r8QoG8wmT52kNblAiBbxFRbsOfccs/w300-h400/Feet%20photo.jpeg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feet meet Socotra</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span><a name='more'></a></span><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">When I came back from Socotra, I got a lot of questions about it as people are quite interested in visiting, so here's the low down and all the details you need:</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><b>Budget</b>: Around 2,650$ per person including everything (flights, visa, accommodation, food, guide & driver)</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><b>Flight:</b></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">From the UAE, there currently exists one weekly direct flight from Abu Dhabi to Socotra, operated by Air Arabia. It cannot be booked directly, you will need to book through an agency. We booked through an agency called <a href="https://www.instagram.com/findsocotra/?hl=en" target="_blank">Find Socotra</a> who were very responsive and supportive.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtiW2I045RAl-KFVDHFHBCtP7xYTvKKhp2xuRlL9oQyqUSsNtiv80GqLzoXxRmzA4lNEQAIs54XRbd47fLWME6M5jMXPi8dmxDZlcxLaQ4Q6KzP6wBpHBxp_mDh2YBvA9SA2tEChqkzkE0DW2pfk1FX8y_9CuAHBYkTPSi98r9s1VqHTXkhfQ/s4032/D6E48269-B161-4ACB-B983-F859C8690550.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtiW2I045RAl-KFVDHFHBCtP7xYTvKKhp2xuRlL9oQyqUSsNtiv80GqLzoXxRmzA4lNEQAIs54XRbd47fLWME6M5jMXPi8dmxDZlcxLaQ4Q6KzP6wBpHBxp_mDh2YBvA9SA2tEChqkzkE0DW2pfk1FX8y_9CuAHBYkTPSi98r9s1VqHTXkhfQ/w400-h300/D6E48269-B161-4ACB-B983-F859C8690550.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Detwah</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigPjeDLae7_753v3TvL4NZ_a-jPAHuv0u6UZOtyjSoqxvV9woDpyuekxpNl85fwHQJ13_y9rSWzECS29i-5v85iXHv0hqfNxgiPsKRBbETQ62IYvtsNE7o2a-rtT0NndurrmP-9C2bc7bJqyYOb3biFdKj71K8e6DKb14VC63Aten9g2e9QdY/s2048/BCB74C08-A2F8-4E16-8EF5-6EBFC1C61F5B.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigPjeDLae7_753v3TvL4NZ_a-jPAHuv0u6UZOtyjSoqxvV9woDpyuekxpNl85fwHQJ13_y9rSWzECS29i-5v85iXHv0hqfNxgiPsKRBbETQ62IYvtsNE7o2a-rtT0NndurrmP-9C2bc7bJqyYOb3biFdKj71K8e6DKb14VC63Aten9g2e9QdY/w400-h400/BCB74C08-A2F8-4E16-8EF5-6EBFC1C61F5B.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meeting the locals near Diksam Forest</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><b>Accommodation: </b></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">In general, you can camp all over Socotra for the duration of the trip, you can also request to stay in a hotel for some or all nights, all options are actually feasible. If you decide to be in a hotel the whole trip, you will miss on some night camping experiences, and this also means some more back and forth driving given that hotels are only available in the capital Hadibo. There is also only a handful number of hotels in Hadibo.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjselwQGSDvs_PbGEULdKZC8ZjTDtQTrG08zQM2DZL8rov-1cfevWvyo-WwurQUrlaOP8dhfyjGLYCwBPJMsn2HRQcHgBpq0I_60FaZw7vR-2F72nKoFFFGCbyOBLmmRHCiuoN2X3Flcfy41gk2ni_uHVMieBpfkdUBrTqpaVF_0tSQiXy5L7k/s2048/C77DABD7-534B-4F1C-B7BA-B6C17466ACC1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjselwQGSDvs_PbGEULdKZC8ZjTDtQTrG08zQM2DZL8rov-1cfevWvyo-WwurQUrlaOP8dhfyjGLYCwBPJMsn2HRQcHgBpq0I_60FaZw7vR-2F72nKoFFFGCbyOBLmmRHCiuoN2X3Flcfy41gk2ni_uHVMieBpfkdUBrTqpaVF_0tSQiXy5L7k/w400-h400/C77DABD7-534B-4F1C-B7BA-B6C17466ACC1.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Camping on our first night in Dihambri beach</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">We opted to do a mix of camping and hotel, mainly because the weather has gotten hot & humid when we were there, and frankly, the ground is rough to sleep on, a lot of small rocks. </div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /><b>Recommended Duration:</b></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">We went for a full week (8 days, 7 nights), and I did feel that there was a lot of downtime, thus why it is actually possible to drive back every day to the capital and stay at a hotel. The things we did can easily be packed into 3-4 days, however I this case, I think camping would be more ideal as it would then allow you to move faster between destinations. </div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyFYcI9rp-SVj_IJc74mxKTgfDiIZpw1njMoCdgJfRoGGjzzldL8gDUFUp9WiG3OWKpzkoSSUgbUz5RYsJsEXhRDvEv02Amyr4bSQBJIz9YBLit2JdN0IRi6gTk2GjoZUbLgQ3Il7VXAWcs4UXNLMKt0_YmaZFzA0PqsJb_mi34LAnYwtK7Po/s1776/BF4AB519-3C57-4FF0-878B-79E3C6128DEF-71702-00000D847DD9EB7C.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1184" data-original-width="1776" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyFYcI9rp-SVj_IJc74mxKTgfDiIZpw1njMoCdgJfRoGGjzzldL8gDUFUp9WiG3OWKpzkoSSUgbUz5RYsJsEXhRDvEv02Amyr4bSQBJIz9YBLit2JdN0IRi6gTk2GjoZUbLgQ3Il7VXAWcs4UXNLMKt0_YmaZFzA0PqsJb_mi34LAnYwtK7Po/w400-h266/BF4AB519-3C57-4FF0-878B-79E3C6128DEF-71702-00000D847DD9EB7C.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goats are all over the island. Including in the cities and nearby restaurants, where they jump on your table and eat your food</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">I will share below my thoughts on Socotra, as a lot of people have Socotra on their bucket list, mainly because of the rare Dragon Blood Tree, however, and in all honesty, I think 8 days is too much for this location, especially if you are going around shoulder season when the weather is not actually at its best, and there isn't much you can do during this downtime, even swimming as the sun is quite strong. My recommendation would be to wait until there is a second flight per week, so your trip would be 4-5 days instead.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi72Wtk6u4jdYszn8vUrGJA8Ut-McppytYIfX36fP1yP9BErsoF9gqNLUD51BHkfAMiyI7J7dtkmNC4-hH8ICz0KWssEggP_cAFrV7xG53bwiLZrbJdFHTBREsyb18jVVcG2bVhKp0NCRaQFXzLIhNz27GW_HkVOedSWLOaCKWnhsg5uXe6wh4/s1024/557c5652-5fc1-43ac-852a-9d9ccdd45f19.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi72Wtk6u4jdYszn8vUrGJA8Ut-McppytYIfX36fP1yP9BErsoF9gqNLUD51BHkfAMiyI7J7dtkmNC4-hH8ICz0KWssEggP_cAFrV7xG53bwiLZrbJdFHTBREsyb18jVVcG2bVhKp0NCRaQFXzLIhNz27GW_HkVOedSWLOaCKWnhsg5uXe6wh4/w300-h400/557c5652-5fc1-43ac-852a-9d9ccdd45f19.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As it turns out, the Dragon Blood tree's sap is rich in protective antioxidant phenols, and anti-inflammatory compounds of various kinds.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7LIpuaa3AjaVzHvBORpPKHq3FVTDWbm0Ja2F2r6bPDYxuWeDCVoRThaehrcmvzLxh5OdxQwyfBz4h32JgjC_Y6BhMvTBo1y2XzMy1OqMGx0ZMd9ZCiKT9QaGw-wsL2f9UPcFx0-4H_sgdGF_J3WrnMjPzLTIGdEkUgNfclTaV2J5srZG8SNw/s2048/466BD443-2A4C-481F-B22D-C4B203E7E546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7LIpuaa3AjaVzHvBORpPKHq3FVTDWbm0Ja2F2r6bPDYxuWeDCVoRThaehrcmvzLxh5OdxQwyfBz4h32JgjC_Y6BhMvTBo1y2XzMy1OqMGx0ZMd9ZCiKT9QaGw-wsL2f9UPcFx0-4H_sgdGF_J3WrnMjPzLTIGdEkUgNfclTaV2J5srZG8SNw/w400-h400/466BD443-2A4C-481F-B22D-C4B203E7E546.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A collage of Dragon Blood Trees "Dracaena cinnabari"</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px;"><b>Itinerary:</b></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">The below is the itinerary we did. There are some situation where you need to do certain things back to back due to their proximity to each other and depending on the camping spot, however, we ran into different groups all the time and it was noticeable that different groups had different order of things to do.<br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px;"><b>Day 1:</b> After landing at the airport, we went to Dihambri beach where we did some snorkeling then camped on the beach</span></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px;"><b>Day 2:</b> We left early in the morning to reach Kalleesa Canyon where we did a 20-30 minutes hike (depends on your pace, my pace was slow due to how hot and humid it was, and I guess I wasn't exactly in great shape) and then went swimming in the natural pools which was wonderful. We then drove for a while to reach Arher dunes where we went for a nice sunset swim in the beach. We also camped there, but unfortunately, it was quite windy, and because we were near the dunes, the wind was full of sand. What fun :)</span></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px;"><b>Day 3:</b> We were supposed to visit Hoq cave, but given the hike was going to be around 2.5-3 hours, I asked to skip it as heat and me don't get along well. So instead we went to Homhill forest and hiked all the way down to the viewpoint of the coast, there's also an "infinity" pool there, but we couldn't swim due to shallow water given it was end of season and not much rainfall by then. We then drove to the most eastern point of the island, then headed to stay in Hadibo, and in our air-conditioned room which restored some balance in my life.</span></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px;"><b>Day 4:</b> We went to Diksam which is a forest full of dragon blood trees.</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px;"> The hike was quite smooth and easy, and the view was wonderful. We then had lunch there and chilled under a large Dragon blood tree, then went back to Hadibo. </span></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px;"><b>Day 5:</b> On our 5th day, we went to see the sand dunes near Aomak camping site, then chilled by the beach there, then visited a cave nearby. </span></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px;"><b>Day 6:</b> We left Hadibo and headed to Detwah lagoon, quite a nice location, we then hiked for 15-20 minutes in order to have lunch at the caveman's cave... This was my favorite experience of the whole trip, you can read more about it below. </span>At night, after a very nice dinner cooked for us by our driver Wael, we then went to another location on the beach, where the guides and drivers have gathered around, brought percussion instrument and treated us to some Socotri dance. </li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px;"><b>Day 7</b>: On our before last day, we visited Qalansiye village which is very close to Detwah lagoon, where we took a boat to the isolated virgin Shuab beach, on the way we saw dozens of dolphins that swim along us. After a nice swim, we went back to our campsite for lunch, then headed back to Hadibo for our last night.</span></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px;"><b>Day 8: </b>We had breakfast at the one and only restaurant we have been eating in where the waiters now knew our orders by hear, then headed to airport.</span></li></ul><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUklSZV6W_GeXHzyzOqaDhL7vVY0DaxOu_bF3IJWfL3oZ2IHGJXICNDadl7V90XEtOVdLPH38B-TM2RlUFn46BJycCg2HYOGjtkA6pxy7XoNaihSj4MXgaB9HDhXEacmaARGLR6jp7--BjzEANicvLr1yR3ph10hxGrdLl7ISzlATlynXWQTs/s2048/0DC12401-E4C8-4692-95E8-42131D5AE2DE.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUklSZV6W_GeXHzyzOqaDhL7vVY0DaxOu_bF3IJWfL3oZ2IHGJXICNDadl7V90XEtOVdLPH38B-TM2RlUFn46BJycCg2HYOGjtkA6pxy7XoNaihSj4MXgaB9HDhXEacmaARGLR6jp7--BjzEANicvLr1yR3ph10hxGrdLl7ISzlATlynXWQTs/w400-h400/0DC12401-E4C8-4692-95E8-42131D5AE2DE.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 13px; text-align: left;">Kalleesa Canyon</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibIkKjn6Ybl6OAnDNJDOHowfw--L0slvG_sBR3oWellIc1kiJdPAVDYNWYM-CSUH5bQVzWVGPUmxMSje5r_iLGW33BcIiPEUmlAJGXkRO-X14Lx-kfvGhdRJVWHv67DtubZ26HG3LzWrGnbXbqXRNK2sO02EZ1R7ly9tsYyCSPKlHT-OJnB4w/s2048/9AB2764B-AC68-4E0A-A18B-E8B1AA57895B.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibIkKjn6Ybl6OAnDNJDOHowfw--L0slvG_sBR3oWellIc1kiJdPAVDYNWYM-CSUH5bQVzWVGPUmxMSje5r_iLGW33BcIiPEUmlAJGXkRO-X14Lx-kfvGhdRJVWHv67DtubZ26HG3LzWrGnbXbqXRNK2sO02EZ1R7ly9tsYyCSPKlHT-OJnB4w/w400-h400/9AB2764B-AC68-4E0A-A18B-E8B1AA57895B.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arher Dunes</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJW6TlhFDI3vzrLg1BTrf5NW-yu_7x1QTM2wHW7pRRi9Mp68v8LmqKPunQjdfLJ434sm4dZ3_99jQAP5Qo2qbcuf2cLlyqq0W3lepaEEa5cgMlMvtdezP78zPszetW750wlPBLlI_csZO7pBXxN0I-aMzAZHlTsXy0BynwKUM0CWJTgIlmwfw/s1653/IMG_4027.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1653" data-original-width="1240" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJW6TlhFDI3vzrLg1BTrf5NW-yu_7x1QTM2wHW7pRRi9Mp68v8LmqKPunQjdfLJ434sm4dZ3_99jQAP5Qo2qbcuf2cLlyqq0W3lepaEEa5cgMlMvtdezP78zPszetW750wlPBLlI_csZO7pBXxN0I-aMzAZHlTsXy0BynwKUM0CWJTgIlmwfw/w300-h400/IMG_4027.HEIC" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dolphin on the loose</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><b><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div>Should you visit Socotra:</b><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">Many people asked me about safety in Socotra. In terms of general security, it felt quite safe, there was also nothing close to pickpocketing, we really felt secure leaving our bags far from us. Granted our driver and guide were always around, which also made me feel super safe on a gender level. And I saw several women traveling solo around the island, certainly accompanied by a driver and / or guide. However, I can’t say if it is safe if you’re on your own (no guide / driver), especially as a woman and I don’t think that’s even possible yet, given that the flights are chartered and you need an official travel agency to help you book it, no car rental in sight, and lots of areas are not covered by network so no way to get around without the help of an expert local.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmgXEwJ5nqR1YJ3EepJDd1fV7Vlu4_Uk_SOMUOXQsyVFHNPkyDI-AQiOaIdJAh8PpXgnG9HAp4Sej-8AXEBVvbU0wbUPckErHckc9CMPQylevGQZdkY7dd7uovIOCMXZLOW2IhUQskviSRZZPIv8M0g8fOexit_OIcE0LM1l1tjLr-WCcp8I8/s2048/69FE8682-EC27-4BD5-AA32-75169DB66139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmgXEwJ5nqR1YJ3EepJDd1fV7Vlu4_Uk_SOMUOXQsyVFHNPkyDI-AQiOaIdJAh8PpXgnG9HAp4Sej-8AXEBVvbU0wbUPckErHckc9CMPQylevGQZdkY7dd7uovIOCMXZLOW2IhUQskviSRZZPIv8M0g8fOexit_OIcE0LM1l1tjLr-WCcp8I8/w400-h400/69FE8682-EC27-4BD5-AA32-75169DB66139.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adenium Socotranum - another native plant to Socotra</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">As I mentioned earlier, 7 nights / 8 days felt too long, and once there's a second flight allowing a 5 day trip, I believe this would be a better option. At the top of the post, I also mentioned the cost, but I really am unable to justify why it’s this expensive given how cheap the country itself is. So for that same price, you can easily get 5 days in the 5* hotel in the Maldives for example. Of course, Socotra is a wonderful place to visit, a place that reminds you of what it's like to live a basic life that is quite close to nature, and this is something everyone should experience, I just hope that with time it becomes more affordable.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM7zCXTvOHpYjUcE3f8b9yAt1aG50E1UCYGPEqPcDpIEvkBkCFTe1OebHs2jxMZ2HpWNpkO53jzdxeb43kIW1EqCXokNCiHeBKEdAeDBCOaY0NX962vvsqKWylNu_Ch1wAAiRtqnrcZeMaWq0ACDPX_b4Z_iicOaEXgh6WPCitb1UExpxwaNc/s2048/7484D8E2-E4CA-45D0-8877-AFA27CE2915C.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM7zCXTvOHpYjUcE3f8b9yAt1aG50E1UCYGPEqPcDpIEvkBkCFTe1OebHs2jxMZ2HpWNpkO53jzdxeb43kIW1EqCXokNCiHeBKEdAeDBCOaY0NX962vvsqKWylNu_Ch1wAAiRtqnrcZeMaWq0ACDPX_b4Z_iicOaEXgh6WPCitb1UExpxwaNc/w400-h400/7484D8E2-E4CA-45D0-8877-AFA27CE2915C.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the many caves in Socotra</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><b>Favorite experience:</b></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">We had a booking to have lunch at the one and only <a href="https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20211209-the-hermit-of-socotra-island" target="_blank">caveman (or hermit?) of Socotra</a>. He's actually known as the Hermit of Socotra island. His name is Ellai. He fishes by hand and cooks and serves food in his cave, where different tourist groups visit him. We had seafood and rice for lunch (rice was cooked by his wife) followed by tea made on fire that he made himself. I really enjoyed this experience, he's quite a talkative character, each person who visits him gets a version of his life story, we learned about the number of kids he had, his wife, and how when he was still a child, his pregnant mom who was also living in the cave, went to the sea to fish, but came back with a newborn baby! </div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTYxDkhKd7nk4aWHsh6FXiWxMabUr9f4rVyOhODI8nE8jD82xvmqad80UeLOlqmmx_mQExV49tEc9oswtY1FPv2jiAvCAK7PGGXxJc5LKX3lZFA_Y3psfxiFD60L5lrLZHxHctNPijynU948uRiRf7UcWV1bFttNo8LGcntD_yIvFvHWDNJ70/s1776/ED5F0A1A-1A32-43FC-9B18-30375F2B1970-71702-00000D84C4E9930A.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1776" data-original-width="1184" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTYxDkhKd7nk4aWHsh6FXiWxMabUr9f4rVyOhODI8nE8jD82xvmqad80UeLOlqmmx_mQExV49tEc9oswtY1FPv2jiAvCAK7PGGXxJc5LKX3lZFA_Y3psfxiFD60L5lrLZHxHctNPijynU948uRiRf7UcWV1bFttNo8LGcntD_yIvFvHWDNJ70/w266-h400/ED5F0A1A-1A32-43FC-9B18-30375F2B1970-71702-00000D84C4E9930A.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ellai - Also known as the caveman or hermit of Socotra</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">He served us mussels, fish, and calamari, and honestly the freshness and taste were so good. The view from the cave is fantastic, and the tea was just very filling.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwvr2w0V4ChsBYt_rBPruGgroa4P2c3r8cgs9MhbzCTNyyHoOWeXKDlnX-3iMaddzVMRcodJYBlHqa-qh8qXHgjJa2Yd9KMTC79twYO-tzIJ2cR_OjN8AAxjcN_GGdDCIduzPeLSMPzHDO09wMTb9YxG2ieRw8RVV7rAORJ1lGtULchpZYA48/s2048/A1699977-7B43-43B8-8008-C5992F2FCB13.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwvr2w0V4ChsBYt_rBPruGgroa4P2c3r8cgs9MhbzCTNyyHoOWeXKDlnX-3iMaddzVMRcodJYBlHqa-qh8qXHgjJa2Yd9KMTC79twYO-tzIJ2cR_OjN8AAxjcN_GGdDCIduzPeLSMPzHDO09wMTb9YxG2ieRw8RVV7rAORJ1lGtULchpZYA48/w400-h400/A1699977-7B43-43B8-8008-C5992F2FCB13.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chilling at Ellai's cave!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigtYvmas-aBkriGX4GL7sJyxOxQdkU0DO_H3_Els1TqgEqKy_-yu1L8frsxgb424AtL3d9WJ-C-UvWobLTRiY_BNCYudDvbNJm2zGelZNsLRa_DUpq-GZyq69wpszOhZiTy_YVs3sKfzgUtjWexwNszCdydQ2kssfelN7pvm0m3cei9cKrZYM/s1776/BB744F42-EB65-4009-8041-8C181AACCDBA-71702-00000D84C80A5BD6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1184" data-original-width="1776" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigtYvmas-aBkriGX4GL7sJyxOxQdkU0DO_H3_Els1TqgEqKy_-yu1L8frsxgb424AtL3d9WJ-C-UvWobLTRiY_BNCYudDvbNJm2zGelZNsLRa_DUpq-GZyq69wpszOhZiTy_YVs3sKfzgUtjWexwNszCdydQ2kssfelN7pvm0m3cei9cKrZYM/w400-h266/BB744F42-EB65-4009-8041-8C181AACCDBA-71702-00000D84C80A5BD6.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shahi anyone?</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"><b>Socotri Words to know:</b></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><i>Nimlaha = What's up?</i></li><li><i>B3afiyye = Similar to Bon Appétit</i></li><li><i>Amoor Tayyibeh = All good?</i></li><li><i>Shahi = Tea</i></li></ul><div><br /></div><div>Big shoutout to our wonderful driver / cook <b><i>Wael</i></b> and guide <b><i>Mohammed</i></b> for taking really good care of us.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW6gOwKY8ydEiTM2xtpQ9hUiEKug9zAjGs8nm5bct1rnhl0JIorE7tJE_XmJV0oRd3liKYp89wFXpvgi_l0jzz-E3kxExYVa7Cpm0ELN6CgPUWK1j944c5hvLWI8PLsNzyU54RjUrbGAuzrajwy9qPcjZJwnhTYi3weo9GUZndmsn3qk_3ElY/s2048/020C39F8-0124-4B84-91EB-A74CBDB9AAB1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW6gOwKY8ydEiTM2xtpQ9hUiEKug9zAjGs8nm5bct1rnhl0JIorE7tJE_XmJV0oRd3liKYp89wFXpvgi_l0jzz-E3kxExYVa7Cpm0ELN6CgPUWK1j944c5hvLWI8PLsNzyU54RjUrbGAuzrajwy9qPcjZJwnhTYi3weo9GUZndmsn3qk_3ElY/w400-h400/020C39F8-0124-4B84-91EB-A74CBDB9AAB1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>Feel free to head over to Instagram and watch the <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CdbPyhhJCav/" target="_blank">Reel video I created here</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>#FromYemenWithFunk</i></b></div><p></p></span></div>Lilianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13845301181107256105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31373442.post-18125174356634226842022-05-01T18:22:00.010+04:002022-05-01T23:07:02.407+04:00Thinking about a vacation in Malta? Here's what you need to know:Thinking about visiting Malta? You came to the right place. In this post, I will share with you the recommended duration to visit, where to go, where to stay and what to do! But first, let's start with 10 fun and/or interesting facts about this country.<div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeTXasPEhATNbzNZoYzx7u6w03GEcfeyHt8FACPyN0fJtJYbC6wPgRlnXWn4psGhrqEq-hG7x64ElMPkTfNTJhz8uLSA_-Wf5IK75SkmURJbNn14oNJNj7wo6o7eXrYEHq581FH5PJ414E_ApnuOQW9bPong9ZBlnUl3RD5tAIO4coQv9GL4U/s1280/Valletta.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1178" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeTXasPEhATNbzNZoYzx7u6w03GEcfeyHt8FACPyN0fJtJYbC6wPgRlnXWn4psGhrqEq-hG7x64ElMPkTfNTJhz8uLSA_-Wf5IK75SkmURJbNn14oNJNj7wo6o7eXrYEHq581FH5PJ414E_ApnuOQW9bPong9ZBlnUl3RD5tAIO4coQv9GL4U/w590-h640/Valletta.png" width="590" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Valletta<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span></span><span><a name='more'></a></span><div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Malta is comprised of <b>3 main Islands</b>. The main Island itself, Gozo (inhabited by
32,000 people) and Comino (uninhabited). </li><li>It imports all types of food because
of its harsh nature not suitable for planting fruits and vegetables.</li><li>It makes
<b>wine</b>! It is one of the smallest nations to produce wine. Apparently the
Phoenicians are thought to have been the first to plant vines in Malta, in
around 800 BC.</li><li>It was under the <b>British colony</b> between 1814 and 1964. Fun
fact, my great grand parents lived in Malta and had the UK passport, and my
grandmother was born in Malta.</li><li>Unfortunately, it was heavily <b>bombed</b> during
WWII. There were over 3,300 air raids on Malta and more than 30,000 buildings
destroyed.</li><li>They use the <b>ocean</b> as their source for freshwater.</li><li>The Maltese
<b>language</b> is a mixture of Italian, Arabic, French, and English. As a Lebanese, I
found it to be such a fun game understanding several of their expressions
(slight difference in pronunciation)</li><li>Their national dish is <b>Rabbit</b> stew,
which apparently was introduced by Phoenicians over 3 millennia ago.</li><li>Malta
has <b>knights</b>! The knights of St. John. They were given the land in 1530 by the
King of Sicily (Charles I of Spain) and ruled it for over 250 years. They
repelled many attacks from foreign powers but eventually fell to Napoleon in
1798. The old cities are still filled with architecture from one of the world’s
oldest religious orders.</li><li>Movies and Series:</li><ol><li>Purpose-built film set for
the movie <b>Popeye</b> which was shot there in 1980. Now the village still stands, and
it has become a tourist attraction fun park. You can visit Popeye Village from
the sea and land.</li><li>Season one of <b>Game of thrones</b> was filmed in Malta.</li></ol></ol>
Many of the above facts were taken from <a href="https://www.nothingfamiliar.com/facts-about-malta/" target="_blank">this article</a>, feel free to read it for more fun and interesting facts.</div><div>
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaDjT759yiJvszJ_MM-tqagK-O6eIy7i6S8aNwmnRE5gL29CZPSKF53z8GaSQxS80Eoee_Ecbwqh_sb2LloJDGkBlja920QyQNRsvgLwsyafo1M-DwWOwJlAp7-v1hONSnGcyrkoToDkWennmeNKoxoCT4N6uTzGajshj5tn-MvhujOtHX0vA/s3648/Popeye%20Village.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2432" data-original-width="3648" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaDjT759yiJvszJ_MM-tqagK-O6eIy7i6S8aNwmnRE5gL29CZPSKF53z8GaSQxS80Eoee_Ecbwqh_sb2LloJDGkBlja920QyQNRsvgLwsyafo1M-DwWOwJlAp7-v1hONSnGcyrkoToDkWennmeNKoxoCT4N6uTzGajshj5tn-MvhujOtHX0vA/w640-h426/Popeye%20Village.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Popeye Village - Malta</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx2ef_teJWMqDM02jnMDiOuJVGGGBUYYWxBkmto46X8Rb2033bRfTfnQl9FBRvz0rpD5GfPEoYXXTHq0U9uJoRjeFMiRnJZICjqj633B_-mswd0dJ7XIOnNSE_y7o-7XM_xUeumWgcUaxgyK4RfBDRq4TjtYhR3iyConjNFQSioDTpmvdcTTQ/s4032/Language.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx2ef_teJWMqDM02jnMDiOuJVGGGBUYYWxBkmto46X8Rb2033bRfTfnQl9FBRvz0rpD5GfPEoYXXTHq0U9uJoRjeFMiRnJZICjqj633B_-mswd0dJ7XIOnNSE_y7o-7XM_xUeumWgcUaxgyK4RfBDRq4TjtYhR3iyConjNFQSioDTpmvdcTTQ/w480-h640/Language.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arabic speakers, if you replace X with SH as a sound, what does this sound like? :)</td></tr></tbody></table><h3 style="text-align: left;">
Ideal trip duration:</h3>
The recommendation would be around <b>6 days</b>, even though we did go for 10 days, mainly to escape the UAE August and September heat. By going for 10 days, it gave us more time to explore in depth different parts of the country including spending 3 days in Gozo. But if you were combining Malta with other countries during your vacation, a ferry trip from Sicily for example, for a 3-4 day visit to Malta should be enough to give you a taste of this wonderful island; having said that, I have no regrets for spending 10 days there.<br /><br />
If I were to do it again, I would change the itinerary a bit, and I would probably spend more time around Valletta and the 3 cities while keeping it to 3 days for Gozo as the latter felt like a vacation within my vacation #Vacaception. Gozo is also a hot vacation & weekend spot for Maltese themselves; it’s smaller, quieter, and more chill.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie5-BapttH_6yebYaum5LV6gKWVuXUrvnlDqHokhri3tNxO-BE9sgMwcNpKdvrEYUv4z7bBjvZAesUVwehlZJ-s3UAnvY_HBbxjy0XbeS8bu58TvSrIVoAkAbhYuPzSboVjQE2Nua1rydK4pvCZVa3HhDyzg2GIo0WSZGkfeqTG9Ah-19Cl2U/s4032/Coffe%20with%20a%20view.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie5-BapttH_6yebYaum5LV6gKWVuXUrvnlDqHokhri3tNxO-BE9sgMwcNpKdvrEYUv4z7bBjvZAesUVwehlZJ-s3UAnvY_HBbxjy0XbeS8bu58TvSrIVoAkAbhYuPzSboVjQE2Nua1rydK4pvCZVa3HhDyzg2GIo0WSZGkfeqTG9Ah-19Cl2U/w480-h640/Coffe%20with%20a%20view.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coffee with a view in Valletta</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWhHF6EV_ZSOhK_L4sg1JhyjMXz9sK8rcG_CusKUxKPQ0sKY2ZautQMOxQzrMyhhunISH4iaji6yr4rwjOQ_zSJjIgmYJSr5yjt3rGM1vh5JDnSENUfyt3lca3isvxBI3HVb4VfHp3AZJaSH9e3to6gsT6GhNadvwheX0-Pn-8vNaggcxo7eE/s4032/Night%20life%20valletta.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWhHF6EV_ZSOhK_L4sg1JhyjMXz9sK8rcG_CusKUxKPQ0sKY2ZautQMOxQzrMyhhunISH4iaji6yr4rwjOQ_zSJjIgmYJSr5yjt3rGM1vh5JDnSENUfyt3lca3isvxBI3HVb4VfHp3AZJaSH9e3to6gsT6GhNadvwheX0-Pn-8vNaggcxo7eE/w480-h640/Night%20life%20valletta.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Valletta at night - Full of life</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;">
Where we stayed: </h3><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Valletta</b>: We stayed in “Ursulino Valletta”, on Ursula Street. I found the location to be great, close to everything and has a beautiful view from its rooftop. The hotel itself was super cute, very modern, we were on the ground floor, which was a bit claustrophobic, so I would recommend a higher apartment with a balcony if possible.</li><li><b>Saint Paul’s Bay</b>: We stayed in “Parklane Boutique Aparthotel”, super spacious and well located. Someone might tell you that this area is a bit more touristy, however I still think it’s worth staying there. We had super pleasant walks by the sea and the piers, and two of our favorite restaurants (recommendation below) were there. </li><li><b>Gozo (Santa Lucija)</b>: This was by far my favorite accommodation, we stayed in a place called “Sweet life Gozo”, you can watch the <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CTPTNNsp_Hj/" target="_blank">Reels</a> I made about this place here. It’s run by an Italian family, only has few rooms, feels more of a Bed&Breakfast style of place, with a superb breakfast (get the chocolate croissant), and a private pool which was literally all to myself when I swam there (pictures below). It is a bit far from the action if you want to walk, but I would presume if you’re staying in Gozo for 2-3 days, it’s much better if you rented a car and brought it over on the ferry providing you with ease of movement so you can visit different parts of Gozo (more on Gozo below).</li><li><b>Siġġiewi</b>: It’s quite an ordinary location, not touristy at all, but the accommodation “Pjazza Suites” was amazing, and again, quite central. So if you have a car (which you should), it’s close to Mdina – the silent city, also close to the south: Marsaxlokk which is definitely a nice spot to have fish given it’s knowing for fishing and its port.</li></ul><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-vFx34Tk7Ah3CdMiONB5PRQGXqjaDYRG3Z1JQKR15INGVn2RKQLpokGBpm96x_UdvrlzNQHFy7ymbE6h4KaE2Mc3KPCEB1aUVLLyPpcgc2XBTWs7wh3DeQNdQeGup47H-lfJYY_xeEE5zrVhkdf4fVhVxzVmEw3td3G2WdTkBPgSWyvyJnfQ/s4032/Feet%20photo.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-vFx34Tk7Ah3CdMiONB5PRQGXqjaDYRG3Z1JQKR15INGVn2RKQLpokGBpm96x_UdvrlzNQHFy7ymbE6h4KaE2Mc3KPCEB1aUVLLyPpcgc2XBTWs7wh3DeQNdQeGup47H-lfJYY_xeEE5zrVhkdf4fVhVxzVmEw3td3G2WdTkBPgSWyvyJnfQ/w640-h480/Feet%20photo.jpg" title="Facing Valletta" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Facing Valletta<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">
How to move around:</h3><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Ferry between Malta and Gozo. Free from Malta to Gozo, and you pay on the way back. Fun experience, prepare your camera when getting close to Gozo! And you get to take your car!</li><li>Rent a car to move around Malta as well as Gozo</li><li>Sail boat or Catamaran for a day trip to Comino and other bays</li><li>Bolt / Ecabs available when the nights you plan to have fun and don’t want to drive back late</li><li>If you’re only staying in Valletta / 3 cities, you can also move by boat, scooters and bicycles.</li></ul><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2vJGg9aZ1_4aiyZnLQkpnaDYtX1koo7Mnb1EeuMXbT8V9_cASGN3BkmZEyNz6t1F2I6tXGy8N9-3WO8d83X89lsTgXFvwzr2u9i13ZZcAwQ1F5bUdXSXtLEPx3z_-XW1ja4iaInVLv5QdluKYSQQB07oz7B_qz7XgwlegGgC_6XreIUs5MYg/s4032/Catamaran.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2vJGg9aZ1_4aiyZnLQkpnaDYtX1koo7Mnb1EeuMXbT8V9_cASGN3BkmZEyNz6t1F2I6tXGy8N9-3WO8d83X89lsTgXFvwzr2u9i13ZZcAwQ1F5bUdXSXtLEPx3z_-XW1ja4iaInVLv5QdluKYSQQB07oz7B_qz7XgwlegGgC_6XreIUs5MYg/w480-h640/Catamaran.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Catamaran we took for our day trip around the Islands</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimg8mP-0qcpApITgiWi0_jYwvRnzBeqeAjqn1gw9WaBtdoxiS3ihSRb08Wb-oNmbB5nmbENrBktLRetOxl-_BJSyCuMK3TpCQWUNVMwrXG-8e4fk2tjvgcuh7JpJOq9bSp5F4k7Lx_uZhrL4nlU39_VdTpxSF0cpZNqs1SJUC0Vac9zLiCdmg/s4032/Birgu%20coffee.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimg8mP-0qcpApITgiWi0_jYwvRnzBeqeAjqn1gw9WaBtdoxiS3ihSRb08Wb-oNmbB5nmbENrBktLRetOxl-_BJSyCuMK3TpCQWUNVMwrXG-8e4fk2tjvgcuh7JpJOq9bSp5F4k7Lx_uZhrL4nlU39_VdTpxSF0cpZNqs1SJUC0Vac9zLiCdmg/w640-h480/Birgu%20coffee.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coffee in Birgu</td></tr></tbody></table></ul><h3 style="text-align: left;">
Suggested itinerary:</h3><i>
6 days without Gozo, and 8 days with Gozo (I recommend to plan to visit Gozo in the middle)</i><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">
Valletta / 3 cities</h4><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Day 1</b>: Explore Valletta (recommended to go on a walking tour) </li><li><b>Day 2</b>: Explore the 3 cities, visit Hypogeum (book in advance)</li><li><b>Day 3</b>: Visit Mdina – The silent city and Rabat (need to prebook the tour), eat or drink at the café in Fontanella for a great view, and on a good day Mount Etna (Sicily) can be seen.</li><li><b>Day 4</b>: Marsaxlokk, great for fish restaurants, and a boat tour and on calm days they can take you to see the Blue Grotto. If you're there on a Sunday, there's a morning market.</li></ul><h4 style="text-align: left;">Mellieha or Saint Paul’s Bay</h4><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Day 5</b>: Visit Popeye Village, Golden Bay, Dingli Cliffs Sunset</li><li><b>Day 6</b>: Boat day (Comino, Blue lagoon), departure from Saint Paul’s Bay (need to prebook), dinner in Saint Paul’s Bay</li></ul><h4 style="text-align: left;">Gozo</h4><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Day 7</b>: Ferry to Gozo. Visit Tal Kanta, Blue hole, Dwejra bay, Xlendi bay (always keep a swimming suit and a towel on you)</li><li><b>Day 8</b>: Victoria, Citadel, Salt pans, Xwejni, Zaghra</li></ul>
<div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxhvM9STpkF2wqx5d9wK-aTi-lljqB8B6mc1T4n09HBYGFblVAlLCrBIIXjMQGLuxGIaCwGJa5n-9ufHFuWWuGlrB4_w7FxKHWEiX9OAeCNQz3lnQhJrftJGcVGFWzwmA606OqrXSZVaUNFhs61eKroEPVHqUdYQo49fJ89rNA4f3dvtiv6NY/s1200/collage%202.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxhvM9STpkF2wqx5d9wK-aTi-lljqB8B6mc1T4n09HBYGFblVAlLCrBIIXjMQGLuxGIaCwGJa5n-9ufHFuWWuGlrB4_w7FxKHWEiX9OAeCNQz3lnQhJrftJGcVGFWzwmA606OqrXSZVaUNFhs61eKroEPVHqUdYQo49fJ89rNA4f3dvtiv6NY/w640-h480/collage%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunday Market - Marsaxlokk </td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">
Things to do / Places to visit (recommended by a Maltese friend):</h3><h4 style="text-align: left;">Beaches </h4><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Imġiebaħ Bay, Mellieħa, Malta (off the beaten track)</li><li>Armier Bay, Mellieħa, Malta (local)</li><li>Slugs Bay, Mellieħa, Malta (small hidden beach)</li></ul></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5laHE6dSPg1kE7V7UOiGBFnyLc7fyF_sdnTsiAmqLokvsxFl-EYpqCyBYsFXURCx8ihaDoH7vRCCbamzlElirJlWMMGUolSC7a3OQ0hf70x2LVi9sjtnYkfvVPaYkhwV3uZLV5E_mX4wgNkm-mPXholFMOS0kJtm-FpKYgtxvMqcwiAj-4_g/s3814/Birgu%20-%203%20cities.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3814" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5laHE6dSPg1kE7V7UOiGBFnyLc7fyF_sdnTsiAmqLokvsxFl-EYpqCyBYsFXURCx8ihaDoH7vRCCbamzlElirJlWMMGUolSC7a3OQ0hf70x2LVi9sjtnYkfvVPaYkhwV3uZLV5E_mX4wgNkm-mPXholFMOS0kJtm-FpKYgtxvMqcwiAj-4_g/w640-h508/Birgu%20-%203%20cities.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birgu - one of the 3 cities</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><h4 style="text-align: left;">Restaurants </h4><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Mgarr for rabbit - proper local food</li></ul></div><div><h4 style="text-align: left;">Valletta:</h4><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Valletta Cathedral</li><li>The upper and lower Barrakka gardens</li><li>Explore Valletta streets including the Renzo piano parliament </li><li>The Valletta experience is a film about Malta. kitsch and not always grounded in historical fact but does provide the highlights
o The archaeological museum</li><li>Grandmaster’s Palace </li><li>The Lascaris war room. Super interesting for history buffs. We did this one and really enjoyed it.</li></ul><div><br /></div></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE1cKjyBXugFKCG2-0MpXR2FaUDffLwqvdG09_g5Gq_ZpPvr-DRBzsv9Tgj53MBfrzvw4GF6WOXtlKDfyofngBr6QPboRY1lhGXK4NT_dBjJcL4zDtjfcNd1WTcHmOrym0j4v3UwnlSa7hR44oQ2f0502zQdcrdYy9QkBOc_WLe8oolhJGLHA/s1280/Mdina.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1020" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE1cKjyBXugFKCG2-0MpXR2FaUDffLwqvdG09_g5Gq_ZpPvr-DRBzsv9Tgj53MBfrzvw4GF6WOXtlKDfyofngBr6QPboRY1lhGXK4NT_dBjJcL4zDtjfcNd1WTcHmOrym0j4v3UwnlSa7hR44oQ2f0502zQdcrdYy9QkBOc_WLe8oolhJGLHA/w510-h640/Mdina.png" width="510" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mdina</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><h4 style="text-align: left;">Mdina: </h4><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>If you do the tour, most of these will be covered anyway. Visit the cathedral and explore the city you will see how it's been developed across the various epochs as reflected in the various architectural styles (also go see the roman villa in Rabat)</li><li>Visit the grandmaster's palace and xara palace hotel to get an idea of what Maltese palaces are like inside (Napoleon allegedly slept there)</li><li>Crystal palace bar - just outside the city walls - to try Maltese street food known as pastizzi. This place is a working-class bar/tea place. P.s. Ask for one pea and one ricotta and te fit-tazza (similar to chai).</li><li>Hypogeum: The Hypogeum of Ħal Saflieni is a Neolithic subterranean structure dating to the Saflieni phase (3300 – 3000 BC) in Maltese prehistory. Recommended to book in advance. It’s a short experience but quite interesting to do. </li><li>3 cities – Best is to walk around and explore. You can see the inquisitor's palace 3 Cities and Megalithic Tarxien Temples Sightseeing Tour in Malta</li></ul></div><div> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFvsGAmua5jAWj-dhoVKEg6LOxkIDuF4vdl6JOg7EiyvKn0e1651cniowFqAucktgkMAUmGs933bxw0G8vR6xC5nPMxwuWqPLv91wHghWda27SJ2kBwrRuO_IL8gKsgCce4IF8Jl0SQ3DElwOewpI9Iatf2EX8UlWxOXvDGp5kU10Z4tyl494/s1280/Me%20in%20Mdina.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1022" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFvsGAmua5jAWj-dhoVKEg6LOxkIDuF4vdl6JOg7EiyvKn0e1651cniowFqAucktgkMAUmGs933bxw0G8vR6xC5nPMxwuWqPLv91wHghWda27SJ2kBwrRuO_IL8gKsgCce4IF8Jl0SQ3DElwOewpI9Iatf2EX8UlWxOXvDGp5kU10Z4tyl494/w512-h640/Me%20in%20Mdina.png" width="512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking around Mdina</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">Gozo:</h4>My favorite was Xlendi bay, as it’s super nice for a walk and a swim with a very nice sunset view. Close by, there's what's known as the Blue hole in Dwejra bay, where you can do a small boat tour to see how the light reflects on the water where the color is super blue. For a nice 360 view of Gozo you can visit the Cathedral of Assumption, it’s where the old city is located.</div><div><br /><b><i>Spots in Gozo to visit:</i></b><br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Ggantija</li><li>Xwejni Bay, Żebbuġ, Gozo (also check out the salt pans - it's lovely for a walk)</li><li>Cittadella</li><li>Qala Belvedere</li><li>Ramla beach</li><li>Victoria</li><li>Marsalforn Salt pans</li><li>Ghasri Valley</li><li>Dwejra Inland Sea & Fungus Rock</li><li>Kercem Heights</li><li>Xlendi</li><li>Snorkeling tour </li><li>Xaghra court, al sale and olympic restaurants (both also have nice upstairs seating area)
</li></ul><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHyx_sESm8QjmQlfUwaEGQ8esd1pHi_2puunuRHE6MbY33Q82tw8w1rfm93SkbiILzOkCq9j6cxz5ermeDu4cGH0P8O9w8V7p-Jem-Uj8dAEOen76HWne31gWoWkeofDDK880tUAp3NZaS22RIGB1vL-bs_NVkZDorFJzq_v3Ewnf65o-n9i8/s1200/collage.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHyx_sESm8QjmQlfUwaEGQ8esd1pHi_2puunuRHE6MbY33Q82tw8w1rfm93SkbiILzOkCq9j6cxz5ermeDu4cGH0P8O9w8V7p-Jem-Uj8dAEOen76HWne31gWoWkeofDDK880tUAp3NZaS22RIGB1vL-bs_NVkZDorFJzq_v3Ewnf65o-n9i8/w640-h480/collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gozo<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div></div><div>For more photos in Malta, check this hashtag <a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/frommaltawithfunk/" target="_blank">#FromMaltaWithFunk</a> on Instagram.</div></div>Lilianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13845301181107256105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31373442.post-7270563607922379502021-03-29T21:40:00.010+04:002023-05-09T17:16:04.872+04:00Getting married in Seychelles during a pandemic<p>What's it like traveling during a pandemic? Only a portion of people will get to experience this and it has surely changed over the course of the pandemic, be it the airlines and airports readiness itself or simply people getting used to the idea as the pandemic becomes part of our lives for the time being. It also surely depends on where you're going and why you're going.</p><p>Global travel has dropped to a new record low in 2020 where more than 62 million jobs were lost due to the pandemic halting travel. Most airlines estimate that it won't be until 2024 till travel goes back to how it was pre-covid19. So until then? Seems like PCR testing will remain part of our lives as well as maybe vaccination helping bypass quarantine requirements for some countries such as <a href="https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/iceland-vaccinated-bypass-quarantine" target="_blank">Iceland</a>, and in our case here, Seychelles.</p><p><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SfoqGqV_rDo/YGIN5EZQ10I/AAAAAAAAEiE/MqUBKMbrt7grI9xiEJBSCRLcPDSipIPdwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_7924.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SfoqGqV_rDo/YGIN5EZQ10I/AAAAAAAAEiE/MqUBKMbrt7grI9xiEJBSCRLcPDSipIPdwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_7924.JPG" width="640" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><h3 style="text-align: left;">Travel restrictions</h3><p>I traveled three times since the pandemic started in March 2020 and they were all with Emirates. Two of these trips were to go visit my family in Lebanon and the third to Seychelles. I surely have relaxed over time because it's quite clear how most airports are becoming quite self-aware and cautious while providing the right measures for social distancing and sanitizing. </p><p>The first thing you need to do is simply check what the airline is mentioning in terms of regulations. Some routes need you to do a PCR test within 72 to 96 hours before flight time, some require you to do a PCR test on landing, or few days after landing, some require you to quarantine either at home or at a hotel. Best to keep an eye and monitor the official sources of said country. </p><p>In terms of traveling, I do my best in terms of always keeping my mask on, sanitizing and washing my hands, keeping my distance, avoiding touching my face. Even though it felt fine at most time, the idea to travel for tourism didn't excite me at all as I felt that there isn't really a point going anywhere because either things are closed out of precaution or not which will mainly stress me out. Meanwhile, we've also been quite lucky living in Dubai as the beautiful weather really allowed us to be outdoors since last October; this alone alleviated a lot of the pandemic stress related feelings.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YBimosJVZ40/YGISt7AgcnI/AAAAAAAAEiw/2xUKyRhGc9YCpRKl7g1DF0MMM_hdF2QTgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_8991.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YBimosJVZ40/YGISt7AgcnI/AAAAAAAAEiw/2xUKyRhGc9YCpRKl7g1DF0MMM_hdF2QTgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_8991.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feet meet Seychelles<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><h3 style="text-align: left;"><br />Seychelles Covid19 regulations</h3><p>My partner and I decided around October to get married and we chose to go for Seychelles sometime in early Spring. Seychelles is well known for being a beach wedding destination. And the best thing is, they are doing everything right in terms of Covid-19 related measurements. When we made the decision back then, we saw that we were required to quarantine for 6 days and only at pre-approved establishments by the government. Around January, there was a new announcement allowing travellers who were vaccinated with two weeks having passed since their second dose to enter the country. In addition to that, it was great to see how serious and strict Seychelles were about the regulations. Even when vaccinated, we were still required to do a PCR test within 72 hours of our flight into Seychelles and we needed to fill and submit an <a href="https://seychelles.govtas.com/" target="_blank">online application</a> (paid) with all necessary documents before getting the approval to fly to Seychelles. I believe after mid-March, the country is now open to all travellers, regardless of vaccination status, as long as they do their PCR tests given that most of the population in Seychelles is now vaccinated.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">While in Seychelles</h3><p>If you ask me what I thought about Seychelles, I don't think I can give a fair assessment as when we were there few weeks ago, there was still a curfew, some restaurants had just started opening up but most were only open for take-away. The hotel managers were taking our temperature every day, and everywhere we went to from restaurants to souvenir shops were also taking our temperature. So it still didn't feel like I would imagine it would feel in non-pandemic days.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YchicMzlI4g/YGIS3IXlf9I/AAAAAAAAEi4/-InGfDI_EvE7qYvpiYv0-0dc8EsnH_yRwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_9179.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YchicMzlI4g/YGIS3IXlf9I/AAAAAAAAEi4/-InGfDI_EvE7qYvpiYv0-0dc8EsnH_yRwCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/IMG_9179.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morne Blanc Trail</td></tr></tbody></table><h4 style="text-align: left;"><br />Getting married</h4><p>We worked with <a href="https://www.instagram.com/wedinseychelles/" target="_blank">Marco Pross company</a> who helped arrange the wedding from decor, flowers, working with registrar, arranging a hairstylist, a photographer, as well as certifying our marriage in the UAE embassy in Seychelles and mailing us the document. </p><p>Another pandemic twist to our marriage was that the government required the beach wedding to take place at a hotel with direct beach access, so we had to do some last minute plans to accommodate that. Luckily this gave us a chance to experience another hotel. </p><p>The wedding itself was no doubt beautiful as the turquoise sea was our backdrop. And the owners of the hotel were extremely helpful with filming the whole wedding and going live for our family and friends to watch and be with us. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C-onriDmcig/YGIaAv9UedI/AAAAAAAAEj0/i97a0mIz35EeJrbnpf8DuXKUp5vybkRcwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_7991.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C-onriDmcig/YGIaAv9UedI/AAAAAAAAEj0/i97a0mIz35EeJrbnpf8DuXKUp5vybkRcwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_7991.JPG" width="640" /></a></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Where should you stay</h3><p>We stayed at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CMGu2qRFBK4/" target="_blank">Le Nautique Waterfront Apartments</a> at Anse Royale (they also have another location in La Digue island) where we had our wedding. We then stayed in the original accommodation we had booked "<a href="https://www.booking.com/hotel/sc/red-coconut-self-catering-villa-39-s.html" target="_blank">Red Coconut Self Catering Villa</a>" where we were supposed to quarantine, as it's quiet, only accommodates the owners and two other accommodations (a bungalow and a 2 bedroom villa) and has a small cute pool so we thought it would be good for us to have that space. And then we didn't really want to change anymore as the owner was super helpful throughout giving us tips and recommendations, so we kept it.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uImeXVtYIvc/YGIP6GgvsoI/AAAAAAAAEic/T911HVQFjGcCTaV4kqmrivckBgyhU7SNgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1153/Baie%2BLazare.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="860" data-original-width="1153" height="478" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uImeXVtYIvc/YGIP6GgvsoI/AAAAAAAAEic/T911HVQFjGcCTaV4kqmrivckBgyhU7SNgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h478/Baie%2BLazare.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baie Lazare</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZK0akrLcvZM/YGIS_irsvcI/AAAAAAAAEjA/lb_hJKJaQO4okN1Eymf3jNex0x65ZGTCwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/6F161099-210F-469B-B19E-51A4512B72F7.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZK0akrLcvZM/YGIS_irsvcI/AAAAAAAAEjA/lb_hJKJaQO4okN1Eymf3jNex0x65ZGTCwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/6F161099-210F-469B-B19E-51A4512B72F7.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eden Island</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br />Now the question is where should you stay and what can you do? Okay, so stay on the main island where you land, and that's Mahe and visit and swim in beautiful beaches like <i>Anse Intendance</i> and <i>Baie Lazare</i>, go hiking in Morne Blanc (800m elevation - medium level) to reach the top for a gorgeous view of the west side of the Island, visit Eden Island to try its restaurants or go on a half day or full day trip by boat tour. We did all of these and they were quite nice (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/17882480180077015/" target="_blank">Instagram Seychelles highlights</a>). Of course, we didn't have a lot of tour options and had to do a private boat tour due to restrictions and social distancing. Hopefully by the time you go, you can do much more.</p><p><br /></p><p>The private boat tour was quite nice, albeit quite expensive, nevertheless we didn't mind paying as it was literally the only thing we paid for besides our wedding and the food for the week. We visited several close-by islands near Mahe such as Long island, Round island, Moyenne island (it was closed when we went, but you can visit it to see giant tortoises) and snorkel around the area. </p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Visiting other Islands</h3><p>You can also take the ferry (double check the timings specially if you have a flight to catch) to a couple of other islands such as La Digue and Praslin and stay there for few nights. I kind of wish I did more planning as those islands are gorgeous but I was mostly busy trying to get the paperwork right to be able to fly to Seychelles and do the wedding. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eJ2cJeEC1-4/YGIOgfY0z2I/AAAAAAAAEiU/SXEHvJmKgiU_jTjpV6sKVYNDs5TYw6dVwCLcBGAsYHQ/s3968/DJI_0036.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2976" data-original-width="3968" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eJ2cJeEC1-4/YGIOgfY0z2I/AAAAAAAAEiU/SXEHvJmKgiU_jTjpV6sKVYNDs5TYw6dVwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/DJI_0036.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anse Intendance</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br />Other <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g293738-Activities-Seychelles.html" target="_blank">activities</a> you can do would be parasailing, diving, go on cultural tours, visit the botanical gardens, visit Victoria market. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FwCX3cDcN_E/YGIQerFQaiI/AAAAAAAAEik/3W3Dpqos99MQE5DimfoGks3HiPb6G9MqgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1440/Morne%2BBlanc.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FwCX3cDcN_E/YGIQerFQaiI/AAAAAAAAEik/3W3Dpqos99MQE5DimfoGks3HiPb6G9MqgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/Morne%2BBlanc.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from Morne Blanc trail</td></tr></tbody></table><h4 style="text-align: left;"></h4><h4 style="text-align: left;"><br /></h4><h4 style="text-align: left;">Driving in Seychelles</h4><p>It's not rocket science but I just wanted to keep this here in case you haven't noticed. Seychelles is like the UK, the car drives on the left side and the steering wheel is on the right of the car. What made this a bit more difficult is that the roads are narrow, so just keep that in mind and be careful! Moreover, due to how narrow the roads are, shorter distances take longer time by nature, and most of the time you might feel like you need to be jumping from one side of the island to the other. </p><p>All in all though, we were still able to make it, thanks to countries like Seychelles and the UAE that have put proper regulations and requirements in place facilitating travel whilst keeping everything safe. </p><p>As a bonus, I made a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TravelWithFunk/posts/4559479810745733" target="_blank">relaxing 3.5 minutes video</a> of all things Seychelles turquoise water. Enjoy!</p><p><i><a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/fromseychelleswithfunk/" target="_blank">#FROMSEYCHELLESWITHFUNK</a></i></p>Lilianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13845301181107256105noreply@blogger.com0Mahé, Seychelles-4.6826693 55.480396-32.992903136178846 20.324146 23.627564536178845 90.636646tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31373442.post-12419341612104974452020-12-31T18:17:00.003+04:002020-12-31T18:46:35.174+04:00Man vs Nature - Black & White<p>Like everybody else this year, traveling for tourism was not really an option for most of us. Luckily though, right before the world started going into lockdowns, I had the chance to go on a trip mid February to Iceland with the Offbeat crew led by my favorite photographers <a href="https://www.zizka.ca/" target="_blank">Paul Zizka</a> and <a href="https://davebrosha.com/" target="_blank">Dave Brosha</a>.</p><p>Every year the offbeat community has a photography theme, where this year's theme was Black and White. Before 2020, I can count on one hand the photos I processed as Black & White, yet without realizing, a lot of photos I took in Iceland fell naturally into Black & White mostly due to the black lava sand and large silhouette mountains. </p><p>Without further ado, here are my favorite captures from this year showcasing humans in the face of nature. Iceland was a constant reminder of the power nature has, whether it came in the form of beauty, force or size. I constantly felt in awe and I hope I was able to portray this in my photos.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uHlsHpp4yEs/X-21xFcr5GI/AAAAAAAAEeU/V52opPucga0HABaM7JJxA0_TXj1si7L6QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Man%2Bvs%2BNature%2BBW.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uHlsHpp4yEs/X-21xFcr5GI/AAAAAAAAEeU/V52opPucga0HABaM7JJxA0_TXj1si7L6QCLcBGAsYHQ/w426-h640/Man%2Bvs%2BNature%2BBW.png" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You will notice that every single photo in this series has water in it in different forms. One of my favorite philosophical sayings is by Bruce Lee where he says:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i></i><blockquote><i>Empty your mind, be formless, shapeless, like water. If you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle, it becomes a bottle. You put it into a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Water can flow, or it can crash. Be water my friend.</i></blockquote></div></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Alternatively, water can be as soft and nice as a smooth splash in a safe pool, or raging over our heads in a form of a rainstorm or flood. It's beyond me how we only remember the power of nature only in bad moments. We ought to give it the respect it deserves, at all time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hZUeBHwFg6Y/X-3gltMHWNI/AAAAAAAAEfo/eYDSJOjOgCs6xTRgeC_4xX-7AdcfM53sACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_3496.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hZUeBHwFg6Y/X-3gltMHWNI/AAAAAAAAEfo/eYDSJOjOgCs6xTRgeC_4xX-7AdcfM53sACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_3496.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>I was struggling to find the proper frame to capture this waterfall specially with so many tourists around, but then it dawned on me how small in comparison do they appear and used that as the main component of the framing.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6QvZWLWx3Q8/X-3JteyPnrI/AAAAAAAAEeg/rcOLodnSH1w7geQq7vfrLTkn5ziUIU4CQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Man%2Bvs%2BNature%2BBW%2BWaterfall.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6QvZWLWx3Q8/X-3JteyPnrI/AAAAAAAAEeg/rcOLodnSH1w7geQq7vfrLTkn5ziUIU4CQCLcBGAsYHQ/w426-h640/Man%2Bvs%2BNature%2BBW%2BWaterfall.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8YkAYaEqATk/X-3KMcQt9tI/AAAAAAAAEeo/rkilPQJJvLA1FZ_rWXX2ZLKNZUlH7HlgACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Double-double.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8YkAYaEqATk/X-3KMcQt9tI/AAAAAAAAEeo/rkilPQJJvLA1FZ_rWXX2ZLKNZUlH7HlgACLcBGAsYHQ/w426-h640/Double-double.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Don't underestimate these sneaky waves!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LXQ5GnJMfUM/X-3QiDxR0aI/AAAAAAAAEe0/lTrz2qfoS_8tBYR32cqUoI83l71AUiN-wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/vik%2Bbw.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LXQ5GnJMfUM/X-3QiDxR0aI/AAAAAAAAEe0/lTrz2qfoS_8tBYR32cqUoI83l71AUiN-wCLcBGAsYHQ/w426-h640/vik%2Bbw.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div><br /></div>When we went to Mount Vestrahorn, we had a chance to play with reflection, one of my favorite style of photography.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MkzFWdyIhdM/X-3a3Vb_ijI/AAAAAAAAEfM/2-hyLiq6O6MK0dq-D_nlqi55KOz6b6pSACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_3335.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MkzFWdyIhdM/X-3a3Vb_ijI/AAAAAAAAEfM/2-hyLiq6O6MK0dq-D_nlqi55KOz6b6pSACLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/IMG_3335.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kNj_tJrzNTo/X-3hWEOaUcI/AAAAAAAAEfw/NQ5tCn3E0SErRG0wgmi4mBAzgSq5mxyjwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_3482-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kNj_tJrzNTo/X-3hWEOaUcI/AAAAAAAAEfw/NQ5tCn3E0SErRG0wgmi4mBAzgSq5mxyjwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_3482-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lpvj7v0d7Y4/X-3jZnJOdRI/AAAAAAAAEgA/yt84vL6fSwYzs7Ycf_yonPfmnpZ3px9BwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DAD0B9AE-9374-4165-A89E-4F86622971B5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lpvj7v0d7Y4/X-3jZnJOdRI/AAAAAAAAEgA/yt84vL6fSwYzs7Ycf_yonPfmnpZ3px9BwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/DAD0B9AE-9374-4165-A89E-4F86622971B5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>This view felt like it transported me into an old time. I particularly enjoyed the exposed left side and the haze coming out of the mountains, making it a bit of a magical moment for us.</div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HWFItQU_s6A/X-3Z1XS7e5I/AAAAAAAAEfA/qT_sMr-_J7w9-sD3V7OF4y5_8IeO2qTwgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_3650.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HWFItQU_s6A/X-3Z1XS7e5I/AAAAAAAAEfA/qT_sMr-_J7w9-sD3V7OF4y5_8IeO2qTwgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/IMG_3650.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The only landscape photo I have in this series, I also have a vertical one but I felt this one really portrayed the man versus nature. Look at the man, and look at the wave, and you can start to imagine the splendor we witnessed. It was also a beautiful colorful sunset.</div><div><br /></div><div>For the last two photos of this series, it was not easy to let go of the beautiful hues of blue that we see in ice caves, glaciers, and icebergs. Specially the way they reflect light at different times of the time. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YMD1o-Dn3S8/X-3a7Be2wRI/AAAAAAAAEfQ/MPOOUlZuhuILSbzMeP4dk8AacRD1gaMugCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_3440.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YMD1o-Dn3S8/X-3a7Be2wRI/AAAAAAAAEfQ/MPOOUlZuhuILSbzMeP4dk8AacRD1gaMugCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/IMG_3440.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t9gwKQX5vDk/X-3bRpie0QI/AAAAAAAAEfc/l6LGsBcHTgAgJ2-5Ru0FYW9_u3AdcDLlgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4302.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t9gwKQX5vDk/X-3bRpie0QI/AAAAAAAAEfc/l6LGsBcHTgAgJ2-5Ru0FYW9_u3AdcDLlgCLcBGAsYHQ/w426-h640/IMG_4302.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><p>I hope you enjoyed the black and white journey through Iceland. It's a magical place. I have been there twice already and I plan to go again. </p><p>Happy 2021!</p><p><br /></p></div><span><!--more--></span>Lilianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13845301181107256105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31373442.post-14054073408303374072020-07-07T12:58:00.010+04:002020-07-29T22:52:11.119+04:00Lebanese in Dubai heading back home? Here's what you need to know:In the midst of the pandemic happening globally, there has been a lot of concerns and confusion regarding when we can fly again. And I am almost certain that most of us Lebanese are wondering how can we go back home specially with all the problems taking place in our home country, be it the economic hardship, currency collapse, electricity cuts and potential scarcity of food.<div><br /></div><div>Many of us are scared and worried to go back and not just because there's a pandemic cloud reigning over our heads. </div><div><br /></div><div>From my side, I decided to go back home to see my family and see if there is anything I can do to help and show support. I booked my flight with Emirates, so I will share below the steps you need to keep in mind, it's quite straight forward once you know what they are. I assume the process is similar for MEA.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0tvSVOQR_N8/XwQ1bCOA_xI/AAAAAAAAEYU/yBM9S4OPWF0-t091jJQOtt4Mg2S7uelTgCK4BGAsYHg/s1076/DXB%2Bairport%2BEmirates%2B1.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="586" data-original-width="1076" height="273" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0tvSVOQR_N8/XwQ1bCOA_xI/AAAAAAAAEYU/yBM9S4OPWF0-t091jJQOtt4Mg2S7uelTgCK4BGAsYHg/w500-h273/DXB%2Bairport%2BEmirates%2B1.png" width="500" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: Woman checking in at an Emirates counter in DXB airport during Covid19<br />Source: Emirates.com<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wHbJNzC3sPM/XwQ1y-TUieI/AAAAAAAAEYo/999WAQSuLQcY5lnLHI6cy1inZPBzJfCOQCK4BGAsYHg/s2016/Enter%2Bapproval%2Bnumber.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1088" data-original-width="2016" height="270" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wHbJNzC3sPM/XwQ1y-TUieI/AAAAAAAAEYo/999WAQSuLQcY5lnLHI6cy1inZPBzJfCOQCK4BGAsYHg/w500-h270/Enter%2Bapproval%2Bnumber.png" width="500" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GDRFA Application Number text box on Emirates.com flight booking form<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div><br /></div><div>Here is what Dubai residents need to know:</div><div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Prior to booking your ticket, you need to apply for a <a href="https://smart.gdrfad.gov.ae/Smart_OTCServicesPortal/ReturnPermitServiceForm.aspx" target="_blank">permit to come back to Dubai</a> (<i>you will need to enter your residency VISA file number - second line on your residency visa)</i>, once you have an approval from GDRFA (mine came within 5 minutes), you will be able to insert the application number in the designated box while booking the ticket. If you have already booked your ticket, you should still apply for the permit and have the approval email ready while checking-in at DXB airport's check-in counters. If for any reason your return date changed and need a new approval, you can submit a new application in the last 7 days before the expiry of the approved return permit (source: GDRFA website). The permit is valid for 30 days.</li><li>Fill <a href="https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/988ba32e1b634902ba3b14c3e4f1614d" target="_blank">Lebanon's health declaration form</a> prior to flying to Beirut. </li><li>Pre-pay for the PCR test that will take place when landing in Beirut Airport with your airline. Double check if it's already included in ticket, if not you will need to call them to pay for that by providing your ticket reference number. Someone mentioned that for MEA, PCR test cost is already included in ticket price (if someone can confirm). Make sure you <i>print the receipt of the PCR test</i> (you will get a copy as PDF to your email). It's much easier than showing it off your phone as for some reason, confirmation of payment of the PCR test is not always showing up at check-in or boarding.</li><li>Before leaving to Lebanon - so far - you are required to do a PCR test within 96 hours before your flight and show it at check-in <i>(recommended that you print that)</i></li><li>As of August 1st, people flying from Lebanon are required to do a PCR test in a designated lab in Lebanon within 96 hours before flight time. More <a href="https://www.emirates.com/ae/english/help/flying-to-and-from-dubai/tourists-travelling-to-dubai/" target="_blank">info here</a> and designated laboratories in Lebanon <a href="https://c.ekstatic.net/ecl/documents/health-screening-documents/approved-laboratories.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>. </li><li>When coming back to Dubai, you will need to do a PCR test on landing in DXB airport.</li><li>You need to also print and fill the following forms (<a href="https://c.ekstatic.net/ecl/documents/health-declaration-e-form.pdf" target="_blank">UAE Health declaration form</a> and <a href="https://c.ekstatic.net/ecl/documents/dubai-arrivals-quarantine-procedure-declaration-form.pdf" target="_blank">Quarantine consent form</a>) and have them ready with you to hand over to Dubai Health Authority.</li><li>You must also download the COVID-19 DXB Smart app (<a href="https://apps.apple.com/ae/app/covid19-dxb-smart-app/id1504818399" target="_blank">iOS</a> / <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ae.gov.dha.covid19" target="_blank">Android</a>)</li></ol><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IJ_71LSWj54/XwQ3S6rQc8I/AAAAAAAAEZI/Tt2RBDjBa3gCbyS1alvNQcMCOCwYmI_hgCK4BGAsYHg/s1072/DXB%2Bairport%2BEmirates%2B2.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="1072" height="293" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IJ_71LSWj54/XwQ3S6rQc8I/AAAAAAAAEZI/Tt2RBDjBa3gCbyS1alvNQcMCOCwYmI_hgCK4BGAsYHg/w500-h293/DXB%2Bairport%2BEmirates%2B2.png" width="500" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Woman picking up her suitcase from the baggage belt at DXB Terminal 3 airport. <br />Source: Emirates.com</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W2isNrJfdUA/XyHFLHoQ-1I/AAAAAAAAEbU/S3Pfc_FQWgsWvT1_dXOT1bm-60pb9_TDgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1708/Designated%2BLabs%2Bin%2BLebanon%2Bfor%2BPCR.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Click on image to see larger size" border="0" data-original-height="964" data-original-width="1708" height="362" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W2isNrJfdUA/XyHFLHoQ-1I/AAAAAAAAEbU/S3Pfc_FQWgsWvT1_dXOT1bm-60pb9_TDgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h362/Designated%2BLabs%2Bin%2BLebanon%2Bfor%2BPCR.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Designated Laboraties in Lebanon<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><div>You can read more about the general guidelines for tourists visiting Dubai here as well: <a href="https://www.emirates.com/ae/english/help/flying-you-home/">https://www.emirates.com/ae/english/help/flying-you-home/</a></div><div><br /></div><div>You can find below the full detailed guidelines:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UBhGG51zEqY/XwQ45x-9rKI/AAAAAAAAEZk/MM6WLG3fY1Q9VCZd5QffLUNrralWQXRaQCK4BGAsYHg/s1085/Screenshot%2B2020-07-06%2Bat%2B15.52.24.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="643" data-original-width="1085" height="298" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UBhGG51zEqY/XwQ45x-9rKI/AAAAAAAAEZk/MM6WLG3fY1Q9VCZd5QffLUNrralWQXRaQCK4BGAsYHg/w500-h298/Screenshot%2B2020-07-06%2Bat%2B15.52.24.png" width="500" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AQeNQmT7sss/XwQ5AZ3ee2I/AAAAAAAAEZw/XFp0XqYsWnYx5VoHpIvYrO5_ROX2ST5WwCK4BGAsYHg/s1083/Screenshot%2B2020-07-06%2Bat%2B15.52.31.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="536" data-original-width="1083" height="248" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AQeNQmT7sss/XwQ5AZ3ee2I/AAAAAAAAEZw/XFp0XqYsWnYx5VoHpIvYrO5_ROX2ST5WwCK4BGAsYHg/w500-h248/Screenshot%2B2020-07-06%2Bat%2B15.52.31.png" width="500" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: Emirates.com<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Hope this helps and have a safe trip.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Disclaimer: The post above is to the best of my knowledge. It's always best to confirm directly with the airline and the official sources. The post was written on July 7th, 2020 and last updated on July 29.</i></div><span><!--more--></span><span><!--more--></span>Lilianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13845301181107256105noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31373442.post-55587723821141990802020-05-09T18:35:00.007+04:002021-03-29T21:58:20.569+04:00Traveling during Covid19 Pandemic? A possibility!<h4 style="text-align: left;">Current situation</h4><div>When the airports are closed, your vacations canceled and your plans shattered, most of us human beings are realizing how much it is okay to be home, specially those of us blessed with a roof over our heads, food on our table and the basic necessities. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jliTxaM4UCA/XrbBArrQNMI/AAAAAAAAEUs/48ZJUCqDn60wAo6FRTFK8IrGPzPOLKm9wCK4BGAsYHg/Plague%2BDoctor.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jliTxaM4UCA/XrbBArrQNMI/AAAAAAAAEUs/48ZJUCqDn60wAo6FRTFK8IrGPzPOLKm9wCK4BGAsYHg/w400-h300/Plague%2BDoctor.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /><span><a name='more'></a></span><div><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">Internet is a blessing</h4><div>In the late 80s, we had civil war in my home country. My experience back then of that "lockdown" was basically hiding in a shelter with limited food, no electricity or running water (we had to go fill water from nearby water sources) and our only mode of entertainment was mainly playing cards. So I look around me today and I am quite thankful for what we have and how we can still interact and be there for each other, albeit not physically. Internet is making things much easier than we can ever imagine, from ordering groceries and food online, to being connected to friends and family, and being entertained.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-94dDOqs254o/Xra-WCfdanI/AAAAAAAAETk/xQqA7BVNoasxUiX96-t7c8UAk8jcWxBxQCK4BGAsYHg/Airbnb%2BOnline%2BExperiences.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="980" data-original-width="868" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-94dDOqs254o/Xra-WCfdanI/AAAAAAAAETk/xQqA7BVNoasxUiX96-t7c8UAk8jcWxBxQCK4BGAsYHg/w354-h400/Airbnb%2BOnline%2BExperiences.png" width="354" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">Online Experience</h4><div>A friend of mine tweeted a couple of weeks ago how's he's going to learn how to make coffee with a Mexican barista, and that he has a meditation session scheduled with a Japanese Buddhist monk. Clearly, I was intrigued. so I asked him about it and he mentioned <a href="https://www.airbnb.co.uk/s/experiences/online" target="_blank">Airbnb Experiences</a> have gone online. First, I admire airbnb for their agility as a company to find a new source of income, but also still have some people keep their jobs over the world and have attendees and people who were supposed to be traveling, still find ways to be entertained.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have joined 7 experiences so far:</div><div>1) Coffee <a href="https://www.airbnb.co.uk/experiences/1655017?source=pdpother" target="_blank">masterclass</a> with national judge from Mexico</div><div>2) <a href="https://www.airbnb.co.uk/experiences/1654801" target="_blank">Meditation</a> with a Japanese Buddhist monk</div><div>3) Follow a <a href="https://www.airbnb.co.uk/experiences/1658926?source=p2" target="_blank">plague doctor through Prague</a></div><div>4) <a href="https://www.airbnb.co.uk/experiences/1654030?source=p2" target="_blank">Tango concert</a> with Latin grammy Nominee from Buenos Aires</div><div>5) The <a href="https://www.airbnb.co.uk/experiences/1659259?source=p2" target="_blank">Secret Jazz Club</a> (run from the Netherlands with musicians in different parts of the world) <-- One of my favorite experiences</div><div>6) <a href="https://www.airbnb.co.uk/experiences/673724" target="_blank">Cello Meditation Concert</a> with The Wong Janice from the Nertherlands</div><div>7) <a href="https://www.airbnb.co.uk/experiences/1685932?s=67&sharer_id=7327332&unique_share_id=3138d56a-2272-47f2-97d2-db632e000238" target="_blank">Eastern European Pastries from Gramma's recipe</a> with Lenka from Slovakia & New York <-- Since I love baking (a new found love), I really enjoyed this one</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5ZMI_fGFC54/Xra-jXs_HwI/AAAAAAAAETw/UMEB8-x1VPM-Wqw-msn81gmw79SJh0l_wCK4BGAsYHg/The%2BSecret%2BJazz%2BClub.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5ZMI_fGFC54/Xra-jXs_HwI/AAAAAAAAETw/UMEB8-x1VPM-Wqw-msn81gmw79SJh0l_wCK4BGAsYHg/w400-h300/The%2BSecret%2BJazz%2BClub.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watching a Live Jazz concert from the comfort of my living room<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pnTYn8mOwBo/XrzkZnpbTeI/AAAAAAAAEVw/QmriSRIdDX4TqS-E6BIHzPIHI4YjgQVRACK4BGAsYHg/Cello.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="2048" height="250" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pnTYn8mOwBo/XrzkZnpbTeI/AAAAAAAAEVw/QmriSRIdDX4TqS-E6BIHzPIHI4YjgQVRACK4BGAsYHg/w400-h250/Cello.jpg" title="Cello Meditation Concert" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cello Meditation Concert<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">Enjoyable to say the least</h4><div>I found all of them to be interesting in their own way, I actually gave them all 5 stars. There might be some history, personal stories, actual experience, a class or simply enjoying great music. </div><div><br /></div><div>It's important to keep in mind that this is relatively a new format and they're finding the best way to keep people engaged, small groups but still receive quality information, audio / visual as well as experience. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iWVraJi_3dU/Xra_K7hLj9I/AAAAAAAAEUI/lUun0MFqtSoYDXC9IYmJeJzRNVEDrYI5gCK4BGAsYHg/Tango%2Bwith%2BMaria.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iWVraJi_3dU/Xra_K7hLj9I/AAAAAAAAEUI/lUun0MFqtSoYDXC9IYmJeJzRNVEDrYI5gCK4BGAsYHg/w400-h300/Tango%2Bwith%2BMaria.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Personally, I am really enjoying this and I have decided to do one experience per week. And I hope that even when we can travel again, we still have this format as honestly it's been such a great atmosphere, and from the comfort of your own sofa, whereas people, not only from different nationalities, but actually currently in different parts of the world, are going through the same experience at the same time. I have always wondered what it would be like to attend a jazz concert in a small club with only a few of us being there, and the Secret Jazz club gave me a very similar experience. </div></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-antyGoymB9U/Xrzkl7soasI/AAAAAAAAEV8/1Oy-KYp_ews-gk348_bSLyEH3vlMMInHQCK4BGAsYHg/Screenshot%2B2020-05-13%2Bat%2B19.24.23.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="2880" height="250" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-antyGoymB9U/Xrzkl7soasI/AAAAAAAAEV8/1Oy-KYp_ews-gk348_bSLyEH3vlMMInHQCK4BGAsYHg/w400-h250/Screenshot%2B2020-05-13%2Bat%2B19.24.23.png" title="It felt like a proper physical baking class! Thanks Lenka!" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It felt like a proper physical baking class. Thanks Lenka!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">Setup</h4><div>A quick tip from my side. For the concert online experiences, I have been airplaying them to my TV and sending audio over bluetooth to my surround sound system, which makes the whole thing 10x better.</div><div><br /></div><div>More online traveling we have seen is <a href="https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/2020/04/02/these-museums-are-offering-free-virtual-tours/" target="_blank">Virtual Museum tours</a> worth checking out. </div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>And don't forget to follow me on Instagram <a href="http://instagram.com/travelwithfunk" target="_blank">@travelwithfunk</a></i></b></div>Lilianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13845301181107256105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31373442.post-70512290009428129202019-12-30T00:59:00.007+04:002023-12-22T13:12:28.813+04:00Rwanda - The beautiful country we can learn fromWhen the opportunity came up to join <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1704586836452637/" target="_blank">MAG Adventures group</a> on an exploration trip to Rwanda, I immediately jumped on it because seeing the mountain gorillas has been top of my list for a while now. Other than that, I did not have many expectations as I didn't know much about the country.<br />
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Have you ever landed in an airport, and the minute you stepped off the plane everything felt so raw that you just knew you're going to have a good trip? This is what I felt after we landed in Kigali. Rwanda was truly something else.<br />
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For a country like Rwanda to have such a big impact on the conservation of an endangered species like the mountain gorilla, it means they are doing something right. And I was on a mission to know more about the people who think this way.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UjYCLQKL2oc/XgkFBsOjkMI/AAAAAAAAEPQ/dbPUDM2KDlcGpeZpMXJY8kLB9kdDgqsDwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screenshot%2B2019-12-29%2Bat%2B23.45.29.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1204" data-original-width="962" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UjYCLQKL2oc/XgkFBsOjkMI/AAAAAAAAEPQ/dbPUDM2KDlcGpeZpMXJY8kLB9kdDgqsDwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Screenshot%2B2019-12-29%2Bat%2B23.45.29.png" width="510" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Member of Umubano family</td></tr>
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Rwanda is really beautiful. The landscape there is different from what you stereotypically expect from an African country. Because it's near the equator, the scenery really resembles what you see in places like Bali and Sri Lanka. Needless to say, it's stunning with a beautiful variety of animal species.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seen at Nyungwe National Park</td></tr>
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What was more striking though about Rwanda is its people. This is a country that is recovering from a very recent genocide -- just a bit over 25 years ago -- and it's fresh in people's minds. And given the occurrence of something so ugly, traumatizing and brutal, the country is actually doing well. In fact, Kigali is now considered the <a href="https://www.lonelyplanet.com/rwanda/safety" target="_blank">safest</a> capital in Africa.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LxqqqleaTO8/XgkIvVtRKpI/AAAAAAAAEQI/7-xs5xaclEMvj8D4axNtNWteAEXd2g1RQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/81358607_10151272320379980_1060607363037265920_o.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LxqqqleaTO8/XgkIvVtRKpI/AAAAAAAAEQI/7-xs5xaclEMvj8D4axNtNWteAEXd2g1RQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/81358607_10151272320379980_1060607363037265920_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kigali Market</td></tr>
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I won't get political here, as this is a travel post, but what I really respect about Rwandans is that they're not trying to forget, they have forgiven (from what I observed), and the reminder of the genocide is clear and real in their Kigali Genocide Memorial, which is the final resting place of many of its Tutsi victims. It's right there in the middle of the capital: a reminder for its people to never go down that route. It's truly overwhelming. We as human beings forget our humanity at a point in time and end up doing horrible things, and for what really? I really invite you to visit it as we owe it to them to hear and see their story.<br />
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In 2019, Rwanda did a <a href="https://www.journalducameroun.com/en/genocide-memorial-rwanda-starts-100-days-of-mourning-sunday/" target="_blank">100 days of mourning</a> for the people they lost in the 1994 genocide - KWIBUKA 25. I want to pay tribute to this beautiful country and its beautiful people through this post. And I hope it inspires you to go visit them soon. We see great countries on the verge of collapse just because their people stop trying. This is not the case for Rwanda.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Woman at tea plantation</td></tr>
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As I mentioned earlier, I joined this trip that was organized and prepared by MAG Adventures back in February 2019. I really do recommend traveling with them as they've been doing trips like these for many years and the program they select and design is outdoorsy and fun. It's my fourth trip with them.<br />
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Since this is not a trip I designed, I can't give you specific recommendations except that visiting the Mountain gorillas is a must as this will be an experience of a lifetime. If this is the only thing you're interested in, you can consider Uganda as well as it's cheaper there. But bear in mind that the money you spend on the ticket to enter the national park, goes to conservation of this endangered species.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just before our hike to meet the Mountain Gorillas.</td></tr>
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<h3>
Favourite moment #1: Visiting the Mountain Gorillas</h3>
We visited Umubano family of 13 members. “Umubano” means: good relations. They’re a family of 13 members, including 4 silverbacks, 2 females, 1 three months old, and 2 kids and 2 blackbacks.<br />
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Rwanda has demolished poaching in order to conserve and help increase the Mountain gorilla population. 10% of the National Park entrance money goes to support the community (so they no longer have to poach or sell gorillas in order to survive) and the rest of the money goes to expand the land to provide more space for more families to co-create and increase the population.
There’s over 600 🦍 on the Rwandan side. They were critically endangered. Now, there is over 1000 🦍 between Rwanda, Uganda and Congo.<br />
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<h3>
Favourite moment #2: Massage at the hot springs</h3>
Another favourite moment of mine was when we took the boat and we visited hot springs. The people there were so fun to talk to. They give you a scrubbing with the mud from the hot springs and some sort of a plant to soothe the skin, then wash your feet with the hot water and finally give you a foot massage. And no, this is not in a fancy spa, it's all of us together enjoying this moment together!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hot Springs Massage</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They loved taking photos, and the lady in the red t-shirt was mute yet always smiling!</td></tr>
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Favourite moment #3: Visiting the cultural village</h3>
On the way there, I was kind of dreading it thinking this is going to be another cliché experience. It was only our group visiting at that time and honestly, the next one hour was so amazing, the smiles never left our faces. The learning about their culture and habits, seeing samples of how their houses used to be designed, doing a mock-wedding and having the village people come together to throw a wedding ceremony for us from dancing to singing to playing instruments. It was truly amazing. The money spent helps them support the families who live nearby and the conservation of the national park.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Traditional House</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Traditional Wedding Ceremony</td></tr>
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Here's a list of things to consider doing and places to visit:<br />
<ul>
<li>Canope Hike in Nyungwe Forest National Park</li>
<li>Kamiranzovu Waterfalls Hike in Nyungwe Forest National Park</li>
<li>Boat ride to get close to Congo Borders and visiting the Hot Springs (which was my second favourite moment after seeing the gorillas - photos will tell you the story)</li>
<li>Musanze City Tour</li>
<li>Mountain Gorilla Visit & Hike</li>
<li>"Mountain Gorilla View" Hotel lunch (Foot Massage & Shoes cleaning as a post-hike treatment and great food)</li>
<li>Cultural Village</li>
<li>Kigali City Tour</li>
<li>Kigali Genocide Memorial (<a href="https://www.kgm.rw/">website</a>)</li>
<li>Kigali Market "Kimirinko"</li>
<li>Volcano / Lake Hike</li>
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I loved seeing all the colours in Rwanda. Everywhere you look you see pieces of art, whether it's their artefacts, fruits, beans, bags or simply their clothes. Rwanda, with its colours, its nature and its people, is a country of hope.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rwandan chess game?</td></tr>
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We saw many people, men, women and even children, walking on the sides of the roads for what was obvious to be a lot of miles, carrying very heavy and very big things on their heads.</div>
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One important tip, make sure you try their plantain dessert!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not an appealing photo, but the taste makes up for it!</td></tr>
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There were many more favourite moments. The hikes weren't as difficult as I expected and we ended up being in a mesmerising beautiful nature. It was a trip to remember.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of the Volcano National Park</td></tr>
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Thanks Mahdi, Emina, Mohammed and Alex for being great companions.</div>
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<i><b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/fromrwandawithfunk/">#FROMRWANDAWITHFUNK</a></b></i></div>
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<br />Lilianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13845301181107256105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31373442.post-45577331099011295282019-12-29T23:18:00.002+04:002021-04-01T11:22:51.717+04:00Yoga Retreat in El Nido with Dina Ghandour<i>The below is written by a fellow yogi who was part of our group for this yoga retreat. I thought it captured the essence of this amazing destination and the yoga retreat, that I can definitely not write it better. Written by <b>Osman</b> and you can find him on his <a href="https://www.instagram.com/osman_yoga/">instagram</a> (p.s. he's also a yoga teacher). </i><br />
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A 15 min hike up a stairway made of bamboo to reach a humble tent. No AC, no heated water. Showering with a frog or a "cuuuuuuuute" red spider dangling from the ceiling simply to check you out.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birdhouse, El Nido - Palawan</td></tr>
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Sleepless nights due to heavy winds of a typhoon not too far away. Tent feels like lifting off at times, with the sound of an electric fan in the background reminding you that hey! It is OK! You still have electricity and you have an LED bulb lighting your humble tent.<br />
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Be grateful be humble. Pac one, turtle and Baye (guesthouse's dogs) occasionally roaming around the tent (Nest 3). Barking loud at the stormy winds or the wild monkey or a stranger cat. Making sure everyone is safe and secure.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PbRnM9hO9mw/Xgj7AHnf8jI/AAAAAAAAEOg/aDs7B7fJvOE8q51OBnRiTlpSqy7qydTkQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/81805012_10151272338794980_1388901554903318528_o.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PbRnM9hO9mw/Xgj7AHnf8jI/AAAAAAAAEOg/aDs7B7fJvOE8q51OBnRiTlpSqy7qydTkQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/81805012_10151272338794980_1388901554903318528_o.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nothing like a yoga retreat to make you be more present!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zNpmz3WR320/Xgj1uY68geI/AAAAAAAAEM0/A5MkQtAzxzgeq_Q5rgmfBz4xbuXCgBlXACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/81190175_10151272342199980_8010816122523746304_o.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zNpmz3WR320/Xgj1uY68geI/AAAAAAAAEM0/A5MkQtAzxzgeq_Q5rgmfBz4xbuXCgBlXACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/81190175_10151272342199980_8010816122523746304_o.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Nest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
Early morning Jivamukti opens the class. Every time it makes me feel like the first time I walked into <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jivamuktiwithdina/">Dina</a>-ji class, even after 3 years of consistent attendance ❤<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dEP4TpwSUs0/Xgj2gTWb2LI/AAAAAAAAENI/VOXqeUsoLQ8OWHg_HoQrNmbBsOabs4xGwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/82016049_10151272340474980_3880311838776229888_o.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dEP4TpwSUs0/Xgj2gTWb2LI/AAAAAAAAENI/VOXqeUsoLQ8OWHg_HoQrNmbBsOabs4xGwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/82016049_10151272340474980_3880311838776229888_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jivamukti with Dina</td></tr>
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Breakfast at the Nesting table with an adorable munchkin, big boss Aguila, welcoming you with his cute laughs and flying kisses that harmonize the entire place with his pure energy. Descending back down the bamboo stairs walking through the tropical jungle, surrounded by greens, and palm trees.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast at the Nesting table - Most of us had the Granola on a daily basis. Yum! Super missed.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kNm2aVrouco/Xgj1Xs3HlLI/AAAAAAAAEMw/Qm0ESMO1HTwC0RJmR_XLe91izAFTjrXzACEwYBhgL/s1600/82016133_10151272339974980_7978062182233407488_o.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kNm2aVrouco/Xgj1Xs3HlLI/AAAAAAAAEMw/Qm0ESMO1HTwC0RJmR_XLe91izAFTjrXzACEwYBhgL/s640/82016133_10151272339974980_7978062182233407488_o.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birdhouse Bamboo stairs</td></tr>
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Reaching the beach, continuing to walk over the muddy sand, the rocks, through the shallow waters to reach a wooden "boat" with a restored engine in the back, controlled by a long bamboo stick, enough to carry 10 people on board. Covered by a ripped tent to shelter you from the scorching heat.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our boat - stopped at a bay all for ourselves</td></tr>
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Captain Jack Sparrow smiling behind his steering wheel while his 2 assistants lighting the charcoal to start grilling their freshly caught fish of the day at their "open kitchen" all that action happening on board the wooden handmade "boat". Nothing but joy and freedom. Embarking on the wooden tree trunk fueled by a lawn mower engine with captain Sparrow hopping us across the vast ocean from one natural island to another. Tanning, snorkeling, kayaking, meditating to the Hiss sound of the waters. Just another day in Palawan ❤<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drone shot!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lunch that captain Jack Sparrow and his team made us (while on the boat!)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OdIj95USexU/Xgj5muHie9I/AAAAAAAAEOM/LY9RTpoXZUIOs3dXHrMHQV0CKT2Dxcv1wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/81306443_10151272341394980_6916065607729283072_o.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OdIj95USexU/Xgj5muHie9I/AAAAAAAAEOM/LY9RTpoXZUIOs3dXHrMHQV0CKT2Dxcv1wCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/81306443_10151272341394980_6916065607729283072_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kayaking in the Small Lagoon</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: center;">Afternoon gentle 7 Chakras Vinyasa flow to balance the flow of your prana from the sole of the feet up through all the channels reaching the crown of the head. Just another signature flow by Dina-ji ❤</span><br />
6 pm already. Looks and feels like midnight. Every single insect kingdom you learned about in your middle school textbook is actually true! They are real, "cuuute" and wide awake waiting to welcome you home and say hello after your long day. To each his own way of saluting. A bite, a sound, a chant, a melody, a picture frame pose or a combination of the above. Smile, pretend you are watching the National Geography on 4K 4DX 360 degrees TV. Go back to your humble windy tent and sleep 😴. Just another magical day to be grateful for ❤<br />
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Thank you all for your open spirit, your smiles and your naughty laughs 😇 Till we meet again under the palm trees 🤗🌴 🐸 🦎 🙏<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EHKBkvfL0Cw/Xgj21hNTS3I/AAAAAAAAENQ/p4gpaFr9s0A_xX8o0J5xLbC59kgwzjylACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/80990047_10151272342589980_4388646150542983168_o.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EHKBkvfL0Cw/Xgj21hNTS3I/AAAAAAAAENQ/p4gpaFr9s0A_xX8o0J5xLbC59kgwzjylACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/80990047_10151272342589980_4388646150542983168_o.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">This amazing group!</td></tr>
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Dina Ghandour: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jivamuktiwithdina/">https://www.instagram.com/jivamuktiwithdina/</a><br />
Birdhouse El Nido: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thebirdhouseelnido/">https://www.instagram.com/thebirdhouseelnido/</a><br />
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<b><i><a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/frompalawanwithfunk/">#FROMPALAWANWITHFUNK</a></i></b><br />
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Photos provided by Travelwithfunk.comLilianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13845301181107256105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31373442.post-22022036964457126382019-07-19T11:00:00.000+04:002019-07-19T17:03:07.996+04:0010 things to do to keep yourself entertained while travelingTravel can take up long hours as we still didn't invent teleportation. So sometimes it can take up a whole day and even 36 hours if you're crossing multiple continents. I thought I can compile a few ideas on how to be prepared to keep yourself entertained while traveling just in case you’re not someone who magically falls asleep anytime anywhere because let's face it, that would be the best solution.<br />
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<h4>
Treat all your senses and more:</h4>
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<a name='more'></a><br />
<ul>
<li>
<i>Treat your eyes</i> with the <b>Netflix app</b> or <b>Starzplay</b> (or similar) on your phone or tablet: download offline your favorite movies or series so you can watch them in offline and airplane mode </li>
<li><i>Treat your mind</i> with <b>games</b> on your phone or tablet: this is quite obvious if you’re already someone who plays games on their device. But for those who don’t, it doesn’t hurt to have some games (puzzles, trivia, sudoku or your average fornite game) pre-installed on your device in case boredom hits hard/li>
</li>
<li><i>Treat your mind</i> with <b>reading</b> on your e-reader: I know many people love hard copy books and love smelling them, but in terms of practicality and efficiency, specially while traveling, an e-reader is a must. It’s light, its battery lasts weeks, it has built-in light, it’s easy on the eyes and it can contain many books so you won’t have to worry about carrying heavy books around if you’re a fast reader/li>
</li>
<li><i>Treat your eyes</i> with physical <b>Magazines</b> / <b>Comic books</b>: they’re light and contain many articles. Specially if it’s on a topic you’re interested in (i recently picked up NewPhilosopher magazine and I’m loving the subjects covered). /li>
</li>
<li><i>Treat your ears</i> with <b>podcasts</b> and <b>audiobooks</b>: these are so fulfilling. There is a podcast for every taste out there, so just find yours! I’ve recently started using Blinkist app which summarizes books! For a nominal annual fee you can “read” (listen to) book summaries on the go/li>
</li>
<li><i>Treat your ears</i> with <b>music</b>: or if you’re really not up to learning anything, just like watching a movie or series, have your playlist ready and downloaded offline (on apps like Spotify and Anghami) and keep your imagination flowing/li>
</li>
<li><i>Treat your mind</i> learn a new <b>language</b>: with an app like Duolinguo, that’s the perfect time to dedicate to learning or strengthening a new language. /li>
</li>
<li><i>Treat your productivity</i> by <b>organizing</b> your upcoming plans / things to be done, or by preparing draft <b>emails</b> / <b>messages</b> you haven’t had time to visit at earlier stages. Whether they’re work or community related. Jot down your answers and suggestions and prepare them to be sent as soon as you have wifi/li>
</li>
<li><i>Treat your imagination</i> by <b>writing</b>: maybe write your aspirations about the upcoming trip or write about the trip you just had. Maybe write about life in general and how you’re feeling overall. Writing is a great way to pass tome, know yourself better and maybe find out you’re a great writer and become a famous author. Anything’s possible in this crazy world! /li>
</li>
<li><i>Treat your soul</i> by <b>meditating</b>: specially if there’s turbulence! What? Why would I mention turbulence. Sorry I’m on a plane right now and that’s one of the few ways I use in order to deal with my mild anxiety. Breathe in then breathe out (for longer), and repeat. There are also plenty of apps such as Headspace and Calm to help you develop this positive habit. Everyone should meditate, it’s a necessary practice that helps us relax and be removed from our crowded digital heavy lives by focusing a bit on our non-thoughts. /li>
</li>
</ul>
Any other ideas or suggestions? Write them in the comments below.Lilianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13845301181107256105noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31373442.post-11605365271199920182019-07-15T20:56:00.001+04:002019-07-16T17:57:20.685+04:00Quick Guide to visiting Prague<b><i>Destination: Prague<br />
Travel Companions: (1st time: Jennifer & Caline; 2nd time: Mom)<br />
Duration: 3 days<br />Budget: 350$ pp (excluding flights)</i></b><br />
<b><i> </i></b> <br />
I remember being in a fast food restaurant back home after one of those late nights, grabbing a man'ouche back in early 2000s, back when I was still someone who had never been on an airplane, I had only been to Syria for a US Visa run, and Jordan for a Girl Guides trip. That night, I caught this documentary about Prague on TV and I couldn't stop staring. I thought to myself that this was a gorgeous city, something I've never seen anything like before, and I immediately put a goal to myself, that I will visit it one day. And I did, twice!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V4Kl-nEBk48/XSCs74BUfcI/AAAAAAAAEI8/fAK4TP1_4qkR1BiSDTP5Blpqg4QFOJRuQCLcBGAs/s1600/DSCF3733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V4Kl-nEBk48/XSCs74BUfcI/AAAAAAAAEI8/fAK4TP1_4qkR1BiSDTP5Blpqg4QFOJRuQCLcBGAs/s640/DSCF3733.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old Town Prague</td></tr>
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<h4>
Prague, an outdoor museum! </h4>
Prague is probably becoming one of the most popular European cities, and it is not only attracting Europeans but people from all over the world. One of the organized dinners I joined had people mostly from the US, Australia and Canada! In Prague, you will definitely feel surrounded by tourists. There is nothing discrete about that, and the experience will not be a local experience per se. But, it will still be an amazing visit because Prague itself is marvelous. The architecture, the history, the art will speak for itself. Prague is an outdoor museum!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iCjzWY7OSO4/XSCtlAVDPHI/AAAAAAAAEJE/HPB8t_DAx8gZsfeWbWkfELAbtXoM-Y5jACLcBGAs/s1600/DSCF3727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iCjzWY7OSO4/XSCtlAVDPHI/AAAAAAAAEJE/HPB8t_DAx8gZsfeWbWkfELAbtXoM-Y5jACLcBGAs/s640/DSCF3727.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful building entrances everywhere</td></tr>
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<br />
I prepared this quick guide for you in terms of recommendations, things to do, places to visit, where to go for a bite and what to eat, get to know their local cuisine and types of drinks they produce, and most importantly what to watch out for.<br />
<br />
<b>1) Where to stay</b><br />
<b>2) Things to do</b><br />
<b>3) Places to visit</b><br />
<b>4) What to eat</b><br />
<b>5) What to drink</b><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8a0qjoukeZE/XSCt-S5h9zI/AAAAAAAAEJM/dWQKx60gDy08EirlV7nnP3zSKKyznNonACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4454.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8a0qjoukeZE/XSCt-S5h9zI/AAAAAAAAEJM/dWQKx60gDy08EirlV7nnP3zSKKyznNonACLcBGAs/s640/IMG_4454.HEIC" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Classical music in front of a retail shop because why not!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div>
<h4>
1) Where to stay</h4>
Both times I visited Prague, I stayed quite close to the old town as this way you'd only be 5-10 minutes walk away from the old town, and most importantly you're also far from the crowd and the noise.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Hotel or apartment?</b></i> <br />
And depending who I travel with, I book either a hotel or an apartment. If I'm by myself, I feel a hotel is more convenient. You get to store your luggage if you arrive early or want to leave late, free of charge, something that generally apartments don't offer. In an apartment, you won't get someone coming over to clean it on a daily basis unlike a hotel. But the advantage of being in an apartment is having a mini-kitchen, which can allow you to make your own coffee / breakfast, cook or heat your lunch / dinner etc.. and so far my parents have been fans of apartments more than hotels. The area I stayed in was: Soukenicka 23. What I like to do is open the maps on Booking.com and explore both hotels and apartments by making sure I stay close to the center, and find something affordable. It's a no-brainer that the closer the date, the more expensive the accommodation gets, so try to book as early as possible (you can always choose accommodation that offer Free Cancellation).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TQIulZyrmC8/XSCuKDXvuTI/AAAAAAAAEJQ/RhlX1VFNOIse21M7GJBLpGP1lj821uiUACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4463.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TQIulZyrmC8/XSCuKDXvuTI/AAAAAAAAEJQ/RhlX1VFNOIse21M7GJBLpGP1lj821uiUACLcBGAs/s640/IMG_4463.HEIC" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More amazing statues carrying building balconies in Prague</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mxt6ZT4ouec/XSyva869tyI/AAAAAAAAELc/o1aCLZdbhrwCwqaJZmGxuL_OITTlNQsiQCLcBGAs/s1600/DSCF3854.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mxt6ZT4ouec/XSyva869tyI/AAAAAAAAELc/o1aCLZdbhrwCwqaJZmGxuL_OITTlNQsiQCLcBGAs/s640/DSCF3854.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you take a Charles Bridge Vlata River cruie, they can bring you all the way here. Quite a lovely view!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h4>
2) Things to do</h4>
Before I delve into what things I recommend for you to do. I recently used the app <a href="http://getyourguide.com/">GetYourGuide.com</a> to book most of my tours and activities, and I have to say, I was so pleased with their customer service. They immediately answer your WhatsApp, and they take the responsibility to contact the local vendor regarding your question or your ask. As well as the fact that their prices are super competitive and affordable. Anyway, things to do:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Folklore / <a href="https://www.getyourguide.com/prague-l10/prague-medieval-dinner-with-unlimited-drinks-t63958/" target="_blank">Medieval</a> Dinner. This is the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TravelWithFunk/photos/a.767266626633756/2801682836525448/?type=3&permPage=1" target="_blank">one</a> I went to and really enjoyed! Good food, great music and really fun show. </li>
<li>Boat <a href="https://www.getyourguide.com/prague-l10/prague-panoramic-vltava-river-cruise-t52534/" target="_blank">Cruise</a> under Charles Bridge </li>
<li>Dinner Boat <a href="https://www.getyourguide.com/prague-l10/prague-evening-cruise-with-dinner-and-music-t53574/" target="_blank">Cruise</a>. Some with a jazz option.</li>
<li>Art Galleries / Exhibitions (Franz Kafka, Dali...)</li>
<li><a href="https://www.getyourguide.com/prague-l10/ghost-tour-prague-ghosts-legends-of-the-old-town-t6845/" target="_blank">Ghost</a> / Medieval <a href="https://www.getyourguide.com/prague-l10/prague-ghostly-legends-90-minute-walking-tour-t63988/" target="_blank">Tour</a></li>
<li>Walking Tour. Here's a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TravelWithFunk/posts/2802205719806493?__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARBygci3-t2bih2GrId8vwOxGXCLXEMHMaBerjitOjTGp8gVlsa3y5OntHEqtd8M4VD4JQAPm6VYJ2hghGR1bLPELhsWdNnEFVYymQsD-0-eaRnqNHWJv3thBuFLAl4Yiyc0pLLVGSsf0m0utXhV9YhSVr8HIYl1KKEX3futtXPBStDIwnhty1FHrrNw3ZNNVzQjEa-Mvppvtw1fbDsTk0-gB4qRP3gZn6RektoHswMsX6Sufp5_cxboDDTqpJTDuBQXLpUgzwVkzpWHGBb2ie7CbyH4EYWwH_rurxz63c6rLr0fkC6w_4FXVqKIgZwGPNzOycrJvEY_VlHo6OtxUFrYdQ&__tn__=-R" target="_blank">recap</a> of the one I went on.</li>
<li>Pub <a href="https://www.getyourguide.com/prague-l10/prague-pub-crawl-international-party-t45197/" target="_blank">Crawl</a> </li>
<li>Prague Communism and Nuclear Bunker Tour</li>
<li>Bohemia and Saxon Park (Hiking / Kayaking). It's around two hours away. You can find different <a href="https://www.getyourguide.com/prague-l10/bohemia-and-saxon-switzerland-day-trip-from-prague-t58772/" target="_blank">tours</a> designed to visit different parts of the national park and some might require more fitness than others. On these trips you get to visit the Bastei bridge, go on a dinghy through the Kamenice Gorges and see the Pravcika gate. I couldn't join this one this time around, but I know friends who went there and loved the scenery and the beautiful nature. This is not a cheap tour, but worth it as you will get a driver, transport, guide, food, entrance ticket, kayak rental etc..</li>
</ul>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J-2kxikKu0Q/XSyuKoXyK-I/AAAAAAAAELE/v1eWNTuZvGEfoYs6MsnS9EjxowV6jjS6wCLcBGAs/s1600/DSCF3753.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J-2kxikKu0Q/XSyuKoXyK-I/AAAAAAAAELE/v1eWNTuZvGEfoYs6MsnS9EjxowV6jjS6wCLcBGAs/s640/DSCF3753.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Astronomical Clock also known as a place where you see and hear so many people get disappointed when the clock hits :00</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sJ9M6WYhYtA/XSCwAL5NFRI/AAAAAAAAEJo/dZ6FiTGBw9s3DDq8kpAqyQaZSHwtE6CjACLcBGAs/s1600/DSCF3842.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sJ9M6WYhYtA/XSCwAL5NFRI/AAAAAAAAEJo/dZ6FiTGBw9s3DDq8kpAqyQaZSHwtE6CjACLcBGAs/s640/DSCF3842.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0000ee;">Vlata River<u><br /></u></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<ul>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EHpFDF8klGc/XSyvJSU0lII/AAAAAAAAELU/0JY9-7-tOeY49WyWfbNCfTFV_qtUz_SKQCLcBGAs/s1600/bone-church-in-kutna-hora.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="750" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EHpFDF8klGc/XSyvJSU0lII/AAAAAAAAELU/0JY9-7-tOeY49WyWfbNCfTFV_qtUz_SKQCLcBGAs/s640/bone-church-in-kutna-hora.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kutna Hora Bone Church - Photo taken from www.swedishnomad.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h4>
3) Places to visit</h4>
<ul>
<li><i>Prague Castle</i> <a href="https://www.getyourguide.com/prague-l10/prague-castle-small-group-tour-with-local-guide-admission-t219531/" target="_blank">Tour</a></li>
<li><i>Old Town</i> Square where you will find many attractions such as the Astronomical clock, Gothic church of our Lady Before Tyn, the Rudolfinum concert hall. </li>
<li>Prague's <i>Astronomical Clock</i> (if you're not joining a tour that will explain how it works, I recommend you <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prague_astronomical_clock" target="_blank">read</a> about it)</li>
<li><i>John Lennon Wall</i>: It started since the 1980s right after Lennon was assassinated, when an artist drew Lennon on the wall; the original drawing is now long lost. But the wall keeps getting painted on over and over. It also represents a symbol of global ideals such as love and peace. The wall is owned by the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, which allowed the graffiti to continue on the wall, and is located at Velkopřevorské náměstí </li>
<li><i>Charles Bridge</i>: Beautiful around sunset time, full of street vendors selling crafts and art work, as well as many painters, and street musicians. You will find 30 <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_statues_on_Charles_Bridge" target="_blank">statues</a> on that bridge!</li>
<li><i>Dancing House</i> also known as Fred and Ginger (walk from near Charles Bridge to the Dancing House, specially around sunset time, you can get an amazing view of Charles Bridge and Prague Castle)</li>
<li><i>Franz Kafka</i> - Otočná hlava (metalic moving head)</li>
<li><i>Kafka</i> Memorial Statue</li>
<li><i>Jewish</i> Quarter</li>
<li><i>Chocolate</i> Museum for the chocolate lovers out there!</li>
<li><i>Kutná Hora</i> (Bone Church): I sadly had to cancel it because I got sick, but I've heard it's totally worth the visit.</li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0pPGYsBIq_I/XSCuxp6YvJI/AAAAAAAAEJc/pWOoBi7xPvgVT2ps_XJ6XO2Q6mVMvz19wCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_8121.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0pPGYsBIq_I/XSCuxp6YvJI/AAAAAAAAEJc/pWOoBi7xPvgVT2ps_XJ6XO2Q6mVMvz19wCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_8121.HEIC" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of Charles Bridge and Prague Castle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--XW_YhRZjhc/XSytziOyrQI/AAAAAAAAEK4/Rw50v0hnvo0BUKtiLSiszZw_0ZrjpXnVACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4401.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--XW_YhRZjhc/XSytziOyrQI/AAAAAAAAEK4/Rw50v0hnvo0BUKtiLSiszZw_0ZrjpXnVACLcBGAs/s640/IMG_4401.HEIC" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Couldn't get a better photo in front of John Lennon wall because of how crowded it was.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eCmuPI4Eew0/XSyut7_5lnI/AAAAAAAAELM/4oVSmZ6j0pAk4fD9O9Hr2hXjWSX_9RmdQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_9579.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eCmuPI4Eew0/XSyut7_5lnI/AAAAAAAAELM/4oVSmZ6j0pAk4fD9O9Hr2hXjWSX_9RmdQCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_9579.HEIC" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dancing House</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h4>
4) Where and what to eat & drink</h4>
<ul>
<li>Traditional Czeck food is a must try, that's easily doable if you do any of the Folklore dinners.</li>
<ul>
<li> Vepřo knedlo zelo (roasted pork) </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li> Sekaná pečeně (baked mincemeat) </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li> Česnečka (garlic soup) </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li> Guláš (goulash) </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li> Rajská omáčka (Beef on tomato soup) </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li> Moravský vrabec (Moravian sparrow) </li>
</ul>
<li>Trdelnik: Even though it's not a Prague tradition, it somehow emerged in Downtown Prague and is now all over it. It's still good! Might as well try it. But prepare to be judged by locals.</li>
<li>Crème de la Crème Gelato / Ice Cream place: A must try!</li>
<li>Few restaurants in Saint Henry's Tower, which will give you a nice view of Prague.</li>
<li>Prague is known for its large variety of Vegan restaurants, so if you're vegan or any of your company is, then rest assured, you will still find a culinary experience.</li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tFXfrsZ7BKo/XSyrr0hbXoI/AAAAAAAAEKE/tJL2-Lih5tUfkRAKdCz3K0lbrp3m2BnrgCLcBGAs/s1600/E44B0561-26FF-460A-9A2F-596EF45B1D0B.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tFXfrsZ7BKo/XSyrr0hbXoI/AAAAAAAAEKE/tJL2-Lih5tUfkRAKdCz3K0lbrp3m2BnrgCLcBGAs/s640/E44B0561-26FF-460A-9A2F-596EF45B1D0B.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Read more about this really fun <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TravelWithFunk/photos/a.767266626633756/2801682836525448/?type=3" target="_blank">Folklore Dinner</a> we attended.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lFb_xb-g1qA/XSysIq5YiaI/AAAAAAAAEKQ/eZ7j1iO2m-AqhqyUtZFuImPN3pq9lkcjgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_8532.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lFb_xb-g1qA/XSysIq5YiaI/AAAAAAAAEKQ/eZ7j1iO2m-AqhqyUtZFuImPN3pq9lkcjgCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_8532.HEIC" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crème de la crème Gelato - Prague</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<i>Drink carefully (don't drink and drive, and don't drink if you're underage)
</i><br />
<ul>
<li>Beer: Did you know they're the biggest consumers of Beer in the world? If you're a beer fan, you can try their Pilsner. </li>
<li>Wine: Czech have plenty of wineries and produces wine mainly in Southern Moravia.</li>
<li>Slivovice: Traditional plum brandy. </li>
<li>Bars to check out:</li>
<ul>
<li>Hemingway Bar</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Beer Story</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SkSUPJAUPto/XSysaL7cZ5I/AAAAAAAAEKY/tri2vm_G2IEbecT5pjWXG3xCukkl61onwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0931.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SkSUPJAUPto/XSysaL7cZ5I/AAAAAAAAEKY/tri2vm_G2IEbecT5pjWXG3xCukkl61onwCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_0931.HEIC" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trdelnik: Again not exactly a Czech tradition, but still delicious!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--GnjjmSfwKw/XSyte8gQ_XI/AAAAAAAAEKs/fJZ7k7QNfuQl3OdMbWiqmrveQEuIb-ILwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0880.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--GnjjmSfwKw/XSyte8gQ_XI/AAAAAAAAEKs/fJZ7k7QNfuQl3OdMbWiqmrveQEuIb-ILwCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_0880.HEIC" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fanciest McDonald's I've ever seen! #Prague</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h4>
5) What to look out for and avoid</h4>
<ul>
<li><i>Currency Exchange:</i> Generally avoid exchanging at the airport you land in. And avoid Money Exchange shops that are in the city center and in popular areas, as most of these charge a high commission. If you walk out of the popular areas, you can find places that take 0 commission and they state that in large so you won't mistaken it.</li>
<li><i>VAT Refund / Detax:</i> Don't forget to get a refund while you're leaving the EU. Note that you can only claim it if you shop for a minimum amount from the same place (you can't combine small purchases from different shops). Some places also immediately remove the VAT from your bill if you're paying with a credit card, you will still need to submit the form at the airport in less than 3 weeks. </li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JsD0XoQSXiU/XSyreZJRUOI/AAAAAAAAEKA/6QaWRPuIROUODdMFnusXkZZPZpJbc5i6gCLcBGAs/s1600/DSCF3766.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JsD0XoQSXiU/XSyreZJRUOI/AAAAAAAAEKA/6QaWRPuIROUODdMFnusXkZZPZpJbc5i6gCLcBGAs/s640/DSCF3766.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Art and amazing statues all over the city in Prague</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ezoGEGLSqOs/XSysp_x9UKI/AAAAAAAAEKg/BufFCX6dy4QY4xsArrWYPIu-P_WTgcrOgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4369%2B2.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ezoGEGLSqOs/XSysp_x9UKI/AAAAAAAAEKg/BufFCX6dy4QY4xsArrWYPIu-P_WTgcrOgCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_4369%2B2.HEIC" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Equally crazy fun people pretending to be statues in Prague</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<i>#FROMPRAGUEWITHFUNK </i><br />
<ul>
</ul>
<ul></ul>
</div>
Lilianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13845301181107256105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31373442.post-36557435454402293502019-05-23T10:57:00.003+04:002021-12-31T16:35:38.440+04:00Ultimate Guide to Lebanese Vegan FoodOne of the things I love about the Lebanese cuisine is the fact that a big chunk of it as already plant-based. Though I am not vegan, I hope I get there one day and I thought such a post could be helpful for vegans visiting Lebanon or wanting to be inspired by Lebanese cuisine (some also are Levantine). <br />
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Whether you're vegan or not, you're in a for a (vegan) treat because the food is simply delicious and you'll find a large variety which will ensure you never get bored. Below is a list of the different food you can order at restaurants and feel confident in your choices, or if you're renting an airbnb, maybe try and cook some of these yourselves? ;)<br />
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You'll find 6 categories below:<br />
<i><b>1- Mezza</b></i><br />
<i><b>2- Breakfast</b></i><br />
<i><b>3- Salads</b></i><br />
<i><b>4- Main Dishes </b></i><br />
<i><b>5- Soups</b></i><br />
<i><b>6- Desserts</b></i><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nx6_TCNc_sM/XOZAWcLNILI/AAAAAAAAEHc/bFRpePLei7YrZ16nymkVlLthD8ZHfFh6wCLcBGAs/s1600/e7579445deeb02b6c557dba98836777c_featured_v2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="508" height="564" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nx6_TCNc_sM/XOZAWcLNILI/AAAAAAAAEHc/bFRpePLei7YrZ16nymkVlLthD8ZHfFh6wCLcBGAs/s640/e7579445deeb02b6c557dba98836777c_featured_v2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lebaneze Mezza. Source: Zomato.com</td></tr>
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Category 1: Mezza </h3>
<ul>
<li>Hommos (Chickpeas)</li>
<li>Moutabbal Batenjan (Eggplant)</li>
<li>Moussaka Batenjan (Eggplant) </li>
<li>Baba Ghanouj (Eggplant)</li>
<li>Makbous (Eggplant)</li>
<li>Stuffed Vine/ Grape Leaves - Rolls (Vegan option)</li>
<li>Stuffed Silverbeet (aka Swiss Chard) Leaves - Rolls</li>
<li>Kebbet Batata (Potato)</li>
<li>Mashed Potato (vegan option) </li>
<li>Kebbet Laktine (Pumpkin)</li>
<li>Batata b Kizbara (Potato cubes with Coriander)</li>
<li>Fried Cauliflower with Tahini</li>
<li>Fasoulia (fava beens) Moutabbaleh</li>
<li>Pickled Vegetables</li>
<li>Mhammara (Roasted pepper and walnut spread)</li>
</ul>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f5YlEvo3tww/XOZBQBpZgxI/AAAAAAAAEHs/lc52iZYKxDAd4VaALano94dUVwQxjk0TQCLcBGAs/s1600/2e36ce_03c41276e0ef46ac819ac4ba98bc5e25%257Emv2_d_1541_1476_s_2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1476" data-original-width="1541" height="612" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f5YlEvo3tww/XOZBQBpZgxI/AAAAAAAAEHs/lc52iZYKxDAd4VaALano94dUVwQxjk0TQCLcBGAs/s640/2e36ce_03c41276e0ef46ac819ac4ba98bc5e25%257Emv2_d_1541_1476_s_2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mashed Potato Vegan Option</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Category 2: Breakfast </h3>
<ul>
<li>Foul & Hommos (Fava Beans & Chickpeas)</li>
<li>Foul Balila (Fava Beans)</li>
<li>Man'ouche Zaatar (Lebanese Thyme)</li>
<li>Kaaket Zaatar (Lebanese Thyme) </li>
<li>Fatayer Sbenigh (Spinach)</li>
</ul>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1b42z0cIAg4/XOZAuwTeInI/AAAAAAAAEHk/2GuoAMLTXKc03rkioWzLdR2xY6dZGi6aQCLcBGAs/s1600/man2oushe.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="560" data-original-width="600" height="596" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1b42z0cIAg4/XOZAuwTeInI/AAAAAAAAEHk/2GuoAMLTXKc03rkioWzLdR2xY6dZGi6aQCLcBGAs/s640/man2oushe.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Man'ouche Zaatar. Source: Pinterest.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Category 3: Salads </h3>
<ul>
<li>Fattoush</li>
<li>Tabbouleh</li>
<li>Rocca with Thyme</li>
<li>Bakle (Purslane) </li>
<li>Beetroot</li>
<li>Cabbage </li>
</ul>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RuS9ZZTl68w/XOZButnMFoI/AAAAAAAAEH0/iatFwYQPdik4-DrsA77nWnCiHk8wryaVwCLcBGAs/s1600/Creamy-Beet-Salad3-500x375.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="500" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RuS9ZZTl68w/XOZButnMFoI/AAAAAAAAEH0/iatFwYQPdik4-DrsA77nWnCiHk8wryaVwCLcBGAs/s640/Creamy-Beet-Salad3-500x375.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beetrood Salad. Source: Natasha's Kitchen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Category 4: Main Dishes </h3>
<ul>
<li>Moghrabieh (Vegan option of course)</li>
<li>Bemye bi Zeit (Ocra)</li>
<li>Loubieh bi Zeit (Green Beans)</li>
<li>Fasoulia bi Zeit (Black Beans)</li>
<li>Bazella (Peas) mixed with Carrots with a side of rice dish</li>
<li>Falafel (Fava Beans & Chickpeas)</li>
<li>Moujaddara (Blended Lentil & Rice)</li>
<li>Moudardara (Lentil & Rice)</li>
<li>Hindbeh (Dandelion)</li>
<li>Borghoul bi Banadoura (Bulgur grains)</li>
<li>Stuffed Courgette / Eggplant / Potato with Rice & Tomato </li>
<li>Spinach with Rice (Vegan option) </li>
</ul>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pDS03K3G5OU/XOZB-hsuFMI/AAAAAAAAEH8/fR23KngRUEgN5TPKpxutRFNZWpr54qiDwCLcBGAs/s1600/loubieh-bi-zeit640x360.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pDS03K3G5OU/XOZB-hsuFMI/AAAAAAAAEH8/fR23KngRUEgN5TPKpxutRFNZWpr54qiDwCLcBGAs/s640/loubieh-bi-zeit640x360.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loubieh Bi Zeit - One of my all time favorite dishes. Source: PBS.org</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1cHBUNLwfi0/XOZCPqDaXZI/AAAAAAAAEIE/l6Zbv6EgVzg3WNxlwDict1qPziFsitr4wCLcBGAs/s1600/borghol.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="681" data-original-width="1024" height="424" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1cHBUNLwfi0/XOZCPqDaXZI/AAAAAAAAEIE/l6Zbv6EgVzg3WNxlwDict1qPziFsitr4wCLcBGAs/s640/borghol.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Borghol bi Banadoura - Another one of my all time favorites! Source: Dina's Kitchen</td></tr>
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</h4>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Category 5: Soups </h3>
<ul>
<li>Vegetable Soup</li>
<li>Yellow Lentil Soup</li>
<li>Aadas bi Hamoud Soup (brown lentil )</li>
<li>Raheb Soup aka Monk's soup (See recipe <a href="https://www.thekitchn.com/lebanese-soup-kibbet-raheb-266070" target="_blank">here</a>)</li>
</ul>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NqFP1T1acRA/XOZDFND5qOI/AAAAAAAAEIQ/Pjn-faLft4AIkZnBl4E72U3obVgYoIfzgCLcBGAs/s1600/yellowlentil-8.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NqFP1T1acRA/XOZDFND5qOI/AAAAAAAAEIQ/Pjn-faLft4AIkZnBl4E72U3obVgYoIfzgCLcBGAs/s640/yellowlentil-8.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow Lentil Soup. Source: simplyleb.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Category 6: Desserts</h3>
<ul>
<li>Kaak with Debs (pomegranate molasses)</li>
<li>Jam (we're known for the Fig jam)</li>
<li>Biscuit & Raha (similar to Turkish Lokum - if done without the Gelatine) </li>
<li>Vegan Baklava (<a href="https://yupitsvegan.com/vegan-baklava/" target="_blank">Vegan</a> recipe) </li>
<li>Vegan Knefeh (<a href="http://www.onearabvegan.com/2017/06/vegan-kunafa/" target="_blank">Vegan</a> recipe) - not sure if the last two are available in restaurants now, but maybe ask a Lebanese friend to make it for you.</li>
</ul>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IMYmwxf6SYs/XOZDrj-jpEI/AAAAAAAAEIY/8dt-ZukDDPgZPmAx_haeJtT2rBC2Pk2vACLcBGAs/s1600/vegan-kunafa-1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1392" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IMYmwxf6SYs/XOZDrj-jpEI/AAAAAAAAEIY/8dt-ZukDDPgZPmAx_haeJtT2rBC2Pk2vACLcBGAs/s640/vegan-kunafa-1.jpg" width="458" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vegan Knefeh</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I really hope this is useful, this is has been vetted by a vegan, but if I made a mistake somewhere or forgot any important dish, please say so in the comments so we can share the love with others.<br />
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<b><i>#FROMLEBANONWITHFUNK</i></b><br />
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<br />Lilianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13845301181107256105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31373442.post-7208494080067890002018-12-25T17:03:00.005+04:002021-12-31T16:34:09.262+04:00Lebanon Food Tour for a real Lebanese experienceLebanese cuisine is quite popular and well known all over the world. The first thing that comes to mind is the Lebanese Meza, which is our appetizers such as Hommos, Cheese Rqaqat, Moutabbal, Kibbe Nayyeh, baba ghanouj, etc.... However, this post will not be about our Meza, this post is about specific food I'd like you to try when you're visiting Lebanon in order for you to get the real Lebanese experience, whether it's a specific food item that you can find anywhere in Lebanon, or it's specific to a restaurant or a town.<br />
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<i>Disclaimer:</i> There are more food I'd like you to try, many Lebanese dishes (in La Tabkha), Boneless chicken sandwich (from Bouery with extra garlic), Fish, sea food, Kebab.. all of which should spread around the world. For now, I limited them to 30 only and this was not an easy job.<br />
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p.s. Click here for the <a href="http://blog.funkyozzi.com/2019/05/ultimate-guide-to-lebanese-vegan-food.html" target="_blank">plant-based only post</a> (some of the below options are vegan).<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I0tPhoSgusY/XCIqYIg2iiI/AAAAAAAAEC8/HwrhawyzBaQ-G5wYiO-Ssdxaq6JLayiLgCLcBGAs/s1600/all.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I0tPhoSgusY/XCIqYIg2iiI/AAAAAAAAEC8/HwrhawyzBaQ-G5wYiO-Ssdxaq6JLayiLgCLcBGAs/s640/all.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I am not the best food photographer, but I "know the taste of my mouth" (Lebanese expression that means I am just a big foodie). <br />
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Without further ado, here are my favorite 30 Foods & Drinks to try in Lebanon:<br />
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<b>1- Lahm Bi Aajin and Ayran (liquid-y salty yogurt) drink at Abdul Rahman Hallab & Sons (the combination is heavenly)</b></h3>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SyPi9m3Ad5I/XCDzIEhYEoI/AAAAAAAAD_E/ltG3Kk4uIj8EdRIEn2py_Z8bFeNBZdONACLcBGAs/s1600/Lahm%2BBaajin.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SyPi9m3Ad5I/XCDzIEhYEoI/AAAAAAAAD_E/ltG3Kk4uIj8EdRIEn2py_Z8bFeNBZdONACLcBGAs/s640/Lahm%2BBaajin.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>2- Toasted Kaak and melting cheese from a street vendor in Tripoli (and chat to the vendor)</b></h3>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T6MsjhF020g/XCIck94N2tI/AAAAAAAAEAU/RIOkZd_4DGoRySGFiot3K_hd-YQ1BpiAwCLcBGAs/s1600/Kaak%2Bwith%2Bcheese.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T6MsjhF020g/XCIck94N2tI/AAAAAAAAEAU/RIOkZd_4DGoRySGFiot3K_hd-YQ1BpiAwCLcBGAs/s640/Kaak%2Bwith%2Bcheese.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<b>3- Moghrabieh at the old souq of Tripoli (it's a small hidden place, I trust you'll find it)</b></h3>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r11xaYUpPjA/XCDzaIhX3uI/AAAAAAAAD_U/FMErmquTNAQ5QS2ivt4ytqNt8l25zwfhgCLcBGAs/s1600/Moghrabieh.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r11xaYUpPjA/XCDzaIhX3uI/AAAAAAAAD_U/FMErmquTNAQ5QS2ivt4ytqNt8l25zwfhgCLcBGAs/s640/Moghrabieh.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>4- Znoud el Sitt dessert at Hallab (you can also have Halewet el Jeben, but the first is my favorite Lebanese dessert)</b></h3>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AnKT1f4IyX4/XCDzuHBmbSI/AAAAAAAAD_s/KM2u02_IZ4wcHw0chjsOWYHKir-grtfAACLcBGAs/s1600/Znoud%2BEl%2BSitt.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AnKT1f4IyX4/XCDzuHBmbSI/AAAAAAAAD_s/KM2u02_IZ4wcHw0chjsOWYHKir-grtfAACLcBGAs/s640/Znoud%2BEl%2BSitt.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>5- Carrot, Clementine and Orange juice from a street vendor in Tripoli (quench the thirst)</b></h3>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I3ck4xcIKAI/XCDznuvMx_I/AAAAAAAAD_g/zuQXvSBSzgM6rOUtIpEXBICA_Mr5cYwMwCLcBGAs/s1600/Street%2BJuice.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I3ck4xcIKAI/XCDznuvMx_I/AAAAAAAAD_g/zuQXvSBSzgM6rOUtIpEXBICA_Mr5cYwMwCLcBGAs/s640/Street%2BJuice.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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6- Fatteh chickpeas with Laban at El Souseh (honestly, my dad does it best though) </h3>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oNTjsX24IXE/XCDymnw-oyI/AAAAAAAAD-c/ODg2RCDKyOY3wNrFfr4lJxW4COLI3UKmQCLcBGAs/s1600/Fatteh%2BHommos.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oNTjsX24IXE/XCDymnw-oyI/AAAAAAAAD-c/ODg2RCDKyOY3wNrFfr4lJxW4COLI3UKmQCLcBGAs/s640/Fatteh%2BHommos.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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7- Al Baba Sweets in Saida (try Shaabiyat, Karabij, Maamoul madd...)</h3>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6rt3sLGmBOU/XCImj6LPN9I/AAAAAAAAEBo/MVV-y9ELAbwOvujlMFQb63rFaUqV82mpwCLcBGAs/s1600/albaba-baklava.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6rt3sLGmBOU/XCImj6LPN9I/AAAAAAAAEBo/MVV-y9ELAbwOvujlMFQb63rFaUqV82mpwCLcBGAs/s640/albaba-baklava.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: <span class="irc_dsh"><a class="o5rIVb irc_hol i3724 irc_lth" data-noload="" data-ved="2ahUKEwjLgcC6gbvfAhUDaFAKHWlkAUQQjB16BAgBEAQ" href="http://blog.p3k.org/stories/10843/" rel="noopener" tabindex="0" target="_blank"><span class="irc_ho" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">blog.p3k.org</span></a></span></td></tr>
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<h3>
8- Foul with Cumin from a street vendor in Saida corniche (don't forget to suck on the sour lemon slices, let someone film your face)</h3>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lyvgO5B7XWg/XCDyvM3w_UI/AAAAAAAAD-o/ly6j5vd0OtwdSQfPUa2CVzeeH8Hkgv5fgCLcBGAs/s1600/Foul.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lyvgO5B7XWg/XCDyvM3w_UI/AAAAAAAAD-o/ly6j5vd0OtwdSQfPUa2CVzeeH8Hkgv5fgCLcBGAs/s640/Foul.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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9- Corn on the cob from a street vendor (juicy & salty)</h3>
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<h3>
10- Sujuk Shawarma or Sujuk Sandwich from Mano or Bedo in Bourj Hammoud (thank God for Armenians)</h3>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I2ASOHhFh40/XCDzpRnVVTI/AAAAAAAAD_k/T3aBv5IL6o4QROQsrYiWCoKpPrPF7bXPQCLcBGAs/s1600/Sujok.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1079" data-original-width="1080" height="638" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I2ASOHhFh40/XCDzpRnVVTI/AAAAAAAAD_k/T3aBv5IL6o4QROQsrYiWCoKpPrPF7bXPQCLcBGAs/s640/Sujok.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<h3>
11- Sfiha Baalbakiye (small minced meet pastry, this is the original taste) </h3>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEitNfKtqiSVCLtJguI6T1WbCaxOJgdNjxvsq-ifUx2Id_1vEI-2zEJfLOBf6bVJ_SA1uJ3eOSoWF4W1kNiVFvB7t2Bkk6nehucb9FsRAe2CWYq0JaAfgl17wzIFPyvI9T8t9QIAds2HlDgNGVDrOVH417XmsfGSfWi2W9btarLZT72GMZoatkM=s1576" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1210" data-original-width="1576" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEitNfKtqiSVCLtJguI6T1WbCaxOJgdNjxvsq-ifUx2Id_1vEI-2zEJfLOBf6bVJ_SA1uJ3eOSoWF4W1kNiVFvB7t2Bkk6nehucb9FsRAe2CWYq0JaAfgl17wzIFPyvI9T8t9QIAds2HlDgNGVDrOVH417XmsfGSfWi2W9btarLZT72GMZoatkM=w640-h492" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lakkis Restaurant in Zahle</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
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<h3>
12- Uncle Deek Nescafé at Manara Corniche (then take a walk on the Corniche, a moment you will cherish forever)</h3>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0eBmebOBd9Y/XCInbOevfVI/AAAAAAAAEB8/FCR4MEzn9X0T9mDDX1ovMTu04bOmRoNaQCLcBGAs/s1600/uncle%2Bdeek.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="317" data-original-width="425" height="476" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0eBmebOBd9Y/XCInbOevfVI/AAAAAAAAEB8/FCR4MEzn9X0T9mDDX1ovMTu04bOmRoNaQCLcBGAs/s640/uncle%2Bdeek.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: Blogbaladi.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<h3>
13- Barbar snack restaurant in Hamra (perfect after a night out ;) )</h3>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3aNbSG4TR2M/XCInsKB9MuI/AAAAAAAAECE/BdhhXVosNJYYQ0WBk2LxRids7xLCflyLQCLcBGAs/s1600/Barbar.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="583" data-original-width="934" height="398" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3aNbSG4TR2M/XCInsKB9MuI/AAAAAAAAECE/BdhhXVosNJYYQ0WBk2LxRids7xLCflyLQCLcBGAs/s640/Barbar.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: sobeirut.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<h3>
14- Gustav Innovation Sucrée Patisserie in Hamra (if you want innovative delicacies, head to my friends' place, don't forget to say hi to Khaled and Chef Nour)</h3>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dn2e7BxUh58/XCJ9V7ynUvI/AAAAAAAAEDU/gmTIpWzIBZ0O7_VD6ZBU4jTesPxOHyPjwCLcBGAs/s1600/Gustav%2BHamra.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dn2e7BxUh58/XCJ9V7ynUvI/AAAAAAAAEDU/gmTIpWzIBZ0O7_VD6ZBU4jTesPxOHyPjwCLcBGAs/s640/Gustav%2BHamra.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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15- Mankoushe at Snack Ghalayini in Hamra (there's something special about it)</h3>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wTbPuc1UuL0/XCJ8XjrqJ6I/AAAAAAAAEDI/78ANizVQz-kGsh3o2bwih5jTxnDN3ZpXgCLcBGAs/s1600/Ghlayini.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wTbPuc1UuL0/XCJ8XjrqJ6I/AAAAAAAAEDI/78ANizVQz-kGsh3o2bwih5jTxnDN3ZpXgCLcBGAs/s640/Ghlayini.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<h3>
16- Mankoushe Zaatar (thyme) with Bonjus juice (you can't come to Lebanon and not try this combo)</h3>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c6ixYq0Mjr8/XCIoPkgm2_I/AAAAAAAAECU/SYSBigGzUykgXVVn2r5bAMBAKtdMF86awCLcBGAs/s1600/Man2oushe%2Band%2Bbonjus.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="708" data-original-width="700" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c6ixYq0Mjr8/XCIoPkgm2_I/AAAAAAAAECU/SYSBigGzUykgXVVn2r5bAMBAKtdMF86awCLcBGAs/s640/Man2oushe%2Band%2Bbonjus.jpg" width="632" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: stepfeed.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<h3>
17- Labneh and Arisheh + honey in Chtaura (for Dairy lovers)</h3>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vV5FbyTkWqM/XCIpyj2E7RI/AAAAAAAAEC0/ncB8HCddkucurvD0oMq5faufs0RAKvRFgCLcBGAs/s1600/al-rayess-chtaura-bekaa-lebanon-nogarlicnoonions102017-11-11-07-04-34.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1066" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vV5FbyTkWqM/XCIpyj2E7RI/AAAAAAAAEC0/ncB8HCddkucurvD0oMq5faufs0RAKvRFgCLcBGAs/s640/al-rayess-chtaura-bekaa-lebanon-nogarlicnoonions102017-11-11-07-04-34.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: nogarlicnoonions.com</td></tr>
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18- Kibbeh with Shahm (fat) at Ferdaws restaurant in Ehden (I have to admit, I don't eat fat, but the kibbeh was delicious)</h3>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m_C0ezYGAHw/XCDyzYzvkbI/AAAAAAAAD-s/Zn_gLnN_DaEwF5JlPLxVNz-P_l5fYB5oACLcBGAs/s1600/Kibbeh%2BSha7me.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m_C0ezYGAHw/XCDyzYzvkbI/AAAAAAAAD-s/Zn_gLnN_DaEwF5JlPLxVNz-P_l5fYB5oACLcBGAs/s640/Kibbeh%2BSha7me.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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19- Fries Sandwich in Lebanese bread (yes... it's a sandwich that has fries and coleslow in it and is just amazing)</h3>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vajFSRWbYY4/XCIjt27bPYI/AAAAAAAAEA0/rqI0NGZpW2MZ_6TYxKD7TBWGBl6yrnuVQCLcBGAs/s1600/fries%2Bsandwich.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vajFSRWbYY4/XCIjt27bPYI/AAAAAAAAEA0/rqI0NGZpW2MZ_6TYxKD7TBWGBl6yrnuVQCLcBGAs/s640/fries%2Bsandwich.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: Menutabapp.com</td></tr>
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<h3>
20- Lebanese Burger and Chicken Escalope Sandwich (yes, we have our own special burger and our weird Escalope sandwich, just ask your local friend for a local snack restaurant, e.g. Tico Tico, Chaud Froid, Snack el Baba, Hammoudeh etc..)</h3>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kGEcY39MlEc/XCDzOwtYG2I/AAAAAAAAD_M/9-rvuc3Lwc4wHKgjPzcEQSFNxy-x0dgyACLcBGAs/s1600/Lebanese%2BBurger.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="901" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kGEcY39MlEc/XCDzOwtYG2I/AAAAAAAAD_M/9-rvuc3Lwc4wHKgjPzcEQSFNxy-x0dgyACLcBGAs/s640/Lebanese%2BBurger.JPG" width="360" /></a></div>
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<h3>
21- Arayes Kafta (minced spiced meat in Lebanese bread) at a good Lebanese restaurant (Non-Lebanese, this will be a discovery for you, you can also spread Hommos and parsley on it)</h3>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LvMnbvIh_Cw/XCDyS2nJhoI/AAAAAAAAD-M/qk7pCoR19fcuMAqA3NfjVbvUbR5NqCuBgCLcBGAs/s1600/Arayes.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LvMnbvIh_Cw/XCDyS2nJhoI/AAAAAAAAD-M/qk7pCoR19fcuMAqA3NfjVbvUbR5NqCuBgCLcBGAs/s640/Arayes.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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22- Knefeh from L'abeille d'or or Hallab (And yes, we have it with bread, perfect after a night out)</h3>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_oEU1RRon6c/XCDy43pV9NI/AAAAAAAAD-0/b__GczHauP4PUbkwBAggu24hTBoc9ECmwCLcBGAs/s1600/Knefeh.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_oEU1RRon6c/XCDy43pV9NI/AAAAAAAAD-0/b__GczHauP4PUbkwBAggu24hTBoc9ECmwCLcBGAs/s640/Knefeh.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<h3>
23- Falafel Sahyoun (that will settle whether Falafel is Lebanese or not :P)</h3>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MCeasxOPWuA/XCIpWIP_BCI/AAAAAAAAECo/mQz2GHN7XSEGTm_E0XSPzq6-FG8xaS8JwCLcBGAs/s1600/falafel-karim-sahyoun.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="366" data-original-width="550" height="424" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MCeasxOPWuA/XCIpWIP_BCI/AAAAAAAAECo/mQz2GHN7XSEGTm_E0XSPzq6-FG8xaS8JwCLcBGAs/s640/falafel-karim-sahyoun.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: tripadvisor.com</td></tr>
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<h3>
24- Kaak (type of bread) with cheese and sumac at Abu Arab (on the way to a road trip to properly fill your belly)</h3>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s1CSwW0W4zU/XCIkZJb95mI/AAAAAAAAEBA/Iull_MCAon8XEePbLc6xBpjfHX2K9awzQCLcBGAs/s1600/abou-arab-kaak112016-03-28-11-29-00.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s1CSwW0W4zU/XCIkZJb95mI/AAAAAAAAEBA/Iull_MCAon8XEePbLc6xBpjfHX2K9awzQCLcBGAs/s640/abou-arab-kaak112016-03-28-11-29-00.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: <span class="irc_dsh"><a class="o5rIVb irc_hol i3724 irc_lth" data-noload="" data-ved="2ahUKEwjr4pCx_7rfAhVM1hoKHaBOBbgQjB16BAgBEAQ" href="http://www.nogarlicnoonions.com/abou-arab-the-address-of-al-kaaka-al-asrouniya/" rel="noopener" tabindex="0" target="_blank"><span class="irc_ho" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">nogarlicnoonions.com</span></a></span></td></tr>
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<h3>
25- Shawarma Joseph Restaurant in Sin el Fil (winner)</h3>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fNF3vUoXwlM/XCIlRSu2WrI/AAAAAAAAEBU/gp7TDRAoP-4YakOQVtYrG_YFOenYjwMyACLcBGAs/s1600/joseph-shawarma-sin-el-fil-beirut262017-06-13-10-26-38.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="1001" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fNF3vUoXwlM/XCIlRSu2WrI/AAAAAAAAEBU/gp7TDRAoP-4YakOQVtYrG_YFOenYjwMyACLcBGAs/s640/joseph-shawarma-sin-el-fil-beirut262017-06-13-10-26-38.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: <span class="irc_dsh"><a class="o5rIVb irc_hol i3724 irc_lth" data-noload="" data-ved="2ahUKEwjr4pCx_7rfAhVM1hoKHaBOBbgQjB16BAgBEAQ" href="http://www.nogarlicnoonions.com/abou-arab-the-address-of-al-kaaka-al-asrouniya/" rel="noopener" tabindex="0" target="_blank"><span class="irc_ho" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">nogarlicnoonions.com</span></a></span></td></tr>
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<h3>
26- Eggs with Awarma (to be honest, not a favorite for me but a favorite for many people, so if I don't include it on the list I will be banished) </h3>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pUB4rjSgVbc/XCDyczWrLGI/AAAAAAAAD-U/ZdGiP31L6BsebfiA8esNzAdUIag4uMKYACLcBGAs/s1600/Beid%2BAwarma.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pUB4rjSgVbc/XCDyczWrLGI/AAAAAAAAD-U/ZdGiP31L6BsebfiA8esNzAdUIag4uMKYACLcBGAs/s640/Beid%2BAwarma.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<h3>
27- Foul with Hommos and Hommos Balila (there's more than one way to have hommos aka chickpeas)</h3>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lhBWamPC6Uo/XCIljtRxGJI/AAAAAAAAEBc/M7FUqtxLynw8dSftvfV5vYD7OrXCDyJCwCLcBGAs/s1600/balila.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="532" data-original-width="751" height="452" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lhBWamPC6Uo/XCIljtRxGJI/AAAAAAAAEBc/M7FUqtxLynw8dSftvfV5vYD7OrXCDyJCwCLcBGAs/s640/balila.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: copad.com</td></tr>
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<h3>
28- Mante and Shish Barak (Armenian and Lebanese version of small meat dumplings, there's a vegetarian option with Spinach, go to Mayrig / or Le Chef respectively in Gemmayze)</h3>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh0GHhrqRhBEQBvpbIbLSyLcaAiIulTHBluFF-_u0DDf-rhhG_MeYdQ_DxltrqKeMk5uBd795P2X-lUh_8P8XpTzUkgZ1QB4tSX10g9ezcow8ap_HUZLCWBlmY3E3bE6_6j0wP9_i3q_byYm1UjzJzeqi7L0AGRfRB0YIMsCEFTlfxwVcUtqbs=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh0GHhrqRhBEQBvpbIbLSyLcaAiIulTHBluFF-_u0DDf-rhhG_MeYdQ_DxltrqKeMk5uBd795P2X-lUh_8P8XpTzUkgZ1QB4tSX10g9ezcow8ap_HUZLCWBlmY3E3bE6_6j0wP9_i3q_byYm1UjzJzeqi7L0AGRfRB0YIMsCEFTlfxwVcUtqbs=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
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<h3>
29- Halewe as well as Biscuit + Lokum also known as Raha (after lunch, sweet simple stuff are the best)</h3>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wn3VBHFseJM/XCDyZTYGdgI/AAAAAAAAD-Q/IBbKpT_U8bMcRjZQPR58NH0G-XrPIkOmACLcBGAs/s1600/Biscuit%2BRaha.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wn3VBHFseJM/XCDyZTYGdgI/AAAAAAAAD-Q/IBbKpT_U8bMcRjZQPR58NH0G-XrPIkOmACLcBGAs/s640/Biscuit%2BRaha.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<h3>
30- Local Pink huge Tomatoes from Bekaa or Keserwan (just to keep a healthy and juicy balance with pepper and salt)</h3>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1raaF9dI9TA/XCIo4cihNYI/AAAAAAAAECg/dW66BQqDVUA5zBLOEuFY0uwsW4lNF5V3ACLcBGAs/s1600/Tomato.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1raaF9dI9TA/XCIo4cihNYI/AAAAAAAAECg/dW66BQqDVUA5zBLOEuFY0uwsW4lNF5V3ACLcBGAs/s640/Tomato.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">source: theproudgarden.blogspot.com</td></tr></tbody></table><h3>
Bonus: <span style="font-weight: normal;"><i>Eat a daily dish at Le Chef in Gemmayze. (Someone insisted I add this one and I agree, it's mentioned early but warrants a mention on its own. The place is not fancy and it's not Entrecote in Paris, it's a simple small place, with good food. It's an experience every visitor should try.)</i></span></h3>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k03SIrH0J2A/XCTCt8Z-09I/AAAAAAAAEDs/XgjqXd-MEgMBGYglpbti1kA0yHrB-tPRQCLcBGAs/s1600/Le-chef-gemmayze.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="532" data-original-width="800" height="424" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k03SIrH0J2A/XCTCt8Z-09I/AAAAAAAAEDs/XgjqXd-MEgMBGYglpbti1kA0yHrB-tPRQCLcBGAs/s640/Le-chef-gemmayze.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: Plus961.com</td></tr>
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I hope you're drooling by the end of this post. Enjoy eating in and exploring Lebanon, the kilos you will gain are worth it.<br />
<i><b>
#FromLebanonwithFunk</b></i><br />
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<br />Lilianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13845301181107256105noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31373442.post-14115126925592163182018-10-27T22:37:00.001+04:002018-11-09T15:07:29.403+04:00Best tips and recommendations on things you can do in and out of Sofia<b><i>Destination: Sofia<br />
Travel Companion: Graham<br />
Duration: 5 days<br />Budget: 700$ (including flights)</i></b><br />
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The name "<b>Sofia</b>" came in the 14th century from the temple of Saint Sofia. It holds a lot of history having been under the Byzantine empire for a while, then occupied by the Ottomans and until recently under the ruling of the Soviet Union. All of these brought different flavors and spices together to create something different on many levels. It created a place that is certainly worth visiting.<br />
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Sofia is quite wonderful, it has beautifully decorated restaurants with refreshing outdoor spaces, many large free for all parks, and great value for money. It's the kind of city that will definitely make you want to go back, it's quite low-key and chill, it's not Paris or London or Prague, and it's not Berlin or Antwerp, it simply is a humble city, represented but its modest and friendly residents.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sofia - Bulgaria</td></tr>
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Fun fact, Sofia used to first be referred to as Serdica back when it was a Thracian settlement. Serdica is currently the name of a metro station, where you will find ruins still preserved.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What's amazing about these buildings you see here, is that one of them is a hotel, another is a normal residence building and the third is where the president lives!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>Accommodation</b></u>: </span><br />
It's quite efficient to stay close to old town Sofia. We stayed in <a href="http://hotel-niky.com/" target="_blank">Hotel Niky</a>, which was very close to Vitosha avenue, whereas the latter is considered quite central and a popular long pedestrian street full of shops and restaurants. It's a nice location as it's relatively close to all meeting points for the tours you can take. Most of the tours meeting points are close to the <a href="http://www.sofia-guide.com/attraction/alexander-nevsky-cathedral/" target="_blank">Alexander Nevsky Cathedral</a> which was around 20 minutes from where we are, so that's another good location to stay at.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sofia - Bulgaria</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>Transportation</b></u>: </span><br />
Once you land in Sofia airport, you can grab the metro (m2 line) to the city center, the ticket is around 1$. Of course, check the closest metro station to your hotel as you can probably connect and shorten the walking distance. Taxi is quite cheap as well, we took a 7 minutes ride which cost less than 2$. From the city center Sofia to the airport, it was around 20 lev (equivalent to 13$). You can also download the Taxime app (it functions like Uber).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sofia - Bulgaria</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>Places to visit in and out of the city</b></u>: </span><br />
Plovdiv - more details below, Rila Lakes / Mountains, Vitosha Mountain, different parks and gardens inside the city, Alexander Cathedral, Temple of Sofia, Serdica area to see the old ruins, the Russian Church, Crystal Park, National Palace of Culture and the park in front of it, National Theater and the park in front of it...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rila Lakes</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outdoor seating of Lavanda Restaurant</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>Things to do in Sofia</b></u></span><br />
<ul>
<li>Free <a href="http://sofiagreentour.com/" target="_blank">Bike</a> Tour.</li>
<li>Sofia <a href="https://www.facebook.com/freesofiatour/" target="_blank">Free Walking Tour</a>, we did this one and it starts twice a day near the Palace of Justice, it was fun and informative, definitely recommended. You can read about our experience <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TravelWithFunk/posts/2342766352417101?__tn__=-R" target="_blank">here</a>.</li>
<li>Free Hiking Tour in <a href="http://sofiagreentour.com/free-tours/hiking-tour/" target="_blank">Vitosha Mountain</a> </li>
<li>Rila Lakes:
<a href="https://www.traventuria.bg/the-seven-rila-lakes-hiking-guided-and-self-guided-tour" target="_blank">Traventuria</a> is the option we took with an amazing guide called "Vlasko". You can read about our trip <a href="https://business.facebook.com/TravelWithFunk/posts/2347989851894751?__tn__=-R" target="_blank">here</a>. </li>
<li>Sofia Green Tour <a href="http://sofiagreentour.com/adventures" target="_blank">website</a>. <span style="color: #1155cc;"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></span></li>
<li>Rila Lakes and Monestary <a href="https://www.viator.com/tours/Sofia/Rila-Monastery-and-7-Rila-Lakes-in-one-day-from-Sofia/d5630-15352P6" target="_blank">tour.</a></li>
<li>Plovdiv Day <a href="https://www.viator.com/tours/Sofia/Plovdiv-Full-Day-Tour-from-Sofia/d5630-6992P9" target="_blank">Tour</a>, and more options <a href="http://www.plovdivtrips.com/" target="_blank">here</a>. </li>
<li>Pub Crawl, this is <a href="https://www.viator.com/tours/Sofia/Sofia-Pub-Crawl-Tour-of-The-Hidden-Unique-Bars/d5630-40028P2" target="_blank">the one we did</a> and we really enjoyed it. The tour guides were two young women who were so funny and fun! You can read about my experience <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TravelWithFunk/posts/2343565159003887?__tn__=-R" target="_blank">here</a>. </li>
<li>Free Food Tour (the only free one in the world) with <a href="http://www.balkanbites.bg/" target="_blank">Balkan Bites</a> was definitely one of my favorite things during this trip. I quite enjoyed it. I recommend you book in advance to make sure you reserve your spot as it's limited. You can email them on: <u>info@balkanbites.bg</u>. You can read about my experience <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TravelWithFunk/posts/2345257758834627?__tn__=-R" target="_blank">here</a>. </li>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sofia Free Walking Tour</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our guide offering us this morning pastry treat called "Makitza" for us to try. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hambara Pub - Sofia</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Apartment - Sofia, Bulgaria</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>Food & Drinks</b></u></span><br />
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<li><i><b>Pubs</b></i>: </li>
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<li>Hambara Bar (we only knew about it because of the pub crawl, it's actually kind of illegal to be there, and is on an invite basis only. Totally worth it!)</li>
</ul>
</ul>
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<li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/apartamenta/" target="_blank">A.part:mental</a> for some very interesting atmosphere. The history of this place is mind blowing, going from being a communist lookout, to a nursing home, and art school. The food is vegan and delicious, and the drinks are interesting, as you get fresh juice with your vodka for example!</li>
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<ul>
<li><i><b>Restaurants</b></i>: I am recommending all of these as I tried them and loved each and every one of them. All of them had fresh food, fresh produce, great presentations, very nice atmosphere, quirky decor and best of all super great value for money! <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g294452-d10138628-Reviews-Aubergine-Sofia_Sofia_Region.html" target="_blank">Aubergine</a>, <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g294452-d3657514-Reviews-Lavanda_Restaurant-Sofia_Sofia_Region.html" target="_blank">Lavanda restaurant</a>, <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g294452-d2190234-Reviews-Izbata_Tavern-Sofia_Sofia_Region.html" target="_blank">Izbata tavern</a>, <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g294452-d12420497-Reviews-Bistrello-Sofia_Sofia_Region.html" target="_blank">Bistrello</a> (my favorite), <a href="https://www.victoria.bg/%D1%80%D0%B5%D1%81%D1%82%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%BD%D1%82%D0%B8/%D1%81%D0%BE%D1%84%D0%B8%D1%8F/%D0%B1%D1%83%D0%BB-%D1%86%D0%B0%D1%80-%D0%BE%D1%81%D0%B2%D0%BE%D0%B1%D0%BE%D0%B4%D0%B8%D1%82%D0%B5%D0%BB/" target="_blank">Victoria</a>, <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g294452-d2154976-Reviews-Hadjidraganov_s_Cellars-Sofia_Sofia_Region.html" target="_blank">Hadjidraganov</a> for traditional Bulgarian food (this was during our food tour)</li>
<li><i><b>Local</b></i>: Rakia, Bulgarian local beer, Bulgarian local wine (super affordable and tasty), local pastry Makitza that goes with morning coffee, sour milk cheese and Airan yogurt (similar to Turkish and Armenian Ayran). Also local produce is so fresh, you must eat their pink tomatoes - mostly in their salads, I really couldn't have enough of that). </li>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Food tasting at Hadjidragon - Sofia</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Those pink tomatoes right! </td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>Plovdiv</b></u></span> <br />
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We went on a tour to Plovdiv where we had a guide walk us through the old city. It took around 2.5 hours to get there. Once there, for an hour and a half, the guide showed us different spots in the old town, such as museums, the amphitheater, a church, communist art and more. He told us about the history of Plovdiv and Bulgaria, about their religion, and explained the architecture of those buildings. We were then give 2 hours to discover Plovdiv on our own; and by that time it was 1PM already, so we went for lunch which took most of the break time and unfortunately not much time for exploration. Plovdiv is the second biggest city in Bulgaria, with quite an interesting history. I recommend visiting it for sure however probably in a different format. Taking public transport or renting a car might be a better idea as this will allow you to have more time walking around the city on your own. For food, obviously I didn’t have time to try different places, but I would highly recommend <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g295391-d11875549-Reviews-Smokini-Plovdiv_Plovdiv_Province.html" target="_blank">Smokini</a>, it has a very nice rooftop seating area and the food was delicious.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shop in Plovdiv - Bulgaria</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Influenced by Thracians, Romans, Byzantines, Slavs and Ottomans.
Most of these buildings in the photos are turned into museums, artisanal
workshops or galleries.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nqhlB55hrpw/W9VYwV8_JmI/AAAAAAAAD9g/6SSCNXK8yyoqWLN9Aur7Y-7kTkp0gEzmACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nqhlB55hrpw/W9VYwV8_JmI/AAAAAAAAD9g/6SSCNXK8yyoqWLN9Aur7Y-7kTkp0gEzmACLcBGAs/s640/IMG_1133.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top View of Plovdiv - Bulgaria</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b><i> </i></b><br />
<b><i>#FROMBULGARIAWITHFUNK (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/frombulgariawithfunk/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>)</i></b> </div>
Lilianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13845301181107256105noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31373442.post-90521337712581345062018-07-24T12:14:00.000+04:002018-07-25T21:25:37.720+04:00Quick Guide to visiting Barcelona<b><i>Destination: Barcelona<br />
Travel Companions: (1st time: Jennifer; 2nd time: Maria, Sandy, Nancy and Elie; 3rd time: Bechara, Marie and the little Rafael)<br />
Duration: 5 days<br />Budget: 550$ (excluding flights)</i></b><br />
<b><i> </i></b> <br />
When I visited Barcelona back in 2011, I wasn't writing down any travel
tips. But fortunately, I went back again two more times, so hopefully there's enough to help you plan a trip to Barcelona with some quick recommendations and must do's.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UTx3gafhkZI/W1baooWOQFI/AAAAAAAAD4E/hs01fVZNL2k6PWbCLOrd8j3of8DayBypwCLcBGAs/s1600/2017-09-13%2B19.29.55-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UTx3gafhkZI/W1baooWOQFI/AAAAAAAAD4E/hs01fVZNL2k6PWbCLOrd8j3of8DayBypwCLcBGAs/s640/2017-09-13%2B19.29.55-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">La Sagrada Familia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<h3>
1) Where to stay</h3>
I recommend staying a bit further from La Rambla, but still close to a bus stop / metro station. It will be cheaper, less noisy but still easily accessible. Barcelona is big, so get on airbnb or booking and find a suitable place close to a bus stop / metro station. The second I went, we stayed in La Rambla and was quite noisy at night.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9kbw0dcN1Qw/W1bhKkgoO9I/AAAAAAAAD54/yM_HiI8D2FonV81x1gosCR4fl-0mAOyHQCLcBGAs/s1600/Barcelona.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="966" data-original-width="1280" height="482" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9kbw0dcN1Qw/W1bhKkgoO9I/AAAAAAAAD54/yM_HiI8D2FonV81x1gosCR4fl-0mAOyHQCLcBGAs/s640/Barcelona.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful shot of Barcelona by Bechara (<a href="http://instagram.com/Boucha2ra" target="_blank">Instagram</a>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ku_uNzEJpiQ/W1bfOr6KoiI/AAAAAAAAD5s/PsgJH-pXq0c0Ikjidchuw4ctKC_mqjeogCLcBGAs/s1600/2017-09-13%2B23.30.28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ku_uNzEJpiQ/W1bfOr6KoiI/AAAAAAAAD5s/PsgJH-pXq0c0Ikjidchuw4ctKC_mqjeogCLcBGAs/s640/2017-09-13%2B23.30.28.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old Part of Barcelona</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h3>
2) Things to do</h3>
Roads trips from Barcelona to surroundings (such as Costa Brava):<br />
<ul>
<li>Figueres / Cadaques (Dali's hometown, Dali's museum), can be done in a day but better to stay over for one night. More on this road trip that my friends and I did 3 years ago in this <a href="http://blog.funkyozzi.com/2016/12/road-trip-barcelona-to-cadaques.html" target="_blank">post</a>. </li>
<li>Tossa de Mar</li>
<li>Pals</li>
<li>Girona (Day Trip)</li>
<li>Montserrat (Day Trip)</li>
<li>La Pertusa</li>
<li>And well many many more!</li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C-JDftAAVp4/W1bb1Lmya0I/AAAAAAAAD4Q/QKCF7giMP9Q7zmfzVQSd6szMe10OnoZlACLcBGAs/s1600/2017-09-14%2B13.43.48-1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C-JDftAAVp4/W1bb1Lmya0I/AAAAAAAAD4Q/QKCF7giMP9Q7zmfzVQSd6szMe10OnoZlACLcBGAs/s640/2017-09-14%2B13.43.48-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Girona</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u7x-T5al9Ho/W1bb_S-yFRI/AAAAAAAAD4U/BAgggiQany4lSw3bpdTUmwLWGyMve6snACLcBGAs/s1600/2017-09-15%2B13.27.08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u7x-T5al9Ho/W1bb_S-yFRI/AAAAAAAAD4U/BAgggiQany4lSw3bpdTUmwLWGyMve6snACLcBGAs/s640/2017-09-15%2B13.27.08.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pals</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-91UrUscMvBw/W1bcEuU_rhI/AAAAAAAAD4c/mk-Gw6DC8BA5V4_MmjxYyPIPP9T-tK5OwCLcBGAs/s1600/2017-09-15%2B15.18.33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-91UrUscMvBw/W1bcEuU_rhI/AAAAAAAAD4c/mk-Gw6DC8BA5V4_MmjxYyPIPP9T-tK5OwCLcBGAs/s640/2017-09-15%2B15.18.33.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tossa de Mar</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-InBmyWeG3R4/W1bcKEpNt-I/AAAAAAAAD4g/kWGwgKWeKYcfBoNgmRukAcX2Lk_xKa2CgCLcBGAs/s1600/2017-09-15%2B16.56.41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-InBmyWeG3R4/W1bcKEpNt-I/AAAAAAAAD4g/kWGwgKWeKYcfBoNgmRukAcX2Lk_xKa2CgCLcBGAs/s640/2017-09-15%2B16.56.41.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tossa de Mar</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eVf21Kj5wzY/W1bcQ6WTYjI/AAAAAAAAD4o/mHnd3Zrr6_sVfpwY64f_2Sb5vtnskPovQCLcBGAs/s1600/2017-09-17%2B15.35.14-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eVf21Kj5wzY/W1bcQ6WTYjI/AAAAAAAAD4o/mHnd3Zrr6_sVfpwY64f_2Sb5vtnskPovQCLcBGAs/s640/2017-09-17%2B15.35.14-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Montserrat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_4iikoz1Cn4/W1cJAgNSrOI/AAAAAAAAD6o/XwMazhvnSxQGqxN-0U0G3eRNie8ayr4zgCLcBGAs/s1600/Pals.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_4iikoz1Cn4/W1cJAgNSrOI/AAAAAAAAD6o/XwMazhvnSxQGqxN-0U0G3eRNie8ayr4zgCLcBGAs/s640/Pals.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pals. Photo by Bechara (<a href="http://instagram.com/Boucha2ra" target="_blank">Instagram</a>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h3>
</h3>
<h3>
3) How to move around </h3>
We rented a car over two days, first day we
did a stop in Girona then drove to L'Escala where we stayed for the
night and on the way back we passed by Pals and Tossa de Mar. They all
have medieval towns, lots of history and in Girona, some places will be
familiar to you if you are a Game of Thrones fan. You can do most of
them over two days as well. A difficult thing will be to find a place to
park your car in Barcelona city though. So try to rent the car from
near a the train station and then return it there.<br />
<br />
Hop-on Hop-off bus pretty much takes you to most of the stops listed below. You can
also use the metro and bus system, very easy to use, specially that now
Google Maps tells you exactly their schedule. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V3EjMZU9OXE/W1bXVdVeLhI/AAAAAAAAD34/6eud9CTl3eQcNhUOb2GQi0nX4Y0TbQxUwCLcBGAs/s1600/Old%2BBarcelona.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="345" data-original-width="401" height="550" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V3EjMZU9OXE/W1bXVdVeLhI/AAAAAAAAD34/6eud9CTl3eQcNhUOb2GQi0nX4Y0TbQxUwCLcBGAs/s640/Old%2BBarcelona.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old Barcelona</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h3>
4) Places to visit </h3>
<ul>
<li>La Sagrada Familia (Book tickets <a href="http://www.sagradafamilia.org/eng/tickets/index.html" target="_blank">online</a>, and get an audio guide so you really understand the genius behind Gaudi's architecture)</li>
<li>Camp Nou (worth a visit if you're a football fan, you can get there by metro or even use the hop</li>
<li>Park Guell (<a href="https://www.parkguell.cat/en/" target="_blank">website</a>) </li>
<li>Walking around Barcelona, you'll be able to see specific Gaudi buildings. For a more detailed list, you can check this <a href="https://www.globotreks.com/destinations/10-gaudi-buildings-barcelona/" target="_blank">website</a>.</li>
<li>La Rambla street</li>
<li>Arc de Triomf </li>
<li>Flamenco Show (I recommend this place "<a href="http://palaudalmases.com/en/home/" target="_blank">Palau Dalmases - Espai Barroc</a>", the dancers were incredible)</li>
<li><a href="http://www.museupicasso.bcn.cat/en/" target="_blank">Picasso Museum</a> </li>
<li>Barceloneta Beach</li>
<li>Park de la ciutadella </li>
<li>And the old area below is a must visit, plenty of shops, restaurants and bars.</li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9bLym_vYua8/W1bik-GFTlI/AAAAAAAAD6E/WaHmnEoxCWo3gqeloBQraspfeOvUCKWyQCLcBGAs/s1600/Park%2BGuell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="724" data-original-width="1086" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9bLym_vYua8/W1bik-GFTlI/AAAAAAAAD6E/WaHmnEoxCWo3gqeloBQraspfeOvUCKWyQCLcBGAs/s640/Park%2BGuell.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Park Guell</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<ul>
</ul>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eFOrPDT-lpM/W1bcd4Qc2PI/AAAAAAAAD40/oksKnjtm-IUFacnjm3NWQEFLAHktifcngCLcBGAs/s1600/2017-09-16%2B18.37.41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eFOrPDT-lpM/W1bcd4Qc2PI/AAAAAAAAD40/oksKnjtm-IUFacnjm3NWQEFLAHktifcngCLcBGAs/s640/2017-09-16%2B18.37.41.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flamenco Performance at Palau Dalmases which is situated in the old area</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TX59q29lug4/W1bcmKcpH_I/AAAAAAAAD48/tjBRRKzgomcyWhq8EMvRazefeOcqTY25ACLcBGAs/s1600/2017-09-16%2B19.15.28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TX59q29lug4/W1bcmKcpH_I/AAAAAAAAD48/tjBRRKzgomcyWhq8EMvRazefeOcqTY25ACLcBGAs/s640/2017-09-16%2B19.15.28.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The old Palace where we saw the Flamenco show</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6b6qsYxDLBw/W1bi2WBvjJI/AAAAAAAAD6M/Oqw_kbXw3_ke50wtGXa4daA3VprlGw3twCLcBGAs/s1600/Gaudi%2BBuilding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6b6qsYxDLBw/W1bi2WBvjJI/AAAAAAAAD6M/Oqw_kbXw3_ke50wtGXa4daA3VprlGw3twCLcBGAs/s640/Gaudi%2BBuilding.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gaudi Building</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oWNfha5BLmY/W1cInWDhJnI/AAAAAAAAD6g/IfR5n2Rje1gXNBOGntg42PJv0RDGS5KWgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4867.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oWNfha5BLmY/W1cInWDhJnI/AAAAAAAAD6g/IfR5n2Rje1gXNBOGntg42PJv0RDGS5KWgCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_4867.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sagrat Cor de Jesús. Photo by Bechara (<a href="http://instagram.com/Boucha2ra" target="_blank">Instagram</a>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h3>
5) What to eat</h3>
<ul>
<li>Tapas</li>
<li>Basque-style Tapas (yes there's a difference)</li>
<li>Seafood</li>
<li>Paella</li>
<li>Chocolate Con Churro </li>
<li>Jamon</li>
</ul>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IrT_Pe9E7v4/W1bc6Y4JN7I/AAAAAAAAD5I/WOLWC0FYq2gimeHYHeR8gbexYlW2NiZJQCLcBGAs/s1600/2017-09-16%2B22.14.54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IrT_Pe9E7v4/W1bc6Y4JN7I/AAAAAAAAD5I/WOLWC0FYq2gimeHYHeR8gbexYlW2NiZJQCLcBGAs/s640/2017-09-16%2B22.14.54.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barcelona Food</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Specific restaurants to go to that we tried and liked:<br />
<ul>
<li>La Barceloneta (Fish!)</li>
<li>Picnic</li>
<li>El Fornet D'en Rossend (more on <a href="http://blog.funkyozzi.com/2016/01/top-breakfast-places-in-5-amazing-cities.html" target="_blank">Breakfast places in 6 cities</a>) </li>
<li>Brunch & Cake Rosselló (great presentation, average food)</li>
<li>Ice Cream at La Lletera in Girona</li>
<li>Irati Taverna Basca (for Basque-style Tapas)</li>
<li>La Placeta in Tossa de Mar</li>
<li>MariscCo Paella Restaurant at the Plaça Reial in La Rambla - We recommend the lobster Paella</li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C8BT0hIgJmQ/W1bek2D8QQI/AAAAAAAAD5c/9O5uRpR5pD0LwV9ytW5AeqesVkRc4TvQACLcBGAs/s1600/2017-09-15%2B15.39.28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C8BT0hIgJmQ/W1bek2D8QQI/AAAAAAAAD5c/9O5uRpR5pD0LwV9ytW5AeqesVkRc4TvQACLcBGAs/s640/2017-09-15%2B15.39.28.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Know what I mean when I say seafood? This was in La Placeta.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IYo3V9GxCeE/W1bjJZWT93I/AAAAAAAAD6U/2ukWBuSWtXEGccgkr7cVOrWyG8g7aFcTQCLcBGAs/s1600/2017-09-16%2B21.28.12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IYo3V9GxCeE/W1bjJZWT93I/AAAAAAAAD6U/2ukWBuSWtXEGccgkr7cVOrWyG8g7aFcTQCLcBGAs/s640/2017-09-16%2B21.28.12.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Never say no to Dessert!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h3>
6) What to drink</h3>
<br />
Barcelona has this amazing scene of talented bartenders who make crazy and awesome looking cocktails. There's a whole show to it as well so try to be at the bar. Two places we went to and enjoyed are: <br />
<ul>
<li>Paradiso</li>
<li>Dr. Stravinsky</li>
</ul>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paradiso: The bartenders were on fire!</td></tr>
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<i> #FROMBARCELONAWITHFUNK</i> (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/frombarcelonawithfunk/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>)<br />
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If you're also heading to Madrid, here's a <a href="http://blog.funkyozzi.com/2018/03/quick-guide-to-visiting-madrid.html" target="_blank">quick guide for Madrid</a>! </div>
Lilianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13845301181107256105noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31373442.post-82532250050236321832018-07-24T11:19:00.004+04:002018-07-24T11:19:57.839+04:00Vacation Do's and Don'tsI shared this on my page:<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zYxq5Xjn1H8/W1bSLW5Ok9I/AAAAAAAAD3I/aFayBNkREEMOtb3uBBXxVoj3tpM9XGCTgCLcBGAs/s1600/Vacation%2BDo%2527s%2Band%2BDont%2527s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="792" data-original-width="960" height="330" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zYxq5Xjn1H8/W1bSLW5Ok9I/AAAAAAAAD3I/aFayBNkREEMOtb3uBBXxVoj3tpM9XGCTgCLcBGAs/s400/Vacation%2BDo%2527s%2Band%2BDont%2527s.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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And then I got more great responses, so I decided to compile them here so we can always come back to it when planning a trip 😀:<br />
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<br />Lilianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13845301181107256105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31373442.post-70763942429611980852018-06-16T10:04:00.001+04:002018-06-16T10:04:30.125+04:00Quick Guide to Chicago; The Windy City<b><i>Destination: Chicago<br />
Travel Companion: My awesome Dad<br />
Duration: 4 days<br />
Budget: $650 pp (excluding flights; FYI internal US Flights are around 200$)</i></b><br />
<b><i> </i></b> <br />
Chicago was such a pleasant surprise. I've been traveling to the U.S. for over 12 years now, and visiting at least once a year for the past 6 years. I've been to 5 states so far. So I decided to start exploring more of the U.S. and visit a new state, after all, this is a huge country with a lot to see! I picked Chicago because a friend lives there and suggested I check it out, moreover it was one direct flight away for both my dad and myself. So I went for it!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Cloud Gate aka Chicago Bean - Millennium Park</td></tr>
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Chicago definitely exceeded my expectations, even though the weather wasn't very nice to us and my dad and I had only packed t-shirts only with just one hoodie, yet we still made it work!<br />
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Anyway, here's a quick guide to things you can do in Chicago! If you're ever in the U.S., do check it out. I can easily say Chicago is one of my favorite American cities so far.<br />
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<h3>
1) Where to stay</h3>
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Stay in Downtown, it's as simple as that. It's super efficient and easy to just be close to everything. It will be more expensive (accommodation in general is not cheap in Chicago), but you'll save on transport and time much more. I stayed on North DeWitt Place, it was slightly out of the crowded streets, but only few minutes walk away from the center.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful Church on Michigan Avenue - Chicago</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our friends have a very nice view!</td></tr>
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<h3>
2) How to move around</h3>
I do not recommend renting a car because daily parking will cost a tonne, moreover it is extremely
difficult finding a parking spot, so you'll probably end up parking it
somewhere and then taking public transport to move around.<br />
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In terms of transport, you can go by: Train (accessible from the airport), Uber (I used UberPool Express - saved quite a bit), bus, segway, bicycle (there's a lot of those bicycle rentals on the streets) and even a horse carriage! You can also hop on the hop on hop off bus. If you're taking a taxi back to the airport, keep in mind that rush hour is between 2:30PM and 6:30PM and it will take over an hour.<br />
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<h3>
3) Things to do</h3>
<ul>
<li>Watch a <b>Baseball game</b>. You just gotta experience it. It's more of a family / friends hang out, eating a hotdog, having a drink, eating nuts or popcorn (did you know that the first popcorn machine was made in Chicago in 1885?) and just enjoy the home runs when they happen!<b><br /></b></li>
<li>Go on a Historical or <b>Architecture River Tour,</b> includes a visit to Lake Michigan. It's really something you have to do as architecture is quite impressive in Chicago, after all they say Chicago is the best architectural city in the U.S.<br /><b></b></li>
<li>Watch a <b>Comedy show</b> at Second City (did you know that a lot of Saturday night live comedians started out there?)</li>
<li><b>See Chicago from up high</b> by either visiting <a href="http://theskydeck.com/" target="_blank">SkyDeck</a> (and standing on glass - scary huh!) or going to Hancock Tower's Observation Deck - <a href="http://www.360chicago.com/" target="_blank">360 Chicago</a> and tilting on the glass. A quick hack is to go up for a drink on the 96th floor to The Signature Lounge. Unfortunately it was foggy so I couldn't do either.</li>
<li><b>Hop on Hop off Bus</b> - always a good idea!</li>
<li><b>Rent a boat</b> and ride through Chicago River among the giant skyscrapers </li>
<li>You can also <b>kayak</b> in the river.</li>
<li>Walk on The <b>Concrete</b> <b>Beach</b> by Michigan lake where you get to see a good view of Downtown Chicago skyline.</li>
<li><b>Segway</b> Tour (I would never get on a segway, but if it's your thing, why not!)</li>
</ul>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t-SDlK-uO3M/WySnGriZO2I/AAAAAAAAD1g/5RvDMB6USeQmTnTgyeQis0u9-Zlq2CfKQCLcBGAs/s1600/C7A88B52-2326-4CE0-AFE2-99FA16C9EFD4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t-SDlK-uO3M/WySnGriZO2I/AAAAAAAAD1g/5RvDMB6USeQmTnTgyeQis0u9-Zlq2CfKQCLcBGAs/s640/C7A88B52-2326-4CE0-AFE2-99FA16C9EFD4.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baseball Game at the Wrigley Field - Chicago</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mubfgaSKWuI/WySnOr1RYdI/AAAAAAAAD1o/yQ38wMD4suUSlaPpBRTrO931cqRZoZk8ACLcBGAs/s1600/D9B36AFF-BE90-4816-BFE3-4A983679D061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mubfgaSKWuI/WySnOr1RYdI/AAAAAAAAD1o/yQ38wMD4suUSlaPpBRTrO931cqRZoZk8ACLcBGAs/s640/D9B36AFF-BE90-4816-BFE3-4A983679D061.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chicago Architecture</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YDRnEmvSdGQ/WySnxXRjH6I/AAAAAAAAD2A/HBy3opSv57k93_kx-r86PWNirb0LQWFsACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0263.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YDRnEmvSdGQ/WySnxXRjH6I/AAAAAAAAD2A/HBy3opSv57k93_kx-r86PWNirb0LQWFsACLcBGAs/s640/IMG_0263.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Signature Lounge - 96th floor of Hancock Tower</td></tr>
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<h3>
4) Places to visit</h3>
<ul>
<li>The famous Cloud Gate (aka Chicago Bean) and Millennium Park. We were lucky as there was a free Blues Festival happening there, so keep an eye for festivals like that.</li>
<li>Museums<b> </b>(check out <a href="https://www.citypass.com/chicago" target="_blank">CityPASS</a> for a combo ticket to different things for a good price)<b>:</b></li>
<ul>
<li>Museum of Science and Industry; if you're there with young kids, I think they'll enjoy this quite a bit</li>
<li>Museum of Modern Art</li>
<li>The Field Museum; this was a very nice museum to visit specially if you like history, animals and dinosaurs! They have a new T-Rex on Display, called Sue!</li>
<li>Shedd Aquarium </li>
</ul>
<li>Chicago Art Institute </li>
<li>Lincoln Park Zoo</li>
<li>University of Chicago</li>
<li>Navy Pier and the <a href="https://navypier.org/attractions/ferris-wheel/" target="_blank">Centennial Wheel</a> which offers a good view of Chicago and Lake Michigan. The original one was built for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition. </li>
<li>Buckingham Fountain<b><br /></b></li>
</ul>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Field Museum</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5QeTwu5v3Us/WySng9_S7yI/AAAAAAAAD14/_RO4TmIutEgMoowrVkd0fn4kqZSWA7GowCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5QeTwu5v3Us/WySng9_S7yI/AAAAAAAAD14/_RO4TmIutEgMoowrVkd0fn4kqZSWA7GowCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_0253.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Navy Pier</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qO95p2HH0K8/WySn7AMYgNI/AAAAAAAAD2I/_XxbNw3jtXg1-botsFEpi6Fcfbw9VcRJACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qO95p2HH0K8/WySn7AMYgNI/AAAAAAAAD2I/_XxbNw3jtXg1-botsFEpi6Fcfbw9VcRJACLcBGAs/s640/IMG_0015.JPG" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Concrete Beach - Chicago Skyline</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4r6rr6KnEh4/WySoTV_3bVI/AAAAAAAAD2g/bsMtb4EGixIUgtfeywfziyPYC4QMx8OuwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_9995.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4r6rr6KnEh4/WySoTV_3bVI/AAAAAAAAD2g/bsMtb4EGixIUgtfeywfziyPYC4QMx8OuwCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_9995.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lincoln Park Zoo</td></tr>
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<h3>
5) What to eat</h3>
<ul>
<li><b>Deepdish Pizza</b>: Of course everyone is going to tell you to try a Deep Dish Pizza. And I will add my voice to theirs, the experience is quite interesting. Having said that, I tried it at <a href="https://www.loumalnatis.com/" target="_blank">Lou Malnati's</a> (a super famous place), but I personally think it's overrated, please don't kill me, I love me a classic pizza, mostly Italian marguerita #sorrynotsorry). Maybe I didn't try a flavor I like, and perhaps I should've tried it at more than one place to be able to compare. There's also <a href="https://www.giordanos.com/" target="_blank">Giordano's</a> and <a href="https://www.10best.com/destinations/illinois/chicago/chicago/restaurants/the-original-ginos-east-of-chicago/" target="_blank">Gino's</a>, as few other places you can try.</li>
<li><b>Breakfast Spots</b>: Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and I truly believe that. So here are few spots I tried and really enjoyed: <a href="http://beatrixrestaurants.com/beatrix/streeterville/" target="_blank">Beatrix</a> and <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g35805-d429381-Reviews-Original_Pancake_House-Chicago_Illinois.html" target="_blank">The Original Pancake House</a> for breakfast. Even my dad liked them, and he hates eating outside in general! A friend of mine also recommend <a href="https://www.eatyolk.com/" target="_blank">Yolk</a>, I didn't get to try it because when we got there there was a long waiting queue.</li>
<li><b>Fancy restaurants</b>: another friend recommended Au Cheval Burger, Blackbird or Next (Michelin star diner) if you fancy!</li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a_NKP6RLqu0/WySoCD4_ZnI/AAAAAAAAD2Q/8PANFwuGMeYQNMrYEesSWPfO55_8_HuVACLcBGAs/s1600/D27FC15D-26B5-4430-AF66-E5F3FB7704C0.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a_NKP6RLqu0/WySoCD4_ZnI/AAAAAAAAD2Q/8PANFwuGMeYQNMrYEesSWPfO55_8_HuVACLcBGAs/s640/D27FC15D-26B5-4430-AF66-E5F3FB7704C0.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pancakes and Waffles!</td></tr>
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<ul>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bt-22ACP5tA/WySoH87ILuI/AAAAAAAAD2U/GotQsYGkuv8QZhWbjDMFWdtaUdV3iAXwQCLcBGAs/s1600/368F7450-B508-4114-9FED-E2943BD1818B.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bt-22ACP5tA/WySoH87ILuI/AAAAAAAAD2U/GotQsYGkuv8QZhWbjDMFWdtaUdV3iAXwQCLcBGAs/s640/368F7450-B508-4114-9FED-E2943BD1818B.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deep Dish Pizza - Lou Malnati's</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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#FROMCHICAGOWITHFUNK (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/fromchicagonwithfunk/" target="_blank">instagram</a>)</div>
Lilianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13845301181107256105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31373442.post-52255170062878686122018-06-01T19:49:00.002+04:002018-06-09T19:05:37.604+04:00Cambodia: The Land of Enchantment & Complexity<i><b>Destination: Cambodia<br /> Travel Companion: <a href="http://www.betket.com/">Betty</a> & Maria<br /> Duration: 10 days<br /> Budget: $560 pp (including internal flight) </b></i><br />
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Cambodia was the last stop during my South East Asia month, right after Laos and Vietnam. What first led me to Cambodia was a yoga retreat I had chosen to attend in Siem Reap which was situated among temples and nature, however my plans changed once I found out my friends were going to be in Cambodia at the same time as me. <br />
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Our itinerary mainly included spending time in two cities: Siem Reap and Sihanoukville; the latter took us to a nearby island called Koh Rong Samloem for one night, which is a smaller island than the famous Koh Rong and supposedly more exotic.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nf0nBGOYpIE/WxFi4fKsecI/AAAAAAAADys/IuV8QJt8OlUFOsnmvx2LV_6pd7T-KbRzACLcBGAs/s1600/Face%2BAngkor%2BWat%2BTemples.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nf0nBGOYpIE/WxFi4fKsecI/AAAAAAAADys/IuV8QJt8OlUFOsnmvx2LV_6pd7T-KbRzACLcBGAs/s640/Face%2BAngkor%2BWat%2BTemples.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Before I delve into sharing travel tips, I want to write a little bit more about my overall trip in Cambodia. All in all, it was quite nice and memorable, yet it wasn't my favorite among the different countries I've visited in South East Asia so far. Of course, I only saw a small part of it and I am probably not fit to judge, but if I had to choose between <a href="https://laos.travelwithfunk.com/" target="_blank">Laos</a> / Bali or Cambodia for nature, I'd pick any of the first two; as for a combination of history, culture and nature: I prefer <a href="https://bali.travelwithfunk.com/" target="_blank">Bali</a>. The major exception of what makes Cambodia special will always be Angkor Wat. This is an experience on a different level, whilst everything else speaks of poverty, unfortunately.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nejtKGzUt-o/WxFmpzaYRcI/AAAAAAAADzM/O_iPmOIS3BYG3c0OFoB8j2als7ssfxvswCLcBGAs/s1600/TaProhm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1196" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nejtKGzUt-o/WxFmpzaYRcI/AAAAAAAADzM/O_iPmOIS3BYG3c0OFoB8j2als7ssfxvswCLcBGAs/s640/TaProhm.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ta Prohm Temple aka Tomb Raider Temple - where nature claims what it owns!</td></tr>
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What made me feel like a hypocrite was being a tourist in a poor neighborhood, and that feeling was emphasized when we went to the floating village. It's definitely a very interesting experience where you learn quite a bit about how people live in some parts of Siem Reap. Nevertheless the hypocrisy remains mainly in knowing that "outsiders" have turned the Floating Village into an out of city exotic day tour, whereas only a very small portion of the money, made from these tours, actually goes to the actual people living in the floating village - that's what I was told and I sort of believe it because if they were receiving the full amount, they wouldn't probably exist in the way they still do. I didn't know much about it before going, but then when you witness it you're both impressed and sad at the same time. I have to admit though, in addition to the main boat tour that takes you through the Floating Village, we did a stop at what seems to be the village's center, and from there we took smaller boats, mostly operated by women, that took us through beautiful mangroves. It was magical.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V6c8IVPRD5o/WxFaYtNKzGI/AAAAAAAADyU/uWhVpKCgl_4K9ttiU0ETaEgkE4zISjxoACLcBGAs/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2018-06-01%2Bat%2B6.37.38%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="670" data-original-width="1600" height="268" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V6c8IVPRD5o/WxFaYtNKzGI/AAAAAAAADyU/uWhVpKCgl_4K9ttiU0ETaEgkE4zISjxoACLcBGAs/s640/Screen%2BShot%2B2018-06-01%2Bat%2B6.37.38%2BPM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Instagram post about the floating village, full caption <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bb9PWbnjTZ0/">here</a>.</td></tr>
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One of my favorite parts of Siem Reap is of course <b>Angkor Wat</b>; the fact that you're witnessing the genius of the architecture and construction of these ancient temples, will leave you in a state of awe.<br />
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<i>The other favorite part</i> was the fact that I was staying outside of the city center of Siem Reap. That part was incredibly loud, noisy and crowded, specially during the night with its night market. It might feel vibrant and fun at first, but a couple of minutes later that feeling vanishes. You can't walk in Cambodia without being "invited" to either buy something or hire a tuktuk. I can certainly say I heard "Tuktuk lady?" at least 4-5 times per minute. Anyway, my resort was actually 15 minutes away by tuktuk situated a bit outside of the city center and more into the forest. And the best thing about this resort, is that it's the modest, chill kind of resort. It's super cute and a completely affordable resort. I truly recommend it as it was one of my favorite things in Siem Reap. I spend the last day mainly sitting by the pool and reading and listening to music, had the whole pool for myself. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JAAeFF1EAB4/WxFf88UebtI/AAAAAAAADyg/1CdNljesNW0q9nzW4cqdMIBk6MeDhhF5gCLcBGAs/s1600/Resort.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JAAeFF1EAB4/WxFf88UebtI/AAAAAAAADyg/1CdNljesNW0q9nzW4cqdMIBk6MeDhhF5gCLcBGAs/s640/Resort.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Suorkear Resort - Siem Reap</td></tr>
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<h2>
Travel & Visa Requirement</h2>
To travel to Cambodia, you can find direct flights on Emirates from Dubai. Most people visit several South East Asian countries in one trip, and this is quite practical as they're all quite interconnected and the fares are super cheap. Some of the airlines you can use: Cambodia Air, Air Asia, Bangkok Airlines etc...<br />
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I believe most people don't need a visa to enter Cambodia. For
Lebanese passport holders, you can get a visa on arrival. It is
recommended you start the process online (costs more but you save time waiting on arrival) on the <a href="https://www.cambodiaimmigration.org/">Cambodian Immigration Website. </a><br />
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Before traveling to Cambodia and while you're in the departing airport at check-in counter, there's a slight chance you might be asked to provide few documents, including the online visa you already did. This didn't happen to my friend who's also a Lebanese passport holder, yet it happened to me. The ground staff were WhatsApping the Cambodian immigration to see if they can allow me to travel to Cambodia. I had to wait for 45 minutes before I was cleared to get my boarding pass. Chances are it won't happen to you, but it helps to be prepared, you can view here the list of documents you need to have on hand: details in this <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TravelWithFunk/photos/a.379795945380828.105501.142245179135907/1965665770127163/?type=3">post</a>.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_m2IRQNuHTw/WxFnKQvOi5I/AAAAAAAADzU/bKmBoDGbYlAF22bHrHZlEN_5SL-WWjYCgCLcBGAs/s1600/Headless%2BStatue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_m2IRQNuHTw/WxFnKQvOi5I/AAAAAAAADzU/bKmBoDGbYlAF22bHrHZlEN_5SL-WWjYCgCLcBGAs/s640/Headless%2BStatue.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The headless statue (is a name I made up)</td></tr>
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<h2>
Transport & Money</h2>
I arranged transportation with my hotel who provided a free pick-up and free drop-off in a tuktuk. Within the city, you will move around in a tuktuk as well. In general, it costs 2-3$ per ride. For your Angkor Wat tip, you can hire a tuktuk with the driver for a day for 15$ or so, and if there is 2-3 of you, that's quite cheap. <br />
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As for money, there is no need to convert, everyone deals in USD at a fixed rate (1$ = 4000 Cambodian).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BuHyGv2-kYc/WxFlEQDpdwI/AAAAAAAADy4/xlArBbrvbNATSOXwWAMQjR6gUZ7vdByVACLcBGAs/s1600/Angkor%2BWat%2BSunrise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BuHyGv2-kYc/WxFlEQDpdwI/AAAAAAAADy4/xlArBbrvbNATSOXwWAMQjR6gUZ7vdByVACLcBGAs/s640/Angkor%2BWat%2BSunrise.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Angkor Wat Sunrise</td></tr>
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As for transport between Siem Reap and Sihanoukville, and same for Phnom Penh, you can either take a long bus (which always stops in Phnom Penh, before heading to Sihanoukville, or by plane. Honestly speaking, I definitely recommend the plane over a long trip by bus. <br />
<h2>
Things to do in Siem Reap</h2>
<ul>
<li><b>Angkor Wat:</b> You can get either a 1 day ticket or 3 days ticket which you can use over 10 days. I personally felt one day was enough, even though I bought the three days one. Make sure to hire a guide while there (at least for the main Angkor Wat temples), a tuktuk
driver for the day, make sure you do the sunrise tour (the famous Angkor Wat sunrise), you can also do a sunset tour, do the small / big circuit,
and remember souvenirs are more expensive there so maybe leave it to the night market.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b>Floating Village:</b> Boat will take you to a Floating village, we went to Kompong Fluk, which is not the closest nor the farthest, from there they switch you to a smaller boat that takes you through the mangroves and then they take you to watch the sunset.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b>Night market </b></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b>Accommodation: </b></li>
<ul>
<li>I stayed
in Suorkear Resort (out of the city). They provided me with free airport pick up and drop
off (in a tuktuk, it started raining and the poor guy had to close the tuktuk with the curtains while it rained on him), and drop off in the city center during certain times of the day which is great. It was a small but very cozy, quiet and nice resort, with a beautiful
relaxing pool and a common area for food and entertainment (billiard). It was also quite affordable, only 40$ a night for a double room. </li>
<li>My friends stayed in Onederz hoste, it was by the night market, quite central, very nice hostel and obviously super cheap (8-9$ per night). They also organize tours, which could make it easier for you to plan your days there.</li>
</ul>
<li>Recommended <b>duration</b> in Siem Reap would be around 3-4 days. </li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DDv8G8HBoDA/WxFqt2jgDFI/AAAAAAAAD0g/y86ob7jjycU5XJYPuKADF7cazMHPCGz5wCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_6647.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DDv8G8HBoDA/WxFqt2jgDFI/AAAAAAAAD0g/y86ob7jjycU5XJYPuKADF7cazMHPCGz5wCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_6647.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mangroves Boat Ride in Kompong Fluck Siem Reap</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ooWo3jbvhIc/WxFrue5FFgI/AAAAAAAAD1A/S5XmMUJ9lDAsDkDGmFJ8xsSY9dBQkjZsgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_6668.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ooWo3jbvhIc/WxFrue5FFgI/AAAAAAAAD1A/S5XmMUJ9lDAsDkDGmFJ8xsSY9dBQkjZsgCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_6668.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kompong Fluck Floating Village - Siem Reap</td></tr>
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<ul>
</ul>
<h2>
Things to do in Sihanoukville </h2>
<ul>
<li><b>Accommodation</b>: Sihanoukville is a beach destination, it’s nice and quite cheap. Most tourists there are of a young age. It's quite chill, not very populated, with a lot of small and cozy hostels, distant from each other (specially if you were closer to Otres Beach, which is the less crowded by beautiful beach). We stayed close to
Otres beach in Mama Clares huts (shared bathrooms). It was a bit isolated from the city center. If that's what you seek, then that area should be suitable for you. You can also stay in Onederz hostel the night you come back from the Island, it was only 9$ per night, very clean and super comfortable (it was a really pleasant surprise).</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>What you can do near <b>Otres Beach</b> is mainly swim and chill. And of course try out the different restaurants around. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>You can also go back to the <b>Night market</b> in the center</li>
<li>Visit the <b>Pub Street </b>where you can sit by the beach</li>
<li><b>Pub Crawl</b></li>
<li>Note that you will encounter a lot of women on the beach who try to give you massages / threading / manicure and pedicure. Apparently it’s a thing and it's completely normal. Moreover it's not expensive (I wouldn't say it's cheap though and getting a mani / pedi while you're on the sand isn't exactly a smart move. That didn't make much sense to me!)</li>
</ul>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jqqqfQExlhU/WxFnsHqS5wI/AAAAAAAADzk/j-dsmrPMbc43bEf04maWGd1RD2c0mgruQCLcBGAs/s1600/Mama%2BClares.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jqqqfQExlhU/WxFnsHqS5wI/AAAAAAAADzk/j-dsmrPMbc43bEf04maWGd1RD2c0mgruQCLcBGAs/s640/Mama%2BClares.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mama Clares in Sihanoukville</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Pt1cKYx9oI0/WxFqYW4F_fI/AAAAAAAAD0U/KfT1_AXvgVUNMFJxikjJoBwXZ4dhGVWewCLcBGAs/s1600/Otres%2BBeach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Pt1cKYx9oI0/WxFqYW4F_fI/AAAAAAAAD0U/KfT1_AXvgVUNMFJxikjJoBwXZ4dhGVWewCLcBGAs/s640/Otres%2BBeach.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Otres Beach - Beware of the small fishies who will bite you :P</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<h2>
Things to do on Koh Rong Samloem Island</h2>
<ul>
<li><b>Recommended Duration</b>: If you plan to go to Koh Rong and / or Koh Rong Samloem,
dedicate at least 3 nights to make it worth it, boat trips can be bumpy. I also recommend you come back one day before your flight out of Sihanoukville as there is a risk a boat ride can be canceled if weather conditions don't allow it. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b>Travel light</b>: If
you’re heading to the island, a backpack is much more practical, because it's literally just an Island that is
all sandy, there are no pavements so it's extremely difficult to drag a heavy carry on or
suitcase (trust me, it was hell! luckily our hostel was close by).</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Chill, swim, snorkel, island tour, visit different
bays.</li>
<li>Visit <b>Dragon Fly</b> Bar</li>
<li>Go to the shore at night when they shut down the light so you can spot the <b>planktons</b>. We tried seeing them unfortunately we couldn't. They're not on all beaches, so ask for the best one, a
popular one is Koh Rong Long Beach. </li>
<li><b>Accommodation</b>: I recommend you stay in M Pay Bay bungalows (it was an amazing price - 25$ per room, private bungalow and had its
bathroom, close to pier).</li>
<li>If you went to Koh Rong Island instead (the bigger Island), you can also do a <b>pub crawl </b></li>
</ul>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dxORHon7Uyk/WxFpYAJhm3I/AAAAAAAADz0/FxF_tnUhmSctYuJtbuXpqo9m-iG6UveKgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_6781.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dxORHon7Uyk/WxFpYAJhm3I/AAAAAAAADz0/FxF_tnUhmSctYuJtbuXpqo9m-iG6UveKgCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_6781.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Koh Rong Samloem Island Vibes</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ao8YF1E_Y60/WxFpa3QX0VI/AAAAAAAADz4/GkmlZSc_J9UdyQmXtyg6GyYNS2xX7akbACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_6767.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ao8YF1E_Y60/WxFpa3QX0VI/AAAAAAAADz4/GkmlZSc_J9UdyQmXtyg6GyYNS2xX7akbACLcBGAs/s640/IMG_6767.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our cute M Pay Bay bungalow on Koh Rong Samloem</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h2>
Food</h2>
Khmer cuisine, fried rice / noodles. Other than that, there was nothing immensely special. Budget per meal is around 3$ in cheap places and 8$ in slightly more expensive ones.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jEPexAuw8wg/WxFp8yShLsI/AAAAAAAAD0E/o1jklBEG81QubEZ8FumNzfQSzeD1Z2VuwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_6793.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jEPexAuw8wg/WxFp8yShLsI/AAAAAAAAD0E/o1jklBEG81QubEZ8FumNzfQSzeD1Z2VuwCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_6793.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was pretty much what I had in Cambodia all the time (and I loved it)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kSN_KKNit-Q/WxFqGNPPYnI/AAAAAAAAD0I/ISKuxcz_V8cWRTMOGSs0pkhBEdijZXdvQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_6729.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kSN_KKNit-Q/WxFqGNPPYnI/AAAAAAAAD0I/ISKuxcz_V8cWRTMOGSs0pkhBEdijZXdvQCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_6729.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We found a Lebanese restaurant in Otres Beach believe it or not!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<i><b>#FROMCAMBODIAWITHFUNK [<a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/fromcambodiawithfunk/">Instagram</a>]</b></i><br />
<br />Lilianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13845301181107256105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31373442.post-88650408987047734502018-05-14T10:14:00.000+04:002018-11-26T14:06:58.768+04:00An overwhelming but equally incredible country, it's time to Vietnam<b><i>Destination: Vietnam<br />
Travel Companion: Anthony & Pia (Ha Long Bay & Hanoi), met up again with Kate - from Laos (Hanoi), Gayle (Hoi An) and met Sue (Ninh Binh)<br />
Duration: 14 days<br />
Budget: $1,500 - $2,000 pp (including internal flights - they're as cheap as $25 one way)</i></b>
<br />
<br />
I did everything I could to get the chance to visit Vietnam, including working with an agency that charged me triple the price of what I would have paid if I planned the whole trip by myself, just because that was the only way I was able to get a visa. Vietnam, will overwhelm you, whether it's its past or its present. But spoiler alert, when you leave Vietnam, it will leave a mark on you and you will remember moments from your trip at random.<br />
<br />
Warning: this is a very long post, but well... it's because there is a lot to say about Vietnam. To make it a bit easier on you, you can see below the different sections I am covering, so feel free to jump to the section that is the most pertinent to your ask! <br />
<br />
In this post I will cover the following: <br />
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Duration & Budget</span></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Visa Info </span></b></li>
<b>
</b>
<li class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Location & Itinerary</span></b></li>
<b>
</b>
<li class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Accommodation </span></b></li>
<b>
</b>
<li class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Transport (Bus, Train, Plane, Tour or Car)</span></b></li>
<b>
</b>
<li class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Money (Cash or card) </span></b></li>
<b>
</b>
<li class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">One to Two Day trips in and out of Hanoi</span></b></li>
<b>
</b>
<li class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Places to Visit in Dong Hoi</span></b></li>
<b>
</b>
<li class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Places to Visit in Hue</span></b></li>
<b>
</b>
<li class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Places to Visit in Hoi An</span></b></li>
<b>
</b>
<li class="MsoNormal" span="" style="font-family: "times new roman" serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><b>Food & Drinks</b></li>
<b>
</b>
<li class="MsoNormal" span="" style="font-family: "times new roman" serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><b>Vietnamese words you can use</b></li>
<b>
</b>
<li class="MsoNormal" span="" style="font-family: "times new roman" serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><b>Fun Facts about Vietnam and Vietnamese people </b></li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eC8afaZ_yEI/WsduX9PHVUI/AAAAAAAADpM/ELnTM3vKqk8mHbcnOecF33VS0ubS7IsegCLcBGAs/s1600/28279111_10151040284539980_2575936082071781376_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eC8afaZ_yEI/WsduX9PHVUI/AAAAAAAADpM/ELnTM3vKqk8mHbcnOecF33VS0ubS7IsegCLcBGAs/s640/28279111_10151040284539980_2575936082071781376_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ninh Binh - Vietnam</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul type="disc">
</ul>
<ul type="disc">
</ul>
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<a name='more'></a><br /></div>
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<h2>
Duration & Budget</h2>
</div>
Recommended duration is 2 weeks. Vietnam is quite a huge country with a lot to offer so you're probably going to want to cover many different parts of the country.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ygrfRQEcTEU/Wvb0zskHICI/AAAAAAAADt8/yehGBnx3aBEyzhh2cXz33Vzt2Ld39cTBwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_6027.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ygrfRQEcTEU/Wvb0zskHICI/AAAAAAAADt8/yehGBnx3aBEyzhh2cXz33Vzt2Ld39cTBwCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_6027.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pagoda</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br />
Some people just go to see Ha Long Bay. Despite the fact that Ha Long Bay is gorgeous (when it's not raining), there are plenty of other beautiful places for you to see the real Vietnam. Vietnam has rich and various types of nature; they're not something to miss out on. If you can't do two weeks, next best option is 10 days.<br />
<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VZ8w3Q4GH0Y/Wvb3W9I6YUI/AAAAAAAADuc/ajh2heJ23lMobh7rmv5FVAlN2IAvlAjNwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5905.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VZ8w3Q4GH0Y/Wvb3W9I6YUI/AAAAAAAADuc/ajh2heJ23lMobh7rmv5FVAlN2IAvlAjNwCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_5905.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ninh Binh</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
In terms of <b>budget</b>, Hanoi hotels can be a bit expensive for a South East Asian country (night rate around100$ for a double bed - so if you're two people, it's reasonable). Experiences such as Ha Long Bay 2 days/1 night or 3 days/2 nights (including transport from and to Hanoi) are around 150-350$ a night, depending on the cruise type / activities included. More on that later in the itinerary section.<br />
<br />
<h3>
<i>Should you book completely with a travel agency?</i></h3>
A friend of mine booked a group tour, and it was quite flexible in terms of changing transport methods (so long so she is willing to pay for it herself, so for example, she switched the night train - highly NOT recommended - to a flight or sleeping bus).<br />
<br />
<br />
My experience was a bit annoying, because I had to go through a travel agency for my whole trip as unfortunately this was the only way I can get my visa (thank you Lebanese passport).<br />
Cons: They force you to stay in 4* hotels, and they take a lot of markup on them. They also booked me a lot of private tours, evidently these are more expensive than group ones. Let's just say, there was a lot of things I would've done differently if I planned my own trip. And this is what this blogpost is about, to help you build your own itinerary at a great price. It's actually extremely easy to plan transport between cities. <br />
<br />
In general, I would say Vietnam needs around <b>$1,500 for two weeks</b> (including internal flights).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NNcU8AXf9cY/Wvb2s3CRamI/AAAAAAAADuQ/kFn0mkxyblkw8SsNFjJXZOBa9wGxPtaPgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NNcU8AXf9cY/Wvb2s3CRamI/AAAAAAAADuQ/kFn0mkxyblkw8SsNFjJXZOBa9wGxPtaPgCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_5558.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hanoi</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h2>
Visa Info</h2>
<ul>
<li>You can do as above, go through an agency. There are a lot of online websites that offer visa services, be careful, some are scam.</li>
<li>You can check if you are eligible for visa on arrival, but you have to apply online first here: <a href="http://www.vietnamvisa.govt.vn/">http://www.vietnamvisa.govt.vn. </a></li>
<li>You can apply through your consulate or embassy (<a href="https://www.visa-vietnam.org/vietnam-consulate-in-lebanon" target="_blank">Lebanon</a> and <a href="https://www.vietnamvisa.ae/vietnam-embassy-in-united-arab-emirates-uae" target="_blank">UAE</a>)</li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
</ul>
</div>
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<h2>
Location & Itinerary</h2>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
I would recommend to start with Hanoi (as opposed to ending with Hanoi), use Hanoi as a base to do the close by towns from there and then start moving south. I also highly recommend you end your Vietnam trip with Hoi An, as it was my favorite and it's always great to leave a country on a good note.<br />
<br />
<b>Avoid ending your trip in Hanoi </b>(or Ho Chi Minh City / Saigon - which I did not visit but heard it's even busier and more crowded than Hanoi). Reason behind that is that Hanoi can be overwhelming, it's one of the busiest cities I have ever been to. I know you could be reading this and thinking: "Oh, come on, it can't be that bad!". It can! It will drain your energy and mess with your mental balance! I am not exaggerating. It's quite interesting and enjoyable the first night, yet even when using it as a base, we were still coming in and out of Hanoi, getting stuck in traffic and surrounded by thousands of mopeds can get a toll on you. The honking never stops!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r2zQaS87HKk/Wvb3JoQipXI/AAAAAAAADuY/UR9CbmSLEawMoAuGQ5d_vOF7prANhyP5wCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5541.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r2zQaS87HKk/Wvb3JoQipXI/AAAAAAAADuY/UR9CbmSLEawMoAuGQ5d_vOF7prANhyP5wCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_5541.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hanoi</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
I did the following itinerary:<br />
<br />
<b>Day 1:</b> Hanoi<br />
<b>Day 2:</b> Hanoi to Ha Long Bay <i>(arrange tour with agency, who will manage transport)</i><br />
<b>Day 3:</b> Ha Long Bay then back to Hanoi<br />
<b>Day 4:</b> Hanoi City Tour <i>(arrange tour with agency, usually includes lunch)</i><br />
<b>Day 5:</b> Sleeping Bus to Sapa, afternoon in Sapa Trekking <i>(arrange trekking with agency)</i><br />
<b>Day 6:</b> Sapa Morning Trekking, then Sleeping bus to Hanoi<br />
<b>Day 7:</b> Ninh Binh <i>(arrange tour with agency, includes boat ride + lunch)</i><br />
<b>Day 8:</b> Hanoi City Tour (museum / art / culture) then flight to Dong Hoi<br />
<b>Day 9:</b> Paradise Case / water caving <i>(arrange tour with agency)</i><br />
<b>Day 10:</b> Drive to Hue, afternoon city tour <i>(I arranged this with the hotel I booked in Hue)</i><br />
<b>Day 11:</b> Monuments to see on the way to Da Nang / Hoi An <i>(also arranged with Hue hotel reception)</i><br />
<b>Day 12:</b> Hoi An <i>(more on activities below)</i><br />
<b>Day 13:</b> Hoi An<br />
<b>Day 14:</b> Hoi An<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1zKBi7O70O8/WvkpCrW4z7I/AAAAAAAADw0/L89A3FwlnQ8pWO4ZSOfoGLVOEisTttm3wCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_6085.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1zKBi7O70O8/WvkpCrW4z7I/AAAAAAAADw0/L89A3FwlnQ8pWO4ZSOfoGLVOEisTttm3wCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_6085.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fish Market - Hoi An</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
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<h2>
Accommodation</h2>
<br />
In Hanoi, two hotels I highly recommend (100$ per night might be a lot, but you get a 5 star service in 4 star hotels, better than so many 5* European hotels I have stayed in - for work - and which cost 300-400$ / night in comparison to the Vietnamese ones):<br />
<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>O'Gallery Premier Hotel & Spa </li>
<li>Hanoi La Siesta Diamond Hotel & Spa (<a href="https://www.booking.com/hotel/vn/hanoi-elegance-5.html">booking.com link</a>) - also 2 minutes walk from the Bus company (more on that in Transpot). </li>
</ol>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2ownV9Ys2xU/Wvb2cF-h_qI/AAAAAAAADuI/AeUM8krDPD48_JOTqQvP7wU0XFwC59KlwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5796.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2ownV9Ys2xU/Wvb2cF-h_qI/AAAAAAAADuI/AeUM8krDPD48_JOTqQvP7wU0XFwC59KlwCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_5796.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I had to check-in and out of this hotel 3 times! And they kept doing these kind of things on every check-in :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
In Hue, stay in "<b>Hue Serene Palace Hotel</b>" (<a href="https://www.booking.com/hotel/vn/hue-serene-palace.en-gb.html">booking.com link</a>), it's very well located and is around 25-30$ / night. The best thing about them is they were able to arrange transport for me from Dong Hoi to Hue, and Hue to Da Nang / Hoi An while making all the visit stops on the way (more on that below) for a very reasonable price - around 135$ which includes all the stops, fuel, driver and road tolls. There was around 5 hours drive the first day, and full day driving the next day, and again if you're more than two people, it's well worth it.<br />
<br />
The experience in these hotels was excellent, and the staff were super friendly staff, but also, extremely efficient and helpful. <b>La Siesta</b> in particular, has the best service I’ve received so far in my life. Rate is 100$ per night which for Vietnam is not cheap, yet for Hanoi it’s normal. You’d pay 170$ per night in Paris for an extremely mediocre service / small room. In this hotel, they remembered I was sick, so when I called room service to order food and ginger tea, they gave me the tea complimentary as I was sick. Later on I called to check breakfast time, they said my dinner was also complimentary as they wanted to apologize for not being able to accommodate me for another night (I asked and they were fully booked), they even offered transfer to airport, I said I have that sorted out already so they gave me a voucher for a massage. All staff knew my status and what I needed so I can talk to anyone and they would just pick up the conversation. Excellent service!<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br /></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nuxXsjrpXZc/Wvb3qI7Cb0I/AAAAAAAADuo/m2nn2-JuWtMB8-DiDqg6fSbA9tk7bZ34wCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5635.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nuxXsjrpXZc/Wvb3qI7Cb0I/AAAAAAAADuo/m2nn2-JuWtMB8-DiDqg6fSbA9tk7bZ34wCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_5635.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sleeping Bus - best invention ever.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<br />
<h2>
Transport (Bus, Train, Plane, Tour or Private car)</h2>
<br />
<br />
<b>To Sapa</b>: Sapa express (you can go and book directly with them, no need to go through an agency or tour company on the street that much overcharge you). When you get to Sapa, you can find many guides there, if you want a contact for my guide, happy to provide it, she was very nice!<br />
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<b>To Ha Long Bay</b>: you can find many tours when you are walking in Hanoi, so that can be easily arranged, or you can do that online. They always offer transfer from and back to Hanoi.<br />
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I do not recommend the night train, I have not heard any good things about it. I definitely recommend the <i><b>Sleeping Bus</b></i>, very clean and comfortable, and 30$ for 5 hours is quite affordable! Specially if you're going to Sapa, bus is actually quicker than the train.<br />
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You can also arrange for a <i><b>private car</b></i>, and this could easily be done with the hotel you're staying in. Moving from Hanoi to Dong Hoi or Hoi An, it's better to take a <b>flight</b>, anything above 5 hours in a bus / train, is a waste of your time. Internal flights can be as cheap as $25. I used Vietname Airlines.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">During the history tour outside of Hanoi</td></tr>
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<h2>
Money (Cash or Card)</h2>
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Both available, it's better to have USD on you, easier to convert and better to pay in local currency because as usual they're going to charge more if you're paying in USD.</div>
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<h2>
One to Two Day trips in and out of Hanoi</h2>
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Accommodation tip: One challenge that arises when using Hanoi as a base, is that you will have to check-out of hotels, and check back in after two days (as you will have 1 or 2 nights in Ha Long bay, and 1 or 2 nights in Sapa). If I was planning my own trip, I would've stayed in a cheaper hotel and booked the same place for a whole week in Hanoi, it was quite tiring to keep packing / unpacking. <br />
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<ul>
<li><b>Ha Long Bay</b> (look for cruises with budget around 200$ per night), and check activities they will offer. You should expect kayaking / swimming / visiting a cave. Anything more is great </li>
<li><b>Ninh Binh</b> (Restaurant: Nha Hang Truong An) </li>
<li><b>Sapa</b> (for one or two nights). Book the sleeping bus (see Transport section) as it’s quicker than the train. You can book trekking once you get to Sapa (happy to provide you with the contact of my guide and you can also go on the cable car for better views. </li>
<li><b><a href="https://www.vietnamonline.com/destination/hanoi/suggested-itineraries/hanoi-traditional-village-tours.html">Traditional villages tour</a></b> (includes silk village, ceramic village, etc..) </li>
<li><b><a href="http://www.vietnam-guide.com/hanoi/vietnam-museum-ethnology.htm">Museum of Ethnology</a></b> in Hanoi (it sounds boring, but if you get a guide, you're in for a lot of interesting learning, I recommend it) </li>
<li>Hanoi <b><a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g293924-d5583955-Reviews-Hanoi_Street_Food_Tour-Hanoi.html">Street Food Tour</a></b> in Hanoi: Evidently Vietnamese cuisine is quite delicious, so such a tour can be quite interesting. I didn't get the chance to do it though. </li>
<li><b>Egg Coffee</b> is a must try, go to Giang Cafe 1946 </li>
<li>Dong Xuan (<b>market</b>) </li>
</ul>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ha Long Bay - Vietnam</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heritage House in the Museum of Ethnology</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful trekking in Sapa.</td></tr>
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<h2>
Places to Visit in Dong Hoi</h2>
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There isn't much to do in Dong Hoi, my hotel was right on the beach, but we were surrounded by nothing. So when the weather is nice, you can enjoy the beach and the swimming pool. Other than that, it's mostly convenient because it's relatively closer to the Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park - Quang Binh (an hour's drine) where you can visit Paradise cave that is incredibly beautiful and I highly recommend and Dark cave which is inside a sort of water park where you can do zip lining, kayaking, etc... It's a fun activity if there's more than one of you. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> <span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-themecolor: text1;">Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park</span></td></tr>
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On the second day in Doing Hoi, you can go to Phong Nha cave, however if you're short on time, I recommend you skip it and head straight to Hue from the early morning so you get at least a night there. Hue is a very pleasant city, specially at night as it's super chill with many restaurants, it's so much different from Hanoi.<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br /></span>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dong Hoi</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BiwRDDzpGXs/Wvb5H7nGOEI/AAAAAAAADvE/6diX3KZSJvkMl0YceyfiPQsffnJNWgaCgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BiwRDDzpGXs/Wvb5H7nGOEI/AAAAAAAADvE/6diX3KZSJvkMl0YceyfiPQsffnJNWgaCgCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_5907.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dong Hoi</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5AtravQNhzs/Wvb5KI4DcrI/AAAAAAAADvM/zKNbSaU3oggXA2UMD7pYig181Mw5wMIVwCLcBGAs/s1600/Paradise%2BCave.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5AtravQNhzs/Wvb5KI4DcrI/AAAAAAAADvM/zKNbSaU3oggXA2UMD7pYig181Mw5wMIVwCLcBGAs/s640/Paradise%2BCave.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paradise Cave</td></tr>
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Places to Visit in Hue</h2>
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For some reason, the agency that I booked with, hadn't mentioned Hue for me. I only learned about it when I was in Hanoi and people recommended it. The good thing is, Hue is between Dong Hoi and Hoi An. The arrangement I had with my Hue hotel, was that my driver would pick me up from <i><b>Dong Hoi and drive me to Hue</b></i>; we arrived in that afternoon, I went to Thiên Mu Pagoda by boat for sunset, and then came back to the city for a nice dinner. There are plenty of restaurants in Hue's city center, and I was lucky that night as there was some sort of music festival. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GutJzq3OAKE/Wvb5Ub7aYzI/AAAAAAAADvQ/YKFjBdXS22wXXIMJ6ZqG8Q3ByvfRuCDkgCLcBGAs/s1600/Hue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GutJzq3OAKE/Wvb5Ub7aYzI/AAAAAAAADvQ/YKFjBdXS22wXXIMJ6ZqG8Q3ByvfRuCDkgCLcBGAs/s640/Hue.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset in Hue - Vietnam</td></tr>
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As a proxy of where you should stay, check out <a href="https://www.booking.com/hotel/vn/hue-serene-palace.en-gb.html">Hue Serene Palace Hotel</a>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NUsetHQK6HI/WuM0DzVrzCI/AAAAAAAADrg/UFVJcg3rBvcmJw4WP59uLOMD7H1pboD9wCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5999.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NUsetHQK6HI/WuM0DzVrzCI/AAAAAAAADrg/UFVJcg3rBvcmJw4WP59uLOMD7H1pboD9wCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_5999.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I didn't get the chance to try this place, but it had great reviews! Madam Thu - Hue</td></tr>
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On the second morning, the driver picked me up again to take me to Hoi An. On the way we had 3 stops in Hue. On your first stop, buy a combo ticket as it's a better deal. The three stops are: <br />
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<ol>
<li>Citadel Imperial City </li>
<li>Khai Dinh Tomb </li>
<li>Minh Mang Tomb</li>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MBIy9coBbjA/Wvb5-Tmr15I/AAAAAAAADvg/FPyOA0dXV2skAjRAryuOOWJQbDP2CGmCACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_6010.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MBIy9coBbjA/Wvb5-Tmr15I/AAAAAAAADvg/FPyOA0dXV2skAjRAryuOOWJQbDP2CGmCACLcBGAs/s640/IMG_6010.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Khai Dinh Tomb</td></tr>
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Places to Visit on the way to Da Nang / Hoi An</h2>
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On our way from Hue to Hoi An, the driver stopped at multiple places for me to either visit or take photos of including Da Nang: <br />
<ul>
<li>Lang Co Beach </li>
<li>Lap An Lagoon (fishing area) </li>
<li>Hai Van Pass (longest pass in South East Asia) </li>
<li>Marble Mountain (best to visit before arriving to Hoi An)</li>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--5RP91-bhJw/W_vE4hAUU6I/AAAAAAAAD94/ZmIMmEur-A8xtKOyRx8mNiLDkxxnWUDxACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1211" data-original-width="1242" height="624" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--5RP91-bhJw/W_vE4hAUU6I/AAAAAAAAD94/ZmIMmEur-A8xtKOyRx8mNiLDkxxnWUDxACLcBGAs/s640/IMG_1204.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marble Moutain - DaNang</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7AMPN4mRW-Y/W_vFXbgYhLI/AAAAAAAAD-A/CJhY62UJ7ZYMJBA2NsJcfey_u_EHIMI0wCLcBGAs/s1600/Lagoon%2B-%2BVietnam.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1204" height="424" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7AMPN4mRW-Y/W_vFXbgYhLI/AAAAAAAAD-A/CJhY62UJ7ZYMJBA2NsJcfey_u_EHIMI0wCLcBGAs/s640/Lagoon%2B-%2BVietnam.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lap An Lagoon - Vietnam</td></tr>
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<h2>
Places to Visit in Hoi An</h2>
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<ul>
<li><b>Nguyen</b> Thai Hoc street (lamps everywhere - see photo below) </li>
<li>Night / Morning Fish <b>market</b> </li>
<li>A lot of <b>art galleries</b> with different types of art (lequer, silk, painting, drawing etc...) </li>
<li><b>Walking tours</b> (Ancient house, Chinese temple, Japanese bridge) </li>
<li>Great <b>restaurants</b> (e.g. Morning Glory, Miss Lÿ, Green Mango...) </li>
<li><b>Cooking classes</b> (I did <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g298082-d5888176-Reviews-My_Grandma_s_Home_Cooking-Hoi_An_Quang_Nam_Province.html">My Grandma's Home Cooking</a>) - Photos below. What I liked about it is the morning tour at the market learning about Vietnamese vegetables and fruits, the boat ride, Island visit, learning from Gramma how to make rice cake, and then the actual cooking! </li>
<li><b>Cycling</b> tours </li>
<li><b>Kayaking</b> </li>
<li><b>Boat</b> trips (long-tail boat cruise) </li>
<li><a href="https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/949">My Son Holy Land</a>: Sanctuary and UNESCO World Heritage. Between the 4th and 13th centuries a unique culture which owed its spiritual origins to Indian Hinduism developed on the coast of contemporary Viet Nam. This is graphically illustrated by the remains of a series of impressive tower-temples located in a dramatic site that was the religious and political capital of the Champa Kingdom for most of its existence. </li>
<li><b>Tailors</b>: they're famous for their silk and you can pretty much get anything tailored for you. You need to give it few days with the few trials you need to do, and the cost is not expensive at all.</li>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uQtKuiYwsww/Wvb6sKvI8uI/AAAAAAAADvo/XRWI1V3NqTceQgCTcgAJGrBCHCAwkUmjgCLcBGAs/s1600/Hoi%2BAn%2BLamps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uQtKuiYwsww/Wvb6sKvI8uI/AAAAAAAADvo/XRWI1V3NqTceQgCTcgAJGrBCHCAwkUmjgCLcBGAs/s640/Hoi%2BAn%2BLamps.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful Hoi An at night</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PBeo2Sy2NvU/WuMuZMkyF-I/AAAAAAAADrE/dKa8Q4zz9gs6UhqtOdRwfmBjPKy1-uAdACLcBGAs/s1600/Food%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PBeo2Sy2NvU/WuMuZMkyF-I/AAAAAAAADrE/dKa8Q4zz9gs6UhqtOdRwfmBjPKy1-uAdACLcBGAs/s640/Food%2B1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From Left to Right, Top to Bottom: Papaya Salad with Shrimp, Rice Pancake with Shrimps (others had it with Pork), and the last one is Grilled Eggplant.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uw-Y2oVw5u8/WuMuY293bSI/AAAAAAAADrA/K4HV3Ph4iXseZQwvQlx8qBgiB4jssJ-tgCLcBGAs/s1600/Food%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uw-Y2oVw5u8/WuMuY293bSI/AAAAAAAADrA/K4HV3Ph4iXseZQwvQlx8qBgiB4jssJ-tgCLcBGAs/s640/Food%2B2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I can't believe I cooked these! It was a very nice experience!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>Hoi An</i> is such a beautiful city. It reminded me of Bruges, and we all know how perfect Bruges is. Hoi An though, is poorer, it endured much more, like floods almost every year that invade shops and houses, that themselves are quite old. You will still get a bit of Vietnamese street chaos, even if the city is chill compared to the rest of Vietnam.<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>When you enter the ancient City, you have to have a ticket</i>. It can mostly be done by walking and sometimes bicycles and mopeds are allowed, moreover in many spots smoking isn’t allowed. On the other side of the river bank you have the other part of town, connected by a pedestrian bridge; on this side you can enjoy the night market, and more restaurants.<br />
<br />
<br />
The restaurants, pubs and cafés scene is quite hip, dare I say even hipster-y (In a good way). So yes, Hoi An might not look like Bruges, it looks like Hoi An and nothing else you’ve seen in your life. It has a minimal chaotic scene, beautiful art galleries, very nice (and curious) people, great food and some creative places, like “reaching out” teahouse for example.<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BbrKbYtBZ7_/" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Travel with Funk (@travelwithfunk)</a> on <time datetime="2017-11-19T11:04:03+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Nov 19, 2017 at 3:04am PST</time></div>
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<h2>
</h2>
<h2>
Food & Drinks </h2>
<br />
I mean, almost everything Vietnamese is amazing! But the below were my favorite: <br />
<ul>
<li>Pho (Noodle Soup) </li>
<li>Banh Cuon (Dumplings) </li>
<li>Egg Coffee </li>
<li>Morning Glory (stir-fried vietnamese plant, that will be the best thing you can ever taste in Vietnam) </li>
<li>Banh Mi (with beef or chicken etc...) </li>
</ul>
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJghstBp6dc/Wvb9eVsIieI/AAAAAAAADwM/cpWUSct18uA0UkvV8J0RAQ7qC5h9jRPpgCLcBGAs/s1600/Dumplings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJghstBp6dc/Wvb9eVsIieI/AAAAAAAADwM/cpWUSct18uA0UkvV8J0RAQ7qC5h9jRPpgCLcBGAs/s640/Dumplings.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Banh Cuon (Vietnamese Dumplings)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
<h2>
Words in Vietnamese you can use </h2>
<ul>
<li>Njong Qua - very delicious </li>
<li>Dep Qua - very beautiful </li>
<li>Sin Tchao - good morning / Hello </li>
<li>Cam on - thank you</li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
</ul>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lby2yjx7WKQ/Wvb8wL0RkwI/AAAAAAAADv8/v1Qm8KSeCu0lVb950VnuuqtEBc3ujRI0gCLcBGAs/s1600/Sapa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lby2yjx7WKQ/Wvb8wL0RkwI/AAAAAAAADv8/v1Qm8KSeCu0lVb950VnuuqtEBc3ujRI0gCLcBGAs/s640/Sapa.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My guide Chai in Sapa</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_P0RTI20fZs/Wvkv6f-4o-I/AAAAAAAADxQ/9a-p4SXHdConVOF5rAP0iPngHNxKkZMhACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5848.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_P0RTI20fZs/Wvkv6f-4o-I/AAAAAAAADxQ/9a-p4SXHdConVOF5rAP0iPngHNxKkZMhACLcBGAs/s640/IMG_5848.jpg" width="480" /></a></h2>
<h2>
</h2>
<h2>
Fun facts about Vietnam</h2>
<ul></ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li>French brought Latin letters to describe the sounds Vietnamese make when speaking (originally they wrote in Chinese alphabet). In the last 200 years, they've been writing using Latin letters thanks to the French. </li>
<li>Viet Nam refers to Viet people in the south (of China) </li>
<li>70% Buddhist, 70% Viet, rest are around 40 ethnic groups that have their own language. </li>
<li>Saigon used to be the capital of south Vietnam. </li>
<li>Ho Chi Minh united south and north Vietnam and made Hanoi its capital when it was almost 1,000 years ago. </li>
<li>Vietnamese believe in Confucius as a teacher (even though he comes from China). </li>
<li>Originally education was only for men. </li>
<li>Vietnamese have been occupied by China, France and have also been invaded by Americans. </li>
<li>They have temples (worshiping ancestors and people) and pagodas worshiping Buddha. </li>
<li>Black teeth are considered a sign of beauty, they're the outcome of eating bitter nut and bitter leaf every day for 3 months. </li>
<li>My guides in Ha Long Bay and Sapa were from black h’mong. In the below photo you will see the Traditional dress with the Tanjara hat, this is worn by the Baha Vietnamese people.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
</ul>
<ul></ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GlyxSxFjggU/Wvkos6gKaeI/AAAAAAAADws/j4vJwtDPwPQmhTvjS8uObsg4FcCWRmNMACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5592.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GlyxSxFjggU/Wvkos6gKaeI/AAAAAAAADws/j4vJwtDPwPQmhTvjS8uObsg4FcCWRmNMACLcBGAs/s640/IMG_5592.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She was selling handmade fans :) Observe her black teeth!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<ul>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B4hSPBQyaD4/Wvb86pABe4I/AAAAAAAADwA/EpaxUsOrCDovD_4Ts9dshREDY29i2mplwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5671.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B4hSPBQyaD4/Wvb86pABe4I/AAAAAAAADwA/EpaxUsOrCDovD_4Ts9dshREDY29i2mplwCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_5671.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trekking in Sapa and stumbling on Vietnamese women in traditional Baha clothes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Vietnam was truly awesome and something different. <br />
<ul>
</ul>
<b><i>#FROMVIETNAMWITHFUNK</i></b> (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/fromvietnamwithfunk/" target="_blank">instagram</a>)<br />
<ul>
</ul>
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Lilianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13845301181107256105noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31373442.post-55765743325101416802018-05-13T10:08:00.003+04:002018-05-14T15:15:56.149+04:00Buddhism teaches 6 thingsDuring my trip in South East Asia last November, I took quite a bit of interest in Buddhism, and this was only a continuation of a curiosity that was sparked during my visit to Kathmandu followed by Bali. Specially when seeing the very young monks, you're going to wonder: "what's going on?" More on that later.<br />
<br />
When I was in Vietnam, my guide was showing me around and told me that Buddhism teaches 6 things which I really liked, they're simple, and could apply to anyone really, no matter the religion, or lack of it:<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>Keep giving and sharing</li>
<li>Keep a clean body</li>
<li>Keep patient</li>
<li>Keep learning</li>
<li>Keep moving</li>
<li>Show respect to the elderly</li>
</ol>
<br />
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-etHoyhUEeL8/WobYBnj8TwI/AAAAAAAADjM/GAsTN1hprhgJOFkZjTHHPMti6msyrBfNQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_9526.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-etHoyhUEeL8/WobYBnj8TwI/AAAAAAAADjM/GAsTN1hprhgJOFkZjTHHPMti6msyrBfNQCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_9526.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luang Prabang - Laos</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a name='more'></a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ygrfRQEcTEU/Wvb0zskHICI/AAAAAAAADuA/Si7v15jGyCkDm0uOO3kYHVmHjbhXUSJowCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_6027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ygrfRQEcTEU/Wvb0zskHICI/AAAAAAAADuA/Si7v15jGyCkDm0uOO3kYHVmHjbhXUSJowCEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_6027.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laughing Buddha - Vietnam</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<h3>
<b>Laughing Buddha</b></h3>
It was due to his large protruding stomach and smile that he came to be known as the Laughing Buddha. His image graces many temples, restaurants and homes in China and Japan. Legend has it that if one rubs the Laughing Buddha's great belly, it brings wealth, good luck and prosperity. (<a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/" target="_blank">source</a>)<br />
<h3>
<b>Buddhist monks in Laos</b></h3>
</div>
<div>
You will see a lot of young
monks (age 8-9 and young teenagers), but actually they're not monks,
they're referred to as novices. Usually a young man becomes a monk
around age 20. Reason why there are a lot of really young novices is for
education purposes. Many come from remote and rather poor villages, and
it's their one chance to get a good education. They don't all proceed
to become monks on the long run.<br />
<br />
Moreover, you can also
observe a nice Meditation ceremony that they perform every sunrise
which is known as Alms giving, unfortunately it has become a bit of a
tourist attraction where it attracts locals selling bad fruits to people
so they offer them back to monks who can't really eat them, in addition
to that you're not really supposed to get close to them and take
pictures as this is not a performance, it's their way to meditate. If
you want a chance to get close to monks / novices, a lot of them need to
practice their English and they sometimes dedicate hours to sit with
foreigners to practice English with them. So maybe try that!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4-pDBQqPnwg/WvfVBbRsbFI/AAAAAAAADwc/hrj1DP9cnoURAg2TFtYy4S-GS6v1g30IACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5216.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4-pDBQqPnwg/WvfVBbRsbFI/AAAAAAAADwc/hrj1DP9cnoURAg2TFtYy4S-GS6v1g30IACLcBGAs/s640/IMG_5216.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Offering - Pak Ou Caves near the Mekong River in Laos</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br /></div>
<br />If you would like to read more about my South East Asia trip, you can find Laos blogposts <a href="http://laos.travelwithfunk.com/" target="_blank">here</a>, and Vietnam blogpost here.Lilianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13845301181107256105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31373442.post-77673726881319174692018-05-12T17:34:00.000+04:002018-05-14T16:43:48.558+04:00Quick Guide to Copenhagen<b><i>Destination: Copenhagen<br />
Travel Companion: Wissam (from all the way in Canada)<br />
Duration: 2.5 days<br />
Budget: $530 pp (excluding flights - return flights from Beirut are around $600, internal flights / euro rail tickets in Europe can be very cheap)</i></b><br />
<b><i> </i></b> <br />
As you know, there are now direct flights (3 times a week) between Beirut and Copenhagen with FlySAS and this is only going to mean one thing: my walking tour guide will be meeting many more Lebanese people! Lucky him :). Jokes aside, Copenhagen is beautiful but is equally expensive! At first glance, you will feel like this is a place that will be outside your budget, but if you plan it carefully, you will be able to manage.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fg0Y0PH9RN8/Wvlvq_6V5FI/AAAAAAAADxg/kqqRIFOgTEsdLzeirwPqfym9dvV1948wwCLcBGAs/s1600/32191655_2170090449684693_7074195501725253632_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fg0Y0PH9RN8/Wvlvq_6V5FI/AAAAAAAADxg/kqqRIFOgTEsdLzeirwPqfym9dvV1948wwCLcBGAs/s640/32191655_2170090449684693_7074195501725253632_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nyhavn on a sunny day - Copenhagen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<h3>
1) Where to stay</h3>
<br />
Obviously you can stay somewhere around Copenhagen city center, but as usual it's not a bad idea to stay a bit further (20-25 minutes walk from the center) but close to a metro station, some areas would be Norreport, and Osterport (which is where I stayed).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C1J4OQKyy6k/WvbdeaQ6eSI/AAAAAAAADsQ/kEARBNZ_VOwqlweAAip6llPSEHdu_ZObQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_9402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C1J4OQKyy6k/WvbdeaQ6eSI/AAAAAAAADsQ/kEARBNZ_VOwqlweAAip6llPSEHdu_ZObQCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_9402.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<h3>
</h3>
<h3>
2) How to move around</h3>
Obviously, you are in the capital of <b>cycling</b> (it's a close tie between Copenhagen and Amsterdam. They say there are more bicycles in Copenhagen than people), and some airbnb hosts actually let you use their bicycle, if not you can always rent one, otherwise you can use the bus and the metro. When you land, you can take the <b>train</b> from the airport to the city center. You can buy the ticket in the airport, you can also buy something called "<a href="https://copenhagencard.com/" target="_blank">Copenhagen Card</a>", this card allows you free entrance to museums, to Tivoli gardens, free usage of all modes of transport such as <b>buses</b>, trains, <b>ferries</b> and some cruises. Now, if you're planning to walk more and not visit a museum, you probably don't need it as this card costs around €95. You can also choose to do the hop on - hop off (both by bus and by <b>boat</b>). I wouldn't recommend getting the Copenhagen Card in this case.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xqzbDrjhwPM/WvbpJmNl1TI/AAAAAAAADsw/xjTaw5_zG6UTlwFyTrV9s2drHHBIMHRvwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1215.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xqzbDrjhwPM/WvbpJmNl1TI/AAAAAAAADsw/xjTaw5_zG6UTlwFyTrV9s2drHHBIMHRvwCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_1215.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful Copenhagen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hCUppdyVTEY/WvbdnxUDQII/AAAAAAAADsU/atr1bndfWk8Qc0e_JU9trwO_-44NlDq6gCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_9325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hCUppdyVTEY/WvbdnxUDQII/AAAAAAAADsU/atr1bndfWk8Qc0e_JU9trwO_-44NlDq6gCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_9325.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christinia Bike is a bicyle native to Christinia town, you can host your family or friend in it!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iTvslMSkt7Q/Wvbo4T7YIwI/AAAAAAAADso/hvzD6FIb8RMvLf4J2VOKkbg_YinPMxq_wCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1279.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iTvslMSkt7Q/Wvbo4T7YIwI/AAAAAAAADso/hvzD6FIb8RMvLf4J2VOKkbg_YinPMxq_wCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_1279.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is not the Go Boat, but this something that floats and can be steered! :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h3>
3) Things to do</h3>
<ul>
<li><b>Walking tours</b>: I will never tire from recommending walking tours. I actually did two with the same <a href="http://www.neweuropetours.eu/copenhagen/en/home#" target="_blank">tour company</a>, an alternative tour (usually they tell you unconventional stories) and a free history tour. In addition to those, you can do a food tour and a bike tour (if you're a skilled cyclist, go for it!)</li>
<li>One hour <b>canal cruise </b>(included for free in the Copenhagen Card, and 12€ on this <a href="https://www.getyourguide.com/copenhagen-l12/copenhagen-canal-boat-tour-from-gammel-strand-t37848/" target="_blank">website</a>) with a guide telling you about the sites you're going to see including the famous Little Mermaid statue.</li>
<li><b>Go Boat</b>: if there is a group of you, this is certainly a great way to see Copenhagen, you have a table in the middle to have some drinks and food, and you get to cruise through the canals of what's known as the little Amsterdam in a town called "Christianshavns Kanal".</li>
<li><b>Kayaking</b> and SUP (stand-up paddle board).</li>
<li><b>Swimming</b> in the harbor (if the weather is good, go for it, they keep their harbor clean)</li>
<li>Visit <b>Museums</b>. There is a ton, and caters to all tastes. I genuinely wish I had more time so I can visit a couple of interesting ones there. </li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CEwa0WbtM84/WvbpagM6sjI/AAAAAAAADs4/LbKTuJ5YV18rRhJapSkTfdU0YJ1f_P79ACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1289.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CEwa0WbtM84/WvbpagM6sjI/AAAAAAAADs4/LbKTuJ5YV18rRhJapSkTfdU0YJ1f_P79ACLcBGAs/s640/IMG_1289.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One hour canal cruise in Copenhagen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i4-k7ADeyuY/Wvbp2poDEtI/AAAAAAAADtA/4AgQPEoHT-Mj0pV8DVFhIFseeRC8r-8gQCLcBGAs/s1600/07166D2D-F962-4673-AD92-F54882224189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i4-k7ADeyuY/Wvbp2poDEtI/AAAAAAAADtA/4AgQPEoHT-Mj0pV8DVFhIFseeRC8r-8gQCLcBGAs/s640/07166D2D-F962-4673-AD92-F54882224189.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Botanical Gardens - Copenhagen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h3>
4) Places to visit</h3>
<ul>
<li><b>Christiania</b>: is a must visit. During the walking tours you will be told about the history of this free town. It has a population of 800 people, it's a sort of a social experiment, where soft drugs are allowed (only to consume within the actual town). There are two rules: No photography and no running! Because running means the police are here. Now putting that aside, it's a colorful beautiful crazy little town that is like no other town in the world. Full of Graffiti, we caught a band playing during daylight, has a nice path for a short hike by the lake. Originally, this island was a military base, which was then occupied by hippies and the rest is history!</li>
<li><b>Tivoli Gardens</b>: free entrance if you have the Copenhagen Card. It has the oldest roller coaster in the world, has plenty of restaurants and filled with beautiful flowers. It has a classic feel to it, so if you have the card, I recommend you at least take a walk in it This is definitely recommended for a family.</li>
<li><b>Nyhavn</b> - plenty of restaurants and pubs there by the harbor. </li>
<li>If you're a plant and flowers geek, take a walk in the <b>Botanical Gardens</b>. They contain 13000 species!</li>
<li>If you loving shopping, you will have access to the longest pedestrian shopping street "<b>Stroget</b>". </li>
</ul>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IdYrUWQ1Vr0/WvbWLCzf0UI/AAAAAAAADsA/jZVgsi47v38jvSxvgwxrLVaFZ9-q2ct7gCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_9428.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IdYrUWQ1Vr0/WvbWLCzf0UI/AAAAAAAADsA/jZVgsi47v38jvSxvgwxrLVaFZ9-q2ct7gCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_9428.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nyhavn aka New Harbor in Copenhagen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U54_WQpU5dg/WvbqC_-au7I/AAAAAAAADtE/6eeAGWawMGcbKNdtpuK9OGmvQMRpijHJACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_9326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U54_WQpU5dg/WvbqC_-au7I/AAAAAAAADtE/6eeAGWawMGcbKNdtpuK9OGmvQMRpijHJACLcBGAs/s640/IMG_9326.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Graffiti in free town Christiania - Copenhagen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cKh_k9uLYKw/WvbqOOyNbUI/AAAAAAAADtM/_3XhkYEzv4kJGRTgIuouGjzmHUOpyuMrwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cKh_k9uLYKw/WvbqOOyNbUI/AAAAAAAADtM/_3XhkYEzv4kJGRTgIuouGjzmHUOpyuMrwCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_1236.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tivoli Gardens - Copenhagen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h3>
5) What to eat</h3>
You really can't go wrong in Copenhagen. Every restaurant I picked (and I use foursquare to check what's close, affordable and has a good rating) turned out to be great no matter the cuisine. Of course, I recommend to try Scandinavian food at least once. It's different and interesting. We went to a place called "Barr" which is where Noma was located in the new part of Copenhagen called Christianshavns. Here are few places my friend and I tried and liked:<br />
<ul>
<li>District Tonkin - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/districttonkin/" target="_blank">facebook page</a> (Vietnamese, I tried the Banh mi, and it was as if I was back in Vietnam)</li>
<li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TravelWithFunk/posts/2170077089686029" target="_blank">Corner on the 108</a> (Good in the morning with a nice view, has a great selection of pastries)</li>
<li><a href="https://restaurantbarr.com/en/home/" target="_blank">Barr</a> restaurant, has a great vibe, all wooden on the inside, and if you're social you'll appreciate the table sharing, and you might end up making friends like we did! We tried the Pork Schnitzel, and it was amazing.</li>
<li>Jensen's Bofhus (Steakhouse, great steaks and burgers but slow service)</li>
<li>Pizzeria La Fiorita</li>
<li>Lagkagehuset (it's a pastries chain, always packed and you'll have to queue for it)</li>
</ul>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n14bZLAtSGU/Wvbq8ZjJHdI/AAAAAAAADtY/XsPa3ET8Al8cJZFhg0qAkr2WIdlOvy4hwCLcBGAs/s1600/Food%2BCopenhagen.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n14bZLAtSGU/Wvbq8ZjJHdI/AAAAAAAADtY/XsPa3ET8Al8cJZFhg0qAkr2WIdlOvy4hwCLcBGAs/s640/Food%2BCopenhagen.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yum! Right?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h3>
6) What and where to drink</h3>
<ul>
<li>Well, if you're an anise lover, you have to try Schnapps</li>
<li>Mikeller Craft Beer</li>
<li>Moose Bar (if you fancy a game of table tennis as well)</li>
<li>Barabba Restaurant (wine tasting) </li>
</ul>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jWgI-KM-7Ns/WvbrHCJZ36I/AAAAAAAADtc/xCU-X-6kVfoyY5sF-92YoPOBsolp4jv_gCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jWgI-KM-7Ns/WvbrHCJZ36I/AAAAAAAADtc/xCU-X-6kVfoyY5sF-92YoPOBsolp4jv_gCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_1253.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mikkeler</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Lilianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13845301181107256105noreply@blogger.com0