Our All-Inclusive Stay at Gravity Hotel & Aqua Park, Hurghada

February 17, 2025

Hurghada, Egypt, has long been a favorite destination for sun-seekers and beach lovers, and during our recent trip, we had the pleasure of staying at Gravity Hotel & Aqua Park—an all-inclusive resort that made our stay comfortable, relaxing, and fun.

First Impressions

From the moment we arrived, Gravity Hotel’s grand entrance and welcoming staff set the tone for a pleasant experience. The check-in process was smooth, and we were given refreshing welcome drinks while our luggage was taken care of. The lobby was spacious and beautifully decorated with a modern touch, blending well with the coastal charm of Hurghada.

Our Room

We stayed in a sea-view room, and waking up to the sight of the Red Sea was nothing short of magical. The room was clean, spacious, and well-equipped with all the essentials—comfortable beds, a minibar, a TV, and a balcony that offered a stunning view of the resort and beach. The bathroom was also modern and stocked with fresh towels and toiletries.

Dining Experience

One of the highlights of an all-inclusive stay is, of course, the food! Gravity Hotel had several restaurants and bars, ensuring we had plenty of options. The main buffet restaurant served a wide variety of international dishes, and we particularly enjoyed the fresh seafood and Egyptian delicacies.

For those who love themed dining experiences, the à la carte restaurants provided more intimate and flavorful meals. We especially loved the grilled meats and Mediterranean dishes at one of the specialty restaurants. Throughout the day, we also grabbed snacks and refreshing drinks from the poolside and beach bars.

Beach, Pools, and Aqua Park

The resort’s private beach was the perfect place to unwind, with crystal-clear waters and soft golden sand. We spent a lot of time lounging under umbrellas, taking dips in the Red Sea, and enjoying the gentle breeze. The hotel also offers water sports and snorkeling trips, though we mostly relaxed and soaked up the sun.

For those who love pools, Gravity Hotel has multiple swimming areas, including an aqua park with slides—perfect for families and those looking for a bit of fun. The pools were clean, well-maintained, and had plenty of seating areas around them.

Activities and Entertainment

One of the things we appreciated about Gravity Hotel was the daily entertainment program. There were live music performances, dance shows, and themed nights at the amphitheater, making our evenings lively and enjoyable.

During the day, the hotel also offered activities such as beach volleyball, water aerobics, and yoga sessions. The animation team was friendly and engaging, always making sure guests were having a great time.

Service and Hospitality

The staff at Gravity Hotel were attentive, polite, and always ready to assist. From the housekeeping team to the restaurant servers, everyone made sure we had a pleasant and stress-free stay.

Final Thoughts
Our all-inclusive stay at Gravity Hotel & Aqua Park in Hurghada was a wonderful experience. The combination of great food, stunning views, fun activities, and warm hospitality made it a perfect getaway. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing beach vacation or an adventurous family trip, this resort has something for everyone.

Would we come back? Absolutely! If you’re planning a trip to Hurghada, Gravity Hotel is definitely worth considering for an all-inclusive and memorable stay.

Have you been to Hurghada? Let us know your experience in the comments!

Exploring Egypt: A Journey Through Time and Tranquility

February 12, 2025

It has been our dream to revisit Egypt again, and this year, we finally made it happen after 16 years of waiting with a 9-day Nile Jewel Tour booked through an agency. Our adventure took us through the heart of ancient civilization, from the bustling streets of Cairo to the tranquil shores of the Red Sea.

Cairo: A Grand Introduction to Egypt

Our journey began in Cairo, a city where the past and present seamlessly blend. The highlight, of course, was standing in awe before the Pyramids of Giza, one of the world’s greatest wonders. The Great Sphinx stood as a silent guardian, its mystery adding to the intrigue.

We then explored the Egyptian Museum, home to treasures from ancient tombs, including the golden mask of King Tutankhamun. To complete our Cairo experience, we wandered through the lively alleys of Khan El Khalili Bazaar, absorbing the sights, scents, and sounds of this historic marketplace.

Aswan: Temples and Tranquility

A short flight brought us to Aswan, a city of serene beauty along the Nile River. Our first stop was the stunning Philae Temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis, which was relocated to Agilkia Island to save it from flooding. The peaceful boat ride to the temple made the experience even more special.

After exploring Aswan, we boarded our 5-star Nile cruise, our floating home for the next few days. The comfort and luxury of the ship were a perfect way to unwind while sailing through Egypt’s timeless landscapes.

Abu Simbel: A Majestic Marvel

The next morning, we had an early wake-up call for a long but rewarding journey to Abu Simbel. These colossal temples of Ramses II and Queen Nefertari were nothing short of breathtaking. Learning about their relocation to higher ground due to the Aswan High Dam was fascinating.

As soon as we returned to our cruise, we set sail towards Kom Ombo, an ancient temple uniquely dedicated to two gods—Sobek, the crocodile god, and Horus, the falcon-headed god. Spending the night here allowed us to explore more hidden gems in the area.

Luxor: The World’s Greatest Open-Air Museum

Our next stop was Luxor, home to some of the most remarkable sites in Egypt. We visited the grand Karnak Temple, a massive complex with towering columns and intricate carvings, and then explored the elegant Luxor Temple, beautifully illuminated as the sun began to set.

The next morning, we witnessed a mesmerizing sunrise at the Colossi of Memnon, with a breathtaking hot-air balloons gliding over Luxor’s West Bank—a truly magical experience.

From there, we headed to the Valley of the Kings, where we stepped inside the tombs of ancient pharaohs, their walls still covered in vibrant hieroglyphics. Our final stop in Luxor was the Temple of Hatshepsut, an architectural masterpiece dedicated to Egypt’s most powerful female pharaoh.

Hurghada: A Relaxing Finale

After days filled with history and exploration, we set off on a scenic drive through the desert to Hurghada, our final stop. The shift from ancient ruins to a laid-back beach resort was the perfect way to unwind. We stayed at an all-inclusive resort, soaking up the sun, enjoying the Red Sea’s crystal-clear waters, and simply relaxing after an adventure-packed trip.

Final Thoughts

Our Nile Jewel Tour in Egypt exceeded all our expectations. From standing before the Pyramids of Giza to cruising along the Nile, exploring ancient temples, and unwinding by the Red Sea, every moment was unforgettable. This tour gave us the perfect balance of history, adventure, and relaxation—truly a journey of a lifetime!

Yanbu Flower Festival 2024 – When?

January 16, 2024

Get ready to step into a world of floral enchantment at the Yanbu Flower Festival 2024! Blooming with excitement, this vibrant event is set to open its petals and welcome you on February 15, 2024. Mark your calendars for a day filled with the mesmerizing beauty of blossoms, as Yanbu transforms into a garden of dreams.

Picture a kaleidoscope of colors, the sweet fragrance of flowers, and a celebration of nature’s artistry. The Yanbu Flower Festival is not just an event; it’s a journey through a tapestry of blooms, where every petal tells a story.

On February 15th, join us in unveiling this floral extravaganza. Bring your family, friends, and a heart ready to be captivated by the sheer elegance of nature. The Yanbu Flower Festival 2024 is not just an event; it’s an invitation to immerse yourself in the splendor of spring.

Don’t miss out on the grand opening on February 15, 2024 – a date that promises to kickstart a season of joy, beauty, and the magic of blossoms in Yanbu!

Discover the Best Things to Do in Phuket, Thailand

December 19, 2023

Phuket, the Pearl of the Andaman Sea, is a tropical paradise known for its stunning beaches, vibrant culture, and diverse range of activities for travelers. If you’re planning a trip to this beautiful island, you’re in for an unforgettable experience. Here’s a comprehensive guide to the top things to do in Phuket:

1. Relax on Stunning Beaches: Phuket boasts some of the world’s most beautiful beaches. From the vibrant Patong Beach, perfect for water sports and nightlife, to the serene Kata Beach, ideal for sunbathing and relaxation, there’s a beach to suit every mood. While Patong is the most famous, Phuket boasts numerous other beautiful beaches such as Kata, Karon, and Nai Harn. These are also perfect less crowded beaches that offers more tranquil beach experience.

2. Explore Old Phuket Town: Wander through the charming Old Phuket Town, where you’ll find colorful Sino-Portuguese architecture, quirky street art, and an array of quaint cafes and boutique shops. Don’t forget to try the local street food.

3. Island Hopping: Phuket serves as a gateway to some of the most beautiful islands in Thailand. Take a boat tour to explore nearby islands like Phi Phi Islands, Similan Islands, and James Bond Island.

4. Phang Nga Bay: Explore the dramatic limestone karsts and emerald-green waters of Phang Nga Bay. James Bond Island, famous for its appearance in the movie “The Man with the Golden Gun,” is a highlight.

5. Visit the Big Buddha: The iconic Big Buddha statue stands at 45 meters tall and offers breathtaking panoramic views of the island. It’s a must-visit for both cultural and scenic experiences.

6. Wat Chalong: Pay a visit to Wat Chalong, the largest and most important Buddhist temple in Phuket. It’s a place of spiritual and cultural significance.

7. Snorkeling and Diving: With its clear waters and rich marine life, Phuket is a paradise for snorkelers and divers. Explore colorful coral reefs and encounter diverse marine species.

8. Water Sports: Participate in thrilling water sports like jet-skiing, parasailing, and windsurfing, available at various beaches.

9. Elephant Sanctuary Visit: Experience ethical elephant encounters at one of the island’s many sanctuaries. Learn about and interact with these gentle giants in a responsible and sustainable manner.

8. Try Thai Cuisine: Indulge in authentic Thai cuisine. Sample dishes like Pad Thai, Tom Yum soup, green curry, and mango sticky rice. Don’t miss the local seafood by the beach.

9. Experience Thai Massage: Pamper yourself with a traditional Thai massage at one of Phuket’s many spas and wellness centers. It’s the perfect way to unwind after a day of exploring.

10. Visit Promthep Cape: Located at the southernmost tip of Phuket, Thailand, is a breathtaking viewpoint renowned for its stunning panoramic vistas of the Andaman Sea and vibrant sunsets. Perched atop rugged cliffs, this iconic landmark is a popular destination for tourists seeking a picturesque and tranquil experience in the tropical paradise of Phuket.

Phuket offers a diverse range of activities to cater to different tastes, whether you’re an adventure seeker, a culture enthusiast, a foodie, or simply looking to relax on the beach. Your trip to this enchanting island will undoubtedly be filled with incredible experiences and lasting memories. So pack your bags and get ready to explore the wonders of Phuket, Thailand!

Exploring Paradise: Top 8 Phuket’s Enchanting Beaches

October 26, 2023

When it comes to tropical island getaways, Phuket, Thailand, often tops the list. Nestled in the azure waters of the Andaman Sea, this island is celebrated for its stunning landscapes, vibrant culture, and, most notably, its mesmerizing beaches. From powdery stretches of sand to hidden coves fringed with lush greenery, Phuket’s coastline offers a diverse range of seaside experiences that beckon travelers from across the globe. Join me on a virtual tour as we delve into the irresistible allure of Phuket’s beautiful beaches.

Patong Beach is situated on the western coast of Phuket, is the island’s most popular and vibrant beach destination. Known for its lively atmosphere, it offers a mix of beautiful golden sands, turquoise waters, and an array of water sports activities. Patong is famous for its bustling nightlife, featuring a variety of bars, nightclubs, and restaurants. It’s a hub for shopping, entertainment, and water adventures, making it a top choice for travelers seeking both beach relaxation and lively entertainment.

Kamala Beach is a serene and family-friendly destination known for its stunning natural beauty and relaxed atmosphere. Nestled on the island’s western coast, Kamala Beach offers a delightful mix of soft, golden sands, crystal-clear waters, and lush tropical greenery. This beach is a favorite among travelers seeking a quieter alternative to the bustling Patong Beach, making it ideal for those looking for a more peaceful and laid-back experience.

Kata Beach located just south of Patong, is a charming and more relaxed option for visitors. With its soft sandy shores and clear waters, it’s a favorite for families and surfers. The beach is divided into two areas, Kata Yai and Kata Noi, both offering a serene tropical backdrop. The area is dotted with local shops, restaurants, and yoga studios, making it a peaceful retreat for those looking to unwind in a more tranquil environment.

Yanui Beach tucked away on the southwestern tip of Phuket, is a hidden gem known for its intimate and secluded setting. This small bay boasts powdery sand, calm, emerald waters, and excellent snorkeling opportunities due to its coral reefs. Yanui Beach is an ideal spot for sunbathing and water activities, with a backdrop of rugged cliffs. It offers a sense of tranquility away from the more crowded tourist areas, making it a perfect escape for those seeking a peaceful, natural beach experience.

Karon Beach situated adjacent to Kata, is another popular choice for visitors. It features a wide expanse of soft sand and gentle waves, making it suitable for swimming. Karon is less crowded than Patong but still offers a range of dining and shopping options. It’s a balanced choice for both relaxation and activities.

Surin Beach is often referred to as the “Millionaires’ Row” due to its upscale resorts and dining options. The beach offers a beautiful stretch of sand and calm waters, making it ideal for swimming and sunbathing. Surin is more laid-back and caters to those seeking a luxurious and tranquil beach experience.

Nai Harn Beach, located on the island’s southern tip, is a hidden gem known for its natural beauty. The beach is surrounded by lush green hills and features soft, powdery sand. It’s less crowded than some other beaches and is perfect for swimming and picnicking. Nai Harn offers a serene, natural escape away from the more touristy areas.

Freedom Beach is a secluded paradise accessible only by boat or a somewhat challenging hike through the jungle. This remote beach is characterized by its pristine white sands and crystal-clear waters. It’s an excellent choice for a peaceful and isolated beach day.

These beaches in Phuket offers a distinct atmosphere and unique experience. Catering to a variety of traveler preferences, whether you’re seeking vibrant nightlife, family-friendly relaxation, or a more tranquil and off-the-beaten-path coastal escape.

Visiting an Ethical Elephant Sanctuary in Phuket, Thailand

August 30, 2023

Elephant encounter is one of the most popular attractions in Thailand. However, due to the growing number of visitors/tourists arriving here on a daily basis, these gentle giants got abused. They worked overtime, some are chained and confined in a very small area unable to move around. We saw a lot of these poor elephants while touring around Phuket.

Derick and I doesn’t support elephant riding and bathing. So, we took time to research an ethical elephant sanctuary we can visit while in Phuket. Then, I found Bukit Elephant Park. One of the first animal sanctuary in Phuket that rescues elephants. A sanctuary where they can be taken care of, bathe by themselves and roam around peacefully in their natural environment.

The park offers activities that doesn’t include tourists riding and bathing the elephants. But guests can still interact with these gentle giants and observe their natural behavior by walking with them, watch them play in the park’s water holes and feed them.

Visiting this elephant park helps these gentle creatures live the life they deserve. It also gives awareness to people on how they should be treated.

For us it was definitely the highlight of our Phuket vacation. I was able to make rice and fruit balls for one of the elephants in the park, Lampu, and fed her by myself. We will forever cherish our short but sweet moments with all of the gentle giants at the park. Definitely one for the books.

Exploring The 16th-Century Fortress Of Vaxholm, Sweden

November 11, 2020

One of the most interesting places we visited in Sweden is Vaxholm. Does it ring a bell with you, guys? Well, I guess some don’t know where that is. Frankly, I never knew this place too until I visited Sweden a year ago.

To give a short background, Vaxholm is a municipality of Sweden consisting of several islands within the Stockholm archipelago. Because of it’s strategic location King Gustav Vasa built a fortress on the island of Vaxholmen (east part of Vaxholm town) as a defense structure against naval attacks from the east in 1548. During those time, the fortress protected Stockholm from any shipborne attacks. Today, the Vaxholm Fortress has been converted into a museum called the Swedish National Museum of Coastal Defense.

Its historical importance made this place a popular tourist destination. However, for me its idyllic views really stood out. At first glance, I noticed right away the stunning pastel-colored wooden houses that gave perfect contrast with the blue waters. Who wouldn’t love charming places, right?

Keep scrolling to see 20 beautiful photos of Vaxholm, Sweden below.

The Vaxholm Fortress (Vaxholm Kastell)

The fortress can be accessed through an electrically powered cable ferry, which give a very short ride from the mainland Vaxholm town. Our group took the ferry for about 5 minutes. I think visitors come by group and each group have a designated guide to give insights about the fortress.

Vaxholm

Most of the current structure dates from 1833–1863. Its design was inspired by the ideas on fortifications propounded by the French engineers Marc René Montalbert and Lazare Carnot. Russian prisoners-of-war were used in part to build the fortress. The stretch of water below the building was formerly the main sea route to Stockholm. Thus, the fortress was strategically situated to defend the city from naval attacks. The Danes attacked it in 1612 and the Russian navy in 1719.

So, what do you think about Vaxholm, Sweden? Would you visit it, given the chance?

Note: Quoted information (italicized) mentioned above were taken from Wikipedia.

Follow Me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

Quick Stop In Sigtuna: Sweden’s Oldest Town

September 15, 2020

Sigtuna is one of the places in Sweden I never knew existed until our tour leader told us that we have a quick stop in this historical town. It is literally a quick stop since we were only given an hour to see the place.

So, what can you see in Sigtuna given an hour? Definitely it’s more than enough if you only use the toilet and buy yourself a cup of coffee or a cone of ice cream. However for us, we were able to utilize our time walking around this charming little town. We saw the St. Olof’s church ruins, took photos of the runic stones, the lake and the charming neighborhood. Also got the chance to check out the Medieval style wooden shops lined along Stora Gatan which is the oldest street of Sweden.

If in case you are planning to join Expat Explore’s – Scandinavian Escape tour, then probably you’ll be visiting the towns I previously blogged including this one. Anyway, to give you heads-up, I’m sharing photos below which shows you what to expect when you get the chance to visit Sigtuna.

St. Olof’s Church ruins

Old Town Hall

Sigtuna Museum

The Iconic Rune Stone

Stora Gatan – The Old Main Street

The harbor town of Sigtuna was established around 980 AD and, according to tradition, it was previously the home of Odin.

Exploring Uppsala: Sweden’s Old Capital

September 8, 2020

After exploring the Dalarna region, we continued our tour heading to Sweden’s capital, Stockholm. In between we had short stops in Uppsala and Sigtuna. Since both towns are worth sharing, I decided to blog it separately. Today, let me first present Uppsala.

Uppsala is a very interesting place to visit. Aside from being one of Sweden’s oldest city, it is also the country’s old capital. Not only that, it is the home of the largest cathedral and the oldest university in Scandinavia.

Although we only had a couple of hours in the city, we were able to see some important sites. We also have lots of pictures to share with you guys. Below are some of the things you can do and see in Uppsala, Sweden.

The city of Uppsala is one of the oldest in Sweden. It has played a dominant role in the political, intellectual and historical development of the country. The two main institutions in the history of Uppsala are the Archdiocese which is located in the city, and Uppsala University, founded in the city in 1477. These have long been established on the western banks of the Fyris river with a bourgeois trading town on the other side of the river.

Uppsala is a famous university town in Sweden. Uppsala University, founded in the 15th century. The original university building, Gustavianum, is now a museum housing the Augsburg Art Cabinet, an elaborate, 17th-century cabinet of curiosities. Nearby, the Carolina Rediviva library displays the 6th-century Silver Bible. Uppsala Cathedral is the burial place of Swedish royals like King Gustav Vasa.

sdr — Uppsala Cathedral was built between 1272 and 1420 with a French Gothic design.

Uppsala02 — The Linneaus Garden and Museum

Note: Quoted information (italicized) mentioned above were taken from Wikipedia.

Follow Me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

Exploring Sweden: Enjoying The Horses In Dalarna

August 20, 2020

Have you heard about Dalecarlian horse in Sweden?

Dalecarlian horse or known as Dalahorse is a traditional wooden horse statue from the province of Dalarna, Sweden. It is skilfully carved and painted by hand using simple tools. The original wooden horse was made by the woodcarvers as toy for their children. In the 19th century, the production of wooden horses flourished when it became an important item for barter. Since then, the carving of wooden horses continue as source of livelihood in some villages of Mora. The art and skill of carving horses were passed on from generation to generation.

Now, the Dalahorse is a popular symbol of Dalarna. It is also a famous souvenir item to bring home after exploring the region. A nice treat to have if you’re planning to visit Sweden soon. To excite you even more, let me share some more beautiful photos of what to see in Mora and Avesta, Sweden.

MORA

This little town is not only known for those Dala horses but also it was the place where King Gustav Vasa stopped to organize rebellion against Danish troops that occupied Sweden in 1520.

Mora, Sweden

AVESTA is where you will find the largest Dalahorse. This large horse was not traditionally carved from wood but definitely worth to see and have your photo taken for Instagram.

Frankly, I don’t have much to say about Avesta. We only had a quick stop just to take some snaps of the biggest Dalahorse in the country. Which I think is a must to complete your visit.

Follow Me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

In Photos: The Viking Village & Nærøyfjord Cruise In Norway

March 10, 2020

Gudvangen is an old viking village located at the banks of UNESCO World Heritage Site of Naeroyfjord. Today it is a popular destination in Norway. Frankly, Derick and I didn’t know about this place. As part of our tour itinerary in the country we were both amazed to see how beautiful it is. The views of the fjord from here is truly spectacular. The viking village is surrounded by mountains, waterfalls and narrow valleys. Everywhere is just picture worthy.

Derick loves anything about vikings. In addition I, myself, is a sucker for beautiful scenery. That being said, our day trip to Gudvangen and the cruise at Naeroyfjord were perfect activities to end our four-day Norwegian sojourn.

Check our photos below. These will surely inspire you to visit and explore Norway (at least add it to your travel bucket list). I personally guarantee you that it’s all worth the travel.

The Viking Village showed how the vikings live back then. We also learned how they build their traditional boats and the other things they need for survival. Definitely this is the place to go if you are interested to know more about vikings.

sdr

cof

mef

cof

After few hours in Gudvangen and learning about viking stuff, we boarded the ship towards Flam. The cruise along the Naeroyfjord was truly breathtaking. There was no moment on board that you wouldn’t feel in awe of the views you’ll see during the entire trip. Amazing!

❤ Follow Me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

Exploring Bergen: The Old Capital Of Norway

February 20, 2020

I learned about Bergen through Travel Channel. Since then I became very interested to know more about the city. Which is also the reason why Bergen was on top of my travel bucket-list. As part of our Scandinavian Escape tour, Derick and I got the chance to explore the UNESCO World Heritage City of Bergen. And I must say, Bergen looks so much better up close and personal than watching it on television.

We only had 48 hours to spend in Bergen and for me it was enough. We saw most of its significant sites in the given time frame. If you are interested to know what were the things we did to make the most of our stay in this city – Here are the top 6 things to do in Bergen.

Take a glimpse of the Traditional Wooden Houses

The colorful traditional wooden houses along the quayside was really a sight to behold. Many of the houses are still in its original structure and some of them are open for tourists. You can take a peek inside these residences and see what it’s like during the olden times. However, most of these abodes have now been converted into souvenir shops, cafe’s and restaurants.

Of course don’t forget to pose for the Instagram.

Learn the history of the city at the Bergenhus Fortress and Bergen Museum

The Bergenhus Fortress is one of the oldest and best preserved stone fortifications in Norway. Within this fortress are several medieval buildings such as Royal Residence, medieval hall and defensive tower dated around 1240’s.

Haakon’s Hall

Taste the fresh produce at the seafood market and stroll along the Old Wharf

There are many things to do along Bergen’s wharf. Here, you would most likely end up visiting the seafood market where you can enjoy your favorite seafood. You may also take a cruise and admire the spectacular views of Bergen. In our case we sampled the fresh catch of the day.

Enjoy the overlooking views of Bergen from Mount Floyen

To reach Mount Floyen, we took a funicular train. The views from the top are spectacular. This is definitely something that one should not be missed when in Bergen. Aside from the views, Mount Floyen has lots other activities for everyone.

Derick and I spent the entire morning at Mount Floyen capturing panoramic shots of the city. Afterwards we did a short trek towards the lake where we enjoyed a quiet time with nature.

Mount Floyen

Join a walking tour around the city

Part of our activity in the city was a walking tour with our group leader. However, Bergen is fairly walk-able if you choose to explore the city on you own. Below are some of the photos I took of the things you will see around the city.

Sailors Monument

Byparken

Experience the Magic Bergen Ice Bar

Last but not the least, Derick and I went to the Magic Ice Bar in Bergen. Although we are both not really into bars, it was something worth experiencing. An establishment frozen in ice was not really a bad idea to end our Bergen sojourn. What’s funny though is that we went to the ice bar and ordered orange juice.

Looking back, Bergen was just one of the places I dreamed of visiting. Now I already ticked it off my list. I was not disappointed at all for Bergen is such a beautiful place to visit. Except maybe that it is also a very expensive city to explore. So do take note.

❤ Follow Me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

20 Amazing Photos of Hardangervidda National Park, Norway

December 2, 2019

One of the highlights of our Scandinavian Escape tour was exploring Norway’s largest national park. This happened while we were travelling towards Bergen. The approximate travel time was around seven hours. This might have been the longest bus ride I took. But it has definitely one of the most scenic routes. It’s a once in a lifetime experience that I get to enjoy the spectacular views of the Norwegian countryside and I’m happy to share this with you.

Let me show you the sites we saw as we crossed Hardangervidda National Park, Eidfjord, Hardangerfjord and Steindalsfossen Waterfalls.

Steindalsfossen

❤ Follow Me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

Photo Diary: Walking Tour in Oslo, Norway

November 17, 2019

Bergen, fjords, and viking villages: These are my top 3 reasons why I want to visit Norway. Finally that day came and I couldn’t be happier to see it with my own two eyes. But before my husband and I saw the places mentioned, we spent a night in Norway’s capital city, Oslo.

Our visit in Oslo was really a breeze. We basically had 3 hours exploring the city. We joined the walking tour to have a glimpse of the capital. I don’t have much to say since I was very busy taking pictures than listening to our tour guide. However here are some of the snaps I got during the walking tour.

Opera House

Art installation that represents ‘Iceberg’

Festningsallmenningen

Kvadraturen

Christiania Torv

Akershus Fortress

Plaza Rolf

Norwegian Parliament

Oslo

I’m sorry that it took me a while to publish this post because I really don’t know what to say about Oslo. Compared to other cities in Europe, Oslo is more modern which made it the least of my favorites. Nevertheless, Oslo is still worth a visit specially for those of you who prefer modern cities.

❤ Follow Me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

Breakfast in Denmark, Lunch in Sweden and Dinner in Norway

October 28, 2019

Have you experienced having each meal in a day in 3 different countries? Yes, literally breakfast, lunch and dinner? Before continuing my Oslo blog, I decided to blog our experience since this happens rarely. Normally, it is those who travel who will experience it.

Our 3rd day itinerary was to continue our tour traveling towards Oslo, Norway. From Frederikshavn, Denmark we hopped on a ferry to Gothenburg, Sweden and then drove to Norway’s capital. That explains why we ate in 3 different countries. However apart from that, this blog also feature the traditional dishes from the countries where we had our meals.

Breakfast in Frederikshavn, Denmark

My breakfast plate

Pickled herring & condiments

Of course Danish pastries are always present in any breakfast spread in Denmark. For those adventurous foodies, you might want to try pickled herring for breakfast. Actually it doesn’t taste bad. In fact this fish dish is also a staple in any Danish table.

On board StenaLine

After having our breakfast at the hotel, we boarded the boat and off to Gothenburg, Sweden.

Lunch in Gothenburg, Sweden

Gothenburg was not part of our Scandinavian Escape tour, so this time we skipped it and continued our trip to Oslo, Norway. However we got the chance to sample their local food during our lunch stop.

Pork and curry sauce with boiled potatoes

Traditional Swedish meatballs

We made a quick lunch stop at Rasta. It is a fast-food restaurant where you can order traditional Swedish dishes like their famous meatballs with raspberry jam. Our first Swedish lunch was of course the authentic local meatballs and Swedish style curry with salad and mashed potatoes on the side.

Dinner in Oslo, Norway

We arrived in Oslo early in the afternoon where we had a walking tour with a local guide. We explored the old town and other interesting sites in the city. The walking tour lasted only 2 hours then we went around the city on our own. Finally we had our Norwegian dinner.

Traditional grilled salmon with veggies, boiled potatoes and tartar sauce.

Seafood is a must-try in Norway. So if you are a salmon lover, it is the best place to have your salmon fixes. Our tour leader recommended us to try Egon Restaurant since they offered traditional Norwegian specials. The food was good but kind of expensive. Oh well, welcome to Norway!

This sums up our experience having each meal in 3 different countries in one day. Next blog post is about exploring Oslo so please stay tuned.

❤ Follow Me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

A Quick Visit of Odense and Frederikshavn, Denmark

October 16, 2019

Moving on to the second day of our Scandinavian Escape tour, we headed to the small town of Frederikshavn. We stayed in this quaint town overnight before we crossed the sea towards Gothenburg, Sweden. Along the way we were given a 2-hour stop to explore Odense. `

Odense is the 3rd largest city of Denmark. The city is the birthplace of the famous fairy tale writer, Hans Christian Andersen. Hence any fan of H.C. Andersen will be delighted to take some time to learn about the famous author and his works.

H.C. Andersen Statue

Statues of Hans Christian Andersen can be spotted around the city including the characters of his fairy tale stories. To make our visit more interesting, our tour leader gave us a map and list of the statues placed around the old town which we can cross out when found.

Our first stop in Odense was of course the home of Hans Christian Andersen. The house is very ordinary and small which is a typical structure of the local houses in Denmark. Now, this place has been converted into a museum that houses things about Hans Christian Andersen.

Town Hall

Odense

After we visited the museum and the home of H.C. Andersen, we leisurely walked around the old town. We spotted some of the statues which you can see in the pictures above. I’m sorry I can’t enumerate the names of the statues and which fairy tale stories they are associated with.

Frederikshavn means Frederiks harbor. It is a coastal town located on the Northeast of Jutland peninsula. The town is known for fishing and and is utilized as an industrial harbor.

Captured this photo while on the coach on our way to Frederikshavn.

Shopping street

Frederikshavn

Frankly I don’t have much to say about this quaint little town since we were only here for a night. However I would love to share with you guys some photos I got during our visit.

Frederikshavn

Frederikshavn is not really a tourist place. The only reason why we stayed here was because we were taking a ferry towards Gothenburg, Sweden. Upon arrival at Gothenburg we then would be traveling to Oslo, Norway. We need to depart early in the morning so we could reach Oslo early in the afternoon for our next city tour.

❤ Follow Me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

Photo Diary: Best Of Copenhagen

October 3, 2019

About two months ago, Derick and I had a wonderful time exploring Scandinavia. We joined a 12 days Scandinavian Escape with the Expat Explore Tour Company. The tour commenced in Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark. We actually had 2 full days exploring this city.

There are many things to do in Copenhagen. However, 2 days isn’t enough to see everything. In our case we opted to explore the city in a slow pace and only cover the sites that interests us. If you want to know the things we did in Copenhagen, then keep on reading.

City Hall Square

City Hall

Hans Christian Andersen Statue

City Hall

On our first day Derick and I went to see one of the oldest theme parks in the world, ‘The Tivoli Gardens’. The theme park opens at 11 o’clock in the morning and we were almost two hours early. Although it was a bit chilly we didn’t want to waste our time waiting. Instead, we walked around to see what’s nearby. Few steps away from Tivoli Gardens we saw the City Hall Square where most tourists can be found.

Tivoli Garden – Park Entrance

Derick bought our tickets online. We opted to book a ticket for park entry only and rides are not included since we only want to see what’s in the park and take pictures. The park is good for families with children.

After spending 3 hours in Tivoli Gardens, Derick and I headed back to our hotel to join an afternoon driving tour around Copenhagen together with our Expat Explore group. During the driving tour we had photo stops at the famous little mermaid statue, Amaleinborg Palace, Kongens Nytorv and the old town.

The Little Mermaid Statue

Amalienborg Palace

Kongens Nytorv or King’s New Square

Stork Fountain

Danish Salad

Pickles Herring

Apple Crumble

We ended our day with an authentic Danish dinner at Restaurant Puk. The restaurant served Danish favorites such as Pickled Herring and Flaekesteg. I suggest that you should try it when you’re in Copenhagen. As a Filipino, I have no issue with preserved fish. It was a bit salty though but it’s fine with me.

Flaekesteg (Pork Roast with caramelized cabbage)

Fried fish fillet with french fries

Flaekesteg is basically a pork roast and crispy crackling. It’s a Danish traditional dish which is normally prepared during holidays and family feasts. It comes with caramelized cabbage, apple sauce and boiled potatoes. If you are a meat eater like me, then you will love this dish.

The following day was our second day in Copenhagen. Our tour leader brought us to other interesting sites of the city. In particular we visited the Botanical Garden, Rosenborg Castle, Rundetaarn (The Round Tower) and Nyhavn where we did a 2-hour boat cruise.

Me at Copenhagen Botanical Garden

Botanical Garden

We started our day with a nice stroll in Copenhagen’s Botanical Garden. The garden was not really that big and you can spend an hour or two to see their plant collection. They have a Butterfly House which you can also check out if you have extra time. I enjoyed walking around the garden since I love plants and flowers.

Rosenborg Castle

From the Botanical Garden we went straight to the beautiful Renaissance castle called Rosenborg. The castle was originally built in 1606 as the country’s summer house and eventually was used as royal residence until 1710.

Rundetaarn (Round Tower)

Rundetaarn

We continued walking towards Rundetaarn (which means the Round Tower). It is a 17th century tower built as an astronomical observatory. The tower is quite unique because of its equestrian staircase.

At the top you can admire a beautiful 360-degrees view of Copenhagen

Boat cruise terminal

Our last stop was in Nyhavn. The New Harbor is one of most visited area in the city because of its colorful traditional houses lined along the canal. To be honest Nyhavn was one of the places in Copenhagen that I was very excited to see. And finally I got to see it in person.

Some narrow boat passages

We hopped on the boat for a 2-hour cruise through the canals of Copenhagen. It’s nice to see the city in a different perspective. However 2 hours was a bit long boat ride for us. Along the way we got so bored that Derick even fell asleep. Hahaha.

At Herring Restaurant – Nyhavn

Shrimp Smorrebrod

Smoked Salmon Smorrebrod

After finishing our itinerary for the day, Derick and I finally found a place in Nyhavn to satisfy our rumbling tummies. The Heering Restaurant was recommended by our tour leader. Their Smorrebrod (open sandwich) is a must-try. This is something a foodie should not missed. We got the seafood smorrebrod and it was super delicious.

Our 2 full days in Copenhagen was really amazing. We enjoyed every moment of it.

❤ Follow Me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

Dusit Thani Mactan Cebu Resort: Monthsary Celebration & Family Bonding

September 24, 2019

Time spent with the family is priceless. That is why I love family outings and bonding escapades. My family, in particular, prefer laid back adventures with either nature or by the beach. This year we were happy to bask and frolic under the sun at Dusit Thani Mactan Resort.

As one of the newest luxury resorts in Cebu, we took advantage to be the first few guests to experience their brand new facilities. Although the resort was on their soft-opening period when we visited, I can say that the place is really amazing. The stunning sea views and luxurious amenities are the best selling points of this resort. Its just perfect for romantic getaways and family bonding to say the least.

The Grand Lobby and Reception

We booked for 3 days and 2 nights so we can combine two occasions in one stay. First, Derick and I celebrated our 165th monthsary, which we privately enjoyed at the resort on the first night. Second, my parents and siblings joined us the next day for the family gathering.

There was a delicious slice of cake waiting for us when we first entered our room. As mentioned earlier, Derick and I were celebrating our monthsary not anniversary. I guess the people in the resort were trying to play it safe just in case, that’s why they put anniversary on the cake. Nevertheless, it’s totally fine with us. It’s the thought that counts and we very much appreciate the effort.

We were given a standard room with great amenities. However, the room didn’t smell fresh at all. We are particular with every details when it comes to cleanliness and sadly they were not able to meet our standards. The toilet and bathroom tiles smelled like urine. The room size is also too small for a luxury resort standard room. It has only one chair dedicated for the working desk. No coffee table and comfortable accent chair with ottoman.

Fitness Area

The resort had ample of open areas with plenty of sun beds and chairs. Guests here can lounge comfortably and also relax while enjoying the views. I must say each spot is definitely intagrammable and picture perfect.

The resort has 4 restaurants including bar and cafe. Unfortunately only 3 of them were open during our stay. Their signature Benjarong Thai restaurant was not open yet and will probably be opening soon. Frankly, we encountered some issues about their restaurants but I choose not to mention it here. Rather I would like to give them the chance to improve since the resort was still in its soft opening period.

When it comes to service, theirs were exceptional. I could not find any fault on how they handle their guests. Staff are very friendly, accommodating and always ready to help.

Picture taking before swimming

Enjoying our lunch

The best part of our stay was the day with my folks. We were able to enjoy the pool as if we owned the entire resort to ourselves. We love the pool and other outdoor amenities. When everyone is happy then I am happy. That’s what matters to me.

We had a wonderful time at Dusit Thani Mactan Resort. Hopefully the next time we’re there, we can fully enjoy the best of the resort. To the management and staff of Dusit Thani Mactan Resort, I would just like say, “hasta la vista”.

❤ Follow Me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

Exceptional Experience at The Bellevue Resort Panglao, Bohol

July 1, 2019

Recently, Derick and I visited Bohol together with my mother-in-law as our vacation treat to her. Here’s how our 4 days and 3 nights stay at The Bellevue Resort Panglao Island, Bohol unfolded.

We booked Bellevue Resort because of its impressive reviews and fellow blogger’s recommendations. You read it right, we did research first prior to booking our accommodation. Although Derick and I had a preferred accommodation in mind (a luxury boutique resort where we stayed few years back) we also wanted to experience other resorts as well. I must admit that by just looking at Bellevue’s pictures on Instagram made me more excited to see it in person. Plus if you book directly from their website for a minimum of 2 nights, you can automatically avail of their free resort round-trip transfers.

Checking In/ Lobby and Reception

We arrived at the Bohol Seaport at around one o’clock in the afternoon (on time as our scheduled arrival). The transfer driver was already waiting for us and he immediately assisted us with our luggage. Our transfer was smooth and we reached at the resort an hour earlier than check-in time.

As soon as we reached the resort, Lloyd of the concierge promptly took our luggage from the car and set it aside for safekeeping as we don’t have our rooms ready yet.

The beautiful garden, the colorful umbrella decors and the captivating view of the beach greeted us as soon as we entered the resort lobby. At that moment we knew that we are going to love our stay at Bellevue. Yes, the WOW factor was real!

Although the check-in process was a breeze, we did not get to settle in our room right away for two reasons. First, we were an hour earlier for resort’s standard check-in time and second they upgraded us to a room with a sea view.

The free upgrade was a steal and we truly appreciate the kind gesture. However it would be nice if the receptionists would show a little bit of enthusiasm and give extra smiles to the guests. Also she did not inform us that if we choose to avail of the complimentary daily activities, we need to book it in advance to secure our slots. Although we cannot totally blame her because we also failed to read the instruction on ‘how to join‘ in the large pamphlet she gave us. But at least she could have given us some heads up about it.

Deluxe Sea View Room

View from our balcony

We had the King size bed and Mommy had a single extra bed placed along side with ours. Frankly, the room was perfect for 2 adults only. Unfortunately with an extra bed, the room becomes a little bit crowded. But still it was manageable for the 3 of us sharing the room because most of the time we were outside anyway. So no big deal for us.

In-room basic amenities were all provided. I can’t think of anything that was lacking during our stay. One time complimentary snacks were also given. The pillow menu was very helpful since Mommy required a specific pillow and thankfully they have orthopedic pillows available.

The only issue we had with our room was the dusty corners and the sand that were not totally wiped off from the floor. We noticed it as soon as we settled into our room on the first day. Perhaps paying attention to details can help improve room cleanliness.

Infinity Pool and Beach Area

These views made me speechless, so I will let the photos speak for itself. I’m sure all of you will agree that this place is a paradise.

Food and Dining

The resort has 2 restaurants, the Lamian restaurant where the daily breakfast buffet is served and the Marea Al Fresco Dining that offers ala carte food. Both restaurants serves not only a variety of dishes from several cuisines but also delightful meals that everyone will certainly enjoy.

Marea Al Fresco Dining

The breakfast spread was outstanding. It has a wide array of hot meals and also fresh selections to choose from. I’m happy that the hot dishes were changed daily since I don’t like to repeat food everyday. The freshly baked pastries and delicious native delicacies were quite impressive too.

The best halo-halo I ever had…

During our entire stay, we had our meals at the Marea restuarant. I can’t enumerate the food that we had, but I think we tasted more or less 60% of the food in the menu. Everything was well prepared, perfectly cooked and very delicious. The portions were big and the prices are very reasonable.

The best thing about our experience in both restaurant was that every time we dine, all the staff were very accommodating and happy to serve us. Hazel the restaurant supervisor was there all the time to assist us and made sure that we were well taken cared of. When we requested something not available in the menu she did her best to provide what we wanted. I really appreciated her effort and her willingness to go extra mile just to make us happy. She is truly a gem that the Bellevue Resort should be proud of.

Fitness Center and Spa

Both fitness center and spa can be found at the basement of Marea restaurant. The gym is very small and there are only few exercise equipment (as shown on the picture above). Anyway, who would stay in the gym when you are in paradise.

Of course our vacation is not complete without indulging on a body massage. For us, it is a must. After our tiring Bohol countryside tour, we enjoyed a 90-minute Swedish whole body massage to calm our tired muscles. The therapist assigned to us were all good and they were able to deliver the service accordingly with regards to our health concerns.

There’s no such thing as perfect resort but I believe the tiny issues I mentioned above can be improved right away. Overall, the kind gesture of upgrading our room and the exceptional service we received from the restaurant staff were all that matters to us during our stay. We will never forget the warm hospitality extended to us by the management as well.

So if you will ask me, what are the things that I will surely miss about Bellevue resort? These would be my answers: (1) impressive beach views (2) delicious food (not to mention the halo-halo) and (3) exceptional service (especially Hazel).

I hope we will get another opportunity to visit Bohol again and when that happens we will again choose The Bellevue Resort.

❤ Follow Me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

Breathtaking Adventure At The Okatse Canyon In Georgia

May 20, 2019

Another exciting adventure that we experienced in Georgia was our visit to the Okatse Canyon. The canyon is located 42 kilometers northwest of Kutaisi (second most populated city in Georgia). We decided to stay in Kutaisi as it is a convenient way to explore some interesting sights of the city and it is also closer to the canyon. After our city tour in Kutaisi, we drove for about an hour. Upon reaching the Okatse Canyon Visitor Center we were given an orientation about the place prior to starting our trek.

From the visitor center you have to hike 2 kilometers through woods and streams. Along the way, there are few animals like cows, horses and bears. However the main highlight of our trip was the 700 meters walk through a suspended walkway that hangs from the edge of the canyon. This walkway is approximately 100 meter deep and at the end you’ll find a viewing platform. (As seen on the featured photo above).

This tour requires a lot of walking so wearing comfortable clothing and footwear is a must. Also if you are afraid of heights (like me) then this is a way to somehow conquer your fear. Believe me, it’s all worth it.

I’m happy that we did this tour, although I struggled walking through the hanging bridge but a least we had the chance to reconnect with nature. It’s truly beautiful up there. The views are amazing. Somehow spending time with nature is a good way to disconnect from social media even for a while and appreciate the magnificent beauty of our surroundings.

❤ Follow Me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

Top 8 Interesting Things To See and Do In Batumi, Georgia

April 25, 2019

Batumi is the second largest city of Georgia. Since it is located along the coast of the Black Sea, the city is a famous beach destination of the country. Both locals and international tourists visit here to enjoy the beach.

As Filipinos, we live in a country with lots of beautiful and pristine white sand beaches. Given this, we are not easily impressed when it comes to other country’s beaches. We thought Batumi is just another beach city and has nothing much to offer. That is the reason why we spent only 2 days here. Little did we know that the city is more than just what we thought it was. Derick and I were impressed when we saw the long stretch of beach as we drove along their corniche area. The place was clean and the city itself was well planned. All establishments such as stores, cafes and restaurants were built away from the beach. There were designated walkways, jogging paths and bike lanes. Parks and children playgrounds are plenty. It’s just amazing! I actually envied Batumi and wished that we have something like it in the Philippines.

Anyway here are my top 8 things to see in Batumi. Check out what we did during our 2 days stay in the city.

Batumi Beach

Who wouldn’t be entice to go for a swim on this beautiful beach especially during the hot summer months. It may not have fine white sands but it has small uniformed circular rocks and pebbles that you would love to walk on. There were many sun loungers with umbrellas available however if you don’t want to pay extra, you may spread your own picnic mat or beach towel and enjoy your beach time.

Stroll Along The Boulevard

Batumi boulevard is known as a seaside park. This park is a major crowd drawer. It’s like one stop shop. There are many activities to enjoy depending on your interest anytime of the day. At night, the strip will turn into a lively place full of fun and exciting scenes as far as your eyes can see. You can catch different kinds of street performers as well. There are pop-up shops if you want to shop. Finally there are no shortage of bars if you want to enjoy the night with some drinks and meet new friends.

Ali and Nino

Your visit Batumi is not complete if you don’t get to see the moving statue of the lovers named Ali and Nino. This interesting piece of artwork was inspired from a novel that tells the story of a Muslim Azerbaijani boy who fell in love with a christian Georgian girl. The statue represents a man and a woman who are moving in opposite direction and eventually become a single statue as they meet.

Watch The Sunset and Dinner

The sunset is pretty amazing in this part of the world. If you are a sunset chaser, then you might consider hanging out at the Batumi Pier. In our case we made sure that we found a nice restaurant by the beach with a stunning view of the sunset. It’s good to enjoy the moment eating seafood and cold drinks while watching the sun fade away.

Europe Square

Batumi Europe Square is my favorite place in the city. I totally fell in love with the old European style buildings and its beautiful architecture. Frankly it was a surprise for us. We did not expect to see something like it since most of the buildings we saw as we arrived in the city were modern. This place is really impressive and it’s perfect for photography too.

Piazza Square

This is a quaint Italian style little square that houses several businesses such as boutiques, restaurants, and cafes. The unique feature of the piazza square is a central 106 square meter mosaic which is considered the largest figurative marble mosaic in Europe.

Gonio Fortress and Archaeological Museum

During the 2nd century AD, the fortress was known as a well-fortified Roman city. Today it is used as a museum and it houses some treasured archaeological pieces. During our visit, we were told that one of Jesus 12 apostles grave can be found inside the fortress. The rumored apostle was named Matthias. I cannot confirm if he was really one of Jesus’ apostles. This is because you would not find the name Matthias listed as one of Jesus’ 12 apostles in the bible.

Batumi Botanical Garden

The botanical garden is a 108 hectare area of land 9 km north of the city of Batumi. Frankly this is the least of the things I would recommend to do in Batumi. But since it was included in our itinerary, we did check it out. We did not enjoy it though. We were rushing the whole time which was very tiring. If you only have a limited time to spend in the city, I suggest to skip this. There’s nothing much to see here actually. It needs a lot of walking and it’s really a waste of time. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a beautiful place. There’s even a spot where you can enjoy a beautiful view of the sea. One would, however, need to spend a couple of hours here to enjoy this place.

❤ Follow Me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

25 Photos To Inspire You To Visit Batumi, Georgia

April 4, 2019

Georgia is gaining popularity to international tourists lately. Many visited the country but haven’t really explored some of its beautiful cities. Even Derick and I need to revisit the country to see the other parts of it. Tbilisi, the capital is no doubt a breathtaking city but when I saw Batumi I was mesmerized too.

Batumi is usually overlooked by international tourists because of its distance from the capital. The city is located on the southwestern side of Georgia along the coast of the Black Sea. It is approximately a 5-hour drive from Tbilisi. Travel time is indeed quite long but it is definitely worth a visit.

Here are 25 photos that might convince you to add Batumi, Georgia to your bucket list.

❤ Follow Me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

Top 9 Reasons Why You Should Visit Yanbu Flower Festival 2019

March 17, 2019

Have you been to this year’s Yanbu Flower Festival? Well if you haven’t gone yet, #YanbuFlowerFestival2019 is running on its second week now. That means you only have 2 weeks left to visit the event.

The festival is not just about flowers. There are many things to see and do in the festival grounds. It’s a perfect getaway for the whole family. If you don’t have any plans yet, here are 9 reasons why you to need to see it.

Witness the beautiful garden landscapes

Yanbu Flower Festival 2019

Check out the lovely flower collections

Yanbu Flower Festival 2019

At first glance you might say there are only few kinds of flowers displayed. However, if you take some time checking the gardens, you will see different varieties of flowers.

Instagram Perfect

I don’t need to say more. Find your perfect spot and keep snapping.

Meet the birds at the Mini Aviary

To access the aviary, you first need to purchase a ticket at the entrance. The ticket cost 25 SAR for adults and 20 SAR for children. They have different kinds of birds that you can interact with. You can ask the attendants to hold the birds and take pictures with them.

Have a glimpse of Butterfly World

Yanbu Flower Festival 2019

Check the Mini Strawberry Farm and Plant Nursery

Yanbu Flower Festival 2019

Enjoy rides and other fun attractions

Yanbu Flower Festival 2019

Try different goodies from the Food Court

Don’t worry you won’t go hungry here. The food court houses different restaurants, cafe’s and refreshment kiosks that features both international and local delicacies.

Watch out for the fireworks display

Finally, before leaving the festival grounds make sure to watch the fireworks display. This happens every weekend at around 10 o’clock in the evening or before closing time. The timings may vary so it is better to ask the Information Desk to know the proper schedules.

Visit #YanbuFlowerFestival2019 now and have FUN!

❤ Follow Me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

Photo Gallery: Yanbu Flower Festival 2019

February 28, 2019

*** The following pictures were captured during the opening night of Yanbu Flower Festival 2019.

Yanbu Flower Festival 2019

Note: All photos are copyright protected. Please don’t attempt to copy. Contact me if interested.

❤ Follow Me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

Restaurant Review: Applebee’s Mall of Arabia (Lunch Offer)

February 25, 2019

As we planned our trip to Jeddah, Derick and I were already decided to have our monthsary lunch date at a Seafood Restaurant in Mall of Arabia. Sadly, the restaurant was already closed. Instead of getting disappointed, we both agreed to have our lunch at any restaurant nearby. It was then we decided to eat at Applebee’s. Having had a good dining experience at Applebee’s before, it was an easy choice for us.

Just like our first visit, we were greeted by a friendly staff. Curiously, I asked the waiter if they have anything special to offer that day. He opened the menu and brought our attention to their Lunch Offer. He also informed us about their Diners Elite Rewards Program and encouraged us to download the app to get extra freebies every time we dine at any participating restaurants.

Lemonade with mint

Brownie Shooter

Three Cheese Chicken Penne

Lunch Offer are choices of One Starter + Main Course + soft drink or lemonade for only 41 SAR per person. Additional 10 SAR to get a delicious Brownie Shooter dessert.

Lunch Offer Menu features a variety of mouthwatering dishes to choose from. For our starters we ordered Fried Calamari and Spicy Boneless Wings. Both dishes come with dipping sauce.

Spicy Boneless Chicken

Fried Calamari

The Fried Calamari was perfect. It was crispy delicious and well seasoned. The Spicy Boneless Wings, however, was a bit intense but it was still delicious. You have to dip it in tartar sauce to balance the flavor and have a bite of the celery stick to neutralize the spicy taste in your palette.

Three Cheese Chicken Penne

Countrystyle Fried Chicken

For our main course, I had Three Cheese Chicken Penne and Derick had Countrystyle Fried Chicken with mashed potato and veggies. Both dishes were well presented and had huge portions. What can I say, my pasta was perfectly cooked and the grilled chicken was delicious. Derick had a clean plate afterwards so I guess he enjoyed his food fully. I didn’t finished my pasta to be honest. Although it was good the serving was far too big for me. I had my leftovers for takeaway.

Brownie Shooter

Churros

Applebee’s Cappuccino

After a satisfying meal, here comes the dessert. I always have room for sweet indulgence. It is something I always look forward to after every meal. This time I had the yummiest dessert – Applebee’s Brownie Shooter. The combination of chocolate and brownies with vanilla ice cream was heavenly. I loved it! It’s a must-try.

Cappuccino

Desserts

It was actually Josmar (our waiter) who suggested that we try Applebee’s hot beverages. He convinced us to try their cappuccino. He was right, their cappuccino was very good and I would definitely have another cup of this beverage the next time we visit Applebee’s. The cappuccino matches perfectly with the churros we ordered. By the way, The churros here is one of the best I ever had.

Lunch Offer

If you haven’t tried Applebee’s Lunch Offer, don’t think twice. Go to the nearest Applebee’s branch you can find. I guarantee you it’s totally worth every riyal spent. Take advantage of their Lunch Offer and use the Diners Elite app to enjoy Weekly Offers .

To recap, Derick and I were both happy that we ended up having our Monthsary lunch here. Even if things didn’t turned out as planned we both still had an amazing time. The food was awesome and the service was excellent. Great value for money indeed. We can’t wait to be back soon.

***Diners Elite (Reward Program) – In order to enjoy extra perks, you have to download the DINERS ELITE app on your mobile phone. Use the app to earn points every time you dine at any participating restaurants like China Gate and Ocean Basket. Aside from regular points earned, you get to enjoy weekly offers too if you use the app. Once downloaded, you can now see available offers from your favorite restaurant.

❤ Follow Me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

Georgia: Day-Trip to Ananuri, Gudauri and Kazbegi from Tbilisi

February 21, 2019

KAZBEGI is a National Park in Georgia located on the Northern slopes of the Caucasus mountains. Many tourists and visitors flock here to explore the medieval watchtowers and waterfalls. Trekking, ice climbing, bird watching and mountaineering are popular activities in Kazbegi. Sounds amazing, right? However if your time in Georgia is limited, you can always opt to do a day-trip from Tbilisi.

A day-trip from Tbilisi will not only allow you to enjoy Kazbegi’s beautiful landscapes and spectacular sceneries but you’ll also get to learn its history, myths and traditions. A visit to the picturesque Gergeti Trinity Church is a mixture of adventure and breathtaking sights. Along the way you’ll also have the chance to discover and explore places such as Ananuri and Gudauri and maybe even a short photo stop at Zhinvali Dam and Reservoir.

Zhinvali Dam and Reservoir

Ananuri Fortress Complex

Ananuri is a 13th century historic riverside castle. The complex is currently being considered for inclusion into the UNESCO World Heritage Site program.

The fortress consist of two castles joined by a crenellated curtain wall. The upper fortification with a large square tower, known as Sheupovari, is well preserved and is the location of the last defense of the Aragvi against the Shamshe. The lower fortification, with a round tower, is mostly in ruins.

Gudauri Ski Resort

Our recent visit in Guduari was summer. Basically there’s nothing much to do except for some extreme sports like paragliding. Since none of us were interested we just had our lunch there then continued our tour.

Gudauri covered with snow (March 2013)

Russia-Georgia Friendship Monument

The Russia–Georgia Friendship Monument or Treaty of Georgievsk Monument is a monument built in 1983 to celebrate the bicentennial of the Treaty of Georgievsk and the ongoing friendship between Soviet Georgia and Soviet Russia. Located on the Georgian Military Highway between the ski resort town of Gudauri and the Jvari pass, the monument is a large round stone and concrete structure overlooking the Devil’s Valley in the Caucasus mountains. Inside the monument is a large tile mural that spans the whole circumference of the structure and depicts scenes of Georgian and Russian history.

Gergeti Trinity Church – Stepantsminda

The picturesque church on top of this mountain was the highlight of the trip. However don’t be fooled by how beautiful it is because it can only be reached thru a steep 1 1/2 hour climb up the mountain, or around 30 minutes by jeep up a rough mountain trail.

The church as seen from Stepantsminda

14th century Holy Trinity Church

Town of Stepantsminda – as seen from Gergeti Trinity Church

Side Story

Back in March 2013 – Derick and I first set foot in Georgia. Although it was the beginning of spring, it felt wintery still. The temperature in Tbilisi was chilly, around 5-10 degrees Celsius, and it’s even colder in the mountains. At that time we really wanted to visit Kazbegi. In fact, we booked a day-trip prior to our arrival in Georgia. That’s how eager we were to see the place. Unfortunately, when we reached Gudauri I felt very unsafe to continue our trip. The roads were so rough and it would be a difficult drive to reach Kazbegi. I don’t want to risk our safety. I convinced Derick to cancel our tour in Stepantsminda and return back to Tbilisi with a promise that we will go back some other time.

After 5 long years we were finally back in Georgia. This time our trip in Kazbegi was a success. Still, it was not easy. The roads were still terrible and the climb was rough. From the town center we transferred to another 4×4 vehicle and drove up a rough mountain trail for about 30 minutes. I was so scared. But, it was definitely worth the risk. As the saying goes: “Difficult roads often leads to beautiful views”. I’m glad we made it this time and ticked it off our list of places to see.

❤ Follow Me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

Yanbu Flower Festival 2019: Opening Date

February 11, 2019

To all my readers in Saudi Arabia, I know you guys are excited for this year’s upcoming Yanbu Flower Festival. Be ready because the long wait is almost over. In less than 17 days the festival grounds will officially open. It will run through February 28 (Thursday) until March 30 at Occasions Park – Royal Commission in Yanbu Al Sinaiyah. So plan your trip in advance and don’t miss the opportunity to see the city in full bloom.

Other things to do in Yanbu

Yanbu is more than just the venue of the famous Flower Festival. This beautiful little city has a lot of things to offer. Here’s my top 5 recommendations to enjoy Yanbu after visiting the Flower Festival.

1. Enjoy the beach

2. Watch the spectacular sunset

3. Picnic at the Waterfront Park

4. Visit Yanbu Lake

5. Learn the history and culture at Yanbu Historic Site in Al Bahr

❤ Follow Me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

Hotel Frida: Charming Budget Hotel in Old Town, Tbilisi

February 7, 2019

Before I start my Georgia blog series let me first share with you where we stayed in Tbilisi. Being a second time visitor in the city, Derick and I knew what kind of accommodation we want and its location. It was important to us to stay close to the center so we can visit the main attractions by foot.

We checked Booking.com and we found Hotel Frida. It is a very charming little hotel located right in the center of Tbilisi’s Old Town. Everything was a stone throw away and the price was very reasonable considering its location. Although there are many hotels nearby to choose from, you can’t beat the price offered in the website especially for Genius members. We booked the family room to get the space we wanted.

Hotel Frida is basically a 3-storey property that has 5 rooms including the attic family room. That means the property was not crowded. It really made us feel at home.

Hotel Entrance

Checking-In/ Lobby and Reception

Check-in time is 2 o’clock in the afternoon which was the same time of our arrival. There were no fuss checking-in since we already paid online. The receptionist handed our key and she only gave few instructions on how to get around. Everything was ready so we just settled into our room right away.

Receiving Area

The hotel is small. On the first floor you will find the reception, receiving area, mini bar and dining area all in one place. There is no elevator in the property which is a bit difficult if you have big luggage(s) to carry up.

Veranda and Outdoor Area

Front yard and gazebo with grape vines

Even if the hotel is located right next to the highway, it has a private green space where you can relax. You can have your tea or coffee at the gazebo. During our stay, their grape vines were bearing fruits, which kind of amazed me since it was something I don’t see very often.

Family Room

Huge and clean bathroom

Our room is located at the hotel’s attic. It is a very spacious family room with 1 queen bed and 1 single bed and it can accommodate up to 6 persons. The room was very comfortable. Complimentary bottled water, toiletries and slippers were provided. There was no coffee/tea making facility in the room but you can get your tea/coffee at the bar down stairs. You can also request, from the reception, if you like coffee/tea served in your room. Good thing is that they don’t charge extra for this.

Dining and Breakfast

Mini Bar and Dining Area

Fresh and delicious Georgian breakfast

The hotel serve only breakfast. However, there’s nothing to worry about since there are many restaurants nearby. Breakfast starts at 7 o’clock in the morning. They serve traditional Georgian breakfast that consist of fresh veggie salad, bread, cold cuts (ham and cheese), yogurt, cakes and hot drinks of your choice. You can order eggs or sausages or both. The Nana’s in charge of the kitchen would be happy to prepare it for you.

We were happy during our 3 days and 2 nights stay at Hotel Frida. Definitely it was a good decision booking this hotel as it ticks all the boxes of things to consider in an accommodation. The staff were very friendly and helpful too.

The reason why we love staying in a locally owned hotel is that you are not only helping the local business owners but you’ll also experience the authentic hospitality of the country you are visiting. For us the service offered by these locally owned hotels are more personalized compared to international brands. If given another opportunity to visit Tbilisi again, we would not hesitate to stay at Hotel Frida for the second time.

***Note: NOT a sponsored post.

❤ Follow Me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

Armenia: Top 7 Monasteries & Temples (In Pictures)

January 31, 2019

What are interesting sites to see in Armenia? That is the question Derick and I usually encounter when we talk about our recent travel in the country. Although there are many things to love about Armenia, their centuries old monasteries and temples are high on the list of places to see. That is why I’m sharing here the top 7 monasteries that we have visited during our 4-day stay in Armenia.

I’m not going to explain the history of these monasteries and temples and its significance, rather this post will give you a hint of what to expect when you visit Armenia. Perhaps in that way it will give you something to get curious about on why Armenia take pride of these treasures.

Zvartnots Temple

The ruins of Zvartnots remained buried until its remains were unearthed at the start of the twentieth century. The site was excavated between 1901 and 1907 under the direction of vardapet Khachik Dadyan, uncovering the foundations of the cathedral as well as the remains of the Catholicos palace and a winery. The excavations furthermore revealed that Zvartnots stood on the remnants of structures that dated back to reign of the Urartian king Rusa II.

Noravank Monastery

The name Noravank means “new monastery” in Armenian. Situated on the edge of a narrow gorge by the Amaghu River, the gorge is known for its tall, sheer and brick-red cliffs which offers breathtaking views of the monastery. Noravank is a 13th century monastery that is known for its two-storey feature.

Khor Virap Monastery

First constructed as a chapel in 642 AD, it was again built and repeatedly rebuilt during 1662. Khor Virap means “deep pit or deep dungeon”. According to our local guide, this monastery is significant for them since it was the place where their Saint Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned. He was kept under a deep dungeon here for 13 years. Today it is one of the most visited pilgrimage site in Armenia.

Temple of Garni

During the early 4th century when the Armenian King adopted Christianity, he ordered to destroy all pagan worship places. There were many hearsay as to the reason why this temple in particular was not destroyed. Some say, the temple of Garni was spared because of the King’s sister. She begged her brother to give it to her as a gift since her summer house within the vicinity of this temple. From then on the purpose of the temple was changed and the sacrificial altar was removed. Regardless, the good thing here is that this structure remained standing as the only witness of the past.

Geghard Cave Monastery

The name Geghard means “Spear”. It was called the monastery of the spear or Geghardavank because allegedly the spear that wounded Jesus Christ when he was killed and hanged was brought to Armenia and was kept in this monastery. Now the spear is displayed at the Echmiadzin Treasury.

This monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The main chapel of the monastery complex was built in 1215 and it was partially carved out of the adjacent mountain, surrounded by cliffs.

Sevanavank Monastery

One of the most picturesque monastery in Armenia, which is also my favorite during our entire trip, is Sevanavank. The monastery was first situated in a small island at the southern shore of Lake Sevan. However, after an artificial draining of the lake, the water receded and it formed a peninsula.

Hagphat Monastery

This is the last monastery we visited before we crossed into Georgia. The Hagphat monastery is described as a “masterpiece of religious architecture and a major center of learning in the Middle Ages”.

It was also listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996 because the complex represent the highest flowering of Armenian religious architecture. Its unique style was developed from a blending of elements of the Byzantine ecclesiastical architecture and the traditional vernacular architecture of the Caucasian region.

Note: Some information mentioned above are from Wikipedia.

❤ Follow Me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

Armenia: Scenic Lake Sevan & Sevanavank Monastery

January 23, 2019

One of the sites that I was excited to see in Armenia was Lake Sevan. As a lover of beautiful scenery and natural landscapes, Lake Sevan, in my opinion, is a site to behold.

Coming from Yerevan, this place is approximately a 1.5 hour drive. We did not stay in Lake Sevan. It was just one of our tour stop before crossing the border going to Georgia. While we were there, we visited one of the country’s historic monastery – Sevanavank. The monastery was first situated in a small island at the southern shore of Lake Sevan. However, after an artificial draining of the lake, the water receded and it formed a peninsula.

Armenia is a landlocked country. This is the reason why Lake Sevan is considered their biggest water resource. Locals considered the lake as a sea since it is where they get most of their seafood supplies. According to our local tour guide, the lake is bigger than Singapore. Lake Sevan is also a lively resort town which is why many locals flock here to enjoy the beach and other water activities during summer. Yes. They have several beaches here.

Sevanavank monastery was founded in 874 by Princess Mariam, the daughter of King Ashot.

Some artist capturing the spectacular view of the lake and the century old churches through painting.

As I’ve said, Lake Sevan is a lively place. Aside from many water activities, the lake also has several beaches. Should you decide to stay here for a couple of days, there are a number of hotels and resorts to choose from. Day trippers, on the other hand, can enjoy the beautiful views or perhaps a relaxing lunch by the lake after visiting the monasteries.

Truly, Lake Sevan is Armenia’s jewel.

❤ Follow Me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

My Top Travel Moments of 2018

January 15, 2019

I know it’s already half way through January of 2019 and I’m kind of late for a year-end recap. Derick and I just came back from our last travel of 2018 and first trip of 2019. We ended our 2018 in Istanbul and started our 2019 exploring some other provinces of Turkey.

Anyway, 2018 has been a very good year for us, as far as travel is concerned. We discovered new places, met new friends, learned many lessons and had amazing experiences that we will forever cherish.

So, were we have been last year? Here’s a recap of places and events that were quite memorable to us.

Winter Break In United Arab Emirates

As early as January last year, Derick and I decided to spend our winter break in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Although it’s already our third time in Dubai, we haven’t been to Abu Dhabi yet. It was our chance to explore Emirates capital – Abu Dhabi (for the first time).

Emirates Palace

The Louvre Abu Dhabi

The Grand Mosque Abu Dhabi

Experienced the fastest roller coaster in the world in Ferrari World Abu Dhabi.

My first collaboration abroad

Motiongate – Dubai Parks

Atlantis Aquaventure Water Park

Dinner together with Lady and Ed at Parker’s Dubai Mall

I used to stalk her blog way way back (for travel inspiration)… and finally I got the opportunity to catch up with the couple behind Ladyandheresweetescapes.com . It feels good to meet the person who inspired you to keep on blogging and write travel articles. Lady is one of the top bloggers in Dubai, go check her blog.

Yearly Summer Vacation in the Philippines

Home is where the heart is. Regardless of how many countries we visit each year, the Philippines is always home for us and a place we never want to miss every summer vacation.

Family outing at Cebu Safari and Adventure Park – Carmen Cebu.

Staycation at Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila.

Wedding Anniversary Celebration in Mauritius

Derick and I have a long list of island destinations that we want to visit in the future and Mauritius was the first island we have visited for romantic getaways. Hopefully soon we can tick off the Maldives, Seychelles, Bali, Fiji and more in our bucket list.

Seven Colored Earth

Blue Bay

Canonnier Beachcomber Golf Resort and Spa

Read more blog articles about Mauritius here.

First Time In Armenia

Armenia was one of the countries we officially ticked off in our wanderlist last year. We had an amazing time exploring the country and learned a lot about its history and culture.

Cascade Complex, Yerevan

Lake Sevan

Alaverde Province

Summer Getaway in Georgia

After 5 years, Derick and I were happy to visit Georgia again. We spent 2 weeks in the country and had the chance to see other places that we haven’t explored before.

A UNESCO Heritage Site in Ushguli Svaneti, Georgia.

Spectacular view of the mountains. One of my favorite scenery during our trip.

Our first Ski Lift experience at Hatsvali Ski Resort.

Winter Wanderlust In Turkey

Finally, before we bid goodbye to 2018 we were very happy to have spent a few days in Istanbul once again. We got the chance to revisit some old places that we’ve seen before and explored other parts of the city that we’ve never been. The city may have looked differently in every season but it still is equally beautiful and amazing any time of the year.

Hagia Sofia

Blue Mosque

It’s fun playing dress-up in an Ottoman costume. One for the books.

For 2019, we are looking forward to another round of places to explore. Where to next? Please stay tuned.

❤ Follow Me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

Armenia: Exploring Ararat Province + Wine Tasting

December 26, 2018

Armenia has a lot of cultural treasures and that includes many centuries old monasteries. Some of them can be found in the Ararat Province. During our third day in the country, we spent the entire day exploring 2 of its significant historic sites – the Khor Virap and the Noravank Monasteries.

Speaking of Ararat, it has been said that Noah’s ark settled on Mount Ararat after the great flood. I’m sure most of you are familiar about the story of Noah and the great flood. It was actually one of my favorite Bible stories of all time. Interesting right? Aside from the sites that we visited during our Armenian sojourn, Derick and I were most excited to see the place where the ark rested. Actually the mountain is located right along the border of Armenia and Turkey. Actually it is more easily accessible from the Turkey side rather than in Armenia. Nevertheless we were happy to see it even from afar.

Mount Ararat, Khor Virap Monastery, the vineyards and the flying stork.

On a clear day Mount Ararat is visible in some parts of the capital, Yeravan. It was a hazy day when we were there, but I’m quite satisfied to capture some nice shots of the Khor Virap Monastery with the Mount Ararat at the background. (Picture shown above)

Local produce for sale along the road.

Khor Virap Monastery

First constructed as a chapel in 642 AD, it was again built and repeatedly rebuilt during 1662. Khor Virap means “deep pit or deep dungeon”. According to our local guide, this monastery is significant for them since it was the place where their Saint Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned. He was kept under a deep dungeon here for 13 years. Today it is one of the most visited pilgrimage site in Armenia.

Noravank Monastery

The second monastery we have visited was Noravank. Its name means “new monastery” in Armenian. Situated on the edge of a narrow gorge by the Amaghu River, the gorge is known for its tall, sheer and brick-red cliffs which offers breathtaking views of the monastery.

Noravank is a 13th century monastery that is known for its two-storey feature.

Wine Tasting at Areni Winery

In between our monastery visits, we had a stop at Areni Winery. This place is one of the major wine producers in the country. We had a wine cellar tour and then orientation on how their wines are produced. After which, wine tasting followed. We got to try some of their premium wines and assorted fruit wines as well.

ozedf

It was a very relaxing day trip from Yerevan. We saw new sites and learned a lot of things about Armenia. We were back in the city at around 3 o’clock in the afternoon. Hence, we still have a lot of time to check out the flee market and buy some souvenir items.

❤ Follow Me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

Armenia: 10 Interesting Sites in Yerevan (For First Time Visitors)

December 12, 2018

From Tbilisi (capital of Georgia) we traveled almost 6 hours to reach Yerevan. It was a very tiring trip to be honest. The roads were very bumpy and we passed a lot of detours and road constructions. Perhaps if the road constructions gets done, it would be more comfortable to travel by car. The Armenian countryside and landscapes are picturesque. One would definitely enjoy these sights during a road trip. Derick and I were both happy to see it as part of our Armenian sojourn.

As first time visitors in Armenia, we relied solely on our local travel agency. All the attractions were in the itinerary of the tour we booked. We stayed in Armenia for 4 nights and our first 2 days were spent around Yerevan. Here are 10 interesting sites in Yerevan our local tour guide showed us while we were in the city. Some of the attractions are near to each other and can be explored by foot.

Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral

The St. Gregory Illuminator Cathedral is the largest cathedral in Yerevan. This church is about a few steps away from our hotel. It is one of the famous landmarks in the city and is a beautiful subject for photography too.

Mother of Armenia Statue

The statue is located at the Victory Park overlooking the city of Yerevan. The Mother Armenia statue symbolizes peace through strength.

Matenadaran (Institute of Ancient Manuscripts)

Matenadaran is a repository of ancient manuscripts, research institute and museum in Yerevan, Armenia. It holds one of the world’s richest depositories of medieval manuscripts and books which span a broad range of subjects, including theology, philosophy, history, medicine, literature, art history, and cosmography in Armenian and many other languages.

Cascade Complex

See more photos – Armenia: 20 Photos of ‘The Cascade’ in Yerevan

Genocide Memorial

Republic Square

Northern Avenue & Freedom Square (Swan Lake and Opera Theater)

Swan Lake

Opera House

St. Hripsime and St. Gayane Church

St. Hripsime Church

St. Gayane Church

Etchmiadzin Cathedral

Etchmiadzin is the spiritual and administrative center of the Apostolic Church in Armenia.

Zvartnots Ruins

The ruins of Zvartnots remained buried until its remains were uncovered at the start of the twentieth century. The site was excavated between 1901 and 1907 under the direction of vardapet Khachik Dadyan, uncovering the foundations of the cathedral as well as the remains of the Catholicos palace and a winery. The excavations furthermore revealed that Zvartnots stood on the remnants of structures that dated back to reign of the Urartian king Rusa II.

The attractions listed above were all recommended by our local guide. You may choose which attractions best interest you.

Note: All quotes mentioned above are from Wikipedia.

❤ Follow Me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

Armenia: 20 Photos of ‘The Cascade’ in Yerevan

December 6, 2018

The Cascade is one of the prettiest place in Yerevan that I love. So here are 20 photos to give you an idea why I love this part of the city. The pictures says it all. Enjoy!

Inside the Cascade, underneath the exterior steps, are seven escalators that rise along the length of the complex. There are also exhibit halls connected to some of the landings along the escalators which compose the Cafesjian Museum of Art.

The exterior of The Cascade features multiple levels adorned with fountains and modernist sculptures from the Cafesjian collection. The stairs afford walkers unobstructed views of central Yerevan and Mount Ararat. At the base of the Cascade is a garden court yard with statues by contemporary sculptures such as Botero.

There are a number of cafes and restaurants on both sides of the Cascade frequented by locals and tourists. Classical and jazz concerts often take place at the Cascade during spring, summer and early autumn, with spectators sitting on the steps. – Wikipedia

❤ Follow Me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

Exploring Mauritius: DIY 6 Days Itinerary + Recommendations

November 21, 2018

As the finale to my Mauritius blog series, I’m sharing our full DIY 6 days itinerary and everything you need to know about this small island nation. Many of you have been asking me recommendations and things to do in Mauritius, so I’m trying to put all important information that I’ve gathered during our stay in the island. I will also insert the links of all my previous blog posts about Mauritius to make it easier for you to navigate. If you haven’t read those articles yet, you can find all the links in this one.

Why Mauritius?

Derick and I chose Mauritius as our wedding anniversary destination because of the its unique characteristics. It is not only a world-renowned luxury wedding and honeymoon destination, the country is also full of history and amazing culture. As an island nation in Indian Ocean you can expect not just blue waters and beaches but it has beautiful landscapes and vast flora and fauna too. (See post Mauritius: Heaven On Earth.)

Things to know before visiting Mauritius

Language – French, English, Hindi and Creole
Currency – Mauritian Rupee
Weather – Basically, the Island has two season – wet and dry. Rainy season is from May to October and the rest of the year is fairly dry. Best time to visit is around March and April as it has plenty of sunshine. If you’ll be visiting during the rainy months, it is best to stay in the Western and Northern part of the island to avoid the strong winds from the Southern Hemisphere.
Visa – Most nationalities can enter the country visa free. For Philippine passports holders, it is visa upon arrival.
Transportation – Public buses are the local’s main mode of transportation. However if you want to get around quickly, taxi is the most convenient way. Every resort have assigned taxis that only cater to their respective guests. Another option is car rental. Most families we met were renting cars.
Fact – Home of the biggest flightless bird on earth which is now extinct – the Dodo.

ITINERARY

Our flight arrived in Mauritius at around 3 o’clock in the afternoon. Another hour spent traveling from the airport to our accommodation. Basically, the remaining hours of the day were spent getting ready for dinner. Although we spent total of 8 days in the island, I did not include our arrival and departure days. The itinerary is a full 6-day exploration of Mauritius.

Day 1 – Lazy day at the resort

For us being in Mauritius it is a must to indulge and experience luxury. Of course it is a once in a lifetime chance to visit the island so why not savor it. After all, the intention is ultimate relaxation. So that’s what we did. On our first full day in island we soaked up the moment and enjoyed everything that is right in front of us.

The resort was really exquisite, you don’t want to leave once you’re there. Believe me. Everything you need were all available upon request and some were already provided in the room. You will also gain more kilos especially if you book an all-inclusive-stay.

Life couldn’t get any better if you are in this paradise. Read Romantic Getaway at Canonnier Beachcomber Resort, Mauritius

Ended the day watching the spectacular sunset.

Day 2 – Exploring Northwestern Attractions

This tour covered the interesting sites of Port Louis, Pamplemousses and Riviere du Rempart districts. Read Mauritius: Exploring Northwestern Attractions

Port Louis – Fort Adelaide (Citadel), Le Caudan Waterfront, Blue Penney Museum, and The Natural History Museum
Pamplemousses – Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanic Garden and visit to Kuan Fu Tea Factory
Riviere du Rempart – Cap Malheureux and Grand Baie

Port Louis – View of the city from Fort Adelaide

The famous Notre Dame in Cap Malheureux

After our 5-hour tour of Northwestern sites, we capped of the night with a romantic dinner. Read Romantic Dinner At Navigator Restaurant: Canonnier Beachcomber, Mauritius

Day 3 – Resort Activities

As mentioned earlier, there are many activities to do at the resort. On our 3rd day we decided to stay at the resort again and took advantage of using the resort’s non-motorized water equipment. Kayak, paddle boards and pedal boats were some of the things you can use to enjoy water activities.

Derick and I enjoyed pedal boating around the resort. Swimming and pampering yourself at the spa are alternative options. However for us, the best way to enjoy the day is eating. We found a good seafood place near our resort and the food was excellent.

*The entire morning was spent at the resort then after lunch we checked-out to transfer to another hotel.

Day 4 – Catamaran Cruise to Ile aux Cerfs

Explore the island’s wonderful beaches and other interesting sites in the Eastern side of the island. I promise it’s all worth it. Read Mauritius: Catamaran Cruise to Ile aux Cerfs

Grand River Southeast Waterfall
Snorkeling and other water activities
Afternoon at Ile aux Cerfs

Ile aux Cerfs

Day 5 – Blue Bay

Frankly we were not able to enjoy Blue Bay fully because of bad weather. However on a sunny day this place has a lot of beautiful sites and attractions. Regardless, our time was not wasted because we got to spent it at the beach house. Read Mauritius: A Windy Day In Blue Bay.

Blue Bay Marine Park
Pont Naturel
Ile des Deux Cocos

Holiday Inn Mon Tresor private beach house.

Day 6 – Southwestern Landscape Tour

Our last adventure in the island was full packed. Read Mauritius: In-Depth Tour of Southwestern Landscape.

Macondé Rock
Chamarel Waterfalls, Seven Colored Earth, Rhumerie de Chamarel and lunch at Le Chamarel Restaurant
Black River Gorge National Park
Grand Bassin (Sacred Hindu Site)
Trou aux Cerfs Volcanic Crater

Chamarel Waterfalls

Seven Colored Earth

A week stay in Mauritius is enough to explore the entire island with extra time to relax at the resort. If there’s one thing we did not do that everyone should is – swimming with the dolphins. It’s a magical experience playing with these gentle creatures. Unfortunately Derick and I decided to skip it since it was very windy and the sea wasn’t calm.

Hopefully this itinerary will inspire you to see Mauritius soon or perhaps add it in your travel list. If you have questions, please feel free to ask me by commenting below.

Related posts:

❤ Follow Me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

Hotel Review: Holiday Inn Mon Tresor, Mauritius

November 8, 2018

Holiday Inn Mon Tresor was our second accommodation in Mauritius. From Canonnier Beachcomber Golf Resort and Spa, we transferred here to be closer to other interesting sites in the Southern part of the island. As an IHG Gold Elite Member, I also took advantage of the points I garnered which was equivalent to a 3-nights stay. With this, we not only save money but also travel time. Plus we get to experience a different atmosphere and hospitality from this property as well.

Located in Plaine Magnien, Grand Port district, the hotel is situated right across the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport. You read it right, Holiday Inn Mauritius is an airport hotel and one of the first properties of Mon Tresor in the area. Most of the guests are transients and airline crews.

Although it is not a resort, the hotel is surrounded by beautiful gardens and lots of green spaces. It has an outdoor swimming pool, spa, gym, bar, restaurant and to top it all they have a private beach house in Blue Bay.

RECEPTION & LOBBY

It has a well designed and spacious receiving area that has an open flow towards the bar and restaurant. I love the modern and sleek furniture with a touch of Mauritian decors that gives a pleasing vibe.

Mauritian charms

Fresh flowers in the lobby area

STANDARD QUEEN ROOM

We got the Standard Queen Room facing the garden. The room was equipped with basic amenities. They also provide beach towels that they change everyday. Complimentary bottled water, coffee and tea supply were also provided and replenished daily.

Welcome message for IHG Members

Complimentary bottled water

POOL AREA

Having a swimming pool in the hotel was just a bonus for us. We don’t usually go swimming, instead we love to relax and lounge by the pool. The pool has a beautiful backdrop of the garden which resembles an oasis. There were many sun loungers with umbrellas too.

BAR & RESTAURANT

The only downside of this hotel is that you can’t find restaurants and convenient stores nearby. Which left us no choice but to eat at the hotel restaurant. The food selection was good although it can be improved. Buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner were a bit pricey. If you don’t like buffet, you have the option of ordering their daily offers like business set meals. Ala carte menu dishes were also available.

Restaurant 1933

Piper N’ Cut

Breakfast by the pool

Chicken Skewers

Half-cooked Seared Tuna

All the dishes we tried during our stay were tasty and well prepared. The staff were all amazing from the duty manager down to the waiters. I can feel that they were happy to serve us each time we enter the restaurant.

OTHER FACILITIES

Spa

Gym

Spa and Fitness Center

Business Center

Free Use of Bicycles

Private Beach House in Blue Bay

Please read my blog post about Mauritius: A Windy Day In Blue Bay

Pros:

Clean and comfortable rooms
Excellent restaurant service
Free round-trip shuttle service to the airport and beach house
Very good hotel facilities
Reasonable price

Cons:

No other restaurants nearby except their own restaurant inside the hotel. The closest Chinese restaurant is a good 15 to 20 minutes walk.
They don’t provide room slippers and the room wasn’t carpeted.
Finally the most annoying thing we experienced was that they don’t replenish the toiletries. They only provide a coin size soap and that’s it. We needed request for soaps (a total of 4 times) during our entire stay.

Overall, with all the things mentioned above, Derick and I had a wonderful stay. We were able to enjoy some of the amenities provided at the hotel. Although we had some complaints regarding the toiletries, we were hoping that they can address that soon. Nevertheless we are still looking forward to stay here again in the future.

❤ Follow Me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

Mauritius: A Windy Day In Blue Bay

October 30, 2018

On a daytime arrival, as your plane approaches the Mauritius international airport you could easily spot Blue Bay from your airplane window. It was called Blue Bay because of its distinct blue colored waters. This feature sets it apart from the other bays in the island.

Pont Naturel, Blue Bay Marine Park and Ile des Deux Cocos are few of the popular attractions in Blue Bay. These would have been our main activities during our last two days in Mauritius. Unfortunately the weather was not cooperative that left us no choice but to cancel these places from our itinerary. Instead, Derick and I decided to spend a day at the Beach House.

Holiday Inn Mon Tresor Beach House

The beach house is privately owned by Holiday Inn Hotel Mon Tresor. Only hotel guests are allowed to use the beach house during the day. Although the beach is ideal for relaxation, there is nothing much to do here.

There were no other guests during our visit so we have the entire beach house for ourselves. We took time taking pictures and spent the rest of our time reading the books we brought. It was a relaxing lazy day. Not a bad way to end our romantic getaway in Mauritius.

The reason I blogged about Blue Bay is to remind myself that we didn’t get the chance to see the best of this side of the island. Hopefully we will get another chance to visit Mauritius in the future so we can explore Blue Bay fully.

❤ Follow Me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

Mauritius: In-Depth Tour of Southwestern Landscape

October 20, 2018

After Exploring Northwestern Attractions and the Catamaran Cruise to Ile aux Cerfs, Let us take an in-depth tour of the southern part of Mauritius, which features gorgeous landscapes and hidden treasures.

Derick and I were both excited about this tour because it was our chance to not only see the island’s beautiful natural landscapes but also get to sample authentic Creole food. As I’ve said in my previous articles, Mauritius is not only about beaches and water activities. The island country is also rich in both natural and cultural history that is worth paying attention to.

The Mauritius Southwestern Landscape Tour was an 8-hours tour covering the Chamarel Waterfalls, Seven Colored Earth and sand dunes, La Rhumerie de Chamarel distillery, Grand Basin and Trou aux Cerfs. We also did a short stop along the way to take pictures of some interesting sites and also do some souvenir shopping.

Le Morne Angler’s Club – Grande Riviere Noire District

Welcome drinks (juice, coffee and tea) were served here before the tour begins.

Our tour commenced at the Le Morne Angler’s Club where we met our tour guide and fellow travelers. From our hotel we were picked up by a private car and our driver brought us to Grande Riviere Noire.

Macondé Rock

The Maconde’ Rock is one of the viewpoints in the southern part of the island. This lookout offers panoramic views of the mountains, river and the sea.

The U-shape road is also one of the most scenic route around the island

Chamarel Waterfalls

The Chamarel Waterfalls is located in Chamarel Village. It is known as the highest waterfalls in Mauritius and one of the popular natural attraction in the country.

Seven Colored Earth

The Seven Colored Earths is a phenomenon resulting from color variations due to cooling of molten rock. The lava formations are estimated to be of 3.5 to 7 million years in age. These are heaps of exposed earth’s crust which show up in seven colors when the sun light falls on them. (Source from Wikipedia)

Soil samples that comprise the 7 colors of earth (red, brown, violet, green, blue, purple and yellow).

Near the seven colored earth is the place where the Tortoises roam around. I guess children enjoyed watching the tortoises more than the seven colored earth.

Lunch at Le Chamarel Restaurant

Who wouldn’t fall in love with these views.

Perched on the mountain top is the Le Chamarel Restaurant. As a lover of beautiful scenery, the best surprise for me was the beautiful restaurant where we had our Creole lunch. It is probably the restaurant that has the most spectacular panoramic views of the island. The rustic ambiance combined with delicious Creole lunch was a totally remarkable experience.

Starter – Vegetables with Mauritian spices

Main – Fish and mashed potato

Dessert – Banana pudding and vanilla ice cream

Mauritian coffee

I’m glad we were able to sample authentic and delicious Creole food during this trip. The true taste of Mauritius and its breathtaking views was the best highlight for me.

Rhumerie de Chamarel

After our filling lunch at the Le Chamarel, we went straight to Rhumerie de Chamarel. The Chamarel Rum distillery is one of the country’s leading Rum producer. Here, guest were given orientation tours on how rum was prepared starting from gathering raw ingredients until its final product.

As part of our tour, we were given time to sample the different kinds of rum products they have produced in the distillery. You can taste as many as you like but for me and Derick we only chose 3 flavors to try.

Since I’m not into alcoholic beverages, I was more attracted to the place than its Rum products. The beautiful gardens and the ambiance of the place makes it ideal for picture taking. Although there were other local products that you can bring home for gifts like honey, fruit jam and local souvenir items.

Black River Gorge National Park

Gorge and waterfall

Wild monkeys

This park protects most of the island’s remaining rainforest although much of this has been degraded by introduced plants such as Chinese guava and privet and animals such as rusa deer and wild pigs. Several areas have been fenced off and invasive species have been eradicated from them to preserve native wildlife. Many endemic plants and animals can still be found in the park which include the Mauritian flying fox and all of the island’s endemic birds: Mauritius kestrel, pink pigeon, Mauritius parakeet, Mauritius cuckoo-shrike, Mauritius bulbul, Mauritius olive white-eye, Mauritius grey white-eye and Mauritius fody.

Grand Bassin (Sacred Hindu Site)

Statues at the entrance of the lake.

Grand Bassin or Ganga Talao as known to locals is a crater lake situated in a secluded mountain area in the district of Savanne.

Trou aux Cerfs Volcanic Crater

Me at the viewing area

Trou aux Cerfs is a dormant volcano with a well-defined cone and crater. It is 605 m (1,985 ft) high and located in Curepipe, Mauritius. The crater is about 300 and 350 meters in diameter, and is 80 meters deep. It was formed less than 2 million years ago, in the second phase of the volcanic activities that created Mauritius.

Ship Model Factory

Of course no tour is complete without visiting a local souvenir shop. One of the famous souvenir items you can get in Mauritius is the Ship model. We visited one Ship model factory and we saw how these miniature ships were made. Every ship were done meticulously by hand which cost a little expensive for me. However if you are a collector it’s the best opportunity to have a piece of Mauritius in your collections.

We booked this tour through Viator which was organized by Connections Travel. The tour was so worth it and well organized. Our amazing tour guide Hena Davedos was very good and knowledgeable. We highly recommend this tour when in Mauritius. If interested you may check Viator or contact the Connections website.

Doing this tour completed our romantic and full of adventure escape in the beautiful island of Mauritius. I’ll be posting our DIY Itinerary in Mauritius soon, so please stay tuned.

Notes: Some information mentioned above are taken from Wikipedia.

❤ Follow Me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

Mauritius: Catamaran Cruise to Ile aux Cerfs

October 4, 2018

Mauritius is surrounded by beautiful beaches and turquoise waters. Given this, there is no way that you will not be enticed to go out for an adventure. Because no trip to Mauritius would be complete without doing water activities and island hopping.

Prior to booking our island adventure activities, we were actually torn between the Catamaran Dolphin Cruise and the Catamaran Sailing to Ile aux Cerfs. I really would love to see and interact with dolphins but unfortunately Derick cannot swim and I’m not a good swimmer either. So we just decided to book the latter.

We booked our ‘Catamaran Cruise to Ile aux Cerfs’ via KLOOK. The voucher included a hotel pick up and drop off service, transportation throughout tour, an English speaking driver as guide, a friendly English-speaking boat crew and a barbecue buffet lunch with unlimited drinks which include beer and local alcoholic beverages.

Grand River Southeast Waterfall

At the mouth of the Grand River Southeast where the river’s current meets the ocean tide.

Our first stop of the day was in the Grand River Southeast Waterfall. This spectacular waterfall is a very famous attraction. It also has impressive ravines.

The waterfall can be reach through a speedboat.

Snorkeling and other water activities

From the waterfall we stopped on a shallow section of the pristine waters in the east coast of the island for snorkeling. We did not go down for a swim because the water was very cold. But we did enjoy sun bathing and watching our fellow travelers swimming and having fun.

Some guests went on parasailing which is one of favorite activities in the island.

Barbecue buffet lunch on board

Surprisingly the food was delicious and fresh. It reminded me of home cooked meals. We had fresh salads, fried rice, barbecue chicken and fish. Bread and desserts were also served.

Derick and our catamaran captain

Afternoon in Ile aux Cerfs

Ile aux Cerfs Leisure Island is a private island near the East coast of Mauritius in the Flacq district. It is known for its beautiful white sandy beaches and golf club. The island offers a variety of activities with something suited for every visitor.

There were plenty of sunbeds with umbrellas along the beach area.

We were given two hours to roam around, go for a swim, buy some souvenirs and enjoy the rest of the afternoon. Derick and I had a wonderful time in the island. The weather was very cooperative. We enjoyed basking in the sun during our stay there.

Sailing over the stunning waters of Mauritius is very relaxing. It was indeed one of the best things we experienced during our Mauritian escapade.

❤ Follow Me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

Mauritius: Exploring Northwestern Attractions

September 29, 2018

As much as we love to stay at the resort, we were also excited to see the capital and other nearby attractions. There were many interesting places near our accommodation that we don’t want to miss during our trip.

Having a day to spend, we visited some important sites in the Northwestern part of the island. We covered three districts which included the capital Port Louis, Pamplemousses and Riviere du Rempart districts. These districts are adjacent to each other which made it easy to travel from point A to point B.

PORT LOUIS

View from Fort Adelaide

Our primary purpose of visit in the capital was to see the The Natural History Museum and have a glimpse of the original skeleton of the last Dodo. Unfortunately luck was not on our side. The museum was temporarily closed for renovation. Instead we went on and visited other popular sites in Port Louis.

Fort Adelaide/ Citadel

One of the highlights in the city is the Citadel, more popularly known as Fort Adelaide. The fortress was built from 1834 to 1840 to guard the harbor and the city. Standing on top of the hill, it provides panoramic view of the capital as well as the coast.

For those who want to see a birds eye view of the place, the Citadel has the perfect vantage point with panoramic views of the entire city. The Citadel is open to all visitors with no entrance fee.

The canons are still in placed

Le Caudan Waterfront

The Caudan Waterfront is a popular commercial district in the capital. This picturesque peninsula houses different establishments like banks, luxury hotels, various shops, restaurants, entertainment centers and museums.

Prior to our trip to Mauritius, I already knew that Le Caudan is one of the most Instragrammable place in the capital. I saw quite a number of photos in Instagram featuring the picturesque waterfront. Of course I don’t want to miss the opportunity to see it for myself. Derick and I loved the place. Both locals and tourist enjoy hanging out at the waterfront. There are also quite a number of things you can do in this place.

Umbrella Square

The Blue Penny Museum showcase island’s colonial and maritime history. One of its priced collection are the 1847 Blue Penny and Red Penny stamps.

Central Market

PAMPLEMOUSSES

Giant Water Lilies

The Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanic Garden is the oldest botanical garden in the southern hemisphere. It houses a number of assorted plant collections as well as few tortoises and deers.

For me, the most interesting part of our visit in this garden are the trees planted by world leaders. I was literally awed when I saw Nelson Mandela’s tree. If you get the chance to visit this garden, try to look for the rows of trees planted by popular and influential people from different countries.

Kuan Fu Tea Factory

Visiting the tea factory was not really in our itinerary, however our tour driver insisted that we need to see it. The tea factory tour orients visitors about how this local tea brand process their products using state-of-the-art machines. We had free tea tasting and their tea tasted really good. Unfortunately it is a bit pricey for me so we did not bought any, except for the miniature Kuan Fu Tea mascot.

RIVIERE DU REMPART

Cap Malheureux is a village north of Mauritius. The name Cap Malheureux means ‘Cape of Bad Luck’ which was given after the French were defeated by the British who invaded and took over the island.

Notre Dame Auxiliatrice de Cap Malheureux

Cap Malhuereux is not only known for its significant history during the battle of the French and the British but also most visitors come to see the beautiful red-colored-roof of the Notre Dame Church.

The Cap Malheureux Bay

Grand Baie

Finally our last stop was in Grand Baie. Frankly the beach is beautiful, however it was very commercialized. The bay is more of a marina and docking area of water vessels. The place, for me, was overrated for there was not much one can do here other than shopping and eating. Different kinds of shops, bars, cafes and restaurants can be found in Grand Baie including vendors along the beach area.

❤ Follow Me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

Romantic Getaway at Canonnier Beachcomber Resort, Mauritius

September 21, 2018

Derick and I always wanted to have a relaxing and romantic anniversary celebration in a beautiful island paradise. This is the reason why we flew to Mauritius. The island is perfect for couples who seek relaxation and an intimate time together.

As a world’s renowned wedding and honeymoon destination, the island is home of luxury hotels and resorts. However there are also other options to choose from depending on your budget.

Mauritius is a perfect holiday destination all year round, however there are also things to be taken into consideration when planning a trip. In our case, our wedding anniversary is on July. During this month, it is winter time in the island. Although their winter season is not as cold when compared to countries south of the equator, it still gets chilly. Normally around 17 degrees Celsius at night. One would also experience rain and strong winds in Mauritius during this time. With these things in mind, we chose a resort which has the most sunshine and is not affected by strong winds in the month of July. And base on our research, the northern and western part of the island would be the ideal location.

In choosing our accommodation we considered three criteria: Location, Good Reviews, and Price. The resort that best fit all criteria mentioned is the Canonnier Beachcomber Golf Resort and Spa. It is one of the properties of a well-known hotel and resort brand, Beachcomber. Knowing the brand and its reputation, we expect nothing but the best.

Excellent Location

The resort is well situated at the Northwest part of the island in between Trou aux Biches and Grand Baie. These two places are popular beach and tourist attractions too. Also the capital, Port Louis is only a 20-minute drive from the resort. What is good about its location is the fact that it seldom gets affected by the strong winds from the south particularly during winter season.

Check In

edf

Welcome drinks…

Our arrival at the resort was expected since we already provided them all the necessary details. As soon as we entered the property they welcomed us immediately. The check-in process was very comfortable and smooth. They let us sit and enjoy our welcome drinks. They also assisted us in completing all the check-in formalities. And then when all these were done, we were ushered to our designated room.

Beautiful Well-Appointed Rooms

Our room was located at the second level where we have balcony overlooking the garden. The room has a decent size and is equipped with all the basic amenities. It was also very clean and comfortable.

Deluxe Queen Room

Splendid Beauty with Character

The place is truly exquisite. One look at this place and you will surely be entice by its natural beauty. With that being said, every corner is a photo opportunity and very Instagram worthy.

It was called Canonnier because the place was once a fortress. Guarding the coast are the canons placed around the vicinity which was used for protection. These remnants from the past translates into an authentic character which makes this resort even more interesting.

The huge Banyan trees which are now home of resort’s Spa and the ancient Lighthouse.

Plenty of Space for Everyone

What I love most about the resort is the huge area to roam around. There’s never a shortage of sunbeds and cottages. Even if the resort is full, you will not feel crowded. Derick and I found our place in the resort that made us feel that we were the only people in the property.

Two Outdoor Swimming Pools

Beautiful Beaches

Blue skies and white sand beaches are what made Mauritius a paradise. And that’s the greatest asset Canonnier Beachcomber possessed. Eighty percent of the resort is surrounded by water and with this comes spectacular sea views. They have three beautiful beach areas attached to the property. All have sun loungers and individual cottages.

Water Activities & Recreational Facilities

The resort was never short of activities both indoors and outdoors. There’s always something for everyone and plenty of things to do. You will never get bored while vacationing here.

The pedal boat was our favorite water activity at the resort.

Ancient Lighthouse

The ancient lighthouse was converted into the Beachcomber Teens Club. We didn’t checked inside, but probably you’ll find video games and other stuff for teens in this old structure.

Kids Club

Family Recreation Room

The Spa

Dining Options

There are three restaurants inside the resort, Frangepanier (all-day dining and buffet restaurant), Serenata (Italian restaurant) and Navigator (fine dining restaurant).

Frangepanier

During our stay we only tried both Frangepanier and Navigator. We had our buffet breakfast and two of our dinners in Frangepanier. The food selections were satisfactory. However, it would be nice if they had a little more variety in the dishes they offer especially the breakfast buffet.

Spectacular Sunset

Wedding Anniversary Celebration

Read our romantic dinner at Navigator: Romantic Dinner At Navigator Restaurant: Canonnier Beachcomber, Mauritius

Derick & Joy

Moments In Mauritius

We had plenty of sun and blue skies during our stay so we took advantage of it by staying outdoors most of the time. Frolicking by the beach while enjoying the blue waters and the view. We also had so much fun doing some water activities together. Lounging by the beach and reading a good book while waiting for the sunset was the most romantic thing we experienced. We lived by the moment that we wished did not end.

Finally, Canonnier Beachcomber Resort was a good choice. We loved every moment of our stay and we have nothing but happy memories that we will forever cherish.

❤ Follow Me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

Romantic Dinner At Navigator Restaurant: Canonnier Beachcomber, Mauritius

September 11, 2018

NAVIGATOR is one of the four restaurants in Canonnier Beachcomber Golf Resort and Spa. It is a fine dining restaurant that serves delightful gourmet cuisines from around the world. They are also known for their Lobster and Seafood Night.

Perched on top of a hill, Navigator has the best vantage point overlooking the sea. Its higher location offers not only spectacular views but also exclusivity. The seclusion of the place made it very romantic. That sets it apart from the other restaurants within the resort.

The Terrace

The restaurant has a wooden deck outdoor area overlooking the sea which is called the Terrace. From here you can see the lined canons guarding the coast. These canons may not be in use today however it adds a historical charm to this place. The place is also a perfect spot to catch the magnificent sunset while having some drinks.

AMBIANCE

Lounge and Bar area

Fitting the island tropical vibe of the resort, the restaurant has a native rustic ambiance too. Simple yet elegant, accentuated with white and earth toned colored furniture. The place itself doesn’t need much decorations. Its beautiful surroundings and natural beauty makes the place even more charming.

Dinner Setup

SIDE STORY

The restaurant is strictly for reserved guests only. And getting a reservation was very difficult especially if the resort is full-house. You’ll be needing at least five days in advance notice to secure a table. In our case, Derick emailed the resort (prior to our arrival) requesting for a romantic dinner on our anniversary day. Unfortunately there was a miscommunication between the front-desk and the F&B Manager. The front-desk insisted that our booking doesn’t include a romantic dinner, instead they will give us an anniversary cake. They also advised us that if we want to have dinner at the Navigator we have to book a reservation ourselves. However, the F&B department confirmed a romantic dinner for us at Navigator. We were both confused and disappointed at the same time. Something similar happened to us last year when we were also making arrangements for our anniversary dinner in another resort.

Because of that we did not ask to talk to the manager anymore. Instead, Derick and I agreed to just utilize what was available for us. We tried to make a reservation at the Navigator. Unfortunately, it was already full. So we just had our anniversary dinner at the main restaurant, Frangepanier.

Surprisingly Mr. Dar (the F&B Manager) approached us while we were having our dinner at Frangepanier. He said that he was waiting for us at the Navigator restaurant. Derick and I were both speechless since we were not informed properly. At the same time we were almost finish having our dinner at the Frangepanier. To settle the confusion, Mr. Dar rescheduled our romantic dinner at the Navigator and he requested to serve our anniversary cake for the night.

ROMANTIC DINNER NIGHT

It was chilly but perfect for a romantic dinner weather. Both of us were excited to enjoy the night. I put on simple make-up just to look presentable and wore my black DP dress. Derick wore his black Armani long-sleeves paired with dark blue denim pants. Then we headed to the restaurant holding each other’s hand.

There were few couples in the restaurant when we arrived. The lights were dim and you can hear soft music in the background. We got settled into our assigned table. The attendant handed us the menu. He lit the candles and our dinner began shortly after he took our preferred dishes.

FOOD

Our drinks were served right away together with the basket of bread and butter. We had a five-course meal. Each dish looked spectacularly appetizing. The food came in sequence manner.

Starters

Chicken and Artichoke

It’s a shrimp dish (I’m sorry I don’t know what’s called). Looks very pretty though.

Soup

Vegetable and Mushroom Soup

Appetizer

Smoked Fish and Artichoke

Main

Grilled Beef and Potatoes

Mixed Seafood Curry with Rice

Dessert

Mango Cheesecake

I will not go into details of each dish as we cannot find fault to any of them. All the dishes served were perfectly cooked and seasoned. The portions were just right and satisfying.

It was indeed a great dinner experience wit gourmet delicious dishes, romantic ambiance and excellent service. The only thing I regret was that I was not able to capture a picture of us on that special night. However moments like this will remain vivid in my mind and will be forever treasured.

❤ Follow Me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

Mauritius: ‘Heaven On Earth’

August 30, 2018

MAURITIUS is a small island nation located in the Indian Ocean. Home of the now extinct flightless bird, the Dodo, this island is known for its beautiful white-sand-beaches, lagoons, reefs, and luxury resorts. Mauritius is also a world-renowned wedding and honeymoon destination.

If you will research more about the island you will learn that Mauritius is more than just blue skies, clear waters, beaches and luxury holiday destination. Even the famous author Mark Twain had a beautiful impression about the country. He once wrote: ‘Mauritius was made first and then heaven, heaven being copied after Mauritius’. Frankly, I was intrigued why he made such statement. And the only way of knowing is to visit and explore it by yourself.

Derick and I had a very good reason to visit Mauritius. We wanted to celebrate our wedding anniversary in this island paradise. Last month, we finally made our Mauritius dream trip come true. We spent our first 3 nights in a beautiful resort located at the Pamplemousses district which is on the northwest part of the island. The remaining 4 nights of our trip were spent in the Blue Bay area of the Grand Port district which is in the southeast section of Mauritius. For us it was a better way to explore around the island for a week. We had the flexibility of exploring some attractions near our accommodation and at the same time save money for transportation.

I know most of you are eager to know if Mauritius really lived-up to our expectations. How was our experience? Is it worth it? Is Mauritius Really Heaven On Earth? Frankly, I am not good with words. Instead I’m sharing here 30 photos that will somehow inspire you to visit Mauritius and see it for yourself up close and personal.

Port Louis

Pamplemousses Botanical Garden

Grand Baie

Cap Malheuruex

Grand River Southeast

Catamaran Sailing

Ile aux Cerfs

Seven Colored Earth

Chamarel Waterfalls

Le Chamarel Panoramic View

Rhumerie Chamarel

Black River Gorge National Park

Blue Bay

Sunrise

Sunset

Within our one week stay in the island I saw a lot of beautiful things that inspired me in many ways. Things we wouldn’t know and experience if we were not there. I was literally in awe with everything I saw.

Going back to Mark Twain’s quote, he was spot on. For me Mauritius is truly heaven on earth. A paradise perfect for romantic getaways. It’s a complete package. There’s so much to see and a lot of things to discover about this small and mesmerizing island. Hopefully you can also come and see it for yourself.

❤ Follow Me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

Hotel Review: City Garden Hotel Makati

June 30, 2018

I’m very picky when it comes to booking hotel accommodations particularly during vacation. I even have my own standard of my ideal hotel. Location, cleanliness, comfort, good breakfast and affordability are always on top of my list. Unfortunately it’s not all the time you can find property that meets all your desired criteria. It’s either you have to sacrifice other amenities or perhaps pay even more to get what you want.

But what if you find a property that provide luxury amenities at an affordable price? Unbelievable, right? That’s what I thought too the first time I’ve read about City Garden Hotel Makati #affordableluxury advertisement. I was only convinced when I have read the reviews in TripAdvisor and Booking.Com. Upon learning all the positive reviews and high ratings from both platforms, my husband and I decided to book an 8-nights stay at this hotel through Booking.Com.

Few weeks back we finally experienced that so called #affordableluxury the hotel promised. Did it meet our preferred hotel standards? Were they able to deliver the comfort and luxury we expect at an affordable price? Read on to learn more about our stay.

Lobby and Reception

We arrived at the hotel with a warm welcome from the staff. They immediately assisted us by providing short briefing for our stay and handed our room keys right away without letting us wait. I appreciated it a lot since husband and I were both exhausted after a long flight.

The lobby wasn’t that big but it has an open layout with several sofas for guests to lounge comfortably. It has a modern design with fun and warm vibes accentuated with playful decors that provide a relax ambiance.

Deluxe Queen Room

Our assigned room was in the 18th floor. It has a decent size which was enough for us to move around. The queen-size bed has a very comfortable mattress with fresh and clean sheets. There were plenty of drawers and a good size wardrobe cabinet that give extra storage space.

It’s heartwarming to arrive at your hotel room with complimentary welcome goodies alongside towel decors and a welcome note. These small gestures were highly appreciated.

Our room has an amazing sunset view.

Room Amenities & Cleanliness

The room was well kept. All necessary amenities that you can find in any luxury hotels were provided. Everything I need were all available inside our room and it saves me from calling and/or asking for what was missing. If there’s one thing that was missing that would be a bathroom scale. But for me, it’s not necessary. I don’t weigh myself anyway when I’m on vacation.

Speaking of cleanliness, I measure how clean a room is by checking the bathroom first. I’m very particular with molds in between the tiles, under the toilet rim and sink… I’m glad I did not see any. They changed the towels everyday and replenished toiletries regularly. Basically the cleanliness passed my standards.

Restaurants

The hotel has 2 restaurants, Bistro and Encima Roofdeck Restaurant. Bistro is their all-day dining restaurant. Both restaurants serve delicious food at your own convenience.

Breakfast

Buffet breakfast is served in Bistro daily. Without a doubt their breakfast spread was excellent. Why? We had 8 breakfasts during our entire stay and everyday they changed their food. What I loved the most was you have the option of ordering bacon, danggit, tuyo and poached eggs aside from the breakfast selection you can find on the spread.

In Bistro you can order food anytime of the day or call them for room service. They have a good selection of menu at a very reasonable price. We tried some of their offerings and it was decent enough to satisfy a hungry stomach. The serving was big and the taste wasn’t bad at all.

Encima Roofdeck Restaurant

Located at the hotel rooftop, Encima is a perfect place to unwind after a long day. Where you can grab some drinks and enjoy amazing views. They also offer delicious Tex-Mex dishes and other specialties. Don’t forget to try out their Nachos and Churros.

Uninterrupted view from Encima Roofdeck Restaurant

Swimming Pool, Gym & Spa

During our stay we were able to enjoy the swimming pool and the spa. The spa services and prices can be found at your room. You may call the reception to book your massage appointment.

The massage and other spa services are very affordable. However the only thing I don’t like was they don’t have form for clients to fill-up. It would be nice if they will ask first what the clients prefer and if they have any health restrictions. Frankly I did not like the whole body massage I experienced. The therapist did not ask how much pressure I would like, she directly pressed on my back so hard that I let out a scream because it was painful. The following day I noticed some bruises on my arms.

Location & Service

The location is excellent. It is right at the center of everything and walking distance to the malls, shops, bars, cafes, restaurants and a lot more. I have nothing negative to say when it comes to service. All their staff were very friendly and ready to assist you all the time.

Value for Money

Price does matter especially for longer stays. That is why we were happy to find this hotel. I can definitely say that we got our money’s worth while enjoying comfort and exceptional service at the same time.

Overall, my husband and I had amazing time at City Garden Hotel Makati. We commend all the staff who took care of us during our stay. Hopefully we’ll get the chance to stay here again in the future.

Note: This is NOT a sponsored post. Although some complimentary perks were given. Thoughts and opinions are completely mine and were based on our recent stay at the hotel.

❤ Follow Me

Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

Encima Roofdeck Restaurant: Treat For Kings

June 11, 2018

Father’s Day is just around the corner. Where will you be treating your amazing dads? Did you know Encima Roofdeck Restaurant (City Garden Hotel Makati) made a special treat that is perfect for every hardworking Dad? After all every father deserves a royal treatment.

Yes that is true. Before they officially launched their Father’s Day Special yesterday, we were able to sample their offerings. For only 799 Php, every Dad will enjoy a choice of Kingsize Nacho or Kingsize Burger paired with a Kingsize Draft Beer.

Kingsize Nachos

The huge platter of Crispy Nachos smothered with meaty and cheesy salsa dip was truly delightful. It can be shared by four people.

Kingsize Nachos & Kingsize Draft Beer for only 799 Php

Kingsize Burger with Tortilla Crown

This humongous burger together with spicy french fries can be shared by two people.

The anatomy of the Kingsize Burger: Bacon, pickles, egg, tomatoes, perfectly char-grilled beef patty and fresh lettuce stack inside a soft house baked bread bun.

Aside from their Father’s Day Special, Encima Roofdeck Restaurant has a good selection of Tex-Mex specialties to choose from. You may order other dishes such as Burritos, Tacos, Fajitas, Quesadillas and a lot more.

Chicken Burritos – 350 Php

Churros with trio dip (grated ripe mangoes, spiced chocolate & dulce de leche) – 230 Php

Everything we tried was delicious and satisfying, however as a sweet tooth I loved the Churros so much. It was just perfect for me, crispy outside and soft inside paired with your choice of dip… ah it is to die for. It’s a must-try if you happen to dine at Encima.

This Father’s Day Special will only be available from June 10 to June 24. Hopefully you can check it out before it ends.

You can find the restaurant at the roof-deck area in City Garden Hotel Manila which is located at 7870 Makati Avenue corner Durban St.,Poblacion Makati City, Philippines 1210

Below are promos and offers you will enjoy at Encima Roofdeck Restaurant. You may check their website and follow their Instagram account for more information and updates for their upcoming promos.

View this post on Instagram

Note: This post was written in collaboration with City Garden Hotel Makati, however thoughts and opinions are mine.

❤ Follow Me Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

Atlantis The Palm: AquaVenture Water Park

May 17, 2018

You don’t need to stay in Atlantis The Palm to enjoy AquaVenture. The water park is open to non-hotel guests too. Park tickets can be bought at the water park entrance or online. It costs approximately $75 USD per person. Please take note that the price doesn’t include food & drinks, locker rental and towels.

To be honest it is quite expensive for me and probably I wouldn’t shell out such amount for a water park visit. Thankfully we are blessed of having generous friends in Dubai who sponsored our AquaVenture tickets. Derick and I are not into water activities. But since we got the chance to experience it, we definitely don’t want to miss the fun.

What are the things you will enjoy inside the Water Park?

Once inside, you can have unlimited access to all water slides and river rides. The are various activities in the park that everyone can enjoy whether you’re into family friendly or adrenaline pumping adventures. Whatever you choose, I’m sure you will have fun.

THE BEACH

AquaVenture Beach is a long stretch of white sand beach. You can bask under the sun with an amazing view of turquoise water and a city view at the backdrop. The are plenty of sun loungers where you can spend some time to relax.

SPLASHERS KIDS PLAY AREA

Little tots also have their own area to enjoy at the water park. This area has mini slides which is safe for children. There are also many life guards working round the clock to ensure the safety of the kids.

RIVER RIDES

The river rides has several zones where you can enjoy rapids and torrents. Approximately it will take you about an hour or less to navigate the river course. Derick and I spent most of our time enjoying the rapids again and again.

WATER SLIDES

The Tower of Poseidon

Derick and I tried several of their water slides. I never thought that we’ll have so much fun with the water slides, especially the Zoomerango. It’s definitely a must-try slide. Anybody who does this slide will surely have a blast.

The Leap of Faith

No we didn’t try the Leap of Faith. I don’t have the guts to do it. Just the thought of it makes me throw-up.

DOLPHIN BAY

Dolphin Bay and Sea Lions Point are not included in the AquaVenture ticket. If you’re interested of having a close encounter with the Dolphins and Sea Lions you must book it in advance to secure a schedule. Of course, it has a separate charge per person.

RESTAURANTS & FOOD KIOSK

The water park has several restaurants and kiosk where you can grab some food and beverages. There’s even a Starbucks inside the park. Private cabanas, towel & locker rental are also available. Go-Pro or underwater cameras are also available for rentals as well.

Derick and I had a worthwhile experience at the AquaVenture water park. The only regret we had was that we didn’t have our own underwater camera. It would have been nice if we were able to record our amazing moments at the park. Nevertheless we definitely had a blast.

Photo Diary: 24 Hours In Amsterdam, Netherlands

May 3, 2018

Cheese, wooden clogs, windmills, bikes, plain fields, farms and a lot more… all of it I remember vividly as we explored Amsterdam. It was the summer of 2015 when Derick and I joined the Expat Explore’s Europe Escape tour. One of the countries we visited was the Netherlands.

As I was organizing pictures from our 2015 travels, I just realized that I haven’t yet shared our travel experience in Amsterdam. I can’t believe it’s more than 2 years ago already. Time flew by so fast. Having said that, it prompted me to write this blog. At the same time this is my way of reminding myself of the things we did during the trip and to be inspired to visit Holland again.

If you are interested to know how we spent our 24 hours in Amsterdam, then keep on reading. 24 hours may seem very short but actually we got to tick a lot of things from our to-do list.

Photo Stop at a Traditional Windmill

Derick and I beaming with our sunny smiles even if it’s gloomy.

It was a gloomy day. Thick dark clouds covered the skies. It was chilly and slightly windy. Our first stop was at an old traditional windmill. The windmill is no longer in operation and is currently being used as a residence of the owner. Because the windmill is still in perfect form many tour buses come by and stop for picture taking. Oh well, as they say “you have never been to Netherlands if you haven’t seen an iconic traditional windmills”.

Visit to Clara Maria Farm (Cheese and Clog Factory)

Right after our photo stop at the windmill, our tour bus went straight to a cheese and clog factory. Along the way are vast greeneries and farm with cows and horses grazing. Some horses we saw were wearing a dress even if it’s summer.

Our tour in the farm included a short demonstration on how wooden clogs are made and how local cheese are processed. The couple who owned the farm was very enthusiastic in introducing there local products. At the same time they were able to inform us on how to correctly process different kinds of cheese and the proper way of making wooden clogs.

Before we left the farm, I got the chance to feed the cows who gave milk to produce delicious cheese that I bought from their shop. It was really a fun experience.

Walking City Tour

The IAmSterdam sign was packed with people during our visit. Perhaps it is a good idea to come here early in the morning so you can have the whole place to yourself.

Our walking tour included a visit to the “Red Light District” however Derick and I decided against it since it doesn’t interests us. Instead we separated from the group and explored the city on our own.

Exploring the city on our own gave us the flexibility to discover new places and do things at our own pace. Even for a short period of time Derick and I enjoyed strolling and at the same time admire the beautiful sights of the city. We also did some souvenir shopping.

Canal Cruise

A canal cruise is another exciting option to see the city through the waterways. Our cruise lasted for about an hour passing through Amsterdam’s historical landmarks including Anne Frank’s house.

Together with our fellow Expat Explorers

What We Ate?

Complimentary olives as out starter.

I got 1 box of Hawaiian pizza all for myself.

I know it’s kind of funny but please don’t judge us. If we only had the choice we could have opted to try their local food. Unfortunately only pizza and ice cream were readily available for us in the boat during our canal cruise. Since everyone were hungry already, we didn’t complain anymore. The pizza was tasty. It wasn’t bad at all.

Where We Stayed?

Our tour agency was the one who booked all our accommodation during the tour. Our hotel in Amsterdam was the Hamptom by Hilton. It’s Amsterdam’s airport hotel which means it’s very close to the Schiphol International Airport.

The hotel has a modern design with aesthetically pleasing ambiance which I personally like. It is also equipped with complete room amenities and essentials for all types of travelers. A Restaurant, a bar, a business center and meeting rooms are also available.

Our room has a decent size and very clean. Complimentary bottled water, coffee and tea were provided. Our beds were very comfortable, although it would be nice if we were given a queen bed.

Bar and restaurant

Business Center

Lounge Area

I’m glad we had this hotel as our last accommodation in the tour. Comfort is always my main priority when traveling and Hampton Hotel gave us an amazing experience.

Finally, Amsterdam is such a beautiful city and given the opportunity we would definitely love to explore more including other cities in Netherlands. Hopefully we will have that opportunity soon.

❤ Follow Me

Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

Dubai Parks & Resorts: A Day Visit At MOTIONGATE

April 26, 2018

If you regularly read my blog, you know that Derick and I are avid fans of theme parks. During our most recent travel in the United Arab Emirates (Abu Dhabi & Dubai), we did not miss the opportunity to experience UAE’s amazing theme parks. After our Ferrari World Abu Dhabi visit (read A Day At Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, UAE), Derick and I had a blast at Motionagate – Dubai Parks.

Dubai Parks and Resorts is one of the newest attractions in the city. It is a complex of theme parks that consist of Riverland, Bollywood, Legoland, Legoland Water Park, Motiongate and the Lapita Hotel.

Dubai Parks and Resorts is located in Sheikh Zayed Road, Opposite Palm Jebel Ali. Please take note that the park is quite far from the Dubai City Center and getting there might be a little bit tricky if you don’t know how. There are available FREE Shuttle Buses that transport guests in some designated locations. Kindly check HERE for the shuttle bus schedules or you may visit their website for more details.

RIVERLAND

Riverland is a themed dining and shopping destination. It houses various restaurants and shops that can be found in its four zones – The French Village, Boardwalk, India Gate and The Peninsula. Each zone is accessible to everyone and no tickets are required.

BOLLYWOOD

India Gate

Bollywood Parks showcased India’s famous sights and landmarks. It has five sections; the Bollywood Boulevard, Mumbai Chowk, Rustic Ravine, Royal Plaza and Bollywood Film Studios.

LEGOLAND & LEGOLAND WATERPARK

Legoland and Legoland Waterpark is ideal for families with young children.

Since Dubai Parks is an integrated themed park and is also quite huge, it would be ideal to stay at Lapita Hotel (which is their park resort accommodation) for a couple of days to enjoy the parks fully.

As first timers we don’t know what to expect yet, so we decided to explore Motiongate only. Which was a good idea because we only had limited time in Dubai.

MOTIONGATE

Studio Central

Motiongate is also divided into zones which consist of Studio Central, Dreamworks, Lionsgate, Columbia Pictures, and the Smurf Village.

Dreamworks is my favorite of all the zones in Motiongate because most of my favorite cartoon movies are all in one roof: Kung Fu Panda, Madagascar, How To Train Your Dragon and Shrek.

Meeting with Po for the second time. Now, we are like best friends.

My favorite dragon, Toothless. Experience riding with dragons.

Join the animals of Madagascar and enjoy a roller coaster adrenaline rush.

Explore the world of Shrek

Columbia Pictures

Hotel Transylvania

Ghost Busters

Smurf Village

WHERE TO EAT?

Mr. Ping’s Noodle Shop

There are many restaurants inside the park to choose from however noodles and dumplings are our go to dishes. Po (of Kung Fu Panda) has always been proud to say that his dad’s (Mr. Ping) noodles are the best. We were curious if it’s true. Because of this we tried out Mr. Ping’s Noodle Shop located inside the Kung Fu Panda section of Motiongate. The food was indeed delicious. The only downside is that the serving was small. Nevertheless, we very much enjoyed our dumplings and noodles at Mr. Ping’s.

Having been to Movie World, Universal Studios and Disneyland – I can safely say that Motiongate is very much at par with other famous theme parks. Parks like this are meant for families with little kids and adults who are young at heart. If you are not a fan then you might not be impressed. But if you want to be part of your favorite cartoon movies and experience riding your own dragon, taking part of Po’s adventure, explore Shrek’s lair and get that adrenaline rush with the animals of Madagascar, then surely you will enjoy Motiongate as much as we did.

Are you a fan of theme parks? What’s your favorite park? Share it with me in the comment section below because I would love to read your experience.

❤ Follow Me

Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

recent posts

about

Share this:

Cairo: A Grand Introduction to Egypt

Aswan: Temples and Tranquility

Abu Simbel: A Majestic Marvel

Luxor: The World’s Greatest Open-Air Museum

Hurghada: A Relaxing Finale

Final Thoughts

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Batumi Beach

Stroll Along The Boulevard

Ali and Nino

Watch The Sunset and Dinner

Europe Square

Piazza Square

Gonio Fortress and Archaeological Museum

Batumi Botanical Garden

Share this:

Share this:

Witness the beautiful garden landscapes

Check out the lovely flower collections

Instagram Perfect

Meet the birds at the Mini Aviary

Have a glimpse of Butterfly World

Check the Mini Strawberry Farm and Plant Nursery

Enjoy rides and other fun attractions

Try different goodies from the Food Court

Watch out for the fireworks display

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Ananuri Fortress Complex

Gudauri Ski Resort

Russia-Georgia Friendship Monument

Gergeti Trinity Church – Stepantsminda

Side Story

Share this:

Other things to do in Yanbu

Share this:

Share this:

Zvartnots Temple

Noravank Monastery

Khor Virap Monastery

Temple of Garni

Geghard Cave Monastery

Sevanavank Monastery

Hagphat Monastery

Share this:

Share this:

Winter Break In United Arab Emirates

Yearly Summer Vacation in the Philippines

Wedding Anniversary Celebration in Mauritius

First Time In Armenia

Summer Getaway in Georgia

Winter Wanderlust In Turkey

Share this:

Khor Virap Monastery

Noravank Monastery

Wine Tasting at Areni Winery

Share this:

Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral