Visiting Valencia.

Valencia, Spain

Valencia, Spain is well-known for its Fallas Festival

Map of Valencia

What to do in Valencia?

Playa de Malvarossa

Take a drive to Playa de Malvarossa, the famous city beach in Valencia for a dip and sunbathe on its white sandy beach. Then head for the future with a visit to The City of Arts and Sciences. Designed by the famous Spanish architect, Santiago Calatrava, this impressive futuristic education complex also houses Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia which is one of the most prestigious opera halls in Europe.

Plaza de Ayuntamiento

Next, revisit the past at Plaza de Ayuntamiento which showcases stunning Valencian architecture that dates back to the 16th century. To understand Valencia's famous Fallas Festival, visit Museum of Las Fallas and check out the history and collection of ninots (figurines of a falla) from the last 80 years.

What to eat and where to stay in Valencia?
You have to try the Valencian cuisine such as paella, fideua and arroz al horno. One of the best places to go that's affordable is Santa Barbara Restaurant. As for accomodation, you can get a decent comfortable budget stay at Home Backers hostel.

How to get to Valencia?
Fly directly to Valencia with Lufthansa.

Visiting Ulaanbaatar.

Ulaanbaatar

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia is a historical city that is a unique blend of modern and traditional.

Map of Ulaanbaatar

What to do in Ulaanbaatar?

Terelj National Park

Rent a jeep and a driver and head out to Terelj National Park to check out Turtle Rock which is an interesting rock formation that looks like a turtle. Then go horseback riding across the picturesque steppe.

Gandan

In the city, visit Mongolia's most significant monastery known as Gandan that has a 26 meters tall statue decorated with jewels called Migjid Janraisig. History lovers would enjoy the different museums found in Ulaanbaatar such as Natural History Museum, Museum of National History, Zanabazar Fine Arts Museum and Bodg Khan Palace Museum. View the city at Zaisan Hill that has the famous Soviet mural and then make a stop at Sukhbaatar Square for cultural performances at the National Academic Drama Theater and Cultural Palace.

What to eat and where to stay in Ulaanbaatar?
For a taste of horse steak, goat sausages and other local cuisine, visit Modern Nomads Restaurant. As for the accommadation, sleep in a twin room at Zaya's Hostel.

How to get to Ulaanbaatar?
Travel to Ulaanbaatar by air via transit in Beijing on Air China

World's Strangest Places.

There are many great places to visit here on planet Earth. We long to visit the world's tallest building or even the world's biggest stadium but have we ever thought about visiting the strange placest on Earth? Some of these places are so strange that you wouldn't believe they are actually located here on Earth!

Great Blue Hole of Belize


The Great Blue Hole is located in the Light House Reef approximately halfway between Long Caye and Sandbore Caye. It is about 60 miles east from the mainland of Belize. The diameter of The Great Blue Hole is approximately 1000 feet and it is 480 feet deep! The Blue Holes are deep circular cavities that are entrances to some cave networks. Divers have reported a number of aquatic creatures that are still new to science. Videos that were recorded showed chambers filled with stalactites and stalagmites which will only form in dry caves. There is proof that nearly 65000 years ago, when the world is facing its last major ice age, the sea level of the Bahamas was up to 150 meters lower than the current level. As time passes by, the limestone of the islands was eroded by sea water and large cave networks were created. And when the sea levels increased again about 10000 years ago, some of the cave networks collapsed inwards and the Great Blue Hole was formed! The Great Blue Hole is a great spot for diving as there are various species of aquatic creatures and it is also an amazing geographical phenomena.

Suqatra Island, Yemen

Dragon's Beard Tree

Desert Rose (Elephant's Leg Tree)

The beautiful little island, Soqatra is located off the coast of Yemen in the Middle East. As it is isolated from the rest of the world, its plants have evolved into many bizarre and weird shapes and forms that are unknown in other parts of the world. One of the most famous plants on this island is the Dragon's Blood Tree whereby the sap of the tree is used to make crystals that can be used as a dye or as an alleged aphrodisiac. Besides that, the Desert Rose or also known as Elephant's Leg Tree is also one of the famous plants on this island. Suqatra Island is becoming more known to the world and has attracted many tourists.

Hell's Door, Turkmenistan


In 1971, a team of Soviet prospectors allegedly drilled into a large chamber filled with natural gas located in the village of Darvaza, Kara-Kum desert of Turkmenistan. The roof of the cavern collapsed leaving a crater-like hole about 25 meters deep with a diameter of approximately 60-70 meters. The natural gases rised into the crater from deeper sources and the gases have burned continuously and the locals named it "The Gate to Hell". There are some sources that claim that it is a natural phenomenon. It is most impressive at night and the glow from its flames can be seen miles away. The heat is so intense that it is only possible to stay near the edge for a few minutes!

Bear Lake Aurora, Alaska



Bear Lake is located in Fairbanks North Star in the American state of Alaska. When you are here in this lake, you can witness the incredible celestial display known as Northern Light or the Aurora Borealis which means Dawn Winds. Legend says that the lights were caused by Aurora, the Roman Goddess of the Dawn who flew across the night sky to foretell the rising of the Sun. Most legends refer to the dance of lights while the Vikings believed that they were Valkyrie taking the souls of dead warriors to Valhalla. On the other hand, scientists believed that they are caused by solar winds as they collide with the Earth's magnetic field.

Pamukkale, Turkey


The strange yet beautiful terraced pools of Pamukkale is located 20 kilometers from the town of Denizili. It has existed for over two millennia but yet it still remain a little known to the world. Thousands of years ago, earthquakes which are common in Turkey created fractures that caused hot springs to bring water rich in calcium carbonate to the surface. As the water evaporates, the chalky material condenses and forms layer-upon-layer of Travertine and therefore walls were built up over time. Pamukkale means Castle of Cotton while the Greco-Romans who built a town above it called Heirapolis means Holy City or Sacred City. The Greco-Romans recognized this place as a rare and important place providing healing powers to the milky white waters.

So what are you waiting for? Go explore these places and have the time of your life! :)

Visiting Alexandria.

Alexandria at night

A sketch of the Lighthouse of Alexandria

Alexandria, Egypt is the place where once stood the Lighthouse of Alexandria which is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Map of Alaxendria

What to do in Alexandria?

Alexandria National Museum

Start with the splendid Alexandria National Museum where it houses about 1800 artifacts from the Pharaonic era to Roman, Coptic and Islamic eras.

Catacombs of Komash-Shuqqafa

Next, venture into the Catacombs of Komash-Shuqqafa. Besides the 300 over tombs laid out in this underground network, it's the mixture of Pharaonic and Roman art on its walls, statues and tombs that will mesmerise you. Escape from the heat by diving into the Abu Keer Gulf for a look underwater cities dating back to 300 BC!

Fort Qaitbey

Enjoy the scenic view of the Mediterranean Sea and Alexendria at Fort Qaitbey which is built on the remnants of the Lighthouse of Alexandria.

What to eat and where to stay in Alexandria?
Dine in at Egyptian eatery Al-Shark for Egyptian baked macaroni, fatta with mutton and grilled kebab. As for lodging, you can spend the night at Windsor Palace Hotel.

How to get there?
Fly to Cairo first and then take the superfast Turbotrains to Alexandria.

Lost In The Woods

You realized that you have been circling around the woods and finally realized that you've lost your way! What should you do? Here are some tips for you.

Assess the situation
Stay put and try to remember where you came from before backtracking. If that doesn't work, check if you have enough food to keep you going. Then look at the sky, if it's grey or notice that night is approaching, you should seek a shelter immediately!

Get noticed
There are two ways to be noticed:
A) Universal distress call always comes in three - three shouts or three whistle blows, so do this periodically
B) Build a smoky fire in the day using lots of slightly damp leaves or make a bright fire at night at an open space. Be careful not to start a forest fire!

Find your bearing

Even with no compass, you can still have a rough idea of where you're heading as the sun always rises in the east and sets in the west. If you wear an analogue wristwatch, you can use it as a compass. Go to www.world-time-zones.org to learn how.

Mark your path
This way, you will know whether you're going around in circles. So gather a pile of stones, branches or leaves along the way in your trail. This will also help a search team to easily track you once they notice the pile.

Beat Jet Lag!

Have you ever been in this situation where you arrive at your holiday destination and can't wait to explore the city but you're feeling way too tired once jet lag sinks in? Here are some tips on how you can trick your biological clock:

A. Before leaving:

1. Reset your internal clock


Go to bed a little earlier or a little later (depending on your destination and time difference) several days before to adjust your sleeping time.

2. Pack ahead


Avoid packing at the last minute. You don't need the unnecessary stress that can disrupt your sleep!

B. When travelling on long-haul flights:

1. Avoid alcohol and caffeine


These two are diuretics and dehydration is known to aggravate jet lag.

2. Breathe in fresh air
Try to get fresh air if there's a stopover. The re-circulated cabin stale air can cause headache or fatigue.

3. Get some sleep or exercise


Get some rest or try doing in-flight exercises where you can find them in the in-flight magazine.

C. After arriving at your destination:

1. Stay out of the hotel room
After checking in, don't take a snooze. It will make adjusting to local time harder!

2. Avoid heavy meals
To not feel lethargic, eat just enough to power you through till bedtime.

Go sightseeing under the sun


Natural light effectively helps your body adjust to a new time zone.

Vacation - The Hollywood Style!

Plan a trip to these places where movies were shot there. You'll definitely have something extra to boast about when you return from these vacation spots made famous by Hollywood flicks!

Kauai, Hawaii (Made famous by Avatar)

Avatar

Wailua Falls of Kauai, Hawaii

Although it is slightly less digitally enhanced, this place is still one of the most mesmerising islands and it is filled with beautiful botanical scenery and aquamarine sea. Kauai is nicknamed the Garden Isle and hence you will not be disappointed unless you are looking for some Na'vi inhabitants here!

Salzburg, Austria (Made famous by The Sound of Music)

The Sound of Music

Salzburg, Austria

Stand in awe and admire the castles and beautiful heritage buildings when you are in Salzburg. Make your way to the hill and twirl around and sing your heart out just like what Julie Andrews did in the first scene of The Sound of Music

Skiathos, Greece (Made famous by Mamma Mia!)

Mamma Mia!

Skiathos Town, Greece

If twirling around the Salzburg hill is not enough, fly over to Skiathos instead. You'll be able to twirl and sing around this island just like what Meryl Streep did in Mamma Mia! Some of the famous spots on this beautiful island include the Old Port and St. Nikolaos Bell Tower.

Koh Phi Phi Leh, Thailand (Made famous by The Beach)

The Beach

Koh Phi Phi Leh, Thailand

Take a short boat ride from Krabi or Phuket and you'll arrive at this astouding beach. Enjoy the scenic beach and splash in the waves of Maya Beach where Leonardo DiCaprio himself once swam!

New Zealand (Made famous by Lord of the Rings)

The Lord of the Rings

New Zealand

The rolling hills of Matamata was "Hobbition" - home of Bilbo and Frodo while the Southern Alps and the South Island glaciers were the "Misty Mountains" - where Gollum hid with the ring for 500 years! Even if you weren't a big fan of Lord of the Rings, this remarkable view will make you watch the movie over and over again!