RSSJul|18|2008
Unique Vacations (Last Installment)
Posted by Noemi as Adventure, Around The World
I was planning on writing about something else for this post but when I read the article on unique vacations over at Ottawa Citizen again, I knew that I had to write one more post about some of the most unique places you can visit for a vacation. Here goes.
Cockroach Races — Brisbane, Australia
Each Australia Day, Brisbane’s Story Bridge Hotel encourages visitors to “BYO Roach” for its creepy-crawly cockroach races.
“The bagpipers led the sponsor girls onto the racing surface (a bit like a boxing bout) along with the cockroaches, where the MC read the contestants’ names to the crowd. The names were very creative and can’t be repeated here.”
I …
Jul|16|2008
More Unique Vacations
Posted by Noemi as Adventure, Around The World, Destinations, Food and Drink
If you thought the first two places I mentioned in the previous post are strange, then think again! Here are several more unique places to visit for your vacation. (Thanks again to the Ottawa Citizen).
Cabbages and Condoms Restaurant — Bangkok, Thailand
The restaurant’s name raises eyebrows, but it’s all for a good cause.
“Don’t be misled by the restaurant’s odd name or put off by the array of contraceptive devices for sale. This very popular place raises funds for the Population & Community Development Association, the country’s family-planning program. The complex is a restaurant, bar, Internet cafe, massage shop, and gift shop all rolled into one. All diners get a …
Jul|10|2008
Unique Vacations
Posted by Noemi as Adventure, Around The World, Destinations, Festivals, Food and Drink
Are you tired of the “regular” vacations that you always have? Don’t get me wrong, I really love going to beach and become a normal beach bum for a week. I’d also love to go to the mountains and relax like any other person. Sometimes, though, I get this hankering to do something weird. Aside from the experience itself, you get to have unique stories to tell your friends. I read this article at the Ottawa Citizen which details some of the most unique vacations that you can have. Let’s take a look at them.
The Great Whipped Cream Battle — Olomouc, Czech Republic
Fluff …
Jun|22|2008
Tourist Stereotypes: The Ugly American (Part 2)
Posted by Noemi as Around The World, Tips
Here are more things that you can do to avoid being labeled with the “Ugly American” tag.
Be sensitive to the differences between cultures
Just because you are used to one thing and you observe differences in the country of your destination does not mean that the differences are wrong. When you plan to visit another country, ready your mindset so that you will be more open to new things. This is especially true if you are visiting countries in the East. Put yourself in the shoes of a different person. From religious beliefs to eating practices – you should be ready to deal with these and not make a big deal out of them.
Do your share of …
Jun|21|2008
Tourist Stereotypes: The Ugly American
Posted by Noemi as Around The World, Tips
We have to admit, not everyone in the whole world loves Americans. It’s either because they have reason not to or that they have stereotypes in mind. I tend to believe that a lot of it is due to stereotypes. Naturally, when we visit a foreign country, we want to have as much fun as we can, without the stereotype of the “ugly American” getting in the way. Here are some tips to help you do just that.
Learn the basics of the language
Contrary to popular belief, not everyone knows how to speak English. Even in major cities in other countries, there are a lot of locals …
May|31|2008
Update on the Singapore F1 Night Race
Posted by Noemi as Around The World, Asia, Cities, Destinations, Festivals, Historical, Travelogger
The date of the race is fast approaching and even if it is still several months away, it seems that anyone planning on going to Singapore that weekend should be prepared to pay a hefty price. I did not buy tickets – for the plane, hotel, and race – last month when I first posted an entry on the night race because I was not sure if my finances could handle it. Now that September is looming nearer, I decided to check out the prices yet again to see if something could be done.
I shouldn’t have been surprised, really. As with any other event, the closer …
May|25|2008
Wake Up In A Different European City Everyday…
Posted by Noemi as Around The World, Cruises, Europe, Transport
Doesn’t that sound like a dream? I would surely want to have this experience at least once in my life. Well, alright, maybe more than once. Yet is it even possible? You bet! The only thing that I see that is hindering me (and many others, perhaps) from living this dream is the cost. Then again, that’s what savings are for. We just have to set this goal and start saving our way to a European cruise.
I actually saw this ad in Yahoo Travel for Norwegian Cruise Line and what they call “freestyle cruising.” So what is this all about?
The idea of …
May|18|2008
Weekend Trip To Niagara Falls
Posted by Noemi as Americas, Around The World, Destinations, Family
Though it is not quite the time to go on vacation yet, who is to hinder you from taking a quick trip this month? Personally, I like taking short trips every now and then in order to get away from the stresses of every day life. This benefits everyone in the family and gives each member a boost of energy to get them going.
One destination that would be perfect for a weekend trip is the Niagara Falls. Of course, this would only be feasible if you live relatively near the area. Then again, if you have extra funds, you can always hop on a plane for the weekend …
May|13|2008
Tamaraw Beach, Puerto Galera – Ideal Beach For Families
Posted by Noemi as Around The World, Asia, Destinations, Family, Getaways, Islands, Nature, Resorts, Travelogger
We just came back from a short summer trip where we discovered a great beach for families. The resort is called Tamaraw Beach Resort and it can be found in the Puerto Galera, off the coast of Batangas in the Philippines. Puerto Galera used to be the destination for many beach lovers until it became overcrowded. That is why we were pleasantly surprised with what awaited us at Tamaraw Beach.
Their accommodations have been designed to suit family needs – the rooms are huge and can fit up to 6 people (at least our room did). They also have family apartments that can fit 10 …
Apr|20|2008
Last Skiing Trip For The Year
Posted by Noemi as Americas, Around The World, Destinations, Family, Nature, Resorts, Tips
For some families, hitting the slopes during the winter period is the best way of bonding together. There is nothing to compare to the adrenaline rush that one experiences going down the slopes and at night, warm, cozy rooms at the lodges are something to look forward to. For these families, the coming of spring could be a disappointment in this respect.
However, there is still a bit of time to sneak in a last skiing trip before the season ends for the year. Here are a few of the ski resorts that stay open till May.
Sunshine Village
Located near Banff in the Canadian Rockies, this ski resort stays open …
