RSSNov|11|2008
Honoring Veterans In Overseas Cemeteries
Posted by Noemi as Around The World, Destinations, United States
In many parts of the world, November 11 is celebrated to commemorate the end of World War I. In the United States, November 11 is called Veterans Day, in honor of the people who fought valiantly so many decades ago. In parts of Europe, it is called Armistice Day. Whatever you may call it, the day holds much significance. Perhaps this generation does not fully comprehend the meaning of the day but those who pay attention to history would recognize that we owe those veterans the freedom that we enjoy today.
I believe that we should not forget what they did and, taking things one step further, actually engage in activities that will keep their memory alive. One thing that you can do is to visit the American cemeteries that are found in various parts of …
Nov|09|2008
Iceland: Best Bang For Your Buck
Posted by Noemi as Around The World, Backpacking & Budget, Europe
Every one has been going on about the devaluation of the US dollar (among many other currencies) in the past months. One currency that has suffered a major blow recently is the Icelandic krona. I don’t know if you have been following economic news from other parts of the world but Iceland recently filed for bankruptcy! I know – I was thinking the same thing when I heard of it: how can a country file for bankruptcy? But apparently, it happened to Iceland and now they are doing everything they can to get back on their feet.
What this means for people from other countries is that it is a very good time to go Iceland. And if you feel bad because it may seem that you are being opportunistic, don’t. Even the government …
Nov|08|2008
The Sony World Photography Awards
Posted by Noemi as Adventure, Around The World, Awards, Events, Festivals, Nature
Do you have extraordinary photography skills? Do you have a passion for the environment – rain forests in general? If so, then you would want to know about The Sony World Photography Awards, which is going to be held from the 15th of April to the 19th of the same month in 2009. The main awards ceremony will be held on the 16th of April in Cannes, France.
What do you need to know in order to join the contest? Well, the organizers are looking for the best photos that will fit the two themes:
1. What the rainforest means to you – its splendour, animals and plants,
destruction and loss.
2. The enjoyment you get out of the forests where you live and the direct and indirect effects of deforestation on your life.
Though you may not be the …
Nov|05|2008
Where To? (During A Recession)
Posted by Noemi as Around The World, Tips
Recession – this word has been used over and over again this past year. Though it may have been the most used word recently, it does not really mean much until you actually feel the effects yourself and I have to say that in the past few months, I have been experiencing my own financial recession. I don’t know about you, but this means cutting back for me. Still, as I wrote in my previous posts, this does not mean that you have to totally forego traveling.
Bryan Walsh over at Time has a very useful write up about some places that you can go to despite the recession. I was actually surprised as I was reading his article as I thought that the dollar was quite useless in many foreign destinations. Apparently, I was wrong. …
Oct|04|2008
Rocking The Daisies
Posted by Noemi as Air Travel, Around The World, Backpacking & Budget, Festivals
First off, I’d like to apologize for posting this a little bit late – as I write, the festival is well under way. Still, there is one more day to go and if you have the means to do so, you might want to go and experience Rocking the Daisies. I got wind of the event from Backpackers.com:
Rocking the Daisies is an eco-friendly music and lifestyle festival taking place in Darling, a small town in the be-flowered Cape West Coast area.
Spring time in the Cape is a sight to see… The spectacular displays of the Western Cape’s floral kingdom are quite something to behold.
Not only does this relatively new (but very popular) festival offer some of the very best local talent, as well as an international guest star, Eagle Eye Cherry, it’s also one of the …
Sep|30|2008
53 Places To Go In 2008 According To The NY Times (Part 2)
Posted by Noemi as Around The World, Destinations
I can’t help it – I just have to share some more destinations. To be honest, I had to keep going through the article over and over again trying to figure out which are the most viable destinations for the next few months. It is hard!
Lombok
Lombok, a low-key Indonesian island east of Bali, is coming out of the shadows. With Bali oversaturated with villas and designer restaurants, tourists are hopping on short flights to find less-crowded beaches, a bigger volcano and better surfing. It’s also cheaper — not that visitors are slumming it. There’s already an Oberoi (www.oberoilombok.com), and other high-end hotels are on the way.
Indonesia is more known for Bali, I think but I heard about Lombok from a guy we met on vacation last May. He is Spanish but he lives in Indonesia …
Sep|28|2008
53 Places To Go In 2008 According To The NY Times
Posted by Noemi as Around The World, Destinations
I can’t believe that I only stumbled upon this article now! This year is almost over and I am only starting to read “53 Places To Go In 2008.” Oh well, better late than never, right? And it is not as if I would have had the means to visit ALL 53 places in a year anyway! You can read about all of the places on your own – the list will not fit in a single blog post – but let me pick out some of the ones that I am really interested in.
Laos
Vietnam and Cambodia are so 2007. Now, Laos is shaping up to be Indochina’s next hot spot. Ancient sites like the Wat Phou temple complex and the capital city of Vientiane are drawing culture seekers. Luxury teak houseboats are cruising down …
Sep|04|2008
New Destination For Foodies: Tokyo
Posted by Noemi as Announcements, Around The World, Asia, Destinations, Food and Drink
It used to be that when one wanted to go to the premier destination for food, it was Paris that came to mind first. These days, it seems that there is a new culinary capital – at least according to the experts. The attention of Michelin, arguably the foodie’s guide to the best, was placed on Tokyo and they came up with a Michelin guide. What did it contain? Nothing but praise for this foodie’s haven, where even the ones on a budget could satisfy their palates with tons of great food.
MSN reports:
Here’s a Michelin morsel:
“Tokyo is a shining star in the world of cuisine,” Michelin Guides Director Jean-Luc Naret said shortly after its Tokyo edition came out last November. “We found the city’s restaurants to be excellent, featuring the best ingredients, culinary …
Jul|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 don’t know if a lot of people would be attracted to this idea – especially those from the West who may have an adverse reaction to these critters. Personally, …
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 condom with coffee, instead of an after-dinner mint.”
I have actually eaten at this restaurant and it is quite beautiful I have to say. They have great Thai food and …
