Travelogger

Yoga In Ko Samui


The island of Koh Samui in Thailand is perhaps known more for its party atmosphere, large resorts, and action activites galore, but beneath the lively exterior are places where people can find some real mind and body relaxation – through yoga.

Whether you practice yoga at an advanced level, are just a beginner, or want to get your children to give it go, the island has what you need. Here are some worthwhile places to check out:

New Body and Mind Retreats

Located on Lipa Noi beach, this center offers yoga as well as a variety of health and rejuvenation treatments and activites such as meditation, breathing exercises, herbal cleansing, shiatsu massage, Thai herbal steams, dietary education, fasting, colonic irrigation, colon cleansing and other extensive workshops.

Yoga Thailand

This is the largest yoga center on the island, and one of …

Banyan Tree Ringha’s Lost Horizon


Like the Aman-junkies (devoted Aman resort followers who langorously troupe from one luxury Aman resort to another), Banyan-junkies are now flocking to the latest Banyan Tree hotel high up in the mountains of Yunnan, China which opened this month.

Amid a Tibetan-style atmosphere of meditative Buddhist temples, prayer flags and gorgeous mountain views, the hotel is located a gasping (literally) 10,500 feet above sea level in a beautiful part of Sothwestern China in between Tibet, Myanmar and China’s Sichuan province.

The rooms are massive and decorated rather somberly with dark woods and large splashes of Chinese red lacquer and quilted curtains teeming with Tibetan flavour. The smallest room of the hotel, the Tibetan suite sprawls at 2,200 square feet and all the other rooms of the hotel are likewise on two floors.

The bathrooms are equally grand and spa-like in size, with more lacquer and tubs so large that …

What Makes You Come Back?


Sunset at the beach

I just got back from my Easter beach trip, and people have been asking me where I went. Invariably, my answer was “where I belong.” They then wonder why, of all places, I keep coming back to this beach. I am not surprised.

The beach is just “okay.” The sand is not even white – it’s more of a beige-brown color. Neither is it fine. Once you get in the water, the pebbly ground can hurt your feet if they are overly sensitive. The waves are often strong. There is practically no night life to speak ok.

So why do I keep coming back to Tamaraw Beach Resort in Puerto Galera, Philippines? My answer is simple: I feel at home there. Every time I lay my …

Melt Your Blues Away In Japanese Gardens


japan-gardenSpring is here and perhaps the winter blues have come and gone for many of you. I do know, however, that there are still a lot of people yearning for a break from the drudgery of their daily lives. Well, if you are one of them and you want to have the ultimate relaxing experience, I have a suggestion for you: go to Japan and visit some of their gardens.

You might think it strange that I just suddenly came up with this idea. Truth be told, a friend of mine has just arrived from a trip to Japan and has been raving about the gardens. Apparently, there are countless gardens all throughout the country, and each one of them is a sight to behold.

Obviously, you might not be able to visit all of these gardens in …

North Cyprus: Your Mediterranean Paradise


bafra-beach-from-airThrough the years, I have come to the realization that I am very much partial to beaches. When planning a vacation, I would seek out a beautiful isolated beach. The wonderful thing about this is that there are so many of these in the world, and one destination that I have recently discovered is North Cyprus.

I am sure that the name is not unfamiliar to many of you. It is an island located at the northern part of Cyprus, shares the same name, but is an independent republic. It has so many things to offer the traveler, best of all its long stretches of sandy beaches.

Since the sun shines in this part of the world almost all year long, you can visit any time you want to. The beaches in North Cyprus are numerous, offering …

Go Local


Lots of people profess to love traveling but if you are like most people I know there are many nearby places that you sometimes wish you’ve visited but somehow seem to never get around to actually go to. This fact is quite sad since I believe that the first places we should see and get to appreciate are the ones nearest us, the places where and near where we live. I believe this because I think that…

1. If we are more aware of our immediate surroundings then we can be better citizens. Though very idealistic and vague it rings true (at least for me ^_^) since better awareness of the immediate surroundings, tourist spots or not, will make us appreciate the beauty of our neighbourhood/town/country as well as want to change the “not so beautiful” parts. This can affect our attitude towards the environment, traveling …

Luxurious Valentines Getaways


roses-for-valentines-day-thumbGot some cash to spare? Are you yearning to pamper yourself and your partner for Valentines? If so, take a look at some of these luxurious destinations that will surely make both of you happy on Valentines Day, courtesy of About.com.

JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa
Phoenix, Arizona
This resort and spa is one of the cheapest on my list – rates start at $600++ per night. Their Valentine offer is dubbed Escape to Romance and the package includes the following:
• Overnight stay for two
• Rosetta Ridge champagne, chocolate strawberries, or truffles and rose petals delivered upon arrival
• Couples massage
• Dinner for two at AAA Four-Diamond Ristorante Tuscany or the steakhouse
• Breakfast in bed
• 2 p.m. late check out

Inn of the Five Graces
New Mexico
Here’s a cheaper package for $500++. For this price, you can Paint the …

More from New Jersey


seaislecity
Heard about the wonderful beaches of New Jersey, well there’s more. New Jersey differs from most summer vacation spots due to an emphasis on family and the importance of being together. Need time out from the hustle and bustle of city life, give Sea Isle City a try and you’ll be amazed at what’s been hidden from most of us for so long.
Quiet and pristine beaches where you can wander along in peace. Love water, why not try the marina for some water sports. Golf, they have wonderful golf courses and much much more for the whole family. Most places claim to cater to the whole family but this is rarely the case. Here in Sea Isle City, we revolve around the family. From family businesses to time tested family recipes on our many restaurants. Sea Isle …

Florida’s Pride on the Gulf Coast


sunsetFlorida has long been known for it’s perfect tropical weather and breathtaking sunsets. This is why most of the world’s rich and famous prefer the area which is rich in unspoiled beauty along the sea where a beach is sure to be within reach all the time. One of the newest and hottest developments along the Gulf Coast is The Village of South Walton, one of the newest development projects in the whole of Florida. Florida hasn’t seem much development due to the sudden collapse of the sub-prime lending market, whose effects have been attributed to be one of the causes that led to the current recession. This being the case, more and more people are running out of options when it comes to vacation homes upon retirement with some of the best having fallen victim to the …

Why Travel For New Year’s Eve?