RSSApr|20|2011
North Cyprus: Your Mediterranean Paradise
Posted by Noemi as Destinations, Europe, Features, Getaways, Islands
Through 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 …
Dec|23|2010
Things To See And Do In Cuba
Posted by Noemi as Americas, Destinations, Features, Islands
With travel to Cuba in the horizon, many Americans are already looking forward to paying their neighbor a visit. If you are thinking of a possible visit to Cuba in the future, do you already have ideas as to what to see and do there? Here are some tips to get you started in your planning.
If there are two figures most attached to Cuba (aside from Fidel Castro), they are Che and Hemingway. Do as they did! Go to the Castillo de Farnes and have a beer or two, just as Che and Castro drank to the success of the revolution. You can also visit La Bodeguita del Medio, which was Hemingway’s old haunt.
Of course, you cannot miss out on a cigar experience when in Cuba. Visit various cigar factories and try your hand at …
Aug|20|2010
Yoga In Ko Samui
Posted by Zahir as Asia, Getaways, Health & Wellness, Islands, Nature, Spa
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:
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.
This is the largest yoga center on the island, and one of …
Comments Off
Apr|21|2010
Hang Up Your Hammock In Some Of The World’s Best Beaches
Posted by Noemi as Around The World, Destinations, Islands, Website
There is no denying it – I am a beach fanatic. It wasn’t always the case. It wasn’t till 2006 that I discovered my passion for the sun, the sand, and the water. Since then, however, I haven’t been able to control this passion. When I saw Lonely Planet’s list of the best beaches in the world to put up a hammock, I knew I had to put these places on my own list. Here are my most desired destinations in the list.
Jambiani, Tanzania
The Beach that Time Forgot – that’s how this area is described. The only drawback to this beach is that you cannot really swim as the tides are low. However, you can put up that hammock and be lazy all day.
Pulau Perhentian, Malaysia
Lonely Planet’s write up says “Except for snorkelling, …
Jan|05|2010
More Island Hopping In Caramoan
Posted by Noemi as Asia, Destinations, Features, Islands, Travelogger
Island hopping is the main reason one should go to Caramoan. I was really quite disappointed with the beach front at the resort we stayed in. The sand was brown and looked dirty. Dried seaweed littered the beach. I thought I would not enjoy myself, but I was proven wrong. Two days of island hopping showed me just what this place has to offer.
There are two main groups of islands that are usually visited by tourists – one to the south and one to the north. The southern islands are farther, but a whole lot more beautiful. Manlawi, which I wrote about in the previous post, is located in this area. Another island in this area is Cotivas. It is also beautiful, but smaller than Manlawi. When we got there, there were a small group of people lunching under the …
Dec|22|2009
Food In Caramoan: Bicolano Dishes
Posted by Noemi as Asia, Destinations, Food and Drink, Islands
Aside from the white sand beaches and wonderful water, there is one other thing that I am looking forward to when I go to Caramoan: the food. The Bicol Region is known for excellent food, and the dishes almost always are HOT and SPICY and mixed with coconut milk. Chili peppers and coconut milk are staples in this part of the country.
Where we are going, there aren’t too many fancy restaurants. What I am really looking forward to are the small “eateries” where you can taste the local food in all its authentic glory. The best part is that everyone says it’s cheap!
Perhaps the most popular dish from this region is Bicol Express. This dish is available almost anywhere in the Philippines, but I am sure that what I will find in Caramoan is nothing like anything else …
Dec|21|2009
Things To Do And See In Caramoan
Posted by Noemi as Asia, Destinations, Islands, Travelogger
This time and day next week, I should be lounging at the beach – soaking in the sun! For now, I have to deal with work for three more days. That does not mean that I cannot keep thinking about what I will be doing for the five days that I’ll be in Caramoan.
The main thing for me, really, is the beach. I will probably spend most of my time just relaxing and swimming. I already have books and some TV shows lined up. Just give me food and drinks and I’ll be fine. Of course, I cannot pass up on the famed island hopping tours. Caramoan supposedly has 7 islands – all of which have to be discovered by the visitor. From other travelers’ experiences, a tour will take …
Dec|15|2009
Caramoan Islands: How To Get There
Posted by Noemi as Asia, Destinations, Islands, Travelogger
I may not have been to the place yet, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t been making plans. Well, technically, it’s not me who has been planning the whole thing, but I do know what is going on. In case, you do get enticed to pay this neck of the woods a visit, here is some useful information.
How to get to Caramoan Islands
First you need to get to the Philippines, which I assume is easy enough for those who are in other countries. From Manila (other cities may have flights to Bicol but Manila is your best bet), you can take a Cebu Pacific flight to Naga City. This is one of the major cities in the Bicol Region.
From Naga City, you need to go to either Sabang Port. The trip will take about an hour …
Dec|14|2009
Destination: Caramoan Islands
Posted by Noemi as Asia, Destinations, Features, Islands, Travelogger
The Philippines boasts of 7,107 islands, but not all of them are well known tourist spots. The beauty of this archipelago is that there are so many places that you can discover if you only look, and in two weeks, I will be out there discovering Caramoan Islands.
This group of islands is located in the southern part of the main island, Luzon, in the Bicol Region. It only became popular in the recent years, especially after the French version of Survivor was held there. Indeed, not much is known about the area, hence the moniker “Secret Paradise.”
From what I have been hearing from people who’ve been there, there are only a handful of resorts in the area. The main one is Gota Village – the exact site of the French Survivor. Naturally, the rates are quite …
Mar|22|2009
The Beaches Of Bohol
Posted by Noemi as Asia, Destinations, Islands, Resorts, Tips, Travelogger
When I wrote my last post, I was getting ready to leave the resort where we stayed in Panglao, Bohol in the Philippines. I have to say, without any equivocation, that where we stayed has one of the best beaches that I have ever visited.
The popular destination in Bohol is the stretch of Alona Beach, where the sand is white and fine. I didn’t choose to stay in that area for two reasons:
1. Too many people
2. Seaweeds.
Of course, I haven’t experienced any of those for myself, but most of the people that I have talked to have the same comments. Since Alona Beach is where you will find most of the hotels and resorts, people would tend to go there. The accommodation there is quite affordable, though, so it is a good place to go.
We stayed at the Dumaluan Beach Resort, which is right …
