All posts by Stella Ryne

Stella is an art historian, traveler, conscious consumer and a proud mother. When she is not trying to improve the things around her (and herself, for that matter), she likes to lose herself in a good book.
Editor's Picks, Indonesia

A First Time Traveler’s Guide To Indonesia

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Indonesia is known to be one of the most beautiful and diverse places on earth. Although it has many features worthy of visiting, the first thing that comes to mind when you think about Indonesia as a travel destination is Bali. Bali is an island that has everything: sandy beaches, mighty volcanoes, rainforests, beautiful rice terraces, amazing culture and friendly, smiling people that are truly happy to have you as their guests. Yes, Bali is the perfect destination to visit. But there are some things you need to know before you pack your things and go.

Choose your season carefully

indonesia

There are two seasons on Bali – dry season from April till October and a rainy season from November till March. The dry season is when most tourists visit Bali. The most crowded months are Jun, July and August (and most expensive). The rainy season has its charm as well. Although it would rain heavily most of the days it can also be perfect for enjoying the beauty of waterfalls which are exceptionally breathtaking this time of the year.

Be careful what you pay for

Although your staying in Bali will prove to be rather cheap there are still some things you have to pay attention to. Your first encounter with Bali upon arrival at the airport would be finding transportation to your residence. There will be many taxi drivers offering their services but do resist. They can charge you twice as much as normal price for the ride. Instead, go to the official taxi counter. You can pay upfront the official price at the counter. It goes for everything in Bali. Always try to use public transportation (whether it is a bus or a boat) as they have official rates and are almost twice cheaper than others.

Choosing a residence

Bali offers you a great variety of places to stay. From classy hotels, luxurious villas, cheaper hostels to private residences. A hotel can offer you many contents, but if you are more for a quiet luxury of your own place it is better to rent a villa. There are many beautiful Bali accommodation to rent that is suited at the beachfront with breathtaking swimming pools and wonderfully arranged spaces for your leisure and enjoyment. You will have an advantage of making your own plans, prepare your own food, and many other things. You can always find accommodation with your own standards in Bali.

Food

One thing is for sure – you won’t starve in Bali. There is a great choice of restaurants and variety of food you can choose from. Local cuisine is exquisite, but if you are in for something less exotic you can find great choice of western dishes, vegetarian or vegan food. Do bear in mind that all places have a certain dress code and you can’t go to a restaurant wearing only your swimming suit, your shoulders and knees have to be covered (especially if you are a woman).

Culture

Culture is everywhere in Bali, where ever you look. Religion is a very big part of the culture here and you need to be respectful when religion is in question. Be quiet bystander during ceremonies and obey rules when visiting temples. Also be careful not to step on prayer offerings to gods that can be found anywhere in form of woven baskets with flowers or banana leaves squares with small portions of rice on them. Make sure your shoulders and knees are always covered.

If you prepare your travel to Bali upfront and do your homework right, you will find your stay there an adventure of a lifetime and you may find yourself returning there many times to explore Bali some more.

Asia, Australia, Europe, Food, North America

Eat Your Way Around The World At The Top Foodie Destinations

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Travelling the world allows you to grow as a person, get to know different cultures and people, but most importantly, it lets you try an array of new foods. This is a dream come true for any foodie. So when you’re planning on a vacation and choosing your destinations, take the local specialities in account. After all, where else are you going to try these exotic and authentic specialities? In fact, you can see the entire world following your stomach.

Enjoy the tropical punch in Hawaii

The US is famous for many things, but some would argue good food isn’t one of them. They’ve obviously never been to a high-grade restaurant in Hawaii. Of course, in this case, the high-grade restaurants are actually authentic food trucks.

Though it may sound tacky, this is actually the best way to taste Hawaii. You can steal a piece of heaven while relaxing on the beach and eating whatever the food truck chef has recommended. After all, they incorporate regional foods with classic cooking techniques as part of a fusion method which colors your taste buds in a range of different flavours.

Discover the specialties of Hong Kong

Even though Hong Kong is one of the most urban centers of China, they still incorporate traditional specialties to their menus. You may think that there’s no point trying Chinese food when you can just get takeout in your hometown, but it’s really not the same.

Nothing beats dim sum prepared with fresh and local ingredients, sampled in an authentic Chinese restaurant. The same goes for other recipes, and you can discover them all on your visit to Hong Kong. There’s so much to see and explore, and there’s no way your home takeout menu carries the items on Hong Kong’s list.

Wake up your senses in Hunter Valley

Located in NSW, Australia, Hunter Valley is the perfect stop on the south side of the globe. There are a lot of first-class restaurants you can visit and experience all Australia has to offer food-wise. Aside from food, you can also go on one of the Valley’s famous wine tours.

When you get tired of wining and dining, you can explore the gorgeous gardens nearby or just relax in your room. Make sure your accommodation in Hunter Valley is conveniently located, so you can easily explore the whole place. Since this is a vacation of the senses, wake them up in every way possible- starting with food.

Find adventure in Paris

Who said that getting your adrenaline going had to imply doing something extreme? It’s enough to experience something new and magical. Where better to do that than in the gastronomical capital of Europe, Paris?

There’s no other place where you’ll be able to try the most bizarre yet delicious foods in the world. From snails to frog legs, and even “Tete de Veau” (calf head), Paris is bound to keep you on your toes and really give you something to talk about. Of course, you can still experience the enchanting nature of French cuisine even if you don’t opt for something so unusual.

Conclusion

In conclusion, travelling the world can completely revolve around food and still allow you to experience everything else our beautiful Earth has to offer. Focusing on food in different countries allows you to experience a layer of culture most people miss. Food is how we show our love and passion, so it’s by far the best way to get to know a new culture and travel the world.

Destinations, Sport and Adventure

4 of the Best Yoga and Diving Retreats

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4 of the Best Yoga and Diving Retreats

While some people dream of going to a vacation that provides them with an adventurous and extreme getaway, others are more interested in a calming and health-beneficial destination. Speaking of such activities, both yoga and diving appear at the very top of the list. Not only are these two activities calm, relaxing and mind-opening but they also help you learn something about nature, the world and, at the end of the day, yourself. With that in mind and without further ado, here are four of the best yoga and diving retreats in the world.

Inspiring trip to St. Lucia

Probably the first place you need to visit on this voyage is the famous St. Lucia, place renowned for its beautiful beaches, Pigeon Island and some of the most incredible local art in the world. Apart from this visiting St. Lucia is a genuine body holiday due to its numerous and extraordinary fitness sessions throughout the day. As for the diving, one of the things that makes it so amazing in St. Lucia is the fact that the fish population is both high and varied. You even have a chance to encounter an octopus, cuttlefish or an eagle ray while snorkeling.

Serene and tranquil Lizard Island, Australia

diving

The amazing Lizard Island is located at the Great Barrier Reef, which means that you get a chance to dive in the vicinity of the largest living thing on the globe. Speaking about establishing the connection with the world around us, it really doesn’t get any better. So, get your diving equipment, book a holiday here and start exploring the serene and tranquil depths of Lizard Island. After the day of diving, there’s nothing more fulfilling than being able to relax your mind and body in a yoga session.

A spiritual journey to Thailand

Every world traveler knows that Thailand is a promised land for those who travel for spiritual reasons, as well as for those who are interested in lush wildlife and beautiful landscapes. In other words, this is a land that simply has it all. For those who want to learn how to dive, visiting Koh Tao should probably be a top priority. In fact, one of the unique things about diving here is that you can see a wreck of a U.S. Navy ship Sattakut which is also an interesting piece of history. Needless to say, this can make the prospect of diving here even more interesting. This place is also a home to a renowned yoga studio, which satisfies the other dimension of what we’ve just talked about.

Exploring your mindfulness in Bali, Indonesia

At the very end, it is no secret that Indonesia is a go-to destination for every serious diver out there. The best thing about diving in Indonesia is the fact that the place is so vast that it offers a wide array of different diving experiences. However, if you had to further localize your visit, going to Bali is definitely not a decision that you’ll ever come to regret. Here, you’ll find areas that are beginner-friendly, for those willing to start out, as well as places for more seasoned divers. As for the yoga, there are more than several places where you can find the spirit of yoga, particularly various yoga retreats.

In conclusion

Due to the popularity of both of these activities, it’s fairly easy to find a location that entails both of them. Still, the availability alone is not enough. No matter how fulfilling, you can’t dive and do yoga 24/7.

Asia, Cultural and Historical Heritage, Editor's Picks

6 Under-the-Radar Hidden Gems of Japan

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6 Under-the-Radar Hidden Gems of Japan

Most visitors to Japan, straight out go to cities like Tokyo, Kyoto or Osaka, all of which are considered prime tourist hotspots. Locations like Himeji Castle, Tokyo Imperial Palace and, of course, Mount Fuji are usually at the very top of the list. However, why restrict yourself to these common tourist destinations when you can get so much more out of your tour. With that in mind and without further ado, here are top six under-the-radar hidden gems of Japan.

Otagi Nenbutsu-ji

History lovers are bound to visit Otagi Nenbutsu-ji, which is a smaller, lesser known relative of the Chinese Terracotta Army. Why? Well because the temple is surrounded with 1200 small Buddhist statues, each completely unique. One way to look at this is to call it the ancient garden gnome decoration plan taken to the extreme.

Umimirai Library

For any book nerd out there, a visit to the Umimirai Library in the city of Kanazawa should be a most definite must. This giant library is also an architectural wonder, which would, on its own, make it worthy of a visit. The very purpose of this place is to encourage you to stay and read in the library, instead of just borrowing a book to read back in your hotel room. In other words, this can customize your reading experience, making it much more unique.

Nozawa Onsen

Skiing and snowboarding fans have to acknowledge the fact that Japan is home to one of the oldest ski resorts, famous Nozawa Onsen. The hot springs beneath this place were discovered as early as 8th century. One of the most unique things about the place is the steam that can’t be contained by the thin surface layer, which makes it visible in all the streets, giving the place an even more mystical look to it. Some Japan snow packages offer everything from flight and accommodation in Nozawa to lift passes and guides, which makes them particularly appealing.

Zao Fox Village

If you ever wanted to have a pet fox, in Zao Fox Village you can come as close to this as possible without putting your life in danger. Here, you can get a privilege of mingling with (almost) domesticated Japanese red foxes, which you can even pet and feed. You can get appropriate snacks there, on spot for as little as $1.20. Keep in mind, however, that you still shouldn’t feed them by hand.

Kumano Kodo trail

For people who are interested in Shinto-Buddhism hybrid of Shugendo, Kumano Kodo trail is one of the first places they should visit. While this place is neglected since the Meiji Restoration, in the past it was one of the most important pilgrimage trails in the whole of Japan. The entire trip can be taken in a couple of days, and it is really an ultimate hiking experience.

Island of Yakushima

Those who want to see what Japan looked like before the civilization and urbanization reached its shores, should definitely visit the island of Yakushima. Its cedar forests amongst the most beautiful in the world and the western shore of the island is a home to some of the most beautiful waterfalls there are. All in all, it’s an incredible place definitely worth paying a visit to.

In conclusion

The main reason for writing this article in the first place was to remind everyone just how much fun can straying off course actually be. The best part comes from the cognition of how easy it would be to miss out on all of this and encourage you to customize tours you take in the future, as well.