31 May 2023

I LOVE Bali!! The first time we travelled to Bali was 26 years ago and have been a few times since so we decided to return to Bali on our first “post Covid” holiday. What a privilege and as always, an amazing experience!! Bali changed so much since our first trip, more traffic, more hotels, more people, but no less AMAZING. Over the years we stayed in different parts of the Island and this trip decided to stay in Seminyak and UBUD. Seminyak offers that busy Bali buzz with lots of tourists, great eateries right outside the hotels, fantastic beach clubs, night clubs and lots of Spa’s for a foot massage or full body Balinese massage at unbeatable prices. Exploring Bali is easy, even with lots of traffic as the locals knows how to navigate the traffic calmly which puts the tourists at ease as well. We visited the amazing Potato Head beach Club in Seminyak, Uluwatu temple with its amazing views, Garuda Wisnu Kencana, the tallest statue in Indonesia is a site to behold. We had amazing seafood and cocktails on the beach in Jimbaran Bay – always such a great experience. Since our last visit there are so many new attractions, beach clubs and restaurants opened on this tiny island and we had to visit the amazing Rock Bar located at the Ayana Hotel in Uluwatu for dinner and drinks, which was unforgettable. One of our favourite stops was Cretya Ubud, amazing food, spectacular setting, great vibe, and I highly recommend visiting this gem while in Bali. We spent the last few days in Ubud at an amazing peaceful, quiet resort. Ubud offers you the peace and tranquillity of the forest but a few minutes down the road and you are surrounded by restaurants, markets and so much more. These are just some of our experiences on our latest trip but there are soo much more to do and see in Bali, I have always been partial to travelling to places where I get great service, good value for money and after not being able to travel since 2019 this was a much-needed holiday, so decided to book a trip to one of my favourite places in the world, Bali!

08 June 2023

My top tips for traveling to Bali, the Island of the Gods!! Money: Travelling with a Credit Card or Forex card is probably the best option as you can pay at most shops, restaurants, and attractions in Bali. You will need cash to pay drivers if you arrange a day trip with a local driver. There are lots of ATM’s all over the island so very easy to withdraw cash when you are in Bali. Please speak to your bank though before you leave so you are aware of the costs for drawing cash versus paying with your credit card. Weather: I have travelled to Bali in both dry and wet seasons and even enjoyed the rainy days in Bali – it mostly rained early evening and when it rained during the day it was short showers only. However, it could rain the whole day as well. The dry season (May-September) The wet season (October-April) What to pack: It’s important to be respectful of the Balinese culture and when visiting temples or sacred places, you will be required to cover your shoulders and knees. You don’t have to wear long pants or jeans, just take a sarong along to cover yourself. At most temples you will either be provided with a sarong or you can hire one before entering. Linen clothing is great for Bali, quick dry shorts and t shirts also works well. Sun dresses, sandals, tank tops, shorts, trainers if you want to do a sunrise hike, flip flops (you will wear these every day). Yoga pants as there are so many amazing yoga studios and many hotels and resorts offer yoga classes. Pack a sun hat but again this is something you can buy from the markets or shops there. NB!! Don’t pack to much you will want to shop when you get there so leave space for your new outfits. Food My favorite Indonesian dishes are Nasi Goreng (fried rice) and Mie Goreng (fried noodles), but it you want western dishes, you will find most restaurants offer amazing burger, pizzas and much more. First Aid – and medicines You really don’t have to take much with you except for your prescription medication – always a good idea to have a copy of your prescription from your Doctor for these. The Pharmacies in Bali stock all the medication you may need, but if you prefer to pack remember these: • Headache meds – depends what you use • Motion sickness meds – just in case you need it • Mosquito spray – again you can buy there unless you use a specific product • Imodium/Gastron – or whatever you use • Antiseptic cream • Sunscreen – can be a bit pricy in Bali • After sun lotion Other essentials: Travel Insurance – I can’t stress this enough – do not travel without Travel Insurance – this is quite affordable and in some cases Banks and Medical Insurance providers in South Africa include this cover,so speak to your bank or Medical Insurance Company or to me to get the best cover for you and your family. Visa: Depending on your nationality you may qualify for visa on arrival, speak to me for more details. Portable power bank: You will be taking lots of pics so make sure you take a power bank with you. Sim cards/Wi-Fi: You will get Wi-Fi everywhere you go in Bali in restaurants, hotels as well as beach clubs etc. However, sim cards are available at the airport when you arrive as well as shops all over the island Adapters: The standard for plugs in Bali is a two-pin plug, but you can buy a International plug adapter at all International airports GRAB: Grab is Southeast Asia’s leading superapp. It provides everyday services like Deliveries, Mobility, Financial Services, and More. Download this and you can book taxis as well as GrabBike – which is to book a scooter driver– great to use in Bali.

10 December 2016

I am passionate about South Africa, even after living in Dubai, my second home for almost 6 years and loving the city think I am very biased when talking about the beauty of Cape Town. For this blog, I thought I would enlist my nieces, currently living in Cape Town to write a short blog from their perspective about my Cape Town. Sanaa and Malikah are “millennials” living and working in Cape Town and both loves travelling and exploring and are passionate about Cape Town… One of South Africa’s biggest tourist attractions is the opportunity to see wild life... Why not start your vacation off with a bang in one of Cape Town’s most beautiful towns – Stellenbosch? Villiera Wines is a great idea for adults and kids alike. You can see Springbuck, Kudu, Giraffe’s, Bontebok, Eland, Gemsbok, Black Wildebeest, Bush Pig, Burchell's Zebra, common Duiker, Steenbuck and Grysbok all while enjoying a glass of wine. The Baxter Theatre is an option for those who enjoy theatre and the performing arts. This is where local talent go to showcase their craft. Tickets are affordable so guests can spend a bit of money at the bar enjoying some refreshments and snacks between intervals or before the show is about to start. Cape Town, Long Street is one of the most popular tourist destinations for the younger crowd. Just off Long Street you can find Galbi, one of Cape Town’s best kept secrets. South Africans love to braai – and this restaurant has found a way to incorporate this past time into a lovely dining experience. Tables are small and intimate and you can select your meat raw and prepare it yourself over some coals. This restaurant is offers a different social experience; they even have Zebra on the menu for the adventurous! Scratch Patch and Cave Golf is a fantastic idea for anyone with children. It offers indoor miniature golf and a large crystal scratch patch that can keep kids entertained for hours - while parents can enjoy some shopping, sample many of the popular restaurants tourists like to frequent at the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. Alternatively, the Waterfront also has a food market with many stalls, a bar and bands that perform live. Kirstenbosch Summer Concerts (November/December) is one of the best ways to spend a festive sunny afternoon in Cape Town. Whether you prefer to pack your own picnic basket or purchase one at the venue it is bound to be a great day. Some of South Africa’s most famous artist performs at this venue. It is a scenic beautiful setting, surrounded by flowers and mountains. Guests always have a great time here. Written by Sanaa… Cape Town also known as the Mother City is an undiscovered gem for many. Surrounded by mountains and oceans, it is the hub for a perfect getaway. Whether you are looking for adventure or too relax you will find the best of both worlds in Cape Town. The red bus works on a hop on/off system that takes you around the peninsula where breath-taking views can be experienced. Explore the amazing wine farms with the The Franschhoek Wine Tram hop-on hop-off tour, this tour provides a unique and leisurely way to see the Franschhoek Valley as you journey through rolling vineyards in an open-side tram and open-air tram-bus stopping in at some of South Africa’s oldest and most distinguished wine estates.– remember to stay safe and catch an Uber or better yet stay over for the night at one of the Guest Houses. There's an abundance of nightclubs and nightlife if partying is what you're after. Up market bars with fancy cocktails that gets served in a zip lock bag to proper pub and grub style bars. Each weekend during the summer days you can find a festival suited to your needs. Champagne festivals, beer festival, sushi festival or music festivals can all be ticked of your bucket list. Table Mountain can be seen from almost anywhere in Cape Town, standing proudly next to Lions Head. Both mountains has hiking trails perfect for adventure enthusiasts or ride the cable car if hiking is not for you. There are many more hiking trails that can be explored around the Cape equally beautiful. Kirstenbosch nature reserve is the perfect spot for a family picnic or family lunch at their restaurant. Food is a major attraction from 5 star award winning restaurants to more local, traditional restaurants. Biltong is a must try for any meat lover and definitely have to try a proper Saffa braai (South African barbeque). But all these things has to be explored for yourself. The experience is just not that good on your screen. Written by Malikah

03 October 2016

I’ve travelled to Bali several times over the last 20 years. My first trip was in 1996 and I was immediately totally in love with the beauty of Bali as well as the humble and friendly Balinese people. I spent 12 nights in Kuta travelling all over the island exploring the many temples as amazing sites. I marvelled at the rolling rice paddies and dense forests. I returned to Bali several times since and stayed in different parts of the island, Nusa Dua, Legian, Seminyak and a few more times in Kuta. I enjoyed each area for the differences it offered, Nusa Dua with amazing beaches and 5 star hotel, Kuta for the hussle and easy access to the airport. Bali is a fantastic destination for couples, families’ even solo travellers and with so much to offer whether you want to stay in 5 star luxury or basic accommodation. Discover Bali´s incredible temples in Bali with impressive gardens and visit the sacred Monkey Forest, a cluster of towering trees, home to hundreds of monkeys. Visiting the charming Ubud is an excellent way to gain an understanding of art and culture in Bali. Indulge in the wonderful Balinese cuisine while you are entertained by the Legend and Classical Legong Dance, it is a refined dance form characterized by intricate finger movements, complicated footwork, and expressive gestures and facial expressions. Take a trip to the coffee plantation in Tegallalang, to discover Luwak coffee where we sampled the local blends including the prized Kopi Luwak, the beans have been eaten by the civet cat, not-really-digested, then pooped out, collected up, cleaned, roasted and ground for our drinking pleasure! Visit the amazing Jimbaran bay for a wonderful sunset dinner of freshly caught fish and lobster and so much more. Whether it’s a quiet beach holiday with little or no activity or adventure holiday Bali is definitely be the perfect destination for an amazing holiday. Call me for more information about your perfect trip to Bali. Pam

26 September 2016

I recently visited a friend, originally from Kathmandu who moved back home after many years in Dubai. We decided to travel over the Eid break in July and it was absolutely amazing, the weather was cool coming straight from the extreme Dubai heat. It rained daily mostly early morning or late afternoon, which we loved as we missed rain more than I can explain. At first all your senses are attacked at once when you arrive at the very busy airport, following by what feel like a death defying dash through the narrow streets to your hotel. It takes some getting used to the strange sounds and smells but you soon get accustomed to it all walking around Dunbar Square and after visiting numerous temples. It was just over a year since the devastating earthquake in May 2015 and we could still clearly see the major damage caused to the amazing statues and temples. The amazing architecture that withstood the test of time for so many years are truly remarkable. July is not the perfect time to visit Nepal if your main goal is to see the magnificent Mount Everest as the cloud cover did not let up for the entire week we were there. It however did not bother us that much as our goal was to spend time with friend and explore as much as possible of Kathmandu. We visited Nagarkot, situated 2000m above sea level and offers one of the broadest views of the Himalayas as well a perfect view of Mount Everest. However the cloud cover was too thick and we settled for the amazing views of the ancient Kathmandu village. The drive to Nagarkot was amazing with amazing views of rolling rice paddies and farm lands. Next we visited a remote village, Mechhe, which in my opinion was the highlight of my trip. The village is 2.5 hours drive from Kathmandu and quite challenging, my advice would be to get a local to drive as it quite daunting and scary. We arrived close to the village and left the car next to the road and started our walk to the village. Thinking it would be a leisurely 1 hour walk, boy was I mistaken. Its starts out fairly easy with a lovely walk across the newly erected bridge but quickly turns into a 2km hike up the side of a very steep mountain. Arriving in the village we were greeted with the most beautiful warm smiles and most delicious mangoes I have ever tasted. The villagers treated us to an amazing traditional Nepali lunch of chicken, rice and vegetables, absolutely delicious. After a leisurely afternoon lazing around and eating more delicious mangoes we started on our walk back to the car which was so much easier than trying to get there. During our stay in Kathmandu we ate dinner almost every night in a locally owned restaurant “Vesper Wine House and Restaurant” and the food and wine was amazing. Great service and well worth a visit when you are in Kathmandu. The memory that will say with us is the warm welcome and hospitality of the Nepali people. We will definitely be back in Nepal soon to visit Mount Everest and do a few days trekking.

17 November 2015

I told a friend I’m going to Thailand and her first words were “you are going again?’, and it’s true, I’ve been a few times but I have good reasons to go back. However, this time I booked bang in the middle of rainy reason toward the end of September. Again the responses were “are you sure”, “you know its rainy season will probably rain every day”. To be honest, I was a little concerned specifically as some of my travel companions were first time travellers and it was their first visit to Thailand. We arrived on the 22nd of September and even though it rained it was the same amazing fun filled holiday as always. My first trip to Thailand, about 16 years ago, was to Phuket and I feel it gives you a good introduction to Thailand and offers a good island holiday. I have since explored other parts of Thailand but feel that Phuket should be the first island stop when travelling to Thailand. We spent five nights in Phuket and the lively, busy streets and colourful characters in the streets of Patong is always either a surprise or shock for first time visitors. We spent hours lazing at the pool of the amazing Burasari resort or visiting the local sites including James Bond Island, sea canoeing in Phang Nga Bay with lunch at the floating fishing village Koh Panyi. We paid a visit to the Big Buddha statue with amazing views as well as the Chalong temples. We took the ferry to PhiPhi Island and spent three days on Tonsai Bay, which was amazing and so laid back. No traffic, no rush, just pure relaxation. About the weather, I have this to say – we had a few days of rain, a lot of rain, but it was still amazing AND we had something to do every day. Most days we had some sunshine and rain mostly late afternoon and evening. To be honest, I really loved the rain as it doesn’t rain in Dubai so for me it was perfect. Will I go in rainy season again, absolutely if the opportunity presents itself! The thing I always loved about Thailand is the spirit of the Thai people and the amazing and interesting places from beaches to cultural excursions. Thailand offers something for everyone and is one of the few truly affordable destinations.