There are many ways to get around Bali depending on time and budget constraints. We usually like to explore a new place by foot, but the heat and humidity in Bali made walking anywhere for longer than 15-20 minutes quite challenging. Instead, we put together a list of the different types of transportation that’ll get you around town or between islands. Continue reading
Before I even started planning for our trip to Bali, I knew that I wanted to stay somewhere special. It’s Bali after all, and just any regular hotel won’t do. Bali is all about luxurious villas with private pools precariously perched in the middle of the jungle or surrounded by rice fields. Whether you’re looking for private pool or to-die-for view, Bali’s got it all for less than $125 USD per day! Yes, you read that right. Continue reading
This is the longest hiatus I’ve ever taken since starting this blog – it has been almost 3 months since I last posted. It started with a very eventful trip to Bali where we literally had to evacuate because of an erupting volcano – but more on that later. When we got back, it was the holiday season and I went to Canada for 3 weeks to spend time with my family. Shortly after that, my mom fell and broke her leg and needed emergency surgery, so I went back to Canada for a few more weeks. Between all that craziness, my first month of 2018 somehow completely disappeared into an abyss – but now I am back!
I hope you’re still around because I am excited to share with you about our experiences in Bali – the good, the bad, and of course all the funny memorable stories. Bali is a truly stunning place, not lacking in Instagram-worthy photo ops. Even with all the rain, we couldn’t stop taking pictures of everything from the lush rice fields to the intricate temples. The people of Bali are kind and friendly, and we were lucky to have met and called many of them our friends.
Did you know that golf was invented in Scotland? Despite its small size, Scotland is filled with rich history, dramatic landscapes, and down-to-earth people. Endless skies, rugged mountains, glacial valleys, and sparkling lochs have captivated visitors for hundreds of years. Continue reading
Whisky is Scotland’s national drink and its biggest export. For more than 500 years, skilled distillers have taken the basic ingredients of barley and water and transformed them into single-malt whisky. Over the years, many attempts have been made to copy the unique fiery taste of Scotch Whisky in different parts of the world, but with no apparent success. By law, the spirit cannot be called Scotch until it has aged in Scotland for at least three years, but most single malt whiskies are left to mature for much longer. Continue reading
If you’re like me, whenever you hear of Scottish food, you probably think of Haggis. But with the country’s changing eating habits, Scotland has evolved to be a culinary destination for food lovers with a strong emphasis on fresh and locally sourced produce. With the Atlantic ocean on its doorstep and plenty of rolling green hills means an abundance of fresh seafood, succulent beef, and wild game. You can eat extremely well from the big cities to the furthest isles. Fine bistros, cozy pubs, quirky cafés, and everything in between offer delicious fare. Here is a list of all the food (and drinks) you should try while visiting Scotland: Continue reading
“Sing me a song of a lass that is gone,
Say, could that lass be I?
Merry of soul she sailed on a day
Over the sea to Skye.”
Every time I hear this song from the opening credits of “Outlander”, it always sends chills down my spine. But it wasn’t until I stepped foot on Skye that the sense of longing for this place resonated with me. The sweet soothing tune conjures images of wind-swept coastlines, jagged sea cliffs, and fields of wild heather – all the things that I’ve come to associate with the Scottish Highlands. Continue reading
When we were planning our trip to Scotland, I knew I wanted to do a road trip. It was only a matter of convincing hubby that it was a good idea. Road trips are great for exploring a country because there is more flexibility to plan routes and make lots of pit stops on the way. Since there are so many stunning landscapes it would be a shame not to stop.
I am a big Potterhead and I’ve read all seven books many many times over, devouring every single page. I also watch the movies and yearn to be part of that world. Each time I watched Harry Potter and his friends pull away on the Hogwarts Express on the silver screen, I wistfully looked on, wishing that I am on my way to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Imagine my surprise when I learned that the Hogwarts Express is real and it’s actually called the Jacobite Express! This iconic steam engine train runs a twice a day on the 84-mile stretch from Fort William to Mallaig. Continue reading
Finding the perfect hotel is a priority whenever I travel since it is important to find a comfortable home-base when exploring a new city. In the past, we had always opted to stay at the bigger hotel chains like Hilton or Starwood because of our status. Since that status has now mostly expired, we want to try other options like AirBnB and boutique hotels. While in Edinburgh, we decided to stay at the Tigerlily Edinburgh, an award-winning luxury boutique hotel. One of the things that drew me to Tigerlily in the first place was their eclectic design. The lounge and bar areas are decorated like the set of a Tim Burton movie – full of pink hues, mirrored walls, extravagant chandeliers, and flowers everywhere. Continue reading
