Bali, Indonesia – Why You Should Go Now

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Indonesia? Sounds like a crazy place for most people. Bali, one of Indonesia islands, probably seems like one of those exotic, unachievable or unimaginable destinations that you only see and read about in magazines, right? Orr, perhaps not. Far from reality actually. Bali actually receives nearly 3 million visitors per year!

But you shouldn’t go there if you like beautiful beaches, amazing hotels, culture, surfing, great nightlife or incredible restaurants. Because that wouldn’t be the place for you. Like, at all! Did I mention cheap? Right, who would like something that is cheap!

All jokes aside, visiting Bali between April- October is perfect, because it is considered dry season. Rainy season is November- March, though, this should not deter you from visiting during this time. Visitors can actually enjoy all activities during rainy season, and perhaps take part in seasonal low hotel rates. Also it’s worth mentioning that because Bali is so close to the equator temperatures are similar year round.

Getting To Bali

If you have a bit of time off, maybe one-two weeks. You could easily see a few areas of Bali within that time frame, along with getting there and back. The great thing about traveling west over so many time zones, is that when you come back you can sometimes come back on the “same day” within a few hours as you took off. Which is one of the weirder experiences I’ve had during my travels.

Bali has one major airport located just south of the popular beach destination in Bali called Kuta. There are many flights leaving for Bali on the west coast from all major airports (LAX, SFO, SEA, SAN, LAS) all under $900 year round. Even some flights out of LAX are in the low $600 range. Sometimes you can’t even fly from LA to Miami without paying that much!

Which Area To Stay

Bali is a very diverse little island, with many different areas to take up temporary residence. Because of the vast diversity, you should probably stay in the areas that most interest on what you want to get out of your vacation. Below is a detailed map showing major cities, and where most of the hotels are located. Hotels are not limited to the areas featured on the map, you can actually find hotels all over the island, as well as, vacation rentals.

 

Popular Areas:

  • Kuta Beach- Best known as the most famous tourist resort area. It was the first tourist spot on the island, mainly for the great Indian Ocean surfing. This once rustic beach location, has grown into a party-centric destination for visitors all over the world.
  • Seminyak Beach- Home to some of the most luxurious resorts on the island, and by far the most fashionable part of the island. Shopping stalls and boutquies line the streets, as well as cafes and high end restaurants.
  • Bukit Peninsula- This location houses the famous cliff-hanging Uluwatu temple, Balangan beach -considered some of the worlds best white sand beaches- and now some of top surfing spots on the island. This part of the island also has some very uber swanky spas, and hotels with views to kill.
  • Nusa Dua- Is on the eastern side of Bukit Peninsula, but is in a category all on its’ own. This a more laid back part of the island, away from the crazy roads of Jimbaran and party area of Kuta. There is a very well known golf course, convention center, as well as, a host of luxury resorts. One of the more unique aspects of the Nusa Dua enclave is that there are three manned gates that are subject to a visitor security search. (Probably why the president of the United States stays on this part of the island.
  • Ubud- This part of the island is very near and dear to my heart. It’s unlike anywhere I’ve been in the world. The topography will transcend you to a completely different world, and the culture is matched to beat the rest. Don’t let the jungle of be worrisome there are a good variety of budget to luxury hotels in this area, to accommodate anyones needs.
  • Pemuteran- This is an increasingly popular area to visit Bali in recent years. This small liad-back fishing village is a way to seem some of Bali’s more natural and uninhibited beaches. One of the more unique features of this area is that it is home to largest artificial Biorock reef project in the world. (You like scub? *insert french accent here)

 

Bali is a fascinating island that has a lot to offer to visitor young, and old. If you have any suggestions or areas to stay that I haven’t covered leave them in the comment below!

Tips On Feeling Fresh During and After Your Flight

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Flights booked and bags are packed. You’re about to embark on your next vacation, or work trip. This could be your first long flight, or your hundredth, either way it’s good to practice these methods of preparation.

 

Step One: Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate 

….and we aren’t talking about the alcoholic kind. Water! Literally the fountain of youth. Water will not only quench your thirst, but your skin will thank you. Doesn’t matter if you’re flying to a humid place, drink plenty of water otherwise your skin could have an adverse effect. Opt for an aisle seat in case of frequent trips to the bathroom. I’d certainly rather use an airplane toilet for long hauls than have a breakout, or dull/dry skin to deal with for the next week. They say to drink 8 oz. of water per hour.

Step Two: Invest in a pair or a couple pairs of compression socks. 

Compression socks are a life saver! Whenever I fly flights 5 hours or longer I break out my ever so fashionable compression socks. You will immediately tell the difference between wearing them for a long flight and not. Yes, you may still get some after swelling, but it won’t be as intense as without wearing them all together. TIP: Airport news stand typically sell these socks right next to the neck pillows! 😉

Step Three: Eating Meals

Which I’m still trying to prove this theory, don’t eat full meals while during flights. Try to light snack if possible. Some cheese, nuts, dried fruit, fruit they serve with meals. This will help with making a quicker adjustment to the new time zone.

Step Four: Snack choices 

Speaking of food, opt for less salty snacks to not further dehydrate yourself. This will help with fewer bathroom trips as well. Your skin will thank you too! Remember hydration is key!

Step Five: Travel pouch

If you’re a frequent traveler like me, I keep a very small pouch always stocked and ready for take off and I take it with me everywhere! This pouch can easily fit in the back of seat pockets and is not bulky! My pouch includes; Lip Balm, quality travel size non-fragrant hydrating hand lotion , ear plugs, Zquil, toothbrush, toothpaste, eye cream, hydrating tablets, pen, hand sanitizer, and an eye mask. I know this sounds like a lot of stuff, but it all fits nice and perfectly in a small little bag and I never unpack the bag. It’s my travel lifeline!!

Step Six: Sleeping

If you’re trying to get on the new time zone fast add the cities time zone to your phone. If you’re taking off in the morning, but your destination is about to go to sleep, try to get some sleep yourself or vice versa. I typically take an over the counter sleep aid such as Zquil to help me sleep better on flights. I’m no doctor, but this has helped me tremendously! Zquil also doesn’t leave you feeling like you’re hungover. Try out your over the counter sleep aid a few nights before you fly and see your reaction with it. Getting rest at appropriate times on your flight will help with getting adjusted better.

Step Seven: After Flight

Continue to hydrate yourself after your flight. If you want a good recovery fast try to avoid drinking heavily for the first two days after a really long flight. This will help your body adjust, and help rehydrate yourself. You can usually feel the affect of flight dehydration to continue 24 hours later. Invest in quality non-fragrant hydrating lotion to keep your skin feeling smooth!

 

Hope this helps anyone, and you can try some of these tips the next time you take your next adventure! xx

 

 

Japan To Debut A Hello Kitty Bullet Train

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Hello Kitty— either you love it, hate it. But you can’t deny that there is some nostalgia and cuteness to this much loved character. Japan totally embraces this character and is incorporated into many places around the country. Including, popular airline Eva Airways has some routes with Hello Kitty themed planes. Whoa! However, this summer, Japans transport industry will make history by debuting Hello Kitty Bullet trains, and we can hardly contain our excitement!!

Japan is widely known for super fast bullet trains and this month, Hello Kitty themed bullet trains will commence. Many people love this mouth-less character, so it is no wonder therefore that the Hello Kitty Bullet Trains are gathering so many expectations from the enthusiast of the character. And from what has been said about the Hello Kitty Trains, they have got everything to wow their passengers.

The Hello Kitty Trains as a Smart Move

The Hello Kitty Trains will be launched on June 30 as made known by West Japan Railway Co. Ltd. This train is in all colors and arts of the Hello Kitty character. The color around these trains will be all pinky and the bow design particular to the Hello Kitty loveable character. These trains are old trains which have went through a redesigning and restructuring process before the launch.  These trains will be taken from the fleet of Shinkansen’s 500 series fast trains. This is quite a smart move of restructuring the country’s train sector as it even seeks to connect travelers in an ambience that is adorable, pleasing and attractive. Another goal of these trains are to bring tourism attention to Japan’s west communities.

Destinations of the Trains

The destinations of the Hello Kitty Trains will be pretty much around the west communities of Japan. The Shinkansen, a 500 series, will run from the Shin-Osaka station to Hakata Station, which is the main station of Fukuoka City.

The Cafe, Hello! Plaza, and Kawaii! Room

An inside look to the Hello Kitty themed bullet trains that will debut in Japan. Meow!

The Hello Kitty trains’ café opened for advanced booking on June 1. This cafe is a very lovely twist and amenity to have aboard the Hello Kitty trains. A unique factor while inside the cafe on board when approaching a stop passengers will here a Hello Kitty theme song, instead of a normal train jingle. How freaking cool is that?!?!

Inside  Car 1 and 2 of the Hello Kitty trains are the most unique. The Car 1 is called Hello! Plaza. Inside this Car 1, there will be an exhibition showing an array of products of all the prefectures. The Car will be an exhibition center for both Hello Kitty trains. This is where you can get souvenirs of the Japan’s west communities, as well as, experience a photo booth session with the iconic Hello Kitty doll itself.

Car 2 on the other hand is called Kawaii! Room. The Kawaii! Room is really just a passenger car with Hello Kitty touches and pastel pink.

I’m not a Hello Kitty enthusiast per say. But! You better believe I will be wanting a ticket on one of these trains the next time I visit Japan! Meow! xx

 

All About Tulum, Mexico

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‘Destination Discovered’ will be a weekly blog series about a certain destination from anywhere in the world. Tulum, Mexico is one of my favorite destinations, and since it’s still pretty cold in most parts of the United States, as well as, the Northern Hemisphere I thought I would warm you up with somewhere hot!

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