The favourite past time of so many young individuals, hunting for the best cafe for the best photo op, and hope to god they have some good food… what a time to be alive!! Don’t worry I’m guilty of this, too, and you shouldn’t have to worry at all about the good food part either! This is why I’ve put together a list of your top cafes in Seminyak to smile and snap that photo!
1. Paperboy Bali
What a better back drop than a bright pink and tropical leaf painted wall?? via @_molliet
2. Balibola
The catch phrase here is “Not Another Instagram Wall”. IS there some kind of hidden message they’re trying to tell us? via myself @jessiekoehler
3. Shelter Cafe
Need more food content on your gram? Then Shelter Cafe Bali has you covered! Via @lucreziaworthington
4. Folie Cafe
Boys can have fun too! These colours are just so pleasing aren’t they? So are the afternoon tea sets too! Via @smashpop
5. Mannaka Bali
Whats better than puppies in cafes? Literally nothing! The simple design of this little coffee stop sure packs a punch! Via @mannaka.bali x @corgimadeinheaven
6. Sea Circus Bali
Vintage vibes and vibrant with @joannalilyx, not to mention their food is all the rage!
7. Motel Mexicola
Not exactly a cafe per say, but if you’re in the area you must stop! This place is screaming for a photo op with you as the main star! Via @ganiaputriii
8. Revolver Espresso
Not your average Bali coffee shop. The only thing fem about this coffee stop is this wall. Via @onadioleonardo_official
9. The Junction House
Feeling a moody vibe? Then head over to the Junction House via @nazvoyage.
10. The Coffee Cartel
Last but not least! Grab a friend, strike a pose! Or don’t, and just drink your coffee. But does it count being there if you didn’t take a photo? Thats for you to decide! Head over to the new Mini Coffee Cartel located in Legian, via @pearliewhitee
Check out these other blog posts about Bali below:
Ahhh Bali! I LOVE Bali! And so do many, many others, too! And there’s a great reason why; Bali is great for just about anyone. Singles, Couples, Families, Digital Nomads, Luxury Hotel Go-ers, Adventurers, Budget Travellers, Sun Seekers, and The Eat, Pray, Lovers. Shall I keep going? The only people Bali isn’t great for is if they absolutely hate basking in the sun, being pampered for a reasonable price, don’t like the sounds of the ocean, or being in awe of magnificent rice terraces. If that’s you, you should probably stop reading now!
But there’s one question that I get time, and time again. Where should I stay in Bali? My answer is never simple. It usually involves a series of questions like;
What do you like to do on vacation? Sight see? Never leave the hotel? Be pampered? A mix?
What kind of hotels do you like to stay in? Ultra Luxury? Boutique? Budget? Some where in the middle?
Do you have children? If so, how old? Do you like to bring them along for activities? Or, would like to do activities, but you’re afraid they won’t like this or you can’t do it with them? Great thing about Bali is nannies are readily available to care for children for the entire trip or on call. And they’re usually very affordable! Most care takers in Asia come from Indonesia or the Philippines.
If you’re the type of person that’s up for just about anything then that’s perfect, too!
Top Areas
Seminyak
Sunset at Potato Head Beach Club.
Seminyak is located about 45 minutes north of Denpasar airport with traffic. Five-six years ago, Seminyak was on it’s way to the top, now it’s BOOMING! Which if you’re trying to avoid the crowds, maybe this area isn’t for you. Seminyak is still on my list of places to visit because it’s great for first time Bali goers who want some action. But to be honest it is home to some of my favourite shops, and cafes as well. Seminyak is also home to the popular beach clubs like Ku-De-Ta, Potato Head Bali, and Mrs. Sippy Bali (this place isn’t on the beach, so it’s more of a day club). When you hear beach club, it’s not like your Las Vegas, Ibiza, Mykonos clubs, it is A LOT more mellow. If you don’t want to go during the day, then I HIGHLY suggest going a least for sunset. Sunsets are quite the activity in Bali, people tend to not miss a single one.
Like I said before, I go to Seminyak for shopping. You can find loas of good brands here; local, and international. There are even little amazing knock-off stores here (if you’re into that). Seminyak is also home to a lot of those great instagrammable cafes that you see in Bali, however, you’ll find those just about anywhere in Bali. Seminyak definitely has the most!
The beach in here isn’t the nicest. So it’s probably best to try to get a villa, or hotel with a nice pool to cool off in the middle of the day.
Click Here for the most instagrammable cafes in Seminyak.
Canggu
The’ infamous’ Lawn Canggu.
Canggu is probably my favourite areas of them all! The first time I visited Canggu was April 2018, the last time I went was April 2019, and so much has changed even in that one year! This place is what Seminyak used to be one 6-7 years ago, but maybe not even as cool. Canggu is a super chilled out place, a few beach clubs, a few luxury hotels, and a little main road you’ll find full of great little shopping boutiques, and restaurants.
Click Here for the best hotels and villas in the Canggu area.
Canggu is also known for its surfing, that’s how this area became popular. The beach itself isn great, in fact it’s a bit disappointing because you’ll come to find the beach is a bit littered. But don’t let that deter you. Canggu is an amazing little gem and definitely more of a younger hipper vibe, but that doesn’t mean families are out. Lots of families like this area because there are sprawling villas fit for 6-15 people. Which is ideal if you’ve got a crew!
You can tell Canggu is more health diven due to the amount of yoga studios, fitness studios, and healthy cafes. If you ever go to cafe in Canggu and wonder why so many people look to be at work rather than just enjoying the scene, it’s because they actually are working! There is a high concentration of digital nomads here in Canggu. They probably set up shop here in Canggu because villas and housing tend to be a bit more affordable than the rest of Bali, cafes are a plenty, wifi is decent, and the environment is a little less hectic than Bali’s counterparts. At least for now!
Uluwatu is probably the most breathtaking area of Bali. It’s located in Balis’ southernmost part. It’s know for it’s incredible cliff side views, as well as surf break just near the famous Single Finns restaurant. Single Finns is great just about any time of day the views are next to none, and great surf watching. If you’re super lucky you might even catch a very rare Dugong frolicking just below the surface just out front of Single Finn. Best to see this in the morning, sunset there will be too much glare. No one knows why the Dugong is there, but mostly likely the food is rich here and not much competition.
If you’re not able to pony up the money for the cliff side resort digs, there are plenty of cliff side day clubs to choose from here, even one beach club, too. All of these venues require a minimum to enter usually good towards food and beverage. But it’s WORTH it!
Click Here for to see a list of all the day clubs in the Uluwatu area.
Ubud
Floating breakfast at The Udaya Resort and Spa via @jessiekoehler.
Ubud is probably unlike any other place you’ve visited before in the past. It’s far from most other places in Bali with its location near the centre of the Balinese island. It’s beautifully green, has a monkey forrest near the centre of town, can see those famous awe-dropping rice terraces, and the people here are some of the friendliest people on the island. Ubud is also unique in a way that no outside companies can set up shop here in the centre of town, so you won’t see a McDonalds, Starbucks, Hungry Jacks, Jollibee, or Shell Gas! This is a law to protect and preserve the local economy. Although, you will find a Four Seasons, and a Ritz-Carlton so I’m not sure how that works? Ha! Regardless, I wouldn’t recommend staying there only because you can get the Four Seasons or Ritz-Carlton experience just about anywhere!
Ubud has some pretty incredible villas and boutique hotels. One of my favourites that I continue to go back to time and time again is The Udaya Resort and Spa. But just about anywhere you go to in Ubud you’ll find the true Balinese style service. So warm and welcoming.
Ubud even has a certain type of smell to it, if you’ve been before then you’ll know what I’m talking about. This smell is due to the morning incense ritual that everyone one does, but the smell is very distinct. It’s hard to explain how magical Ubud is. It’s definitely one of those places you just have to see for yourself.
Click Here for a list of all the popular activities to do in Ubud.
Nusa Dua
Beachfront at The Mulia Resort Nusa Dua via Travel Loka.
I feel a bit reluctant to put this area of Bali on here. Mainly because I’ve never personally visited here. And two, Bali has so much to offer it’s difficult for me to want to stay here because this doesn’t seem like the type of place I want to be at in Bali. However, I know that for a lot of people this may be the perfect place! Nusa Dua is known for it’s world class hotel resorts like; Hilton, Hyatt, Ritz- Carlton, Four Seasons and many more luxury and international hotel brands. This is the most developed resort area of Bali.
In Nusa Dua you probably won’t leave your hotel much, as I believe a lot of hotels offer all-inclusive option. Many resorts boast an awesome kids club, which is very enticing for families with small children. What makes Nusa Dua even more attractive is this place also great is because of it’s white sand beach, which generally isn’t found in most areas of Bali. Not to mention if you just need to veg out and relax and do pretty much nothing, Nusa Dua is great for that since you won’t want to leave the property much any way. Besides the fact Nusa Dua’s location is far from most other places.
Click Here for the best hotels in Nusa Dua via The Bali Bible.
“You’ll See It When You Believe It”- The Loft Bali
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This recent trip to Siargao my friend and I had the pleasure of experience Nay Palad Hideaway in Siargao. Let’s just say it did not disappoint! As soon as we were driving through the gates of the property and an entourage of staff was there to welcome us, we knew that this was going to be good!
Walking through the main gates to Nay Palad Hideaway after greeted by 5 staff members.
Click Here to find out how to get to Siargao Island, and more info.
About Nay Palad
Nay Palad Hideaway is one of a kind in Siargao, boasting barefoot luxury and sans wallet kind of place. This all inclusive resort is really all inclusive! From food, to drinks, to snacks, spa treatments and activities; everything is tailored, and curated to your specific needs.
Nay Palad is located slightly away from General Luna area, so if you’re wanting to check out the local area you’ll have to go off property and drive about 20 minutes. Personally, I would recommend spending as much time on property because it’s stunning! Although, the team at Nay Palad ensures that you are getting your fill of the island with all the activities they offer.
About The Rooms
The property itself has 10 rooms, ranging from 1 bedroom- 3 bedroom villas. We were lucky enough to check out the 2 bedroom villa during our stay, and it was exceptional. We walked through a private sandy curved path up to our gorgeous veranda, once inside the villa we were greeted to the sounds of Adele playing on the in room sound system with playlists already uploaded to the provided Apple device. Just beyond the first bedroom was the bathroom with a beautiful stone rainfall shower, and all the all standard five star amenities wrapped nicely with seashells and bamboo leaves. Continuing to the side of the bathroom was the second door to the second bedroom with its own private rear patio, in room lounge area, and desk. In fact the entire villa had three lounging daybeds at your convenience just incase you got tired walking from one room to the other. Although, we didn’t use the second bedroom it would be enough space for a small family in this particular villa.
About The Property
The property had several areas to make you feel at home and space for privacy to spread out. The Main hang out area besides your villa was the pool area. The beautiful blue pool was surround by many shaded and non shaded daybeds. Just to the right of the pool was the bar area, and it was a “help yourself bar”. I actually missed this detail and when my girlfriend went behind the bar I was in shock and asked her what in the heck she was doing?! Well, it’s a free for all at the bar and it was stocked!! They said treat this as your home and help yourself, if you didn’t feel like helping yourself then you could certainly ask one of the staff members roaming around to assist you. They even had a drink book behind the bar in case you wanted to get creative in the cocktail department. However, even the bar was a help yourself kind of thing, you won’t find people being disrespectful or crazy. It’s just not that kind of place. To be honest I don’t even think anyone was even drinking during the day from what I saw.
The beach was about 40 meters in from of the pool. Between the pool and the beach the lawn was dotted with palm trees and several beach side beds. Literally beds! It makes for a very cool aesthetic pool and even better photo op!
Beach front at Nay Palad
To the left of the pool was the covered dining area. Which had many open but divided spaces which made for more of a private dining experience. There was also a pool table situated in the back, and a larger lounging area, but could turn into a big table for larger groups. Beyond that you could see a kitchen, but an open kitchen. The chef explained to us that they can offer cooking classes for guests if they wish, or the guests could cook something they wanted to share. This space was completely flexible.
Back need the villas there was a separate spa area with several palm thatched covered rooms for different services. Services you could indulge in included, but not limited to, was a foot scrub, manicure, pedicure, foot massage, romantic baths, and various types of massages.
Spa area at Nay Palad
About The Food
The food at Nay Palad was amazing. Once on property we were personally introduced to the chef, we were also told that they do not provide menus on property. That lunch was served family style between your group, and dinner was a fine dining experience, but they did have a breakfast menu serving all the familiar options. They do this to keep things fresh, and to go with what is available on the market for that day. Since receiving shipments on the island isn’t easy or damn near impossible, they have to rely a lot on what’s local, and most importantly fresh. You will not go hungry here! Trust me! There are little nibbles provided in your rooms and each meal was more than enough and we even told them to go light on the portions.
Family style lunch featuring poké bowls.
One of 4 courses served at dinner.
About The Activities
We didn’t get to try all the activities they had to offer only because we had limited time, and we had already spent a few days prior exploring. Our first evening we were offered to try our their paddle board experience in the mangroves. This was an unforgettable experience! You can see these mangrove shots in the recap video at the beginning of this post.
They also offered their own island hopping experience. I’m not sure if they went to the same three-island hopping tour that is typically advertised in Siargao, but on the way to Nay Palad the driver pointed out another island closer to them, and that could be one of the stop off points, too.
Click Here to check out my three island hopping tour video.
Besides water and spa activities, they also have sporting activities on property such as beach volleyball, cricket, badminton, and soccer available. You won’t be short on things to do here that’s for sure!
Hope you’ll be able to experience this beautiful property some day or just Siargao period, it truly is a hidden gem!
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While living in Asia I constantly find myself in search of somewhere new to travel to. Living in the US I didn’t have the luxury of hopping on an airplane and within 2-7 hours I was surrounded by a completely different culture, people, food, and all sorts of unfamiliarities. Instead, I saved, and waited all year to travel for a period of 3-4 weeks to seek new and exciting places and it still took me around 24-30 hours to get to.
Now I feel sooo lucky to not only have the means to travel, and to visit places within such a short reach! Last week I had the great pleasure of finally visiting the island of Siargao (say it with me Shure-a-gao). Apparently, I had been pronouncing it wrong for years, and to be quite honest I still don’t know if I’m getting it right! Pronunciation police step aside! This tear drop shaped island is located on the most western side of the Philippines. The island is known for its wetlands, mangroves, surfing, and off shore coral reefs.
Where is Siargao Island?
When To Go?
I had my doubts about visiting here in the month of July. SEA tends to be very wet in the months of July, August, and September. But as we to found out one of the directors at Nay Palad Hideaway said that April and August were their driest months, and that due to the location of the island it didn’t see the type of weather the rest of the Philippines does. But as with any island in SEA it’s best to keep in mind that you should experience some rain on your getaway. Don’t worry though, the rain usually passes, and it’s just as beautiful when it rains!!
On Siargao; January is their wettest month of the year. The low season is November- January and into February is considered low season because it experiences the most amount of rain fall.
How To Get There?
This is the toughest part. Since there are so few flights from destinations to get here finding flights to fit your needs may be tough. The main hubs that they receive flights from are Cebu (1 Hour flight away), and Manila (2 hour flight away). I was able to pull an arrival directory of flights that come to Siargao. I’m not sure how accurate this information is, but it gives you a good idea of the schedule that arrives here on most days.
IAO Flight Arrivals August 2019
Two airlines fly to Siargao for now; Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific. If you’re coming from far away it’s probably best to fly into Manila, or Cebu first; then purchase a separate flight to the island via these two airlines. Prices can vary greatly doing this and can save you hundreds to thousands of dollars rather than buying your ticket directly there. Just give yourself at least 4 hours between flights.
Where To Stay?
Like I said I’ve been wanting to travel to Siargao for some time now. Years ago when I was first researching there weren’t many places to stay. The most desirable place to stay was Nay Palad Hideaway, however, aside from the ultra luxury resort, the rest of Siargao was greatly lacking. Fast forward, things have changed! There is more of a range of options, although you still won’t find your hiltons, Hyatts, shangri-las (thank god actually, because you know that the island is no longer a hidden gem), there are plenty of nicer boutique resorts and villas to choose from. It’s also growing. There were construction sites everywhere.
We had the pleasure of checking out two options; a small boutique resort called Bulan Villas Siargao, which had just opened 3 months prior to our arrival. The second place was the islands coveted, ultra luxury; Nay Palad Hideaway. Both were amazing in their own respect, and we got to see so much of Siargao this way.
Bulan Villas Siargao – is a newly opened eco friendly villa hotel located in the heart of General Luna almost across from the ever popular Mama’s Grill. It’s set right along the main road. The Property consists of 6 villas with a private bathroom, air con, and wrap around balcony. The property also has several more economic rooms private rooms, but these rooms share a main bathroom facility. (Rooms $40-120 USD)
Bulan Villas
Nay Palad Hideaway– is one of a kind in Siargao, boasting barefoot luxury and sans wallet kind of place. This all inclusive resort is really all inclusive! From food, to drinks, to snacks, spa treatments and activities; everything is tailored and curated to your specific needs. (Rates begin at $630 USD Per person/night)
Nay Palad Hideaway
What To Do?
Siargao has a lot to offer and so much to see on and off the island. Since I was only there for 5 days I barely scratched the surface. Here’s a list of the top highlights and things to do in Siargao:
Three Island Hopping Tour– (Click Here to learn how to book a tour!)
Surfing at Cloud 9 Beach
Have a smoothie Bowl at Shaka Cafe, breakfast of champions!
Surf Watching at Cloud 9 Peir– (Click Here my surfing video.)
Visit Magpungko Rock Pools
SUP at the mangroves labyrinth– (Visit the Instagram @sup_siargao for tours, the owner is super friendly!)
Watch the sunset at Isla Cabana Resort– (300PHP min. per table good towards food and drinks)
Sugba Lagoon
White Banana Beach Club– (Chill out to the music vibes here)
Sohoton Cove– (VisitJourney Era blog post about how to get here and many more awesome things to do in Siargao!)
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Ramen, the slippery, fulfilling noodle soup that many around the world have come to know and love! If you are living under a rock, you seriously need to try this dish. Can be made to suit most peoples needs, whether you are a vegan, vegetarian, or meat eater there’s usually a bowl just for you.
I will say that ramen is my solo night out dinner experience, as well as my “I have a MAJOR hangover” and I need this bowl of rich soup to bring me back to LIFE! If you know, then you know.
If you ever have the pleasure to go to the mecca of ramen noodle shops then this post is for you! Tokyo can be very overwhelming so I’ll be sharing mine, and many peoples’ top shops for slurping in Tokyo.
1. Menko Ushio
Ushio Menko became instantly popular after its’ opening in 2010. The bowl to try at Ushio is the Nihon-ichi shoyu soba ramen. It’s a blend of new age modern ramen and traditional. The high quality ingredients make this a showstopper! Which includes high grade kelp from Hokkaido, unpasteurised soy sauce that’s left to age, smoked duck meat, and medium-thick noodles that encompass a wonderful umami flavour. At must try located 1 minute away from the Awajicho Station. Click for address.
2. Nakiryu Ramen
Nakiryu is a famous Michelin starred shop famous for ‘DanDan’ style ramen or rather tantanmen. However, their Sanramen is the ramen to try here which is a sour and spicy style ramen with add on options such as coriander, soy egg, shrimp and pork wonton, kujo leek, and much more. This shop has grown so many followers that they’ve even produced an instant version of their popular noodle soups. The real deal? Or just the cup! This place is worth the visit, located here.
3.Tastsunoya
Let’s talk Tonkotsu! MY favourite kind of ramen out of them all. The richness of the pork broth, the thin noodles, and for some reason I just adore kikurage (type of wood ear mushroom)! I always ask for extra since I usually leave out the pork chashu. Tatsunoya keeps it traditional serving up some of the best tonkotsu ramen. Better yet? If you aren’t able to fly all the way to Tokyo you can visit their Pasadena, California location. 🙂 Click here for Tokyo location.
4. Afuri Ramen
Afrui ramen, you’ll recognise this name as they have several shops across Tokyo. They too have even moved into the western counterparts in the US. Some have given this shop the name ‘The King of Refreshing Ramen’ because they use yuzu, which is a type of citrus in East Asia, and the key to creating this light bowl of ramen. The Yuzu Shoyu Ramen is the recommended dish. Head over to their Ebisu location here.
5. Menya Itto
Last, but very not least! Tsukemen.. maybe you’ve heard of it.. maybe you haven’t? But 100000% you should try it! This type of ramen is right up there with Tonkotsu Ramen for me. The long queues in Tokyo at Menya Itto ramen shop day and night tells me that this just isn’t one of my favourites either. This “deconstructed” ramen is all kinds of right with its’ medium thick wavy noodles cooked to perfection, the chicken and seafood broth soup is simmered for hours, and the toppings are well balanced to no over power base. Tsukemen or “dipping noodles” is literally taking a scoop of noodles and dipping them into the soup. It’s proper to play with your food here! Ha! This shop is located within just a few minutes walking distance from the Shin-Kiowa station here.
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Note: Some products that you click on I might get some compensation from Amazon.
I finally got the opportunity to visit Seoul, South Korea! I honestly didn’t know what to expect from the city besides possibly seeing a cosmetic surgeon on every corner. Haha… okay so that wasn’t really the reality, BUT they have cosmetic stores everywhere! And Koreans take beauty seriously!! They are probably number one in the world on their beauty routines. They say an average Korean spends around 30-45 minutes a day just on skin care. Even men! Where I’m from most girls are lucky if they get all their make up off before going to bed. (Seriously girls.. we need to step our game up!)
The first day I was a bit overwhelmed by it all. Every second shop in some places was another beauty store, and I really didn’t know what to make of it. So the first night I went back to my hotel room, and did some serious recon so I would be better prepared in the following days. After some research I got a grip on what brands to look out for, and the product direction I wanted to go. After hours and multiple days.. yes days. I finally felt like I had seen and bought it all!
Below is a list of my favorites from the trip, and a few that are still on my wishlist for next time. I have a lot of these products linked to my amazon list where you can get them shipped right to your door step.
Dr. Jart+ Rubber Mask
I chose this product on my own. Basically because of the cute packaging. (But am I right?) So this is a fancier version of a sheet mask.. and comes in different variations. Needless to say, I bought them all! Find this product and more on my list here.
HOLIKA HOLIKA Pig-nose Clear
My boyfriend and I immediately used this product when I purchased it. This is a 3-step black head removal pack. Comes in small nose and large nose sizes. (Small for me, large for him) He constantly asks me to put these on him! This takes black head stripping to a whole new level!
Mizon All In One Snail Repair Cream
This cream is in my daily routine. After years of sun exposure, I feel the need to take extra care of my skin now. It feels so silky and smooth, probably due to the snail ingredients in it. This cream has been the rave all over beauty blogs, and I had to see for myself! There’s something about this cream that makes me feel good when I put it on. 🙂
too cool for school Egg Mellow Cream
This is a New York brand ‘too cool for school’, but the stores are all the rage in Seoul. This 5-1 cream claims itself as a firming moisturizer. Another all-in-one cream for you with brightening, anti-wrinkle, and collagen infused firming moisturizer is a definite go to! Click here to find this on my page.
Brown Lab Mild-S Daily Peeling Pads
There’s something special about these peeling pads for me. I love a good mild peel. Makes me feel like I just gave myself a mini facial. I have a few dark spots on my skin, some from the sun, some from acne. I feel like these daily pads are somewhat diminishing those spots for me.. and I haven’t even used the product that much. Also, I’ve NEVER actually had any peeling with these pads. Although, I think it takes a lot for my skin to peel so these might not be for everyone.
Nature Republic Aloe Vera 92%
After leaving the US I had to part with my aloe plant that I gave lots of love to. While in Seoul, I realized Koreans also share my same LOVE for aloe too! I saw lots of aloe products all ranging in different percentages. I liked the brand Nature Republic the best because it was straightforward, no frills shop, the only product they sold was aloe infused products. I also bought aloe hand cream that came in a aloe leaf shaped bottle. (I know, another packaging sucker story! Save me!!)
3CE White Milk Sleeping Mask
This beauty brand is super popular in Korea. Many of their K-Pop Superstars and beauty bloggers claim to use their products. I chose this product because it was a true sleeping mask. I also like whitening effects in products to give my skin a more even skin tone, and to help brigthen it up
HYGGEE One Step Facial Essence Fresh
Everyone loves a good facial! Why not bring that facial to your home? Is exactly my thoughts when I made this purchase. HYGGEE is the Korean minimalist product staple. This gives your skin an all over fresh feeling. Not a product I would use every day, because it’s too good to use all the time!
Mizon Sheet Mask
Village 11 factory, was one of the first beauty product stores I went into. I was overwhelmed, and confused. I went straight for the sheet masks, and bought some pimple patches and decided to go home and do some research. Low and behold, I ended right back at this store for the snail cream I listed above and more of these amazing sheet masks. Mizon is a staple in my book! You can buy many of these on my store here.
KOCOSTAR Lip Mask
I’m a huge sufferer of chapped lips. I thought it was a living in the desert of Las Vegas thing. No, it’s an all the time thing… probably because I’m terrible at drinking water. But unfortunately theres, not sheet mask for rehydration hahaha… but instead I’ll settle for repairing my lips after the fact with these fun little lips masks.
too cool for school Egg Remedy Pack Shampoo
Another ‘too cool for school’ product here. I absolutely love this shampoo. I wish I would have bought the conditioner pack as well, but I didn’t. This shampoo makes my hair feel AMAZE after! Definitely, would buy this over and over.
Moonshot Jelly Pot
Koreans not only love beauty products, but they LOVE make up as well. When it comes to make up they aren’t shy about having a little fun with it. The moon shot jelly pots are a fan favorite! Gives the eyes a little shimmer, and goes on jelly like, but not sticky. Since I don’t go out on the town very often, I like to sometimes go all out, so these little jelly pots give a little extra UMP in my look. Plus their petit pots fit in just about any make up bag.
CNP Laboratory Propolis Energy Ampule
I read to look out for this brand while in Korea. It’s considered a really underrated brand, and sort of Koreas “secret” brand as far as high end quality, but without the price tag. I love the texture of this serum. I typically put this on right after I get out of the shower, or before I put on make up if my face is feeling extra dry. I noticed within days of using this that the space between my eyebrows because not so dry and flakey which is always a problem for me. Two thumbs up on this one.
Huxley Oil Essence
Another oily like product I purchased was Huxley’s oil essence. Even in humidity my face tends to get dry just by being in the sun. I love putting on these serums right after at day at the beach or right in the morning when I wake up.
INK Peripera Lip Stains
I love me a good lip tint, and there sure isn’t a shortage in Korea. They know how to make sure lips last throughout the whole night, too! I bought a few of these tints by Peripera. They have an original, gelato, and a matte version. Personally I love their gelato line, it’s the moistest on the lips. MY lips are usually super dry as it is, so matte lipsticks and tints don’t usually work for me anyway. You can find these tints on my amazon list here.
Josh Rosebrook Hydrating Accelerator Facial Mist
Even though this is made in the USA, it was all over Korea. I was pretty much sold on this product while purchasing my ‘too cool for school’ products (also made in the USA). I didn’t know much about it, but I was given tons of samples at check out. Actually I was given lots of samples at every store. It’s like Christmas every day at a beauty store in Korea. I had to go back for more of this mist once I got back home!
Mizon Bye-Bye Pimple Patch
Pimple patches are becoming increasingly popular in the US. I decided to give the patches a try, and they seemed to do their job! I’m luck that I don’t get break outs often, so I’ve only tested it once. However, I liked the results the first time. Either way they are fun way to deal with those little red bumps.
HOLIKA HOLIKA Foot Mask Sheet
At one point during my shopping spree I went a little mad and started buying everything in sight. I was like a girl in target without a motive.. that kind of mad. I started buying things like foot masks, hand mask, vline masks. My motto at one point was can’t fix it, throw a mask on it! LOL! However, I did like these foot sheet masks. A few days after wearing them the bottoms of your feet start to peel and shed the calluses. A but odd, but a good scrub in the shower and your feet will feel like a nice mini pedicure.
Leegeehaam HYAL B5 Toner
Leegeehaam is backed by leading dermatologist in Korea. The sleek packaging sells itself. I love a good toner since my skin isn’t in the best shape right now, and I knew I had to give this one a try, as well as a few other products not listed a try!
Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Eye Cream
Of course, I have to save the best for last. The holy grail of beauty creams. Sadly, I did not leave with this. This product comes with a hefty price tag, but the cream boasts leaving the skin more radiant, and silky smooth. Plus ginseng is imbedded into Korean culture.. the ginseng in this product is suppose to activate the skin to give it a more plump look. I do have my eyes on this cream.. and someday I will get it. But for now, I’ll stick to my all-in-one creams listed above.
If missed the link… here it is again. You can find most of these on the list I’ve created within amazon. Also note, I am NOT a dermatologist, nor did I go to esthetician school. These are simply all the products I bought, and tried and loved while I was in Korea. Happy shopping!
https://www.fromjessie.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/JPEG-image-15E0AA06F20B-1-e1535348272927.jpeg12421535Jessiehttps://www.fromjessie.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/logo.pngJessie2018-08-27 05:41:062018-08-27 05:41:06My Korean Beauty Product Must Haves
So, recently I moved to Hong Kong and I’ve slowly been getting everything in order as far as setting up new accounts, getting my finances in order, and changing addresses in all the right places.
My boyfriend and I fly quiet often around Asia, and in the United States as well. After our trip to Bali using Garuda Airlines, which we were VERY pleasantly surprised about, I noticed his Delta App was missing one HUGE thing when looking at his sky miles account. The MQDs bar was missing! First, I wanted to know why, and second how, third, I was secretly jealous 🙁 . So, I did some digging and I found out that international customers in the Delta Skymiles program are exempt from accumulating MQDs when achieving status, and only their MQMs are counted. This blew my mind.
Changing of Address
My next order of business was to change my address on my Delta Skymiles account, however, from what little I read, this process wasn’t easy and it would take weeks. I also didn’t read anywhere about what would happen to existing MQMs you might have had prior to the address change. And furthermore, they could deny you. But it was all risks that I was willing to take, and after all I do live in Hong Kong.
I read over the list of items you had to send them to verify that you ACTUALLY lived outside the US. NOTE: If anyone tries to falsify this, you could be kicked out of the program entirely, and I think it’s totally illegal. So don’t try this unless you ACTUALLY live outside the US. The list included things like;
Passport
ID Card
Phone Bill
Utility Bill
Bank Statements
The list went on
The Process
I thought okay, well I don’t have an international passport, or an interactional ID card since I’m still an American citizen. I cannot obtain a Hong Kong ID card, nor can I have rent in my name, or utility bills, or phone bills. The only thing that I could do was change my US bank account address to Hong Kong, and wait until the next billing months statement to post to give proof. So that’s exactly what I did.
Before you had to scan and email, or fax these papers to Delta’s Skymiles department, but I think just within the last month they changed that. Now they have an easy upload process online. I submitted my new international address, showed proof of my bank statement, and in the comments section I said something to the tune of “the actual proof of change of address was my prior itineraries with delta, all of which are to and from Hong Kong”. Since they can see this in my account, I thought it was best to actually say that.
The Wait
Documents submitted, now it’s the waiting game. At this point I’m a bit excited, and nervous. (Yes, I’m a frequent flier program nerd, and I actually get excited about elevated status, don’t judge! Who doesn’t like the occasional upgrade anyway? Am I right?) My MQMs were at 73,000, but my MQDs were just over 3,000, I had just reached Silver Medallion. However, I had 16,000 rollover MQMs from last year.
Were my 16,000 rollover MQMs going to fall off? If my address was approved were they going to stay, meaning I’m on the cusp of being a Platinum Medallion!? Was I going to have to start all over this year? Or was I flat out going to be denied? Uhggg the suspense!!! How was I suppose to wait weeks for this answer?
Outcome
Well I didn’t! I waited approximately 36 hours for the outcome, or maybe less. I didn’t get an email for the address change, I only noticed by logging on to my delta app that the MQDs bar was not there!! It worked, I was approved!! Not only that, my 16,000 rollover MQMs stayed! Which, from what I read, is a perk something international customers do not have. I was practically jumping for joy! But I noticed that my status for this year, and next year still said Silver Medallion. That’s okay. Things take time.
I waited 4 more days, and then checked again, still stated Silver Medallion. That’s when I thought okay? So am I being punished? No, just be patient. Checked again two days later, and my 2019 status had changed to Gold Medallion! WooWho! Even better, is that I’m so close to Platinum, I’ve been Gold, but never Platinum. It’s almost as if Diamond Medallion status is so close now (but I still have a lot of miles to go for that)!
So there you have it! For anyone who flies with Delta and is curious about the international address change process, I can assure you that this can only help you if you fly long distances, and still often fly within the US. This is the best way to achieve elevated status quicker.
https://www.fromjessie.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/delta-plane.jpg551980Jessiehttps://www.fromjessie.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/logo.pngJessie2018-08-14 09:03:212018-08-14 09:07:15Changing to an International Address with Delta Skymiles
When travelling to Italy, a smart way to go is to pick a theme and follow that path. Made you want to see the Roman cathedrals, walk the piazzas in Florence. Or maybe you just want to chill out with a cold drink in your hand, with some beautiful waters in your sights. Either way, Italy is simply magnificent.
A fun way to explore the country’s beauties is to stick to the neverending coasts and the gorgeous islands. Breathtaking sceneries, sandy beaches, rocky cliffs, crystal clear water. No need to travel to the tropics: Italy has just about it all!
In no particular order take a look at my very-own top 5 beaches in Italy.
Positano, Amalfi Coast
Parasols at the beach in Positano
Stretching for about 50 kilometers on the southern coastline of Campania, the Amalfi Coast is one of the most popular seaside spots to enjoy your vacation in Italy.
Featuring rocky steep shores, golden to charcoal sandy beaches, and small fishermen villages, the Amalfi Coast is home to some of the top beaches in Italy.
Best time to visit is April to September, however the Mediterranean climate makes of the Amalfi Coast a perfect spot to escape the colder north side of the country even in winter.
Do not miss out on popular villages like Amalfi,Positano, Praiano, and Capri. Ranking amongst the best sights in Italy, Positano is also definitely worth a visit
Cala Porto, Polignano a Mare
Cala Porto beach set in a cove in Polignano a Mare.
This wonderful little town on the Adriatic coast of region Apulia is very much popular as the set of a big number of Italian movies. You’ll truly appreciate that movie-set vibe as you walk through the historical center of Polignano a Mare.
Join the locals and the many visitors in a superb vacation in one Italy’s most beautiful seaside spots.
Sitting on a rocky cliff, about 33 kilometers south of Bari, Polignano a Mare also features beautiful arts, extensive historical and cultural sites, breathtaking views over the Adriatic Sea.
Polignano a Mare carries tales from a Greek and Roman background. The best example? Pay a visit to the beautiful Roman Bridge on Via Traiana. A spectacular sight! Even the architecture in town resembles many Greek small towns. So beautiful
Rabbits Beach, Lampedusa
Clear blue waters here around this island. Many beautiful beaches here.
This tiny island on the Mediterranean Sea is in fact the biggest of the archipelago called Pelagie Islands. Being much closer to Tunisia in the north Africa than to Sicily, Lampedusa offers a semi-arid climates. Thus it is considered as the warmest site in the country throughout the year.
The biodiversity and the flourish wildlife make of Lampedusa one of the top beaches in Italy. Keep an eye out the sea for dolphins, sharks, whales and seals.
Spiaggia dei Conigli (literally Rabbits Beach), named Best Beach by TripAdvisor in 2013.
Cala Rossa, Favignana
Not much of a beach here, but good for swimming right off the boat.
Okay, so maybe it’s not so much about the beaches here, as it is about the water! The water here is like looking into the most beautiful deepest blues, and bright turquoise hues. Favignana has become a hot spot for tourist recently.. and you’ve probably seen these places pop up on your Instagram this summer. (Maybe the Italians didn’t wanted us to not know about it!)
Favignana is a small island situated just off north-western tip of Sicily. There are many sandy beaches, accompanied by rocky shorelines. Cala Rossa, most popular beach here, is a beach on the eastern portion of the island. Not very much is around this beach, a few small eateries, and hardly any services. But this place is great for snorkeling, swimming, and amazing panoramas.
La Pelosa, Stintino
La Pelosa beach on the island of Sardinia.
The coastal village of Stintino in Sardinia offers the spot that ranks on number 1 of the best beaches in Italy. Most people forget about this island nestled in the middle Tyrrhenian Sea.
Sitting in the Gulf of Asinara, the stunning beach of La Pelosa features white sand and crystal clear water.Very much popular with tourists from all over Europe and the world, the area around Stintino offers luxurious resorts and a vibrant nightlife.
Sent me an email and let me know if I’ve missed a beach you love! jessie_koehler@yahoo.com
https://www.fromjessie.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/capri-beaches-2.jpg6671000Jessiehttps://www.fromjessie.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/logo.pngJessie2018-08-10 08:25:252018-08-10 08:31:245 Beaches In Italy You Can't Miss
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!
https://www.fromjessie.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/IMG_8794.jpg10801616Jessiehttps://www.fromjessie.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/logo.pngJessie2018-06-25 05:04:312018-06-25 05:28:33Bali, Indonesia - Why You Should Go Now
https://www.fromjessie.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/20180614_140354-2.jpg680907Jessiehttps://www.fromjessie.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/logo.pngJessie2018-06-21 10:58:412018-06-25 05:01:31Koh Yao Noi: The Next Thai Island Destination
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
https://www.fromjessie.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/sky-photo-2-e1528272717648.jpg40323024Jessiehttps://www.fromjessie.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/logo.pngJessie2018-06-06 08:13:222018-06-25 05:01:58Tips On Feeling Fresh During and After Your Flight
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
https://www.fromjessie.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Screenshot-2019-06-01-at-4.15.22-PM-e1559377072852.png8301088Jessiehttps://www.fromjessie.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/logo.pngJessie2018-06-05 07:18:452019-06-01 08:18:19Japan To Debut A Hello Kitty Bullet Train
‘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!
Recently I had the pleasure of staying at the luxurious Grand Hyatt Kauai, and let me just say it was beyond my expectations. When planning travel I look at a few things; location, surroundings, cost, and of course the property itself.
When looking at Kauai its almost broken up into three different sections, north, east, and south side. A lot of the west side is not accessible nor are there many places to stay. I narrowed our options to the north and south, west seemed too busy for what we wanted out of this particular trip. We were going to choose the St. Regis Kauai on the north side, but after some research we decided on staying south in hopes for better weather being we were visiting end of November onto December. Not sure if it actually made any difference, but I wouldn’t have changed it! So Grand Kyatt Kauai Resort and Spa it was. We even booked with our American Express Platinum card through Amex Travel to utilize the Fine Hotels and Resorts Perks. *(more on that later)
One of my favorite parts of this partials property is how lush and green it is!!! Okay, now I know what you’re thinking it’s not called the ‘Garden Island’ for nothing! Regardless, the property is incredible! Check out the minute long video below over the Grand Hyatt Kauai.
https://www.fromjessie.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/IMG_1331.jpg10801616Jessiehttps://www.fromjessie.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/logo.pngJessie2016-12-19 05:04:172018-06-25 05:03:14Experience Grand Hyatt Kauai
Hammam, turkish bath, roman bath, they’re all relatively the same. You my have heard of these spa services, or perhaps you haven’t. I will tell you before moving to Las Vegas I didn’t have a clue what a Hamamm was. Hammam is particular spa treatment originating from Turkey, known as turkish bath. Turkish bath in arabic means Hammam, reason behind the different names. With a price tag for these services generally over $400 they’re certainly not the most popular!
Recently, I was treated to a spa day at the Sahra Spa & Hammam at the Cosmopolitan by one of my gal pals. (Thanks again Chrissy @garciachristan! I owe you big time!) During my amazing massage I told my masseuse that I was traveling to Morocco soon, and that I was excited to experience their spa treatments, primarily their Hammams. His voice lit up, and said “once we’re finished here, I’ll show you our Hammam room”. How cool right? A private tour! And it was beautiful, and sooo luxurious. The masseuse began telling me about the treatment, but I was in such a daze from my massage and enamoured by the beauty that I kind of forget to listen. Opps! That would have been nice info to know! ha!
Fast forward to one month later…..
My girl friend and I are in Morocco. Marrakech, to be exact. We have our eyes set on many adventures while we are in Marrakech, and one of them happens to be this mystical, skin-silkening hammam service. I told my friend about this spa treatment, and after a bit of convincing she reluctantly she said she’d try it. As to our surprise there were very, VERY nice spas in Marrakech. One in particular being at our hotel the Es Saadi Palace, the famous Dior institute and spa. Supposedly there are only two of these in the world! However, we wanted more of a local vibe, and prices were also more affordable off property.
Herbal room at Es Saasi Palace Spa
Luckily our kind friends in Marrakech booked us a 2 hour Hammam plus massage treatment at Les Bains de Marrakech. They told us it was very popular amongst locals and tourists, and a few days after arriving we were to have our first hammam!
The scrub down… I mean, Hammam treatment
Once the day arrived, I was a little nervous, because by now I’ve heard so many mixed views on hammam’s. From- “Like, you lay on this floor, it’s wet, your naked and someone scrubs you” to “You’re doing what” and “don’t worry it doesn’t hurt that bad”….ha what could go wrong right?! Okay, it was a bit intense sounding, a bit strange, but for the most part I was trying to keep an open mind. After all, we were in Morocco, and this is something that’s very much part of their culture.
After check in we were showed to the women’s facilities. We were told to undress keeping underwear on, and get in our designated robes and spa sandals. Once changed a woman immediately came to collect us and took us to begin our afternoon of festivities. Yay! After many minutes of walking down hundreds of corridors we made it to our hammam room. There we were passed off to another worker who tells us in french to de-robe, or I assume to de-robe because she was tugging on my robe belt. Okay robe off! She then began pointing at one side of the room, where I assume she wanted to me to lay given by her hand gestures. She then motions the same to my friend.
For some reason I thought my friend and I would be in separate rooms, this came to a screeching halt when we were both being forced into the same room. Let me tell you if we weren’t close friends before, it was about to get a lot closer!! Not embarressing at all… nope not one bit! Plus, neither of us spoke french so it was useless. *nervous laugh* The worker walks away and closes the door behind her. Allow me to paint this picture- she leaves us in this small room, which is about a million degrees, laying on two plastic type cushion beds with water drenched on them to sweat. In that very moment I literally had no idea what I got ourselves into, and I know my friend was thinking the same. All we could do in that moment was break out in uncontrollable laughs.
After the giggles and crying-laughs subsided, the woman finally returns says “le virage” about ten times (which means to turn over in French, I guess we were laying the wrong way) then she began putting some black rock soap on us. Once applying was over she again shuts the door and leaves us for about another 10 minutes, or in our minds an eternity! Finally, the lady again returned, allowing some fresh air into the small room, thank god! She then began administering this small glove to her hand, making her way towards me.. I knew now there was no going back. What she did from there, was something my skin had never endured before. I thought she was going to give be third degree burns from scrubbing so hard. After she finished doing devil practices to my friend, she then rubbed what looked to be mud (I think they said it was an algae mask) to our bodies and faces, and once again exited the room. I then began having thoughts like “I’ve never felt this much pain everywhere, like ev-er-y-where” and “I don’t want to look because I think I might be bleeding” it was that serious! After another long while she came back and one by one were told to rinse off and leave the room. Yay back to our fresh, comfy robes!
Facilities at Les Bains de Marrakech – Photo courtesy of @DreamySpas
Final thoughts
Hammam reflections; after it was said and done, the treatment was great, awkward with another person, but great. Would I chose to go alone next time? Most likely yes, but going with a friend or loved one is not unheard of. It actually looked like the room could even hold a third person judging by the three beds. As for my skin, it felt freaking fabulous! Those dry layers of skin finally off, and the magic mud bath at the end seemed to really seal the deal. But, maybe it was my imagination? At a small price of, $60 USD for Hammam treatment plus a 1 hour massage, I would do it again in a heart beat! You can’t even get a 1 hour massage in the US for $60, let alone two treatments for $60. Les Bains, all I can say is, thank you so much for not scrubbing off all my skin so that some day I may return to Marrakech experience more hammams!
Let me know if you have any embarrassing spa or hammam treatments below!
From,
Jessie xx
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Ah, Italy, you have so much to offer. How do you choose just one town, village, city, coast to see? This is a difficult question that many ask themselves before traveling to Italy. Whether you have limited time or an abundance, you’ll never get to see and do everything you want. For example, one of my mothers friends has been to Italy twelve times… yes TWELVE.. and she still says it’s not enough. I dreamt about just going once, and now that I have, I’m dreaming about going again, but all in due time.
For now I’m here to talk about one of Italy’s coastal gems; Positano. An absolute paradise, and the most delicious, scenic, beautiful place you ever might visit. When defining utopia, I’m pretty sure Positano is in the definition.. it’s that breathtaking.
But as with almost anything, something so rewarding isn’t an always the easiest to accomplish. As the saying goes “if it were easy, everyone would be doing it” Right? Right!
Getting To Positano
There are multiple options to choose from when traveling to Positano. You can take a ferry, bus, train/bus combo, or private transfer/taxi option from either Naples or Rome. These are all viable options that everyone takes depending on your budget and how you prefer to travel.
Ferry/Ferry , Ferry/Bus Option
There are no direct ferries to Positano at this time. If you’re arriving into Naples, there are ferries leaving from Naples Beverello Port to Sorrento about 5 times daily depending on the time of year. You may book tickets in advance or book the day of. However, the ferry only takes you to Sorrento. From Sorrento you’ll still need to make your way to the bus stop which takes you onto Positano. Second option would be to connect with another ferry that takes you onto Positano.
Ferry/Ferry Option: $44 USD about 3 hours travel time
Ferry/Bus Option: $19 USD about 3-4 hours travel time
Train/Bus
There are no direct trains to Positano. There is a popular public trained called the circumvesuviana which has routes from Napoli Train Terminal to Sorrento, it takes about 50 minutes total travel. There are several trains per hour that leave to Sorrento, booking in advance is not needed. Once to the station in Sorrento you’ll need to take a taxi or bus to continue to get to Postiano. Both buses and taxis are outside the train terminal in Sorrento.
Train/Bus Option: $9 USD about 2 hours travel time and the most affordable
If you do decide to take a taxi from Sorrento to Postiano it will cost you around $90 USD.
Private Transfer
Depending where you’re coming from either Rome, or Naples. There are private transfers or taxis that will take you directly to Positano. No stops, and the most comfortable way to travel to Positano. You can use various online tools to book a transfer or contact the hotel you’ll be staying at in Positano to have them arrange it for you.
From Rome:$300-450 USD about 3-4 hours
From Naples: $115-150 USD about 1- 1 1/2 hours
Personal Experience
Going to Positano we opted for the Train/Bus option because we stayed in a little beach town close to Sorrento before heading to Positano the next day. The circumvesuviana train was an interesting experience with it’s own charm. It can be crowded, therefore you may not get a seat for the first few stops. Furthermore, there is no aircon, but the windows do stay down. When the train moves you do feel the breeze, but it can get hot. The next morning when we caught the bus to Positano we did wait in a line to get on the bus, and once on the bus we didn’t have a seat, so we had to stand. The bus ride is 30-45 minutes, so for nearly 4 Euros it wasn’t that bad. (Total $9 USD train and bus combined).
On the way back to Naples we paid 130 Euros to have a car pick us up from the hotel and drop us at the train station in Naples. Obviously this was the carefree, easy way to travel. Not to mention a way to travel in style! Yes, I may have liked this option more, but the price difference is so staggering between the other options that the struggles with the train/bus option wasn’t that bad! I can’t speak for the ferry option, but it is available for those sea lovers.
Caio!
https://www.fromjessie.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/IMG_0172.jpg17282592Jessiehttps://www.fromjessie.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/logo.pngJessie2016-08-29 16:15:052018-06-25 05:04:53Positano: A Guide To Get There
Flying… we love and hate it. It gets us to our next destination fast, but surely not without its’ fair share of headaches! Lines everywhere, tacked on fees at check in, and don’t forget about those dreaded middle seats! Oh, the agony! What if least some of those annoyances could be alleviated? Would traveling be a bit more pleasurable? Would you consider traveling more often? I’d say yes!
I found the trick to skipping those long lines, never paying for my first checked bag again. I found this through signing up for Gold Delta Skymiles® Credit Card. This card has literally SAVED me, not just financially, but physically too. The benefits of this card are endless, and at a mere $95 annual fee (*first year waived), it’s worth the sign up.
I already knew I liked flying Delta Airlines. This airline is a bit more “business forward”, but business travelers know how to travel! Business travelers are efficient in traveling, they know what they’re doing and they do it quick. This makes it more comfortable for someone who’s a frequent traveller/flyer as well. Us frequent fliers also know the “ins and outs” of an airport, and we tend to roll our eyes are those who aren’t as savvy as we are! (Don’t deny that you haven’t had an eye roll or two at the person who has no idea how to get to their seat, put their bag in the overhead bin, or follow any sort of directions whatsoever!)
What’s the Deal?
After flying with Delta Airlines for some time I started to accumulate miles, but I wanted more. It dawned on me that I could achieve status with my favorite airline quicker by signing up with the Gold Delta Skymiles® Credit Card. Heres what you get:
Earn 30,000 Bonus Points*
Priority Boarding
Every dollar spent counts towards miles
$50 Statement Credit**
Earn 2 Miles per Delta Purchase
First Checked Bag Free *for companions too
No Foreign Transaction Fees
Travel Accident Insurance
Much more…
Annual Fee: $95; waived your first year
*Earn 30,000 bonus points after $1000 spend within the first 3 months. **Statement credit added after you make your first first on delta within the first 3 months.
UPDATE 11-28-16 To earn your 35,000 Bonus Miles and $50 statement credit, please email me! 🙂
How I used my Delta Bonus Miles!
I won’t hold you in suspense any longer! At the time when I signed up Gold Delta Skymiles® Credit Card, they were offering 50,000 bonus miles. I booked a few delta flights on this card once I received it, and boom! Before I knew it I racked up that $1000 spend, and was able to get my 50K bonus miles. Not to mention DOUBLE points for booking delta flights. It was like I earned almost an extra 4,000 miles when it was all said and done after flying.
Also, at the time I was about to fly to Asia, though I hadn’t booked my return flight home. I knew my last destination before flying back to the U.S. was going to be in Hong Kong. After I received my bonus miles I began looking at flights from Hong Kong back home. I found a First Class – YES – Delta One First Class, from Hong Kong to Seattle for 75,000 points ++.
Taxes and fees had to be paid separately, which were only $105 USD!! How exciting right? First class, plus access to lounges at the airport, and private car transfers in-between the gates all for points 75K + $105. Definitely, a steal! Of course, I already had 25,000 points already in my account.
Had I not had those points I could a flown on an economy ticket for 30,000 points + taxes (roughly $50 USD).
A bit tired from a long night in Hong Kong, but I made the flight to Shanghai.. home bound after my next connection!
My Delta Skymiles card is perfect for me. I’ve had the card just under a year and if I had the annual fee it would have already paid for itself because of the free checked baggage benefits. Plus, every dollar I spend gets matched for Skymiles and transferred directly into my account at the end of each billing statement.
If you have any other tips, or suggestions; please leave them in the comment section below! Happy Travels!
https://www.fromjessie.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/IMG_3715.jpg24483264Jessiehttps://www.fromjessie.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/logo.pngJessie2016-05-20 22:17:282018-06-25 05:05:28How I Flew First Class From Asia to U.S. For $105!
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Coming at you with week two of ‘Destination Discovered’! This time I will take you on a journey to a thriving metropolitan city in Southeast Asia called Hanoi.
https://www.fromjessie.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Screen-Shot-2016-02-06-at-11.15.23-AM-e1454786887144.png313386Jessiehttps://www.fromjessie.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/logo.pngJessie2016-02-06 19:23:372016-02-06 19:50:50Attractions in San Fran during Super Bowl Weekend
Do you like luxury? Do you like finding the best deals while traveling? Would you want to feel like you’re on top of the world? If you’ve answered yes to any of these questions then you’ll probably like to know that you can have all this all for a mere $150/night at these Air BnB rentals. Best part of it all is that they’re all penthouses!
https://www.fromjessie.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Screen-Shot-2016-01-31-at-3.36.36-PM.png524784Jessiehttps://www.fromjessie.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/logo.pngJessie2016-02-01 01:01:372019-06-01 08:02:23Lux for Less - 10 Penthouse AirBnB's for Under $150/Night
Whether you love it or hate it… February 14th, aka. Valentine’s Day, aka. the dreaded holiday for some, is right around the corner. So, if you haven’t started thinking about what to get your ‘Valentine’ it’s time to start!
If you’re needing some Valentine inspo, then let us be your guide. Of course you could always go the clichè route by getting flowers, hearts, chocolate, but why not take advantage of Valentine’s Day falling on a weekend?! Stir things up this year and think about taking a day trip, or even a weekend trip with your V-Day crush.
Below are 5 weekend getaway ideas that you and your Valentine will sure to LOVE!
1. Check into a bed & breakfast
Bed and Breakfast’s have this sort of whimsical charm to them. The calm, relaxing feel will allow you and your Valentine to sit back and relax in the romance of the weekend. Many Bed and Breakfasts’ even have all inclusive package that allows for a stress free weekend. No ‘where do you want to eat’ argument will arise. Win! Most bed and breakfasts’ you can find using TripAdvisor, however, you’ll need to contact the B&B directly for pricing either via email or phone call.
Quintessentials Bed and Breakfast and Spa in East Marion, New York.
2. Visit a winery
Did you know every state has it’s own winery? The website – Winery By State – has a complete list of wineries in every state. Even if you aren’t a wine lover, wineries can still be pretty awesome! Beautiful scenery, and history of the vineyard is worth the drive in itself. Some wineries even have their own restaurants attached to them, which will be a good way to soak up a day of those fermented grapes!
Silver Oak Winery; Napa, California
3. Spend the weekend at the beach
Though it might not be 80 degrees and sunny — okay, maybe in Florida — but other parts of the country it certainly will not be. It will still be incredible to kick back and watch the sun rise or set on the beach with your cupid’s crush. In fact, some of those killer hotels that you’ve always wanted to visit will be at discount since it’s considered low to mid season. You’ll even find great deals booking hotels last minute through sites like Hotels Tonight (TIP: Use PONPOINT and receive $25 off your first night night stay!). Not feeling the hotel vibes? Check out Air BnB for beach condos and houses, some houses can even sleep up to 8-10 people!
Visiting your nearest park may not seem very romantic, however, being alone and spending time together is really all you need. Parks are filled with amazing sites, great hiking, and perfect photo ops. If you don’t have access to national parks there are a lot of great alternatives such as; urban hiking, and local parks. Check out this link for an index of national parks by state.
Urban Park: Dallas, Texas
5. Have a staycation
Sometimes you don’t have to travel far to visit somewhere new. Travel can be right in your backyard or in the next city over. Perhaps you’ve always wanted to check out that new restaurant with that incredible wine menu, that show you’ve been wanting to catch, those spa passes you received for Christmas, or that new cocktail lounge. Make a weekend out of it by spending it with your Valentine at that nice hotel downtown. We bet sitting in those plush robes, while eating room service, will sure make you feel like you’re hundreds of miles away.
Welcome to my blog From Jessie. I would like to begin by saying I am NOT reinventing the wheel here with my blog, but I am simply giving my own opinions, tips, and experiences during my travels.
I decided to start this blog because, well, I don’t want all this information in my own head, therefore, I would rather share it with all of you! Another reason I wanted to start a blog is because I receive so many questions about my travels; where to go, what to do, see, and experience that I thought this would be a good platform to share. Furthermore, I have literally thousands of photos from my travels with no where to really share them… until NOW! 🙂
A little about me…. I have a sincere passion for traveling. I constantly find myself checking google flights for a certain destination, then daydreaming about that location until.. BOOM, I’ve broke down and booked that destination I had to go to. I haven’t been all over the world, but I want to. I want to see and do it all. I currently reside in Las Vegas, Nevada. I can contribute living here as to how I am able to travel as much as I do. I moved to Las Vegas from Ohio a little over 4 years ago because I wanted to be closer to the west coast (I hadn’t visited the west coast until this move) and save money while I finished college. Because I made this move I was able to finish college debt free, even save a little, and use some money to experience my travel dreams.
I want to thank those who’ve encouraged and helped me start this blog you all mean a lot to me, and I appreciate you all very much.
-Jessie
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