Just a Minute in...October

Am I allowed to post for October now? It's only early November. Coz to me, October just ended now that our trip has finished and we are back in Nepal! So I thought I would reminisce about what we were doing on my favourite day of our trip, which was of course our first full day in Paris!

Let me just fill you in: we've just spent 4 days in Morocco - 2 days of which my husband and our friends we were traveling with, were sick (me too, but not as bad as them).

It's Monday 24th October, 2010: we are exhausted, excited to be in Paris and have a cute little apartment in the 10th arrondissement which I found via Airbnb.com (and I highly recommend using it!).

Watching... Criminal Minds - season 4 - put the whole thing on my ipod just for our journey!
Eating... I think it should be: what am I not eating! But it's safe to say that croissants seem to be what I keep shoving in my mouth!
Reading... 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' by Stieg Larsson (note: I ended up finishing it in 2 days)
Listening... To beautiful French being spoken all around me and loving it!
Wanting... For once in a long time, nothing. I'm quite content after our trip :) I went into lots of shops and fulfilled my little list from 'Just a Minute in...September'
Excited about... And probably still excited about seeing the beautiful Eiffel Tower, Sacré Coeur, Notre Dame, the River Seine, the Lourve, the Parisienne buildings, eating crepes filled with nutella and almonds, eating baguettes...I could seriously go on!

Paris stole another heart...which was mine.

Stay tuned for more posts from our trip :)
xx

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Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

We arrived here and it's HOT! But yesterday we visited the beautiful, amazing, magnificent [insert more similar descriptive words here] Sheike Zayed Grand Mosque. It was amazing, built based on the architecture of the Taj Mahal in India. It's made completely of marble from different countries around the world. Most of it is gold leaf plated, while the chandeliers are made with Swarovski crystals. The mosque has the largest hand woven carpet of its kind in the world, plus many other record breaking features which has slipped my mind! It really is spectacular. We women had to wear black abayas which was an interesting experience. Inside the mosque, the security would rush to women the minute their head scarf would slip back and tell them to pull it up (yes, he told me off multiple times!). I even saw a couple having a photo and the security man told them to stand further apart - men and women no mingling here! Anyway, some photos....

Love xx

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Au Revoir!

I'm off today! Just a quick blog post from Tribuhan (Kathmandu) International Airport as we head off on our adventure! First stop: Dubai.

If you want to keep track of my hubby and I's travels just follow me here or on twitter!


Take care, lovelies xx

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Milano

 

 On our trip we are spending a couple of days in Milan, Italy and I was trying to find some information on the city that wasn't fashion related so I could get an idea of the place. I came across this blog, Mint Sugar, and saw that this girl had just visited Milan with some lovely [what I think are] lomography photos. Unfortunately I can't read Italian, and am a bit lazy to put it through google translate, but the photos suckered me in - especially the gelato one! I will definitely be having some of that!

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Love to Hate: Packing

By now, I'm starting to think that I have my travel essentials down pat. I love that the more you travel, the less stressful it gets (and I guess the less of a novelty it becomes!).

So as I pack for my trip to Thailand on tomorrow, here is what I'm packing and suggesting for on-board comfort...

• Pashmina or a scarf: silk or cashmere or wool!  Since coming to Nepal I have truly learned the versatility of a pashmina. Even if you are going to a tropical destination a scarf instantly dress's up your look and serves multi-purposes; make it a pillow, a blanket to combat the terminal or plane's air conditioning, a pillow cover if your hotel's pillow aint' so clean, The possibilities are endless! I have a 70% Pashmina/30% Silk shawl that I carry with me on every trip out of the Kathmandu valley. Check out this Mulberry - Loopy leopard-print twill scarf.

• Jersey Pants or leggings: Whether you wear them on board or change after take off, these have improved my long haul flights by 200%. I call them plane pants and they are like my plane pajamas allowing me to be unrestricted and relaxed, which increases the chances of me getting some sleep! I've had my eye on these Bassike - Organic cotton slim-leg pants.

• Ballet flats or mocassins: Most websites and blogs I've read lately are surprised that people are still wearing them. But why not I say? They are comfortable and look classy without too much effort. And same goes for wearing them on the plane. Ballet flats are like your slippers for the sky!
  How cute are these Bloch - Classica ballerina flats?

• A roomy, but not too big, carry on bag: The reason why I say, not too big, is the simple fact that the bigger the bag the more you put in it, therefore making one heavy bag! And don't forget that usually you have to carry these things around the terminal and then lift it up into the overhead compartment (unless a flight attendant comes and helps you) in the plane so I'm looking out for your best interests here! My husband wishes I would follow this...
  My dream carry-on bag Kate Moss for Longchamp - Gloucester travel bag

• Lucas Paw Paw ointment: Perfect for plane-caused dry lips and any other cuts or insect bites you may encounter on your journey. I swear by this stuff ever since I put it on a burn I did to myself with a hair straightener a few days before a date with my then boyfriend (now husband), and in those few days the burn dried up and cleared with no scar!

Other things that I suggest are don't wear too much make up and drink lots of water on board. Bring a travel size moisturiser, hair brush, iPod, a good book/magazine, and of course a camera! Keep all your travel documents in a travel wallet (or something similar) just so during the stress of everything you know where everything is.


One thing that I am dying to try is: Batiste Dry Shampoo
It's apparently a new craze so I want to see if it really works and if it would be useful for traveling. If you've tried it let me know what you thought!


So there you have it! Hopefully I've helped you pack comfortably and well for your next adventure :)

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Dear Paris...

My French classes are bien (I'm speaking French-lish now!). Learning a lot and getting confused a lot. I often feel like I'm in Grade 2 again learning my vowels and nouns, with a teacher who insists on perfect spelling. More than anything I cannot wait to use this French on real French speaking people (I don't count my French teacher coz he's Nepalais - despite being French in every other way!) in Morocco and Paris during our travels in October :)

I just found a cute apartment to stay in via airbnb.com (I will let you know if I recommend it after our stay) in Paris located in the 1st arrondissement right near the Lourve and Forum des Halles. Saying that I'm excited is to put it plainly! Anyway, we have to wait til the owner of the apartment replies to my email, and I hope it's a positive response!

I thought I'd just put myself in a Parisianne mood with some style photos from Paris by non other than, The Sartorialist...

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Blog Overload

Lately I've been so overwhelmed by the blogging world and it's lack of boundaries and endless possibilities. I think that's why I've been a bit stumped to blog lately because I see so many people doing such cool and unique things that I wonder what the heck am I doing! My stuff doesn't belong on the web compared to that amazing/creative/stylish/colourful/hand drawn/inspiring blog! So I've gone back to the beginning and the reason as to why I started blogging in the first place: as an escape and outlet from moving from Australia to a little country called Nepal.

Here is some link love of some of the blogs I've been reading lately. No reason for me to keep these lovely things to myself!

Also, I just got a cold and I'm going to Thailand on Sunday. Boo boo, hoo. :-( So I'm drinking crazy amounts of lemon tea!

• Some Kind of Style
  
• Travel in Style
• Green Tea and Red Nails
• Pandora
  
• My Marrakesh
• Passport Glamour
  
• Bikini's and Passports
• All the Pretty Birds
• This is Glamorous
• Hello Catherine!
• The Swede Records

Enjoy!

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I'm here!

I know I've been a bit slack, but I've just been so tired and busy with work, but I'm here! And I've found something inspiring and beautiful (and not just a pretty face)...

Who knew that Helena Christensen was half Peruvian? Well I didn't, those light freckles certainly fooled me, and did you know she takes photos? I guess lots of people take photos, but not everyone goes back to their heritage and takes photos to highlight climate change...unless you do (if you do - tell me about it!)?

Anyways the modeling beauty went to Peru in 2009 to take photos and draw attention to the effects of climate change as an ambassador for Oxfam. Her exhibition was held in London in November 2009 and entitled, "Meltdown: Images of what we lose when the glaciers disappear."
And let me tell you, the things that we may lose are irreplaceable, priceless things that we can definitely have a hand in helping keep around.

So here is Helena Christensen as a photographer and her photos in Peru...and just a little note to think about this planet we live on...

"I start photographing all these cool little kids. Their cheeks are burned from constant exposure to the sun. Their clothes consist of layer upon layer of vividly coloured sweaters and skirts. They run around, shrieking with laughter chasing each other, whispering together."

Extract from Helena’s diary.

via {Diana Mini Love blog}

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Delectable Dubai

I'm so excited today because we booked our flights to Dubai last night :)

In a very backwards manner we booked our flights from Dubai-Istanbul-London about 2 months ago but not Kathmandu-Dubai. So we took the risk and got bargain flights for $150 return! My hubby and I have made sure to at least try out the indoor snowboarding since we haven't been snowboarding in a couple of years, and I am very keen to hit some malls and relax on the beach! Oooh I absolutely cannot wait...

Patience really is a virtue. Because now we've saved some extra spending money! Any suggestions for fun things to see and do in Dubai?

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Q-Concept Store

In all my craziness last week, I forgot to do a Travel Feature Friday, so this week I have made sure it is the one thing I blog about. As I prepare my, ahem, shopping list for my trip to Bangkok in August (despite it being a work trip. It's going to be so hard to focus!), I was thinking of all the cool stores I have to visit. I've been there a few times now to know what to go straight for and what not to waste my time with. One store that popped into my head is the Q-Concept Store which my hubby and I discovered on our honeymoon last year.

It's a fun and quirky store that has such a variety of things in it, from crazy doll keyrings to home furnishings to clothes, you can spend hours in the store just playing with the random gadgets and toys. Like these catapult things we took a photo of: (please note the 'wedding slinger' and the 'baby shooter'!)

They have beautiful clothes and accessories, that seemed a little bit overpriced, but still beautiful nonetheless. It's the kind of shore that I would visit everyday, not to buy, but just to look and play. You would also find a gift for the most difficult-to-buy for person here, I think!

Next time you're in Bangkok make sure you pay a visit to the Q-Concept Store (even visit their website, it's all sorts of pretty!).

Siam Paragon, 3rd level next to the main atrium escalators.

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The Philippine Islands

Firstly, the Philippines is not usually known by this name. I think someone wanted to make it sound more exotic and added 'islands' to the end, and some Filipinos love it and others loathe it (I saw BryanBoy tweet that he hated it). Anyways, I am very proud of the fact that I am half Filipino (ha they say it's a new race - there's so many!), especially because I get to spend wonderful holidays by the beach side all in the name of 'seeing family'. My mum comes from the island called Mindanao, which is the biggest and most southern island and her hometown faces west, so can you imagine the amazing sunsets we get to witness every evening? Breath-taking! My fondest childhood memories are jumping off the rocks into the beautiful crystal clear water (I refuse to jump now - the rocks have danger written all over them!) and going boating up and down the coast with my cousins. Such fun fun times!

But alas, I'm a little bit sad at the moment as my parents are over there right now enjoying some wonderful beach and family time while I slave away at work here in Nepal *sigh*. This is the second time my parents have gone with out me and it sucks!

Here are some photos I took from the last time I went in 2008...

That's me in the boat!

and those dreaded jumping rocks

It's my second home...

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Portugese Prettiness

Beautiful editorial photographed in Portugal, which has moved up into my 'must visit soon' list. I love the perfect blue sky and light shades of clothing...

Clothes worn are by Fendi, John Patrick, Marc Jacobs, Louis Vuitton, D&G, Mark Fast and Christopher Kane (see link for detail).
{via New York Times T-Magazine}

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Afternoon Delight // Beach Dreaming

Oh, it's Thursday afternoon. Close to the weekend, but just not quite there yet.

Today I'm feeling unmotivated. Mainly because it's humid and there is no beach. Anywhere. Nearby. I'm sure the closest beach is about a 2 hour plane ride away...in India!

So here I am, dreaming, once again...Taken by moi, Fiji 2005

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Go on Time

India's IndiGO Airlines just released this new ad entitled, 'On Time Client' which is what we wish all airlines would try to do! I thought it was a really fun and modern commercial and it's nice to see an airline acknowledge what can happen if all their flights ran 'on time'. I like the implied chic hotel and the mod 70's outfits too! Such fun! :)

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Korea Sparkling

On CNN they play an abundance of tourism and airline commercials. And you know what? They all sucker me in! For example, the last one was on Sri Lanka, and this time? Korea. Sparkling Korea. The music's introduction gets me every time, and the two things this ad makes me want to do in Korea is a) snowboard and b) go to the beach. Extreme to extreme! I swear I am a tourism advertisers dream consumer!

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Wish You Were Here

BREAKING NEWS! Well kind of not really, but here is my little write up that I did for our fundraising trek to Mt. Everest Base Camp published on CNN Go Asia. I like seeing my name in print...
Check it out here...

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Wanderlust List

Recently my husband was inspired by this blog to make a list of 100 things to do before he dies (God forbid anytime soon!). Naturally, it rubbed off on me and next thing you know I'm ratting my brains trying to think of even 10 things to do! But one that is a high priority on the list is visiting 20 countries before I'm 25 years old. I turn 25 in December 2011 and I'm nearly there on the list, but just need a little push along!

Here is where I've been so far:

1. Australia
2. Philippines
3. U.S.A
4. Fiji
5. Thailand
6. New Zealand
7. Bangladesh
8. China (Hong Kong)
9. Nepal
10. Qatar
11. Oman

This year we will be visiting the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, U.K, France and fingers crossed, India! So that's 16 countries, leaving four to visit next year.

There are a few ground rules: airports don't count, at least a day (12 hours) must be spent outside of the airport's surroundings and some sort of cultural experience is to be had!

Any suggestions for next year?
You can visit my husband's blog here (he is quite the artiste and illustrator - far more creative than I am!)

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Guess!

It's Friday today and I couldn't let this day pass without something travel related!

So please take a guess as to where this beautiful city is that I will also be visiting this coming October...

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