30 August 2013

Bucket List #2

I've had this photo for more than a year now. I don't mind if it was somewhere other than the Bahamas, but it has to be me swimming by myself in clear waters and a clear ocean floor.
It's my perfect beach escape 

Swimming in the Bahamas. Photography by Elena Kalis.


Challenges: 
Time and money, especially if I do decide to go all the way to the Bahamas! And if I don't I will need time to find a nice, secluded location similar to this.

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Story behind this entry: One of my biggest fears is being in the water. Dark ocean floors and lakes are just nightmare fuel to me (plus the fact that I couldn't swim). Yet I can't help loving it when I see people swim, snorkel, dive or do any kind of water activity. So when I started uni I took swimming lessons and I started to understand why people loved it so much and to see the beauty in it. And when I found this photo last year, I just knew this was definitely something I had to do before I leave this life.

Credits to Travelettes and the amazing Elena Kalis for her beautiful underwater photography. 

Google Doodle 56th Merdeka Edition

Happy 56th Merdeka to all Malaysians :)


28 August 2013

Bucket List #1

I started a bucket list the other day.

This is #1

Performing hajj at Mecca, Saudi Arabia


Challenges:
Time and money - the minimum period required for hajj is 2 weeks. Plus there stories of people who wait for years to get their turn to go for hajj. 
One day, inshaa Allah.


26 August 2013

Ideas for Layovers #1

Hey. 

The Monday blues hit me hard today so I hope you are feeling better than I am.

I decided to distract myself by thinking about what to blog today. I'm gonna start a series of tips to keep yourselves sane busy and entertained during long haul flights.

If you have too little time to explore the country you are having your transit at, but enough time to drive you bored mindless, here are some tips help keep yourself entertained.

#1 Learn the cup song

Since the internet is head over heels for this song, you'd have plenty of time to jump into the internet bandwagon by leaning this during your flight haul. Plus all you need is a cup and a bit of rhythm :)

So here's a good tutorial of the song....


...and here's a good cover of the song :)


Lyrics:
I got my ticket for the long way round.
Two bottles of whiskey for the way
And I sure would like some sweet company
And I'm leaving tomorrow, what do you say?

When I'm gone, when I'm gone
You're gonna miss me when I'm gone.
You're gonna miss me by my hair
You're gonna miss me everywhere
Oh, you're gonna miss me when I'm gone.

I got my ticket for the long way round.
The one with the prettiest of views
It's got mountain, it's got rivers
It's got sights to give your shivers
But it sure would be prettier with you

When I'm gone, when I'm gone
You're gonna miss me when I'm gone.
You're gonna miss me by my walk
You're gonna miss me by my talk
Oh, you're gonna miss me when I'm gone.

(Original song: "You're Gonna Miss Me" by Lulu & the Lampshades)

Enjoy!


21 August 2013

10 Places to See Before They're Gone

Hey guys

So I found this website which has tons of infographics on all kinds of topics; history, geography, culture, sociology, food, gaming......you name it!

 Coincidentally, I also found this infographic about a list of 10 places to see. They are listed here literally because the places and their attractions are at risk of disappearing from the earth whether by rising sea levels, deforestation or over-poaching. 


Despite this, I do realize we have many other treasured locations in the world which may or may not be threatened like these places. For that, there is no other way to maintain these places except to take the responsibility into our own hands and to travel consciously.

Check out the site for more infographics :)
Tata!

20 August 2013

Google Doodle III

Hello!

Here's another round of guess the country's Google Doodle..





























Doodle 1
Hungary National Day, March 15th

Doodle 2
Bangladesh Independence Day, March 26th

Doodle 3
Bulgaria National Day, March 3rd

Doodle 4
Ghana Independence Day, March 6th



Did you get any right?

19 August 2013

Weird and Wonderful III

Hello!

Here's a dose of more weird and wonderful tools for travelling :)

Addalock Portable Door Lock
At first this seems a little exaggerating, but after reading this post about horror hostels, this could seriously up your safety and privacy.

Lifestraw Water Filter
We've heard of and experienced a lack of access to safe tap water especially in, um, countries where their definition of hygiene is debatable...so getting your hands on this filtering device might be your life saver during those times. That, or you can use this app to figure out if the tap water at your country is safe for drinking.

Sunrocket Solar Kettle
Ok I honestly fell for this gadget because it was solar powered. Too bad. And yes, it is expensive too but hey, it works is snowy conditions too okay?

Hope that helped guys! Or at least, was entertaining : >

18 August 2013

Mobile Phone Etiquette around the World

Hi again!

I found this infographic on cellphone etiquette from a friend on Twitter :)

I love infographics since they make important information simple and catchy (in other words, easy to remember!)


INFOGRAPHIC Cell Phone Etiquette World Wide
Courtesy of: Repairlabs

For a bigger view, click on the image.

Hope this helps!

13 August 2013

Camping hacks

Hey!

I've been going through some camping tips and here are some hand-picked camping hacks that I think would actually help


Point a head lamp into a jug of water for an instant lantern.
This looks like an easy way to increase the ambient of your headlamp/ flashlight. Instead of just directing light to single point, you could illuminate a whole camping tent by doing this.

Bring a tick deterrent.
Personal experience taught me that lemongrass/ lemongrass spritz keeps mosquitoes and flies away.

Glue sandpaper to the top of your match holder.
An idea in case you decide to keep your matches in a more waterproof casing.

Repurpose a coffee can to hold and protect TP.
I love, love, love upcycling..which is why I love this tip. If you need to keep delicate items safe from nature's elements, there are tons of household items that you could fit them in. A tub like this fits toilet paper just nicely.

Make crescent rolls over the campfire.
Since you won't be having an oven to bake pastry, whip up some crescent roll dough and bring them along on your next trip. According to this guy, it makes for a tasty (and addictive) snack while outdoors.

Use Tic-Tac boxes to store spices.
Did I mention I love upcycling? Use tic tac containers to store powdered cooking ingredients or cooking spices.

Cut up a straw and fill the pieces up with antibiotic ointment or toothpaste for single-use packets.
A tip for personal hygiene: One-use toothpaste packets, so you don't need to bring entire tubes. Don't forget to seal the ends! (Do this by burning them slightly).

Make single-use soap leaves from a bar of soap and a vegetable peeler.
More single-use items! Carve soap so you can save from bringing an entire bar. This also helps avoid contaminating your only soap bar from being used for different kinds of washes (ew).

Personally if you can start your own fire I don't believe you need hacks for anything. But just in case, doritos are apparently great for kindling. 

Cotton pads dipped in wax are a crazy easy way to make portable fire starters.
More fire-starting tips! Cotton pads dipped in wax are also apparently really effective fire starters. 

Toothbrush and toothpaste
Finally, a towel with pockets. 
Why didn't I think of this before.

All in all, I think some of these tips are pretty useful even for regular travels :)


Sources here and here

12 August 2013

Google Doodle II

Hi again! Can you guess which countries these Google Doodles belong to?



































Doodle 1
Kuwait National Day, February 25th

Doodle 2
Dominican Republic Independence Day, February 27th

Doodle 3
Sri Lanka Independence Day, Februay 4th

Doodle 4
Australia Day, January 26th

:)