Bali: A place of undefiled nature
Posted by: bestluxtravel on: October 29, 2009
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Large vistas of Blue Ocean and white sand greeted our eyes looking out from our budget hotel, the Green Garden Bali. We had a single room that was really spacious- almost as big as a double room. Landing in Bali from Melbourne in the morning we had a hearty breakfast at the hotel. In the afternoon we took a stroll down the Kuta beach.
In the evening Sue wanted to visit a night club. We saw one called Double 66 located, pretty conveniently if you ask me, on the Kuta beach itself. To tell the truth, I have seen bigger night clubs in Melbourne but this one is rather nice and quieter too. We saw some clubbers trying out bungee jumping for $ 50. Crazy, if you ask me.
The next morning we set out early to visit a floating temple, or so the brochure said. The temple of Ulun Danu is actually situated over a lake dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu, the preserver of the universe. This ancient temple is truly magnificent with a lovely multi-roofed shrine. Standing tall against backdrop blue-grey of a cloud and sky mix, it looks like a proud defender of a faith gradually disappearing in the country.
We also went to this suburb called Penelokan Kintamani and saw the Gunung Batur volcano in its green and blue regalia looking beautifully scenic. Throughout our peregrinations we were assisted by our local taxi driver who seemed to know a lot about the places we visited, particularly the temples. During our visit to Ubud, one of the pristine suburbs in Bali when Sue suddenly felt the urge to try something ‘nice and Balinese’ it was he who suggested we try Café Wayan where we had a plethora of rice dishes to choose from. The Nasi Campur or ‘mixed rice’ comes highly recommended.
Crete Island: Golden sand and the sea
Posted by: bestluxtravel on: October 28, 2009
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The air in Crete Island hangs heavy with the scent of orange blending with the salty-lavender smell of the sea. Sue had wanted to visit the Greek paradise, home of El Greco and the birthplace of advanced European civilization. We caught the plane from mainland Athens to land at the airport in Hania. The transport situation is pretty good around the airport area and we were quickly able to find a taxi to take us to the hotel that Sheena had booked for us, the Sunset at Kissamos.
We had this delightful double room situated atop a chapel overlooking a pink and white beach with turquoise waters lapping at its shores. It being somewhat warm we were glad of the air-conditioning, fridge and other amenities. And the view! We went near-berserk with happiness watching the huge orange flame of the sun dissolving in crystal clear waters in the evening.
The morning after our arrival Sue and I went to visit the highly picturesque Akrotiri. This is surely a place for nature lovers with lovely walks over a soft and sandy beach, bedspread of white gold a great place for sun-bathing and swimming too, as we discovered. In our rented car we drove down the next day to the Chania Prefecture located some 10 kilometers away.
The entire island seems ideal for walks and nature explorations. We also clambered on to this rather rocky cliff – thank goodness for our walking shoes – and a church loomed up in view. We discovered this was an 11th century monastery called the Katholiko Monastery, the oldest one in Crete Island. Surrounded by caves, the church is dedicated to St. John the Hermit. In the evening we did some shopping for typical Cretan herbs and honey. The latter, particularly, is very popular the world over. We bought armloads of it before departing for home
Trondheim: small yet great
Posted by: bestluxtravel on: October 23, 2009
To get to Trondheim Sue and I got into a train from a town called Bodo in the north of Norway. Since we were already tired we simply got on to the train and slept like tops. The journey lasts some 10 hours and passes by a town called Hell (!). The scenery, we had been told, is very beautiful. But being so exhausted we missed out almost all of it. Sheena had booked us in at the Scandic Hotel Prinsen. Housed inside a rather old building it is, nevertheless, quite quaint and has its moments.
We had a queen-sized bed and a buffet breakfast. There was also wireless internet available which meant that I was able to catch up with pending work on my laptop during my stay. The next morning when we wanted to go out on a stroll somebody suggested Bryggen, the area consisting of old warehouses in the ancient part of town. We saw this bridge called Gamle Bybro that came up in the late 17th century.
The old warehouses have now turned into Restaurants and shopping outlets. Some of them still remain. It is a difficult to believe it but these warehouses actually add to the picturesque beauty of the place. Trondheim happens to amongst the oldest of all Norwegian cities. Defying common (mis) perception, this rather small-sized city was not developed by the Vikings as it came up during the end of the Viking era.
Despite its small size Trondheim is quite a major center of culture and the fine arts. We went up to Nidarosdomen, the largest church in Europe and were charmed by its gothic architecture. There is also the Archbishop’s Palace next door which was almost burnt down and which was noticeably restored. We didn’t get to see much of it, however as there wasn’t time. We departed for Oslo the next day.
Lifou: a green speck in the Pacific
Posted by: bestluxtravel on: October 22, 2009
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“It’s like the Blue Lagoon!” Sue exclaimed on our first morning at Lifou. I know what she meant. Blue waters clear as crystal, coral reefs, pristine greenery… Lifou in New Caledonia is spectacular, to put it mildly. We were lucky to have found accommodation in the highly picturesque Drehu Village full of bungalows with rooms that are spic and span with internet access and other amenities.
While Drehu Village is not a three star Hotel it has all the facilities of one including an in-house restaurant. We were welcomed warmly by the staff on the day of our arrival by ship (the best means of traveling around New Caledonia). Sue and I walked around the little island on its various trails and tracks carrying our sling bags over our backs replete with ample supplies of bottled water and some food.
Wearing stable walking shoes we undertook our Lifou adventure following smooth tarmac roads surrounded by daunting forests. We walked along trails with the song of rare birds following us. We also went up and down some bumpy tracks for which we were inordinately thankful to our sturdy walking shoes. Travelers to Lifou are strongly advised to wear robust and durable walking shoes while walking around the beach strewn with coral that can slice your feet if you go about barefoot or in flimsy footwear.
Some of our friends and Sue’s colleagues from Australia had traveled down the luxury cruise ship called Pacific Sky which, we discovered, is pretty popular in these parts. They invited us for an evening out ‘with the guys’ or so they said. The luxury liner, we discovered, is choc-a-bloc with discos and nightclubs, wow! Sue was particularly impressed with the disco night club with booming music and psychedelic lights, a music-savvy DJ and so on. The food and wine on the ship is par excellence.
Williamsburg: Stepping into history
Posted by: bestluxtravel on: October 20, 2009
Sue’s first cousin’s godmother, Aunty Patsy, lives in Williamsburg in East Virginia. Sue’s first cousin, Mary, wanted to deliver her basmati rice from India. Since I had work in East Virginia, I offered to take it to her. Sue, of course, wanted to come along. Driving along the wide, tree-lined boulevards we noticed the architecture is old Colonial styled, all bespeaking a lavish way of life. To tell the truth, if we hadn’t seen people walking about we would have come away with the impression of an open air museum. Very old-fashioned and beautiful.
Previously known as Jamestown it came up on 1699 and stills wear a late 17th century air. Any moment you expect ladies stepping out from behind carriage curtains with shopping baskets and smelling salts speaking old-world English. Aunty Patsy lives near the Market Square and was very welcoming to both Sue and myself. Treating us to some hot cider and buns we chatted away till the evening.
The Market Square, Aunty Patsy told us, is a popular spot for markets and fairs. “You ought to try their dairy products,” she said munching over a croissant. This was also the site for slave auctions, blight on American civilization. The next day Aunty Patsy took us to the Courthouse located at the Market Square; it a solid 18th century building which is T-shaped. The windows are interestingly shaped, round-headed, even the window panes. This is where the slaves were tried and convicted. A peaceful place but what a terrible history!
We also walked down the historical Duke of Gloucester Street with some general stores and outlets dating back to the 1840s and beyond. Strolling up and down we stopped by at Chowning’s Tavern which was quaintly advertised in 1766 by its owner, Josiah Chowning, as “…where all who please to favour me with their custom may depend on the best of entertainment for themselves, servants, and horses, and good pasturage.” Sue loved it.
So did I, and not just for the food it offered. Later we went into the Craft House in Merchants Square to shop for reproductions of antiques including brass pewter and chinaware. Williamsburg is a place I would want to return someday.
Pulau Libaran: Island of happiness
Posted by: bestluxtravel on: October 13, 2009
Sue and I were really living it up in Sandakan, what with late nights and parties. Both of us were seeking a quiet weekend, therefore, preferably in an island. That’s when we heard of Pulau Libaran. “Pulau!” Sue had exclaimed, “why that sounds like an Indian dish.” During our Indian trip we’d sampled delicious pulao dishes, mostly with peas and saffron.
Pulau Libaran turned out be a delightful islet towards the north east of Sandakan.
Our friends told us to contact the Wildlife Expeditions who organized a ferry to take us there. The boat departed from Jalan Buli Sim Sim Sandakan at ten in the morning.
Lovely mangrove forests greeted us as the motor boat wound its way around the island. We also picked up some seedlings from the ground called monkey spears for some reason. These seedlings actually do resemble spears and some of them strike the ground directly and grow into separate trees. Some of these seedlings get drowned, though, during high tide.
The vessel slowed down as we clicked some photographs and took in the pictorial fishing villages with locals quite accustomed to tourists. Some even posed for photographs.
Getting off the boat we wandered around the villages stopping by near houses made of wood with corrugated roofs. The villagers, we realized, mostly subsist on fishing and agriculture. We saw quite a few women, dark and rather exotic-looking, working deftly on fishing nets. Some were knitting them with their hands and the others repairing them.
The cattle appears well looked-after and well-fed. We saw these really fat cows wandering around. They seemed domesticated and did not come after us when we whipped out our cameras to photograph them. We even spotted some over the beach; I wonder what they were doing there as the beach has no grass.
The Pulau Libaran is pretty basic as afar as islands go, but full of happiness.
Cool Roskilde
Posted by: bestluxtravel on: October 8, 2009
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Genteel landscape and a magnificent church are some of my most outstanding memories of the Danish town Roskilde. Wherever we looked, Sue and I, there was lush greenery and undulating hill-scapes. As for the Roskilde Cathedral, it is difficult to miss it no matter where you look from.
Its soaring spires establish its identity as the town’s exotic landmark. Stepping inside the church we were completely overwhelmed by the interiors liberally sprayed with sculptures in wooden relief, a millennium old at the very least. We saw the burial chambers of the ancient Danish royalty, and got rather spooked!
Sue and I paid DK 15 to get inside and discovered, once there, that the church has its own mini museum, which is rather quaint. Sue was quite taken with the gold robe of Queen Margrethe’s. “So cool!” she exclaimed loud enough to make heads turn in our direction making her squirm a little.
The Roskilde Cathedral has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, and no wonder.
Later in the day we also visited the pristine shoreline near Roskilde Fjord and strolled about a little. It is here that we came across the Saint Hans Hospital Museum, the oldest psychiatrist hospital in all of Denmark. The museum, housed within the hospital premises, is open to visitors only on Wednesdays. We saw the strait-jackets and force chairs and feel the gooseflesh rise on our necks. “Modern psychiatry is more humane, thanks goodness,” Sue said. She quoted my sentiments word for word.
After such a gruesome display we wanted to go to some place nice. In any case, it was getting close to dinner time. Next to the Roskilde Fjord is this lovely restaurant which looked Middle Eastern, rather picturesque and inviting-looking. We had the most delicious Italian food, especially pizzas with steaming kebabs.
When we passed Roskilde on our next visit we went to the same Middle Eastern joint. Excellent, is all I can say.
Amazing Hamilton
Posted by: bestluxtravel on: September 30, 2009
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The air in Hamilton smelt sweet and fresh the morning we arrived at one of the world’s best hotels, Best Western Hamilton Inn. It is a nice little motel, rather basic but pretty comfortable. It is also conveniently located in the centre of this little Montanan town. The staff was pretty decent and was kind enough to serve us a complimentary breakfast on the morning we arrived.
Among the places that is definitely worth a visit is the mountain referred to as the Lost Horse Overlook. We drove up to the south of Hamilton keeping an eye on all the sign boards. We saw some hikers while driving all of nine miles up to the top. The view was great with snow-clad peaks in the background.
“You might get to see a few mountain lions, if you’re lucky,” the inn receptionist had grinned seeing us leaving. I am not sure we wanted that kind of luck!
Braced by the invigorating mountain air we drove back feeling somewhat peckish. This time Sue took the wheel as we whizzed past this café called Spice of Life twice on the South 2nd Street before stopping there. Billed as an ‘eclectic café’ the Spice of Life boasts funky interiors, great staff, and wonderful food. The latter covers a plethora of Thai, Italian, and Caribbean cuisine. There is also a special menu for children included. Many of the herbs used for cooking are grown in the chief chef’s home who also happens to be the proprietor. I enjoyed the Jamaican Jerk Chicken with red wine.
Sue wanted to buy some groceries at Safeway on the main street. Walking around from the back we saw the Bitterroot brewery. It seemed like a fun place with a live band and a cozy interior.
One of the places that you must definitely not miss is the Daly Mansion, the summer home of copper mogul Marcus Daly. Initially christened Riverside this erstwhile summer house was constructed by the end of the 19th century. We went through its 25 bedrooms and seven fireplaces in Georgian Revival style. Each room is carefully designed with much of the wallpaper intact. Absolutely amazing!
Sanaa: Stepping back in time with a difference
Posted by: bestluxtravel on: September 29, 2009
Landing in Sanaa’s International Airport Sue and I were practically besieged by cab drivers who wanted to drive us down to our hotel, the Taj Talah. After much haggling in broken English we hopped into one cab just too exhausted by the arguments. It was only later that I noticed the dagger on the cab drivers waistband… I didn’t breathe a word to Sue but sat tight. As the cab began speeding into the old town I began to relax a bit as I noticed that most men have daggers in their waistbands and the women are all covered from top to toe making them even more exotic and desirable. The buildings of this Yemen town are mostly light chocolate brown with white trimmings. I felt as though I was stepping back at least a hundred years, steeped in such magical, archaic surroundings. It is not for nothing that the UNESCO has declared this ancient city a World Heritage Site.
Taj Talah one of the world’s best hotels, Sheena had booked for us is a heritage piece and symphony in stone, brick, and mortar. The rooms are pretty basic but quite comfortable. The flight of stairs leading to the room was dangerously steep and uneven. We made our ascent with some trepidation.
The Old City where the Taj is located is simply beautiful, make no mistake. Sue and I had a great time just wandering around taking in the various – and variegated – sights and sounds.
In the Old City we also came across several shops selling honey; that’s right, the famous Yemenite honey. Sue also bought exotic spices like zaffran and saffron. She’d learnt this unusual rice recipe which, she said, is delicious. Later, I had to take her word for it!
Just next to the Dawud Mosque we saw a fabulous souvenir shop. But it doesn’t just stop at being a shop for its proprietor will serve you delicious tea and invite you to sit on his carpet and regale you with stories of the city. They even arrange tours for you. Well, they did for us and we had the best time in the world!
Port Campbell: worth an encore
Posted by: bestluxtravel on: September 22, 2009
Sue was driving through Warrnambool when she exclaimed, “You know we might get to see koala bears here!” I looked over at the tall eucalyptus trees, standing tall with blanched countenances, their branches waving in the sky. To my disappointment I couldn’t spot a single koala anywhere. Then we came upon the Great Ocean Road and stopped, our jaws dropping. The rolling blue ocean waters frothing white near the shore line decked out in golden sand was too bewitching a sight. God bless Sheena for having booked one of the Bayview villas overlooking the blonde beaches of Port Campbell. We loved the well-appointed rooms with spa, and laundry facilities.
The next day we went back to the Great Ocean Road, also called GOR by the locals, to take in the magnificent view. From our vantage point we could see the Bass Strait as well as the twelve apostles of which only 11 are remaining.
We also drove up to the National Park where we were treated to the – broken – sight of the London Bridge. The breakage occurred in 1990 when one of its arches collapsed leaving some rather shocked tourists stranded over it. They were later rescued by helicopters. Thankfully, nobody had been hurt in this bizarre realism of the children’s ditty, “London Bridge is falling down…”
It being a relatively warm day Sue wanted some beer. So we drove down to the only pub in Port Campbell in its eponymous hotel located on Lord Street. The bar area is pretty commodious and the lounge quite comfortable. Both Sue and I loved the fish and chips with tartar sauce to go with the beer.
The next morning we went to see the ship ‘Loch Ard’ destroyed on its gorge. It is believed that 54 of its passengers died while only two survived. The gorge is now called Loch Ard Gorge as a result. There is small cemetery on the cliffs overlooking the gorge where the dead lie buried.
I will surely visit the Great Ocean Road in Port Campbell at least once more.
