11 Tips For Staying Healthy When Visiting India

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It’s not hard to see the appeal of visiting a country as exciting as India. It’s a land full of history, sights, sounds, smells, culture. It is a fascinating corner of the globe, a place that every traveler needs to visit at least once in their lifetime. But while there’s much to love about a trip to India, there’s an old truism that you’ll need to be aware of: people from Western countries frequently get ill there, which can put a (temporary) dampener on your adventuring! However, while it’s impossible to guarantee that you’ll be in tip-top condition throughout the duration of your trip, there are things you can do to make getting ill less likely. We take a look at eleven useful tips of Staying healthy visiting Indian below:

Insurance Coverage

Sometimes, it’s not whether you get ill or not that matters – it’s how fast you respond to it. Even a small disease can become problematic if it’s allowed to develop into something more sinister. Let’s not forget that there are hospitals in India. If you have a problem, then you’ll be able to get treatment. But for some people, the costs involved with treatment can be a barrier. As such, the smart approach is to take the problem out of the equation altogether. If you have travel insurance, then you’ll be able to receive treatment safe in the knowledge that the final cost isn’t coming out of your bank account. In some places insurance can feel like an unnecessary expense – not so in India.

Get Your Vaccinations

If you’re going to India for the first time, make sure you’re getting all the essential vaccinations! You’ll need to think ahead a little bit so that you have time to book yourself in for an appointment (no last minute trips!) to get all the vaccinations that you need. And what do they include? You’ll want to get hepatitis A, typhoid, and possibly rabies, if you’re planning on going through the mountains. None of these are legally required, but are strongly encouraged. If you’re intent on staying healthy, then it’s not worth it take risks. 

Bottled Water

Drink bottled water – that’s all we can say. The tap water is not going to be OK for you if you’re coming from the west. Your stomach is not going to be accustomed to it. In some areas, such as areas heavily frequented by tourists, you might be advised to only buy sparkling water. This is because some sellers refill empty bottles with water from the tap, and then “reseal” them. If you buy a bottle of sparkling water and it doesn’t fizz when you open it, then you’ll know that you’re not buying the real thing. Also, never accept ice cubes if you can’t be certain that they’re not from the tap, as they nearly always will be.

Where You’re Eating

One of the main draws of visiting India is trying out all that delicious food! And take it from us, you’ll want to go with an appetite. But remember that sometimes your eyes and stomach can overrule your head when it comes to the foods you should eat and which should be left to one side. The street food might look delicious, but it might not have been made in the most sanitary conditions. Actually, that’s putting it too mildly – there was probably no cleanliness conditions whatsoever. It’s a good rule of thumb to only eat in restaurants that are busy – if everyone else goes there, then it must be for a reason.

Lining the Stomach

It might be beneficial in the run-up to your trip to start taking some gut boosting probiotics. This will help fill your stomach with the good bacteria which helps keep everything running as it should. They can be very effective if they’re taken regularly. Actually, it’s usually a good practice just to take them anyway.

What’s in the Bag?

You can stave off a lot of the problems you could encounter when in India just be packing smart. You’re probably already aware that the biggest complaint people have while there are issues to do with their stomach. If this happens, then you can suffer through the ordeal, or take a Gastrostop capsule, and help to relieve the symptoms. Most people find themselves in the unfortunate situation of having a problem with their stomach only to then think “I should have visited a pharmacy”; by having something in your bag already, then you’ll be ready to tackle the issue head-on should it present itself.

Staying healthy visiting Indian

Opt for Vegetarian

The vast majority of the world’s vegetarians live in India, and that means that it’s probably the best place on the planet to have a meat-free diet. Now, you don’t have to just opt for the meatless option on the menu for ethical or environmental reasons: it’ll better for your health too. That’s because refrigeration isn’t always of the best quality in India, and is, in fact, non-existent all together in some areas, which makes it more likely that the meat is contaminated. But take our word for it – you won’t miss the meat in your dish when you’ve tasted some of the delicious meals that are available.

Wash Your Hands

The most simple tips are usually the most effective, and so it is with washing your hands. You’re going to come in contact with a lot of germs while you’re traveling, but they’re not going to automatically get you sick – but if they have time to linger around, then they will. So wash your hands well, with soap. If you’ve grown up in a Western country, it’s worthwhile researching how to wash your hands properly, as ridiculous as it sounds – a splash of water and a bit of soap on the tips of your fingers won’t cut it, we’re afraid!

Don’t Forget the Sun

It’s easy, when you’re so focused on the diseases that might be hanging all around you, to forget that, well, India is a pretty hot country too. And if you’re not used to spending too much time in the sunshine, then this could pose some big problems for you. When you’re out and about, always wear lotion to protect you from the sun’s harmful rays, drink plenty of (bottled) water, and stay in the shade during the hottest parts of the day. It would be silly to spend so much time thinking about upsetting your stomach only to get taken down by the sun!

Rest Well

You’ll have a lot of things that you want to see and do when you’re in India, but it’s important that you get enough rest – for the simple reason that a well-rested person is much better able to withstand threats to their health. It’s highly advisable that you invest in a good pair of earplugs, because as you’ll soon come to understand, the noise in India can be quite intense.

Don’t Lose Your Mind

While it’s important to take precautions to stay healthy when you’re traveling to India, keeping your health in check shouldn’t become an obsession. Some people get sick when they’re there; others don’t. If you’re looking at the country through the lens of “how might this place harm me” then you’ve gone too far. The best approach is to just do what you can, and then put it to the back of your mind. India is a fascinating country that offers a lot to its visitors: go out there and explore all of its delights!

Healthy Habits To Keep You Well

Living a healthy lifestyle does not need to be huge changes in the way you live. Some small habits can make sure you get to old age a much healthier person who does not have to take medication for all sorts of conditions. Most of the suggestions are modifications rather than total changes, although of course, that does depend on how you live now.

Wash Your Hands Often

It would be impossible to know how many times a day you touch something that someone else has left germs on, and these germs could make you ill. Wash your hands often throughout the day especially after visiting the bathroom or before you eat a meal.

Start Stretching Your Muscles

When your job means that you are sitting in an office all day, your muscles can start to weaken through a lack of use. Start to make stretching your muscles part of your daily routine and then they will stay stronger and cause you less pain.

Yes! Stretch like this

Breathe In The Correct Way

Breathing from your diaphragm rather than your chest can improve your blood circulation and other body functions. The change in breathing technique is not difficult and although you may have to think about doing it to start with, it will eventually become the normal way for you to breath.

Have Lots Of Showers Or Baths

Of course, you already know that a bath or shower will clean your body and get rid of any nasty body odors. However, did you also know that they would revitalize your skin, as well as being a great way to relax your mind? Make them a time to pamper yourself too for the most benefit of some ’you time’.

Don’t Let Your Nails Grow Too Long

Long nails are the perfect place for germs to hide and this could result in all sorts of infections. Short nails are easier to keep clean and to get rid of any germs from underneath them. The problem is that is there is a virus or germs under your nails you could easily ingest them when you are eating.

Shorter nails can still look good and you should keep them that way unless you need to have long nails to model a nail varnish or some jewelry. Even then, if that is the sort of job you have, false nails could be used for the task.

Cut The Sugar

There is a huge proportion of the population in the US that suffer from type 2 diabetes as they get older and this is totally preventable. Keeping the intake of sugars very low in your diet will go a long way to lowering your risk of developing this condition.

Apart from the obvious things, such as candies, that have high sugar content, you should also avoid soda drinks and processed foods. It is processed sugars that are the problems and the natural ones found in fresh fruits and vegetables are plenty for our bodies needs.

If you do not want to end up injecting yourself with insulin every day, cut the processed sugars from your diet now.

Sleep More, Stress Less

Getting enough sleep is important to help stave off all sorts of health problems, and one that a lack of it will cause is stress and anxiety.  When you get depressed, you are more prone to heart problems and various other medical conditions. One of the biggest factors in coping with the stresses of everyday life is having enough sleep.

To help promote a good nights sleep make sure your bed is comfortable, never eat a heavy meal late at night and turn off computers, TV’s and digital devices at least one hour before retiring.

Take Supplements

Some people do not like taking supplements as it can feel like taking medication. The difference is that by taking supplements you are trying to prevent some medical conditions rather than trying to treat the symptoms, which is what most medications are for. 

Supplements for vitamins and various nutrients can be a huge help in keeping your body healthy. In most cases, if you have too much because you have changed your diet as well, your body will just expel the excess it does not need.

Put 30 Minutes Aside For Exercise

No matter how busy you are, put 30 minutes to one side each day for exercise. You can vary what you do, but that half hour a day will make a huge difference to your well being now and for the future. It does not even have to be very strenuous. If you have a dog, take it for a walk. If you have kids run around in the garden with them. Take up dancing, swimming, playing a sport or anything else that you think you might enjoy.

Exercise is not only good for your physical well being but it will also help you mentally too. If the exercise you do is in the fresh air that is even better. You will find that your brain becomes more alert, and this is why taking a walk in your lunch hour is good because then you are ready for the afternoon’s work, just as fresh as you were when you first arrived to start the day.

Drink Plenty Of Water

You should try to drink plenty of water every day. It will not only keep you hydrated but will also help to flush any toxins from your body and help to rejuvenate your cells. If you do not have enough fluid you will start to dehydrate and then will very soon start to feel unwell and exhausted.

However, not everyone likes plain water. You can flavor it yourself with a few slices of lemon or orange, or drink it as infusions such as green tea, which is also very good for your body. There are also ways of ‘eating’ water. Melons and cucumber are just two examples of foods with a very high water content.

Say Hi To Fruits And Vegetables And Goodbye To Carbs

Fresh fruits and vegetables have lots of fiber, vitamins and nutrients that are crucial for a healthy body. Eat more of these and replace the carbohydrates with them. Carbs will slow you down and make you sluggish and although they may give you an energy boost it will be very short-lived. The natural ingredients of fruit and vegetables are a much better way to get the energy you need, with the bad side effects of too many carbs.

It does not matter if the fruit and vegetables are frozen. They will have been put in this state as soon as they were picked and so retain much more of their goodness than ones that have been sitting on the supermarket shelves for more than a few days. Even tinned ones are OK, as long as the fruits are not in syrup and the vegetables are not in salted water.


Eat Good Fats And Avoid Bad Fats

Fats need to be part of everyone’s diet, but only the good fats that you will find in oily fish, nuts, olive oil, and seeds to name just a few examples. Avoid sauces made with cream, margarine and full-fat milk to keep bad fats out of your diet. Of course, there are many more of both of these, but the problem with the bad fats is they are likely to cause cholesterol problems, which in turn can create problems with your heart.

Some of the worst offenders for bad fats, sugars, and artificial preservatives are junk food. Hence you should say no to them as often as you can. If you really must have burger and chips, make them yourself at home. Then you can use the leanest of meats for the burgers and use a deep fat fryer that works with a fine spray of fat for the chips.

That way you can still enjoy your treat without having the excesses of all the bad things, although a really occasional treat of junk food will not do too much harm as long as you are avoiding them most of the time.

Quit Smoking
Most smokers know that their habit is bad for them but it is not always easy to stop. If you want to be healthy though you really do need to quit smoking. If you cannot do it on your own, speak with the pharmacist about some of the over the counter preparations that can help. You could also chat with your healthcare provider as they usually have support groups to help you with this problem. They may also be able to recommend other methods that may help you to quit smoking.

This is one thing that can affect other peoples health too as second-hand smoke can also cause a lot of damage.

Making these things part of your normal life will soon become a habit and they are ones that will help to make you healthier now and put in in good stead for a healthier life in the future.

Style Tips For Shopping At Boxing Day Sales

As one season goes and another one comes, it gives individuals a great opportunity to update their look with the latest trends. Right now it’s the perfect time to update your wardrobe with abundant choices available from the Boxing Day Sales after Christmas. Can’t decide what to buy? Here are some style tips to give you a helping hand while shopping.

The colour to go for this coming season is definitely blue. The great thing about this colour is that it is extremely versatile. There are so many different shades of blue available; this means that there is something to suit all hair colours, skin tones and styles. A striking cobalt blue is a great way to add some life and energy into an outfit. If you are daring enough and like to stand out from the crowd then go for a striking pair of trousers or even a jumpsuit in the electric blue shade.

Now that we’ve established the colour on trend, let’s have a look at the fabric. A leather garment is a fantastic way to add a dominant, edgy and bold vibe to any look. It is something that featured frequently throughout the fashion weeks, designers such as Diane Von Furstenberg, Lanvin, JW Anderson, Yves Saint Laurent and Balenciaga, used it in their looks. A classic leather jacket is always a good piece of investment, or go for a leather pencil skirt when seeking something for a more formal occasion.

The military look is another one which has come back into fashion. This is the perfect trend for laid back style. Opt for a pair of khaki trousers or an army patterned jacket to emulate this popular trend. It is recommendable to opt for a sleek and striking style of hair and makeup when going for this look. A slick of red lipstick and polka straight hair is a great choice.

Intriguing and innovative retro patterns have very much come to the forefront of womens fashion clothes as well as of late. Loud dresses find a way for individuals to express themselves and make a statement. These patterned garments differ extensively from the subtle to the elaborate. Which one you opt for simply depends on you and your fashion taste.

And finally, the floral trend is something that is also bang in fashion at the moment. It is a look which featured in the A/W collections of the likes of Preen, Jil Sander, Alexander McQueen and Dior. There are various ways in which you can channel this look. Opt for a floral blouse, a floral scarf, a t-shirt with a flower motif or a pair of floral patterned shorts… the list is endless! 

Hope this helps if you are looking for new ways in which to update your wardrobe and reinvent your look over the coming season. Remember, always adapt the trends to your personal style and to stay true to yourself!

Merry Christmas 2018!

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I didn’t grow up celebrating Christmas but have started to really like it. This is the season that everyone can take a breather, enjoy a couple of days freedom, a big feast with loved ones and simply be merry.

Not ready to let 2018 go yet but it’ll leave us forever regardless. Instead of feeling a little sad, this year I’ll just slow down to reflect, doodle, cook, eat and really take my time to enjoy the last few days of 2018.

Merry Christmas everyone. May your days be filled with love, joy and sweet dreams!

Being Brave: The Benefits Of Trying Something New

Everyone has personality traits and quirks that make them unique and individual; however, sometimes, you might get into a pattern of behaviour that becomes detrimental to your health, wellbeing, or lifestyle. It’s a challenge to get out of a boring, or unfulfilling rut, but the benefits will be a positive impact on your life. Therefore, it’s crucial for a happy and fulfilled life, to get out there, try something new, and take a fresh approach to your life. With the new year ahead; it might be tempting to continue as you are. However, this will only increase the strength of your habits, and you want the year to begin as you mean to go on; with a happy and healthy outlook, a positive attitude, and a fresh start each day. The following are some ideas, inspiration, and advice for those who are ready to have a fresh start and get into positive patterns of behaviour for a happy, healthy, and fun future ahead.

Fresh Activities

Have a look to see what’s happening within your local town or city. Local events can often pass you by when you’re not looking for them, even if they’re happening just down the street. Whether you look into fun activities for people with disabilities, clubs specifically for the LGBTQ community, or adrenaline-fuelled adventure with like-minded folks; there’s no time like the present to get some inspiration. If you already have a keen interest in something, why not search for any clubs or meetups that you’re able to attend. Again, you’ll make new friends in no time as you already have a common interest, and you get to do something you love, in great company.

Kick That Habit

Kicking a bad habit or detrimental pattern of behaviour is always going to be a challenge; however, doing it alone is even more difficult. Therefore, it’s worth looking into professional help who will be able to give you the tools and information to make the changes you need towards a happy and successful life again. Whether you look into hypnotherapists or counselling; it’s worth taking some time to research into reputable help, before embarking on any course of therapy. If you feel that something isn’t working for your straight away; give it a little time and patience before trying something new. Try to make the allowances you’ll need in your life to keep up the practices, sessions, and any changes that the professionals tell you to do; you’ll be on a new path towards your goals in no time.

Spend Your Energy Wisely

The more that you’re out and about, or keeping yourself occupied with new things, the less likely you are to be tempted to slip back into things you don’t want to. Make sure that you tell your nearest and dearest about the changes you are making and your plans for your future; they can become your support network and can start enjoying all the new things you’re trying. Keeping focused, honest, and open about your life is a great way to get your year off to a positive start in the knowledge you’re already putting the hard work in. Remember that the first steps are often the hardest, so be proud that you’ve started your journey today.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

 

The Best Cherry Picking Farm Near Sydney

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Where’s the best best cherry picking farm near Sydney? Certainly not in Orange (a town in NSW, 255kms from Sydney). My first experience of picking your own cherries at a cherry farm was many many years ago. I drove all the way to Orange with a small group of uni friends who picked that cherry farm for us to go. We were told “There isn’t any cherry tree left for you to pick your own” at the farm when we finally arrived. So that was that.

Don’t get me wrong. I still had a superb time in Orange. We bought lots cherries, had a feast of BBQ, swam in a lake, went out at night with fire crackers in hands. These happy old times. And how time flew! Later I heard the best cherry picking farm near Sydney is in Young (375kms from Sydney) but never tried “pick your own” again. Until this year.

J suggested to go visit Young, “the Cherry Capital of Australia” during the national cherry festival and do some sight seeing. Located in a valley surrounded by low hills, Young is famous for cherries, peaches, plums and other stone fruits. The cherry harvest runs throughout November and December and the fruit season ends in April. There are dozens of orchards around town which, in season, sell cherries, peaches, nectarines, apricots, plums, apples, pears, grapes, strawberries and raspberries. Some of these orchards offer visitors “pick your own fruit” option. Where others only sell fruits readily picked or jams, pies made from fruits from their own farms.

“Pick your own fruit” at Young, NSW

As soon as you drive near Young on Olympic drive, you’ll see orchards after orchards with signs on the road side, inviting you to go in. So it wasn’t easy to decide which one is a good one to “pick your own”. We drove around that road twice, searched through google reviews and stopped by a few to check how they operated. Eventually we decided to go to Ballinaclash Fruit and Wine on Olympic Highway South of Young. Staff at the reception explained how it works and I was so glad to go on my own cherry picking for the first time! The good news is, they also has pick your own apricots for $4 a kilo. There’s no entry fee to go in. You can eat as much as you can inside the orchard and cherries you pick to take home is $8 per kilo. That sounded really good compared to some other orchards that charge $10 entry fees to go in on top of $10 per kilo for cherries you pick.

No wonder they had relatively more people inside and good reviews. Nevertheless, we had to test it ourselves.

Oh my, there were rows after rows of cherry trees full of cherries in the orchard. All I saw was big, plentiful of cherries everywhere ready for you to pick. I started to wonder how it was possible “there’s no tree left for you to pick your own” back then in Orange?

Anyways, I wasn’t complaining. 🙂 With so few people around because it was Friday, we ate, picked and took lots of pictures.

Walking pass by different types of cherries, we reached the apricot orchard. How cute are these apricots! Not to mention that they are delicious!

Will I come back again?

This cherry farm is full of cuteness. They also have a shop next to reception full of cherry wines, jams and pies.
cheery picking farm near Sydney

The next day when we drove pass it to the Young Cherry Festival Parade, it was crowded with people and cars. Glad we went in on a week day while it wasn’t so packed.

The Cherry Festival Parade in Young town centre was so fun. Want to check out what it looked like?  J posted lots of photos here. Go and check it out!

Will I go back to the cherry farm again? That’s for sure! It’s the first cheery picking farm near Sydney I’ve ever got in. It’s got to be the best! Haha. Finally I went into a cherry farm to pick my own fruits! With a little bit more research beforehand, we fully enjoyed the trip, feeling full and happy.

Why Your Mindset Matters

When you’re trying to be healthy, it’s natural that you’re going to work on a range of different things. You’re going to want to make sure that your body is strong, that your diet is nutritious, and that you’re just feeling good in general. But sometimes, this can be tough. And you won’t always feel in the best possible mind frame to make this happen. Or, worse, it may not be working. However, when you are eating right and you’re exercising, there shouldn’t be any reason for why this isn’t working. Unless, there’s something going on with your mentally. Because whether you realize it or not, you’re going to find that stress can really wreak havoc on what you’re doing. And if you’ve not got the most favorable mindset, this is going to affect you immensely.

And this is why it’s just so important to keep your mindset in check. Yet, when you’re not used to doing this, or you’re really not sure what you need to do to benefit from the best possible mindset, then you’ve come to the right place. Because if you’re already working on a healthy lifestyle, yet it doesn’t feel like it’s enough, you’re going to benefit from focusing on positivity. Let’s take a look at how and why this can work.

It Affects Your Outlook

So first of all, you’ll want to recognize just how much this affects your outlook here. Because if you’re negative and pessimistic, then you’re only ever going to expect the worse, and see the bad, in life. Yet if you’re positive, you’ll look for the good. You’ll notice things that go well. And this perks your mood and reinforced a positive outlook on life.

It Can Drive Your Experience

But then, you’re also going to want to think about how this drives your experiences in life. Think about it. If you’re negative, you will take away negativity from almost every situation. But if you’re positive, you’ll be more willing to try new things, step out of your comfort zone, and experience great things in life.

It Keeps You Holistically Healthy

Next, you’ll also find that a healthy, positive, and strong mindset is going to help you to stay healthier all around. Because it’s incredible what positivity and optimism can do – whether you’re sick or not. Yes, there are specialists that you can turn to when you need them. But don’t you want to make sure that you are putting yourself in the best possible position to fight off illness too?

It Boosts Your Efforts

Now, something that a lot of people can benefit from with this, is the power of positivity. Because if you’re going to be able to enjoy the benefits of a healthier mindset, it’s going to allow you to make all of your efforts stronger. You’ll have more will power and you’ll have a much better chance at staying on track when it comes to everything that you’re doing.

You’ll Be Extremely Self-Aware

And something that is always largely important here, is to ensure that you’re self-aware. Self-awareness allows you to be the best possible version of yourself. Because you know where you’re going wrong. And you know what your strengths are. When you’re in a stronger place with your mindset, you can be more objective and do what it takes to make yourself better.

You Can Influence Others

But also, you might want to recognize just how much you can influence others in life. Do you feel as if people around you aren’t happy or that they are just as negative too? Then you’ll want to take a look at how your attitude and your positive, proactive, optimism can also help them and influence their mindset too. Because that’s the thing about positivity and happiness – it’s infectious.

Gratitude Is The Attitude

And finally, just as a last point to touch on here, it’s definitely important for you to realize just how powerful being grateful can actually be. If you know that you need to look to the positive in life, and if you want to be content in your everyday living, then gratitude is for you. If you can wake up and feel thankful to be alive, each and every day, then it’s going to be tough for you to ever feel bad. And you’ll be much tougher mentally, so that you’re able to take what life throws at you too.

Climb Petra Monastery From The Secret Entrance

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I nearly didn’t make it to see Petra Monastery on top of the mountains. Temperature in Elate Israel on the day I left was 43 degrees and the climb to Petra Monastery requires at least 6 hours to and from the main entrance of Petra tourist centre. It certainly wasn’t an easy walk in the park but I’m so glad I did it. It only took me a little over 3 hours from a secret entry on my second day in Petra.

I was with a tour guide the first day in the ancient city of Petra. We took the main road walking from Petra visitors centre,through the Siq all the way to the Byzantine church Petra. Of course the main attraction for the majority of visitors was the Treasury and most of them would stop there.

Weather inside the ancient Petra was surprisingly cooler compared to surrounding cities. I enjoyed the nice breeze and large areas of shades throughout the Siq.

There were a lot donkey owners approaching us to lure me to take a donkey ride but I didn’t really want to as I much preferred enjoying the journey on foot instead of worrying about falling off the donkey all the way. Yes, to see the Monastery is must. What’s the point of coming to a long way to Petra from Australia and not seeing the whole ancient city of Petra? Sure there are more than 800 steps to climb uphills after passing the museum. But when it comes to travel, I’m never lazy.There was enough time to climb all the way up to see the Petra Monastery on the first day but I felt the urge to take it a little slower. So it was decided to do it on the second day so we headed back.

Map Of The Ancient City Of Petra

Visit Petra - the map

More donkey owners came to persuade tourists to take a donkey ride. Some fellow travellers took the donkey ride to be taken back to the entrance but I walked back to the visitors’s centre on my own. Next time I met these travellers, they all complained that those bedouins were “lying” to them. They felt cheated because donkey owners dropped them off at the Treasury, not the entrance to the Siq as promised.

The Secret Entrance To The Ancient City Of Petra

I was planning to get up early and climb Monastery on the second day but didn’t want like pushing too hard waking up the next day. “If I can’t make it, so be it. Most people don’t make it any way.” I thought. “No big deal. You deserve a rest.”  So I had a warm bath and long buffet breakfast instead. It was 10:30am, looked like there was no time for me to do the Petra Monastery climb any more as I had to meet the tour guide at 2:30pm to go somewhere else. To go to Petra Monastery from visitors centre requires at least 6 hours. As I was walking back to my room, the hotel driver came up to me.

“You wanted to go to the Monastery right?”

“Yes, but it’s too late now. I might just go to the Treasury again then go to the market in Petra.”

“You can still go. There’s a quicker way. I can take you to the entrance that most tourists don’t know about.”

“Really?”

“Yes, it’ll take about 3 hours. I’ll pick you up from the entrance once back to the hotel once you finish. But you have to walk hard.”

So I rushed back to my room, quickly packed some water and snack and of I went. Fearing the driver won’t come to pick up in the end, I paid half of the $50 he charged and agreed to pay the remaining once I’m back to the hotel.

Looking out from the car window, we were in the only car on the road. The scenery was breathtaking – mountains, caves and desert, though it was becoming normal to me. 🙂

Drive to the “Secret” Entrance to climb Petra Monastery

Arriving At The Secret Entrance

After about 10 minutes drive, we arrived the “secret” entrance. There wasn’t anyone else there apart from a tiny office with lonely guard who checked my ticket to enter the ancient city of Petra. The driver promised to come back to pick me at 2pm. I started to get a little nervous as it’d be alone from there onwards.  There was a good 20 minutes walk all the way down the valley to the basin area where the foot path to Petra Mona started. What if I get lost? It didn’t look like there was anyone to ask directions. As you can see, it was a long empty road.

Will I make the return trip in 3 hours? I’m not fit. It was 42 degrees that day. It was 11am, which meant I had to climb Petra Monastery the hottest hours during the day. Oh dear.

I didn’t have a sim card to make phone calls in Petra, what if my driver doesn’t come to pick me up at 2pm?What if I missed my tour in the afternoon? It’d mess up the rest itinerary! I still had Egypt to go…

After went through all those doubts in my mind, I pushed head with my backpack. There wasn’t time to waste. Just march on!

A Surreal Journey

There wasn’t anyone, any car, any camel, horse or donkey on the road. Yes, the driver was right, that obviously was the secret entrance that nobody knows! A horrible thought came to my mind, if some came to kill me then, nobody would ever found my body. Then I quickly calmed down. There was no reason to kill me or rob me. I only had little money on me and dressed down as poor tourist.  March on!

There was only me walking all the way down to Petra Basin yard from the “secret” entrance

There were more caves and pretty flowers along the way. The road was super clean. No smelly animal poos. That was not a sound to obscure the deep serene. 

About 10 minutes on the way down, I walked passed another resting area with a gate , where they checked my ticket again. So it wasn’t far from the main traffic. Hurry!

Soon enough I saw the Theatre, the Royal tomb, the colonnaded street. Camels and people! Climb Petra Monastery

Climb Petra Monastery

You have to walk through the Basin yard where the torrents meet and to ascend to the Monastery. It was nice and cool under the shades of the Basin restaurant but I didn’t have time stay for a drink. March on!

Signage to the pathways to Monastery was damaged so it wasn’t clear which way to go. But I got on the right path eventually and started the first steps to the mountain top.

Climb Petra Monastery

Climbing up the path to Petra Monastery

There was a long climbing to do. The climb itself wasn’t hard. It was just super long. If I wasn’t pushed by time, it’d be easier but I was under pressure. And it was hot. All larger shady areas along the rocks were occupied by bedouin vendors. It seemed unavoidable to purchase something once you enter the shaded areas. I didn’t want to buy overpriced, useless souvenirs, nor have the time and energy to haggle. March on!

Climb Petra Monastery

More caves on the way and stunning views looking back down:

Climb Petra Monastery

Climb Petra Monastery Climb Petra MonasteryClimb Petra Monastery

But the top was nowhere near in sight. I kept climbing, climbing and climbing. After weeks of touring and hiking before visiting Petra, my body started to feel the pain. I started to doubt if I’d ever got to the top in such short period of time. “Don’t give up just yet.” I kept telling myself but my pace was slower and slower.

At last I sat down on the side of the road, sweating and panting with my tongue sticking out like a dog. “You’ll get there.” “Only another 15 minutes.” “It’s totally worth it.” People passing by on the way down encouraged me sympathetically.  “Be patient and calm down. There’s still time.” I too, tried to encourage myself though I was totally exhausted and wanted to give up. March on!

On Top Of The Mountains!

At last, I saw all the mountains behind me and there’s a cafe on top of the mountains near the Monastery.Climb Petra Monastery

Climb Petra Monastery

It was cool and breezing on the top. I breathed deeply feeling the joy filled my heart. It felt unreal. The views form nearby mountain tops are amazing. You can get a good view of the Treasury from the top.

The monastery looks similar to the Treasury but much bigger in size. V

Climb Petra Monastery

Can you see the little in green top behind me? That’s how small a person looks compared to the Monastery. I couldn’t help but wonder, how did they make it over a thousand years ago without any modern tools?Climb Petra Monastery

On The Way Back

It was time to rush downhills to meet my driver! Luckily it was so much easier walking downhills. It didn’t take me long to reach the Basil yard down the valley. And this time I wasn’t confused about which way to go. Obviously I was the only headed that direction and many people yelled at me “Turn back, Turn back! That way back to the visitors centre was on the other side!” But I carried on without turning because the secret entrance was the my destination, not the visitors centre. Some donkey owners chased me to offer me a donkey ride back to Treasury but I marked on without stopping.

Soon I was left alone on the road again. The long, steep journey climbing up to the secret entrance! I wished there was a donkey, horse, camel or something. It was 2pm, time to meet the driver at the entrance on top but the road ahead was so steep. I started to feel powerless and desperate.

All of a sudden, someone yelled at me from behind, “Do you want a ride?” A bedouin with a donkey! I was no longer alone!

“Not really. I’m scared of donkey ride.” I was telling the truth.

“It’s not a donkey. It’s a mule. I’ll take you to the gate.”

Looking at the animal I couldn’t tell what it was. It did look a little taller and stronger than a donkey. No matter a donkey or a mule, it was God sent. I only had strength left to climb up the donkey/mule. What a wonderful 15 minutes ride! I felt rested and slightly relieved.

Meet the Donkey/Mule?

Tell me, is it a donkey or a mule?

The bedouin dropped me off about 200 metres away from the gate. And I rushed up to find my driver. As I approached the gate, I saw the driver coming my way too. So everything worked out alright!

How to enjoy the climb to Petra Monastery

It was an enjoyable experience to climb up to Petra Monastery and totally worth the effort.

Be mentally prepared

Firstly be mindful that it’ll be a long climb up. Some people like me even felt a little bored in the middle of the journey. So just be patient, you get there eventually. In the mean time, admire the views!

Take your time to do it

Don’t rush it. I rushed and stressed because I only made the decision to go in the last minute. Take your time to climb and take a few stops to rest.

Rest well before trekking up Petra Monastery

The climb itself is not hard to do, even for a someone who’s not fit. But to enjoy the journey more, you must take care of your body before the climb.

Drink plenty of water

Make sure you drink plenty of water before and during the trip before feeling too hot and dehydrated.

Is it safe to do it alone?

The answer is Yes! I’ve seen lots of single travellers during my trip to Petra. Though there wasn’t anyone else trekking to the Monastery from the secret entrance that day, I was totally safe doing alone. There might be a lot people trying to make more money out of you but the chance of you getting killed in Petra Jordan is extremely slim. 🙂

 

Little India Singapore & A Few Best Places To Eat Street Food

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There’s a world of difference between Little India Singapore and Marina Bay Sands area. One is an ethnic suburb with a reputation of being slightly dangerous. The other, needless to say has the most prestigious real estate in Singapore. Both areas are interesting and equality worth going even if you are just staying in Singapore for a couple of days.

With much curiosity, I went to Little Indian on my own to find out what it really looks like. A 48 hours hop on hop off bus tour ticket will take you everywhere in Singapore numerous times. The hop on hop off tour includes walking tours in Singapore Chinatown and Little India Singapore. But I didn’t have time to take either of them. The audio tour offered detailed explanation of the rich history of the area of Little India.

Little India Singapore once had a racecourse, cattle herders and brick kilns. Today it is one of Singapore’s most vibrant districts. Its rich colours, buzzing culture and endless food choices have left a deep impression on me.

The rich Colours!

Little India is nothing short of colours. The moment you reach the neighbourhood of Little Indian, you’ll notice a burst of colours every where.

There are big elephant sculptures decorated in colourful flowers standing cheerfully in the middle of the main road.

And you can’t miss the Little Indian Arcade in bright orange brown colour, even on a grey overcast day.

Don’t you love these colourful, 2 story buildings with traditional folding windows? They are just adorable and pop up every where!

Possible the most colourful building in Singapore, the House of Tan Teng Niah stands out in colourful Little India with its bright rainbow exterior. It is one of the last surviving Chinese villas in a largely Indian enclave. Its former owner Tan Teng Niah was a businessman who owned several sweet-making factories along Serangoon Road along with a rubber smokehouse, and it was said that he built this house for his wife. The house was originally white and green, its rainbow of colours have only added in more recent times. Today the building houses several commercial offices.

Haven’t seek enough colours yet? Check out those flower garlands stalls!

There is however, one white building stood out from the colourful crowd in Little Indian. Housed in a 1920’s building in Little India, Wanderlust is a unique boutique hotel showcasing a diverse range of fun themes.

Buzzing culture

Heritage sites

Little Indian hosts a mix of Hindu and Chinese temples, mosques and churches. There are many heritage sites around for you to explore.

To name a few:

Indian Heritage Center

This shiny modern building inspired by the Indian baoli stands out among the narrow streets and little old shops in Little India. This four-storey building hosts a significant collection of artefacts promoting the diverse Indian diaspora and heritage, including a permanent exhibition of the history of the Indian community in Singapore. It’s educational, never too jam packed with people, and a great spot to chill out and soak in some heritage culture in a humid day.

 Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple

Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple in the middle of Little Indian is one of the oldest hindu temples in Singapore ( the oldest hindu temple is in Chinatown). It’s dedicated to the Hindu goddess Kali, fierce embodiment of Shakti and the god Shiva’s wife, Parvati, built by Indian pioneers who came and work here.

Sakya Muni Buddha Gaya Temple

The Sakya Muni Buddha Gaya Temple is also called the Temple of a Thousand Lights, due to the 15-metre-tall, 300-ton statue surrounded by what seems to be thousands of little lights housed within its walls. This Buddhist temple in Little IndiaSingapore is a mix of Chinese, Thai and Indian styles dating back to 1927. First constructed by Thai monk Venerable Vutthisasara as a simple zinc roof shed, it was later built in to its current form through donations by Aw Boon Har and Aw Boon Par, the entrepreneurial brothers who created the medicinal ointment Tiger Balm and Haw Par Villa.

Church Of The True Light

Shops

There are abundant places to shop for different types of goodies in Little Indian Singapore.

 

Tekka Centre

Tekka Centre houses historically popular, Singapore’s largest indoor wet market, renowned for an incredible array of produce and hard-to-find ingredients.

It is also home to a whole lot of sundry stalls selling everything covering household goods, religious paraphernalia and even tailoring services. The name Tekka comes from a Hokkien name meaning ‘foot of the bamboos’, a reference to the many bamboo plants growing along Rochor Canal. If you want to experience a genuine local shopping experience then head upstairs. The higher floors sell everything from Bollywood music to silk for saris.

Mustafa Centre

Mustafa Centre in Little India is open for 24 hours a day, housing Mustafa department store, which caters mainly to the budget market. The department store consists of two shopping centres: one retailing jewellery and household appliances and functioning as a supermarket, and the other selling a variety of other products such as books, DVDs, watches, electronic goods, footwear, toys and clothing.

Little India Arcade

Little India Arcade is superb for picking up knick-knacks, costume jewellery and souvenirs at super cheap prices.

Market stalls and little shophouses

Needless to say, Little Indian is everything about Indian culture. It’ll be a shopper’s paradise for anything Indian browsing those market stalls and little shophouses.

Endless food choices

Feeling hungry? You won’t be starved in Singapore, especially in this part of town. There are big food centres, loads of restaurants all over the place ready to feed you.


Out of so many hawker markets in Singapore, Tekka Centre is probably one of my favourites. Tekka Centre is a landmark in the neighbourhood, serving up a variety of dishes of fresh food only steps away from the MRT at Little India. This brightly painted warehouse was renovated a couple of years ago and has quickly become a hub for those in search of decent food at honest prices. It stands out from the rest of the hawker centres in Singapore, serving predominantly Indian food, including a great number of Halal dishes.

Inside it is set up like any other hawker centre, with rows of individual stores and tables around them. There are plenty stalls cater for all palettes whether you are after rich curries or a simple dish of duck and rice. So follow the crowds and delicious smells.

It was very hard to decide what to eat when there are so many choices available. After a few minutes’ observation, I found a few stalls with people queuing in front during non rush hours.

Eventually I joined the queue of Ming Fa because among all food stalls, this stall seemed to be the most popular at the time and I always love a big bowl of hot noodle soup. There are different types of noodles available showing in the cute tubs pictured below.

People in front of me in the queue obviously are regulars of this stall. They were whispering that the service of one of the other stalls was always slow and Ming Fa was super fast. So they were right, a waitress took orders from customers in the queue and the guy behind the counter assembled different noodle soups in lightening fast speed according each individual orders.

I enjoyed my laksa so much and will certainly visit again next time I’m in Singapore.

Tekka Centre Opening Hours: Daily 06:30 – 21:00 MRT: Little India Address: 665 Buffalo & Serangoon Roads, Little India, Singapore

Of course, you can’t go to Singapore without having Singapore chilli crabs. There are plenty of places serving this tradition Singapore dish. But many food kiosks don’t service this dish unless it’s dinner time. There’s a restaurant right at the corner of Mackenzie and Selegie Rd in the Neighbourhood of Little India Singapore, serving up fresh seafood and many traditional Singapore, Malaysian dishes. They’ll cook Singapore chilli crab for you with live crabs fresh from the water tans, any time during the day.

Old Change Kee in Singapore is my favourite place to drop by for a quick bite to eat. I just can’t get enough of their curry puffs! If you are a Old Change Kee fan as me, you’ll be delighted that they opened their flagship store – Old Chang Kee Coffee House at the original location of the first stall. It’s opposite Rex Cinema opposite Rex Cinema, where homegrown brand Old Chang Kee started over three decades ago. What began as a tiny stall in the corner of the local coffee shop, is now a bigger and brighter 50-seater space that spans three shophouse units.

It offers tasty food, friendly & fast service and very pleasant atmosphere. You might pay less elsewhere in Little India but it is totally worth it! You will have the old Singapore experience with proper porcelin utensils and lovely ambience, just like the good old days.

Old Chang Kee Coffee House

19/21/23 Mackenzie Road, #01-01, Singapore 228678 – near MacKenzie Road and MRT Little India exit A.

Disposing Of Your Old Computer The Green Way

When your computer comes to the end of its life, whether it has broken or you simply fancy an upgrade, it is important to dispose of it in a manner that does not cause significant damage to the environment. Unfortunately, electronic waste is a problem that is getting worse, and, therefore, by simply disposing of your old computer using a green approach, you can go a long way to combating this issue. So, continue reading to discover more about some of the green ways you can dispose of your old computer.

  •       Contact the manufacturer – It is worth finding out whether the manufacturer has a scheme in place where you can return electronic products once they have reached the end-of-life cycle. Nevertheless, you do need to be sure that the manufacturer is going to dispose of the computer in an ethical manner.
  •       Use a specialist company – This is the easiest way to ensure your computer is disposed of without causing harm to the environment. The company in question will have specialist methods in place for disposing electronic products in a manner that is safe and does not cause any damage to the planet. They will also be able to destroy the hard drive for you to ensure that all of your personal information is removed. This is of paramount importance because identity theft is rife at present, and if you do not destroy the hard drive you are simply asking for a criminal to come along and steal your data. A lot of people do not realise that when they ‘delete’ their documents, all they really do is delete the entry on the index file, not the file itself.
  •       Sell your computer – If your computer works, you may be able to get some money back by selling it on the likes of eBay and other auction websites. There are plenty of selling apps to help with this. However, please bear in mind that you will need to get rid of all the data stored on the hard drive, as just mentioned.
  •       Donate your computer to someone else – You may be tired of your slow, old computer, but for someone else, this could be the sort of thing they have always dreamed of. There are many families who can only dream of affording a computer, and you can make this a reality by donating your old machine to them.
  •       Use the spare parts – From the NIC card and hard drive to the CRT monitor and extra memory, there are many parts that may come into use later down the line. If you are someone with a little bit of technical knowledge, you can make use of these parts if anything happens to your computer.
  •       Trade your computer in – Last but not least, it is worth seeing whether you can trade your computer in. Of course, it is highly unlikely that you will get a straight swap. Nevertheless, you may be able to secure some discount off your order. Moreover, there are some stores that give store vouchers and such like for those that return electronic items.

Singapore Chinatown – The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple And Hainanese Chicken Rice

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Singapore Chinatown is located right in the centre of Singapore and is very easy to get to. A trip to Chinatown is a must if the country I’m visiting has one.

I’m not interested in browsing Chinatown market stalls or having anything from Singapore Chinatown food street so the main focus on my visit to Chinatown Singapore was on Temples and trying the traditional Hainanese chicken rice from a hawker stall that has the best reviews. Yep, being a crazy hungry Asian, my focus is always somewhat on food.

You might know by now I have a thing for temples – old ruins, perfectly maintained or newish ones. The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple turned out to be grander than I’d expected. It was raining by the time I got there so using mobile phone to take photos became a better option.

Here are a few photos from my visit to Singapore chinatown the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple. Can you see the rain drops?

Singapore Buddha Tooth Relic Temple Singapore Buddha Tooth Relic Temple Singapore Buddha Tooth Relic Temple Singapore Buddha Tooth Relic TempleSingapore Buddha Tooth Relic Temple Singapore Buddha Tooth Relic Temple Singapore Buddha Tooth Relic Temple Singapore Buddha Tooth Relic TempleSpeaking of temples, there’s another beautiful temple that is right on top of the list . Sri Mariamman Temple
is the oldest shrine in Singapore and one of the most prominent places of worship for Tamil Hindus in the country. It was built to honour Goddess Mariamman – the deity of disease and protection.

It’s smaller than the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple in size but equality amazing.

I googled traditional Singapore dishes before and found out that the Hainanese chicken rice is actually originated from Singapore. There are so many restaurants in Sydney that offer this dish so I’m super curious to taste it in Singapore. Of course I googled again to see where’s the best Hainanese chicken rice served in Singapore. Tian Tian Hainanese chicken rice came up numerous times. It seemed like an easy choice as it’s in the Maxwell Food Centre, just across the road from the Buddha Tooth Relic temple.

It turned out there was quite a bit construction work going on so it was not that straight forward to go in the Maxwell Food Centre that day. Still it was just a short walk from the temple and Tian Tian hawker stall is right at the entrance. Hainanese Chicken rice from Tian Tian was serviced in 2 sizes, one small, one large. The large size is not that large and small is indeed, quite small in portion.

As you can see, the presentation was extremely plain but it tasted really good. The price of Hainanese chicken rice dish from Tian Tian Hawker stall is noticeably higher than other hawker stalls in Singapore. Maybe because it’s gained good reviews on the internet over the years hence the premium being charged. Is it worth travelling all the way to have this dish from Tian Tian? In my opinion, it’s not worth it. The surrounding has a rather cheap feeling, there’s no tissue provided with the dish. Truth be told, we could easily get much bigger portion, equality tasty Hainanese chicken rice served with proper cutlery in Sydney for the same price, if not cheaper.  Sorry Tian Tian, maybe I’m just spoilt, haha.

Visit Petra: Highlights And Tiny Letdowns

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It wasn’t a short journey to visit Petra travelling all the way from Australia. Ever since I saw a picture of the Treasury at Petra, my desire of seeing it in person started to grow stronger and stronger. That dream trip of mine finally came to fruition this year after years of fantasising and a lot research + planning. Was it worth the effort? Absolutely.

Going to Petra from Israel

I entered the the Kingdom of Jordan through Israel/Jourdan boarder after an overnight stay in Elate Israel. Security check to go in Jordan was very fast and straight forward compared to those stringent processes in Israel. A driver and tour guide met me on the other side of boarder and my trip to Petra started officially.

A stop over at the breathtaking Wadi Rum dessert on the way from Aquba to Petra is highly recommended though a lot visitors to Petra are here for the Treasury. It’s only a little over 100 kilo meters from Wadi Rum to the city of Petra so it’ll take less than a couple of hours travelling by car.

The Dead Sea stretches across Israel and all the way to the Jordanian border. I’ve ticked off my bucket list item floating in the Dead Sea while in Israel. However I wonder if it could have been a better experience if it was done in Jordan. My tour guide proudly told me that the first hotel on Dead Sea was actually built in Jordan. So if any of you have floated in the Dead Sea in Jordan, please do share your experience!

The City of Petra

Whenever Petra is mentioned, most people would immediately think of the movie Indiana Jones. For some reason, I can’t remember that particular Indiana Jones movie. Maybe it’s because I’ve never seen it? Now that I’ve visited Petra, perhaps it’s the time to find that movie and watch it haha!

The city of Petra is nested in a dirt covered, secluded valley. There were a row of restaurants on the street leading to Petra visitor centre. Someone asked me if there were any KFC or Macca’s in Petra when I got back to Sydney. Well, I don’t record seeing any. The thing is, you won’t want to have fast food from KFC or McDanald’s in Petra any way. I had some amazing middle eastern feast there. So when you go, make sure to take time to enjoy the local cuisine.

What you need to know about visiting the ancient city of Petra

You don’t really need the local currency.

As long as you have sufficient US dollars on you, you don’t really to go through money exchange to get the local currency because US dollar is widely accepted in Petra.

You don need a lot of small bills on you though

The biggest inconvenience for me at the time was that I had quite a few $100 US dollar notes on me when I entered Petra and  I was having a VERY hard time to break it into smaller notes. You won’t be able to go far without smaller bills. You need them for tipping, buying drinking water and taxi fares etc. People won’t help you without being tipped and you can’t tip them with $100 notes.

Do you need a tour guide?

I booked a private tour guide before my Middle Eastern trip because I was travelling alone. But in reality, Petra is so straight forward to explore and the chance of getting lost there is really slim. Without a tour guide you’ll be able to stop whenever you wanted and take as much time to absorb everything. Many times I wished my guide could stop talking and singing like a crazy person but hey, that was just part of the experience. I was extremely glad that I had a full day all to myself without a guide so that I could really take my time to appreciate those sights without being interrupted or taken to a souvenir shop. So you’d better off without a tour guide, even if you are travelling solo.

Don’t get the single day ticket

It’s certainly not enough time to explore the best of Petra and enjoy it in just one day, so allow yourself at least a couple of days in the area. In stead of getting the single day tickets, buy a two day pass to save money and hassle.

Have plenty of water

You’ll hike a lot and weather is try. In order to keep yourself hydrated through out the day, make sure to drink plenty of water.

The horse riding

Though it’s said the horse ride is included in the entry ticket, I didn’t take the horse ride because I wanted to explore the ancient city by foot. If you opt to take a horse ride, make sure you have a US$5 note to tip the owner. If you hand over a $10 or $20 notes and expect your change back, you’ll be disappointed. Hence the importance to have plenty of small bills on you all the time.

Be aware of the hawkers

There will be a lot people trying to sell something to the tourists. Just be careful not to be the easy target. Don’t believe it that you’d buy authentic silver jewellery for $5. Don’t follow those little boys who promise to take you to places with the most amazing view. Don’t ride the horse, the camel or the donkey if you don’t want to…The best way is to stay firm and say “No” straight away without eye contact. People normally go away. That was a lot easier to deal with than what I’ve experienced in Egypt (where people would chase you all the way and force their service on you, then grab you for money).

The dress code?

Sure, 90% of the population in Jordan is Muslims. But Petra is occupied by tourists from all over the world. As long as you don’t dress offensively and overly expose yourself, people don’t really care what you wear.

The Siq

The Siq is a gorge, a 80 meter split in the rock. It’s the ancient entrance to the rose city. Walking through it wasn’t as long or boring as some people might have experienced. It was nice and cool under the gorge even in a hot Summer day. Not to mention, it’s so amazingly beautiful.

Watch out for the roaming horse carriages though while going through the narrow gorge though. Horses don’t really care about sharing the roads with the pedestrians, either do their owners. The smell of horse droppings through Siq could also be a little overwhelming.

Check out this blog post to see more photos of the beautiful Siq:

Jordan Photo Dairy – From Wadi Rum Jordan To The Siq, To The Treasury Petra

The Treasury:

The best time to see Treasury is in the afternoon, while the sun is shinning on that majestic ancient stone structure. The breathtaking moment to see the Treasury appearing at the end of Siq to me is simply unforgettable. There it was – all mighty, rose coloured and grand, just as beautiful and magnificent as I have imagined, even more stunning in real life.

visit Petravisit Petra

visit Petra

visit Petra

visit Petra

visit Petra

visit Petra

visit Petravisit PetraPetra at night

Petra at night happens 3 times a week on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday night when candle lights will be lit in front of the Treasury. You might have seen some magical photos of Petra at night on the internet. The true is, Photoshop could have something to do with the beauty of those photos. A lot people got quite disappointed seeing the whole event in person. But the main thing is to just enjoy the moment and manage our expectations:).

Petra during the day however, doesn’t require any Photoshop’s help. Every single snap would turn out to be a post card worthy photo.
visit Petra visit Petravisit Petra

The hike to Monastery

Local people said if you haven’t been to Monastery, you haven’t really been to Petra. But the hike to Petra Monastery is no easy task. It takes at least 6 hours going up and down, from midway, you need to climb nearly 900 steps all the way uphill. But no matter, when it comes to travel, I’ve never been lazy! After days of hiking and touring, my body was feeling the pain, I kept pushing and made it all the way to the top, in 40C + degrees heat. 🙂 Oh mine. How grand is Monastery! The hike to the Monastery took the my trip to Petra to a whole new level. It looks similar to the Treasury but much bigger. See that lady in green top behind me? That’s how small a person looks next to the Monastery.

The Monastery

An the view on top? Mind – blowing. I’ll leave it to another post for more photos from the hike to Petra Monastery.

Are People With Health Insurance Healthier?

When we think of health insurance and the benefits it provides, we tend to think about instances of medical emergencies. Most people purchase this product looking for peace of mind and the reduction of risk, both in regards to their health and their finances. They know that no matter what occurs they are going to be protected. But, medical insurance offers so much more than this. It actually gives you the platform to be much healthier.

How can health insurance actually make you healthier?

Extra healthcare perks

Of course, this all depends on the level of cover you go for when purchasing a medical insurance policy, as high cover policies will obviously give you extra health perks. There are policies that cover things such as maternity care, hearing care, and dental care. This means you would be much more likely to get regular hearing checks. This means problems are picked up on much quicker.

Access to better professionals

Nonetheless, one thing that all covers have in common is access to the best hospitals, facilities, and professionals. You can be safe in the knowledge that whether you go for a check-up or you are having a major operation you will benefit from super health care. This is particularly beneficial if you are in a country whereby the overall standard of health care is low. Without international health insurance you will have no choice over the hospital you go to or the doctor you use, and thus you have no control over the level of health care you will receive.

Regular general health checks
Aside from benefitting from a better level of health care, one of the main reasons why you will become healthier by having a health insurance plan is by having regular health checks. This is a common feature of these policies. You will be more encouraged to have health checks, as you won’t have to pay for them and you won’t have to suffer extensive waiting lists or be forced to see a doctor you don’t want to. As a consequence, any health issues will be identified early. This can stop serious issues developing. You will be able to deal with any problems early, ensuring you stay as healthy as possible.

All in all, buying international medical insurance is not merely about protecting yourself in cases of emergency. You can actually make yourself healthier and reduce the chances of such a medical emergency occurring. The benefits of this should not be overlooked. After all, nothing is more important than your health!

What if you already have a pre-existing condition?

Finding a health insurance policy can be much more difficult if you are deemed to have a pre-existing medical condition. You will find it near impossible to secure a plan if you opt for a local or travel health insurance policy. However, with international medical insurance, there are options available to you. So, keep on reading to find out everything you need to know…

First and foremost, let’s begin by establishing what a pre-existing condition actually is. If you are aware that you have a medical condition, or you have experienced one or more symptoms prior to taking out an insurance policy, this is deemed a pre-existing medical condition and you will not be covered. If you lie to your insurer you are assured to find yourself in trouble later down the line. If your claim is not refused imminently, there is a very high chance that you will be required to pay your insurer the amount they have spent covering your treatment and such like. This is a risk you definitely do not want to take.

Nevertheless, the industry has progressed a lot over the past few years. If you rewind the clock back you would have found it pretty much impossible to locate a global health insurance policy with cover for pre-existing conditions. Anything related to this condition would simply be excluded. However, things are somewhat different now.

There are no guarantees, yet insurers are a lot more willing to assess each case separately. They will look at your medical history and the particulars of your condition to determine what level of cover they can provide you with when taking out an expat health insurance plan. There are several options they may present you with. They can, of course, decide to simply exclude the condition from the coverage. But there are other options, such as medical history disregard, premium loading, and moratorium underwriting.

Premium loading essentially means the global health insurance provider will charge you a higher premium rate to cover the fact that you are more likely to need treatment than other policyholders without pre-existing conditions. Moratorium underwriting means that there will be a waiting period until the condition subsides.

If you have a pre-existing medical condition, do not be disheartened. A lot of people feel there is no hope for them when it comes to health insurance plans. You do not have to take out a policy that simply excludes your condition, you may find that there are other options at your disposal instead.

Your Wellbeing Won’t Change Unless You Do: Working On Your Lifestyle

We all want to live healthily, but it’s hard work. Many of us are probably guilty of trying to take shortcuts. Maybe you’ve tried a diet that was supposed to help you get into shape quickly, but it ended up being ineffective. Maybe you’ve even tried out a weight loss garment that promised to be helpful in the adverts but did nothing whatsoever to reduce your waistline. And we’ve still only discussed one aspect of your wellbeing. As you probably know, there’s no way to cheat your way around a healthy lifestyle. You need to adopt habits that will improve your long-term health. Your wellbeing won’t change unless you do, so these suggestions should guide you as you work on your lifestyle.

Start eating nutritious meals.

This is the most important lifestyle change to make if you want to see a big difference in your physical and mental wellbeing. Getting into healthier eating habits will benefit you in the future too. As mentioned in the introduction, many people get confused by the idea of a healthy diet. They see a diet as a short-term thing, and it often involves fasting. That isn’t a healthy eating pattern to adopt. You need to think about the long-term. Trendy diets that help you lose a ridiculous amount of weight very quickly are not going to help you maintain a healthy weight in the long-term. You need to focus on eating nutritious meals that give your body the sustenance it needs. At the same time, you need to avoid overeating. There is a good middle ground to be found.

A varied diet is the goal. Stop relying on processed foods that are easy to prepare. Look for whole foods in your local store. Whole foods are foods that haven’t been altered from their natural state; fruit, vegetables, beans, and grains (e.g. rice) are all perfect and delicious examples. On a nutritious and filling diet, you might achieve a healthier weight slowly, but you’ll be able to maintain that healthy weight. Why? Because you’ll be looking after your body. You’ll be eating filling meals, so you won’t feel hungry; you won’t crave junk food. You’ll be getting all the sustenance you need, so there’ll be no need to revert back to unhealthy eating habits. That being said, overconsumption of any food is bad for you. Don’t eat until you’re stuffed full; it’s always good to leave a little bit of room in your belly. Of course, if you still don’t feel physically great after ditching the junk food then there are plenty of yoghurts and other foods that can improve digestive health. If you have IBS or other digestive problems then you just need to adopt an eating pattern that works for your body.

Work out in some way on a daily basis.

You should also work out in some way on a daily basis if you want to improve your wellbeing. It can be hard to find a form of exercise that becomes a regular part of your lifestyle. Not everybody enjoys going to the gym or jogging, but the important thing is simply to get your body moving. It doesn’t matter how you do it. You might want to take up karate lessons in your local area to learn a new skill, make friends, and get exercise. Think outside the box. You could even try out some yoga stretches at the start or the end of the day. It’s more of a meditative practice, but it’s still a form of exercise that’ll benefit your physical wellbeing. Besides, exercise should be something you do for the sake of your mental health too. Physical activity releases endorphins in the brain, so it can definitely help with your emotional wellbeing.

Make it a priority to get a good night’s rest.

None of these suggestions are anything new to you, but you might not take any of them seriously. Perhaps you knew that eating well and exercising was important, but sleep deprivation? That can be solved with a morning coffee, right? Wrong. Sleeping well isn’t just about keeping your energy levels high either. It affects your health on so many levels. So, you might think that you can solve your sleepless week with a long lie-in at the weekend, but you’re doing more damage than you might think. Sleep deprivation can slow your metabolism, weaken your immune system, lessen muscle repair, and even accentuate mental health issues such as stress, anxiety, and depression. As you can imagine, those negative health effects would undo the positive effects of a healthy diet and regular exercise routine. So, depleted energy is only one issue of many when you don’t sleep properly. You need to make a priority to get a good night’s rest if you want to improve your wellbeing. Get 8 hours of sleep every night; make sure you sleep on a supportive mattress too. Your body needs to recover properly at the end of a long day.

Spending Christmas Away from Home

Christmas tends to be a time of year that we strongly associate with home. It’s when we spend more time within our homes and visiting our nearest and dearest in their homes. But you don’t necessarily have to always spend every year seated around the dinner table eating sprouts and gravy. This is just as good a time of year to go away as any other if you have been struck by a sense of wanderlust, and it can be exciting to see how other countries around the world celebrate this occasion too! So, if you’re considering heading overseas this festive season, here are a few steps that you should incorporate into your planning process!

Choose Your Destination

The first step that you need to do when planning Christmas away from home is to choose your destination. This will cement your plans and help you to make further steps ahead when it comes to planning what you will be doing over the festive season. The location that you choose will fall entirely down to personal preference. Choosing somewhere hot can allow you to escape from cold winters back home and embrace sun, sea, and sand rather than shivering and having to wrap up in multiple layers just to leave the house. Heading somewhere even colder and with more prominent festive associations or ties can help to enhance the festive feel and send Christmas spirit levels skyrocketing through the roof.

Particularly Festive Friendly Destinations

There are, of course, various destinations that prove extremely popular during the festive season. They tend to have links to traditional Christmas folklore or have frosty weather conditions that make for the perfect winter wonderland. Here are a few to consider.

Lapland

Let’s start with the most obvious place that you might like to visit – Lapland. As legend goes, this is Santa’s home, and you can really get into the Christmas spirit by visiting from November right through till January. You can be greeted at the local airport by “Santa’s helpers”, will get to frolic and play in the snow, and can even visit the big man himself! Alongside this, you could incorporate trips to see the Northern Lights and even stay in an igloo.

Iceland

Iceland is another chilly destination that can offer some real winter time magic. Alongside seeing the Northern Lights and traversing the Golden Circle with its icy landscapes, you can check out Christmas markets and learn a little more about the rebellious Yule Lads. If you want a touch of luxury, you could slip in a trip to the Blue Lagoon – a geothermal spa.

Familiarise Yourself with Alternative Local Customs and Traditions

While Christmas isn’t necessarily a huge occasion around the entire world, many countries do have their own Christmas customs and traditions, and you might want to engage with these while you are away. Familiarising yourself with other culture’s way of celebrating is definitely an opportunity worth embracing when it comes to broadening your perspective and understanding of the world beyond your doorstep. Here are a few different traditions from countries around the world that you might be interested in testing out yourself while you are away.

Australia

Christmas falls in Australian summertime, so while other countries around the world will embrace cosy festivities indoors, Australians tend to spend more time outdoors and are topping up their sunscreen rather than throwing extra layers on and huddling up in blankets. You’ll find that many Australians will indulge in a beach BBQ on Christmas Day itself. You can learn more about the perfect way to spend Christmas down under at Bondi 38.

The Philippines

Every year on the Saturday before Christmas Eve, masses of individuals in the Philippines celebrate with the Giant Lantern Festival (otherwise referred to as “Ligligan Parul Sampernandu”). This is usually held in the city of San Fernando, which is renowned for being one of the most festive places in the region. There is competition to build the most attractive and eye catching lantern.

Sweden

Sweden’s best-known Christmas tradition is probably the Yule Goat. This is a goat that measures thirteen metres tall that has been built and placed in Gavle’s Castle Square on an annual basis since 1966. This may sound odd. But what’s more odd is another tradition that has come hand in hand with the presence of the goat – a tradition of trying to burn it down. While it is illegal to burn the goat down and there is now tight security surrounding the goat, it has been successfully burnt down a grand total of 29 times.

Pack Appropriately

Wherever you are heading, you need to make sure that you pack appropriately for the weather. Never just assume that what you are used to wearing at home will do. If you are heading to a hot destination, you will still need your swimwear and sun protection. If you are heading to a particularly cold destination, you will want to stock up on layers, waterproofs, and insulated jackets.

Sure, spending Christmas away from home isn’t going to be the most appealing idea for everyone out there. But it is a great option for those of us who fancy a bit of an escape over the festive period. What’s more? Your work are likely to offer you a little gratuitous holiday during this time too, so you don’t have to worry about booking quite so much time off work to head away!