Bandos Island Resort, Maldives

The first glimpse out the window of an aeroplane as you land onto the island airport of Maldives is an endless body of crystal blue water peppered by small islands.

Each of these occupied islands is a resort on its own. From the airport, since there is no mainland to travel from, you will be transported to your island resort by boat. For this trip, I stayed at the Bandos Resort.

Maldives Airport Island Transfer Port

At first glance, the size and the "luxury" rating of the room is nothing to shout about. Arguably it is just a Deluxe room, but there are other room options if you have a bigger budget.  The Deluxe room is pretty small but cosy. Basic amenity essentials such as bath kits and toothbrushes are provided.

The Standard Room at Bandos Resort

Well, if you come to Maldives with the intention of just staying in your room, then you are doing it wrong. Bandos Resort focuses more on giving it's guests the chance to truly indulge in its surroundings. Don't expect to rot in the room during with the variety of activities planned out  for you such as Diving, Snorkelling and even chaperoned events are planned for children so that parents can have a little alone time with one another.

Crab Racing Event for the Children

The only downside here is that since you are on an island resort, there is no way for you to pick where you want to eat. If there is one place McDonalds does not deliver to, it's the Maldivian Islands. I guess a McD island would sound awesome, with deliveries done by speedboat, but alas such a dream, remains as such... a Dream. You are stuck to what is provided at the resort for the durations of your stay. Variety wise, expect to see the same few places for food everyday of your stay.

The Buffet Area. Serves Breakfast,Lunch and Dinner

However, the highlight of the Bandos Resort Island experience for me would be the sunset. It is gorgeous and can best be seen from the sundowners bar. Just head over to the bar at about 6pm, knock back a few drinks with your mates and wait as you witness a beautiful crimson, splash across the sky as the sun descends behind the sea's horizon.

The Highlight Sunset from the Sundowners Bar

With that, I hope you will be able to visit this beautiful island at least while you still have a chance. These islands are just 1.5 Meters above sea level and studies have shown that the rise in sea levels due to climate change may very well be the end of these beautiful coral islands. So book a flight , book a room and enjoy paradise while mother nature still allows you to.

Bandos Island invites you and your loved ones to experience bliss

Venue             : Bandos Resort, Maldives 
Room Type    : Deluxe Room
Room Rate    : USD 250 ++ per night (breakfast included)
More Details : http://www.bandosmaldives.com/

Koh Phuket, Holiday Paradise

Phuket is one of the many Island destinations in Thailand. Whether you are a couple looking for a romantic getaway or a bunch of guys going for an epic "Broliday", there is something for everybody on the Island.

There are a few things you need to consider before booking your hotel in Phuket.

1) Getting around (It is within walking distance to Patong Beach and Bangla Road)

2) Convenience (close to convenience stores and a Subway Sandwich  store for when you get the midnight munchies)

3) Cleanliness (Generally a pretty clean and well kept hotel)

After weighing these options, My friends and I decided to stay at The Album Hotel in the Patong area. Patong is the area closest to Bangla road, which is the party and entertainment district of Phuket. We did not even need to hire a car or motorbikes, anything we needed we could just walk.

Getting to the hotel is pretty easy. Just book a taxi just before you exit into the arrival area. It should cost about 800 Baht which is fairly reasonable.

Also, when you tell them the name of the hotel, pronounce it as A - LA - BUMM.
I know its weird but for some reason this is how they pronounce it, and saying it how it is supposed to be pronounced may cause some confusion with the locals.

The Hotel

If you do call the Album Hotel, please ask for Titha. She speaks pretty good English and has great customer service skills. She will be able to answer any further queries you have about the place.  

Address: 29 Sawatridak Road, Patong, Kathu, Phuket 83150 Thailand.Contact: 66 76297023

If you plan to stay a little further away from the Patong area, you may need to move around in an overpriced Tuk Tuk (400 to 800 Baht) or risk life and limb by hiring a motorbike.

IMPORTANT: You need to be a really experienced rider to take on the roads of Phuket as they are curvy and full of steep slopes.

Day 1: No trip to Phuket island is complete without booking an island hopping day trip to the other smaller islands around Phuket. Monkey Island, Koh Pi Pi and Maya Bay (where they shot the movie The Beach)

Me and the Bros on the speed boat for our island hopping tour

Grab a brew, get under an umbrella and dig your toes into the beautiful white sand

Crystal clear blue water - Belly Flop!

Day 2: ATV riding and white river rafting for adrenaline junkies.

Going for a joy ride

Attempt to find enlightenment under the waterfall

Day 3: Rest at Relax day with a good traditional Thai Massage.

The Massage Parlor

After a long day of sightseeing and adventuring, a good massage is just what the doctor ordered. It is a Coed massage parlour with male and female masseuse (which means none of that happy ending nonsense). Just a good clean relaxing massage.

This a good clean professional massage parlour. Adress: 3 Sirirat Rd, Patong Beach, Phuket 83150, ThailandContact: 66 7634594950

All Days: GOOD FOOD. You are spoilt for choice on food in Phuket. A little bit of sweet and a whole lot of spicy. Of course you can request a more tourist friendly version of their fiery dishes.

Pineapple Fried Rice; A must try!

Out of all the wonderful food we tried during the trip, this dish is deserves the spotlight for being simply delicious. To tell you the truth, I don't even like pineapples, but the moment I introduced a spoonful of this into my gullet, the explosion of flavours completely overrode my complete disdain for pineapples. 

The food, the beautiful beaches and activities are more than enough to satisfy most thrill seekers but you can't say that you have been to Phuket until you have been to Bangla Road. This is Phuket's famous night life district. 

The Neon lights, the music and the all the curious people walking around Bangla Road is a sight to behold. It was an interesting experience trying to guess if the ladies walking around the area were authentic or augmented (if you know what I mean).

Stepping onto this road, expect to be hounded by the sea of ping pong show and club promoters. At first you may get overwhelmed by the constant badgering by all the promoters. My advice is to not make eye contact, don't stop walking until you find a bar you feel comfortable hanging out in. If you stop walking they WILL try to hard sell you into walking into one of their bars. The important thing is to have a great night out with your mates.

Bangla Road, The Neon Jungle

Enter Bangla Road

One of the many open concept table top bars on Bangla Road

After 3 nights and 4 days of fun in the sun, it was time for us to go home. There is just so much to do in Phuket. We probably barely scratched the surface of what we can explore around the island that it deserves a revisit sometime in the future. 

I hope I was able to give you a sneak peak into beautiful Phuket Island and that you make Phuket the next holiday destination on your list. 

Thank you for reading and Happy Travels! 

I'm Leaving on a Jet Plane

When we travel, people always look forward to the destination. They will think about the accomodations, the food and the sights.

People forget, that their journey starts from the airport. Most of us think airports are a drag. Personally I believe that every second of one's journey, from the port of embarkation to disembarkation, must be appreciated.

First impressions count and since the airport is the first and last place you will be before starting a journey, I believe it should get its due respect.

The airport is not just a parking lot for aircrafts, it is also be a place that just bleeds emotion.

From teary eyed farewells to warm welcoming hugs and not forgetting the joy of making new friends. The airport has seen it all.

Some airports I have been to are so beautifully designed. Each having their own unique architectural traits that tells a little story about the city you are visiting.

Duty free shopping, eateries and various other conveniences are at your disposal.

So never mind the long transit times. Don't fret about your delayed flights. Long line at the check in line? No sweat. Just take the time and look around you. The airport is a playground, a labyrinth of shops with fancy knick knacks and treasures you can explore.

I will be posting some blog commentary about some of the many fascinating airports I have been to in the posts to come.

Until then, Happy travels my dear readers.

Highlands of Love at Bukit Tinggi

Valentine's day approaches. The ladies know it's coming and can smell the fear, as the guys desperately scramble to find the right gift that can sate their woman's thirst for romance.

This year would be different. After missing out three valentine's days with my loved one (which she has graciously forgiven me for) I decided to whisk her away for a short trip to Bukit Tinggi. Needless to say, she was thrilled.

Bukit Tinggi is a short 1 hour drive away from the Kuala Lumpur. The cool and crisp weather is the perfect escape from the heat of the city.

There were a few choices for accommodations  at Bukit Tinggi such as Colmar Tropicale and the Japanese themed resort, but I chose The Chateau Spa & Organic Wellness Resort. They have a no children under 12 policy at this resort which is great for a romantic couple's retreat.

*Note: People travelling to Bukit Tinggi with children may try Colmar Tropicale.

The Chateau is has a French inspired theme from their architecture to their menu selection. A taste of France, the country which boasts Paris the city of love. If you are like me, and your pockets don't go so deep as to be able to get flight tickets for two to Paris on a whim,  then this is the next best thing. Window to France at your door step.

Guest services at this The Chateau gets 5 Stars starting from the professional email correspondences to the cleanliness of the venue and also the friendliness of the staff.

Through my email exchange with the guest relations officer at The Chateau, I was able to arrange a bouquet of roses upon check in for my love and a special private valentine's dinner by the pool. All my request were executed perfectly.

Dinner was a 6 course meal, and a personal ensemble of musicians were dispatched to our private table, to facilitate the Valentine's mood we were in.

The next day, We went to the Japanese themed town, and also visited the French themed carnival/hotel at Colmar Tropicale for some photo taking opportunities.

Did I mention, there is also a horse riding ranch at Bukit Tinggi as well?

Overall, it was a 6 Star Valentine's weekend for us at Bukit Tinggi, and we look forward to visiting again in the near future.

Info:

Room Rate: RM 600 ++ per night
Room Type: Deluxe (The Spa suite is also available for patrons with a bigger budget)