Beach, bikini and resort life

Victoria Secret Bathing Suits

2012-05-01T23:58:00.000-07:00

Women's swimwear come in all sorts of designs nowadays, and when it comes to sheer variety it's hard to beat Victoria Secret bathing suits. Though the brand is primarily known for its lingerie offerings, its swimwear line has nevertheless enjoyed immense popularity over the years.

This year promises to be no different. In March 2012, the company launched its summer 2012 swimwear collection with an event at the Thompson Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. There was a mini-fashion show, featuring two Victoria's Secret Angels: Miranda Kerr and Candice Swanepoel, who provided a sneak peek of the swimwear collection by modeling some of the bathing suits.

There are numerous styles featured in the 2012 Victoria Secret bathing suits series. These include bikinis, one-piece swimsuits, halters, and bandeaus. There's also a full complement of cover-ups to complete one's summer beach ensemble. Inspired by Brazil, the collection is unsurprisingly filled with bold colors and bright patterns.

One doesn't necessarily need to have a body like that of a Victoria's Secret Angel in order to look ravishing in a Victoria's Secret bathing suit. There are several swimwear brands from the company, and some items in the collections are designed to help shape the body and provide firm support. The Magicsuit line, for instance, promises "sexy support and shaping," and features halter tankini tops, convertible swim dresses, and retro one-piece swimsuits, among others.

Women with a small bustline would welcome the new Forever Sexy Collection. The available sizes in the line are from 32A to 38DD, and the push-up bras come with removable padding. Styles include tankinis, halters, bikinis, and skirted bottoms. Other swimsuit brands offered by Victoria's Secret are the Beach Sexy, Gorgeous, Very Sexy, Forever Sexy, BioFit Swim Tops, and Bombshell Swim Tops.

Women can opt to shop by bikini top or bikini bottom, but because of the large variety of offerings, it can be overwhelming to choose which top goes with which bottom. To that end, the Victoria's Secret web site launched the Bikini Mixer feature. This helps shoppers mi x and match from among the various styles and designs in order to come up with the mix that's just perfect for them. Aside from the official web site, Victoria Secret bathing suits are also available in various retail stores in the U.S. and Canada.

Bathing Suits for Women Over 40

2012-04-13T02:48:00.003-07:00

Shopping for swimwear is a dreaded task for many, and some people think that only young women can carry off sexy swimsuits. Such people are sadly mistaken for there are numerous stylish and beautiful bathing suits for women over 40.

The Internet is filled with pictures of celebrities in their 40s who are seen cavorting in a bathing suit on the beach. However, a woman in her forties doesn't necessarily need to have a body like Jerry Hall's, Jennifer Anniston's or Demi Moore's to rock a swimsuit.

As long as a woman chooses a bathing suit that flatters her figure -- one that downplays the more unattractive parts of her body and draws attention to her assets -- then there's no reason why she can't look stunning on the beach or by the poolside during summer.

An informal survey commissioned by Diet Chef and carried out among 2,000 respondents found that many women wouldn't feel comfortable wearing a bikini while on holiday. However, the same survey revealed that as long as a woman is attractive, slim and healthy, then she can wear whatever she wants even at an advanced age.

Not all women, not even those in their teens, twenties or thirties, can carry off ultra-revealing swimsuits such as monokinis; their physique simply isn't right for it. But many bathing suits for women over 40, especially for those who are carrying a few extra pounds, can be sexy too, in a different way.

Take, for example, the Miraclesuit brand of swimwear. It utilizes the Miratex fabric technology that functions better than spandex in providing support and shaping the body. It not only helps hide the problem areas of plus-size women, it also holds up well in the water and is therefore suitable for swimming exercises and other water activies.

Then there's the swimsuit line called Assets by Sara Blakely. One particular model, a black halter swim dress, has a number of good reviews. Satisfied consumers say it's a very flattering swimsuit, whether the women wearing it has had children or is in her forties.

There are many other types of bathing suits for women over 40. The trick is to find that feels comfortable, and that goes a long way towards making a women look sexy too.

Plus Size Maternity Bathing Suits

2012-02-17T00:58:00.000-08:00

Women who are both plus size and pregnant have no shortage of options when it comes to plus size maternity bathing suits. With the numerous selections available today, choosing one that looks great and feels comfortable is easier than ever.

Health experts say swimming is one of the best exercises a pregnant woman can undertake since it improves circulation, burns calories, and enhances muscle strength and tone, among other things. Plus, the feeling of weightlessness and buoyancy in the water helps her achieve all these benefits without undue strain. As long as there are no problems in the pregnancy and if her doctor approves, a woman should be able to enjoy the health benefits of swimming during the whole duration of her pregnancy.

This is one of the major areas where choosing the right type of swimsuit is important. Plus size maternity bathing suits are designed to provide the support that a pregnant body needs. Several areas of the body aside from the belly will usually increase in size during pregnancy, notably the chest and hips, and accommodating these changes properly with the right type of swimsuit will help ensure both a beautiful appearance and a comfortable experience in and out of the water.

There are many pregnancy bathing suit styles from which to choose. There's the classic one-piece silhouette that's always a popular option. Bikinis and tankinis for plus-size women who are pregnant are also widely available. Swim skirts or swim dresses are also in vogue because of the comfort they provide and the feminine appeal they project. You can find many of these types of swimwear, particularly those made by noted plus-size bathing suit companies Miraclesuit and Gottex, on the web site of Nordstrom.

The stores of retail company Target are also good places for finding beautiful and affordably-priced plus size pregnancy bathing suits, including swim shorts. Target carries swimsuits designed by Liz Lange for both plus size and pregnant women. However, Target only ships to customers within the United States. International customers may want to consider sites like Amazon.com, which offers a range of plus size maternity bathing suits and coverups from various brands.

Slingshot Bikini

2012-02-10T00:09:00.000-08:00

If you want to catch everyone's attention on the beach or by the poolside, then wearing a slingshot bikini is probably your best option next to going all-out naked. Also known as the suspender bikini, slingshot maillot, suspender thong, or simply sling bikini, it bares just as much skin, or even more, than a regular bikini does.

Basically, the sling bikini is just like the traditional bikini bottom. But instead of the straps going around the hips, they stretch straight up across the torso to cover the nipples, go around the neck, then reach down the back to end as a thong between the buttocks. The bottom is cut very high up on the hips and normally covers just the pubic area, while the sides of the torso and a large part of the breasts are exposed because there's hardly anything covering them.

There are several variations to the slingshot bikini. Some have the bottom's straps going around the hips in addition to straps that go around the neck. Then there are the designs that cover even a smaller amount of skin; they're basically just pieces of string attached to tiny scraps of cloth that barely cover the genital area and the nipples.

The most iconic image of the sling bikini is probably the one where actor Sasha Baron Cohen wore a neon green one -- also known as a "mankini" -- at a beach in Cannes, France, to promote his movie Borat. The trend caught on and today, quite a number of men are buying Borat-inspired slingshot swimwear.

It is the sling bikini's tendency to expose the breasts and other areas of the body that makes it very popular in glamour shots that are published in swimsuit magazines, swimsuit calendars and the like. In real life, though, it's more likely to be seen at private or all-adult beaches and in areas in the world where exposure of a great amount of skin is a non-issue, like South America and some parts of Europe.

However, calling a sling bikini a swimsuit isn't very accurate if you think about it, since it's hardly practical or suitable for swimming. This is because the straps tend to slip out of place when the person wearing it is moving in the water.

But setting aside the issue of functionality, a slingshot bikini is the way to go for women -- and men -- who have the right build to carry it off, and who are looking for heads to turn their way on a sunny day at the beach or pool.

Longitude Swimwear

2012-02-03T00:11:00.000-08:00

Many women with long torsos used to find it challenging to discover the right type of swimsuit that flatters their physique. But nowadays, swimsuit brands such as Longitude Swimwear have made it easier for women with such builds to enjoy bathing suits that are both attractive and suitable for water activities.

Longitude was previously known as Robby Len Longitude swimwear, and the brand has been offering various bathing suits since the 1950s. Many of the company's vintage bathing suits have numerous fans and those interested in collecting and/or wearing Longitude's classic designs from decades ago can purchase them online on sites such as Etsy and eBay. Today's Longitude bathing suit collections have expanded considerably and include a variety of designs, cuts and patterns for long-torsoed women ranging from small to plus sizes.

Some tall women, or those with long torsos, complain about how many of the one-piece swimsuits available in the market do not stretch up far enough or only stretch wider. Another problem is that tankinis, or bathing suits that combine a tank top and a bikini bottom, fail to stay in place when the user is swimming laps. Longitude Swimwear addresses these problems by having bathing suits whose bottoms do not rise and whose straps do not tug or chafe at the shoulders.

The range of swimsuits from Longitude can be seen on the sites of online retailers such as Laraines.com. The collection for the 2012 season showcases features that have a slenderizing effect, such as dark and bold prints, which control the appearance of the tummy. The bathing suits flatter long torsos through accents such as ruffles in the chest area and moderate openings for the legs. The swimwear's soft cup bra also provided ample bust support while the nylon and Spandex fabric composition ensure that they are comfortable to wear.

Amazon.com, one of the biggest retailers on the Internet, also offers a wide range of Longitude Swimwear. In addition to the traditional one-piece tank swimsuits, you can also find Longitude swimdresses and tankini swimwear as well as Longitude swimsuit coverups in various sizes.

Monokini Swimwear

2012-01-27T00:04:00.000-08:00

Monokini swimwear is one of the more revealing types of swimsuits. Looking at it from the back, it's easy to mistake it for a bikini. Seen from the front, however, its deviation from the usual bikini is readily apparent . It doesn't leave the midriff totally uncovered; instead, the swimsuit's top and bottom pieces are connected, usually along the midriff and leaving the sides of the torso bare. This is why it is also known as a cutout swimsuit.

But during the monokini's early days, only the wearer's bottom part was covered. When Austrian-American designer Rudi Gernreich launched the original monokini in the early 1960s, it caused quite a controversy since it left the breasts uncovered. It consisted of just a bikini bottom that covered the stomach and part of the upper thighs, and two attached thin straps that went around the neck.

Today, monokini swimwear generally covers the bust area, although there are still designs that remain true to Gernreich's vision and leave the chest bare. These are mostly seen in areas where topless bathing is permitted. Those who prefer not to go topless but still want to show off their figures in a revealing swimsuit have plenty of other design options to choose from.

Various monokini bathing suits are available from both top-notch fashion designers, which can cost hundreds of dollars, to more affordable versions from mass retailers like Wal-Mart. Both resources are popular among countless women.

As an example, there's TV actress AnnaLynne McCord, who has been photographed wearing designer monokinis from brands such as Juicy Couture and Calvin Klein. However, there's also a picture of her wearing a $13 monokini that she bought from Wal-Mart. Then there are also photographs of singer Rihanna in Hawaii clad in a revealing silver monokini (see top picture).

There are numerous monokini variations that a woman can choose from in order to draw attention to the best parts of her body. Some monokini bottoms are high cut, exposing a lot of thigh, while others are more modest. The rear part may be cut in the g-string style to bare the buttocks or be like the more traditional bikini to provide more coverage. Monokini swimwear tops are available in a variety of styles as well: from bandeau cuts to halter tops to deep-vee necklines that go down to almost the navel.

One Piece Swimsuits for Women

2012-01-20T00:01:00.000-08:00

With all the varieties of bathing suits available out there, one piece swimsuits for women remain a firm favorite among many. The number of styles have increased and evolved since this type of swimsuit's emergence into popular culture almost one hundred years ago and today women can choose from among practically hundreds of cuts and designs, some of which have been featured in magazines such as Sports Illustrated.

The basic one-piece bathing suit design is also known as the maillot (from the French phrase maillot de bain, meaning bathing shirt) or tank suit. The most familiar design would be the one that covers the torso, has straps that go over the shoulders, and a scoop or square neckline. However, there are numerous variations to this basic design. Some swimsuits have halter-type straps, some have sleeves or no straps at all. Some have deeply plunging necklines or expose the abdomen; some provide full or extensive back coverage while others don't.

The bottom parts of one-piece bathing suits for women also come in various styles. Some designs are modest-looking, covering the hips or in the case of boy-cut suits, even go down to cover the tops of the thighs. French-cut swimsuits, on the other hand, are more revealing since the leg openings are cut high to show the hips.

Generally speaking, one piece swimsuits for women are thought to be more conservative than two-piece swimsuits or bikinis. This isn't always the case, however. Two styles, called the "Pretzel" and the "Slingshot" can show just as much skin -- or even more -- than a bikini does. These suits leave very little to the imagination since they expose much of the buttocks, breasts, hips and abdomen.

Since single-piece swimsuits are available in such a wide variety of cuts and patterns, it isn't surprising that many women of all ages, body types and sizes have at least one in their wardrobe, since the right one can flatter any physique. Plus size women, pregnant women, young girls, celebrities: they can all be seen looking sexy and comfortable in one piece swimsuits for women.

Sun Protective Swimwear

2012-01-13T00:05:00.000-08:00

People baring large amounts of skin while on the beach or by the poolside is a common enough sight, but it isn't always the best idea. With skin cancer being the most common form of cancer in the United States, it's in one's best health interest to wear sun protective swimwear more often.¹

This type of swimsuit does more than just protect from sunburn, it also shields the skin from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays.

Bathing suits and other sun protective clothing are made from fabrics such as nylon, cotton, and spandex. A UV-protective swimsuit covers a lot more skin than a bikini does, but design and stylishness are not compromised.

Women shoppers can choose from among a variety of rash guards, halter-type tops, short sleeved tops, swim shorts and swim skirts. Some outdoor clothing brands, such as HydroChic, offer UV-safe swim shirts, skirts, shorts and skorts that can be worn by themselves, without the need to wear a swimsuit underneath for reasons of modesty.²

Rash guards, long sleeved swim shirts, and board shorts that protect from UV rays are available for men. Similarly, there is no shortage of options when it comes to sun protective swimwear for children and infants.

How can you tell if your swimsuit is providing sufficient UV protection? The best way would be to learn about the fabric's Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) rating. A number of countries have implemented standards for sun protective fabrics, and in the U.S. these standards were introduced in 2001. According to the American Melanoma Foundation, clothes that has UPF ratings of 40, 45, and 50+ offer excellent protection since they block up to 98 percent of UV rays.³

With the knowledge that overexposure to UV rays can have very harmful health effects, it makes perfect sense to protect yourself and those you love from them. Wearing sun protective swimwear, no matter what your age or gender, and whether you choose to play in the water or just lounge around on the beach or poolside, goes a long way toward achieving this goal.

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Freya Swimwear

2012-01-06T00:01:00.000-08:00

Shopping for swimsuits is a nightmare for many women, but it doesn't have to be that way. The secret to looking fantastic in a bathing suit lies in finding one that fits perfectly, emphasizing the body's best assets and drawing attention away from problem areas. Fortunately, there are options today like Freya swimwear that make choosing swimsuits a fun and satisfying experience for women of all sizes.

Freya is a company based in Great Britain that is fast gaining an excellent reputation among women of various ages. Freya's vision is to provide great-fitting and beautiful lingerie and swimwear that every woman deserves, and it certainly seems like they are doing this to the satisfaction of many of their customers.

Evidence of this can be seen online, such as the user forums on the web site of "Vogue Australia" magazine. On a long-running thread in that forum, Freya is one of the top brands recommended by consumers for big-busted women who have a hard time finding a great-fitting swimsuit.

It should be noted that while many Freya swimwear designs are flattering for plus-size women, it isn't just necessarily those women who benefit the most from Freya's bikinis and bathing suits. Women who wear small dress sizes yet need very large bra cups are a big part of Freya's market demographics. A size 28 woman who has a JJ cup, for example, would have no trouble finding the perfect swimsuit from Freya's selection of swimwear.

And what an extensive selection it is! Freya will be launching several collections in the first quarter of 2012, the full range of which can be previewed on their web site freyalingerie dot com. The Disco bikini, for instance, features a funky disco ball design and will be available in D to GG cups.

The Fever collection includes a tankini, a one-piece bathing suit, and several bikini styles, and will be available in C to JJ cup sizes. There is also a selection of Freya swimwear coverups such as jersey dresses and caftans.

Designer Swimwear

2011-12-30T00:07:00.000-08:00

There is no shortage of fans for designer swimwear from famous names in the industry, such as Donna Karan, Bill Blass, and Stella McCartney. The swimsuit collections they release annually are highly anticipated by both industry watchers and consumers, and are thus covered by the media long before the collections themselves are actually released. Style.com, for instance, has a preview of summer 2012 swimsuits from prominent design houses such as Michael Kors, Bottega Veneta, and Chanel.

However, not all women can afford the high prices of haute couture swimwear. Fortunately, there are plenty of other designer swimsuit options that won't have them paying out hundreds of dollars a piece, yet can still give them that feeling of luxury and glamour that comes with wearing a bathing suit or bikini from a well-known brand or designer.

There are many websites today that not only carry more affordable designs from noted designers, they also offer services that make the online shopping experience easier and more convenient. Some sites claim to have designer swimwear that are hard to find, and they will send subscribers an e-mail update whenever new merchandise comes in.

Then there are sites like everythingbutwater.com, which in addition to carrying selections from famous designers, also has a "Perfect Fit" section that aims to guide a woman to the bathing suit that flatters her body shape and skin coloring the most. Customers can also schedule an appointment with a fashion consultant for a more personalized and face-to-face fitting session.

Finally, it would be a mistake to ignore mass retailers such as Target when looking for stylish and branded swimwear. A number of designers have swimsuit collections that they have created specifically for these types of stores. Liz Lange, Mossimo, and Missoni are just three well-known designers whose bathing suits are carried by Target -- and at prices that are very easy on the wallet.

Having designer swimwear doesn't need to be a finance-draining proposition. With the abundance of less expensive options available today, it's a lot easier to find a terrific bathing suit from a well-known designer.

Vintage Swimwear

2011-12-23T00:25:00.000-08:00

Every year, swimsuit designers come out with their new bathing suit collections and they almost always feature vintage swimwear of various cuts, colors, and patterns. This was evident during the spring/summer 2011 fashion season, when the catwalks featured models wearing retro-inspired bikinis and one-piece bathing suits.

The trend shows no sign of letting up in the 2012 season. According to fashion web sites such as fashionising.com, vintage-inspired swimwear is set to continue to make its presence known next year. This means consumers can expect to find pinup-girl-inspired designs in stores next spring and summer.

What's more, it's more than just the run-of-the-mill designs that will be in the offering. Some swimwear designs incorporate both vintage and modern aspects, such as the use of digitally printed fabrics that are cut in classic forms.

These classic vintage swimsuit forms include high-waisted bikini bottoms, one-piece bathing suits that have halter tops with thick straps and cinched-in waists, and modestly-cut boyleg bottoms. Patterns and designs encompass the gamut of colors and designs, from cute and girly floral prints to bold and solid abstract patterning to nautically-themed designs.

The appeal of retro-themed swimsuits and the inspiration for them varies according to the viewpoints and feelings of designers. Designer Maria Dobrzanska Reeves from Marysia SWIM, for example, says that her admiration for style icons from decades past, such as Grace Kelly and Lauren Hutton, as well as vintage photographs by Slim Aaron, influenced her decision to create a line of retro swimwear.

One thing's for sure: with the sheer variety of designs, cuts, and patterns that are available now and which will be released soon, women are sure to find the right kind of vintage swimwear that will appeal to their sensibilities, create a flattering appearance by emphasizing their best features, and help them make the type of impact they want on the beach or by the poolside.

Push Up Bikini

2011-12-16T00:30:00.000-08:00

There are all kinds of swimsuits for all body types, and for women who are looking for a bit of an enhancement in the bust or chest area, the push up bikini is the answer. Various types of swimwear are available to suit different body types, and choosing the right type of bathing suit helps ensure that a woman will look her best on the beach or by the swimming pool.

So what body type is best suited for a push up bikini? As the name implies, this is a two-piece bathing suit that "pushes up" or lends support; in this case, it's the top piece of the swimsuit that does the pushing up. This is why push up bikinis are very popular with small-busted women, or those that wear a small bra cup size.

In addition to lending an appearance of a larger cup size, a push up bra also creates cleavage and makes a woman appear more curvy on top. How is this achieved? Some swimsuit tops, like the above Victoria Secret's MiracleBra, have pads that can be removed or replaced; these pads are made of either fabric or a kind of soft gel.

Some push up bikini tops have a thin underwire in the seam that helps push up the breasts. So it isn't just small-busted ladies who stand to benefit from this type of swimwear. It's also suitable for women who need a bit of support in the chest area to improve the appearance of a sagging bustline.

Some bikinis look good not only when worn out of the water, they retain their fit and shape and don't lose their capacity to give firm support even when it gets wet when the woman wearing it goes swimming, surfing, or sailing.

One good example of this is the Envy Push Up Bikini from Voda Swim. The bikini's material doesn't absorb large amounts of water, so it stays in shape even when it gets wet. Even without any underwire and or stiff padding, many women rave about how it creates a natural-looking larger bust size and how it feels and looks comfortable in and out of the water.

Selena Gomez Blue Bikini

2011-12-08T17:47:00.000-08:00

Justin Bieber's girlfriend Selena Gomez tanning next to the pool in a blue bikini while here boyfriend is snapping away her sexy poses on his camera.

Selena is wearing a bright aqua blue 2 piece bikini and adds large hoop shaped golden earrings to her poolside look. The pair is on a vacation in a resort in Cabo, Mexico, attending the wedding of Selena's close friend and costume designer Shannon Larossi.

On the beach and in the ocean, Justin was wearing a pair of cut off denims and Selena added open hot pants to her outfit before the 2 went jet skiing and were seen taking pictures of each other whilst drinking a healthy pink smoothie. Truly summer love in the midst of December.

Read further for more pictures of Selena Gomez in bikini.

5 Star Resort

2011-11-30T09:24:00.001-08:00

Did you know that there is a 5 start resort tucked away in the hustle and bustle of your city? We already mentioned the The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat in Ipoh. Today we will have a closer look at the Cyberview Resort and Spa in Cyberjaya - the inspiring silicon valley of Malaysia - about an hour's drive away from Kuala Lumpur.

The Cyberview Resort and Spa is your perfect getaway when you want to spend your weekend away from the buzzing noises of the busy city without having to drive for hours and hours in a row. The resort is surrounded by lush greenery and water features and hosts chalets, suites and boutique-styled bungalows. Foodwise you can enjoy a bistro and a restaurant and relaxation wise, do pay a visit to the spa.

The Verandah Pan-Asian themed restaurant serves dinner in buffet style, and when I was there, they offered a variety of Japanese, Italian and Malaysian dishes, all while meditating on the idiom: “the slow and steady wins the race”. Breakfast was a bit disappointing to find the typical western-style, however, 'nasi lemak' (the famous Malaysian coconut rice dish for breakfast)is also on the menu! Of course, no need to drive 1 hour to eat: what about the beach?

Arriving at the resort. don't settle for your wonderful room with an inviting four-post-bed, but change into your bathing suit and stroll around to discover the facilities and the pool: a free-form structure complete with jacuzzi and waterfall. The brown pebble stones gives you an illusion of sand and coupled with the reflection of the palm trees lining the pool, you can imagine yourself lying on a far away beach.

For a perfect pampering book the Sembunyi Spa for both a hands and feet manicure and pedicure session, as well as the "Serenity" traditional Balinese massage. The Spa offer a 10 thousand square feet area of peace for your body, mind and soul with the hot jacuzzi, sauna and lappool as well as many other massages and body and facial treatments as the two I mentioned.

You will enjoy the Cyberjaya 5 star resort and spa most when you arrive Friday after work and return back home on Sunday: the perfect beach, spa and resort getaway only 1 hour away from your weekly Kuala Lumpur office life.

Rachel Uchitel Bikini

2011-11-23T00:17:00.001-08:00

Rachel Uchitel shows of her stunning body and perfect curves in a tiny yet gorgeous grey bikini with some black lacy details.

Rachel is one of the many former mistresses of Tiger Woods (that's already 2 years ago ), but is now enjoying her honeymoon at the beaches at the Islands of Loreto. Her resort of choice is the luxurious Villa del Palmar.

The Mexican Loreto islands offer an idyllic honeymoon retreat with secluded, quiet beaches, amazing views and sceneries.

Yesterday's Rachel Uchitel bikini pics show a tanned and taut Rachel in a skimpy white bikini with some playful colored patterns and at times a well tied up sarong around her waist.

Rawa Island

2011-11-17T18:49:00.000-08:00

Rawa Island is a beautiful tropical island in Malaysia with really white beaches and deep blue water.

The island is just 16 km away from the coast of Mersing and is also a good starting point for boat trips to visit the surrounding islands because, well... except for the 2 hotels (one of which is for backpackers only) there isn't anything: no shops, no villages, no restaurants, no nothing.

Having said so, you can imagine what well to expect on Rawa island: peace and quietness, not too many tourist and the corals standing exposed in front of you when the tide is low.

Again Mersing is the place to embark on a speed boat that brings you to this tiny island. Depending on the weather, this can be 30 minutes of smooth sailing or 45 minutes to 1 hour of a hellish journey that leaves you soaked from head to toe. So if possible book your transfer in the morning when the sea tends to be more calm.

Once you set foot on the island, an unspoilt coral island with white sand beaches and swaying palms awaits you. Did I say white beach? Yes, this must be the most white beach in whole Malaysia. Since you will go there for peace and quietness, avoid the weekends and public holidays when the local Malaysians hop over for a stay. Daytrippers have to pay to enter the private island owned by some Malay prince, which adds to most tourists avoiding the island all together.

For food, you have the choice of the 2 restaurants of the 2 resorts. When the weather is really bad and there are no supplies from the mainland coming in, do enjoy the ultimate freshness of a local catch prepared for you.

Accommodation is done in basic yet comfortable chalets. Do not expect aircon in the backpackers resort - Le Club Rawa recently renamed Alang Rawa - though, in the other resort - Rawa Safaris Island Resort -, aircon is included and most welcome after soaking up the heath of the sun or just when you want to enjoy a cool night rest. Apart from airconditioning, Rawa Safaris chalets also come with hot water but without TV: however, the sunset you can admire from your beach villa is priceless. Expect to pay at least $130 US per person per night, full board.

Your typical Rawa day will comprise sunbathing, enjoying the tropical breeze, swimming, snorkeling, diving, relaxing in the hammocks and enjoying the sunset or simply feeding the coral fishes near the jetty or just straight on the beach. If you want some exercise, you can go canoeing or wind surfing: anything that is not motorized is available. Other than that you island hopping or fishing trips can be arranged.

Part of the protected marine park, the beautiful blue-green clear sea offers: coral gardens, colorful fish and large shells. Just remember: don't take anything with you and only leave your footprints behind. There is no dive master around, nor can you take diving lessons. However diving equipment can be rented from the shop of the Rawa Safaris Resort.

Apart from the water and beach activities, you can walk up the hill (15 minutes walk) to the lookout point and have a birds eye view of the island (beach in front, cliffs on the other side) and if you wake up early, to enjoy a beautiful sunrise.

You can also walk towards the end of the beach (left direction when facing the sea), climb over some rocks to enter a small cave with a spectacular arch.

Rawa is a gem of an island, a haven of peace that will heal you from your daily stress!

Terengganu

2011-11-10T06:28:00.001-08:00

Terengganu State, on the east coast of Malaysia, is known for its golden beaches, clear skies and an emerald green sea with many exciting diving and snorkeling spots. Off the beaten track you will find lots of laid back typical Malaysian villages, ideal for low budget backpacker trips.

For the better resorts you can chose between the Primula Beach Resort, the Sutra Beach Resort and the extremely beautiful Tanjung Jara.

The capital Kuala Terengganu offers the Primula Beach Resort: quit busy and not the cleanest of all beaches.

A bit further to the north lies the Sutra Beach Resort: a very peaceful holiday village with a bit more than 100 accommodations and a secluded beach.

Top of the bill is the Tanjung Jara Spa and Resort - from the luxurious YTL hotels - with a beautiful garden and a river. Close by is the beach of Rantau Abang: 1 of the 6 beaches where the rare leatherback turtles lay their eggs between May and September.

If you love to swim in sweet water, then pay a visit to the Sekayu Recreational Park, 56 km away from Kuala Terengganu. The pristine jungle offers many waterfalls and pools. if you want to witness what the Malaysian women wear when bathing in the water, you will be surprised not to see any bathing suits: people just go in with normal shorts and t-shirts, not to mention the Muslim women still wearing their tudung or veil. And expect lots of locals during the national holidays...

For a more relaxing sweet water experience, go fishing at the artificial Kenyir Lake made by the Kenyir Dam.

Terengganu is about a hours boat trip away from the popular diving, beach and resort destinations of Pulau Rendang, Pulau Lang Tengah and the Perhentian Islands.

Gem Island

2011-11-03T22:40:00.000-07:00

Daydreaming in your private paradise at the only resort and spa on Gem Island or Pulau Gemia, a kayak trip away from Kapas island on the east coast of Malaysia.

Gem Island is still undiscovered and therefore a lot quieter than the other islands on the east coast like the Perhentian Island and Tioman. It lies just 15 minutes (5 km) offshore the jetty of Marang and you can reach it just by paddling in a canoe from Kapas Island.

The fun of this island lies in the fact that you can have the private beach all to yourself. This is because the island is overlooked when tourists pass them by traveling to the more touristy Islands of Redang, Perhentian and between these 2: Lang Tengah. Pulau Gemia is the ideal hideout for the local Malaysian during the weekend. Needless to say that when you visit the island during working weekdays, you could end up being the only visitor.

Things to do on the island are relaxing on the beach, reading a book in the swinging rattan chair of your balcony, walking around the 8 acres of rocky island, discovering white sandy private beach coves, having a swim, snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing, birdwatching on the jetty, jigging squid ('candat sotong'), helping out in the turtle conservation sanctuary or trying to spot a turtle.

You can also take a kayak to visit neighboring island Kapas. It's very safe to kayak in the 800m stretch between the 2 islands and especially in the morning you could to spot black-tip sharks around you. Kapas is a typical backpackers island, so a bit more busy than Pulau Gemia. Both islands are breeding grounds for turtles and part of the work of the staff of the Gem Island Resort (the only resort on the island) is seeking out turtle nests. The eggs will be transferred from the secluded beaches to the turtle sanctuary of the Gem Island Resort where they will be incubated and released in a special hatchling pool before returning them back to the sea.

The island is privately owned and like we mentioned only has 1 resort. Unfortunately for the scenery, the about 50 villa's are typical Malaysian concrete villa's built on stilts, kind of spoiling the exotic, pristine island beach scenery. The advantage of this is that you get luxury compared to the backpackers accommodations in nearby Kapas: nothing compares to the outdoor jacuzzi:

You can opt for the wooden detached Premier Hideaway Villas, completely secluded in the greenery:

At the north side of the beach you can relax and enjoy a rejuvenating spa:

To reach Gem Island, you normally take a domestic flight with MAS (Malaysian Airlines) or AirAsia to Kuala Terengganu. There a taxi can be arranged to take you on an about 1 hour drive to the jetty of Marang.

There you can choose to embark daily on 1 of the 4 boats that depart from 9am onwards, every 2 hours. Do note that on Friday, the afternoon boats are cancelled due to Friday Muslim prayers.

Kendall Jenner Bikini Pics

2011-10-27T02:21:00.000-07:00

15 year old Kendall Jenner's new soft bikini pics from the official swimsuit campagne of Australian swimwear and resortwear designer White Sands.

She gave us a sneak peek at her shoot for Aussie swimwear brand White Sands in August, and now, Kim Kardashian‘s little sis Kendall Jenner is making waves with the official photos from the campaign.

White Sands new 2012 bathing suit collection for spring and summer of next year is based on the women of the 1940's and 1950's film noir movies and showcases some retro models with bikinis with floral designs, maillot's with a deep cut and caftans.

The bikinis and bathing suits showcase both a strong side and an extremely delicate heavenly side, which is perfectly modeled by the 15 year old Kendall who expressed her favorites being the floral bikinis with an high waist.

According to the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CDFA), models should be at least 16 before strutting their stuff on the catwalk. However this rules doesn't seem to affect Kris Kardashian, whose other daughter Kylie just did her first catwalk for Avril Lavigne’s clothing line during New York's Fashion Week. As far as her father - Bruce Jenner - is concerned, he has no say in all this.

Unlike the extremely racy previous pictures of Kendall Jenner in a bikini, these White Sands bikini pics portray a much softer water nymph.

Swim Cover Up

2011-10-20T02:40:00.000-07:00

A bikini or bathing suit may take the spotlight when it comes to women’s swimwear, but a swim cover up is something that can also be a fashion statement out of the water, when one is lounging on the beach or sipping a cocktail by the pool. It isn’t just for aesthetic purposes either. Slip on a swimsuit or bikini cover up, and you’re probably covered up enough to go into a restaurant for brunch or do some shopping at a nearby flea market.

Shopping for swim cover ups is a fun and stress-free activity for many women because of the variety of clothing styles available for all body types and sizes. They can be something as simple as a sarong, which is very popular for its versatility; it can be used as just a lower-body cover up or a full-body swim cover up. A pair of shorts is also a popular option. Then there are items of clothing that give more cover, such as caftans or mini-dresses. Several examples of these can be seen in a list compiled by the fashion website Elle: nylon shorts designed by Cynthia Rowley for Roxy, a crochet tunic from Calypso, and a crochet knit poncho designed by Lotta Stensson, to name a few¹.

One retailer that has a wide selection of swim cover ups is Victoria’s Secret. The company is best known for its sexy lingerie, but its line of cover-ups and beach dresses, both short and long, is popular among many women both for its diverse designs and affordable prices².

Pants or trouser-style swimsuit cover ups are also fashionable beachwear styles. At the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim event held in Miami Beach, Florida, in July 2011, various designers showcased their pants beachwear offerings that included pantsuits, slouchy pants, and leggings³. Some of the designers that exhibited pants as a swim cover up were Spain’s Dolores Font Cortes, Australia’s Lisa Burke, and New York’s Norma Kamali.

Sources:

Arab Bikini

2011-10-13T23:02:00.000-07:00

Huda Naccache shows of some sizzling skimpy Arab bikini pictures, her thumbs pressing down the bikini bottom, no veil included, almost topless...

Huda features on the cover of Lilac; an Arab-Israeli magazine revealing a skimpy black sequined bikini under an open white shirt having her thumbs pressing down at the sides of her bikini bottom.

The 22 year old model is the first Christian Arab Israeli model to feature a cover in a bikini in Israel. In the west: nothing to frown about, as she is competing for the 2011 Miss Earth competition in Thailand in December this year and campaigning as such.

Huda Naccache is an aspiring model and geography and archaeology student from Haifa city has been taking bikini shots before, but only now gets the much wanted attention featuring on a cover.

In the Arab world however it's not that often, not to mention hardly ever to see such a 'daring' shot on the cover of a magazine. Even more daring is the almost topless shot of Huda Naccache wearing a one piece bathing suit that leaves hardly anything to the imagination of the naked eye...

Other shots show her wearing a white and red string 2piece bikini. Her father is fully behind her pictures and wishes his daughter all the best in the Miss Earth competition. Her mother thinks completely the opposite and would have never allowed her daughter to do a bikini shoot.

Of course some more traditional Arabs aren't so open to the shoot either. Others call it the Arab bikini revolution hinting to all the other uprisings that are happening in the Arab world.

Perhentian Islands

2011-10-05T02:55:00.000-07:00

On the north side of the peninsular Malaysia are the 2 beautiful Perhentian Islands: Perhentian Besar (big) and Perhentian Kecil (small).

How to get to the Perhentian Islands.

Normally you would first travel to Kota Bharu or Kuala Terengganu. From there take a bus or nook a taxi to Kuala Besut: a little fishing village where boats will take you to the islands that are about 20 km off the coast.

Kuala Besut is an hour's drive from Kota Bharu and a 2 hours drive from Kuala Terengganu. At its small harbor, you can buy tickets for the boat, but you can also purchase your tickets at the airports of Kota Bharu and Kuala Terengganu (although the prices at the airport are higher than in Kuala Besut). Just do note that when weather conditions are bad, the boats will not sail out, chances of bad weather in the tropics increase after midday, so to be on the safe side, try to book a morning trip.

Pulau Perhentian Island Map

Accommodation

Both islands offer quite a few accommodations from resorts with airconditioning to very basic lodges without air conditioning. There is no freshwater Perhentian, so do you shower in filtered salt water. There aren't any internationally known hotels, so if your in for pampering, you better go to nearby Redang Island.

There isn't much to say really about accommodation and food: Perhentian is first and foremost a place to enjoy diving and snorkeling. Perhentian Kecil is mostly frequented by backpackers and is crowded, with their best resort being Tuna Bay. The better resorts however are on Perhentian Besar, like the Perhentian Island Resort. However, do know that the food in the Perhentian Island Resort is way overpriced: it's your typical Malaysian cuisine that you can find anywhere on the island for much cheaper prices. Do bring a torchlight though, as walking from the Resort to the rest of the island crosses quite a scary, dark, staircase in decline.

The monsoon season is between October and March: most of the resorts will close because of the really bad weather.

Diving and Snorkeling

Perhentian is a true diving and snorkeling paradise. Just like Pulau Redang, it is situated in the Terengganu Marine Park. Unlike Redang, Perhentian is more flat and therefore more suitable for snorkeling, as the waters around the island are quite shallow and various resorts in Perhentian have their own house reef. The fishes on these house reefs will come towards you, hoping to be fed. It is advised not to feed them as they aren't bread eaters.

Do know that the corals are deteriorating fast, so the best way to find secluded snorkeling spots is to rent a boat for a day or a canoe and peddle around the island by yourself.

A nice spot for snorkeling that is reachable by boat-taxi is the so called Shark Point. The secret is that there are no sharks, but the water is quite deep: it's not possible to step on corals and the amount of fishes is just amazing.

The beaches of Perhentian Kecil are very small and don't be surprised to find an empty plastic bottle here and there: a far cry from what you would expect from a Marine Park. However the island is by far more lively than its bigger brother.

On the right side of the Perhentian Island Resort, you have very good snorkeling, less crowd and you could spot grazing turtles.

For about RM1000 (330 USD) you can get your diving PADI on the Perhentian Islands, but you do need to stay at least 5 days. Highly recommended though!

The Andaman Langkawi

2011-09-28T22:32:00.000-07:00

Datai Bay, on the north-west coast of Langkawi, is an exclusive stretch of beach for guests of the high-end resorts: The Datai Langkawi Resort and The Andaman.

Datai Bay offers you a retreat for pampering in an oasis of tranquility. And at The Andaman Spa you can enjoy massages and therapies with an exotic view of the clear, cool waters around the Langkawi and the beautiful islands that rise in the distance.

For the more adventurous, you need to know that there is hardly anything else to do than to relax, stroll to the Datai Langkawi Resort or rest on the beach and take it all in. Other than that, be prepared to crack your brain over the following choices: beach or pool? snorkel or dive? smoothie or cocktail? ... :-) Nearby after a jungle walk you could visit a crocodile farm or put some holes in one of the 10 best Golf courses in Malaysia: the Datai Bay Golf Course. For more activities, you need to venture out at least 7 km to find the nearest attraction, being the Langkawi Cable Car.

But if you want to be high up in a more peaceful surrounding away from all the tourists, just book a spa in the Andaman Langkawi Spa. A buggy from the Andaman resort will drive you high up to the 5 private suites that offer you an amazing view over Datai Bay and the Andaman Sea. Try the seaweed baths, the volcanic mud or an eye mask with roses.

Datai Bay is about 30 km or half an hour drive north of the Langkawi International Airport. It is not advisable to hire a bike and drive to the Datai or Andaman resorts, as the roads become quite steep and are more suited for seasoned professional bicyclist than for people that want to relax and enjoy on the beach.

Redang Island

2011-09-21T01:36:00.000-07:00

If you love diving, snorkeling and doing nothing: Redang island is only flight away from paradise.

Pulau Redang is an archipelago in the South China Sea, on the east side of the Peninsula Malaysia . Redang is a protected marine area, or as they say here in Malaysia: a marine park. It's situated about 45 km from the coast of the state of Kuala Terengganu. Being an archipelago, it is surrounded by many small islands, surrounded by crystal clear water offering several great snorkel and diving opportunities. Redang is a bit touristy offering some quite luxurious resorts and spa's.

Redang Accommodation

Some very good resorts on Redang are the Sari Pacifica Resort and the Berjaya Redang Resort in Teluk Dalam. The latter is actually my favorite resort and spa:

When and how to get to Redang?

The best time to visit Redang is between April and October. The northwest monsoons blow from November to March, most resorts (except the Berjaya Redang Resort) will be closed during this period.

Due to the monsoon, the underwater world is far less clear to enjoy but if you want peace and quietness and a true relaxing holiday where you can come to your senses and rhythm of life dictated by the sun, winds and rains, the monsoon season is your best bet.

From Kuala Lumpur you used to be able to take the plane to either Kuala Terengganu, or Kota Bharu (for cheap tickets fly Air Asia or Firefly). Then take a drive to the fishing village of Merang where a boat brings you to any of the islands off coast.

However all this cumbersome traveling has recently been made extremely easy thanks to a direct flight straight to Redang island.

Snorkeling and diving in Redang

Redang is well known as an excellent diving area. Each resort obviously offers diving packages which you could hop and shop around for.

I learned how to dive in the Berjaya Redang Resort and received my PADI there.

Also snorkeling is out and about around Redang. Maybe you wont see any turtles, but it is not all to difficult handfeeding the fishes.

You can easily rent the equipment from your resort (some even give it complimentary, just try your friendliest smile and discover how far it will bring you on the Malaysian islands...).

Some resorts have their own housereef, other resorts will take you out in a boat, do ask in advance when booking, as nothing beats coming out in snorkel gear out of your villa and walking towards a coral abundant sea.

Hiking in Redang's rain forest

Redang is also an ideal place to go hiking as the rain forest is just nearby. Simply ask a map with the walking paths in your hotel, take lots of water, a hat or cap, lots of sunlotion if you aren't covered inside the rain forest, and mosquito spray and you are ready to go.

If you only feel like strolling around on the beaches, make sure you are fully protected against the hot sun, otherwise you will understand hands on why in each resort shop the green Banana Boat bottles with Aloe Vera creams are sold: they are ideal to soothe your skin after a sunburn. But better wear appropriated beachwear and use sun protective lotion with the highest SPF (try to find spf 80).

Redang or Perhentian?

Compared to nearby diving paradise Perhentian offers more luxury resorts and spas, where Perhentian is more for backpackers and cheap travel. Personally I prefer Perhentian for snorkeling and Redang for getting pampered in the high end resorts.

Tioman Island

2011-09-14T21:40:00.000-07:00

On the southeast side of the Peninsula Malaysia is an archipelago of 64 islands out of which Tioman Island is the largest (about 350sq-km). Other famous islands in this region: Pulau Seri Bulat, Pulau Sembilang, Pulau Tulai, Chebeh, Pulau Labas and Pulau Renggis. Tioman is situated about 60 km from the coast in the state of Pahang and was used once to shoot the reality show Survivor.

How to get to Tioman

There are 3 ways to reach Tioman Island: by land (and sea), sea and air. Berjaya Air (from the famous and luxurious Berjaya Hotel chain) brings you in about 60 minutes from Subang Airport in Kuala Lumpur to Tioman for a bit more than 200Rm one way.

A bus or taxi ride will take you in about 4 to 6 hours from Kuala Lumpur to the fishing village of Mersing. You can also hire a rental car and rive yourself to Mersing. However there is no drop-off point there for your car, so you will be paying a rental car to be just parked during your stay on the island: quite a waste of money.

Boats on the Mersing jetty will take you to your final destination. The boatride from Mersing to Tioman will take at least one hour: be prepared to wait until boats are full before they depart or make sure you arrange a private pick up from your hotel.

Pulau Tioman Island Map

Tioman island map with diving sites, hiking trails, beaches and hills, snorkel sites, jetties, airport, jeep tracks and 1 wreck site.

Accommodation, hotels and resorts on Tioman

Accommodation can be found from cheap budget hotels to luxueus 5 start hotels like the 5-star Resort Japamala. Other popular resorts on Tioman are: Berjaya Tioman Resort and Inn Impian. Besides these larger resorts you have many basic accommodations on the island starting at RM50 per night. The top 5 best rated accommodation in Tioman according to Tripadvisor:

Bagus Place Retreat
Japamala Resort
Minang Cove Resort
Bamboo Hill Chalets
Tioman Paya Resort

Mersing Fishing Village

The Mersing jetty looks quite crappy and around the jetty are quite a number of your typical souvenirs shops. Most likely you wont venture into the village itself that does have more than 20.000 inhabitants.

Things to do in Tioman

Although the interior of the island is jungle area, the edge of the island is densely populated and houses all the resorts. The islands of Tioman and nearby Perhentian and Redang are known as a diving and snorkeling paradise, although the spots they will bring you are sometimes a bit too touristy. The better beaches are: Genting Beach, Tekek Beach and Salang Beach.

The easiest way to travel from one place to the other in Tioman is jumping on the ferry or renting a more expensive water taxi. Hiking is also a possibility as well as renting a jeep.

When to visit Tioman

The best time to visit the island is between March and October. The rest of the year you could get hit by the monsoons. Since the island is inhabited by locals, you can get there the whole year round, but the ferry will only sail
when the weather conditions permit.

As usual, avoid local Malaysian holidays, school holidays and the national holidays in neighboring country Singapore as well.