Now I want to share with you a news I read today: a hotel in Brisbane has reserved its 5th floor for ladies only. Using this technique Portal Hotel hopes to attract more businesswomen. The idea was completely developed since the rooms and accessories are special. You’ll find for instance different beauty accessories in the bathrooms, magazines etc. An important aspect, also taken in consideration, is security. You can find out more here about this idea.

This is a clear example of research and adaptation to clients and their needs through special means. The final purpose is of course profit. But the idea shows that the hotel is aware of the main target and it’s needs.

What do you think of this idea? Is it sexiest? Is it a good idea? Would you stay there?

Visiting it is truly an amazing experience – say those who did that. Among them a friend of ours – Dan Mitea – who was kind and send us some photos too!

Before the images, some info. First of all you should know that the ticket is about US$14. Also you have to know that at the entrance you will buy some carrot bags for yes, you are free to feed the friendly animals (our friend did as you’ll notice in the photos below)!

There are of course wild animals – like bears and others – but they are kept in special, protected places, behind a fence.

The complete visit takes 2-3 hours (there are some FM stations that provide guidance). More info is available here.

And now enjoy the photos!

A good friend once told me that Travel is not just about the destination, it is about the people.

The faces you meet, the lives you touch and those whose lives touch yours. It’s never just about buildings and the scenery, but people. That may be so, but I would like to go one step further to suggest that the complete travel experience is also about food. Every country is unique and would inevitably have great food, it’s just whether or not, as a visitor with limited time, you are able to find it.

As an avid food blogger, travel- dining and experiencing the ultimate in haute cuisine is always a rewarding experience for me. Don’t get me wrong, you will see from our blog, Cumi & Ciki that I love street food and am ever willing to go down that path less trodden to sniff out any bizarre, local cuisine. However the foodie in me will also invariably look for that one ultimate high-end culinary experience in every country I visit. Living in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, one of the restaurants that has fast become one of my favourites for high-end dining, is Cilantro. If ever travel brings you to my shores, be sure to check out this place and here are some reasons why.

Truffle butter.

It is a taste like no other. One sniff. One slather. You are totally hooked.

Close your eyes. Sip your wine. Embrace the musk.

Truffle butter. I have found my raison d’être!

Poached Lobster a la minute with Kyuri and Avruga

Perfection in a martini glass.

If you travel the world over looking for that single, culinary sensation that will make your experience complete, look no further.

A cold starter with some Japanese Cucumber Puree adding a crisp, fresh twist to the succulent, perfectly poached lobster.. finished off with a generous dollop of Caviar. Sweet, sweet surrender!

Parpadelle Pasta with Crispy Duck and Foie Gras

One of the most exquisite, artisanal pasta dishes is served here at Cilantro. The duck gives this dish a bit of a fight, some character if you will.. and the rich, silky foie gras, is nicely tempered with mushrooms and served in a red wine reduction.

You will find no pasta finer than this on our shores.

To heighten the sensation, slurp your pasta!

Even in this fine dining restaurant, you will find Cilantro laid back and the staff easy going.

All the more reason to tarry a while longer.

Sea Bream with Scallop and Zucchini Flower

A luscious scallop placed inside a zucchini flower and then deep fried in batter is the perfect accompaniment to the sweet sea bream.

Slow Roasted Grain Fed Lamb, served with Delphinoise Potatoes and Summer Truffles

Truffles! One can never have too much of it.

Tender grain fed lamb roasted medium with just enough gaminess and natural juices to temper the musky, cloying scent of the truffles.

A carnivore’s delight.

Cheese Platter

A great selection for cheese lovers.

Warm Apple Pie with Vanilla Ice Cream

A fluffy, flaky warm apple pie for that great taste of home!

Yes travel can indeed be a rewarding experience if one is open and receptive to all the sensations around him or her.

Dig deep, delve deeper

If the traditional five senses of sight, hearing, touch, smell and taste, are a classification attributed to Aristotle, then I say, listen to the wise man! On your next travel trip be sure to delve deeper into the sense of taste.. I am sure you will find this a deeply rewarding experience!

In summary, being true travel foodies, we feel that in life, we need to enjoy what we do, have passion and cultivate a sense of curiosity about the world.

Our Motto in Life:
1. Be curious. The only way to know if you like and unusual dish is to try it. Nothing ventured nothing gained.
2. Experiment. Once in a while, make it a point to eat at some place you would not normally go.
3. Know your likes and dislikes – Don’t be wishy-washy.
4. Support local produce. Be proud of your mother land!
5. Give praise to those who can cook and cook well – it takes talent and a lot of effort and I thank God everyday for family and friends who do this so well.
6. Treat yourself whenever you can – life is too short. Take time out from your hectic schedule to enjoy that Foie gras sandwich, that Pavlova or that Wagyu beef steak!

I love gastronomic travel because every experience is new. No matter how many time I go or have been, I always feel like at that very moment in time, I am standing on the precipice of possibly the best culinary travel experience of my life. Like I said before, from a foodie’s perspective, trying new cuisines, having a simple but mind-blowingly inspiring meal, something that just makes me want to yell from the roof-top that that “this is it! life does not get better than this” .. now that is always the ultimate goal for the traveler foodie in me.

About Mei

Mei is an avid traveller, based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, who enjoys writing about her travel and gastronomic experiences. In her words: “It all started out a couple of years back as a means to journal our travels and related photos. However, because we enjoy eating so much (as do other Malaysians) this blog soon took on the form of a food blog: Cumi & Ciki is a Malaysian food and travel blog. The name is derived from a popular educational television puppet show for Malaysian children in the 70s and 80s. This is the tale of the two traveling, eating, thrill-seeking monkeys from Kuala Lumpur. Food and culture go hand in hand. We feel that in life, we need to enjoy what we do, have passion; cultivate a sense of curiosity about the world. We hope that this is conveyed through our Cumi dan Ciki blog.”
Follow Mei on Twitter.

First of all she was impressed by the size of this aquarium. There are 11,000 animals and approximately 450 different species in the Mediterranean and tropical tanks. There are also two permanent displays Planeta Aqua and Explora!

You can choose to walk near the aquariums or take a walk with a moving walkway. If you walk at your own pace you can take as many pictures as you want, stay as much as you want at a tank and watch a fish species. However, sooner or later your legs will hurt. If you use the walkway it is much easier – you stay and admire the view – but the pace is determined by this means of transportation. And here’s a tip for you: if you planned to visit more touristic objectives, not only the Aquarium in a day, you should take the walkway. Oh, and allow yourself several hours for a complete visit and to be able to admire all the species.

A special attraction here are the sharks. Oh, and one more and tip: you can even swim with the sharks. On the official website you have the info on this! Seeing the sharks is quite an experience: you go through an 80 metres long glass tunnel and you are literally surrounded by sharks.

My friend was impressed by the octopus: they were in the mood for playing .

But you can say only so much. This is a place you have to experience yourself! My friend looks forward to getting back there and recommended L’Aquàrium as a must visit in Barcelona, Spain.

From the official site we find out some pricing and visiting hours info:
Visiting hours:
Open all year round
Opening: 9.30h

Closing
Of Monday through Friday: 21.00h
Weekend and public holidays: 21.30h
June and September: 21.30h
July and August: 23.00h
(Ticket offices and accesses open until one hour before).

Prices
Adults: 17.50 €
Children from 4 to 12: 12.50 €
Adults over 60: 14.50 €

There is also a pass available option – you can find out more on site or at location.

Since a picture is worth a thousand words, I’ll let you enjoy some of the photos she made in this aquarium.

So, in August we wrote and talked about

• Scarisoara – an ice cave and the oldest glacier in the world
• Traveling in medieval times – Corvins’ Castle by Valentina Roman
• Mountain – fossilized snails
• Thirteen interesting facts about Paris as picked out by Michael Schuermann, author Paris Movie Walks – guest post by ParisBuff
• The Turda Saline – a great place to visit in Romania for pleasure, fun and health
• Varna – Park by the sea by Radu Panciuc
• Top 10 experiences by Cezar – Imperator travel
• The beautiful and dear Aiud by Valentina Roman
• Strange law in England: a pregnant woman can pee in a Policeman’s helmet
• Hotel workers and guests/tourists: friends or foes?
• Stealing from hotels – habit for some tourists
• How much are you willing to pay to enter or in a theme park?
• Bread in shape of human body parts!
• Amazing video with sights from all over the world
• The bus of the future: a bus that cars can pass under – made in China
• Top 50 weirdest buildings from around the world
• Study: 77 percent of Americans stay connected during travel

As photo of the week we presented you:

• Back in time – cradle
• White and elegant in Vienna (Austria)
• Saint Elijah Monastery (Manastirea Sfantul Ilie)
• Flower-Man in Barcelona, Spain

August was also the month that marked 9 months of existence for this blog: 9 months of Travel – Moments in Time.

And maybe it’s one thing to take a soap and something different to take all kinds of objects from hotel rooms – from sheets to towels, from vases to different bathroom items.

Hotel personnel tries to keep an eye on all tourists. There are also surveillance cameras on the corridors (definitely NOT in the hotel rooms and, god forbid, in bathrooms…). But people still take what is not theirs and the personnel cannot act like a cop, being too suspicious or mean to all tourists, acting thus in an inappropriate way against the honest tones.

A problem that appears is that hotels have losses – of course. They have to reduce the damages, buy new stuff and that involves money. Lots of money, sometimes. This brings higher prices for tourists – for the hotels have to operate on profit – not just losses. Is this correct for the tourists that don’t steal? Of course not. But they are paying for the other ones too.

But what can a hotel do?

How should thieves be punished?

Why do you think people steal from hotels? Do they really need a souvenir from where they’ve stayed?

We’ve spent one of the first days of our vacation in the Apuseni Mountains (Western Carpathians) from this year visiting two caves: the one at Scarisoara and the Bears’ Cave. Today few words on Scarisoara.

First of all I must tell you that this was the first cave I was about to visit. Also my husband didn’t visit this cave either. So… on the road.

As I mentioned we stayed in Albac, a village pretty close to the one where the Scarisoara cave is. So after 20 minutes or so we arrived in the Garba Mare village where we headed for the cave. The road is not so great – actually it’s horrible for a car, it is more of a forest road. It is accessible if you have a Dacia logan, a 4X4 car or a Dacia pick-up – awesome for off-road adventurers. And if you don’t want to drive there are several people with cars offering this service and doing this transport daily – for a fee, of course. There is also the possibility of taking a long walk – the trekkers will love this one.

After half an hour or so we were at the top, the end of the road accessible by car. Only 5 minutes walk away from the cave. We bought the tickets (very cheap – 7 lei for an adult – almost 2 euros) and opened the gate.

First reaction I had was: Oh my God! Is this for real?
Reason? Opening the gate you see a long line of metallic stairs, one man wide (OK, afterwards we saw that if necessary two people can pass by each other) going down. 60 m below the entrance, to be more exact. Quite a trip, huh?

Now there’s a useful tip: when going to Scarisoara, regardless of the time of the year, be sure to have some warm clothes (at least a winter jacket and long pants), preferably trekking boots and it would not hurt to have gloves at your disposal. We didn’t have gloves, so our hands froze on the metal hand railing, at some point, but in the end it was all OK – there was no one rushing us, so we took our time climbing down. I had to make a note here: when we entered the cave, through all our visit, we were alone – only almost close to the exit a group showed up. So to speak we had the cave and glacier only for us to walk, see, admire, picture . It was fun like that, no one rushing us (we didn’t take a guided tour, also available and very affordable from the price perspective).

The important thing (for those not used to effort and stairs) is not to give up even though the temptation is big. It’s more of a first impression (when you’ll climb up to the exit you’ll see it’s not such a long or hard trip, only your first impression!). For those used to climbing the mountains, long walks etc. this is a piece of cake.

And here we were. At the top of the oldest glacier of the world, Scarisoara, located of course in the Scarisoara cave.

Nothing else but ice. Cave elements made of ice. Incredible!

In the left side you’ll see a formation that looks like a ghost (like a sheet-covered guy, as if it was  Halloween). There is a path you have to follow – sort of a wooden bridge built atop the glacier. No walking to the ice. You can take your time and see all the parts of the cave.

Even if you don’t buy a guided tour, you receive a flier with details and explanations for all parts of the cave. The information is available in four languages (English, French, Hungarian and Romanian), so it will be easy to make connections between the described elements and parts of the cave and what you see. If you choose a guided 30 min. tour you will of course have the chance to get a specialist to guide you and deliver explanations for everything you see and of course someone you can ask for more information.

In order to provide some technical details on the cave and the glacier, I’m quoting from the official flier: “

The cave is situated in the Apuseni Nature Park, at an elevation of 1165 m, on the edge of Scarisoara karst plateau. The total length of the cave is 700 m, while its depth reaches 105 m below surface. The access into cave is situated at the bottom of a 48 m deep, 60 m large shaft, where an imposing portal (17 m large and 24 m high) is opened. This portal gives access to the Great Hall, which continues with the “Church” the main tourist attraction of the cave. Two openings, on the left and respectively right sides of the great Hall, give access to the lower parts of the cave, named the Great and Little Reservation, mostly free of ice and richly decorated with calcite speleothemes. The ice block has a volume of about 100.000 m3, a maximum thickness of 22,5 m, and an estimated radiocarbon age of 3800 years, being worlds second largest ice block and the oldest one.

All in all Scarisoara is a must see, a special place, worlds oldest glacier and the second one in volume and, well,  the cave is also amazing. Visiting the Scarisoara cave and glacier is an unique experience that you won’t forget or regret. I can’t forget it – actually I want to go back some time to see it again…

It seems that travelers look now for places where they can stay connected, updating their Twitter or Facebook accounts, posting info on where they are, what they are doing etc.

89% want to remain connected and talk to families and friends; 20% update their social media profiles while traveling. You can read the entire news here.

Now… what do you think? Is it a high percentage, or a low one?

I think that it’s natural to want to be able to connect if you want. It is all right to be able to contact your family, friends or anyone else you like if you want to or need to. But it’s bad when it becomes an obsession, when you cannot do anything without sharing it on Twitter or Facebook. That’s why when I wrote “Stay connected during travels?” I mentioned that I like to take a break from the Internet if possible, if I don’t have an emergency or need to update my profiles, blog etc.

How do you act? What do you prefer? And what do you think about the study: does it show a trend for travelers around the world?

Enjoy!