The Gilis are three islands within close proximity of their better-known neighbours Bali and Lombok. And although their popularity has risen greatly over the past couple of years, they are still unknown to many travelers and thus overseen- which is really a pity. If you’re planning a trip to Southeast Asia and thinking of including Indonesia in your travels, don’t forget to stop over on the Gili Islands. You won’t regret it!

Why? That’s easy to answer…

1) The beaches
Many countries and travel destinations boast with having the ‘nicest beaches in the world’. And although I haven’t tested every single one, I can honestly say that the Gili Islands fulfill any expectation I would have of the perfect beach.

The water is crystal-clear, nearly turquoise and so warm it feels like you’re floating in a giant bath tub. The fine, nearly white sand is free of litter and cigarette stubs and one of many beach bars always less than 25m away. One part of the coastline will be perfect for floating and splashing about with your pals, while another one further along has waves that make every surfer’s heart melt.

Once you’re finished with swimming or bored with tanning, its time to lounge around in one of the cool beach huts, enjoy a cool Bintang and some delicious seafood.

2. No traffic
I always find it incredibly relaxing to be in a place without busy streets, traffic jams and exhaust fumes. On the Gili Islands, there are no cars or motor bikes. In fact, there aren’t any proper paved streets.

On Gili Traganwan, the main road along the beach is home to most restaurants, bars and shops. Smaller side streets branch off the main road and lead to various accomodations.

The only means of transportation are bicycles (which you can rent almost anywhere) and horse carriages called ‘cidomos’. Having said that, none of the three Gilis are particularely large so any destination is really just a short stroll away.

3. Snorkeling & diving tours
Sadly, the increase in tourism has caused some damage to the coral reefs in the area, but the Gili Islands are nevertheless a prime spot for diving and snorkeling. If you book a day in advance, you can customize your own tour that will take you around all three islands and include special spots frequented by sea turtles. Yes, I said sea turtles!

I find it hard to describe the bliss one feels upon descending into the deep blue to swim among colourful fish and other inhabitants of the sea. All I can say is that during our snorkeling tour around the Gilis, I spent a good twenty minutes swimming right above a big sea turtle that was just floating along with the current, minding its own business. It was a truly magical feeling that left me with a big smile on my face for the rest of the day.

Rates for snorkelling and diving tours depend on group sizes, but they are generally quite low. If you pack some drinks and snacks, you’ve got your day planned out to perfection. The short boat rides in between spots are ideal for catching your breath and having a snack. And the cherry on top: all boats have glass bottoms, which means you can check out the sea life even from a comfortable lounging spot on the deck…

photo by Birumeno.com

Don’t forget to document your underwater experience with an underwater camera- or maybe even with a special diving masks that has an integrated video camera?

4. Parties
Gili Traganwan attract a large number of young backpacking tourists, which of course means the next party is not far away. In fact, its on every second day. The days in between are officially considered ‘days of rest’ during which you’re meant to relax and recover from the previous night’s mayhem… and prepare yourself for the next one!

Currently, the best place to head to is Rudy’s, an open air beach bar with dancefloor, dj and lounge area. Yes, it may not be quite as glamorous as Ibiza, but who cares? Just rock up in flip flops and denim shorts, drink cheap fruity cocktails and dance the night away with the locals…

5. Proximity
One of the main reasons nobody should miss out on a trip to the Gili Islands is that its so easy and quick to get there from both Bali and Lombok! If you’re traveling the region anyways, why not plan in an extra one or two days to discover these three islands most people have never heard of before? (A tip to those not so keen on the nightlife, book a stay on Gili Meno instead of Gili Traganwan).

You can reach the Gili Islands either by taking a big “ferry” type boat (cheap, but the journey will take up most of your day) or via speed boat (bit more expensive, but fast and fun!). Most companies operating the speed boats will even pick you up from your hotel/accomodation with a shuttle bus and drive you to the harbour. For an overview of the different ways to get to the Gilis, consult Gili Fast Boat.

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The last time I got helplessly and hopelessly lost was on a cloudlessly sunny day on the rocky cliff edge of an inland seawater lake in northern Croatia, carrying a half eaten picnic and dragging behind me a mountain bike and a boyfriend who was doing all he could to stop himself berating me, as it had been my suggestion to “just explore up there”; he had loyally followed me despite recommending we stick to the way we had come, which is typical of him as he is always ready for an adventure or an opportunity to tell me I’d made a mistake. Exploring led to wondering off track, wondering off track led to losing our way back and losing our way back led to being very, very lost.

A couple of hours earlier our exploring had had a different outcome. We had left the sleepy fishing village of Novigrad, where we were staying and embarked on a bike ride up and over a hillside in a richly green forest. We continued to descend down the other side towards the lake’s shore, visible through an opening in the trees. We followed a small path near the water’s edge, finally stumbling upon a deserted beach where the only signs of life were what had been lovingly left behind; names spelt out in shells and stones on pieces of concrete near a man made shack complete with chairs and a table fashioned out of boulders and wood. There we sipped our beers and ate homemade cheese sandwiches like naughty children who’d just found something we shouldn’t have. It was so liberating a discovery we may possibly have discarded all our clothes and taken a skinny dip in the saltwater. Possibly.

Yet fast forward to being lost on that cliff’s edge and I quickly began to curse my woman compass and outwardly cringe at our predicament. The terrain had turned so rocky and unpredictable that we were unable to ride our bikes, and so the pedals, as well as the sharp edged boulders and wild brambles on the ground, scratched away at our ankles and calves as we plodded along relying solely on staying parallel to the shore to get us home. How quickly “deserted” went from being romantic and precious to frightening and desperate. With our GPS-supplying smart phones obliviously relaxing back in the hotel room it took us four long, sweaty and stressful hours to join them, relying on both a woman- and a man-compass.

With the comfort of hindsight and a happy ending (I let the boyfriend have a full five minutes of  “I told-you-so-ing”) getting lost that day was everything it should have been. I felt the shock of fear, the adrenaline of physical exertion and the perverse exhilaration of pain; in short, I felt alive. We also got to experience the brighter side of being lost as along the way we stumbled upon more beautiful deserted beaches, long-neglected and dilapidated farm buildings in fields where wild goats roamed and breath-taking views across the clear blue water. Thanks to these brief moments of “wow” through the fear, pain and exhaustion, I still believe it is worth getting lost, at least once in a while, as you never know what you may find or experience.

Though maybe keep your smart phone in your pocket, just in case.

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Bird is a Londoner turned Wanderer who has swapped hyperlocal blogging for travel blogging after she left the great grey of London behind for a life more colourful on the road armed with her camera, her Aussie boyfriend and a rubber duck. She is currently to be found in a campervan somewhere in New Zealand and is hoping for one last fling with Southeast Asia before heading back to Europe in March as she has a date with her snowboard and the Alps.

Check out her blog and follow her twitter.

Sound like the life? Oh, it is!

These are some my memories of last year’s idyllic premier Envision Festival in Costa Rica.  The eco-conscious festival centered around art, yoga, sustainability, movement, and music. It was set in the middle of Dominical, a small surfer town on the South Pacific coast. I’ve been to my share of festivals, from 100-person camp outs put on by friends to the all out Burning Man Festival, and Envision really impressed me. I’m glad I knew many of the people involved, and was able to be there from the beginning as a volunteer, as it really showed me how lovingly and energetically the whole event was orchestrated.

But March 1-4 get ready for a whole new and improved production.  This year, with some experience behind its belt, Envision is growing up!  It is moving from the small jungle lot in the center of town behind Bamboo Yoga Play (of which the wonderfully inspiring owners, Brendan and Sophia are two of the co-producers of the event) where it took place last year, to the center of Parque Nacional Marino Ballena, an insanely beautiful preserved park set above the Oso Peninsula where the lush jungle meets the sultry ocean.

Based on the location, since I’m such a good old-fashioned festival girl, and because I’m broke, I’m just planning on keeping it low-key and camping out in my little yellow backpacking tent.  However, if you really want to go all out, there are houses, villas and mansions to rent in the area. If you can’t afford a villa but the thought of lugging around a tent and having less room for your party clothes makes you sad, then you can even rent one.  Habitations, plane tickets, and more are all available through the new Envision Travel Agency.

However you choose to enjoy your festival, make sure to read up on what to expect in the Costa Rican tropics, and always do your festival research to maximize your experience.  That way you can use your time worrying about more important things, like reforestation, or what DJ is going to be on next.  This year boasts some big name festival headliners such as Beats Antique, Lucent Dossier Experience, Random Rab, Govinda, Opiuo, GAUDI, Ill-Esha, Digital Rust and Mycho Pan Coco.  Get ready to dance!

Besides the expected and anticipated yoga (which is great for your sore muscles from dancing all night) there will also be movement classes in aerial arts, hula-hooping, stretching, partner dance and more yoga. If you want to exercise your mind and get down with your inner hippie, then there are numerous workshops scheduled on healing bodywork, reforestation, urban farming, sound healing, and psychedelic science, just to name a few.

The tradition of sustainability will continue… after last year’s successful festival, many of the proceeds were used to help implement a year round recycling program in Dominical, and a large amount of trees were planted in a section of previously clear cut rain forest via the organization Community Carbon Trees. This year 5% of all proceeds will also go back to Community Carbon Trees.

You heard it from me first, this is going to be a mind-blowing four day weekend. Whether you are going for the community, the music, the workshops, the location, or just to party your booty off, you’re going to get the whole package.

Special things I’m planning on bringing: big hammock (for mid-day siestas), colored eyeliner (packs better then face paint for jungle decorations), reusable water bottle (for water, rum or whatever), tiger balm (to stop mosquito bites from itching), fire dancing equipment (showing off/sacred dance), carabiners (for strapping things you might lose onto yourself and to hook your clothes up to trees so they’ll be safe from the tide during midnight skinny dipping sessions), headlight (it’s hard enough to find the bathroom), and some comfy yoga pants (call me a princess, but it’s difficult to remain zen with the constant urge to adjust myself while doing downward facing dog in my little bikini bottoms).

All right! Is it March yet? The count down has begun. Now get your tickets here and I’ll see you out there.  Pura vida…

photo credits:  envision website 1, 3-8, 12  me 2, 9-11, 13, 14

One of the things that make this place so special is that it’s been car-free since 1931. Nowadays there are only a few small electro cars commuting people from A to B. But taking transportation is hardly necessary as Zermatt can easily be explored on foot. Tourism has boomed in the past 10 years with 2011 seeing over 4 times more visitors than in 2002. In line with this development, more and more cool bars and clubs and beautifully modern hotels are opening up with the favorite being The Cervo.

The Cervo is a rare cross breed of design hotel, alp chalet and lodge, making it appealing to traditionalists as well as those seeking top modern comfort. It doesn’t look to be any one thing, it just cares about making you feel right at home.

As unique as the design is its location. Going left, you’ll be headed straight into the woods on a beaten track that doubles as the end of the piste . To your right you have the village at your feet. The views here are spectacular with the Matterhorn right there. It’s idyllic and quiet up there but the center of action with plenty of shops, bars and the central train station are just a pleasant 10 minute walk away.

While the Cervo is making it easy for its guests to leave, it really does not offer a whole lot of reasons to do so. The cosy rooms are spacious and designed to give off comforting vibes with lots of wooden features and and cool details like a retro rotary dial phone. And there is just something about plaid wallpaper that just makes my heart skip a beat.

We stayed in one of the deluxe rooms which comes with a very long balcony from where you get to to enjoy the beautiful view over the center of town. Every one of the five chalets has its own spa area with a sauna and various massage services on offer.

And there is more. The restaurant Stuba on the top floor of the main chalet is the talk of the town, dishing up some great classics of fine dining as well as regional specialties. Stuba is best enjoyed at dinner time, with a group of friends or a special someone but if you get hungry between piste runs, relax at the downstairs bar and order a Brotzeit, the Swiss version of Tapas.

The cafe and bar area on the bottom floor of the main chalet.

Restaurant Stuba

Final perk: just across from the main hotel building is an elevator that connects the Cervo to the center of town as well as the ski lift. While others pay to use it and can only do so until a certain hour, guests of the Cervo can operate the elevator at any time of day and night, simply by using their room key card. How is that for a VIP treatment?

When you’re not skiing or snowboarding, or relaxing at the hotel, it’s always worth walking into the centre to either do some shopping in one of the many clothes stores, stick up on some fine Swiss chocolate for your loved ones or sit down in one of the many cafe’s for a cappuccino and a good piece of cake.

Nightlife is rather legendary in Zermatt with plenty of drinking holes at your service. Luckily the young hotel staff at the Cervo were well acquainted with the local bar scene and were able to point us in the right direction. So it didn’t take long until we found the Papperla Pub, a local favorite, where visitors, ski teachers and waiters meet up for a wild apres-ski party. There is usually live music here and it doesn’t take long until grannies can be spotted dancing with guys in eighties track suits.

Another good option for live music is the Hennu Stall, where the party vibes are almost reminiscent of Munich’s Oktoberfest. If you feel like clubbing, the Schneewittchen is just next to the Papperla Pub, so come here if you have energy left. Zermatt is not too big, so all nightlife options are easily explored. It’s worth popping into each of them to find your favorite.

“We party much harder than they do in Ibiza.”, someone told me at one of that bars and after a few drinks there I believed every word of it. What happens in Zermatt, stays in Zermatt. Come here to let your hair down, go for long walks, do all the winter sports your heart desires, eat delicious food, indulge in massages and steam baths, watch infinite reruns of Sex and the City or simply enjoy the romantic silence of the village as the snow gently falls.

When you travel you might want to bring back the stories and impressions you had. A dried flower, food poisoning, a handful of sand, 8GB of photography, a little scar or a complete new point of view on how the world turns are only some of the possibilities you have.

It’s never that easy to capture what a place is and feels like for you. How can you catch the smell of a hot asphalt in a midsummer rain? How do you bring across the flavour of that food you’ve had every day, the feeling of walking through the door onto the street. How do you catch the murmuring sound of hundreds of people walking and talking in a language you only understand two words of? There are many different ways to tell a story, only sometimes it can be hard to find the right words.

For me, every city has got its own special feeling that I get every time I take the first step out onto the street. I still haven’t found the perfect way to capture the dusty air of Lisbons streets that randomly hits you with its smell of Bacelhau, the concrete flavoured London roads sparkled with the whiff of freshly washed and ironed business suits and the sweet-sour smell of the Indian food store. Others already know how to tell their stories. Mark Bramley is one of them.

This time, to share his experience he chose to make a video. And hell yes, he did an incredibly good job.
Mark Bramley, a high quality photographer, who usually takes pictures of shiny cars and airy landscapes spend 2 days in Tokyo and excells at conserving a taste of this huge city in moving pictures. Due to the technical opportunities provided by time-lapse you’ll find yourself speeding through Tokyo on the train, watching the vibrating city by night. Mark Bramley created a portrait that shows you all angles of this mega-city. Take a deep breath and get LOST IN TOKYO

all photos by Mark Bramley.

At the present moment I have a few friends heading to Bali, and as the January rain pours down here in San Francisco, I wish so badly on the stars in the sky (that I can’t see) that I was joining them.  But instead of pouting, I decided to put aside my jealousy and bask in my memories.

The small island is stunningly beautiful. Tiered rice paddy fields, lush jungles, picture perfect beaches, and volcanoes are all accessible from wherever you station yourself on it.

When I arrived in Bali I was lucky enough to do so at the tail end of a Southeast Asia tour in which I learned as much as I could about each country I was in, and its religion. A basic knowledge of Hinduism and Buddhism helped me to understand the complexity of Balinese religion, and it also helped to have been in some Muslim countries to juxtapose Balinese belief to the prominent religion of the rest of Indonesia.

The island’s religion, dubbed Balinese Hinduism, is an all encompassing faith that celebrates the major themes of Hinduism; most notably the Gods Shiva, Brahma, and Vishnu; along with many Buddhist principles, and agricultural deities. There is just an overwhelming awareness that everything around us has its own unique energy.

Evidence of this beautiful religion is prolific everywhere. Many houses and guesthouses will have their own elaborate courted temples, but at the very least a small alter is tended to daily. Every morning the locals prepare small offerings on little banana leaf plates to put on alters, doorways, windows, and everywhere spirits may dwell. The banana plates usually contain fresh flowers, rice and fruit, but I saw some with packages of crackers, cigarettes, sausages, lollipops, and almost anything else imaginable.

The offerings placed on the ground are for the demons and above are for the gods. I think the demon offerings are ironic because the demon-like dogs of Bali love to eat them. The demon offerings are almost impossible not to step on as there seems to be one every foot on the main walkways. After a week in Bali I noticed I stepped around the offerings without thinking about it. Easy way to spot the new tourists, look for the ones stepping on offerings!

The offerings for the Gods are placed on the loftier alters, all of which face the volcano, Mount Agung, the highest point on the island. There are about 20,000 temples on Bali, but the most famous and frequented is the mother temple, Pura Besakih, which sits on the slopes of the volcano.

While there, me and my travel companions got stuck in a huge downpour whilst in an abandoned courtyard at the top of the temple.  Our guide (Whom my friend Laila picked.  She was tired of all the in your face hustlers, so she found the quietest and least obtrusive guide available, sitting in a corner reading a newspaper, to escort us foreigners through the temple.) instructed us on how to worship to the high gods in the traditional fashion.  While the tropical rain poured down around us, we prayed with fresh flowers in our hands.

My favorite temple I visited was Pura Tirta Empul, the water temple. The temple was built to honor a holy spring lored to be created by the god Indra and possess curative properties. There is a large pool I waded into with twelve fountains spewing out the purest, freshest, and coldest water I think I have ever felt. The whole pool had brightly colored flower petals floating in it from all the offerings piled everywhere.

In all my travels I have been in many churches, temples, and mosques as well as other unique natural settings, and I have never been so blown away by the power of a place as I was here. There was a sense of purity as well as playfulness. No one cared that I was obviously a tourist or that I wasn’t a Hindu. There were children splashing each other and goofing around, and no one shushed them, rather they received smiles. Some people seemed to go into a trance when they entered the water, others just couldn’t stop smiling. I was one of those people.

If (when) you make it out to Bali I highly recommend Tirta Empul on your temple list. Bring a change of clothes, and don’t forget to donate an offering so the flower petals will always grace the pool.

There is so much to say about this tiny island, but words seem lacking compared to my memories. Everything was cheap. The shopping was great.  The beaches were beautiful. But what really sticks in my mind is simple interactions with the people who live on the island and the grace and gratitude so many of them encompassed with every core of their beings.

If you really want to immerse yourself in the island’s wonder, stay away from Kuta/Seminyak/Legian. Find yourself a tiny guesthouse or villa surrounded by rice paddies. Eat gado-gado every day. Take long walks (watch out for the dogs). Wave at the children that stare at you and watch them giggle with delight. Shop at local markets. Watch the sun set. Watch the sun rise.   Leave offerings at temples no matter what your religion is (even if you don’t have one). Smile and thank the island’s many gods that your life is so good.

photo credits: simon monk 1-6, 11, 12   me 7-10, 13, 14

After finishing up some community development work in rural Kenya, my friend Vikkee and I decided that a trip to the coast was much needed. We spent a few days in Mombasa dipping our toes in the turquoise waves, filling up on chapatti and napping on sand so white it seemed to reflect the African sun.

A tip from the hostel owner led us to Stilts Backpaka’s in Diani Beach (Diani Beach Road) a tree-house inspired hotel tucked away in acres of coastal forest brush. We had just made two British friends and decided what better way to enjoy our surroundings than to take a walk on the wild side. One ferry voyage and an hour-long ride with a ganja smoking tuk tuk driver later, the four of us had made it to our destination.

As we climbed the steep staircase to the registration area/lounge/bar we were all feeling excited. To my right, the kitchen was buzzing, whipping up huge pancakes and chips for the hungry, varied mix of vagabonds. To my left, a monkey was lounging on the balcony chewing on some trash. “Oh don’t worry about those, they’re everywhere,” the cook quipped, “just be sure to lock up your food!”

We were then led to a basement so full of lock boxes it looked like a pirate’s wet dream. We secured all of our prized possessions: passports, cash, tickets and chocolate. Feeling safe from the primitive thieves we proceeded to check out our digs. The room was like a wilderness wonderland, complete with an outdoor, adobe-style bathroom and shower that seemed to channel Costa Rica more than Kenya. It’s important to note that the windows were barred and the door was equipped with a padlock, to keep the monkeys at bay we were told.

That night was full of mingling and making new friends at the tree house bar, playing pool and dancing at local bars that may or may not have been teeming with prostitutes, and finally falling into bed early the next morning. As we were checking out the following morning we realized the lock to our room was gone. We dug through all of our belongings and retraced our steps, but neither Vikke nor I could find the mystery padlock. Our British buddies had no idea where the thing had gone and thanks to one too many cocktails, none of us could recall exactly who had unlocked it after our crazy night. Confused and groggy we paid our fees and slipped out of Stilts, thanking the African gods no one had charged us for the missing lock. In the end we figured that whoever used the key had left the padlock dangling on the door, one of the little furry minions must have found a new play toy.

That story held up well until I got an email a few weeks later that our friend found the lock in his luggage while unpacking at home… but I prefer to blame the monkeys.

About: Miranda is a petite traveler with a penchant for all things French. It could have something to do with the five months spent studying on the French Riviera and frolicking around Europe… or maybe just a deep love for Nutella crêpes. After graduating from college in sunny Southern California, Miranda spent the summer camping out in a rural Kenyan village, playing with African babies. Newly relocated to the San Francisco Bay Area she likes to spend her time sweating to death in a Bikram yoga class, hiking to waterfalls or obsessing over her dog Bailey, all while planning her next world adventure. Check her out at mirandaadler.com.

1. Sightseeing

I already told you about my annual hiking trips in the Norwegian mountains, but the good thing about Ålesund is that you have several hiking and walking paths in walking (or bus) distance from the city center. Just like Rio de Janeiro, Ålesund has its very own Sugar Hill (Sukkertoppen). From this mountain you have a fantastic view over the town and the surrounding islands. Variably you could take the 418 steps up to the town’s very own viewpoint Fjellstua. In both cases you will be rewarded with a stunning panorama.

Ask for the Ålesund walking guide leaflet at the tourist information to make sure you don’t miss out on the most important sights in town. The whole city had burned down in 1904, and was reconstructed in an Art Nouveau style during the following couple of years. Some of the most spectacular buildings are located around the area Brosundet (pictured above), in Kongens Gate (pedestrian street), Brunholmen and Kirkegata. You can walk from one end to the other in less than 20 minutes, but be careful with your heels as these streets are cobbled.

2. Eat and drink

My favorites for a snack or lunch in Ålesund is the small restaurant Lyst on Kongens gate (the fishsoup is a must!), or Let’s eat deli (Kiperviktorget) for tasty sandwiches and salads. If you’re visiting the town’s Art Nouveau Centre and the art museum KUBE, the attached café has delicious cake and coffee. Tante Bruun (inside Ålesund Storsenter) is another good alternative. Despite it’s relatively uncharming host location the tasty food and cozy interiors makes the surroundings easy to forget. Lyspunktet is another popular location in Ålesund serving light dishes, coffee and cake – and I’m utterly fascinated by their lamp (see photo below).

Photo: Café Lyspunktet

I’m a caffein addict, and quite picky with my coffee so in Ålesund I prefer to get my coffee fill at Chocolatte (Løvenvoldgt. 5 / Ålesund Storsenter) or at Invit (Apotekergt. 9), a coffee bar with an attached interior design boutique and a floating backyard during the summer.

Photos: Invit

For fine dining, try Sjøbua, located in an old wharf-side warehouse with top class seafood. XL Diner is a restaurant specialized in dried and salted codfish (also known as Bacalhau/Bacalao) with a fab view. Maki seafood restaurant is connected to Hotel Brosundet, and has a seafood menu that changes every 4th week.

3. Shopping

Ålesund is most likely the town in Norway with the most shops in relation to its population, with a huge shopping centre area called Moa (10 km from the town centre), and with a couple of shopping centres located in the center of the town. If the weather istn’t that great those might be a good option to head to. Personally, I prefer not to spend too much time inside shopping centres, so here are a few of my favorites worth checking out:

Photos: Ingrids glassverksted

Ingrids glassverksted (Moloveien 15, Brunholmen) is a glassblowing studio and store with a charming location. Fretex (Kipervikgt. 11) is the name of the Norwegian Salvation Army’s second hand / vintage stores in Norway, make sure you stop by their store in Ålesund. I have found some pretty good treasures here. For typical Norwegian design and handicraft, make a stop at Husfliden (Parkgata 1). The jewellery design of the Norwegian artist Bjørg was love at first sight when I first laid eyes on it last time I was home. You can find her jewellery at the Klondyke store in Ålesund Storsenter.

4. Sleep

Photos: Hotel Brosundet

If you’re not on a tight budget, I would recommend to spend a couple of nights at Hotel Brosundet, an old Art Nouvou warehouse turned into a boutique hotel. You can even opt for a night in room 47, your very own lighthouse hotel room. The hotels in the town generally hold a good standard, and you can check for prices and book your stay through Visit Ålesund-Geiranger. For budget travellers check out Ålesund Vandrerhjem or ask for other available options at the tourist information.

5. Activities

If you’re looking for activities, ranging from sea rafting, helicopter rides to fishing trips, check out what 62 Nord has to offer!

If you’re not convinced that this town is worth a visit yet, you will be after watching this video:

Since the first Super Bowl in 1967, the event has reached an iconic status amongst US-Americans in particular. Events surrounding the actual game are almost as anticipated as the finale itself and the special highlight in every Super Bowl is always at half time when the world’s greatest performers take to the stage. I’m talking big names here, such as Diana Ross, U2, No Doubt, Sting, Aerosmith, ‘N Sync, Britney Spears, Stevie Wonder and more.

It was Michael Jackson who in 1993 broke the relatively boring tradition of – up to then – showing a marching band between the games. With a big star keeping viewers eyes glued to the screen the ratings not only stopped falling during half time, they actually went up, much to the dismay of competitive TV channels. So you can say that we owe it to Jacko that this year we get to watch Madonna give one of her rare performances.

While Football certainly does not define all things Americana, it does plays a role that is not to be underestimated. Maybe there is a sport in your country that people feel strongly about. It’s common knowledge that countries like Brazil, Italy or Germany stop in their tracks when the FIFA World Cup is on. Understanding the dynamics behind this passion for the sport and more importantly giving in to it (I know that some of your ladies are still resisting) can open up a world to you that you are likely to enjoy a lot more than you thought. As for me, I used to mostly ignore Soccer for the better part of my life but when the World Cup was on in Germany in 2006 I got into it and am now a true fan of watching the Champion Ship games. Not because I care about Soccer but because I love the excitement in the air, the feeling of bonding with everyone who is rooting for the same team, it’s pretty amazing.

Traditionally the Super Bowl happens on the first Sunday in February, which in this case is Sunday of this week, February 5th. While you should be able to to pursue the game on TV from your homely sofa, the real fun way of watching is by attending a public viewing.

WIN Tickets to the public viewing in Munich!

Our friends from Contiki are inviting 4 of you to one of Germany’s best public viewing parties at Munich’s Tonhalle where the game will be displayed up on a big screen. Contiki is treating the winners to VIP seating, free food and drink and 2 nights at a hotel this weekend, February 4th and 5th.

To win 2 x 2 tickets, follow us on facebook and leave a comment under this post, stating why you’d like to win this fun weekend in Munich.

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With the help of a postcard, a few nifty cuts and photos, you can create a frame in under five minutes. You can either use postcards you’ve received or do up your own by purchasing them at a store or taking those free promotional ones often available at bars. And you can choose to keep it travel themed by framing travel shots… Maybe even ones that correspond to the place the postcards was sent from…
I made up a dummy postcard then went the other route of choosing photos from a visit back home to remind of of friends, family and fond memories.

Supplies:
Exacto knife
Postcard
Photo
Scissors
Super glue (optional)

Steps:
1. Bend the postcard in half. this will give dimension and also allow
it to stand up on it’s own.

2. You will likely need to trim the photo down in size as the standard photograph size is often the same as a postcard and it will need to be small than the postcard.

3. Hold the photo against the postcard to figure out the placement of your impending cuts and then cut a small incision about 2cm wide in each corner of the postcard. Those will be what holds the photo in place.

Precise cuts can be a little tricky so you may want to try out a test frame with a piece of card-stock first before cutting into actual postcard. Even so, the incisions you make with the exacto knife will be small, so if you dome a mistake, it’ll barely alter the postcard.

4. Insert each corner of the photo not the corresponding slots that you’ve just made in the postcard. If it’s having a hard time staying put, use a dab of super glue to keep it in place.

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*post written by Nilina Mason Campbell

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