Museums typically pay tribute to the best parts of our history, like the majestic carved Chinese warriors of the Terracotta Army Museum or the proud Maori traditions celebrated at many New Zealand institutions.
Category: Trip Locations
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India’s Sulabh International Museum of Toilets Traces Lavatory History
But you won't find any such reverence at the Sulabh International Museum of Toilets in New Delhi. You'll find the museum inside Sulabh International, a social organization which works to improve human rights, sanitation, waste management, and other social and environmental concerns through education. Perhaps unsurprisingly the museum is the only one of its kind in the world. This Indian landmark traces the evolution of the lavatory, from humble chamber pots to more high-tech loos. Looking at some of the most primitive designs from ancient Egypt, Babylonia, and Greece is enough to make you very grateful that you live in modern times, with modern conveniences! On the other hand, the throne made to look like a bookshelf would be a welcome addition in any bathroom. The attention to detail is impressive, and perhaps a little bit disturbing. Museum curator Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak searched the world over to learn of the minutest changes in toilet design around the globe throughout history. Apparently the museum was designed as a vehicle for social change to improve sanitation conditions, but I think most visitors will enjoy it as a bit of an oddity. The Sulabh International Museum of Toilets is open from Mondays to Sundays from 10 am until 5 pm.
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A Taste of India at Adelaide’s Bombay Bicycle Club
Australian diners need not travel far to experience all the opulence of Indian dining. Adelaide’s ethnic restaurants are some of the best in Oz, but if you’ve got a taste for spicy curries and pappadams look to The Bombay Bicycle Club. This quirky pub in the Adelaide suburb of Ovingham celebrates all the extravagance and culinary flair of the Far East.
Traditional Indian curry spices The Bombay Bicycle Club is a pub which takes its vision seriously. Every inch of the hotel is decorated with a Raj Indian theme, from the enormous wooden elephant standing in the Rikki Tikki Tavi Bar to the Indian trinkets adorning the walls. It’s not very authentic, but it is a lot of fun.
The Rikki Tikki Tavi Bar is the ideal place for a few drinks after work or a casual get-together. There’s a fully operational keg room and nine different beers on tap. You can shoot some pool, spin some tunes on the video jukebox, or tuck into classic bar dishes.
If you’re in the mood for something more substantial, stop in to Gungadins Restaurant. The menu features European favorites alongside Indian fare, with playful names like Mad Duck Madras, Bengal Cheesy, and Sa-moo-sas.
Meals are reasonably priced with entrees starting from $6.90 and mains from $12.90. The Bombay Bicycle Club is open daily from noon until late, with last service for meals at 10 pm.
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Hang Ten on Surf Highway 45 – New Zealand’s Surfing Coast
The New Zealand ski fields are more famous than its surfing beaches, but as the weather warms in the Northern Hemisphere it’s worth looking at the best places to hang ten.
You'll find the cream of the crop along Surf Highway 45. The highway runs for 105 kilometers on the North Island's west coast, from New Plymouth to Hawera. The coastal winds ensure there's always big surf somewhere along the highway. If you're a novice, or you don't like the cold, this probably isn't the place for you. If you’re a dab hand on the board though, the black sand beaches of Oakura, Ahu Ahu, Stent Road, and Opunake are excellent. Most wouldn’t win any prizes for looks, but that matters little when you're enjoying the atmosphere. You can bring your own board of course, but if you need to borrow one there are hire shops in New Plymouth and Oakura. The winding stretch of road offers some quirky attractions and excellent eats, so don't think you need to be a waxhead to enjoy it. New Plymouth has recently reinvented itself as a gourmet destination. Call in to Paradise Valley Berry Farm and Q Gardens Providores when you need to refuel, or try the organic lager at White Cliffs Brewery.
It’s worth making a detour to see Mount Taranaki, an extinct volcano which looks a lot like Mount Fuji. Short treks around the summit's base can be tackled at any time of year, but the long trails can get boggy underfoot during winter.
A soak in the Taranaki Mineral Pools is ideal for soothing tired muscles after a long day catching waves. Finally there’s the Elvis Presley Museum at Hawera. It's a world away from Graceland, but Elvis enthusiast Kevin Wasley has assembled an impressive range of memorabilia and merchandise.
It's a shame to come to the end of Surf Highway 45, but from there it's not too far to the culture of Wellington or Mount Ruapehu's ski slopes!
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Relax in the Riverland Region – Regional South Australia at its Best
In the rush-rush modern world, there’s something special about retreating to a place of natural beauty and old fashioned values.
The Riverland region in South Australia is such a place. The region located 250 kays north-east of the state's capital city, Adelaide, is so named for the Murray River that runs through it. The river is Australia's longest, stretching from New South Wales to the South Australian coast where the state meets the Southern Ocean. There may be some 2530 kilometers of the Murray to explore, but the Riverland locals insist that their region is the best place to play in the waterway. Its calm waters are ideal for water-skiing and wakeboarding, or paddling a kayak. The river is teeming with callop, catfish, redfin, European carp, and the famous Murray cod, so make sure you drop a line while you're in town. If you want to explore you could hop aboard one of the historic paddle boats or opt for a more affordable dinghy tour. The coast is dotted with accommodation options, from five-star luxury retreats to inexpensive holiday parks for camping and caravanning. However if you just can't bear to get out of the water, you could also hire a houseboat. The Riverland boasts more houseboats than anywhere else in Australia, so why not try this floating style of accommodation while you're there? They're easy to operate, totally private, and you can stay in a different part of the region each night. [caption id="attachment_4544" align="alignright" width="150" caption="A speedboat on the Murray River"]
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Most hire companies offer their boats for a minimum of three days, which is just enough time to chill out. If you want one of those floating hotel rooms look to Riverfun Houseboats in Renmark or Quality Houseboats in Morgan.
While the Murray has always been the Riverland region's most popular attraction, the area is fast earning a reputation as a gourmet destination. While it's not as famous as the Barossa Valley wine region, the Riverland actually produces more than half of South Australia's wine. Look for Italian varietals like petit verdot, petit manseng, vermentino, and tempranillo at Banrock Station, 919 Wines, and Burk Salter Wines. If you prefer a cleansing ale, stop by Wilkadene Brewery to sample its award winning beers in the converted shearing shed.
The region's wines are perfectly paired with its fresh produce. The Riverland is famous for its citrus fruits, olives, almonds, and chocolate. Try them and other local goodies at the Riverland Farmer's Markets at the Berri Senior Citizen's Hall every Saturday morning. For something more substantial you can't beat some local pub grub. Overland Corner Hotel and Renmark Hotel offer some of the Riverland region's best.
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Relax at New Zealand’s Waiwera Infinity Thermal Spa Resort
Auckland is one of New Zealand’s most popular tourist destinations, with all of the attractions, facilities, and stress that a big city provides.
If you're looking to wind down after some time spent in the big smoke, Waiwera Infinity Thermal Spa Resort is just a short drive away. The resort, located a 35-minute drive north of Auckland, is situated on the beautiful Hibiscus Coast. Locals and international guests alike are lured by the natural hot mineral pools, wellness spa, and massage and beauty therapies. While adults relax, the kids can amuse themselves at the resort’s many water slides or the movie pool, which shows family-friendly flicks each day at 4 pm and 7 pm. You can bring your own lunch and relax in the shady BBQ and picnic areas, or enjoy burgers, roast chicken, and wood-fired pizzas at the Waiwera Café. [caption id="attachment_4537" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Girls relaxing at Waiwera Infinity Thermal Spa Resort"]
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A day at the Waiwera Infinity Thermal Spa Resort may be enough to help you unwind, but if you need more intensive treatment you can stay in luxury at the resort's holiday homes or studio units, or more affordably at its seaside campsites and chalets.
Waiwera Infinity Thermal Spa Resort is open daily from 9 am until 9 pm on Sundays to Thursdays, and until 10 pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Entry costs $26 for adults and $15 for children aged 14 and under. This fee includes access to the pools and slides, but you'll need to pay extra for access to the private spa, sauna, and steam room, and health and beauty treatments.
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Los Angeles Happy Hour Deals for Frugal Travelers
Grabbing a drink and some food on vacation can be a relaxing way to pass the afternoon or a convenient way to catch up with friends you haven’t seen in a while.
When visiting the City of Angels (and exhorbitant pricing), finding a happy hour spot that fits your budget can be a bit tricky. Not to worry. After reading this post, you’ll have the wherewithal to find a happy hour spot to fit your taste and budget. General Tips: Stay out of super touristy areas. Bars and restaurants on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, the 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica or the piers in the South Bay cities of Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach may not be the most cost-conscious options. You never know, some establishments might have some good promotions to lure in tourists, but you’ll typically end up paying more. Also, if you’re interested in going to a certain bar or restaurant (perhaps one your friends told you about or that you read about in a foodie magazine or blog), check their website to see if they offer any deals (1/2 priced bottles of wine on Mondays, 2 dollars off appetizers between 4:00pm-6:00pm, etc.). Filling up on small plates during happy hour can be a great (and cheaper) alternative to a sit-down dinner. Doing your research ahead of time will help you organize your frugal happy hour adventures. Here are some tried and true ideas to get you going: Corkbar (Downtown Los Angeles) 403 W 12th St, Los Angeles, CA 90015 http://www.corkbar.com/ The stylish Corkbar offers great happy hour deals ($2 of glasses of wine and select appetizers and small plates). Popular with the downtown professional set. El Carmen Restaurant and Tequila Bar (West Hollywood) 8138 West 3rd Street, Los Angeles This luchador (Mexican wrestling) themed establishment is known for its cheap and tasty margaritas and tequila samplers. Munch on complimentary chips and salsa or order some small plates (discounted during happy hour). Pourtal Wine Tasting Bar (Santa Monica) 104 Santa Monica Blvd. A relative newcomer to the Santa Monica wine bar scene, Pourtal offers a large selection of international wines by the bottle or by the glass ($5 per glass during happy hour) and a variety of small plates for munching. Otheroom (Venice) 1201 Abbot Kinney Blvd This Manhattan-chic, spacious Venice bar offers a wide selection of imported beers and wine as well as tasty small plates. Happy hour deals between 4-6pm on weekdays. The Glendon Bar and Restaurant (Westwood Village) 1071 Glendon Ave. www.theglendonla.com This new Westwood Village bar and eatery attracts local UCLA students thanks to its excellent happy hour prices (from 4-6pm all of the food on the “bar menu” is half off). Chaya Venice (Venice) 110 Navy Street If you’re in the mood for sushi, head to Chaya for their sushi happy hour on weekdays, featuring a variety of inexpensive (and tasty) sushi rolls and $5 specialty cocktails.
Canal Club (Venice)
2025 Pacific Ave, Venice
Website
Great drink specials and inexpensive food items (sushi, grilled meats, etc.) bring the crowds to the Canal Club for their daily happy hour.
Saint Felix (West Hollywood)
8945 Santa Monica Blvd
www.saintfelix.net
During weekday happy hours, all drinks (beer, wine, and cocktails by the glass) are half off and they offer specials on food.
During your time in LA, be sure to ask locals where they go to grab a drink during happy hour. This will give you loads of ideas for places to try on future trips.
Cheers!
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Discover Darjeeling – Much More Than Tea in Indian Mountain Town
You’ve heard of the tea, but have you considered Darjeeling for your next vacation?
The Indian locale nestled in the Himalayan Mountains in West Bengal offers a different side of India to tourists willing to make the trek. The region is known as the Queen of the Hills, so you'd be remiss not to experience the locale's rugged landscape first hand. There are a variety of trails to suit leisurely walkers and advanced trekkers, and challenging river rafting runs for those looking to get their blood pumping. The Himalayas are home to many beautiful and unique animals, and you'll find them all at Padmaja Naidu Zoological Park. It has some of the world's most successful breeding programs for the endangered snow leopards, Himalayan wolves, Siberian tigers, and red pandas.[caption id="attachment_4493" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Tea plantation in Darjeeling"]
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The Theravada monks may wake you when they beat their drums walking the streets of Darjeeling between 4 and 5 am each morning. If you'd prefer to see them at a more civilized hour you can visit the Japanese Peace Pagoda at Charlimont on the city’s outskirts.
Darjeeling's oldest site is Observatory Hill. The historic Bhutia Busty monastery was sadly destroyed in the 19th century, but now the temple of Mahkala stands in its place. The hill is a wonderful look-out point offering views of the surrounding mountains.
All that sightseeing will help you work up an appetite for Indian food. Darjeeling's cuisine is an intriguing mix of North Indian, Nepali, and Tibetan fare. Make sure you try the steamed Tibetan momos and hearty soups. Just remember to set out early for dinner, as the city goes to sleep around 9 pm each night.
Darjeeling has many hotels and lodges, but you'd be advised to spend a bit more on your dwellings. Budget accommodation is poor value compared to the rooms in the rest of India, and there are few backpackers' hostels. The forest guest houses are a lovely option if you want to get back to nature, but you'll need to obtain a permit from the West Bengal Forest Department first.
No matter where you bunker down, you'll find Darjeeling brings a refreshing change of pace to your Indian vacation.
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Awesome Architecture in Asia – The Most Beautiful Buildings in the East
A visit to Asia wouldn’t be complete without taking in the breathtaking architecture of the continent’s palaces, temples, and castles.
From holy places of worship to monuments made for royalty, here are some of the more beautiful buildings in the Orient. China's Summer Palace was first built in 1750 as the Garden of Clear Ripples. It suffered major attacks during the Anglo-French allied invasion and Boxer Rebellion, but was always restored to its former glory. The striking pavilions, halls, and temples of this World Heritage site are complemented by rolling hills and beautiful water features. The Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu must have been a lucky man. Japan's Kinkaku-ji, or the Golden Pavilion as English speakers call it, was built as his retirement home in 1397. He lived out his days in the magnificent gold-leaf adorned three-tier building. On his death the pavilion in Kyoto was converted to a Zen temple, according to Yoshimitsu's wishes. Looking at the clear reflection of the Golden Pavilion on the ground's mirror pond may be as close to enlightenment as most of us will get. [caption id="attachment_4485" align="alignright" width="150" caption="The Golden Pavilion in Kyoto, Japan"]
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Changeokgung Palace is one of South Korea's five grand palaces, but it's the one that most princes of the Joseon Dynasty liked the best. It's not hard to see why. Its secret garden was a favorite place for archery games and fireworks displays, with its lotus ponds and landscaped lawns. The building itself strives to blend in to its natural surrounds, a revolutionary idea for 1405. Sadly much of the palace was destroyed during the Japanese occupation of Korea, so only about a third of its structures remain.
It may not have the rich history of the other buildings we’ve mentioned, but that's no reason to dismiss Coconut Palace in The Philippines. This palace was built under the order of former First Lady Imelda Marcos for Pope John Paul II's 1981 visit. The octagon-shaped building is an excellent example of Filipino design, with its body of hardwood and materials derived from the coconut. There are even more coconuts inside, with coconut chandeliers and furniture inlaid with coconut shells. This quirky building is easily accessible for tourists as it's part of Manila Bay's cultural center complex.
So make sure you get out of the bustling cities while you're traveling around Asia; there are some stunning architectural marvels just waiting to be explored.
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Weather in Vanuatu – Tropical Climate and Conditions in Polynesia
Vanuatu’s tropical and subtropical climates guarantee the stretch of Polynesian islands always lives up to its reputation as an idyllic coastal paradise.
However, tourists should be aware of the country's changing weather conditions throughout the year before planning to travel around Vanuatu. There is little climate variation between the seasons; whether it’s around 85 degrees Fahrenheit in summer or 65 degrees Fahrenheit in winter tourists will still be able to swim in the ocean or laze about on the sand. Showers rarely set in either, with rain typically lasting a day at most. However, if you want to avoid wet weather completely you’re best steering clear of Vanuatu between November and April. The famous Southeast Trade Winds bring sunny, warm days and cooler nights all year round. However, they can be more unpredictable during the wet season. A squall can blow up seemingly out of nowhere, so make sure you hold on to your hat! Bungalows have even been known to blow away in blustery weather, but tourists needn’t be too concerned. Resort staff are used to these kind of winds, and will build you another one before too long. Visiting outside the wet season is the best way to avoid any extreme conditions in Vanuatu, but if that's not possible the woolly weather shouldn't interrupt your stay too much.