Island Hopping in Koh Phi Phi - A dream come true!

Landing in the southern province of Krabi will seem like fairy dust sprinkled in the ocean. Your eyes can no believe this particularly shaped (icecream cone looking) infinite stretch of islands. Small but numerous, they will take your breath away. As the airplane approaches, the shapes become more and more intricate and an adrenaline rush flows through your veins. So much adventure awaits in this unique destination. "The Beach" , here I come!!



PARADSE!

The airport in Krabi is rustic and hot. You can't help but notice the culture shock you are entering into. Thai people are friendly, they greet you with smiles and a humble Sawatdi Kha (palms together gesture). The noise of the Tuk Tuks (or motor bikes) as soon as you step out of the door will definitely make you feel you are in an exotic location. Get there hungry because you can grab a delicious fried dish on your way to your hotel. Can I tell you about the food trucks?  They are AMZING but NOT recommended if you are a picky eater. On the other hand, if you like to try crazy dishes with an insane amount of grease (and you have a strong stomach) this is where you can go WILD for under $1. These street food stands are the real #foodporn !! An orgasm in your mouth  with strong aromatic components and a spicy edge. Thai food is known for its complex interplay of at least three and up to four or five fundamental taste senses in each dish or the overall meal: sour, sweet, salty, bitter and spicy. Thai food has it all and a great starting point are these incredible food trucks. My favorites were the Khao lam and the Kanom khrok.

 

NOT a food truck dinner LOL

 

Ok enough about food and let's  get into a bikini, moving on to the most incredible beaches my eyes have ever seen. It's crazy to think that a few years back nobody would come explore this way. But things changed after the HUGE Leonardo Di Caprio movie "The Beach" (remember the one were expats run around half naked getting tan all day long and playing beach volleyball?). Exactly! After you come to this place, you will want to stay FOR EVER. Honestly, once you are here it is better than the movies. It totally exceeded my expectations... Did I died and went to heaven? If heaven is filled with pristine blue lagoon looking beaches, secluded islands, moon parties and spicy food then I'm down!!! Please bring me back to heaven.

 

SUNSETSSS YES!!!

 

Here is my guide to the Krabi Island Circuit Tour:

PHUKET - This is best if you are traveling in a group of friends or traveling alone looking to make new ones. It's definitely a party Island where moon parties and group activities take place EVERY day. They bring a new meaning to "sunset drinks" and "beach fires". Sexy yet humble and enchanting, this island will leave you speechless with its incredible views and natural beauty. It's a MUST. Rich in culture, tis is the largest island in Thailand so make sure you take extra time here to explore the history. Phuket offers a variety of luxury resorts as well as rustic (charming accomodations) I hear the best way to stay here is with a local/expat which make a vast majority of their population compared to other regions. There is a very strong presence of international travelers that have settled here full or partime so you won't feel lost in translation wondering around. Get lost to find yourself and take some pictures in between. 

 

KRABI - This on the other hand is the best place if you are traveling in couples or with your significant other. It is  inland so it's not an actual island; the infrastructure and accommodations are better here and there is a large selection of luxury resorts. In Krabi's vicinity, you will find numerous little islands that you can explore during the day. Your hotel should offer a shuttle service in the morning to return later that same afternoon or if you prefer a more private, intimate island hopping experience than you could rent a boat with Capitan and tour guide included for about $1000 a day. This is such a treat!!! since you will be able to get to known local spots, totally private exclusive beaches and get some history in between. For an extra tip they will set up beach side picnic with a decadent selection of local fresh fruits. Top destinations are Hat Noppharat Thara, Ao Nang, Railay, and Ko Phi Phi National Park. This province includes over 80 smaller islands such as (Ko Lanta) and Phi Phi, well-known to adventurers, yachtsmen, scuba-divers, snorkelers, and day-trippers from Phuket. Keep an eye on the low and high tide as they will determine the duration of your stay in each island (during high tide you won't be able to take your boat ride back home! So watch out).

 

BAMBOO PRIVATE SIDE



 

These were my personal favorites:

Ko Phi Phi Don, Ko Phi Phi Lee: where you will find the spectacular blue lagoon. These are the  best looking turquoise waters with incredible cliffs you can jump from. Ko Lanta Yai: this one is not as congested so you can enjoy a relaxing walk with your honey along the beach and maybe you can find here a good spot for your private picnic. Hong Island was BEAUTIFUL and very close to Krabi. Best to go here in the morning as it's impossible to enjoy after 1pm when the rest of the tourist arrive. Keep in mind that you can get the best weather prior to 10am in these Islands. Absolutely heaven at sunrise. Last but not least was Bamboo Island where the whole back part is secluded and the front part is a yacht party. You get the best of both worlds. My favorite if you are looking to get freaky in private LOL (but only on the back part of the Island) Your local Capitan will know where to take you haha.

 

As a tip, avoid going to "Maya Beach" or The Beach Island" It is not necessary to dock there as many other options are available without the swamp of people! This beach was crowded and a bit dirty. You don't get the feeling of paradise here. Maya Beach will be a cluster of tourist with cameras and go pro sticks. I don't recommend it. The south of Thailand has too many wonderful options to get stuck in this tourist trap.

 

 

 

 

Writing about this makes want to book my ticket to Thailand ASAP! This is the perfect place we\here the sand is like sugar, the sun is generous and the beaches are good for the soul. Can't wait to go back to Thailand. You are beautiful, exciting, relaxing.  One day you could be learning about Buddhism and the next you could be doing rock climbing. The south of Thailand gave me the perfect balance of adventure, culture, soul searching and of course I got to stuff my face with amazing food in the process. Hands down one of the best vacations I ever had. See you soon Thai!!! Or should I say Laa gon na?

 



 

First Camel ride in Dubai!!

Planning your next vacation in Dubai? Here are some tips that will help you out as a first comer. For everybody, depending where you come from, stepping into the Arab world can be an overwhelming experience. And yes, Dubai is located in the Middle East but it is the most westernize city of all. Considered by many the capital of this area, it will blow your mind away to see both worlds meet in this exotic location.

Here is my MUST do list as a first time visitor:

 

Camel Desert Safari  

This activity varies from $35 to $130 depending if you do it during the day or at night. Also, the price varies depending of the extreme sports you will perform. If you want to pet the camels and falcons then pay the extra bucks and take the first option.

www.platinum-heritage.com  This one is the luxury one

www.arabiannightsafari.com

www.raynatours.com This one is medium range and it has many more tours available

The dinner option is the best one, as you will have the opportunity to view an amazing sunset. It's really a mesmerizing experience. Take advantage of the peace you will feel in the desert to do some meditation or yoga.

 

Burj Khalifa -Tallest Building in the World

www.burjkhalifa.ae

This is like going to the top of the Empire State Building in NYC. The line is SUPER busy so I would recommend you to do this early in the morning. It will take you around 3 hours. Ticket prices vary from $40 - $150 depending on the time of the day and the height. To go to the top floor (148) is more expensive than the 125 observatory lounge.

In addition, you can also book one of the bars and restaurants inside the hotel. These options are SUPER expensive and you should plan to spend at least $100 PP to snack or eat/drink in these venues. If you are planning to have a full dinner here it's going to be around $300PP (Armani Hotel).

 

Burj Al Arab - The Most Expensive Hotel in the World

www.jumeirah.com

The Sky Lounge offers incredible views to have a drink. It's VERY touristy but not a bad option to come check out the most expensive hotel in the world. Drinks have South Beach prices with half the serving lol so not the ideal spot to get drunk.

Al Muntaha Restaurant is the floating part of the hotel. The views are incredible but it's also incredibly pricy!! You should budget at least $200 PP to eat dinner there. In my humble opinion, the views are better for lunch or Friday Brunch so if you are looking to splurge and save a little money don't go for dinner. 

 

Day trip to Abu Dhabi

This will take you between 6 and 8 hrs and you will be in a car most of the time. I know you are dying to take a picture in front of Sheikh Zayed Mosque like Selena Gomez but note there are many things to do in Dubai and this will take one full day of your vacation. Needless to say, it's a must do if you have the time to explore. You should take a private car so you can use your time more efficiently. There is not that much to see but you want to spend quality time in the main attractions. A driver should charge around $200 for the private ride.

 

Dubai from the Water

You can do this in about 3 hours. The Dubai skyline looks beautiful from the water and you could grab some food and drinks in one of the hotels in the Palm so you can also check this out. The Palm is a fake man made island where The Atlantis (yes, like in the Bahamas) seats. There you will be able to use the public beach and the water park if you are feeling Disney. This is not a fancy boat (think of the ones that do the tour of Star Island in Miami) - around $35 PP. If you want to tour on a yacht, it will cost around $2500 for the day.

The Dubai Mall - Biggest Mall in the World

www.thedubaimall.com

I don't recommend to do any shopping here as it's VERY busy and very expensive. It doesn't make sense to shop here if you are coming from the USA. It's a good idea to pass by and check it out probably the same day you do the Burj Khalifa bc it's in the same location. Here you will find the ice skating ring, the movies, the aquarium and the famous water fountain show (yes, like the one in Vegas but bigger).

Sky Diving in Dubai

www.skydivedubai.ae

It's from 9am to 2pm and it cost $550 with video and pictures included. This sells out around one month in advance AT LEAST. Plan around 4 hours for this activity.

 

 

Another tip, alcohol is expensive in Dubai so I would recommend you to pick up a couple bottles in the duty free airport.

Overall, Dubai should be a great experience! This exotic location has the flash, style and beaches to make your vacation an unforgettable one. Each resort and area offers a variety of entertainment so it will be up to you to customize each day very efficiently. Also, the weather plays a big part on the activities you can explore. One of my favorite things to do when it's not too hot is to explore the Souk (in the old part of town). Walking around here is like getting lost in translation. Great place for gift shopping and local people watching.

Shukran xo

 

 

Machu Picchu - Inka Flow!!

Inevitably, my first post has to be about PERU. For those of you who don't know , this is the place where I was born and raised most of my life. I go back every year but this last time I made it to the magical Inka city of Machu Picchu. Cuzco is not my home town but through out the years I've seen Machu Picchu  become a major tourist attraction (being named one of the 7 wonders of the world has helped). And let me tell you, very rightfully so! Things are more organized since I last visited (5 years ago). The city is very safe and you can have an incredible experience doing it  backpacker style or the luxurious way. In my last visit I stayed in a hostel for $10/night but there are many elegant resorts were you can have a superior holistic experience, yoga classes, detox cleanses and much more. Have you heard about Ayahuasca?

 

 

I'm a big hiking fanatic so I will absolutely recommend that you do the Inka trail. Go all out and do the 7 day trail - camp in the open - get in touch with your inner Inka! This will be the most beautiful sunsets and sunrises you'll ever see. The air is pure and crisp. The sound of nature will wispers in your ear as a you try to fall sleep. Simply BREATHTAKING. The mix of smells from all kinds of different flowers will accelerate your heart (oh yea, and also the alttitude). Drink/chew an excessive amount of coca leaves ( they do help). Prepare in advance if possible but most importantly meditate, breath and enjoy this magical experience. Take it all in.

Besides the absolute must do - Macchu Picchu - here are some other places I enjoyed and other tips you may find useful while visiting Cuzco:

Please note that I have friends who are locals so many times you will be introduced to new spots not catered just to tourists...

 

If you are an adventure seeker - besides the Inka Trail, you should make an appointment in advance , to climb up the Huayna Picchu. It's a shorter hike up the hill on top of the ruins but it gets pretty busy so I suggest you book this a few days in advance (depending on the season even over a week). And bring your passport so you can get a pretty cool stamp of the Inka city entrance on it. Also, if you have over a week in Cuzco (which you should) there is time to try zip lining ( this will take a full day), water rafting and exploring parts of the jungle. This two last activities can also be built into another 5 days camping in the wild (with a guide of course). In this area you will enjoy the freshest, most delicious fruits and you will have the opportunity to try  exotic foods (like monkeys and frogs). Prepare your palate!

 

Speaking of food - you absolutely have to try this place called "Limo cocina Peruana & Pisco Bar". It's located in "La Plaza de Armas" or main square. Go there for lunch, the view is fantastic and their selection of authentic dishes is generous. If you are feeling eager to learn something new then try the alpaca (I don't recommend it if you expect it to taste like steak). The seafood rice, quinoa risotto, causa and their unique sushi rolls were my favorite. The perfect supplement to this delicious meal would be a refreshing Cuzquena (the local beer) and/or their incomparable Pisco Sours.

If you are looking for the ultimate local spot - try el Mercado central de "San Pedro" . This flea/fresh market is located just 10 minutes away from the center (walking). Here you will find an infinite variety of local food, street snacks and incredibly cheap souvenirs. My absolute favorite is "choclo con queso"; for under $1 this magnificent corn is like something you never had before. Extremely healthy yet delicious the corn in this area is huge! Not sweet, not salty it's served with fresh local cheese which is the perfect complement for an unbelievable taste. You have to try it! Best value meal ever. It's the equivalent of a Mac Donald's run of the Inkas lol
If you are a fruit lover and you are looking for your smoothie fix; the San Pedro Market will offer you the lowest prices for the freshest local fruits like "tuna" - or prickly pear. It's healthy from the area and the best way to start your day.

 

 I'm not big into night life in Cuzco as you will need all of your energy to complete the physical activities that this trip entails. Many tours start super early in the morning and they last ALL day. But if you absolutely must get your groove on then I would recommend Mama Africa (the club to be). It's been around for ever, they play a good mix of music and it's pretty spacious. In my opinion, Cuzco offers a better variety of bars than clubs. Most of them start earlier and they have live bands (playing rock en espanol) or classics from all over the world. You can seat and play cards with someone from England  or start Karaoke with someone from Argentina. The mix of locals and foreigners give the bars in Cuzco a very interesting spice. Is hard to describe the vibe here but it's vey enjoyable. My favorite bar in the historic center was "The Cross Keys Pub" - it was like walking into a joint in London except you were in Cuzco. They have their regulars who seem to know every single one of their friendly staff. We spend our time playing drinking games, dancing to music and chatting with complete strangers. Cool experience for sure.

What can I tell you? This will be on of the best trips of your life. Give yourselves enough time to get accustomed to the altitude, explore the magnificent hiking/biking trails and wonder around the historic center. People that stay for under a week always claim they needed more time there. I have to agree with this statement. I'm already planning to come back to do all the extreme sports I didn't have time for. Your body will need a couple extra days to recover so you can fully enjoy this extraordinary destination. 

 

Greetings from Gabriela!!

Hello Friends,

So finally I got to it!! I have created my own blog. Something that I've been talking about for years now. What's the big deal? you may ask. Well, for this tech challenged individual (ME) even working Instagram was a mystery just a few months ago.

 

The purpose of this blog is to share my experiences with other fellow travelers and fitness enthusiast. There is nothing more rewarding than to be able to discuss all the different cultures, locations, foods and wonders that this beautiful world has to offer.

I've been lucky enough to have done extensive traveling in the past couple years and this has sparked an even bigger appetite to see the globe. You feel me? Every time I visit somewhere new I find myself leaving behind new friends (that I wish to stay in touch with), new experiences and some

amazing stories. This blog will give me the opportunity to recollect my memories and forever keep them with me (and you of course).

Now, I'm not an aspiring writer per say but I have always had the habit of writing. Mainly crazy thoughts in my head (nothing scientific or logic) ) so hopefully with this tool (my blog) I can come across clearly and translate everything I lived from my eyes to yours.

Would love to get your feedback and comments. I believe in the power of healthy criticism.

 

Love you all,

 

Gabriela