Archives: Destinations

On the banks of the Thu Bon River in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Hoi An, Hotel Royal Hoi An – MGallery offers the perfect blend of historical charm and luxurious modernity.

MGallery is a collection of memorable hotels, each with its own unique story and distinctive design. Standing majestically alongside the Thu Bon river and 500 metres from Hoi An ancient town, Hotel Royal Hoi An – MGallery is a place of heritage and romance. The hotel connects guests to the city’s heritage through the romantic love story of Sotato and Wakaku, artfully conveyed throughout the hotel featuring a harmonious blend of Vietnamese and Japanese tradition and Indochinese luxury.

Each of the 187 rooms and suites is well-appointed with historical charm, modern ref lection and a full set of facilities for the ultimate stay in Hoi An. The Sotaro Wing offers a harmonious blend of tradition and luxury, enhanced by glamorously feminine touches in the Wakaku Wing. Most rooms have a private balcony which opens out to views of the town or river.

The story of Sotaro and Wakaku extends to the dining options at the Royal Hoi An. Wakaku Japanese Restaurant delights discerning gourmets with top quality sushi and yakitori artistically prepared by talented chefs, while the Faifo restaurant pays homage to Hoi An’s eclectic food history. Eponymous for the city by foreign traders, it serves a variety of Vietnamese and Western dishes including Hoi An specialties.

The hotel makes use of its prime location with the town’s highest rooftop bar and pool, The Deck Hoi An. Here watch as the sunset streaks the sky and fading light glints off the ceramic roofs of the Old Town, while brightly coloured boats paddle up the Thu Bon surrounded by bright lanterns.

For pampering, the Woosah Spa invites you to restore vigour and wellness with the best hands in Hoi An for the ultimate rejuvenation and relaxation.

Hotel Royal Hoi An – MGallery is the only international luxury hotel in town with convenient access to Hoi An’s famous attractions. The hotel transports guests to an elegant and tastefully whimsical universe, and embarks them on a memorable journey at the cross road of cultures.

Bringing forth a new concept of five-star luxury, discover an exquisite hidden sanctuary in the heart of Kuta.

Featuring dazzling views over the captivating Indian Ocean, The ANVAYA Beach Resort Bali is equipped with a wide range of contemporary, relaxing and luxurious facilities for discerning travellers seeking an authentic experience and unique holiday.

Guests can choose from 493 fully-furnished, spacious guestrooms, suites, a residence, and villa that each showcases stylish, contemporary, authentic Balinese architecture. Accommodation is perfectly designed to offer every modern comfort with in-room amenities including a 43-inch IPTV with over 90 satellite channels, complimentary Wi-Fi, coffee and tea making facilities, a minibar, and The ANVAYA’s finest amenities.

The five-star resort offers a myriad of leisure and recreational options, including eight pools and a fitness centre. For those who wish to be active, begin your day with a yoga or aqua aerobics session, followed by beach volleyball, soccer or water polo. For the more leisurely inclined, relax and unwind in one of the pools where you’ll find a pool attendant always on hand and delighted to assist you to while away the day with a refreshing drink or two.

Sakanti Spa offers an oasis of serenity, promising a sublime spa experience that leaves guests feeling rejuvenated and relaxed. Inspired by Balinese heritage and traditions and complemented by Elemis, the luxury skincare brand, Sakanti Spa’s expertly trained therapists provide individual consultation for each guest. Each spa and beauty ritual is designed to create an exceptional experience completely tailored to your individual needs.

The kids club is fully supervised and secure, with ample recreational space for age-appropriate and culturally enriched fun, with both indoor and outdoor activities on offer for children 4-12 years old.

Kunyit showcases the best of Balinese and Indonesian cuisine while Sands Restaurant, an interactive all-day dining experience, is the place to enjoy modern Balinese-influenced Mediterranean and Californian-inspired cuisine. The Lobby Lounge is ideal for those looking for both Western and locally influenced light snacks, pastries and sweets, while The ANVAYA Pool Bar and Leisure Deck is perfect for daytime mocktails, light snacks and sunset cocktails.

Beyond Kuta, there are many hidden treasures to explore. Discover hidden beaches, mountains, traditional villages, art markets and an untouched lifestyle beyond the beaten path.

JK Salon

For all you beauty and health needs/wants
coz sometimes you just need “me time”

8am – 7pm daily. 320,4776
Happy Hour Discount . 12-1pm . 6-7pm
Family circle building ( across from FSM telecom )

Pohnpei Surf Club, Explore & Discover.

https://waterwaystravel.com/

Our goal is to take the gamble and guesswork out of your surf travel adventure while at the same time providing the best value and service for every travel dollar.

Explore Pohnpei’s Underwater Paradise with the Expert

Visit Pohnpei the Land of Mystery.

The Marianas are a crescent-shaped chain of islands in the western Pacific, a tropical paradise offering white and black sand beaches, crystal clear waters, as well as award-winning dive sites, oceanfront golf course, luxury shopping, and much more.

A commonwealth of the United States, The Marianas are an archipelago of 14 islands – including Saipan, Tinian, and Rota – in the sub-tropical Western Pacific. The Marianas are home to indigenous Chamorro and Carolinian people, as well as over 20 different ethnicities from around the world who live and work in this harmonious tropical paradise. Ancient latte stone limestone monoliths, traditional nature-based ocean navigation not reliant on modern technology, and a culture seasoned by East and West influences are just a few of the experiences found in The Marianas, where pristine sea, sand, and skies are only a 3-4-hour direct flight from major Asian gateway cities. Inter-island flights connecting Saipan to Rota, Tinian and Guam operate daily.

Saipan
The largest and most populated of the Northern Mariana Islands, the capital island of Saipan boasts gentle beaches and a wide lagoon on the western and southern coasts, a rugged and rocky eastern coast, a hilly interior, and dramatic cliffs in the largely undeveloped north.

Plunge into a variety of water sports at any time of the year, including swimming, snorkelling, paddle boarding, kayaking, banana boat rides, parasailing, kiteboarding and windsurfing. Discover underwater wonders with a wide selection of shore, boat, wreck, and cavern dives. The Grotto, with passages to the open sea, has been rated as one of the top cavern dives in the World.

In the heart of a marine conservation area, the tiny Managaha island is a short boat ride away, where the crystal waters of the lagoon offer award-winning snorkelling. Hope on a sailing canoe in the lagoon and learn about the indigenous skill of open ocean navigation using only natural phenomena like stars, the sun and moon, and ocean currents.

Several professionally designed golf courses offer sit along cliff lines, offering a memorable round of stunning ocean views.

The CNMI Museum of History and Culture is a good starting point for first time visitors to grasp the expanse of this island’s 4,000-year history. American Memorial Park offers a look at the island’s World War II history. Don’t miss a stop at the Last Command Post of the Japanese Imperial Army or the other historic and natural wonders of the Marpi area.

Tinian
Tinian is the closest island to Saipan and is easily accessible by air via a 10-minute flight. History abounds on Tinian, from Taga Stones, huge prehistoric monoliths quarried and transported by unknown methods by the ancient Chamorros. Explore the very runways and loading docks that put atom bombs aboard the Enola Gay to stop WWII.

Tinian is all that and more with temple ruins in the jungle, natural trails, and quaint, boutique hotels to accommodate your visit.

Tinian boasts numerous clean and quiet white sand beaches. The pristine water, colourful marine life and coral reefs surrounding the island offer an ideal environment for snorkelling, scuba diving, and bountiful fishing.

Rota
Known as ‘the friendly island’, beautiful Rota possesses a unique character and charm that wins over just about everyone that goes there, starting with the customary wave among drives on the island’s roads.

On the western side of the island, take a refreshing dip in the cool, clear water at Rota’s famous Swimming Hole. Take some great photos at Tweksberry Park with its perfectly lined rows of coconut palms.

Continue east along beautiful Sasanhaya Bay and get a great view of Wedding Cake Mountain. See two well-preserved Japanese swivelling cannons and other interesting sights in an awe-inspiring back road driving tour.

No trip is complete with sampling local delicacies, from in-season ayuyu (coconut crab) to kadun pika (hot spicy beef soup), the choices abound and are served best in the company of newfound friends in this friendly community.

It was a wedding that propelled me to the Thai island of Koh Samui in 2015. Perched off the east coast of the Kra Isthmas, Thailand, with its pristine stretches of sand and warm turquoise waters, I found it a perfect location for tying the knot. Once the wedding festivities subsided, I stayed on a week longer to explore. I found the little island surpassed my expectations, offering an array of experiences that often came by surprise. Having blended the initial pampering sessions and serenity of the ceremonial affairs with spontaneous wilderness explorations, temple tours with a local and a sunset kayaking session, I found Koh Samui to be pretty all-encompassing. I feel it has something for everyone, and here’s why:

1. It serves the romantics. My sister’s wedding couldn’t have been more beautiful and unique. The affair took place at Sareeraya Villas and Suites in Chaweng, in front of one of many beachside resorts. Thai drummers led the bridal party to a canopy on the beach that housed the ceremony, backed by the ocean. After the “I do’s”, an elephant joined for photographs. Fire dancers wrapped the evening. Though Chaweng is the busiest area, the beachfront set-up caters for peace and relaxation. Wooden huts line the sand, where Thai massages and the likes of facials or manicures are a-plenty. Several small restaurants are dotted in between. The sunsets along this slip are gorgeous. You can enjoy them with a Mai Tai, watching as the dusk gives way to balmy evenings, the lulling sound of waves ever-present.
   (Above: A perfect backdrop for tying the knot.)
2. It excites the socialites. Along that same main strip, an opposing world exists: one for those who fancy a bit of nightlife. After-all, Koh Samui’s nightlife is world-renown, owing to its beach bars, discos and the infamous full-moon party. If you’re lively after dusk, then you will enjoy Chaweng’s diversity, from sophisticated restaurants to Thai dancing and transgender cabaret shows.
   I happened to arrive in Chaweng on the week of Thailand’s Water Festival (Songkran), the celebration of Buddhist New Year that permits a national week-long water fight.
3. It pleases the R & R’s (rest and relaxation goers.) Being a tropical island, relaxation is inevitable. I enjoyed daily massages and swims in the ocean whilst staying at Chaweng. Chaweng Beach is approximately 7km long, so gentle days can easily be spent walking its soft sands. One evening we hired kayaks, and slowly explored the shoreline.
   (Above: Chaweng Beach.)
   After the week of the wedding, a friend and I relocated to the north, where we stayed at the first-class Prana Resort, Nandana. A sharply seclusive and quiet location in comparison, the luxury of this beachside resort was a treat, with its rooftop restaurant and private spa. Sunbathing with a book was broken up with dips in the pool and relaxing sessions in the spa.
   (Above: Prana Resort, Nandana.)
4. It caters for the adventurous. I discovered this to be true through a couple of spontaneous outings. One was an impromptu visit to Samui Go-Kart. Set amidst one of the island’s coconut groves, people of all ages can enjoy this opportunity to let loose and put pedal to the floor. Second was Namuang Waterfall, a “secret waterfall” by word of recommendation. We had a driver drop us at the supposed location, an elephant park, where this mysterious waterfall apparently lay 20 minutes beyond. Walking through the jungle (cobra sighting included), we arrived at the foot of the most magical waterfall I’ve seen. Crossing small drawbridges along the way, we climbed up the waterfall, stopping at a great pool where we swam beneath its downpour. To top it off, we had a go on the Namuang waterslide, which shoots you down so quickly that you lose your breath.
5. It pleases the shoppers. Near to our resort in Nandana was the Fisherman’s Market, which comes to life every Friday at Fishermans Village, Bophut. I thoroughly enjoyed perusing the diverse range of jewellery, handbags, clothing and souvenirs, all on offer at very low prices. Though many dubious goods can be found, there are exceptions, and the lively atmosphere makes for a good experience. Quality, authentic Thai dishes can be bought from the stalls as well.
   Second to this, Chaweng is great for bazaar-like shops selling DVDs and electronics, beachwear, clothes and souvenirs.
6. It feeds the culture-hungry. A drive around the North-East part of the island bought us some unique sites. Big Buddha temple is a golden shrine perched majestically on the headland. Golden Pagoda sits just around the corner. The area is Godly, showcasing vibrant colours and richly detailed sculptures. For a genuine experience, you can watch Thai boxing nearby. In Chaweng I went along to a transgender cabaret, a famous part of the culture. If you follow local recommendations, you will be able to find the best places for authentic Thai food. (You’ll notice the difference when you do!)
   

   (Below: Golden Pogoda.)

   Koh Samui is Thailand’s second biggest island and a cosmopolitan hotspot, thus allowing for the craze and culture of Phuket or Bangkok. Given that it is an island, however, you’ll still experience the seclusion and serenity of palm-fringed beaches and that tropical island feel. Koh Samui attracts budget travellers and wealthy holidaymakers alike, thanks to the fact it’ll enthral all types!