Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur was not one of my favorite destinations to visit, but I managed to enjoy my time here and was glad I visited Malaysia.  I figure I had to come to see Kuala Lumpur being I was in Singapore and just transit through.

I spent two nights in Kuala Lumpur.  This city is not quite as friendly, safe, or easy to get around in like Singapore or Bali, but it is good to see.  I really enjoyed the Malaysian food and they have lots of nice restaurants in Kuala Lumpur.  Shopping is also very good in Kuala Lumpur if you are a shopaholic.  I love to eat and try different foods and shop around so this alone made my trip enjoyable.

My favorite highlights of coming to Kuala Lumpur was China Town and Batu Caves. Batu Caves is a limestone hill with a series of caves with built-in temples in the Gombak District, north of Kuala Lumpur.  This is one of the most famous Hindu shrines outside of India and is the site for the famous Thaipusam Hindu Festival in Malaysia.

I really liked Kuala Lumpur’s China Town on Petaling Street, it is one of the best China Towns I have been to so far.  So don’t miss the China Town here.  Get all things cheap here; t-shirts, perfumes, clothes, shoes and a million other things, including all your favorite knock-off brands.  I also really enjoyed my visit to Batu Caves, this is a must when you come to Kuala Lumpur.  Alleged to have the world's tallest Murugan statue.  It is a long hike up many, many steps to the top of the cave, and you will need to take breaks along the way.  But don’t worry, there are monkeys galore everywhere to entertain you during your ascend up.  But once you get to the top and in the cave, it is a so peaceful and quiet, so no monkeying around inside the cave.

Some other main things to do and see are the Petronas Twin Towers and the K.L. Tower, which is the tallest tower in Asia and the 4th largest in the world which has a revolving restaurant.  Kuala Lumpur Bird Park, it is suppose to be the world's largest aviary.  I did not see it but I hear it is a must to visit.  Don’t forget to checkout Berjaya Times Square, this place is shopper’s paradise.  My hotel was right around the corner from here, and this is a nice area to stay in.   They have it all, from every kind of store you could imagine, massage areas, bars and nightclubs, the real K.L.  Berjaya Times Square has it all for the young and old, the young for sure, or the young at heart.

Singapore

Singapore is nice place to stop for a few days on transit.  A few days is plenty to see it all in Singapore .  A cultural melting pot, world-class tourist destination, and colorful cultures allure visitors from far and wide.  Singapore assails the senses of the first time visitor.

One of the most prominent features of Singapore is its cleanliness, this city is immaculate, and indeed, its many regulations, has made it one of the world’s safest places to visit, and serious crimes are extremely low.  The visitor is spoiled for choices of things to see and do.  It boasts museums and river tours, plentiful greenery, a vibrant nightlife, a rich cultural mix, and a whole planet's worth of culinary experiences.

Rapid development over the years, Singapore tourism has acquired world-renowned status.  A holiday in Singapore offers the tourists with a unique, pleasant experience.  Singapore has constantly been an appealing destination for shoppers and food lovers of all kind.

The weather remains tropical almost all through the year, and because of warm temperatures, the city features a year-round high humidity and rainfall.  When it comes to planning a Singapore holiday, winter season, ranging from October to March, is considered the best time.  Cool weather and festive atmosphere, you will have unforgettable memories during this time.

Sentosa Island is the center of attraction for vacationers in Singapore .  Along with splendid scenic beaches, this city has plenty tourist places like the Under Water World, Singapore Botanic Garden , Resort World Casino, Universal Studios Theme Park and much more. The Singapore River is also a tourist hub with hundreds of bars and night clubs nearby. Apart from that, Singapore Zoo is a good selection for families to visit.  Moreover, one can head to the Night Safari, Chinatown and Chinese Gardens to have more fun and enjoyment.

Bali, Indonesia

I have been to some of the most amazing, spectacular places around the globe, and Bali tops the list.  My friends and colleagues ask me, “Is Bali really paradise, is it really that nice” and I say “YES”.  I was in awe when I arrived here and the locals were really friendly.  During my time I rented a motor bike and the driver took me around to all the tourist spots.  My recommendation, forget the car and rent a motor bike and see this magical island with the wind blowing through your face and hair.  Why be stuck in some car, boringgggggggg.  This is one beautiful place so everything from the outside is better.

I was walking from breakfast on my second day here and happened to find someone with a sign on his bike, “rent my bike” so I negotiated a price for a few days and I had the time of my life.  It is cheaper and more authentic then finding some over-priced tour group on the island and being stuck to a particular agenda.  This place is swarming with motor bikes, so it should not be a problem hiring a local.  The picture above, my bike I rented during my time in Bali.

Bali, not only is it a gorgeous place with its lush greenery, clear skies and sparkling blue waters, but there is also a wealth of things to do in Bali. The best part about Bali is that it caters to everyone, and perfect for honeymooners.  The weather is phenomenal and it just feels like heaven on earth.

There are an abundance of villas and places to stay in Bali, and a private villa is the most exquisite way to vacation in Bali. With a private villa or the traditional tropical Bali resort, you get a chance for the ultimate in rest and relaxation and the tranquility is insurmountable.  Many of the private villas in Bali boast a pool along with private beach access, so you will not have to go far for some much needed time in paradise.

When in Bali, there are also many areas that are great for shopping.  The shopping in Bali will astound and amaze you with all the items that you will be able to find.  The feel is superbly tropical and you will definitely have the feeling that you are “away from it all” which is truly what is supposed to feel like.

The greatest part about Bali is that you can truly feel isolated and away from it all or you can choose to be social in many of the truly magnificent dining arenas, bars and nightclubs, which are in abundance.  This place is rocking with bars and nightclubs, at least where I stayed in the Kuta Beach area.  Kuta Beach is one of the most popular places to stay in Bali, but if you really want to get away from it all, some vacationers choose to stay in Ubud, which is another option.  Bali is charming, traditional, romantic, and beautiful, what could be better.  It truly is paradise !

Pollachi, Tamil Nadu, India

A picture of me in the forest of Pollachi .  I had went here with some friends from Coimbatore, to a friends house, who’s house is right smack in the forest.  It was absolutely beautiful, and what an awesome experience for me just walking through the jungle, outside the house with no boundaries, and quite scary.  At night we all jumped in the friends SUV and took a ride through the jungle with a flood light and seen some animals roaming around.  What a great time I had to get out of the congested city and spend the night in jungle with the wild animals.

Pollachi is a town that is located in the Coimbatore District of the State of Tamil Nadu . Pollachi is up and coming and has a predominant agricultural economy.  The town is located around 40 km from the city of Coimbatore .  Pollachi gets substantial rainfall during the monsoon season, and this is the reason for the predominance of agriculture in the area.

Even today, Pollachi has a big market for agricultural products.  Most of the fruits, vegetables, and even flowers that are sold in Kerala come from the agricultural lands of Pollachi.  Since Pollachi is located near the Western Ghats, it has a pleasant climate throughout the year and is quite picturesque.

There are many ancient temples that are located in Pollachi, and the town itself is very old. The Subramanyar Temple is considered to be among the oldest in the area.  The roadways are extensive and connect to most of the important cities.  Some of the main temples around Pollachi are the; Ayyappan Temple, Alagunachi Amman Temple, and Arulmigu Prasanda Vinayagar Temple .

Indra Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary, is located about 37 km from Pollachi, in the Anamalai Hills, and is one of the most picturesque reserves in the south.  It has various kinds of animals like; elephant, gaur, tiger, panther, sloth-bear, deer, wild bear, wild dog, porcupine, flying squirrel, jackal, pangolin, civet cat, and birds like rocket-tailed drongo, red-whiskered bulbul, black headed oriole, tree pie, spotted dove, green pigeon and many more.

Top Slip, is a small place in Indira Gandhi National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary.  It is famous for its elephant camp and got its name from the fact that a lot of timber trees used to slip down from here to the plains below.  The Amaravathy reservoir in the Anamalai Hills has a large number of crocodiles. There are quite a few dams around the reservoir.

Valparai is another hill station about 65 km from Pollachi, and is located in Anamalai also. Monkey falls at the foot hills of Valparai are also a beautiful waterfall.  There are a lot of waterfalls around Pollachi.  Chinnakallar town near Pollachi, is supposed to be the wettest town in South India .  The Chinnakallar falls is named so because the water fall sounds like the roar of a lion.  Pollachi is a great stop for a night or two, just to break away from the city life and enjoy some wildlife and peaceful waterfalls.  If time prevails, check out the other spots I just mentioned.

London, UK

My list of countries and places I have seen, I normally do not come back once I seen it, unless I was really taken.  As for India , every visit is a wonderful experience, and I never get bored with India , it just captivates me every time, and as you know, I have been there so many times.  London was this experience for me.  I would take another holiday to London .  I loved the whole feel of this place, and the people were so courteous.

Upon arrival at the Heathrow International Airport ,  I jumped on a bus to Westminster where my hotel was booked.  This is the best area to stay in as far as I am concerned.  Totally charming, classic, and very quaint, I was totally smitten with Westminster .  It is in walking distance to the Parliment, Westminister Abbey, Buckingham Palace, and the London Eye, just to name a few.  There is so much to see in this area, but the ones I mentioned, you must see.  I grab a map and walked to all the sites I wanted to see, and I got my share of exercise each day.

Westminster area is very easy to get around, especially someone like me that seems to get lost in my own neighborhood.  My trip to London was one of my best trips.  Going to the Buckingham Palace was a treat.  The tickets sell out fast for the day, and I was lucky to get a ticket for the last tour that day.  Luckily, I arrived in line that morning to get my tickets for that day because apparently they sell out by late morning.  I was kind of disappointed that I could not take pictures inside of the palace, but was honored to just have the opportunity to walk through, it was breathtaking.  My other favorite spot was the London Eye, it is situated on the River Thames.  The picture of me above is on the River Thames.  They have games and entertainment along the river, it is a nice place to chill out and enjoy some entertainment.  And of course, how could I forget the Westminster Abbey.  A treasure of paintings, stained glass, textiles and other artifacts.  Westminster Abbey is also the place where some of the most significant people in the nation's history are buried or commemorated.  More of a historical site then a religious site, Abbey is a work of architectural genius.

Onward to India now, of course.  I stayed in India a few weeks and coming back home most of the airports in the northeast were close due to a storm coming in.  So when I arrived back in London for my connecting flight back home, my connecting flight was cancelled to Newark , New Jersey .  I was stuck in London for the weekend now as my next flight was not scheduled out till Monday.  Totally unexpected, and now I get to see more of London , what a surprise, my vacation carries on.

British Airways put me in a hotel by the airport so now I had the opportunity to checkout this side of London .  Searching through the internet for things to do, I seen this weekend was the famous Notting Hill Carnival.  I jumped on The Underground AKA The Tube, which is the cheapest way to get around London .  A few tubes and I arrived in Notting Hill.  Did I luck out or what ! Notting Hill Carnival comes once a year and is one of the biggest carnivals of the year.  The carnival last for 3 days and has attracted one million people in the past year, making it one of the largest street festivals in the world.  It was jammed packed with people everywhere and police stationed at every corner.  I was having a blast so I order some rum punch and hung-out for a few hours watching all the activities taking place.  What a treat for me to be stuck in London for the weekend and have the opportunity to join in on the festival.  If you come in August make sure you see the Notting Hill Carnival, you will have a blast.  No clowning around now, go see it :-)))

Cancun, Mexico

Cancun is a world-renowned and tropical paradise that remains one of the world’s top tourist destinations.  If you’re looking for a place with fantastic weather, pumping nightlife, shopping galore, and some of the coolest activities in and out of the water, then Cancun is the place to come.  Boredom is something not possible in Cancun, this place has everything under the sun.  Whether it’s a family vacation at an all-inclusive like the RIU Cancun, destination wedding, romantic getaway, or spring break, Cancun has it all.

Home to one of the world’s largest barrier reef, Cancun is an ideal place for scuba diving and snorkeling.  For those who are not into water activities, you will find golfing or fishing areas.  For the shopaholic, you will shop till you drop, as you will find shops galore.  For the party animal, Cancun is notorious for their nightlife, this place is rocking with tons of bars and night clubs for every night owl.  As far as accommodation, Cancun runs the gamut.  It has everything from luxurious villas to all-inclusive resorts, to budget hotels, many accommodation options.  You’ll be able to find accommodations in Cancun that meets your budget and your needs.

My main purpose to come to Cancun was I had to see Chichen Itza.  I love history and have always been fascinated by the Maya Civilization.  My day tour to Chichen Itza was the highlight of my trip.  It was amazing seeing the ancient Maya ruins.  A tour through Chichen Itza is a trip back in time and a learning journey on most of the Maya history .  Remember they predicted the end of world, December 21, 2012, the end times prophecy, doomsday.  If you love history, please do not miss this place, even if you don’t love history, you will be fascinated by the Maya Civilization.  I found it mind boggling.

Okay, history in a nut-shell on the Maya Civilization.  I am so fascinated by this place that I want to give a brief history lesson.  Chichen Itza was once one of the most powerful cities of the Maya.  The history of Chichen Itza is mysterious, and written records are scarce. Most sources agree that from approximately AD 250 to AD 900, Chichen Itza existed mainly as a ceremonial center for the Maya.  Civilization weakened, and the Maya abandoned their religious centers and the rural land around them, between 900 AD and 1000 AD.  The Maya civilization stopped making monuments, why, no one seems to know for sure.  What we do know for certain is the Maya civilization was one of the most advance and sophisticated cultures in the Western Hemisphere.  The Maya are famed for their impressive knowledge of mathematics and astronomy, which were essential to their religious rituals.  When you visit you will see why I find it mind boggling, they were so ahead of time.  They are also known for the practice of human sacrifice, which was a means of appeasing and nourishing the gods.

It can take a whole day to see the extensive ruins of Chichen Itza, which occupy about 2.5 square miles.  At the entrance is a large, modern visitors' center that includes a museum, a restaurant, bathrooms, and a bookstore.  Here you can hire a licensed guide who speak Spanish or English.  A guide is not necessary, especially if you have a map or guidebook, but he or she can really give you all the details and interesting stories about the ruins that you might otherwise miss.  I hired a guide and I recommend it because there is so much fascinating history, you do not want to miss out.  It really makes it come alive hearing all the information and stories by hiring a knowledgeable guide.  The Mayan Civilization is fascinating, so do hire a guide.

Let me share with you a suggestion while visiting Cancun.  If you are looking for a quiet and peaceful holiday, then come to Isla Mujeres Island, it is a great way to escape away from all the noise and crowds.  This island is about 9 miles offshore.  This is where I stayed and I was so glad I did.  You have to take the ferry over to the island, so if you come make sure you reach the ferries by 11 pm, which is the last ferry over in the evening, but do check timings because schedules change.  I got out of the airport too late and I had to stay at another hotel till the next morning when I could take the first ferry over.

I love Isla Mujeres Island, quaint and quiet and away from all the noise and nightlife in Cancun.   It is a nice place to shop and pick up some nice handcrafted gifts.  I prefer a relaxing vacation, so Isla Mujeres worked great for me.  Unless you love the nightlife and clubbing, the real party animal, then I would suggest staying in Cancun's main strip.  Another option, you can always take the ferry back and forth, regardless of where you stay so you can visit both.  There are a few locations for ferry boarding every 20 to 30 minutes. Then again, if your planning to party all night then best not to book a hotel on the island as you will miss the last ferry over at 11 pm. I would recommend at least a visit to this lovely island.  Till next time, it’s 5’oclock somewhere.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Dubai is one of the seven Emirates making up the United Arab Emirates, which has developed now into a top class tourist destination.  Every year the Emirate welcome thousands of visitors from all over the globe.  Today Dubai is a hot spot tourist place, which dazzles people from all over the world to come and visit this amazing city.  Dubai is a sparkling gem in the desert, the crown jewel of the United Arab Emirates. If you want a destination encompassing every imaginable luxury, as well as rugged outdoor adventures, then you must come to Dubai for your next vacation.  It really is a wonder !

  

Here is a picture of me standing in front of the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa.  I was getting nauseated just looking up at this building.  I don’t know how Tom Cruise manage to do some of those crazy stunts from this building here for his Mission Impossible movie, but I was fine with both my feet on the ground.  Unless if Hollywood wants to pay me 30 million bucks, I might possibly consider :-)))  Okay lets get to the stuff to do, as there is so much, but here are a few must see places and things to do.

The Dubai Mall, wow wow wow, I have never been to a mall like this.  World class shopping all over Dubai and this mall is no exception.  In the Dubai Mall you will find more than just high-end stores like Oscar de la Renta and Valentino, but also entertainment and activities for the entire family.  With a spectacular fountain display, the Dubai Ice Rink, and the Dubai Aquarium, it will be easy to spend a whole day exploring all the sights in the Dubai Mall, as well as dropping some bucks on the fine stores.  This was the most beautiful mall I have ever stepped foot in.  Wow I could only imagine how much it cost to build this gorgeous mall.

The Atlantis Waterpark, this is located in the Atlantis Resort, this is another example of things to do in Dubai that are ideal for any age.  Atlantis Dubai’s waterpark has everything from a Dolphin Bay where you can interact with dolphins to Aquaventure, a 42-acre area with slides, rapids, an area for kids, and a beach.

Jumeirah Beach Park, this is a wonderful area with many things to do. It is a park situated right on the beach, complete with tables, grills, and play areas for kids. Whether you want to swim in the ocean or the pool, the Jumeirah Beach Park has both to offer.  Or if you rather not have a day of sand and water, and rather be skiing, then head over to Ski Dubai, yes skiing in Dubai, how strange you might be thinking, but it is an enclosed building that blows snow year-round and offers slopes for skiing, sledding, and snowboarding. 

The Gold Souk is for you if you prefer shopping outside of a mall.  I definitely enjoy outside shopping, and prefer the outside markets by far, as compared to indoor malls.  The street markets are my favorite shopping, as I feel it is nicer then being stuck in some building, but that is just my personality, and the Gold Souk might be right up your alley too.  Street lined with vendors selling products made of gold and offering quality jewelry.  

Also if you like museums then check out The Dubai Museum,  the purpose of this museum is to present the traditional way of life in the Emirate of Dubai, so soak up a couple hours of learning at this museum, and don’t forget to complete your mission and head over to Burj Khalifa.  Until next time, mission possible - nothing is impossible :-)))