Gorgeous Traveller

For a mall rat like myself, this was an interesting read! Click on the link to look up the stats, but here they are listed:

(they are based on gross leasable area)
1. South China Mall - Dongguan, China
2. Golden Resources Shopping Mall - Beijing, China
3. SM Mall of Asia - Pasay City, Philippines
4. Cevahir Istanbul - Istanbul, Turkey
5. West Edmonton Mall - Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
6. SM Megamall - Mandaluyong City, Philippines
7. Berjaya Times Square - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
8. Beijing Mall - Beijing, China
9. Zhengjia Plaza - Guangzhou, China
10. SM North Edsa - Quezon City, Philippines

To some, the mall is just a place one goes to when one ‘needs’ to buy something. But really, to some others, it is a sanctuary. The answer to everything (At least the best malls)… Need a doctor? go to the mall. Need to visit the dentist? The mall is the place…Want to go splash some water on? The mall’s got a water theme park…Feel like watching a movie in the Big Screen? The IMAX at the mall is the place to go.. Need some retail therapy? ..Visit MfG, Kenneth Cole, Target, KMart, D&G, Cue, or some other shop.. Cooking Emergency, ran out of tomatoes? Head to the mall’s Woolworths or Coles. Feel like fine dining or fast food? McDonalds, or Kenny’s or CPK or Guido’s. Feel like a massage? Head to the Spa.

I guess at the end of the day, the Mall is there as an option. It makes life more interesting. You don’t need the money, you can hang around the mall’s shady trees or fountain. Or, you can have a million moolahs to spend then the mall is your playground. Especially now that everyone is preparing for Christmas, everyone flocks to the mall to do some shopping. Early morning, lunch break, tea time, late night shopping, whatever it takes to complete that Christmas list!

But really, the mall is a lot better place if you are with good company.. Hey, sometimes I love the company of ‘Me, Myself and I’. A few quality times I can remember was spent in the confines of those gigantic rubbles of cement and plaster. But that’s just me, and my thoughts. What’s yours?

Whether or not you are a Surf enthusiast, this amazing view will surely leave you breathless. I have come across this Pororoca Wave just last October when I was in Canberra, watching Discovery Channel. It was a sight to behold, and til then I never knew something of its kind existed. Call me ignorant!

POROROCA
-It is an Amazonian wave (or a tidal bore, when it happens elsewhere)

-The incoming tide forms a wave that travels against the direction of the current.

-Can go as high as 4 metres, travelling up to 13 kilometres upstream the Amazon River.

-It comes from the indigenous Tupi Language, which translates to ‘great destructive noise’, but for some they just refer to it as ‘the monster’.

-It is very popular with Surfers, and there even is a world competition to ride this amazing wave! Picuruta Salazar, holds this record as of the moment…(click link to see photo of Pocoroca)

-This phenomenon happens once a day, once a night, for three days in February/March, when the rain and full moon raises high tide where the Amazon river empties onto the Atlantic.
 

Here’s a little bit of a glimpse of what it actually is like, from a youtube video.

I’ve come up with a traveller’s check list of things to bring:

• Passport/Document organiser
• Ticket and Itinerary copy
• Business cards
• Wallet
• Camera/Camera charger
• Camera Memory Cards
• Mobile/Mobile charger
• Iphone/Iphone charger
• Sunnies
• Smart casual outfits for hotel inspections
• Dressy clothes for nights out and gala dinner
• Beach clothes (bikini, sarong)
• A couple of jumpers
• Sunscreen
• Cap
• Black ballet flats, thongs, black heels
• An extra bag (or two)
• Book/Magazine
• Bag locks
• Kikay Kit
• Toiletries
• Medicine kit
• Ziplock bag

There’s nowhere else prettier during Christmas time than New York City. With all those dancing fairy lights, amazing crystal balls, ornament adorned trees and other holiday inspired decors, how can one not feel the Christmas spirit?

So many things to do and see during this time of the year in the city that never sleeps, one can now plan their visit to New york at winter, through the website Christmas Time in New York. Imagine a one stop site which features the five boroughs of NYC and all the events and venues happening this season. It even has updates on traffic situation, weather, and contact information of everything related to the city we love to love.

If you are one who loves to plan before a much awaited New York city visit, then this website would have achieved it’s goal. Be a source of information for discerning tourists (and locals). 

Especially during this trying time. One can only try to think up of ways to save. And be healthy!

Cut down on junk food and soft drinks.
Not only would one get to save a about thirty dollars a month, but also lose a bit of tummy bulge to be able to get ready for that beach holiday.
Approximate saving per month: $30.

Walk at least thirty minutes a day.
If one lived within an easy walk to work, it is smart and healthy to get exercise. Walk either to work, or from work at least three times a week, or more if one is not pressed with time. A good way to cut transportation cost, save on petrol, and get that lazy bum to walk.
Approximate saving per month: $40.

Drop your gym membership.
One can easily save big bucks by getting into shape the economical way. One need not be a member of Fitness First, or Gold’s Gym or whatever. We’d only need to stick to our daily regimen of walking, jogging and we’d be keeping fit and losing weight in no time. Truly being healthy does not have to be expensive. It is better to use hard earned moolah towards a much deserved holiday.
Approximate saving per month: $70.

Give your plastics a break.
I know some people enjoy retail therapy so much, but revert to being stressed again once the credit card bill comes in. Really, one does not need a new pair of jeans, shirt, underwear, shoes every week. Perhaps indulge every other month or two, maybe. But not on a weekly basis.
Approximate saving per month: $100.

Cook at home. Bring lunch to work.
I don’t know anyone who does not appreciate home cooked meals. They are a lot cheaper to prepare, way healthier (without too much salt, or MSG, or other unhealthy ingredients that restaurants or fast food put into your meal). Aside from hubby appreciating your time spent cooking that delicious and healthy food, you get to save.
Approximate saving per month: $250.

At the end of the month, if you’ve been good, imagine having an extra $500 to spend towards that dream holiday. I know not everyone may appreciate that weekend away over something material (eg, hotel and spa pampering versus new camera). However, if you are a travel buff like myself, you would think up ways to save up for that goal: holiday! Come to think of it, spending wisely leads to a healthy lifestyle as well. Now, it is just a matter of putting to action all these nice things!

Such a beautiful location to hold markets at, especially with the increasingly nice, warm weather… that is at The Rocks in Sydney. The markets come alive every Friday night this November, from 6PM, with free live music to entertain every shopper. Why not enjoy one of The Rocks’ restaurants for dinner or even just a long night out with the rest of your mates with a few bottles of your choice.

After getting your market fix, why not head down to Circular Quay to enjoy Sydney’s nicest spot for a walk along the waterfront before heading home. Sooner rather than later they are saying that one may even get thec chance to ride on a ferris wheel at Circular Quay. Whether or not this will push through, and be this ride of an eye sore to the beautiful harbour, can be left to each one’s opinion. For now, we must enjoy the beautiful harbour sans ferris wheel!

Especially during this trying time. One can only try to think up of ways to save. And be healthy!

Cut down on junk food and soft drinks.
Not only would one get to save a about thirty dollars a month, but also lose a bit of tummy bulge to be able to get ready for that beach holiday.
Approximate saving per month: $30.

Walk at least thirty minutes a day.
If one lived within an easy walk to work, it is smart and healthy to get exercise. Walk either to work, or from work at least three times a week, or more if one is not pressed with time. A good way to cut transportation cost, save on petrol, and get that lazy bum to walk.
Approximate saving per month: $40.

Drop your gym membership.
One can easily save big bucks by getting into shape the economical way. One need not be a member of Fitness First, or Gold’s Gym or whatever. We’d only need to stick to our daily regimen of walking, jogging and we’d be keeping fit and losing weight in no time. Truly being healthy does not have to be expensive. It is better to use hard earned moolah towards a much deserved holiday.
Approximate saving per month: $70.

Give your plastics a break.
I know some people enjoy retail therapy so much, but revert to being stressed again once the credit card bill comes in. Really, one does not need a new pair of jeans, shirt, underwear, shoes every week. Perhaps indulge every other month or two, maybe. But not on a weekly basis.
Approximate saving per month: $100.

Cook at home. Bring lunch to work.
I don’t know anyone who does not appreciate home cooked meals. They are a lot cheaper to prepare, way healthier (without too much salt, or MSG, or other unhealthy ingredients that restaurants or fast food put into your meal). Aside from hubby appreciating your time spent cooking that delicious and healthy food, you get to save.
Approximate saving per month: $250.

At the end of the month, if you’ve been good, imagine having an extra $500 to spend towards that dream holiday. I know not everyone may appreciate that weekend away over something material (eg, hotel and spa pampering versus new camera). However, if you are a travel buff like myself, you would think up ways to save up for that goal: holiday! Come to think of it, spending wisely leads to a healthy lifestyle as well. Now, it is just a matter of putting to action all these nice things!