Sunday 30 December 2018

21 Things To Do In Bali With Teens

I recently spent a week with my niece (14) and nephew (15), and like most teenagers, they’d be happy to spend a week in a plush hotel with on-demand movies and a high-speed internet connection… But where’s the fun in that? Teen years are a period of discovery. They’re fundamental in shaping identity by cultivating passions, likes and dislikes. So, when I took these teenagers to a region with a culture as rich as Bali, I wanted them to get off the Wi-Fi and try something completely new.
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Where do you want to travel in 2019? ___ As I'm compiling my top photos of the year and reflecting over 2018, one location stands out. ___ This shot was taken at Temple of Athena in Assos, Turkey 🇹🇷. The surrounding region, #Canakkale, definitely earned the title for "most surprising destination of 2018" for me. I didn't know what to expect and was blown away by the amazing historical sites, mouth-watering food and warm hospitality. It is a highly undiscovered destination, and I predict it will become more popular in the coming years. ___ As #HomeofTroy we visited the archeological site for ancient Troy (yes, it's real) and stood under the wooden Trojan horse used in the 2004 blockbuster film. That IG post happened to be my most popular for 2018 interestingly enough. ___ @troyayili2018


🔖New blog post: 6 essential things to do in Chiang Mai (link in bio). ___ This is the magestic Wat Chedi Luang in the centre of Chiang Mai, Thailand. It was built in the late 1300s and restored in the 1990s. And it only costs US$1.25 to see. Wow! Find out more in the link in my bio. ___ While in Chiang Mai we stayed at @movenpickchiangmai. ___ You can now also follow me on TripAdvisor - search for "travelwithbender". I'll share bite-sized reviews, tips, photos and updates.


6 Essential Things To Do In Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is dramatic. Wedged between sheer mountains, spreading along an ancient alluvial plain, the unofficial capital of Northern Thailand conceals a tumultuous history dating back to the 13th century. A plethora of unique tourist attractions matched with extreme affordability, draws over 14 million tourists per year. Here are the top 6 attractions that made my list:
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Monday 3 December 2018

Pimsleur: My Secret Weapon to Quickly Learn a New Language

In most countries, the locals speak enough English to help us get around. But what happens if you come across someone that doesn’t speak English, or go to a country where English isn’t really spoken? Suddenly, simple things like getting directions, ordering a meal, or paying for shopping can get pretty difficult. With Pimsleur’s language learning method, speaking a new language (or two) just became super easy and affordable.
Read more at our travel blog.

Thursday 15 November 2018

19 Christmas Gift Ideas for Travellers in 2018

It’s every shopper’s favourite time of year. But finding travel friendly Christmas gift ideas is not easy. The gift needs to be functional, portable and not too heavy. So rather than racking your brain, I’ve helped you with a list of unique gift ideas that every millennial traveller wants.
Read more at our travel blog.

Monday 12 November 2018

How To See The Best Natural Attractions In Hua Hin

Wow. That was the only word I could think of standing inside one of Hua Hin’s best natural attractions. Not only because of the jaw-dropping beauty but because until recently, I had never heard of this place. And I’m quite sure if I took a survey, the average traveller couldn’t pick out Hua Hin on a map either. I’m hoping to change that.
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9 Reasons To Visit Hua Hin, Thailand

Hua Hin has a special place in the hearts of the Thai because of its strong connection to their beloved royal family. Since the 1920’s, this coastal city has been the royal family’s summer retreat, a key driver in Hua Hin’s push towards modernity. Bangkok residents followed the royal lead, driving or catching the bus or train to spend their summers, or even just the weekend, escaping the capital’s fast-paced urban living. Find out what makes Hua Hin different to other cities in Thailand.
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Monday 29 October 2018

Xinja Review: Australian Prepaid Travel Card With Zero Fees?

Up until recently, most Australian travel cards didn't impressed me. I’ve seen a couple Australian debit or credit cards offer zero foreign transaction fees, but with significant compromises in the features and other fees. But now I might just have found the silver bullet with Xinja
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71 Smart Travel Money Tips (Save On Currency Exchange, Eliminate Bank Fees & More!)

While you may have tamed the fantastic plastic in your wallet at home, it can be a whole other game when you travel overseas. There are currency exchange rates, bank fees, and ATM surcharges to contend with, not to mention risks like card skimmers and dodgy currency changers.
Read more at our travel blog.

Sunday 28 October 2018

Friday 12 October 2018

"The outward freedom that we shall attain will only be in exact proportion to the inward freedom to which we may have grown at a given moment. And if this is a correct view of freedom, our chief energy must be concentrated on achieving reform from within." - Gandhi _ Tropical reflections. _ Wandering around @movenpickhuahin, Thailand. Listening to the breeze weaving through the palm trees. Listening to the serenity of the twinkling sea. And listening to the silent sunbeams giving life. Ah, so peaceful. _ #MovenpickMoments


"The more credit you give away, the more will come back to you. The more you help others, the more they will want to help you." – Brian Tracy _ Monkeys 🙉 on Monkey Mountain in Hua Hin, Thailand. _ The long sandy beach stretches for miles in Hua Hin, with a long narrow tide pool that runs parallel to the coast. I could have been mistaken thinking I was looking at a glassy lake, but it was the ocean. _ At the southern end of the beach is a small rocky outcrop teeming with macaque monkeys🙈🙊. _ This town is more popular with locals, but a relatively undiscovered gem for international tourists. Well worth including on any trip to Thailand. _ Our hotel, @amarihuahin, was located just a short walk from the beach and their private beach club, @shorelinebeachclub_huahin. _ #naturelovers


Wednesday 10 October 2018

"Reflect upon your present blessings of which every man has many not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some." - Charles Dickens _ Reflections of Monkey Mountain. More formally known as Khao Takib Hill in Hua Hin, Thailand. _ If you look carefully you can see the 20 meter golden Buddha statue facing the sea. On top of this hill are large groups of cheeky macaque monkeys. 🙈🙉🙊Thus the name. The panoramic views of Hua Hin are spectacular. 😍 The time-worn temple at the top of the hill, accessible via 100 steps, is believed to hold an important relic - a tooth of Buddha. _ If you like monkeys then this is the place for you. _ We accessed Monkey Mountain via a relaxing horse ride along the picturesque sandy beach from our hotel, @amarihuahin. A convenient and comfortable base in South Hua Hin. _ If you feel inspired by my IG posts, please share them on your IG stories (little triangle button below). Your friends will thank you for it 😉 _ #thailandtravel #landscape_lovers


"The future of life on Earth depends on our ability to see the sacred where others see only the common." - John Denver _ This was one of the best sunsets I've witnessed. Ever. _ Karon Beach in Phuket, Thailand knows how to put on a sky show. 🌴 The colours in real life were even better than this photo. 😍 We just had to sit down on a log and stare at the sky, mouths gaping. 😮 Words can't begin describe nature's beauty. _ We stayed across the road at the lovely @novotelphuketkaron. 👌 A really relaxing spot to unwind. _ I can't believe it's already October. Do you have any travels plans for the rest of 2018? Where are you going? Share in the comments below. 😏🤫 I'll tell you where we are heading. _ #novotelphuketkaron #sunsetlovers #nature_perfection


Monday 1 October 2018

Wednesday 5 September 2018

How To See Pattaya, Thailand In 48 Hours

When you think about planning a vacation in Thailand, destinations like Bangkok, Phuket and Chang Mai jump to mind. But I discovered there’s plenty of reasons to include the coastal city of Pattaya in your itinerary.
Read more at our travel blog.

Tuesday 24 July 2018

Monday 16 July 2018

How To Save Money On Theme Park Tickets (Massive Travel Hack!)

Everyone loves theme parks. So I’m not going to sell you on the idea of going to a theme park. What I will share with you is my favourite way to save money on theme park tickets. And the best part… it’s super duper easy to do. No complicated travel hacks that will have you in knots.
Read more at our travel blog.