7 posts from February 2008

Retreats in Australia’s outback let eco-adventurers and wine lovers alike – of all levels and abilities – get off the grid in style with these getaways that shout, Visit me!

This country isn’t just worth visiting only because of the kangaroos but because of it’s outback retreats and wine-producing towns. 

For the adventure seekers

Trek the Flinders Ranges National Park which is north of Adelaide.  This 950 square kilometre park encompasses 1,118 meter-high peaks, craggy mudstone and shale, and wildlife  spotted plains.  You can also get an up-close view of  650-million-year-old fossils in Wilpena Pound, an 8,000-hectare amphitheatre. 

For hiking beginners, this park is the best place to put those newly-purchased hiking boots into use as this park has a very accommodating staff armed with trail advice and detailed maps for your walk which would take from 30 minutes to 5 hours starting at the Rawnsley Park Station.  Your route will begin from the Pine Caves loop leading up  a moderately steep path, across the Kangaroo Creek then reaching up to the rocky hollow of the Ulowdna range. 

If you’re feet gets tired, then the 20-minute plane ride over Lake Eyre, which is Australia’s largest salt lake is the next best option which Flinders range also offers.  Biking is also a luxury activity here with more than 8,000 kilometers of backroads and forest tracks along the Mawson trail which extends from Flinders Range to  the Baroosa wine valley. 

For the wine-lovers

An outback environment such as Australia isn’t short of good wine.  Healsville, Yarra Valley’s unofficial capital,  is approximately 50 kilometers of Melbourne. This is that city where Hunter Valley is to Sydney, a wine collector’s  paradise. This place boasts of its Chardonnays and Pinot-Noirs. 

You can sample local vintages at the Innocent Bystander Winery which is a new, modern wine-making operation complete with in-house bakery and restaurant. Surprising global dishes- tagine of whole chicken with pear barley and pomenegrate are paired with well-balanced wines produced with grapes grown on the surrounding 335-meter high slopes.

For filmmakers

Hollywood isn’t only the best place to make films nor that Bollywood is its closest rival.  Australia’s Shootout Geelong 24-hour fillmmaking festival takes the creative juices of budding filmmakers into the greatest test. As the name suggests, the contestants race against time to create the most sensible and thought-provoking 7-minute short films of any theme in exactly 24 hours, with editing included with no access to high-tech editing studios. Above is a clip from a short film during last year's festival.

And what’s the thing that has been kept under wraps?  You can actually fly to Australia and spend 7 nights for free as well. Yes, it’s not going to be for the weekend but a week-long stay.  People view this country as quite an expensive place to stay, where you’ll only see hopping kangaroos but as what I have discovered and wrote above, this continent has more to offer than what most perceive it to give. 

Australia can be a great escape from the smog and fast-paced lifestyle we endure every single day, if you know exactly where to go there.

So, he FINALLY proposed.  

The wedding date is set and you're now in the search for of the perfect dress, beautiful flowers, and a great venue.  There's also the calligrapher, the cake, the catering and so on.  But then again, you shouldn’t forget one thing – your face.  

Planning a wedding may be fun and exciting, but it can wreak havoc on your skin, leading to a dull and lackluster complexion.  Here are ways on how to bring the glow back in time for the big event.

1. For the eyes - since the eyes are the first place to show signs of tiredness, you’ll need to apply regular eye cream to counteract puffiness and dark circles.  

2. For dead skin cells – you can either use a facial scrub once or twice a week or switch to a cream with Alpha Hydroxy acids.  This will gently loosen dead skin cells and exfoliate without the visible flaking.

3. For mild to moderate acne – a Casmara facial is recommended for detoxifying and deep cleansing the skin.  The pimples, whiteheads and blackheads are extracted using a fine needle and comedone extractor then immediately followed by a soothing toner to close the pores and tighten the skin.

4. For dry, rough skin – opting for a Thai traditional facial is a good choice here.  Using only fresh fruit ingredients and white clay, this facial is designed to gently deep cleanse and tone the skin.  First, a cucumber-based cleanser mixed with honey and yoghurt is lightlt massaged on the face to remove impurities. Dry, rough patches are removed when rubbed with a thin layer of facial scrub from a mixture of aloe vera gel, herbs and egg yolk.

The moment after a bride gets engaged, the typical bride isn’t thinking of I do, but of things to do.  Women are notoriously good at putting everything else first, and worrying about themselves last. Without the help of a wedding coordinator, some women overlook the very things that will help them look their best on the wedding day.  While the joy of the day will surely bring the glow, a picture perfect complexion is the result of healthy lifestyle and appropriate skincare regimen.  Lastly, these cure-alls aren't just for those who got engaged, but for those who who experience stres, which counts all of us.

Carrying a complete makeup kit doesn't have to weigh down your trip.

We all always face the dilemma of what to and what to not bring during our trips.  No matter how long or or how far our travels will be, there is one thing we women do put in our purses, makeup. But how much do we need? How much is too much?

The key is to bring multitasking products that will do double duty while on the road. 

So, let's splurge on products for us globe-trotting beauties.

1.  Moisturizer

Make sure that the moisturizer you pick has the three-effect.  Pick a moisturizer that will act as a daily cream, sunscreen and foundation.

2. Bronzer

The trick to getting a good bronzer for travel is to get a compact that has has several distinct colors. The variety of colors will enable you to wear the shades on your eyes and cheeks and, yes, even on your lips.

3.  Three-in-one eye kit

Best to bring a three-in-one eye makeup supply containing a shadow, a contouring shade and a liner so that you can go from a day to night look with one product.

4.  Sweatproof lip and cheek stain

Stains provide a natural, flushed look and are ideal for hot weather, which will be the prevalent weather during our travels.

There are a lot of brands out there creating travel-friendly makeup. These products take little space so we can bring them along to stay glamorous on the road.  The old-school saying that less is more perfectly applies when putting on makeup when we travel.  The main goal is to just look fresh and natural, small dosages to make us simple yet radiant.

Worrying on what to wear on the big day isn't only a dilemma for women, but for the men as well.
 
A considerable amount of time is spent just to find what to wear to a wedding. But people tend to only know notice the bride's stress in choosing the perfect wedding gown. Little did we know that men do also dread on the perfect outfit to wear as he marries the woman he loves.

So, have dug up a few old-school dress rules on what men should wear on their wedding day. After all, they're getting married too.

With these quintessential details, the groom can get his time in the spotlight.

1.  The term, " Black tie" doesn't have to be taken literally.  Bowties and matching cummerbrands with delicate prints can be stylish.

2. Formal dress shirts come with either a wing collar or a turndown collar with a pleated front.

3. The butterfly bowtie, a traditional preference, should go with the material of the jacket lapels.

4. Never wear a belt with a tuxedo.

5. Masculine jewelry should be small and discreet and complimentary to the outfit. Ball links become a a subtle dot of color and texture on the cuff. A mother-of-pearl complements a white tie.

6. The classic leather Oxford lace-ups shoes look dressier polished before the wedding.

A couple should always complement each other and the wedding shouldn’t be really what the bride would be wearing or how the groom should be dolled up, it’s about the celebration of love and the commitment to let the world know that they want to spend their lives with each other. But it will never hurt to walk down the aisle in style, don’t you think?
 
 

You know you want it but you actually don’t know how to get it.

 

This holds true when it comes to asking the person to spend the rest of their life with you.  The emotional hormones are up and it feels like you’re going to explode any moment.  Truly nerve-wracking and all you want to do is to get it done and over with but you have to make it right.

Even in the most stable and steady of all relationships, the uncertainty of saying yes is still the worst fear for men.  Let me just say that we all can propose but the natural cycle of things seem to dictate that it should be the guy who will kneel and ask one of the most nerve-wracking questions of all time.

But then again, to be fair, the following things-to-do are applicable for both men and women.

1. Think 40,000 THOUSAND times.
Well, you don’t have to count but the point is think about it really hard.  Proposing marriage isn’t just like asking them out for a date.  If you have any second thoughts, then ask yourself if you really want it. It would be a total waste of time if after all the hardship and absurd stress level put if at the long run the whole thing will be called off. See the emphasis and the seemingly grammatical error? The stress here is think hard, think really, really hard.

2. Know the size of your partner’s finger.
Now, we’re just talking about the engagement ring here. Think about the wedding ring after your partner says yes.  It is totally embarrassing for the both of you if the ring will not fit your partner’s finger. Truly, it will destroy THE moment. Either you buy a ring or  if it will be passed to you as an heirloom, make sure it fits your partner’s finger. 

3. Meet the parents.
Show your partner’s folks some R-E-S-P-E-C-T and let them know that you want to marry their son or daughter.  If you have known them for a while then the transition is easier but if it’s the first time that you’ll be meeting them, then you have to woo them and actually ask their approval first.  Bottom line, give them the 411.

4. Book the honeymoon spot.
This may seem pretty too early and assuming but the honeymoon is where all the good stuff will happen, right?  And a honeymoon in a luxury destination will be more appealing to your partner for it will make them feel that you’ve really put a LOT on the proposal. And a luxury destination does spell a lot. 

5. Decide where, when and how.
This is where you will exhaust all your creative and romantic juices.  Orchestrating a proposal requires research  and pulling a few strings to make the moment perfect.  Ask your friends, read, go online and ultimately, go for your guts, You know your partner therefore you know what will make them yes. These three quintessential questions are the hardest and will test your capabilities.

 

Now that the worst part is over, you have the ring, the folks appear thrilled, you’ve book the luxurious honeymoon spot and you know what to do, here are the things you have to 48 hours before showtime.

 

6. Go for a DIY ambush makeover

This might seem vain but it will never hurt if you look good when you bring in the fireworks, so to speak.  Get a massage, get a haircut, buy new clothes, have your teeth cleaned by your dentist, clean your nails, do the works.

7. Role play the scene.
Practice proposing with a close friend. May sound over the top, but, you don’t have to memorize the lines. You have a  plan, and role-playing is a way to go over it. To make it more realistic, put on costumes or some props just to get the vibe. It can be fun too. It’ll take the stress off and lighten up your senses. 

There’s a reason why asking your partner’s hand in marriage is a big question.  It is a commitment to love and understand each other in spite of your weaknesses.  There will come a time when you’re married that you’ll not be able to stand each other so decide now if you want that day to come.

A one night stay in a hotel labelled as a 5-star one or at a high-priced private resort will not make you an expert, but it is the first step.

It may seem ambitious to think and dream of staying at luxury vacation spots, but with a thousand bragging that they are luxurious, how will we know if they are telling the truth or just using over-the-top adjectives to have all the rooms filled?

Disclaimer: I am not a professional hotel consultant but I did stayed on QUITE  a few ones that I found and bid on this luxury travel site and with a few pointers from a  confidant who is on the hospitality business for 20 years.  He wants to remain anonymous so as not to appear subjective so let me just say, thanks for the tip, Michael.

When they have in-door premium facilities , when they have in-house food and beverage outlets, when they have a luxury spa, when, when they offer exclusivity and customized packages or when the rates are equal to a month’s salary, we thought those are what make up a luxury hotel. But a luxury hotel’s definition is becoming dynamic, and we have to bag the best deals ever to get the best accommodation worth of our hard-earned money.

So, how will we know if we are putting our money on the right goods? Have come up with a few ways.
    

1.    Read reviews. What better way to know than to get testimonials from the experts?  Tripadvisor and luxuryhotelreviews give pretty credible hotel reviews so they’re worth checking out.

2.    Participate in forums dedicated to luxury destinations.  Hearing a fellow luxury traveller’s views is a reliable way to know the good and the ugly stuff about luxury hotels because nothing beats experience.

3.    Join online luxury vacation destination contests. Through these contests, you’ll be assured that you’ll be getting the best because luxury travel sites offer the best of their best on contests to boost loyalty and attract more clients.

Even if we have the priciest luxury products around, if we still feel empty, then there’s something missing and luxury is not measured by money, it is defined by the most positive experience. 

 

What if you’re a first-time luxury traveler or just planning to go away?  How will you know if the place is THE ONE?  When it comes to taking vacations and making the most out of it, you’ve got to make it right the very first time.  Well, at least  the most part of it. Have come up with the ways:

1.    Read travel books.

May sound geeky but it definitely helps. A trip to the library or purchasing a book or two at the bookstore will aid you in getting info.  The most commonly-read and relied on travel books are Timeout guides and Eyewitness guides.

2.    Ask real people on luxury travel forums

Yes, real people do actually participate in luxury travel forums and they have real experiences ( well, most of them). Plus, answers are so immediate you’ll be so overwhelmed at how much information you can digest

.

3.    Read travel blogs

Also, this is a practical way of getting an idea of where to go and how to get there. Blogs about traveling are so dynamic and have the most enticing visual and sometimes audio-visual ways of showing the good things about the destinations they’ve been to.  Vagabonding.com is a cool travel blog and it is so good that it has been included in Forbes’  top travel blogs.

Why should you make luxury traveling right the first time?  You’ll be spending a quite hefty sum of money and surely you don’t want it to go into waste.  I know, the hardest time is the first time and you can’t make EVERYTHING right. But learning this skills makes it memorable in a positive way.