I could still smell the food, the smell of the Mediterranean that hung in the air.

Albania is amazing during summer. Tirana, the capital, is Albania's beating heart. A dense metropolis sparsely studded with discreet high-rise, the city can easily be recognized by its loud vibrant colors and cinematic graffiti-plastered walls. The teens, proud and aloof, are clad only adequately to expose their perfectly sun-kissed skin. Albania, in my opinion, is the most badass country in Europe, and its local cuisines are equally as fierce and wicked.

Delicious Traditional Albanian Food

Listed below are a few popular Albanian food which have made my stay in Albania extra delightful and satisfying:

Cheap and Delicious Traditional Albanian Food

Paçe Koke - "Head Meat Juice" - served with garlic-infused wine vinegar and various spices

Cevapcici - Grilled skinless minced meat sausage

Pilaf - An Albanian variation of Pilau

Tavë Dheu - Fried meat in curds

Tavë Me Mish Viçi - Pan of calf meat

Patate Furre - Oven-baked potatoes

Grilled lamb chops

Byrek Me Spinaq and other pastries

Raki - A traditional Albanian fruit brandy

If Elizabeth Gilbert has rediscovered her appetite in Italy, I have definitely got mine tastefully restored in Istanbul.

Istanbul is a city of colors, cordial smiles, succulent döner kebab, and a delightful blend of cultures. With sufficient time on hand, Istanbul makes the perfect, most comprehensive travel destination. From inexpensive street food to upscale restaurants, buzzing city to sleepy villages, Asian to European (or Eurasian) - it has something to fit everyone's budget and preference. Below is a brief guide to the top things to do in Istanbul:

Top Things to do in Istanbul

Turkish Bath

Turkish bath is a relaxing and cleansing treatment with each standard session lasting for about an hour. You'd be clad in sweat most of the time while sitting in a room filled with hot steam. Cleansing is performed on a big slab of marble where you will be thoroughly scrubbed, rubbed, and washed from head to toe by a masseur.

Note: I was asked to strip completely naked during the cleansing session by my naked female masseur. I did not find it to be a problem. However, I've later learned from the experience of others that you're supposed to have a towel on at all times.

Facilities at a Turkish bath

Try the Turkish Coffee

It goes without saying that Turkish coffee is a must-try when in Turkey. These roasted and very finely ground coffee beans are boiled in a cezve and are then served in a small, colorful porcelain cup on a saucer where the grounds gradually settle. Sugar is optional.

It is said then once you are done drinking and all that's left are the grounds, you can flip the cup over and read your future from what forms on the saucer. Of course, I've attempted this several times but I could not make anything out of it, unless it is repeatedly indicating that my life is a black hole (very likely)

Turkish coffee

Try the Turkish Tea

While you're at the coffee, why not go for the tea as well? Turkish tea is usually served for free (otherwise it doesn't cost more than 2 TL). It is usually served piping hot in a very delicate glass.

Turkish tea

Try the Local Turkish Dishes

It is a challenge trying to look for restaurants that serve local dishes. You'd need to look hard beyond the sea of kebab stalls and fast food chains. Local food is obviously the most authentic, delicious and tasty, so don't miss out on the chance to savor them while you're there!

Delicious Turkish Pilav with some dishes which names I have a hard time recalling

Go on a Bosphorus Cruise

12 TL, 90 minutes, magnificent views of both the European and Asian sides - the Bosphorus Cruise is very worth it.

Tips #1: Go in the evening and you'll get an amazing view of the sunset as the backdrop thrown in for free.
Tips #2: Sit on the left side of the ferry. The ferry goes in a way that all the amazing attractions are on the left and that gives you plenty of opportunities for clear shots.

Views from the Bosphorus Cruise

Visit a Mosque

The Ottoman Empire had made Islam an important influence here and mosques are a common sight. Take some time off to visit the impressive Blue Mosque or any other mosque (most of them allow visitors) which usually do not take an entrance fee. Females should dress decently and have their hair covered with a scarf.

Inside one of the Turkish mosques

Take the Tram

One must get on the 19th-century Nostalgic Istiklal Caddesi tram not only for its historical values but also because it gives its passengers a slow but exciting ride through İstiklal Caddesi. Another notable tram is the T1 Bağcılar- Kabataş tram, which stops at nearly every major attraction such as the Grand Bazaar, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapı Palace, Sultanahmet and many more.

The pretty Nostalgic Istiklal Caddesi tram honking its way through the Istiklal Street

Visit an Island

There are a few islands close to Istanbul known as the Princes Islands (Adalar) which are reachable by ferries which make the perfect day trip on a sunny day. There are not a single car on these islands, and taxis are replaced by horse-drawn carriages instead. Note that the shores here are rocky and void of sand, and tourists were suntanning on the grass instead. Anything goes!

The island of Büyükada, or Big Island

 

Get a Bird's-Eye View of Istanbul

The city is spectacular, more so when seen from above. Climb the Galata Tower (25 TL) and reward yourself with a stunning view of the buildings as well as the Golden Horn.

Yangshuo Beer Fish 啤酒鱼

One does not travel to Yangshuo without giving its Beer Fish a try.

As suggested by its name, the two main ingredients in this dish are beer and fish. Grown carps caught from the Li River will only be selected, gutted and cleaned upon order to ensure utmost freshness.

The preparation of the dish is tedious but is surely worth the effort. Fish is first fried in camellia oil to achieve a slightly crusty texture on the outside. It is then braised in a superior beer brewed locally in the province of Guangxi, before being served with a generous portion of colorful jardinière, including diced tomatoes, pepper, coriander, spring onions, and so on.

More about Yangshuo Beer Fish:

The dish is served and eaten with its scales. I was initially surprised to see that my fish was not scaled, but my Chinese cook claimed that it has been so perfectly braised that the scales have become soft and tender, and it would be a waste (or an insult) to not eat them. The scales are also thought to be the most unique feature to this dish.

Chosen carps usually weigh above one kilogram and they must be caught from the Li River because according to the locals, it is so that the fish would taste the best. Fish from the Li River is also believed to be one-of-a-kind in the world because they have lived a life of contentment in the clear water surrounded by beautiful green hills and karst. (Yes, the Chinese can sometimes be overly philosophical)

Beautiful Li River surrounded by karst after the rain

During the trip to Högbo Bruk, I had the chance to visit the tastefully-crafted Gamla Herrgården, a gallery fringed by lush green trees and a lake. The mansion is broad and its walls are covered with a graceful selection of wallpapers - a unique hue and motif for each room. Its decor had a minimalist approach, overlaid with timeless vintage articles.



Sauntering from room to room and the slow walk past the corridors was a delight. Everything here is worthy of admiration. Nothing was encased, granting visitors the opportunity to peer even at the smallest details, from a tiny scratch on the wooden desk to writings in a journal.

For other posts you might be interested in, click here.

Summer days are over, but memories of the days spent in Sweden are still fresh in my mind. It has barely been a month since I lounged in the parks, closing my eyes as I revel in the gentle caresses of the mild Swedish breeze against my skin. There was something exceedingly captivating about the sky, which had a shade so blue and delightful that had brought me immense joy by just looking at it.

It was a weekend, and my dearest cousin Louise suggested a road trip. With road trips come long, carefree countryside strolls, sightseeing and curious peeks, and quick stop at cafes for good cups of coffee. There was pure bliss in all things. Luck was on my side as I was also there just in time for Högbodagen.

Högbodagen, or Högbo Day is a one-day festival where Högbobruk showcases all its best produce to the community. Items put on sale include vegetables, soft cheeses, freshly-baked bread loaves, processed meat, organic products, crafts, ceramics, and many others. Friendly vendors from all walks of life set up sufficing booths where preloved items and precious belongings are thoughtfully and methodically displayed, in hopes of having them sold. Further across the field was a space set up for a rabbit hopping tournament. At the back, there are food trucks, sweet aromas from meat on grills, and unvarnished wooden tables and benches carelessly scattered around.

Högbodagen flea market

Högbo Day rabbit tournament

Kolbulle was definitely the highlight of the event. The stall was armed with a troop of brawny men dressed uniformly in black, and the cooking was carried out in the open space. Kolbulle is a thick pancake containing diced, smoked pork. Made only out of flour, water, salt, and pork, this old Scandinavian dish is cooked directly on a pan over open fire. The idea behind the simplicity in ingredients and preparation method lies in the origin of the dish. Loggers and other manual laborers who lived under primitive conditions did not have the means to store raw food such as milk and eggs, and hence, created a recipe that is both feasible and delicious using only four main ingredients.

Preparation of Kolbulle over open fire

Eaten with lingonberry jam, because the Swedish love their food savory and sweet.

 This is an article about the Desert Safari in Dubai

Driving among the skyscrapers in Dubai

Dubai may be reputed for being a vacation playground for the rich and famous, but it has so much more to offer than just luxury goods, fast cars, and ritzy hotels.

Dubai is a state-of-the-art city located directly within the Arabian desert. My impulsive trip to Dubai unfortunately fell on its summer, so I had to endure the 44°C temperature every single day that I was there. Overnight lows are around 30°C, which is the average temperature in Malaysia.

Driving towards the city centre

There is absolutely no way of escaping the heat, but you could make the most out of it by indulging in some fun. After days of shopping and struggling to fit more stuffs into my already loaded backpack, I've finally resorted to giving its renowned desert a visit:

Desert in Dubai

While I am pretty sure I recalled my guide mentioning the name of the desert (saying "Dubai desert" is just too awfully vague"), but I could not find any information on it on the web. However, all the Desert Safari tours that you may find will lead you to this very part of the dust bowl.

What to expect in Dubai Desert Safari

Dubai Desert Safari

The tour starts with a pick-up from your hotel after lunch hours and the journey from Dubai Marina takes a little more than half an hour. Once you are at the desert, the driver will take you on a wild and crazy spin on his 4WD, and the ride will not stop until someone in the car threatens to puke. This form of "activity" is called dune bashing. Never heard of it? Here's what to expect:

Timid ones should go for one of these quad bikes instead

After the ride, we proceeded to an area where permanent tents have been set up. And there, we feast!

Dinner buffet served in Dubai Desert Safari

Camel-riding in Dubai

Horse-riding in Dubai

A 10-minute camel ride is complimentary, but you can choose to pay for longer ones if the experience appeals to you. You can also ride on horses (totally exciting!) at a cost.

• Henna painting (free)
• Hubble Bubble a.k.a shisha (free, but served only during dinner and you'd need to sit at an allocated place where the stage is out of sight. Oh you know, just another marketing trick to make you pay. Otherwise its 6 AED)
• Alcoholic drinks
• Photography in traditional costumes
• Unlimited drinks - mineral water and local sodas (free)
• Sand-skiing