3 Kids and Us

Anouk Govil And I With The Best Kayak Places Which We Have Been To

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Myself an my good friend Anouk Govil have been combining our love for kayaking and traveling for many years now, and during this time we have been lucky enough to paddle across some of the world’s most incredible places. I wanted to share with you just some of our favorite places, in order to inspire you to head out with your kayak and discover these wonderful corners of the world. Without further ado then, here are some of the most special spots that my buddy and I have had the good fortune to travel to and kayak in.

Belize

Everyone understandably thinks about the Great Barrier Reef when they consider reef kayaking but have you ever considered Belize? In truth, we hadn’t either but as we were traveling down to Costa Rica for a kayak trip, someone mentioned the barrier reef of Belize and we had to try it out, thankfully we did because it is spectacular. Kayaking here is like discovering a new world under the sea, as you paddle across emerald green waters you get the very best views of the vast and multicolored reef below. This is the second largest reef in the world and it is highly recommended that you try snorkeling or kayaking here.

Galapagos National Park

The Galapagos had been on my travel list for a very ling time, but I had never really considered kayaking there. As it happens, you can gain special access to go sea kayaking in the national park, and we were fortunate enough to be granted permission. To say this trip was incredible would be a huge understatement, we were lucky enough to paddle next to sea lions, giant tortoises, penguins and we even spotted some marine iguanas on the way. The marine life is just the tip of the iceberg here however, and the hidden coves, tiny beaches and uninhabited islands made this trip one of the most special that I have ever been on.

Baja. Mexico

Baja California in Mexico was somewhere that I knew quiet well from my Springbreak days in Los Cabos, but I never realized what a rich and beautiful place it was for kayaking. As it happens, they call this place the Mexican Galapagos because of its huge array of marine life and wildlife, and what we thought would be a relatively non-eventful trip, turned out to be quite the contrary. Here you can see whales, sea lions and a huge variety of multicolored fish and birds which I have never seen or heard about in my life. What made the trip even better was the fact that the sunshines very strong down in this part of Mexico, and that made those breaks on the beaches even better. The waters here are clear, the views uninterrupted and the beaches blissful, a perfect place for a leisurely paddle on your kayak.

India Travel Myths Debunked

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India is an amazing country, with a superfluity of beautiful landscapes, diverse cultures, a rich history and an incredibly warm and welcoming population. However, those in need of passport renewal to travel to India will always be bombarded with a lot of myths about certain untruths about the great country of India.

It is imperative that if you want to have a great trip to India, you should learn to sift the truth from the lies and myths, or else you will be feeding up your mind and expectations with the wrong information. In this piece, we take a look at some of the myths, misconceptions, and lies you are likely to hear about India and we reveal to you the exact truth and what you should expect during your trip to India.

It is unsafe to travel to India

There are some publications that rate India as unsafe, especially for traveling by solo women or ladies. This is entirely not true and it is nothing but a malicious way to try to depict the country in a bad light to discourage people from visiting. The truth is that India is one of the safest countries for all types of travelers and you will always meet warm and welcoming population. But just as when traveling to any country, it is important to take the necessary precautions to stay safe. This includes being careful about the places you visit, the times you visit them, how you handle your money and all the basic things you would do to guarantee your safety in any country. India isn’t any different.

India is always hot

It is not entirely true that India is always hot. India experiences both summers and winters and so the climatic conditions vary. It is true that the summer months can sometimes get really hot until the tar on the tarmac roads begins to peel off, but it is also true that sometimes there could be snow in India, especially in the regions towards the north. So don’t buy the lie that India is always hot and when coming, you should prepare yourself for some sweltering temperatures and high humidity.

All foods have chili

One thing you have to appreciate about Indian foods is that most, but not all of them are spicy. Most Indians enjoy their foods with a lot of spices, and there are many places that serve such kinds of foods. But if you are not the type that likes a lot of chili in their foods, then you should not be afraid to travel to India because there are plenty of foods that don’t have chili. If you don’t want the chili, you simply request the cook or the service to not include chili in your meal and they will gladly oblige.

India is a poor country

The media has successfully managed to drill into people’s minds that India is a poor country and this is due to the ever-circulating photos of Indians walking barefoot, living in hut houses and begging on the streets. But if you to be asked which country doesn’t have beggars or people walking with barefoot, especially in the interiors, you would find that there are so many such countries in the world. If some Indians are walking barefoot, begging or living in poor houses, it doesn’t mean that the entire country is poor. Poverty is a global concern and you will find it in even very developed economies. So don’t allow yourself to be sold the poor side of India.

India is suffering from overpopulation

India is the home to about 1.2 billion people, and this makes it a fairly populous country, and in fact, it is the second most populated country in the world after China. However, it is not true that every state you will visit in India will suffer from overpopulation or that all the places in India are always full of people. Before you adopt such a line of thought, you should consider the landmass of India and you will find that it is a very big country.

Secondly, it is true that the urban areas are fairly populated, and this is just the major cities. But such is expected in most cities around the globe. If you move away from the major cities or towards the rural areas, you will surely discover that there is nothing like India suffering from overpopulation. 

Indians don’t eat meat, they are all vegetarians

If you love food and you are going for passport renewal to travel to India, then this myth would be a complete turn-off. But the truth is that it is just a myth – all Indians are not vegetarians and they actually do eat meat. You will be amazed at some of the meat, fish, chicken and pork dishes you will find India. The country is a foodie’s haven and there is always a variety of meals, including both for vegetarians and non-vegans. But it is true that due to certain religious considerations, some Indians don’t eat meat, especially beef.

Communication is a barrier in India

If you don’t understand the local language of the cities or countries you are traveling to, the communication will always be a barrier unless you get a local guide, so this is not a problem that is unique to India alone. However, most Indians can speak good if not fluent English and for most people, given that English is an international language, you won’t find any problem communicating in India. In fact, in high tourist areas, you will find the local speak other languages as well, with the major ones being French, Russian, and German amongst others.

There are high chances that you will be scammed

Again this is not a problem unique to India and is nothing but a creation of the media to paint India in a bad light. Scammers are everywhere and there are always high chances of getting scammed in any country you will ever visit. All you have to do is take the necessary precaution so that you don’t fall a victim. If you are not careful, however, the scammers are real and will you really hard when you don’t expect it, should you lower your guard.

Got Culture? 5 Interesting Facts You May Not Have Known About India

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If you are planning to visit India, it is essential to know that this is a country full of surprises. There is a myriad of aspects you’ll need to know so you cannot be caught flat-footed. As a tourist, familiarizing yourself with these aspects will make your life easy since India is a country whose culture greatly differs from the rest of the world.

India is a Young Country

Although this may not be known to you, India is pretty much a young nation. About a half of its population is below 25 years, and 67 percent below 35 years. A lot of Indians are confident about what India can offer and no longer look to the West. The homegrown talent in this country is flourishing with many people taking up stunning traditional professions and other careers in arts. Major Indian cities like Channai, Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore are becoming hubs for concerts and live performances.

You’ll Be Hounded

When you are India, people may see you as rich tourist, thanks to your country’s stronger currency. In many occasions, beggars will follow you, shopkeepers will call you into their shops, and taxi drivers will hail you to hire their services. Make sure your Indian friends tell you how you need to act while in the city and how to get yourself a comfortable means of transport.

Temple Etiquette

When you are visiting India, do not forget to take off your shoes when stepping into holy places such as the temples and remember not to put on revealing clothes. India’s visitors are usually tempted to put on shorts, but you need to make sure your lower parts of the body and your shoulders are covered when visiting a temple.  The Indians take their religion seriously, and therefore, you could easily offend them if you leave parts of your body exposed. If you plan on visiting religious centers in India – most of which hold archeological and historical significance – remember to respect their religious sentiments even when you aren’t a believer.

Public Displays of Affection

Taj Mahal’s beauty or the fascinating lagoons of Kerala might make your partner want to hold you close or even give you a quick kiss and a hug, but both of you should think twice before you can display your affection publicly. Although you may find couple canoodling in the parks, it is essential not to showcase your affection in public while in India.

Indian Festivals

With various cultures and religions, you’ll come cross celebrations, fairs, and different styles of merry-making. This is what the rich culture of India is all about. Whether it’s the colors of Holu, Diwali’s shimmering lights, Id Ul Fitr, the extravaganza of Durga, or Christmas, you will encounter incredible Indian cuisine and indigenous customs. You can also spend your nights in amazing hotels such as JW Marriott Mumbai Juhu, and enjoy the amazing facilities these establishments have to offer.

There’s so much about India you need to know before you set for a journey to this young nation. Acquaint yourself with information about this country, so you are aware of the dos and don’ts when touring India.

Face to Face With Your Fondest Film Characters – Visit the Disney World Resort

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Disney World has been an attraction that has captured the hearts of many from the young and the old. It’s a destination that is both magical and moving; it makes dreams come true and takes us to a world beyond our wildest dreams. One of the ways that it does this is by introducing us to some of the most loved characters that have captivated us throughout the years. They take what we’ve been entertained by on our screens and bring them to live at this resort. Disney has brought magnificent and revolutionary mass media into our lives, and what better way to enjoy them all the more than by coming face to face with them. Get your park tickets online and view these fantastic figures for yourself. Here are some of the characters you can get a glimpse of on your trip.

Alice in Wonderland

Go down the rabbit hole of excitement and see Alice in Wonderland in person. This charming character that has brought so much joy into our life’s by taking white rabbits, smiling Cheshire cats, and mind-blowing adventures, can be experienced at Disney World. The Mad Tea Party is where you can come in to contact with these charismatic characters, and get some snapshots that you can show off to all your friends and family.

The Little Mermaid

She’ll be seen as anything but little in your eyes when you catch a glimpse of this fascinating character. This classical and beguiling story of a mermaid, who wants to live with those on land, has had us all in awe. Here at the Disney Resort feel as though you’re travelling under the sea and becoming a part of her world. At the seaside grotto you can take a look at this enthralling entertainer.

Toy Story

Everybody’s got a friend in Woody and Buzz lightyear. Toy story was the first computer animated film that transformed animation as we knew it. Both a tear-jerker and a hilarious comedy, the film offered a range of emotion, and has been printed on the minds of all who’ve watched it. The pixar Studios Camera Dept. takes you through the memorable scenes in the film and gives you the opportunity to capture yourself in these scenes so that you can cherish them forever.

Aladdin

Go on a marvellous carpet ride of magical memories in Adventureland. There you can grab a glimpse of the universal couple Aladdin and Princess Jasmine. They’ve took us to a whole new world through their film and now we can be taken beyond that whole new world in an encounter with the riveting pair.

Mickey Mouse

How can I conclude without mentioning the mascot of The Walt Disney Company? This character is one of the reasons why Disney has become such a success. Mickey mouse swept us of our feet and introduced us to the beauty of captivating cartoons. Be entertained by the bunch a Epcot.

Little-Known New York City Attractions You Need to Visit

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Have you been to New York City a few times on vacation? Are you looking for unique attractions that are a little off the beaten path? Taking in the beauty of this city on a Liberty Cruise in Downtown, NYC or visiting local shops and eateries is a great way to have a one of a kind experience.

While popular tourist destinations can be fun, many travelers want to experience the Big Apple like a local. Here are some little-known New York City attractions you need to visit on your next trip.

BLDG 92

This museum, which pays homage to the Brooklyn Navy Yard, is located in what used to be a military residence in this shipbuilding center. At its peak during the Second World War, the Brooklyn Navy Yard employed nearly 70,000 people. This museum features exhibits of famous ships like the USS Monitor and the USS Arizona.

Both of these ships were constructed in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, along with countless others. As you journey through this museum, you will hear little-known stories about how many people of color helped during the building and repair of these ships.

The Panorama of the City of New York

Are you interested in seeing a nearly 10,000 square-foot model of New York City? If so, then a visit to the Panorama of the City of New York is in order. This model allows visitors to examine every inch of the four Boroughs like never before. There is a large balcony in this museum that allows visitors to get a bird’s eye view of this model.

The Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum

The property known as the Bartow-Pell mansion dates back to the early 17th century. Its owner, Thomas Pell is famous for signing a treaty with Siwanoy Indians for the purchase of the Bronx borough. This residence is located in Pelham Bay Park and is surrounded by breathtakingly beautiful foliage.

In 1888, the City of New York purchased this property and began updating it. Taking a tour of this property will allow you to see the carriage house and the gorgeous formal gardens on the property.

Snug Harbor Cultural Center

This former home for retired sailors is one of the most popular attractions on Staten Island. The Snug Harbor Cultural Center is spread out across 83 acres of land. The center is surrounded by cobblestone streets, Victorian homes and a large botanical garden.

While there, be sure to visit the Chinese Scholar’s Garden. This garden features large rocks that resemble formations described by in writings by Confucian and Taoist monks. There is also a bamboo forest that has a large Koi-filled pond.

The Woolworth Building

The Woolworth Building is one of New York City’s tallest structures. When it was completed in 1913, it was actually the tallest building in the city. During the opening of this building, President Woodrow Wilson turned on the first light switch.

New York City is filled with interesting and entertaining attractions. Getting out and exploring while on vacation in this city is the best way to have a completely unique experience.

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We left our home in Sydney, Australia many moons ago in May 2012 and, other than a brief stint back in Perth for Christmas and a wedding in early 2014, we have been travelling the world nomadically ever since, running a business from our laptops and we’re here to show you how to do it!