Tuesday 29 August 2017

A Plethora of Amazing Free Things to Do In Bali!

Here’s a plethora of free things to do and enjoy in Bali, Indonesia, if you’d rather not go bankrupt while! Here’s how we think – why shell precious dollars for over-priced tourist experiences, when you can enjoy the real essence of any destination for free? So grab those bags, and enjoy the best vacation at Bali, mostly for free!

 Desa Belok – The Sea of Gold!


The Balinese associate marigolds with Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa, the Supreme Balinese God. Along the roadside between Bedugal and Kintamani, you’ll find the perfect selfie spot - a veritable sea of gold marigolds as far as the eye can see.

Waterblow at Nusa Dua















Forceful Indian Ocean waves come crashing against rock cliffs at Nosa Dua, only to be squeezed through a narrow rock channel. The result? The most spectacular waterblow you’ve ever seen. Top in your things to do in Bali list!

Lotus Lagoon at Candidasa















Lotus Lagoon is an enormous lake chock-full of pink and fuchsia-colored lotuses that surround a statue-filled garden island in the middle. Amazing spot for selfies!

The Broken Sea – Pasih Uwug

















At Pasih Uwug in Nusa Penida, the sea is broken by a natural rock cliff arch that was once a cave. The cave’s floor has collapsed, so now the ocean waters create a beautiful natural pool perfect for a cool swim.


Angel’s Billabong















Angel’s Billabong is a deep, crystalline infinity pool at Nusa Penida, lined with soft moss at the bottom. The light strikes emerald sparks off the water; top place for a relaxing swim.

Suluban Beach

















Suluban Beach is more than a surfers’ paradise. There’s a mystical, otherworldly cave underneath the rock cliffs here, that leads to the beach near Uluwatu Sea Temple.


 Crystal Bay

















At Nusa Penida, you’ll find a lovely crystal bay, comprised of a white sand beach and stunningly clear waters. It’s perfect for snorkeling and swimming. Divers come here to spot the spectacular, giant oceanic Sunfish (Mola Mola), between June and October.

Tegal Wangi Beach Jacuzzi















At Tegal Wangi Beach, the shore has several holes that constantly swirl with sea water, empty and then fill up again. Nature’s perfect jacuzzi!

Kelan Beach’s Flying Sunset

















Kelan Beach is located next to the Ngurah Rai international airport’s runway. It’s the perfect spot to grab pictures of airplanes flying against the setting sun. If you get the angle right, it’ll even look like a dark UFO against brilliant oranges and pinks.

Aling-Aling Waterfall
















The 35-metre tall Aling-Aling Waterfalls in Sambangan are split at the top of the rock, giving you not one, but twin waterfalls to enjoy. The waterfalls flow at different speeds, creating a safe and natural water slide with no jutting rocks. So get to the top, and slide down the world’s top water slide, totally free of cost.

 Campuhan Ridge Walk

















Hold hands with your partner and walk along the Campuhan Ridge, through rice fields, past Balinese villas and quaint Indonesian huts. Start your walk early in the morning in the company of colorful butterflies along the 3 kilometers stroll. Stop at Karsa Kafe for some lovely coffee and buns.

Kuta And Pandawa's Abandoned Planes

















How would you like to discover an old Boeing 737 that seems to have landed or crashed in the middle of homes in Kuta?  Oh and there’s another plane near Pandawa beach in South Kuta. These planes are totally abandoned; you can walk along a jet plane’s wings, explore the insides and open the exit door without fear of an air stewardess screaming at you.

The Giant Banyan Tree

















There’s a giant, simply giant banyan wishing tree in the village of Gesing in northern Bali that’s over 700 years old. It’s 85-metres tall and has an incredibly-complex maze of roots that you can climb and do the Tarzan thing if you like. Locals used to hide up in these trees during the Dutch occupation, even though they believe that spirits reside in banyan trees.

 Beach of Boulders

















Yeh Leh Beach doesn’t have your typical sandy shores; rather, the beach is littered with thousands of boulders along the shore. Many boulders are covered in colorful algae. No one knows how these boulders came to rest here. The boulders look amazing at sunset with the setting rays lighting them up.

 Vintage Car Paradise




















Get to Kuta to admire a range of vintage cars and scooters from Plymouth Deluxe 1951, Classic VW Kombi Vans, Australian 1961 Ek Holden to vintage Vespas and more. Kuta has several clubs that actually deal in vintage vehicles, if you’re looking to buy!

Turtle Centre On Serangan Island

















Head to The Turtle Conservation and Education Centre (TCEC) with your kids to watch baby turtles hatch, to hold and feed young turtles and play with older ones.


Conclusion
There’s more free fun to enjoy in Bali – you just have to look, that’s all. Once you start looking for free and fun things to do, a magical door to free paradise opens in front of you. And then you’ll stop hounding paid attractions. 

Thursday 16 March 2017

Travel the World 'Visa Free' with UAE Passport

It is the dream of travel enthusiasts to travel around the world. Travelling is not just about seeing new places but it is also about learning new cultures and meeting different people. While the prospect of travelling to new places is exciting, there are several things one has to consider. The first thing is definitely money. Travelling requires money in your bank for your flight tickets and stay. Apart from this, there is also the need to have a visa to visit a particular country. While you may have the money to travel, it is not really that easy to acquire a visa. Even a small mistake in your visa application can cause you to be rejected. This is why most people look for countries where they can travel without a visa.



Who can Acquire a UAE Passport?


Most countries have at least a certain number of states where they can travel without a visa. If you are a UAE passport holder, you can travel to 81 countries without a visa. Yes, you have heard it right! However, not everyone can have a UAE passport. Only Emiratis have the legal right to acquire a UAE visa. On the other hand, an Arab from Oman, Bahrain or Qatar who has lived in UAE for more than 30 years can also get a UAE visa. However, any other foreigner who has lived for several years or even born in this country is not entitled to a UAE passport. In other words, if you have a UAE passport, it is most likely because you are an Emirati.

Where can you Travel with a UAE Passport?


If you are a UAE passport holder, you are lucky enough to travel 81 countries in the world without the hassle of getting a visa. All you have to do is book your tickets, pack your bags and fly to the country of your choice. Here, we will take a look at the countries that you are free to visit without a passport.

GCC Countries


UAE or United Arab Emirates is a part of GCC or Gulf Cooperation Council countries along with Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain. So, if you have a UAE passport, you are free to travel to one of these countries anytime you want. These countries can serve as the perfect weekend getaway for you and your family. Apart from being a tourist in these countries, you are also free to work at one of them without the need of a visa. Likewise, citizen of these countries can also visit UAE without a visa.


North America


North America with its varied geographical locations and lifestyle has always attracted people all around the world. While USA, Canada, Mexico and Cuba do require UAE passport holders to have a visa before arriving in the country, there are other countries in the North American continent where you can go without a visa. These places include Dominican Republic, Dominica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Panama and Nicaragua.


Europe


European countries are a dream destination for many with its beautiful landscapes, rich culture and delicious food. So, if you are a UAE passport holder, it is good news for those who want to travel to Europe, at least a part of it. UAE citizens do not require a visa to travel to 26 Schengen countries, some of which include France, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Switzerland, Spain, Denmark, etc. While you need to have a visa if you want to visit United Kingdom and Russia, countries like Bulgaria, Monaco, Georgia, Romania, Serbia, Albania, etc. offers visa on arrival to people with a UAE passport.


Asia


Visiting Asia would be a unique experience for the people from the Middle East who are only used to arid deserts. Asia is filled with countries that are filled with natural beauty, rich forests and a culture that is totally different from that of UAE. So, if you are keen on visiting Asia, you can travel to South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Jordan, Malaysia and Indonesia without getting a visa. Moreover, countries like Cambodia, Iran, Bangladesh and Maldives would welcome you with visa on arrival. For countries like Sri Lanka, India and Turkey, you only need an electronic visa.


Africa


Africa, with its rich natural reserves and ancient history, attract millions of people from across the world. People who have a UAE passport can visit Morocco, Botswana, Egypt, Tunisia and Gambia without a visa. Countries like Zimbawe, Tanzania, Zambia and Uganda offer visa on arrival to citizens of UAE. If you are planning to visit Kenya, all you have to do is get an eVisa to the country.


South America


South America is popular for its huge mountains, splendid beaches, gorgeous islands and rich rainforests. Those of you who wish to visit this part of the world and have a UAE passport can visit Ecuador and Colombia without visa, while you will receive a visa on arrival when you enter Bolivia. However, for all other South American countries, you need to apply for a visa before you leave UAE.

Oceania


Although Oceania lies a little apart from the rest of the world, it is no less fascinating. On the other hand, you would find some amazing and spell-binding places in this part of the world. Citizens of UAE can visit New Zealand, Vanuatu, Haiti and Fiji without getting a visa first. However, if Australia is your choice of destination, you definitely need to get a visa before making your travel plans.
It is possible that visa rules for UAE passport holders change from time to time. Hence, it is always better to check with the Consulate or Embassy of the country you are planning to travel to before you book your tickets. This would ensure that you have a safe and hassle-free journey.

With so many countries open for your exploration, you must not waste any more time. Pick a destination that excites you the most, and take the advantage of being a UAE passport holder and create amazing travel memories.

Monday 27 February 2017

Extreme Adventures in Dubai

Most people enjoy travelling. However, every person has different reasons to travel around the world. While some love to know the history of a place, there are others who love to indulge in the luxury of a new place and also those who love to know about a new culture. Apart from these, there are people who are looking for the adrenaline rush that they are missing in their routine lives. They look for places where they can try their hand at adventure and sometimes extreme adventure sports too. If you are such a person who loves adventure, Dubai is a place where you can try some extreme adventures.


Popular Extreme Adventures in Dubai


Dubai does not do anything half-heartedly. This is the reason why the city is home to several architectural and developmental marvels. Moreover, the city also does not shy away from offering tourists, residents and citizens the opportunity to indulge in adventure sports. So, other than sightseeing and shopping, here are some of the extreme adventure sports you can indulge in when in Dubai.

Skydiving


Skydiving is where you have to jump from a plane, 13,000 feet above earth, and Dubai is one of the most popular places for sky diving. You really do not need any prior training to indulge in this sport as you would be accompanied by a professional during your skydiving experience. However, do listen to and follow the instructions provided to have a safe and exciting experience. The best part of skydiving in Dubai is that you get to work with the best professionals as well as the best equipment. Moreover, you get to have a bird's eye view of Dubai's famous Palm Island as the sky diving location is right next to it. On the other hand, if you are not very sure about skydiving, Dubai also gives you the chance to try your hand at indoor sky diving which gives a similar experience but in a manmade, regulated indoor environment.

Flyboarding


If you are not very keen of flying in the air, a water sport may interest you more. Flyboarding is something you must try if you love other water sports like parasailing, jet skiing and wakeboarding. Here, the person is attached to a board which is connected to a jet ski with a water pipe which is ten meter long. The board moves along with the jetski and the water pipe executes the water pressure which enables the board to not just run on water but also help you to soar up the air, meters above the water. While you may need a few trials to get it right, once you are an expert, you would be able to jump, flip and try other things while up in the air.


Diving with Sharks


While Dubai offers you the chance to go scuba diving, you can actually dive with sharks in this city, and that too without any training. If you are interested in this, head to Dubai Mall. Yes, you heard it right! The Dubai Mall is home to an aquarium and underwater zoo. The aquarium is where you would find a rich marine life, including around 300 tiger sharks. Moreover, apart from viewing them through the tank, the aquarium offers you the chance to see them closely with their shark dives. Every dive is supervised by an instructor and a dive master who would assist you before and during your dive. Unlike actual scuba diving, you do not need any specific training for shark diving at the aquarium. You can try this even if you cannot swim. They provide you with all the necessary equipment, and all precautions are taken for the safety of the divers. However, only people above the age of 10 can participate in shark diving.

Bungee Jumping


While you may think bungee jumping is similar to sky diving, it is a tad bit different. Bungee jumping is where you are tied with a harness and you jump from a certain level. Here, you do not fly, but float in tandem, and you are mostly alone, right from your first jump. The best place to go bungee jumping in Dubai is Gravity Zone which has become quite popular since its opening. Here, people from the age of 14-50 can indulge in bungee jumping where you can jump from a crane 50 meters above ground. All safety measures are taken care of, so you do not have to worry about your safety. The place also has facilities for partner jumps where you can bungee jump along with your partner.

Dune Bashing


Although many of us may not consider dune bashing as an extreme adventure, it is truly an adrenaline filled experience for those who have never tried any adventure sport. Dune bashing is performed in the deserts of Dubai, in a 4x4 Hummer driven by a licensed, professional driver. You do not have to wear any safety gear except the seat belt. Once you are ready, the driver sets the vehicle in motion and you experience the feeling of climbing up and down steep sand dunes. Usually, dune bashing is part of a desert safari ride and lasts not more than 10-20 minutes.

Deep Water Scuba Diving



If you think that you want the real thing when it comes to diving, you can go for the actual thing, i.e. the deep water scuba diving. The Dubai Gulf is the perfect place to go scuba diving as a rich marine life awaits you underwater. You will get to explore around 65,000 marine habitats and would be able to see sharks, rays and several other exotic fish. Deep water scuba diving can not only be done by professionals but also by beginners. If you are a novice in deep water diving, you would get the appropriate training from certified professionals. You can approach any tour agency or the hotel you are staying at if you are interested in trying scuba diving.


Apart from the above mentioned extreme adventure sports, some of the other activities that Dubai offers include sand-boarding, hot air ballooning, jet skiing, deep water fishing, sea plane riding, snorkeling, etc. Even the water parks in Dubai offer some extreme adventure with their slides and rides, and hence they are worth visiting. Whatever might be your interest when it comes to extreme adventure, Dubai is a city which would definitely satisfy the adventure streak in you.