Why are Banyan Tree properties the most instagrammable?

I was looking up for the most instagrammable resorts around the world, and Banyan Tree Hotel and Resorts seemed to be a recurring recommendation. To do a little more research, I looked up pictures of influencers or even normal guests who’d visited the properties, and it’s true, they are really instagrammable.

They have beautiful properties scattered around the world, providing everything from the stunning sandy beaches of the Maldives to the Truong Son Mountain Range of Vietnam, there are so many striking aspects to capture and post.

With dramatic vistas spread across a rugged landscape, unspoiled nature and a plethora of historical attractions nearby, Banyan Tree Lang Co is an all-pool villa resort which has magnificent views of the Truong Son Mountain Range, pristine coastlines and tropical forests, the perfect combination for creating stunning snaps. Within touch of three UNESCO World Heritage Sites – the Imperial City of Hue, charming old town of Hoi An and My Son’s historical ruins – culture aficionados will be satisfied with the amount of historical influences at their fingertips.

Prices per night for Banyan Tree Lang Co start from AED 1,468 per villa.

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For nature lovers ❤️ 🇻🇳#SanctuaryForTheSenses #RomanceAndIntimacy #LocallyInfused #Sanctuary #LagunaLangCo #retreat #nature #landscape #travelphotography #travel #travelblogger #travelling #getlost #Vietnam #Asia #wanderlust #wanderer #photooftheday #instagram #sunset #sunnyday

A post shared by Banyan Tree Lăng Cô (@banyantree.langco) on Aug 4, 2017 at 12:47am PDT

The Seychelles and Instagram go hand in hand, and there is no shortage of inspiration on this cluster of islands. A place where tropical forests bloom, Banyan Tree Seychelles offers an exquisite slice of blissful island living, with panoramic views of the best beach in the Indian Ocean from every vantage point. Guests can sail into serenity with an afternoon on the resort’s lake, sample a range of cuisines at one of five restaurants or simply soak in the vibrant vistas from the comfort of their hillside villa complete with private plunge pool.

Prices per night for Banyan Tree Seychelles start from AED 3,427 per villa.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BZLGbbMFTDv/?taken-by=banyan_tree_seychelles

Surrounded by nothing but clear skies, sandy beaches and blue seas, far from the glare of city lights, Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru is home to some of the world’s most romantic dining destinations. After a day of waterborne activities including diving, snorkeling and sailing, followed by pampering in the award-winning Banyan Tree Spa, guests can head to the sandy shores to sail away on their very own ocean adventure.

Prices per night for Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru start from AED 1,585 per villa.

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@Regrann from @wandering_in_heels – Thank you @banyantreehotels for our unforgettable sandbank dining experience this evening 💜 #Maldives #IndianOcean #Moments #BanyanTree #Sandbank #SandbankDining #BucketList #LonelyPlanet – #regrann . . . #banyantreevabbinfaru

A post shared by Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru (@banyantree.vabbinfaru) on Mar 15, 2017 at 8:31pm PDT

Needless to say, I’m booking my tickets to Maldives, Seychelles and Vietnam. Is there some kind of a round trip that I can do?

Things you’d miss about Dubai if you moved out!

Dubai’s home for a lot of people, and we are very spoiled with luxury and speedy delivery. Here are the 9 things you’d miss if you move out of Dubai!

1. As one of the most diverse countries in the world, with expats from multiple nations and cultures- this is as diverse as you get. This makes for a cosmopolitan community that is dependent on the blend of cultures, people, and languages.
   
2. Whether it’s food, activities, malls, stores, cinemas- there’s never a dull day here, and you never run out of choices- you might run out of days filling up the choices!
   
3. You will never get tired of looking at the marvel that the Burj Al Arab is. And you will forever spend trying to take that picture perfect image of the Burj by the sunset.
   
4. It might be always sunny in Philadelphia- but there’s eternal sunshine in Dubai. While the peak summer months get incredibly hot, the rest of the year is warm enough to lie in the sun and breezy enough to not be too hot.
   
5. UAE was recently ranked s number one for the lowest level of violent crime and the lowest homicide rate by the Global Social Progress Index.
   
6. Nowhere else in the world will you witness the perfect combination of tradition, culture, and technology
   
7. UAE is one of the most tolerant countries in the world. Plenty of different cultures and religions happily co-exist here.
   
8. Tax-free salaries! This should have probably been on top of the list- but it’s pretty darn good reason to love the UAE.
   
9. Petrol is cheap!
   

And let’s not forget, there’s no other place in the world where the air conditioning will be just right!

 

 

Why I’m Thankful For Smita Mathur

Every day, at the end of the day, I like to write about what I’m thankful for. Today, I didn’t need to wait for the end of the day to write what I’m super thankful for- the existence of a specimen called Smita Mathur.

I’ve known her since we were about 10-11 years old and she walked into 6th grade- all skinny and silly and completely, even then, infatuated with all things Harry Potter.

She hummed to Raghav Mathur’s Angel Eyes (cuz my baby’s got oooo-oooooh Angel eyeeeezzzz) and talked about Harry Potter like he was her boyfriend. She wasn’t then as obsessed with Snape and Draco as she became.

We both went through all our mad phases of life together- even if were in different countries. I remember the time when we both wanted to be Fashion Designers and start our own label- Insane Orange. It is now actually the name of our (rather inactive) blog.

Can you believe it’s 2017 already? And that’s half-way past the year. I feel like it was yesterday you were trying to motivate me to read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory in 6th grade!

She’s been my inspiration, my muse, my sister, and my absolute cuckoo. I have been a slightly stupid person who didn’t always know what is right and what is wrong, and accepting different people wasn’t always instinct. But, she’s taught me- in more ways than one, that everyone, although different, is always the same in some way.

She’s always got my back- always- I could have murdered somebody- and this silly woman will always defend my case (while slamming her head and mine in private!). I’m thankful for everything you’ve done for me, and your endless love and support- but today, I’m thankful to you for teaching me how to become my own person- and to have the balls to cut your hair as short as you want.

I’ve said time and again, that no one just has 1 best friend- I mean, if you do that, that is just super bizarre and, definitely, borderline weird. Like Mindy Kaling says, best friends are a tier– and we make new best friends at different times (and tiers) of our lives. We keep the old ones, while also adding a few more to what some are very likely to call- a cult.

Smita has been the most important tier since day 1, and I know years from now when we’ll be super hip grandmas, we’ll still be best friends. Staying with this one- now, that’s a no brainer.

So today, on your 25th birthday, on August 18, 2017 (not, October 19- YOU KNOW WHY, SMI), I want to wish my favourite person- a very happy birthday! You deserve all the happiness, love, kindness and Potter-mania in the whole entire world.

Now, that we’re from the sappy stuff, here’s a bunch of your old pictures to embarrass you because that really is the root of our friendship!

Drone pictures that will make you want to travel

Instagram is full of some brilliant drone photography shots- and I’m talking spectacular pictures that will have you in awe. Here’s a selection of pictures that will surely make you want to order your drone right away.

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Inking! Travel Tattoo Inspirations

I’m pretty scared of needles and that is probably the only reason why I haven’t gotten myself inked yet! Although I’m tailing the idea quite a bit these days. Especially considering a colleague of mine (Hi Heleen!) keeps getting inked regularly and has some of the coolest tattoos.

While looking for the many inspirations for my tattoo, I came across a few that could probably help you- if not me! Haha! Here’s my travel ink moodboard!

 

(PS- These pictures aren’t mine- I got them from my favourite inspiration place- Pinterest!)