There’s a new tall tower on the Palm Jumeirah block called The Palm Tower. At 240 m high and 52 storeys, it’s the tallest building on the island. Like the Burj Khalifa, it’s also a ‘vertical city’ albeit shorter, and is home to the Nakheel Mall at its base, followed by the St. Regis Hotel, the Palm Tower Residences, Starbucks café, yet-to-open Sushisamba restaurant, a Skypool, and the Level 52 observation deck which you can visit to see jaw-dropping views of the city.
Dubai’s got an endless list of coffee shops all over the city, as well as java-pouring cafés and restaurants. Even in the summertime, Dubai-ans continue to consume copious amounts of coffee to get their days rolling, perhaps switching to iced versions instead of hot. So I wanted to share the best spots to get your caffeine jolt and delicious bites, that are not the usual suspects - read Starbucks. Whether you’re after a place to catch up with friends or to just disconnect and read, these are some of the newer and fantastic spots worth visiting. Shout-out to Ishita for the awesome intel.
One of the few silver linings of 2020 and the pandemic was the fact that I was stranded abroad in New Zealand for 6 entire months. Based in Auckland, I had the incredible fortune of wandering about once lockdown was lifted and enjoying the many fabulous restaurants the city has in store. Entrusted with a sacred list of must-eat-at venues from trusted F&B connoisseur friend Martin and former wanderer Fergus, resident Kiwis, I was absolutely bedazzled with the culinary scene in Auckland and variety of options. Here are all my favorites.
Wander with me into the wonderful world of Giapo Ice Cream in Auckland, New Zealand. It's where you go to indulge your sweet tooth in a world sprinkled with sugar and pure imagination. Expect absolute art, deliciousness, and brain freeze.
The seaside city of Khorfakkan in Sharjah is truly a hidden gem in the UAE. Along with chilled beach town vibes, gorgeous waterfall and amphitheater, amazing local food, and the Al Rabi Mountain Trail, the city holds hundreds of years of history as a thriving port and one viciously attacked by the Portuguese once upon a time. The drive from downtown Dubai to the Al Rabi Mountain Trail is approximately 1.5 hours on a scenic road surrounded by mountains. No 4x4s needed. Here’s a guide on how to navigate the hike and spend a few hours exploring the city.
Read MoreThat I was able to wander to New Zealand’s most beautiful hidden corners during a global pandemic and while stranded abroad, is something I’ll never take for granted. I can still hardly believe that this place exists in real life, and better yet, with some views only a stone’s throw away from home. It’s been an absolute dream and one that I can only wish will happen again (minus the pandemic part). Here are a few of the incredible walking and hiking trails I wandered to in the North Island. I’ll be back South Island. Very soon.
Read MoreNew Zealand 💙, I can’t even begin to express how happy and grateful I am to have been ‘stuck’ here for the past 6 months. Considering the place, I would hardly call this being stuck. If anything, it’s pretty darn lucky. It’s been an emotional rollercoaster 🎢 filled with absolute joy, laughter, tears, and way more honeycomb kitkats 🍫 than I’ll care to admit 🙄. Leaving what I would probably describe as the most gorgeous place I’ve seen yet and the kindest people is no easy thing to do 🥺. I’ll be back NZ 💙.
Read MoreWhile we’ve all been struggling with staying-at-home boredom, the Getty Museum has proposed an incredibly fun activity for art-lovers to unleash their creativity from the safety of their homes. Inspired by the Rijksmuseum Museum and Between Art and Quarantine Instagram account from Amsterdam, the challenge is to recreate one of your favorite artworks using 3 objects that you find around your house. It’s been absolutely hilarious and quite impressive to see many of the posts that have been shared worldwide under the hashtags #betweenartandquarantine and #tussenkunstenquarantaine . A guaranteed laugh during these times. Hope you like my recreations below.
Read MoreSince we’re all not wandering, I wanted to share a small something to keep my culturally curious friends entertained. I’m always fascinated 🧐 to hear about historical cultural practices and etiquette in different countries. Particularly why some rules were once followed and why some still persist. I’ve discovered some incredibly cool and random tidbits I’m going to share every week. How people do things in other parts of the world 🌎.
Read MoreWorldwide, we’ve all been affected in different ways from this insidious virus. It’s been devastating to witness the impact a single thing can have on people’s well-being. It’s also been heartening to see the many acts of kindness, courage, humanity, and love. In times like these, it’s important to remember that the coronavirus is not the only thing that’s contagious. Hope is as well. While there are things that we can’t control at the moment, it’s important to remember that we are all one and must actively take care of ourselves and those around. Not just physically, but mentally as well. Here are 7 things I hope you can keep in mind
Read MoreIf you’ve ever googled ‘what to wear on a safari’, you’ll come across many photos of both men and women, dressed head to toe in beige and khaki colors, donning safari hats, and with binoculars slung around their necks. They all look like they had signed up for some Indiana Jones digging expedition. In reality, they’re following the footsteps of Robert Redford and Meryl Streep in ‘Out of Africa’ (a pre-safari must watch) and opting for a recommended wardrobe to wear during an incredible African safari.
Due to the location and nature of Africa, you’ll need to pack certain items for your trip. Visitors who take bush flights from Nairobi to Maasai Mara are often limited to 15 KGs in total, including hand luggage. So safari travelers will have to forfeit the luxury of wardrobe choice.
Here’s a list of what you should pack and what you can leave behind.
Read MoreAmsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, is absolutely inspiring at every corner of its streets, canals, and famously narrow houses. Its beginnings, from the dug up canals to its Golden Age, is one of history’s classics and is a testament to the Dutch’s ingenuity. Here are my 2 fils on how to Amsterdam, beyond the coffee houses and permitted thrills!
Read MoreKyoto, often nicknamed the world’s most photogenic city, is the ancient capital of Japan, home to many sacred spots. Today, it’s a place which guards secrets and traditions of a bygone era and a place where beauty never seems to end. From mastering the ancient rituals of tea making to wandering in its stunning Golden Pavilion, here are Amir Dakkak and I’s 2 fils on How to Kyoto.
Read MoreTokyo’s spirit and energy is truly awe-inspiring. It’s a place that is so urban and fast-paced yet one can’t miss the traditional charm it beholds. Inspired by fellow wanderer Amir Dakkak’s incredible travel stories, I set out to discover this city he spoke so fondly of. Within just a few hours of landing my feet on Tokyo ground, I too was absolutely smitten and captivated by its magic. The city has so many nooks and crannies to discover that go way beyond its neon lights and noise. So in efforts to share this adventure with fellow wanderers, here are Amir and I’s 2 fils on how to Tokyo.
Read MoreI was probably as excited about visiting London this summer as Joey from Friends! This world-renowned multicultural city is absolutely stunning and certainly warrants more than one visit as there's plenty of new things to do and see (and eat). It's the 2nd most popular destination city in the world and rightfully so. Given my last visit was in 2004, I definitely explored it at length with fresh new eyes, pop-up map and union jack hat in tow!
Read MoreIn celebration of the UAE's 46th National Day, I asked my awesome followers to share a hidden gem they had discovered from their own wandering experiences around the world 🌎. Big thank you to everyone who participated! I absolutely loved learning about every one and sincerely hope I will one day be able to experience them as well. Happy reading!
Read MorePrague is among Europe's most beautiful cities. Its buildings, cathedrals, palaces, and gardens are probably an architects' dream. Better yet, its sights are as stunning from the inside as they are from afar. I loved wandering on its cobblestone streets and enjoying its unforgettable views. Here are my tips on how to czech out Prague!
Read MoreIn celebration of UAE Flag Day on Nov 3, a few of my lovely followers have shared a few tricks up their sleeves on travel. While one may have his or her own way of traveling comfortably, there's always a thing or two to learn from others' experiences that can make your next trips more enjoyable! Here are their 7 top tips as well my 2 cents/fils. Happy wandering!
Read MorePeru's streets, colorful buildings and ancient ruins are nothing short of breathtaking. Expect to be awed by the timeless traditions, culinary scenes, and jaw-dropping sights in this magical South American country. A BIG thank you to my co-author, the nomadic Sarah Afifi, and all round awesome lady who shared her wanderful stories from her 10 fabulous days in Peru.
Read MoreParis is a city that will only leave you wanting more. The city's spirit is so refreshing and is filled with so much history and beauty. It's hard to stay away. Here are my 2 fils on where and what to do in the city. <3❤️.
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