Roaming in Rwanda

Rwanda is a country that is known by many for the devastation that happened in 1994. What Rwanda is today is a country vast in culture, pride and beauty. It’s a country that will leave you in awe and coming back for more. The country is clean, I mean so clean you would think that litter did not exist in the country. In 2006 Rwanda banned plastic bags and even has a day a month dedicated to cleaning (Umuganda Day).

 Our original intention was to visit Bwindi from Kigali for an incredible Gorilla trek, but our Brussels Airlines flight was diverted back to Brussels due to plane malfunction. As fun as it was to come in for an emergency landing with fire trucks chasing us in; it was bittersweet that a full day in this country was missed. It was a guarantee we would be back in the near future.  We did not let the little hiccup get us down. Arriving a day late, but ready to visit the most underrated African safaris.

Upon arrival we were whisked away by our driver Emmanuel. We stayed in The Nest boutique guesthouse, which was in the heart of Kimihurura. A standard room with a city view, comfy bed and warm shower is what they delivered. Just a short walk away from the hotel we grabbed a quick dinner with city view from the infamous Republic lounge. The food was incredible and I was dreaming of my grilled goat and garlic potatoes the rest of the trip.

The next morning Kagera Safaris picked us up before the sun for our day trip to Akagera National Park. Nearly a two hour drive through the Rwanda countryside; it was definitely a highlight of our trip. Akagera is a point to point safari, meaning we came in the south and came out the north of the park. There is an optional boat safari, which in hindsight wish we had booked. The park offers all of the Big 5!! It is one the most affordable safaris I have done so far in Africa.

After 100km of driving through the park spotting wildlife at every turn, we headed back to Kigali at dusk. The infamous Republic Lounge was closed for the day, so we headed to the Crêperie next door for some sweet and savory creations.

To occupy our last day in the city we found GoKigali Tours to show us around. Boy we were in for a treat. The guide Eric was authentic and the tour ticked every desire. We visited markets, tasted local fruit, sailed on boats, drank coffee & milk. We even visited the Genocide Memorial, which is worth the visit to learn more about the Rwandan devastation.

If you visit Rwanda you are in for a treat. It was definitely the best country I could have picked for country number 100!!

Happy Traveling,

Katrina

(Photos credit by D. Miraballes)

Sri Lanka – Land of such diversity

The country with beauty from within

The time spent in Sri Lanka can be days or even weeks. We had 6 short days to capture as much of this countries beauty as possible. We definitely did not see all of what this amazing country has to offer, but we did get an amazing sampler.

Our goal was to take in the ancient history, food, mountains, rice terraces, beaches, tea plantations and the native animals. We accomplished our itinerary with the guidance of our knowledgeable guide Rana. We decided to book everything on our own, but he does offer itinerary planning, as part of his services.

Day 1-

We arrived at 4:30am to the island; I had about 3 hours of sleep after a 14-hour flight. I was armed with some granola and coffee to get through the day. Our guide greeted us promptly and we set off from Colombo to Dambulla.  Dambulla is the site of the exquisite rock cave temples. The paintings with-in the monastery date back nearly 2,000 years.  Take your time here and make sure capture all the views from above the temple. If it is a clear day you can see Sigiriya from the distance.

Our intentions were to climb Sigiriya Rock next, but due to an injury prior to the trip the hike was not feasible for me. We made the most of the extra time and Rana set up a traditional herbal oil massage close by. This totally hit the spot after that long flight. I found myself relaxed and well rested after this experience.

As it was nearly midday we set-off towards the National Parks of Minneriya and Kaudulla to see the daily Elephant Gathering, which takes place in dry season within the parks. With the help of our guide he called to see where they had been spotted to ensure we picked a safari. We jumped in a private safari jeep and headed to Kaudulla where the elephants had been spotted earlier that day. I highly recommend getting into the park prior to 2pm if at all possible. When we arrived there was a handful of jeeps on the safari and 40 plus elephants on the pasture grazing.  We stayed on the park about an hour watching numerous elephant families play in the mud and fields. We even spotted a large herd of water buffalos along the lake between the parks. By the time we left the safari it was so crowded with dozens of jeeps trying to make their way down the one-way road into the park. Dozens more waiting for their time slot at the gate to enter the park. We finished the day at our remote hotel, the Ruins Villa in Polonnaruwa with a homemade dinner and sunset.

Day 2-

We had an early morning start to try to beat the heat as we headed to the ancient city of Polonnaruwa. A visit to the museum is a must to fully understand the history of the site. We spent around 2.5 hours across all the sites with our driver moving us along most of the complex to save my poor knee from giving out.  The temples are still in tact in most places giving you a real picture of what the village looked like thousands of years ago. We finished with a local lunch and made our way to Kandy for some more historical sites.

Kandy is known for the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and for being the cultural center. I found it overwhelming, crowded and expensive. After spending time in the remote areas near the ancient city of Polonnaruwa where the only sounds you heard were that of the toucans and monkeys in the trees, the people in the city completely made me want to run back to our sanctuary in the hills. We had a few hours to kill before heading to the temple, so we caught a local show inclusive of a fire walk!!

 

After the show we braved the crowds and headed to the temple for the unveiling of the Tooth Relic at 6pm. The ceremony within the temple was incredible to watch, but the pushing from the large tour groups going up the stairs in the peaceful temple had me ready to escape. The monks were the only people not rushing people through the temple and allowing people to pay their respects. Here we stayed in a boutique hotel atop the hills called Sweet Kandy; which did not disappoint on amazing views.  

Day 3-

After another early morning start we headed for the hills, quite literally.  The area Nuwara Eliya (known as Little England) was filled with hills upon hills of tea plantations. The scenery changed drastically over the next 2 hours. The palm trees turned into large rolling hills filled with rows of tea plants. As it was early in the day we were able to catch some of the tea pickers are work. The tea plant blooms every 7 days so it’s essential that they are picked often for the freshest tea possible. Due to the delicate process women primarily pick the tea. We visited Glenloch tea factory for a close up view of the tea making process. You finish the tour with a small tasting session and a chance to buy any local tea.

We stopped off at numerous waterfalls and look out points along the way. We almost chose the train to come down from Kandy, but we would have missed a large amount of scenery that you could stop off at along the way. Nuwara Eliya was quaint and it was very apparent that the British had colonized the village. The buildings still had the quintessential look of a typical village in the UK complete with horse racing. We stopped into the local markets here to get a glimpse of how the locals shopped. We were spent and headed back to the hotel for bed and another early morning on the train to Ella.

Day 4-

We awoke with the sunrise to enjoy the crisp air. The weather in this area was far colder than any other place we have visited in Sri Lanka. The area was nearly 2,000 meters above sea level so the temperature change was nice when you do not have A/C in your accommodation. We took the more rustic commuter train versus the faster train down to Ella. While it was nearly twice the journey time on the train, the train offered far more character than the faster tourist train. All windows including 1st class opened on this train providing ample time for the best views.

Once arriving in Ella we stopped into Adam’s café for a quick lunch. To my surprise this was the best meal we had while in Sri Lanka. The variety of curry’s and fruit juices was fantastic. We stopped over at the nine arches bridge to see the last train of the day pass over. Based on recommendation from our driver Rana we booked the Srilak View Holiday Inn located in Haputale. All the food cooked in house is from their garden below the hotel. The views from the hotel are pretty damn incredible.

Day 5-

After a few days in the mountains we were glad to toss the coats and head back to lower ground. As we drove from Haputale to Induruwa we crossed rainforests, rice terraces and numerous beaches. I chose Bentota/ Induruwa based on recommendations for quiet less touristy beaches. It did not let us down at all. Most people flock to Mirissa and Galle for beaches due to the calmer seas in the south. We found the seas perfect to take a quick swim. The non-existent people in the area made strolls along the beach so peaceful and quiet.

We visited a local turtle sanctuary who rescues and launches turtles everyday. It was completely destroyed by the tsunami a few years ago, so the funds go toward rebuilding the conservation effort. They hold one of each type of turtle local to Sri Lanka within their compound for educational purposes. Some injured (like the blind turtle) and even the rare albino which have a short lifespan in the wild. There are quite a few excursions from here, but we chose to relax the last day before our long journeys home. 

While our time was short in Sri Lanka, it was unforgettable. Our trip could have not been made possible without our amazing driver Rana. He was flexible and adjusted the itinerary to make sure we got the most out of our itinerary. What I loved the most is that he does not take you to the huge tourist shops or factories. He truly has a love of his country and wants you to see if through his eyes at local restaurants and shops.

He does custom itineraries or just driver only packages.

http://www.srilanka-guide.com or on FB https://www.facebook.com/sarath.ranasinghe.18

Happy Travelling,

Katrina

* The recommendation is not to my benefit. I gain nothing for the recommendation. 

Top 5 Road Trips in Europe

Living in Europe for nearly a decade we have had our fair share of road trips. While they seem to always take a fair amount of planning and logistics they always have some of the best memories.

Here are some of the road trips that we highly recommend. Most of these routes are totally achievable in a long weekend.  

Number 1:

Iceland’s Southern Coast and Golden Circle

I am sure you have seen the photos of this picturesque volcanic landscape filled with hot springs, glaciers, and waterfalls. This trip can be done in about 4 full days on the island without rushing. You are just scratching the surface with this trip, but it is a great sampler of all Iceland has to offer.

Many attractions in Iceland are absolutely free making this easy to do all on your own. The roads in Iceland on this route are wide and easy to manage even with a small van. Prime time to visit is between June and October.  

 

Best for: Adventure, Outdoors and Relaxation

How long: 5 days – 1 week

Need to know: While not necessary I would recommend a car with at least 4 wheel drive. Pack layers as the weather can change at a moments notice.

https://goo.gl/maps/sFoqZTP4qKo

 

Number 2:

Croatia’s National Park Route

Croatia’s lush tropical landscape is bordered with gorgeous beaches. This is one of the many reasons we rate this trip high on the must do list.

The National Parks offer numerous route options depending on your mobility. Some of the routes are 10 hours while most are 4 hours and under. Plitvice is vast in size while Krka offers a more family appeal with the swimming areas under the waterfalls. A quick stop over into Split will allow you to embrace the café culture and soak up the sun along the promenade.

Best for: Outdoors, Beaches and Relaxation

How long: 4 days

Need to know: The roads in the remote areas are quite narrow and very steep curves. 

https://goo.gl/maps/k4TnY5GJbBK2

 

Number 3:

Germany’s Wine Roads (Rhine and Mosel)

Germany’s wine roads are straight out of a fairy-tale book. Winding roads that are lined with vineyards and castles for miles. The best way to see the region is by road, but also by one of the many cruises offered along the rivers. KD Cruises offers a large variety of cruises along both the Rhine and Mosel rivers. This offers you chance to take in the views, grab a bite to eat and rest your legs. Some of our favorite stops along the Rhine River were Boppard, St Goarhausen, and Rüdesheim am Rhein. The Mosel River was just as fantastic and we enjoyed Cochem, Kobelnz and Eltz Castle.

Best for: Outdoors and Relaxation

How long: 3 days

Need to know: Cruises are essential to book in advance in high season.

https://goo.gl/maps/UAwVvQ959tG2

 

Number 4:

Portugal’s Algarve Coast

The Algarve offers not just warm weather, but some of the most dramatic landscapes in Portugal. The mix of the honey colored sand and sea will push this location to the top of your bucket list. The location of the Algarve offers pleasant weather year round. If sunbathing is not your thing, you have the opportunity to visit the famous caves of Benagil. The markets of Loule and the views from Sagres are not to be missed.

Best for: Outdoors, Beaches, Boating

How long: 3 days

Need to know: The seas can be high during the winter months so call ahead to ensure the boats are going to the caves. 

https://goo.gl/maps/N62h4NLMxZU2

 

Number 5:

Italy’s Amalfi Coast

The Amalfi Coast offers some of the most amazing cliff side views in Europe. The hardest part of the Amalfi coast is picking the perfect village to enjoy the view from. While many chose to take the bus along this route, I highly recommend driving and stopping off at one of the many lookout points along the route. While this area is not the typical beaches, you can enjoy the sunshine under the colourful flowers on most café verandas. 

We used Positano as our base as it offered a quaint boutique feel versus the larger villages, as such Sorrento. The beaches are not your typical sand, but mostly compromising of volcanic rock. A stop over into Pompeii and Herculaneum is must to understand the devastation Mount Vesuvius caused.

Best for: Outdoors and Views

How long: 4 days

Need to know: Most apartments offer parking, but it is sparse. Most walks are up or down numerous stairs.   

https://goo.gl/maps/fk2wrnXgFxK2

Happy Traveling, 

Katrina

Dubai on a dime

Going to Dubai was at the top of my bucket list, but the pretty penny it costs to stay totally deterred me. I was afraid I could not do it within a reasonable budget. I was so wrong and let me share some tips I learned to save money vacationing in Dubai with my family.

Madinat Souk entrance

I followed numerous sites that offered discounts on Dubai through facebook. This was everything from hotels to bus tours. I signed up for a free Emirates card which also helped save 15-20% on food. We were going for sites, but the biggest thing we wanted to do was water parks. These are high ticket items in Dubai so being thrifty was key. 

While it was unplanned at first, going during Ramadan was the best decision we made. During Easter some Dubai hotels offered BOGO nights and flash sales for a few nights stay. One of the offers was on Atlantis which included unlimited waterpark access daily and unlimited Lost Adventures aquarium for everyone in the family. Jumping on this offer saved us nearly 50% because we no longer had to pay for waterpark access. The thing about Ramadan is during the day the city is quiet. I mean this was an introverts paradise and my husband who does not like crowds was in his element. My friend Hannah who lives there swears by the Entertainer app as you can get discounts on waterparks and meals all over the city. In which she cashed in on the Dubai Aquarium while we were there. 

Dubai Aquarium in Mall of Dubai

Due to our flights arriving late we decided to stay closer to the Mall of Emirates. The Akas Inn Apartments fit the bill at about $100 for two nights stay which fit 4-5 people. This was self catering with a roof top pool. Which is perfect during Ramadan as unless you are at a resort or food court you will not find many places open during the day.  

Now that I have shared some tips to save. Here was how we planned our 5 days in Dubai. The first full day we headed over to the Madinat Souk, which most shops were closed during Ramadan there were a few open just after lunch. We headed down to the Jumeriah beach area as one of the hotels had a large place where sea turtles are kept during recovery from injuries. 

Sea Turtle Rehab

There was surprisely a Costa open so we stepped inside to grab a quick lunch and headed over to the Mall of Dubai. Taxis are cheap in Dubai and you can also use the Metro for about a $1 a ride.  The Mall of Dubai houses the Dubai Aquarium and anything for sale you could imagine. To my shock there was a Texas Road House in the mall. 

Texas Roadhouse

As it was Ramadan and food was not served until 7:15pm the lines start to form around 6pm. We went to a restaurant that had inside and outside seating near the famous fountains. While they had fans it was still 100 degrees out while we waited for them to break the fast. Be Social did not disappoint with service, food or the view. It was perfect as the fountains started at 7:30pm so we were in place for the first show. They continue to play every 30 minutes. After a exhausting day we headed back to hotel to get a good nights rest. 

View from Be Social

We got up early to catch the first Hop On Hop Off bus leaving from the Mall of Emirates. We went with Big Bus Tours as they offered free water and we were able to eat on board. Seats were free all over the buses for each time we got on. The ticket included three water cruises as part of the ticket. This was great as the Abra in the Madiant was 100 AED a person and this was free now with your ticket. It also included the Marina cruise which has a great view of the Palm Jumeriah. The last cruise is the river cruise in the old town which we were unable to see due to timing. We rode the Blue and Green lines most of the day as it was the best way to stay in the AC and see most of the sites.

We could check in at 3pm into Atlantis this day so it was perfect that on the last round of stops we went and grabbed our luggage from the hotel to finish the scenic tour right into the Palm. This was genious was it drops you off right at the hotel entrance. Saving us again money on transport. Upon check in we were told that due to Ramadan upgrading to a full food package was the best bet. We jumped on the offer for the Imperial Club which included breakfast, afternoon tea, and happy hour cocktails and snacks.

Go to the club in the West Wing as its larger and food for afternoon tea and happy hour was enough to not grab a full lunch or dinner. We had breakfast in the Kaleidoscope and it was the largest buffet I have ever seen. This options saves us nearly $200 a day in meals alone. So if its offered jump on it because it also gave us jump the line at Aquarium and Aqua Adventure waterpark. At the waterpark towels were included as well due to the upgrade which renting them each was 40 AED. Remember the Emirates card I talked about early? That will save you all over Atlantis so put it with your room key for safe keeping. 

Atlantis from Beach

The waterpark was great and as it does not open till 10am you can spend the morning in the many pools or explore the property. You will get a new color armband daily to enter the park. We did this on floor 12 each morning as it saved us lining up at the park. The waterpark was empty!! I mean we rode every ride a dozen times, pop over for afternoon tea and came back till it closed. 

Empty corridor midday

There are so many places to eat on site and I highly recommend booking on arrival if you truly want to get a seat. We found it quiet this time of year, but I am sure it is not always this way.   

Hope this helps enjoy your time in Dubai on a time crunch and budget.  

Happy Traveling,  

Katrina

India- The Golden Triangle and Taj Mahal

Taj Mahal and beyond

With less than a month before we left Asia I knew I had to tick off a big bucket list item, a trip to India to see the Taj Mahal.  I decided the best time to go would be in May as it is low season. While the temps peaked at 117 degrees there, but the cold water and A/C made it worth it. I went with three other women and it was an amazing time. 

Things you should know before adding India to your bucket list:

• 3-star in India is far lower than 3-star in the states, meaning it is like a road side motel. However, the price is right.

• Hotels do not have hot water, and most hotels have the shower, toilet and sink in one area.

• Pack toilet paper (lots of it); TP is hard to come by in many places in India as people there tend to spray their underparts clean.

• The season to get sick in India is monsoon season which runs June to September. This time of the year it rains a lot and food is harder to transport, so many things get ruined and are still served. I avoided the “Delhi Belly,” as they call it, by taking a Pepto daily for precautionary measures, eating lots of bread and NO dairy. Just do not go crazy and eat off the street vendors and you will survive.

• India is cheap in a sense, but the places you will eat will be 5-star standards, so you are fine. Do not drink the water, but ensure you stay hydrated for the tours.

• Pickpocketing is the worst in Agra and Jaipur, so keep your belongings close. As far as clothes, you can see in the picture(above) we dressed modestly and covered our shoulders and knees at all times. Many times I thought it was still not enough in most temples.

This was our itinerary:

This did not include tips for guides or driver. The standard is $5 per person per day. The driver is with you the whole time and for 5 days a $100- $150 tip is the norm. Also extras such as elephant rides, temple fees and camera fees are right at $70 a person.

Day 1: Arrival-Delhi – Arrival at Delhi airport and pickup by representative, then proceed to hotel. Later city tour of New Delhi & Old Delhi covering Birla Temple, India Gate, PM House, Lotus Temple, Humayuns Tomb, Red Fort, Qutab Minar, Gandhi Memorial, Jama Masjid, and Chandni Chowk (by walk or Cycle Riksha), one of the main oldest markets of the Delhi. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 2: Delhi-Sikandra-Agra- 205 km – After breakfast proceed to Agra. On the way visit Sikandra, the mausoleum of Great Mughal Emperor Akbar. On arrival at Agra check into hotel. Later city tour of Agra visiting Taj Mahal, the symbol of love,Agra Fort and Tomb of It-Mad-Ud-Daulah. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 3: Agra –Fatehpursikri-Jaipur- 235 km – After breakfast proceed to Jaipur. On the way visit Fatehpur Sikri – Akbar old capital city. Visit Shrine of Sheikh Salim Chisti, Palace of Jodha Bai, Panch Mahal and various attractions, then continue drive to Jaipur. On arrival at Jaipur check into hotel. Evening visit to Chokhi-Dhani (an ethnic resort) to enjoy rajasthani food, cultural program, and folk dance. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 4: Jaipur-Delhi- Tour Completed – After breakfast proceed for excursion to Amber Fort in the outskirts of Jaipur. Elephant ride ascent to the Fort. Amber Fort is the classic romantic rajasthani fort palace. Its construction was started by Man Singh I in1592. Later visit Water Palace, Royal Palace Museum, Observatory, Hawa Mahal, Albert Hall and Birla Temple. Return to Delhi. On arrival  at Delhi, dinner and then transfer to airport for return flight.

Accommodations:

Delhi – Nandkartar Suites

Agra – Taj Galaxy

Jaipur – Residence 66

We booked all the local stuff through the agency below. They have solid reviews on Trip Advisor and our experience was enough to know we made the right choice. My biggest recommendation is to get the flight from Jaipur to Delhi the last day. The roads are non-existent on that route home and two of the girls were feeling car sick from the bumpy adventure.

A-1 Tours & Travels
Shop No- 51, First Floor, Arcade International Complex, Civil Line, Ajmer Road, Jaipur- 302006
Phone No : +91-141-4108278 / 2224870
Mobile :.+91-9829014553, 9829214575
E-mail:. a1toursindia@yahoo.com or a1toursindia@gmail.com
Website: www.rajasthantraveltrip.com or www.a1toursindia.com

All in all it was an amazing trip and a MUST do. The food, people and the culture was something that will last a lifetime in memories.

Tips to stay safe: The theory is to not smile or make eye contact with men and you will be safe. I would advise DO NOT take public transit if you are a woman traveler in India.

Happy Traveling, 

Katrina