Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort, Thailand

I read a lot.. really a lot of reviews before I book an accommodation, and I was very happy to find this resort in Phuket, Thailand. 

So hoping I could save you guys some time in researching, here's Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort.

It is on Bangtao Beach, and a 20-minute drive from Patong Beach and Phuket International Airport.

Lobby and Reception Area

Icon Terraces and Lounge

Where we hung out at night, listened to live music, and gazed at the moon and stars.

Deluxe Room, Sea View

I really loved lounging on the day bed!

Bathroom

That is a "window door." The entrance door is on the left side.

Toilet and Bath Tub / Shower

Balcony facing Bangtao Beach

The Club

An executive club lounge you can access if you book the club rooms.

The Club at twilight

Bangtao Beach

This is not my kind of beach, but for most of the beach resorts in Phuket, you have to take the day tours to Phi Phi Islands, Similan Islands, Krabi Islands, etc, to find the beautiful beaches.

Sunbathing Beds facing Bangtao Beach

Swimming Pools

Edgewater (on the right)

A beachside / poolside restaurant where they have the "beach barbecue night" every Sunday.

That dinner was really delicious! Do NOT miss it! :)

Again, do NOT miss the beach barbecue night!

Beautiful sunset from our balcony

Sunset from the swimming pool area

Twilight at Bangtao Beach

And my favourite part, Candy, the baby elephant!

She goes to the platform near Metzo's Bistro every 10:00 to 11:00 in the morning, and to the swimming pool area every 3:00 to 4:00 in the afternoon.

She was kissing me.. blowing air on my neck, and making "mwah" sounds. 

And I was just so tickled! :)

Where else can you do this?! ;)

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References:

Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort - www.outriggerthailand.com

Deluxe Room, Sea View, with Breakfast - June 2014 - SGD 195 per night

Booked through www.hotels.com

Cape Peninsula on a Rainy Day

Cape Peninsula, South Africa is a beautiful place..
..and I wish I could share an experience of a sunny day with blue skies.

But then again, this brings us to reality.. that no matter how much we plan our lives, there will always be unexpected storms we could not control. However, we can choose not to let the weather cloud our happiness! :)

We visited South Africa in October, which was supposed to be a good time for travelling. Still, better to see the peninsula on a stormy day, than to never see it at all!

Cape Peninsula full day tours are readily available, and we booked ours through our hostel in Cape Town.

So.. let's go!

Hout Bay

Our first stop, 20 minutes away from Cape Town.

A coastal town with a fishing village, a harbour, a beach, crafts markets, and antique shops. 

And famous for some of the world's best Fish and Chips.

At the harbour, waiting for our cruise..

..that brought us to Duiker Island, also called Seal Island..

..because it has a large seal colony. 

I have to admit that this cruise was torturous for me because of the rough seas. So if you tend to get seasick, take your medicine before stepping into the boat!

Thankfully, the Cape Fur Seals swimming around were cute enough to distract me ;)

Chapman's Peak Drive

Our next attraction, famous for its 180º view of Cape Peninsula.

We drove along this spectacular 9km route, and stopped by a few areas to take pictures and enjoy the scenery.

It was very cold and raining at this time.. but imagine how beautiful it would be with sunny skies!

Boulders Beach in Simon's Town

One of my favourite places in the world!

The beach is so beautiful, with white sand, granite boulders and small rock pools..

..and is home to a breeding colony of over 2,500 endangered African Penguins!

Spotted! On the boulders on the left! :)

And there's more!

You can watch the penguins from the boardwalks, or swim with them at the beach.

They are sooo cute, but just don't swim near them or touch them, because they bite!

In 1983, a pair of African Penguins migrated to this beach, and began to lay eggs 2 years later. 

The colony grew rapidly due to reproduction, and more immigration.

Cape of Good Hope

Originally called by the Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias as the Cape of Storms in 1488, this area has seen a lot of shipwrecks due to violent storms and dangerous rocks.

But after rounding the cape and realising that they have discovered the trade route to India and the Far East, the Portuguese changed the name to Cape of Good Hope.

We climbed to the top of the lower peak. 

It was really cold and windy, that I could not even open my eyes wide anymore.. and please excuse the orange raincoat as I was already in survival mode :P

That's the higher peak.. you can see some people on top.

The views.

Chacma Baboons.

Tired but happy ;)

Cape Point

Last stop, the other tip of the peninsula.

Thank God, there's a funicular going up to the peak!

Two Oceans Restaurant.. and what a view!

Just a little bit more climb..  I wish I could blow the fog away.

And here we are.. at the lighthouse with all the other cold and soaked tourists.

This lighthouse though, proved to be ineffective because it was always covered with clouds and mist.. as you can see. So they erected another one at Dias Point.

The view from above.. just imagine there was no fog.. but blue sunny skies..

Beautiful, isn't it?! ;)

Slangkop Lighthouse

On the way back home to Cape Town now, we just passed by the tallest cast-iron lighthouse in the country :)

Reindeer Sleigh Ride in the Woods

Oh, the reindeer is real! 

I always thought that since Santa Claus wasn't real, his pets were also just imaginary :P

While at the Arctic Circle in Finland, we kept ourselves busy during daytime because waiting for the Northern Lights only happened at night. There were so many things to do although a little bit pricey, and most of the hotels offer these activities.

The Reindeer Sleigh Ride was one, and it made me feel like a child at Christmas!

So let me take you on that freeeezing 2 hour journey... but I promise to make it short ;)

Here we are.. at a Sami reindeer herder's farm..

It feels strange because for the past few days, we have been eating reindeer meat. And now, this reindeer is not happy to see us.

Time for instructions.. the Sami is showing us how to enjoy the ride.

The Sami people are the indigenous people living in some of the Arctic areas of the Scandinavia.

Getting comfortable in our sled.

The Sami is coming to cover us with our blanket.. which is actually a big patch of reindeer skin.

Into the woods we go.

There is only one guide, and he is in the first sled. 

All the reindeer sleds behind are tied to each other, and the reindeer just go with the flow as the ropes pull them.

All we have to do is to sit back and relax.. if we can.. because it is ssooooo cold! 

It is raining ice.. or I think they call it freezing rain.

And the blanket is just not enough.. because the wind is blowing, especially on my face!

But even though I am shivering.. I still feel like I am in a Fairy Tale!!! :)

This is the last reindeer sled of the pact..

..and this guy keeps trying to overtake our sled!

Finally back at the farm..

For doing a great job.. I am thanking our reindeer with some petting and moss (food).

And with that smile, I think he's saying.. "you're welcome!" ;)


Also check out: Husky Dog Sledding, Northern Lights Over Lake Inari, Medieval Old Town of Tallinn, and First Glimpse of the Arctic Circle. Enjoy!

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References:

On a Reindeer Trek - 2 Hours for EUR 107 Per Person

Booked through our resort in February 2014 - Kiilopaa Fell Center - www.suomenlatu.fi

Full Trip Itinerary and Budget - Finland and Estonia - Northern Lights Itinerary