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Exceptionally Clean and Comfortable Budget Accommodation in Nusa Lembongan with Swimming Pool! Kubu Sunset
On our recent trip to Bali, we spent some time organising our accommodation in Nusa Lembongan.

We were travelling on a budget but we wanted something comfortable, clean, with a swimming pool, good location and of course lovely hosts.

I am obsessed with Booking.com, so I spent quite a bit of time researching properties. It is almost a game for me or a past time.

Dom and I came to Lembongan for the first time in 2012. You can read about our last trip here.

At that time, our accommodation in Nusa Lembongan was a guest house in Tanjung Batu, the main village. This time we wanted to stay somewhere a little quieter, so I looked at properties near Mushroom Bay.

It did not take me long before I spotted Kubu Sunset. It looked like the perfect accommodation in Nusa Lembongan. Lovely new bungalows, a very cute garden with flowers, a swimming pool and views of the sea.

On top of that, the price was awesome, well within our budget. Was it too good to be true?

I booked it and a few days later we rocked up to spend a few days of chilling on this beautiful island.

CLICK HERE TO CHECK AVAILABILITY AND BOOK YOUR STAY AT KUBU SUNSET!

Our bungalow

Welcome to our accommodation in Nusa Lembongan

As soon as our island taxi approached the resort, we were welcomed by our lovely hosts. Komang, her husband Kadek and their three beautiful children.

Kadek took our bags to our bungalow right away, while Komang gave us all the information we needed to know about the roundabouts. They definitely made us feel very welcome from the moment we stepped into their place.

We felt at home and loved the place so much that we ended up staying for two weeks! It was hard to leave!

The bungalow was just perfect for what we needed. Big and comfortable bed (the most comfortable bed we had during our month long trip), a/c, a very cute outside toilet with shower and a porch with table and chairs out the front where we could sit and enjoy a drink while doing a bit of work. There is a lovely garden all around with frangipani trees.

Komang and Kadek really look after their guests with love.

The room was cleaned every day. Kubu Sunset is definitely one of the cleanest places we stayed at.

Outdoor Bathroom

Fabulous Extras

The pool is a great touch. Perfect to chill out after a day at the beach or just chill out during the day if you feel like having a lazy day.

I loved that on windy days we could hear the waves crashing on the cliffs in the distance.

They also have a warung (restaurant) and Komang is an excellent cook! We loved her food, especially the chicken curry and the grilled chicken with Balinese sambal.

Kubu Sunset Garden

Great Location

Kubu sunset is located within walking distance from:
- Sunset Point – literally just around the corner
Sunset Point
- Mushroom Bay Beach – 5 minutes walk
- Mushroom Bay Village – 10-15 minutes walk
- Dream Beach – 20 minutes walk
Dream Beach
- Devil’s Tears – 20 minutes walk
Devil’s Tears

If you are not a huge fan of walking or if you want to explore a bit more, you can also rent a scooter directly from Kubu Sunset.

We did that for few days and went exploring around the island.

Seriously, if you are wondering what accommodation in Nusa Lembongan you should book, stop looking and stay at Kubu Sunset.

Thank you Komang, Kadek and family for a beautiful and unforgettable stay! We will come again.

CLICK HERE TO CHECK AVAILABILITY AND BOOK YOUR STAY AT KUBU SUNSET!

Have you been to Nusa Lembongan? I would love to hear your experience. Feel free to live a comment below.
Nusa Lembongan – Bali

Finally, after what seems like an eternity, here I am back in the tropics. Back in my natural habitat.
Yes, those who know me well, know that I am at my happiest where it’s hot.

Almost 2 weeks ago we landed in Bali for a 4-week vacation. It is kind of a strange vacation because, to be honest, I feel like I leave here. As soon as we stepped out of the airport I was welcomed by the unmistakable smell of Bali. Incense and frangipani…a bit of pollution as well but hey that was ignored for a moment.

I had teary eyes on our taxi ride from the airport to our accommodation in Sanur, only 20 minutes away. While feeling happy, free and liberated, I felt the old self me.

Nusa Lembongan, Little Paradise

As I write this, I am sitting outside our home, for the time being, a cosy bungalow in Nusa Lembongan a small island only a few kilometres from the south-east coast of Bali.

It is very easy to get to Nusa Lembongan by speedboat from Bali. There are many services departing throughout the day from the north of Sanur beach provided by several operators.

We picked Sunrise speedboats. Actually, we did not have much of a choice as we were lead there by a friendly local. We paid 550,000 Rupiah each for an open return ticket that includes pick up and drop off from/to your hotel.

Prices are very similar to all the operators. They range between 500,000 and 550,000 Rupiah return and they all include pick up and drop off to/from your accommodation.

It takes approximately 30 minutes to reach Nusa Lembongan.

A Comfortable Home

We arrived at Jungutbatu, the main village on the Island, and then transported on a local transport to our accommodation, Kubu Homestay, only a few minutes walk from Mushroom Bay and just around the corner from Sunset point.

We love it here. Komang and Kadek, our hosts, and their 3 lovely children are wonderful and very welcoming. They make sure their guests have a good time. There is a nice view of the sea just behind some empty land opposite the guest house, which makes me think that probably in no time there will be some other property built on it obstructing the view.

One of the reasons why we picked Kubu Sunset is because there is a pool. It is perfect to chill out when returning from the beach in the afternoon.

It does not feel like a holiday. In fact, it is not a holiday. It is a home for now. Let’s say we relocated here for few weeks. At the end of the day, home is where you park your bags.

Click here to check availability at Kubu Sunset and claim your €15 discount on your stay! It’s a gift from me, everybody loves a discount.

Have you been to Nusa Lembongan? Share your thoughts and experience in the comments 🙂
Essential Oils – A New Found Love in Life

I never thought about essential oils as a constant presence in my life, until a few weeks ago.

As some of you might already know, this past year has been a year of interesting changes. The biggest and most challenging change of all was our relocation to New Zealand. It did not start very well. I found it very difficult to adjust to this new life having lived the last 8 years of my life as a nomad hopping between tropical countries.

Having said that, when I started to settle I also started to look at my wellness under a different light. As I am approaching this year my 42nd birthday, I have been feeling the need to look after my body a little better. Not that I was not doing that before, but I wanted to do more.

I started to run approximately 10 km three times a week and I have started to use more natural products to take care of my skin. Bear in mind, here in New Zealand you can easily find creams made out from local plants and flowers.

Discovering Essential Oils

A few weeks ago I came across a very interesting article on the web about the benefits of essential oils. I was very intrigued by it and I read it all. It was very interesting indeed, explaining in details how essential oils can affect your mood, health and immune system. There is basically an essential oil for everything:

Lemon – to uplift sullen mood and inspire positive thinking

Peppermint – to stimulate the mind and enhance mental agility

Lavander – to help heal and inspire tranquillity

Sweet Orange – to uplift your emotions and sweeping away stress

Just to name a few. This whole new world of essential oil really got me intrigued. Some people apparently did not need to use medicines anymore after using essential oils. When we think about it, once upon a time, people only used the power of medicinal plants to cure the body.

I wondered if essential oils could have helped me address my sinusitis and chronic cough. I had to buy some and experience their benefits for myself.

Doing My Research

There is a huge market out there selling essential oils. I started to research, surely I was not going to buy the first ones I came across to. I wanted to be sure to buy pure and certified essential oils.

There is also a price issue. Essential oils can be very expensive (in fairness, you might need a room full of plants to make a little flacon of oil) but you also need to beware of cheap oils as they might not be pure but diluted.

Ater researching for a couple of days – yes you read right, I spent a couple of days researching! – I shortlisted a few brands and checked their websites one by one. When I came across the website for Edens Garden Essential Oils I knew instantly I found the right ones. Or maybe, have they found me?

Edens Garden Essential Oils

At first, my eyes were attracted by the beautiful layout of their website and the cuteness of their bottles. Not to mention their very exotic name! I started to read on the About Us page and I was very impressed by their genuine concern for customers and their goal to offer an affordable product without compromising its quality. Awesome! They value their customers and potential customers.

Reading on through their pages I also learned that all their oils are tested before being bottled. The final thing I looked at was the price. I was expecting them to be quite expensive, but to my surprise, they were very affordable. That’s it I had to have them.

They have so many great products to choose from including some really good value sets. I was spoilt for choice. Such an extensive range of oils and blends, it was hard to choose.

I decided to go for the “3 Blends & 3 Singles Set”.

How excited when I finally received my package. I tried them right away. I had an essential oil diffuser at home that I never used. This was the right occasion. They all smell fantastic. I have been using them every day and night. My favourite one for the night is the Good Night. I guess it was made for that! It is calming and soothing. During the day I interchange them all and use them constantly. I work from home and I have the diffuser going on all day.

I think they might be helping with my cough issue as well.

Affiliate Programme

I was so satisfied with my choice and so happy with Edens Garden product that I felt like promoting their amazing essential oils to other people as well so I applied to their affiliate programme and they accepted me. As a thank you, they were so kind to send me a welcome gift: “The Aromatherapy Set” and a beautiful ceramic diffuser which I promptly set up in my living room. I absolutely love this set. My favourite one is the Sweet Orange, it really is a mood uplifter!

I am very happy with the quality of product Edens Garden delivered. I will surely continue purchasing their essential oils and I will keep recommending them.

Have you used essential oils and what is your experience with them? Feel free to share your thoughts, I would love to hear from you.
Multi-day Hike Essentials for Hiking in New Zealand
Before setting off on a multi-day hike, there are several important multi-day hike essentials you need to organise.

Hiking is such a good way to stay healthy. Dom and I have just done a 5-day hike of the Abel Tasman National Park in the South Island. We wanted to be prepared for any eventuality, consequently, we spent a few weeks thinking about and researching what to bring with us.

Since it is winter here in New Zealand, we had to consider warm clothes and the what ifs in case of heavy rain etcetera. We did not want to have to carry super heavy backpacks either, therefore we had to choose items that would not have had a huge impact on the weight.

Remember, those multi-day hike essentials should be essentials. Think about what you really need to survive those days rather than what you would like to have with you.

There are huts and campsites along the hiking traks. Dom and I stayed in the huts because it was very cold.

Multi-day Hike Essentials List

Comfortable and good quality boots

Your boots need to be your priority. You will be walking a lot, therefore you need comfortable boots. Best if they are high up to your ankle. You also want to make sure they are waterproof. You do not want wet and sore feet because they will make your walk miserable.

A light and comfortable backpack

I have an awesome backpack. It is light, small and super comfortable on the back. I am a small person (1.52mt at the most and quite slim), the last thing you want if you are a pint-sized woman is a bulky and heavy backpack. My backpack of choice is an Osprey Kestrel 58 which is already 4 years old. I looked online and could not find it anymore, but you can still easily find an Osprey Kestrel 48 (identical to the one I have just a little bit smaller) or a Kestrel 68. They come with a rain cover which is a great add-on.

A cosy and warm sleeping bag

If you are are hiking during winter or in a place where it might get cold at night, a good quality warm sleeping bag is definitely one of the must-have multi-day hike essentials.

Thermal undergarments

These are a must if you are hiking in cold weather. Make sure to have two changes of merino wool (preferably) or polypropylene tops and leggings (just in case one gets wet or smelly). Wool is 100 times better as it does not smell and it does not seem to get wet either. If it does, it will dry fast. To be honest, I used the same merino top under my fleece for the whole 5 days and it was perfect. Remember as long as your core is dry and warm, the rest does not matter.

A change of clothes to wear in the night

If you get wet during the walk, the last thing you want is to stay wet throughout the night. Bring a spare change of clothes to change into.

Wolly or thermal hiking socks

Again, you want to take care of your feet. Count these in your multi-day hike essentials; remember happy feet happy you. Bring one pair of socks per day just to make sure you have enough. You can wear a good pair of wool socks for a couple of days.

Waterproof jacket with hoodie

Just in case it rains, you want something to help you stay dry. An emergency poncho is also handy.

Towel

Pack a micro fibre fast drying towel. It does not take much room in your backpack and it dries fast.

Camping gas cooker and cooking utensils and pots

You just need a simple gas cooker, one small pot and a cup plus a couple of spoons. A swiss army knife is also very handy.

Food

This is the fuel of your multi-day hike essentials. I can guarantee you that you will be hungry. Yet, you do not want to have a backpack stuffed with heavy foods, hence you have to choose your food wisely. You need food that will fill you up and give you energy:
- lots of nuts and dried fruit
- instant porridge sachets
- packs of dry meals (very light to carry and they do not require cooking. Just add hot water to bring them back to life) and sachets of precooked rice for dinner
- coffee bags
- bread rolls, salame and cheese for lunch
- chocolate
- energy bars
Bring food for each day of the hike plus one day of extra food, just in case you encounter delays.

Water

Bring a bottle of water for the walk. Make sure to pack tablets for treating water as well. There is drinking water in most huts and camping sites but it is better to prepare yourself in case there isn’t.

Torch and candles and matches/lighter

Be sure to pack these items. There is usually no electricity in the huts and campsites, therefore it will be very useful to have them. There are normally wood burners in the hut. Do not forget matches or a lighter to start a fire.

Toilet paper and rubbish bags

Most of the huts and campsites have toilet paper, but just in case bring a roll with you. You also need to take rubbish away with you, make sure you have rubbish bags.

Final Thoughts on multi-day hike essentials

These are basically your multi-day hike essentials. Finally, if you have more room, you might want to consider some nice to have items. These might be playing cards, a Kindle rather than a book (for the evenings), a bottle of wine (we had one for the first night), camera, binoculars, pen and paper.

Prepare yourself for an unforgettable adventure and most of all lots of fun. Probably it will be one of your best adventures.

Have you done a multi-day hike? What are your thoughts and suggestions? Feel free to comment below or contact me using the contact form.

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5 Reasons For Travelling – Why Travelling is good for you
There are many reasons for travelling. Travelling is indeed one of the best things (if not the best thing) in the world.

Once you start travelling you get hooked. It is like a drug; the more you do it, the more you want to do it. There is no way of travelling that is better than another one. We are all individual different people, and we all have different
taste and wishes.

We all choose what makes us happy and what best satisfies our travel bud. Whether it is adventurous travel, backpacking, luxury travel, cruises and so on, travelling will always bring joy and fulfilment to the people involved.

I remember when I started travelling/backpacking back in 2002. I used to go around the world by myself, hooking up with cool travellers; it didn’t matter where I was sleeping as long as it was cheap (after all I did not even sleep that much!)

Travelling opened my eyes and my mind to a new world and shaped me into the person I have become. I enjoy living a laid back adventurous life that puts me in contact with people from different cultures and backgrounds.

Some things that are normal for me, some people cannot even begin to grasp the concept of them. For example, using a bum gun in Asia instead of toilet paper. When I told this to my folks back home they looked at me in disgust. They do not actually realize that it is far more hygienic and ecologic than using toilet paper. I think everywhere in the world people should use bum guns.

Or another example, eating sat on the floor with legs crossed. I love it! Every night in my own home I sit on the floor cross legs and eat my dinner Thai style. If you do this in the civilized world people think you grew up in the jungle! Let alone eating with your hands 🙂

Thes are just some small example of behavioural changes in your personality once you start living a nomadic simple life. Less is more. You realize that you do not actually need much stuff to live and most important you do not need stuff to make you happy.

Even though I am living in Auckland at the moment, I totally refuse to get sucked into what society normally do. The only material things I purchased since being here are some winter woolly clothes just because I really did not want to die of hypothermia or freeze to death.

5 Reasons for Travelling (But Honestly There are Hundreds!)

1) Travelling is fun, exciting and it gives you freedom

Freedom is for me the most important thing. There is nothing like the feeling of not belonging anywhere and to be able to pack your bags and leave whenever you want. The feeling of excitement you get from travelling is fantastic. There is so much to do and to see and it will surely be fun. This is surely one of the best reasons for travelling.

2) Travelling grows your self-confidence and self-esteem

You might not believe this, but everything is possible when you travel. Especially if you find yourself in a tricky situation where you have no one to help you. You find strengths and resources that you did not know you had.
It is all in the mind. When there’s a will there’s a way. You will be surprised by how much self-growth you will achieve from travelling.

3) Travelling is good for your health

This must be among the best reasons. Traveling is good for both your physical and mental health. In a couple of occasions, I went travelling when I was not in a good mental place and I came out at the other end like a new person. Travelling heals you; partly because, as above, you start believing in yourself more but also because you get to see what our beautiful world offers and your mind focuses on all the beauties of why this life is worth to be lived.

Physically, travelling makes you stronger. This is possibly one of the greatest reasons for travelling. You are always walking with your backpack and probably spend a lot of time walking from place to place, hiking, swimming, scuba diving maybe and possibly running. You will be super fit with no need to join a gym. The beauties of nature will be your workouts playground.

4) You will meet a lot of like-minded people

This is probably the more obvious but it is worth mentioning. If you are a solo traveller you don’t need to worry. You will come across to hips of people like you that want to meet other people, make friends and have a good time. I remember when I used to travel solo I never carried a travel guide (when I started there were no smart phones and the internet was not so widely available either). I just used to talk with people and listen to their recommendation. If I was meeting someone that was going to a place that sounded cool, I would join in and go along. You can do the same as a couple. Dom and I really enjoy hooking up with other people, we do not keep to ourselves when we travel.

Don’t worry if you are a little shy. There are plenty shy people travelling, I am one myself.

5) You open your eyes to other realities

This can be sometimes a bit hard, but it is good to come across to the reality of other cultures and countries. It is not always roses what you will see. You will see poverty, overworked people and probably even child labour.
Unfortunately, those are real things and you will come across to them if travelling in poorer countries. It will make more aware of what is happening and maybe you might feel inspired to do something to help.

Where to Next?

Our next adventure will be two weeks in New Zealand South Island including a 5 days hike of the Abel Tasman National Park. I am very excited, the walk is approximately 60 km along the coastline. It is winter here, so it will probably be a little cold and we might encounter rain. But it is all part of the fun, isn’t it?

Stay tuned for updates on tips for a multi-day hike and tips on hiking the Abel Tasman Great Walk in the winter.

Why are you travelling, what are your reasons for travelling, what was your best experience so far? Feel free to comment and share.

Have you Decided on Your Next Destination Yet?

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6 Tips to Stay Warm During Winter – And Keep your Sanity

The weather has turned very cold and I have had to find ways to stay warm.

I arrived back in New Zealand three weeks ago after spending six amazing weeks on holiday.

A Much Needed Italian Break

I was four weeks in Italy visiting family and friends after three years of absence from my motherland. Those weeks were amazing but they went incredibly fast. I loved spending time with my two sisters and ever-growing nephews and nieces and catching up with my aunties. I finally met my latest little two-year-old nephew that I had not met before and I absolutely fell in love with him.

The weather was amazing. I experienced four weeks of incredibly hot summer with temperatures reaching 32 degrees Celsius. It was paradise.

I was also able to fit in a 24 hour trip to Florence and catch up with one of my greatest friends that I had not seen in two years.

Italy was a much-needed break. I find that it is always good to go back to my own roots for a while. Deep down I am, after all, truly Italian.

A Little Stop in Thailand

On my way back to New Zealand I stopped in Thailand for almost 2 weeks. The weather changed from hot to scorching hot! I planned the stop so that I could catch up with another great friend of mine that lives in Petchaburi and I had not seen in three years!

I spent a week with her and then headed off to Koh Chang for a few days of relax and beach time before coming back to Auckland.

Koh Chang was almost deserted. I was told that June is the quietest month. It was great! I stayed at a really quaint little resort Saffron on the Sea on Khai Mook Beach, a few kilometres past White Sands.

Back in New Zealand

Arriving back in New Zealand I found a full on winter! Especially in the last couple of days, we had temperatures down to 4-6 degrees Celsius during the day and probably close to 0 in the night.

This is my first winter in a long time and I am not too happy about it. There are reasons why I want to live my life in the tropics. I do not like winters! However, I am finding my ways to cope with winter and cold temperatures. Well at least in Auckland we never get below 0!

6 Simple Tips to Fight the Cold and Stay Warm During Winter

1) Invest in some quality woolly clothes!

Nowadays it is quite difficult to find clothes 100% wool. Spend time looking for them, they will make the difference and will keep you warm and cosy. I basically had to buy a whole winter wardrobe and I spent time looking for jerseys and top that were only 100% wool. I ended up with some great stuff including a couple of pure Merino wool jerseys. Look into second-hand stores as well. That’s where I found my woolly items and I’m loving them!

2) Go running!

Yes, it sounds strange but running puts you in a more positive state of mind plus it keeps you warm while you are doing it. I am running more than I used to thanks to some running training I did with my younger sister while in Italy. This morning I run for almost 9 km in about an hour. You also perform better at running when the temperature is cooler. Definitely one of the best ways to stay warm during winter.

3) Go hiking!

There you go, another outdoor activity. It will keep you stay warm during winter and it will activate your endorphins making you feel happier and less cold. Last Sunday Dom and I went for a beautiful hike along the Tiritiri Walk in the Shakespear Regional Park. It was awesome! We had warm clothes, a rain jacket and great hiking shoes so that even the rain did not really bother us.

4) Buy a hottie (hot water bottle)!

Yes, it sounds a bit what your granny might say but they actually work wonders and they will help you stay warm during winter nights. Put one or two in your bed 5-10 minutes before getting into it and you will be amazed by the difference it makes. Your bed will be much cosier and your feet will warm up in no time.

5) Buy fleece bed sheets!

I know you are going to use a hottie but if you invest in a pair or two of fleece bed sheets it would be even better. Normal cotton sheets can become very cold and uncomfortable in the winter. With the other option, you will be sure your bed will be much more inviting and warm.

6) Drink lots of hot fluids!

This is the best time of the year to indulge in a rich and creamy hot chocolate or a delicious chai tea or (why not?) even a delicious spicy mulled wine. Catch two birds with a stone! You will feel warm and will treat your senses at the same time. This must be the most indulgent way to stay warm.

Your Thoughts

What are your tips to fights the cold weather and stay warm during winter? Feel free to comment or share and stay tuned for more amazing content coming soon.