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travelcenter-uk · 4 years

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Done with the regular holidays in 2021? Here’s where your next trip should be

Want your days and nights perfumed with obsession? Or to get stuck somewhere that makes you want to stay a little longer every time you think of leaving? Then take your adventures away from Europe. Let’s leave France, Spain, Italy and Greece behind for a moment & look toward a different region, a part of the world full of screaming colours, daydream-evoking hotspots and natural grandeur. Don’t get me wrong; I’m a sucker for all of the countries I just mentioned, and they definitely have their own version of visit-worthy attractions, but over time, I think it’s better to expand your horizons and roam into the not-so-ordinary. Translation, make sure you book a trip to the Far East.

It’s not every day you get to see something as eye-arresting as the countries of the Far East, which is why I’ve taken the liberty of setting up a list of the best places to see and things to do in the region. Now, I know for a fact that some travellers like to think that the Far East is overrated or just “not for them”, but hey, isn’t travelling all about breaking out of your comfort zone? Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it. Who knows? Maybe you’ll find a long-lasting favourite in one of the places I’ve mentioned below. So, keep reading.

Phuket

If it’s one thing Phuket does right, it’s being vibrant! Well, actually, no, I can think of two other countries on this list that do it better. But you get the point, we love Phuket and you should too! Why? Because:

Blissful beaches – The dramatic scenery of Phuket’s beaches are unparalleled. It legit looks like something out of a different world, don’t trust me? Fine. Maybe you should see for yourself by booking a beach holiday with us.

I find the beaches of Phuket to be the go-to place for just about any kind of traveller – whether you’re wandering on a budget, a lover of all things luxurious or the parent of two (usually) wonderful kids, it’s definitely for everyone. However, the best part is that each of Phuket’s beaches is different. From the mellow yet deep-blue tones of Surin to the neon-light filled coast of Patong, every beach is an experience that is not like the other, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

The Absorbing nightlife – Booze, booze and oh, look, more booze. Yeah, that’s not what your nightlife scene is going to be like in Phuket. I mean, it could be if you wanted it to be, but I wouldn’t recommend it because of the hangover that comes along with it. Phuket’s nightlife rams into your atmosphere with all-out nightclub action, quiet little bars for some quality alone time and lively late-night concerts and beach parties, meaning it’s incredibly varied.

I don’t necessarily think that there’s a specific place in Phuket that launches a reverberating nightlife scene, mainly because that’s what the entire island does in itself. But I will say that Bangla road, in particular, has what every party-lover looks for! Why? Because this is where you’ll find nightlife at the top of its game. As soon as the sun goes down, neon lights, upbeat music and lively chatter begin to carpet the road as locals and tourists alike swarm the many go-go bars and nightclubs that are located in the street. But is it all about taking shots & dancing? Well, technically, yes. Bangla Road has a reputation for being the most outrageously fun party hub in Asia, and I think it does deserve it but the food from street vendors deserves your time too. Solo travellers easily have the best experience and yeah, you might get the usual “I’m not that drunk!?” kind of a person but other than that it’s completely safe, with violence being a complete no-show. Trust me, all in all, this is one stop you don’t want to miss.

Taste-bud striking flavours – Isn’t this what really matters? I mean, I’m not sure about the rest of you, but when I go to a new country, I don’t immediately jump on the whole culturally curious, Dora the explorer persona. No, I’m more likely to satisfy my soul by eating something that makes me forget all of my worries (temporarily). In hindsight, I can see that it’s not the healthiest idea, but hey, you’re on holiday, so unhealthy choices are allowed. Right?

Phuket’s cuisine is influenced by a jumble of international flavours – you get hints of Chinese, Malaysian and even a little bit of Europe in their food. This influential influx then led to Phuket developing a unique blend of flavour. A flavour you’ll find to be the signature touch on their dishes – regardless of eating in high-scale restaurants or a street food stall. From hearty noodles with seafood in it to an icy dessert that looks like a brightly coloured cloud, I guess you could say Phuket really does have it all in terms of a ubiquitous flavour palate.

Bangkok

Bangkok…where do we begin with Bangkok? Mm, well, for starters, I think I speak for everyone when I say that you really haven’t eaten street food until you’ve tried the street version of Bangkok’s dishes. I also think the capital is the epitome of street life, but coming away from that for a second, I think Bangkok is bewilderingly beautiful at any time of the day. It has an active culture, a plethora of vividly wild & wow-evoking attractions and plus, it’s a full-on paradise for foodies like I’ve mentioned before, making it the full package.

Here are 3 of the places I believe you should visit in Bangkok!

The Grand Palace

With majestic spires and walls that stop you in your tracks, the Grand Palace definitely lives up to its name. Plus, they say the walls keep priceless relics hidden from the eyes of the public. I don’t know about you, but knowing that just makes this place ten times more interesting.

Chao Phraya River

You want to know what’s better than exploring this magnificent waterway? It’s that you also get to see some of the most noteworthy attractions that are on the banks of the Chao Phraya River. From Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha) and Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha) to Wat Arun, you’ll be able to kill three birds with one stone.

The Damneon Saduak Floating Market

This savvy tourist spot just so happens to be one of the oldest established floating markets in Bangkok. But what makes the crowd go wild isn’t exactly the history that follows the attraction, but it’s rather what they see on the market. It’s vast, lively, full of boats selling food and fruits, and it’s colourful – exactly how people imagine a floating market would look like, with the opportunity to capture the perfect photo to show off once back home.

Kuala Lumpur

Did you really think I’d leave Kuala Lumpur out of a list that talks about some of the best places to visit in the Far East? Because no, I’m not. Anyways, some things that instantly spring up in my mind when I think of this city include the historical tapestry it weaves, the sizzling street food (I know, I’ve been mentioning that a lot) and the shopping malls. As much as I’d like to be one of those people who are like “why visit a mall when you can go hiking instead??” I’m more of a “why go hiking when there’s a glitzy air-conditioned shopping mall the size of mammoth right in front of you?” type. Don’t get me wrong, I like hiking, just not in Malaysia. But hey, I guess that’s just me.

Here are the three best places that I find to be worthy of a visit.

The Batu Caves

Yes, yes, I know, I know, you can’t get any more basic than visiting the Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur, but trust me, even though it’s one of those generic tourist attractions, the experience is worth visiting. The hollow limestone tower has been around for almost 400 million years, do you even realise how long that is? Plus, the caverns and crags were formed in the prehistoric era, you know? The one with dinosaurs. But history aside, I think the view alone is enough to leave you with a fly-catching gape. Therefore, you should visit it or at least try to…please?

Petronas Twin Towers

Fact: according to research conducted by a group of scientists, visiting the Petronas Twin Towers has a 90% chance of making your holiday in Kuala Lumpur better. Want to test that theory?

The Petronas Twin Towers are one of the tallest skyscrapers in the world, it’s a grand spectacle for many and a pain in the gluteus maximus for people with a fear of heights.

Thean Hou Temple

Now, why in the world would you not want to visit one of the oldest and largest Buddhist temples in Southeast Asia? The Thean Hou Temple dates back all the way to 1894, and it definitely is one of those sacred spaces that you just have to visit at all cost. The architecture is nothing short of stunning and the views…well, let’s just say I don’t have to say much given that the temple sits on top of a large hill.

Kuala Lumpur’s Shopping Malls

We also have an honorary mention for Kuala Lumpur, and honestly, it’s just any shopping mall you can find. Trust me, you won’t notice time fly when you’re inside one of these cosmopolitan buildings. Plus, the air-conditioning and the designer bargains don’t hurt either. Pavilion KL, Suria KLCC and Publika are all capable of impressing the pickiest shopper. So, be sure to make time for these stops on your trip. You won’t regret it.

Bali

They don’t call Bali the island of the gods for nothing. Like damn, can you blame all those travellers for visiting the country? Who wouldn’t want to visit? I would go in a heartbeat if my bank balance didn’t look the way it did. Anyways, your trip to Bali is much more than just a cliché fun-in-the-sun retreat. It’s about 10,000 temples, soul-stirring beaches, rip-roaring traditional dance performances, dramatic volcanoes and a family-friendly culture. Plus, the people are always so joyful…like to the point where it’s borderline confusing, but I guess that’s just me again.

So, once again, here are some of the places & things to do that I think would suit everyone’s itinerary.

Visit one of Bali’s Spa-aaah!

Time to untie those knots of tension you’ve been saving up for various reasons. Plus, if you’ve been to Bali and didn’t visit any of its world-renowned spas then did you even visit Bali in the first place? I’m not going to pinpoint any specific locations, because you’re bound to find a lot of them all across Bali. Plus, it’s all equally rejuvenating no matter where you lay down for a massage.

Mount Bator Volcano

Yes. The next must-visit for me is Mount Bator Volcano – I’m fairly sure you saw that coming, it’s not like this towering rock formation is underrated or anything, but many people just pretend to forget it exists because people say it’s “active”. One thing to understand about this volcano is that it won’t begin spewing lava at the middle of the day out of nowhere, meaning that it is entirely safe and has been that way for a very long time. So, make sure you make the trek, this other-worldly spectacle deserves a little love.

Tanah Lot Temple

If it’s one thing everybody knows about me but chooses to ignore because my interests are not worth their time, it’s that I love a place that has a good view of a perfect sunset. “It’s cheesy, people who pretend to like sunsets are so cheesy” yeah, yeah, I’ve heard that one before. But if you’re like me and happen to appreciate the sheer appeal and the radiating charm of a sunset, make a stop at Tanah Lot Temple. Why? Because the one thing that accentuates the temple’s beauty even more so is the golden burst of the sun bowing down after a magnificent show, exquisitely shading the temple before turning it into a silhouette that you won’t be able to tear your eyes away from. But words don’t do it justice, make sure you check it out for yourself.

Siem Reap

Listen, I might not be the biggest fan of Siem Reap, but I have to admit, the archaeological highlights are beyond intriguing. I guess more than anything, Siem Reap really does fit the ideal set list of a traveller who’s more of an explorer; which is dumb of me to say because almost every traveller loves to explore; they wouldn’t have left the couch if they didn’t want to. But no, I’m talking about the ones who travel to explore places that they believe might be more than what meets the eye.

The Dinosaur of Ta Prohm

Is it just a mere hoax or evidence that one or two dinosaurs might have survived and lived among humans? Not many know this, but hordes of travellers visit Cambodia to see this at the temples of Angkor. How about you?

Neak Pean

Just a peaceful 12th-century temple surrounded by water folks, nothing to see here.

Yeah no, that’s where you’re wrong.

Many believe that the water happens to have curative properties and that it’s not just your usual river. It may be devastatingly old, but the serene aura is still present to this day, and it enchants countless travellers to come see its surroundings.

Bayon Temple

For me, the Bayon’s most distinctive feature is the multitude of serene and smiling stone faces on the many towers which jut out from the upper terrace and cluster around its central peak. Which, at first, just creeped me out but then I saw how much everyone else appreciated the detailing of the carvings, and it helped the attraction grow on me. Overall, I think it’s beautiful and if you’ve got an interest in exploring temples, this should definitely be on your list of things to see!

If you just so happen to be intrigued by any of these places, feel free to call or send us an email. We do have an offer for these places right now and it’s getting a surprising amount of attention because of the price and due to the fact that these have been characterised as some of the best places in the Far East to visit during these times, which is also another reason we chose to highlight it in this article. So, I really hope you don’t miss out on our special deal if you’re planning to take your holiday to the Far East.

Read More:- https://blog.travelcenter.uk/done-with-the-regular-holidays-in-2021-heres-where-your-next-trip-should-be/

This Article, Information & Images Source (copyright) :- https://blog.travelcenter.uk

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chrismdthings · 7 years

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the end of all things

pairing: chris dixon x reader warning(s): none note: the end / the end of all things - panic! at the disco / 8,050 words

Lay us down We're in love

When the wedding day finally came around, it became everything that you ever imagined.

The months leading up to the big day, which took years of planning on its own, was full of appointments with the wedding planner, late nights of booking, and a lot of searching in between. Both you and Chris used the weekends to travel; searching for the one spot that would hold dear to your hearts. First it was a train to Bordeaux to look at the vineyard venues, then a visit to Spain's sun-kissed coast of Malaga, a trip to Cochem Castle in Germany, and numerous of other places. The idea of having a wedding in Jersey was appealing, but you both knew you wanted something more. Chris was willing to give you the world to have your dream wedding, and you were thankful.

It was one month after searching through venues, numerous phone calls and plane tickets abroad, that you and Chris found the exact spot you wanted to become husband and wife. Villa Pizzo in Lake Como, Italy. It's a luxury lakeside villa with a chalky pink and peach facade with running English-inspired gardens and the most amazing view. It was rustic and chic, elegant, but not too glossy for yours and Chris' humble minds. You could remember walking hand-in-hand with Chris down a tree-lined path from the villa to the lakeside terrace, and in that moment you knew that was the place you wanted to share your vows to Chris with your closest family and friends. There was no doubt in yours and Chris' minds that this was the place you two had been waiting to stumble upon.

You waited until the last minute possible, like usual with most things, to find your wedding gown. The colors of the wedding had been a debatable topic between you and Chris for months, so you waited until all of the decisions were finalized so you could pick out the dresses. In the past year or so you had window-shopped dresses around Jersey, but never found one you were enthused about, so you decided to try London. You flew with Chris' mum to London, where you met with your mum and best friend to scan the bridal shops in hopes of finding the perfect one. The first day was unsuccessful for you in terms of finding a dress, but the gowns for you bridesmaids were found. It was a Amsale NY, rose colored dress in the Corbin style; hand-ruched chiffon with a criss-cross in the bust, and an empire waist to compliment the inverted v-neckline. It would compliment the light blush hues you and Chris agreed on.

The second day in London, upon the second hour and second shop scanned, you found your wedding gown. You could remember standing on the rounded stool in front of a dozen mirrors, looking at yourself in the white dress, and seeing the teary-eyed smiles from those behind you on the sofa. The three women on the sofa were crying, and you felt beautiful for the first time in a very long time. That was when you knew you were wearing the dress.

It was a Rosa Clara, Alejo line gown. Your mother wore a Rosa Clara gown to her wedding, so it almost felt like fate as you decided your own. It was a mix of a sensual bodice and ball-gown-style skirt that created a striking contrast. It was a princess-style beaded lace with a tulle gown that flattered your figure. A dipping neckline to an empire waist with lace that showed off the perfect amount of skin. It was so simple, something that you wanted. You felt stunning for once, and you just knew that Chris would love it too.

After the dress was picked, the suit was formally fitted, and the invites were sent out, the bachelor and bachelorette parties were thrown. Even though the parties were typically thrown the night before weddings, neither yours or Chris' schedule didn't confine to the events, so instead the parties were thrown the weekend before. Chris had whisked away with his best friends to Valencia for his bachelor party where he met up with everyone for plenty of drinking and nights out. It was a typical lads holiday without all of the hook-ups, and Chris considered it a weekend well-spent.

Meanwhile your best friends, which happened to be quite a group, surprised you with a trip to Las Palmas in the Canary Islands. You previously told them you wanted a quiet bachelorette party, maybe just even a brunch one morning, but instead you were gifted with a plane ticket to Las Palmas for a weekend on a yacht with plenty of shopping, swimming, and sunbathing in preparation for the big day. They even surprised you with customized tees, sashes that said you were a bride-to-be, and buckets of champagne at the clubs on nights out. It was one of the best weekends of your life, or as Gee called it; "One last fling before the ring."

When you and Chris returned home that Monday, neither of you were still drunk, sunburnt, nor had indecent information or photos spread on Twitter, so it was considered a weekend well done.

One week later, as all of the pre-wedding hype had died down, the day was just around the corner. The families, friends, and you and Chris couple to Italy in preparation. The first day in Italy was spent relaxing, enjoying the coast and its water in the small amount of time left before everything would come together. You could still remember clinking glasses with Chris as you two sipped wine on a boat through Lake Como one afternoon.

The day before the wedding, after the reception practice and run-through at the ceremony location earlier in the day, you and Chris threw a small party at the Grand Hotel Serbelloni for the guests. The guest ranged from family to "associates" that you and Chris weren't even really close to, but you wanted them to be a part of it as well. Everyone in Italy for the wedding gathered on the patio outside, sipped on fine Italian wine, and you managed to open up a few wedding gifts as well which was like matching wine glasses with frosted words on them, and an embroidered pillow with yours and Chris' initials and the wedding date stitched on the front.

It was just a fun time under a patio of twinkle lights with everyone having a good time together.

Into the late afternoon as the sun slowly sat behind the horizon, you broke away from Freya and walked over to Chris, who was in a conversation with one of his close friends and Callum, and sat down on the arm of his chair. He grinned up at you and you kissed him gently on the forehead.

So far, everything in Italy had gone by smoothly. There wasn't a problem with anyone arriving late, booking hotel rooms or rooming situations with the hotel, the wedding practice went by without a flaw, and now all of the families and friends were getting along well. It was actually better than you, and Chris, expected.

You looked over to the edge of the patio where your mum was deep into a conversation with Chris' mum and aunt, causing you to laugh at their loud tones and smiling faces. Next to them your friends were mingling with Chris', and all of the dads were getting along just well. The small things that kept you nervous and anxious were panning out to be just fine.

"Everyone seems to be having a good time." Chris said, sliding an arm around your waist to bring you into his lap. He kissed you on the cheek and smiled. "Our mum's haven't stopped talking since they arrived."

You laughed, nodding, before reaching over and grabbing his wine glass to take a sip. "Expect that at every family gathering from now on. My mum can't keep her mouth closed around your family." Looking back at Chris, you raised a timid brow. "Sure you want to go through with tomorrow then?" You teased.

"Absolutely sure," he said kissing you gently on the cheek, then a quick one on the lips before someone else approached you two.

The next day was the big day.

The whole hotel was buzzing early that morning due to the fact that it was the day of the wedding.

From the room service orders nearly breaking the kitchen, to the bridesmaids and other girls were running up and down the hallways with pairs of shoes and minor complications with dresses, the entire hotel was on a lockdown to make sure the day went by smoothly.

In separate rooms, you and Chris prepared for the big day. You two ate breakfast, got dressed, and done the final preparations separately. That entire morning all of the girls were darting in and out of your room, asking which shoes looked better, if their makeup was okay, or if they should keep their hair up or down. You knew the wedding photographer who slipped into your room earlier was having a field day with it all. You gave a lot of advice while sitting in the chair, getting your own makeup done.

Yes, Sarah, the rose heels look good with the bridesmaids dress.

Yes, Emily, your makeup looked fine.

And Gee, your hair looks better down.

You swore that without the cup of tea you had been sipping on, you would have already blown up. All of the stress was finally settling on your shoulders and the tension grew in your mind. However, you had to keep the fact that it was all about to pay off, in the back of your head too.

After you were finished with hair and makeup, you decided to take a quick break. Walking out onto your balcony with a cup of tea, you settled down on the edge of the terrace, and just took a deep breath while admiring the view. It was a perfect, sunny day over Lake Como, and it was everything you ever dreamed. The houses and villas were vibrant in color, there were little boats litering the blue water. It all looked magical and you had to take a step back to rememeber that this was where you were getting married.

When you were younger, you had a whole notebook dedicated to your future wedding. Back then you wanted a small church ceremony in Bath with your closest family and friends, the bridesmaids would be wearing red, and you would be in a large ballgown. Now, as time progressed, you realized what you truly wanted. And this was it. A ceremony with the best people you knew, in the most beautiful dress, with a magical location you would never forget. This was your dream, and it was all coming true.

As you remained outside on the balcony in your own thoughts and ideas, you heard music come from the room behind you. You spun around, sipping on your tea, to see Freya and Stephanie and Nia dancing in the room to a remix of Beyonce's Drunk In Love. They were dancing wildly, waving their arms or holding up their dresses with the brightest smiles on their faces as they did so. You laughed, shaking your head, and reminded yourself of the good. This wasn't all going to be stressful. You had to remind yourself that it was your wedding, and whatever happened, you were going to leave Italy married to the love of your life. And that was enough to make you smile.

At eleven o'clock that morning, the family, friends, and others left Grand Hotel Serbelloni. They all took separate boats to Villa Pizzo, the location for the wedding ceremony. That is where the ceremony and reception would follow outside. The boats came to and from the hotel and picked up all the guest before whisking them away to the villa, and you and the bridesmaids were the last to go.

After docking in Villa Pizzo, you and your "team" of girls, which was the bridesmaids, made your way into the villa for last minute checks as the guests got settled in their seats outside. Inside the villa, in the main room, you looked in the gold-trimmed mirror and smiled. The wedding dress, your hair, the makeup, all of it was seemingly perfect to you. The dress was simple, your hair was down in loose waves, and with light mascara and pink lips, you felt beautiful. And you knew Chris would think the same.

"Everyone is seated. It's almost time." Your mum said as she slid into the main room of the villa. Everyone in the room did last minute checks on hair, makeup, and shoes, and then nodded at her. She looked at you, noticed your beaming smile, and thought you were glowing. She leaned against the doorframe, one hand over her heart with wet eyes, and smiled. "You look so beautiful, dear." She said. "I cannot believe my daughter is getting married today."

You nodded and looked around the room. You had your bridesmaids, from Sarah to your best friend since kindergarten, all dressed in rose gowns with their bouquets in hand. You wanted to start crying at how beautiful they looked, but you knew you had to hold it back. For the sake of the hours of makeup.

"Come on," Sarah stepped forward, handing you your bouquet and looping her arm through yours. "Let's go get married." She said and everyone in the room laughed before walking out of the villa.

As your mum left just minutes before, she made it in perfect timing for the ceremony. Together, you and your bridesmaids, and the groomsmen all made it to the path. It was a small, narrow gravel path that lead straight to the overlook where everyone was already seated.

All of the groomsmen made their way out, and then the bridesmaids. You lingered behind just a few feet and there, met with your father. When your eyes met his, he lit up like a Christmas tree. His eyes were wide and bright, and you had never seen him smile so large. He admired you in the gown, how stunning you looked, and he was so thankful he was here to witness this day.

When you approached him, he gently kissed your forehead. "You're growing up on me, darling." He whispered, and the soft instrumental music began to play in the distance, signaling that it was her time to go. You smiled at him, kissing his cheek, before looping an arm through his, and starting down the path together.

As you neared the steps to walk down, you looked up to see everyone seated, looking in your direction. Smiling, your father helped you down the stairs slowly, and then together, walked down the aisle of people. For a split second, as you neared the aisle, you looked at the guests. In the mix of everyone, you spotted yours and Chris' family, and then the friends who were a part of this special day. Starting down the aisle between the seats, you looked up and met eyes with Chris. He had his hands clasped in front of his face, shielding the brightest smile, and his eyes were wet with tears. You could feel the eyes of everyone on you, but that wasn't on your mind at that moment. Chris finally dropped his hands to reveal his perfect smile, and you were sure you were wearing one just the same.

At the end of the aisle, Chris stepped down to meet you and your father. You and your father shared a small kiss on the cheek, and he and Chris exchanged nice words before Chris took you by the hand and lead you back to your standing positions in front of the minister.

"You look so beautiful, love." Chris whispered as he dropped your hand.

You smiled at him. "And you look so handsome." You whispered back, sharing a smile with your future husband before letting the minister take over.

"Friends and relatives, we have come here today at the invitation of Christopher Michael Dixon and (y/f/m/l/n) to share in the joy of their wedding. This outward celebration that we shall see and hear, I believe, is an expression of the inner love and devotion they have in their hearts toward one another. I believe marriage is of God, and Chris and (y/n) come today desiring to be united in this sacred relationship of marriage. Who is giving this woman to be married to this man?"

Your father stood from his seat, pressed one hand against his blazer while holding the other up. "Father, my wife and I do." He said before nodding, and then seating again.

The minister nodded and carried on. "The ceremony of marriage in which you come to be united is one of the first and oldest ceremonies in the entire world, celebrated in the beginning in the presence of God himself. Marriage is a gift in that we give ourselves totally to one another. I believe that marriage is a gift given to comfort the sorrows of life and to magnify life’s joys. Marriage is the clasping of hands, the blending of two hearts, the union of two lives into one, and your marriage must stand, not by the authority of Italia, nor by the seal on your wedding certificate, but by the strength and power of the faith and love you have in one another." He paused for a moment, taking in the view of the couple and guests in front of him. "Now, will you please pass your flowers, turn and face one another and join hands to express your vows of love and devotion each to the other."

You turned around and looked at the maid of honor behind you, who was wearing a similar smile, and handed her the bouquet of peach peonies you were holding before turning back around. You turned back and looked at Chris, and gently took his hands in yours. You two looked into each others eyes and smiled so wide you both started giggling, causing the guests to laugh as well. It was only possible for you two to make such a romantic serious thing so silly.

"Chris, do you have some words?"

Chris cleared his throat and gave your hands a slight squeeze. He had been preparing his vows for years now, from the moment he realized that he wanted to marry you, but now, he was sure those words wouldn't even do justice. So he just spoke the truth.

"Our second Christmas together, years ago, I told you that I was lucky to have you. And I want you to know that as I stand here right now, I feel like the luckiest man alive." Chris said. "You are the love of my life and I have known that since the day I met you. There was never anyone or anything else, it was always you. It was always you that I wanted to wake up to in the morning, that I wanted to laugh with at 2 AM over the weirdest things, take drives with, cook with, it was always, and will always be you." You felt the tears brim your eyes, heart bursting with joy as Chris looked you in the eyes and spoke the truth. He smiled and so did you. "I would rather spend one lifetime with you, than face all of the ages of the world alone."

All of the guests cooed, awing and leaned into each other as Chris spoke. Everyone felt their hearts swell with happiness. As Chris finished off, the minister nodded and smiled. "(Y/n) do you have some words?"

There was no pulling out a card or paper with words scribbled on them from the past few weeks, you already knew what you had planned to say.

"In that book which is my memory, on the first page is the chapter when I first met you appear the words, "here begins a new life."" You recited Dante's words that keep a deep meaning in your heart. When you read those words, it had Chris' name printed all over it. "We met years ago. We met in London and that's the end of it all. There is no story of how I come to love through all of this time. I saw you one day I just knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you." You said, squeezing his hands with a bright smile. "I used to never believe in soulmates, that was something I used to be proud of. Now, I'm here today because you are the person that made me believe there was someone out there meant for me. And that's you." You nodded. "And I believe that's fate because out of the 8 million people in London, I had the blessing of meeting you. So, Chris, I'm so happy that the universe brought us together."

The minister nodded and smiled before continuing on the ceremony by reciting Corinthians. "The word of God tells us what love is like and what love does: Love is patient, love is kind, love is not jealous. Love does not brag and is not arrogant. It does not act unbecomingly. It does not seek its own, it is not provoked, and it does not take into account a wrong suffered. It does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth, for love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things, but above all, love never fails."

You felt your heart continue to swell. You couldn't believe this was actually happening.

"Having this kind of love in your hearts for one another, you have chosen to exchange rings as the sign and seal of the promises you are making to one another today."

Turning to look down the aisle, the guests aw'd and you and Chris smiled as two small children walked towards you both with suits on and each holding a pillow with individual rings. Your nephew, and Chris' nephew. You and Chris smiled widely and watched them approach you both before stopping right at the front of the crowd.

The minister turned to Chris. "Do you have a ring for (Y/n)? May I have the ring?" You and Chris dropped hands and he reached out, kissing his nephews forehead before taking the ring off of the pillow. He turned back and handed the ring to the minister.

"(Y/n), do you have a ring for Chris? May I have the ring?" You nodded and turned to your nephew, smiling at him before reaching out and taking the ring off of the pillow. She handed the ring back to the minister. He closed his fist tight and then repeated a message from his notes.

"Rings are very large in their significance. They are made of a precious metal and precious stone, and that reminds us that love is not cheap or common; but indeed love is very costly and dear to us. These rings are also made in a circle and their design tells us that we must keep love continuous throughout our whole lives even as the circle of the ring is continuous. As you wear these rings, whether you are together or apart for even just a moment, may these rings be a constant reminder of the promises you are making to one another this day." He turned to the groom. "Chris, will you please take this ring and place it upon the third finger of (y/n)'s left hand, and holding her hand in yours, please repeat this promise to her saying after me: With this ring, I seal my promise, to be your faithful and loving husband, as God is my witness."

The guests went silent for a moment as Chris took the ring from the ministers open palm. Hands shaking from the nerves, Chris gently laughed and took your hand in his. He held the ring between his index finger and thumb, and then gently slid it onto your third finger. "With this ring, I seal my promise, to be your faithful and loving husband, as God is my witness." Chris brought your hand to his lips and pressed a kiss to your knuckle.

It was a beautiful, simple ring that he had designed himself. Before he proposed, he asked you subtle questions about what kind of wedding ring you would like for months, and you didn't catch on. The weekend you were gone to look for a gown in London, he went to France to design the wedding ring. It was a pear-shaped halo ring with a set of round cut diamonds along the silver band, and perfectly set around the center diamond.

Looking down at your hand as he slid the ring across your finger, a wave of emotions hit you all at once. Your eyes flickered up to meet Chris' and you wanted to cry. He had put so much effort into the wedding it brought tears to your eyes.

The minister looked at you. "(Y/n), will you please take this ring and place it upon the third finger of Chris' left hand, and holding his hand in yours please repeat this promise to him saying after me: With this ring, I seal my promise, to be your faithful and loving wife, as God is my witness."

You nodded and took the silver wedding band out of his palm. You looked at Chris and took his hand, sliding the band over his third finger. "With this ring, I seal my promise, to be your faithful loving wife, as God is my witness." You smiled as the ring slid on fully. It was a special ring for Chris as well- a simple sterling silver band that he wanted, but there was a surprise engraved on the inside that he would have to take it off to see.

Everyone could sense the passion and love flowing between you both as they stood witness. There were giddy smiles and hopeful eyes.

"(Y/n) and Chris, you have come here today before us and before God and have expressed your desire to become husband and wife. You have shown your love and affection by joining hands, and have made promises of faith and devotion, each to the other, and have sealed these promises by the giving and the receiving of the rings. Therefore, it is my privilege as a minister and by the authority given to me by the law of Italia, I now pronounce that you are husband and wife." It was the cue. Chris reached out and slid an arm around your waist. But the minister hesitated and all of the guests laughed. It was clear that Chris was eager to kiss his wife.

The minister chuckled and closed his Bible. "Chris, you may kiss your bride."

And boy, did he.

You laughed as Chris pulled you flush against him and then proceeded to dip you down, letting your lips met. Everyone in the crowd chuckled and laughed loudly at Chris' swift move with you in his arms- as dramatic as he typically was. There was a whistle from the crowd as well. You both were mentally betting it was Ollie or Harry.

You laughed into the kiss before taking Chris' face in your hands and kissing him harder. When he brought you back to your feet, you wrapped your arms around his neck and kissed again. You couldn't believe this. You got to kiss him every day of your life. You got to kiss your husband.

When you two pulled apart in faint laughter, Chris pecked your lips again before you both turned to face the crowd of guest in front of you.

"Ladies and gentlemen, it is my privilege to introduce to you for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Dixon."

You looked out onto everyone on their feet, smiling and clapping for you both as you clutched Chris' hand. It was odd to remember that when you were a teenager, the last thing you wanted to do was get married. Now you were living with and married to the love of your life. It was insane what just a few years could bring.

Feeling Chris squeeze your hand, you two began to walk down the aisle of people. Everyone began to throw flower petals at you two as you walked down the aisle. You reached down with a free hand and picked up your gown to prevent tripping over it, and then you and Chris started jogging together. Everyone was snapping photos, laughing, or simply watching onto you both. Reaching the stairs that you had went down just minutes ago, Chris stopped mid-jog, bent down, and picked you up. With his arm tucked behind your knees, you laughed and threw your arms around his shoulders as he carried you up the steps.

When Chris reached the top of the steps, he turned around and you both looked at the wave of guests in front of you. You waved wildly at them before Chris continued on down the path with you in his arms.

The reception after the wedding ceremony turned out to be the highlight of the day. Chris kissing you too early and picking you up was pretty great, but the reception had a whole level of its own.

Everyone left the ceremony area and walked down the path next to the lake, admiring the view of the mountains and villas, and to the reception. Before everyone went to the tables where the food would be served, there was a small celebration in between. Along the path, next to the villa, was a large table stacked with champagne flutes. Everyone gathered together and grabbed their own champagne flute, and then all crowded around the couple to congratulate them, and share hugs, and kisses. It was all genuine smiles and hearty laughter all around.

Then as all of the guest made their way to their assigned tables, you and Chris snuck off to take the wedding photos. They were taken along several locations near the villa and lake, all using different poses and genuine smiles with the photographer. Taking their time with the photos, it gave all of the guest time to be settled in their seats, so after a few minutes, you and Chris slowly made your way back.

The reception was held outside on a large patio next to the grand steps leading into the villa, and Lake Como on the other side. It was beautiful. The tables had large centerpieces of flowers with twinkle lights inside to match the white table cloth with light designs along the bottom, and the name cards were printed off in embroidered gold with each name. There was twinkle lights hanging from the villa to the corners of the steps, emitting a beautiful glow in the late afternoon.

After being lead to the reception with a thunderous applause, you and Chris sat down at the designated table in front of everyone. The MC of the night, who was really just Tobi with a microphone, welcomed everyone and made the first toast of the afternoon. Then he called up the Best Man, Chris' best friend since secondary school, who had the best speech that was a mix of old memories that had everyone clutching their stomachs in laughter, but also a bit sentimental at the end. Followed by your Maid of Honor stepped up and gave a quick speech- well, you thought, and then it turned out to be a rap song that everyone was nodding along to. Then it was your father's turn, and he gave a nice word to Chris before the speeches wrapped up.

The food was also a highlight of the night- a buffet of meals sat up for everyone, along with complimentary wine and champagne buckets for each table. You had spent countless hours researching, calling, all for the best catering place in Italy near Lake Como. And as everyone was eating with a smile, you assumed you did well.

The part, besides the ceremony, that had everyone in awe, was the bride and groom's first dance. After eating and socializing with the guests, some of whom you had yet to see that day, you and Chris made your way onto the dance floor.

During the wedding planning, you had dealt with booking the location, the food, and guests, and the one thing you put Chris in charge of was the playlist for the night. Just like the ring he slid onto your finger an hour ago, he had a few tricks up his sleeve and surprises throughout the night. So as you walked hand-in-hand to the dance floor just below the steps, you weren't sure what song would come on.

However, when the first chord of the song played through the speakers, you looked directly at Chris with a shocked look on your face.

Throughout the relationship you had dropped hints of the songs you loved, saying that you would love to have them played at your wedding in the future. And Chris did much of the same.

The song Chris chose for the first dance, was the same song you two danced to in the kitchen at 2 AM right after you two moved in together; Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You by Frankie Valli. The song held a special place in your heart, and now you look back on the memory and smile. You couldn't believe it. The same song you danced to with Chris in the refrigerator light of the kitchen is the same song you danced to at your wedding. Your heart was pounding.

Taking your hand in his, you placed your other hand on Chris' shoulder, and you two danced smoothly across the floor. Each step was precise, smooth, and it was like you two had practiced for months ahead of time. Well, practice does make perfect.

"You're just too good to be true, I can't take my eyes off of you. You'd be like heaven to touch, I wanna hold you so much. At long, last love has arrived, and I thank God I'm alive.." Frankie Valli's voice floated through the patio area.

The twinkle lights set the perfect mood for the first dance as you and Chris danced together. Your bodies were inches apart, hands clasped as Chris' free hand rested on the curve of your waist. It was such an intimate moment, the entire patio was quiet. Some of the guest were pulling out phones and cameras, taking photos or pictures, or simply admiring the moment of beauty in front of them.

"Pardon the way that I stare, there's nothing else to compare. The sight of you leaves me weak, there are no words left to speak." You met Chris' eyes and smiled brightly at him, your heart feeling as happy as ever. He chuckled at your smile before he placed a soft kiss on your forehead. "But if you feel like I feel, please let me know that it's real. You're just too good to be true, I can't take my eyes off of you."

Chris took a step back and used the speed of your rocks to spin you around at the upbeat part of the song. You smiled, twirling softly to the music and whistles from the guest, before he pulled you back into him. This time you two were further apart, but the dance picked up. You two were moving faster and faster across the dance floor with each smooth step. Following his lead, you looked at Chris and when you both met eyes, he began to sing to you.

"I love you baby, and if it's quite alright, I need you baby. To the warm and lonely nights, I love you baby, trust me when I say.."

All of the guests were rocking to the music, some dancing or swaying in their seats. Your mum and dad were in each others arms, smiling as they watched you, their only daughter and joy, have her first dance.

"Oh pretty baby, don't bring me down I pray. Oh pretty baby, now that I've found you, stay, and let me love you baby, let me love you." Chris sang to you, eyes full of love and pure bliss as he watched you smile and hear you slightly giggle at his singing voice. He felt a rush of happiness straight to the heart with you, his wife.

With one last twirl Chris, this time, pulled you into him. Your body was flush against his, arm tucked under his to press flat against his shoulder, and he held you by placing a warm hand on your lower back. You two continued to sway and the music died down to the piano once again, and Chris continued to sing to you.

"You're just too good to be true, I can't take my eyes off of you. You'd be like heaven to touch, I wanna hold you so much. At long, last love has arrived, and I think God I'm alive.. You're just too good to be true, I can't take my eyes off of you."

And just like that night at 2 AM, dancing in the kitchen in the refrigerator light when the song ended, Chris kissed the tip of your nose. You giggled and he laughed.

"I adore you." Chris repeated your exact words from that night, raising a hand to tuck a lock of hair behind your ear.

You raised a hand to cuff his, running your fingers along the top of his hand. "I love you." You whispered.

"I love you too." He said before pressing a soft, but loving kiss against your lips.

A second later as the song slowed down to a quiet whisper, an eruption of applause echoed around the patio. You and Chris laughed, sharing one last kiss before turning around and looking at everyone. It was not even a second later that Baby Got Back came on, replacing the first dance song, and the bridesmaids and groomsmen started their way onto the floor.

"Come on," you grabbed Chris' hand, "before we get drug into this." He chuckled and followed your lead.

The rest of the reception was much like the wedding ceremony, it went by without a problem. After a few dance numbers from the bridesmaids and the groomsmen's attempts at rapping, everyone flooded the dance floor for a night of fun. The playlist had everyone swaying in their seat or waving their arms on the dance floor.

After a bit of dancing, it was time for the garter and the bouquet tossing. The groomsmen were first and you watched as Chris tossed the (very expensive) garter over his head, and it landed straight in Josh's hands. It might have just been because the others immediately ran with the garter was thrown, and it went directly to him. When it was the bridesmaids turn, you knew exactly who you were throwing it too, especially after Josh caught the garter. Standing on the dance floor, you faked throwing the bouquet over your head and instead turned around and threw it straight to Freya. Everyone laughed at the move while Josh and Freya only shook their heads at the hints that were thrown.

Then it was the cake. Everyone gathered around the large table and you and Chris cut the cake together. It was a small cake, nothing too big or too extravagent compared to the rest of the wedding. It was just a two-tier, textured buttercream cake with fondant flowers and ruffles. And of course, just as you predicted it to happen, Chris shoved the cake into your mouth, and you did the same to him. Smearing the frosting across his lips, he chuckled before reaching out and using the heels of his palms to hold your face, and then kissed you with a large smile. You laughed against his lips as you kissed him, feeling the frosting pressing against the tip of your nose.

"Oh my goodness," your mother laughed while helping you wipe the frosting off your nose and chin.

"I know." You laughed, wiping off your hands on the napkin. "I knew he would do it, so I did it to him too."

"Well, I'm certainly not going to say it wasn't funny." She lightly laughed and you shook your head. "But I do know one thing," she folded the napkin in her palm and held your face tenderly in her hands. You looked into her eyes and she smiled at you. "You got yourself a good one, dear."

You nodded. "I know. I think soo too." You said before glancing at Chris who was chuckling with Simon and Cal across the dance floor. He was certainly something else.

Even though you thought most of the night was over, Chris had one last thing up his sleeve. You were walking around the patio, talking to those you had yet to see, and thanking them for coming. There was still endless hugs and cheek kisses to go around, even hours into the wedding reception.

As the sun began to set, Chris knew that it was time for his last surprise of the night. He walked over to Tobi who had the microphone and asked for it, telling everyone to please take their seats, except you. You stood at a table next to your grandparents when Chris called you out once again, leaving you in a confused state as you walked to the dance floor again. You were confused, but still looked at Chris with a hopeful smile. When he handed the microphone back to Tobi whom was sat up next to the lake edge, Chris took your hand and guided you across the dance floor and straight to the steps of the villa. All of the eyes from the patio were on you both.

Looking up at the stairs, along the surface between steps, sat a white grand piano. It had been placed there by workers of the Villa during the cutting of the cake. You had no idea what was going on until Chris guided you over by the hand, and straight up the steps to the piano.

"Chris.." you trailed off as you both reached the piano.

"Just trust me, okay?" He said, breaking loose of your hand and lowered down onto the piano bench. You pressed your hip against the piano, resting your arm on top as you watched him closely. "I wanted to make this day as special as possible."

Ever since you encouraged Chris into learning how to play the piano, he took advantage of the piano you both had. He had spent countless days in there learning songs to play them for you, but you never expected this. Since he proposed in Paris years ago, Chris decided to dedicate his free time at home, to learn one of your favorite songs. You adored the song and it always brought you to tears every time you heard it. So Chris made it a priority of his to learn the song for this special day.

At the first key, that's when it hit you. You had no idea Chris was going to play this song on the piano for you, hell, you didn't even know there was going to be a piano. But at the sound of the first key of the song, you stared at Chris in complete awe as tears formed in your eyes.

"Whether near or far, I am always yours. Any change in time, we are young again.."

Chris was always poked fun of for his singing, many times it was you jokingly telling him to "stick to his day job" but at this moment, as he sang your favorite song, you swore you had never heard a voice more beautiful.

Your heart felt heavy, listening to the love of your life sing and focus on the piano keys as he played. There was something so raw, so real and true about the song that simply made you feel in love. And as you watched your husband, oh your husband, sing the song especially for you, you felt a new love for Chris, deeper than you ever imagined.

"Lay us down, we're in love.. lay us down, we're in love.."

When Chris gained confidence with his fingers, he looked up at you and saw the tears forming in your eyes. He smiled, fighting back his own emotions; you were his wife. The beautiful, sweet creature leaning against the piano in a white gown was you, and you was his wife. Chris would never be able to wrap his mind around that.

He smiled again before looking back down at his hands, continuing to play the right keys. Everyone on the patio, or the lawn near the reception, stopped their movements, their batting eyes and conversations, and sat in pure awe of the scene in front of them. Even Harry, who was already three drinks down and having the time of his life, stood still with every emotion of love running through him. A stranger could waltz in and feel the amount of love between the married couple.

"In these coming years many things will change, but the way I feel will remain the same.." Chris' fingers moved to a different set of keys. "Lay us down, we're in love.. lay us down, we're in love.."

When Chris finished off the song with a piano solo, the guest erupted into a thunderous applause. You swiftly moved around the piano and wrapped your arms around Chris' shoulders, body nearly shuddering as the tears slipped down your cheeks. Chris buried his face in your neck and his arms instinctively slithered around your waist, holding you close.

You loved that song, so much, but now you loved it even more. Now it was yours and Chris' song, and that was all that mattered. Even singing someone else's words, you felt the raw emotion of Chris' voice as he told you how much he loved you. And you felt nothing but love for Chris back, but ten times stronger.

"Don't cry on me, love." Chris chuckled lightly, kissing your cheek.

You sniffled and leaned back, wiping your eyes before laughing through the tears. "I love you so much."

Chris nodded, nestling his nose agains yours. "I love you too."

To end the day's celebrations, the marriage between you and Chris, everyone gathered back on the patio where the ceremony was held earlier in the day. The sun had set long before and everyone was wrapped in coats or small blankets to fight off the chill in the wind, others were finishing off drinks, and all leaning against each other for support. They gathered to watch the very end of the celebrations; a firework show above Lake Como.

You and Chris stood in front of everyone, one arm around the other and watched the show. Around you the young ones were running around with sparklers, making designs in the darkness and giggling.

Watching the fireworks explode in the sky, Chris' arm dropped down from your shoulders to your waist, pulling you against him. He kissed your temple and smiled. "I'm so glad I got to marry you." He whispered and you smiled before sharing a kiss.

"By the way," you said when your lips broke apart, "nice Lord Of The Rings reference in your vows earlier."

Chris chuckled. "I was hoping you would catch on." He said before you two shared one more kiss and continued to watch the fireworks explode into an array of colors and beauty in the dark sky.

Towards end of the firework show, Tobi stood to the side and watched as everyone smiled up at the sky. Even though he had been the MC, he had the best night with his friends. It was a magical day, something he will always remember, and he was sure everyone would agree. It was full of laughter and smiles, love, and joy for everyone in attendance.

"Ladies and gentlemen, today we experienced the death of a bachelor."

#chrismd #chrismd10 #chris dixon #chrismd imagine #chrismd10 imagine #chris dixon imagine #chrismd drabble #chrismd10 drabble #chris dixon drabble #chrismd one shot #chrismd10 one shot #chris dixon one shot

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bites-kms · 5 years

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Washington D.C.

It took me two visits, with an exact year in between, to realize how impressive and beautiful the capital of the United States really is. Museums, restaurants, stores, arts, nature, everything is few miles away from each other. A whole 3-day weekend does the trick and you’ll be able to at least get a major glimpse of what this great city has to offer.

If you are visiting from NYC, make sure to exit early in the morning: the 4 hours drive is quite tiring and the traffic tends to get dense while arriving to Washington. That is, of course, if you decide to rent a car - which if you are more than two, is already convenient rather than taking the bus or a train.

Pennsylvania Avenue is one of Washington’s main arteries. Over there, you can find the city’s top museums, as well as some of the most iconic monuments and places of interest. Starting from the right wing - let’s use political gags here for the sake of the storytelling- , you should visit and be marveled at the US Capitol. A beautiful, circular pond surrounds it. You may run into AOC or maybe a peaceful manifestation or even a art pop up installation regarding a current affairs.

On its right, if you face the Capitol, you’ll find the US Botanical Gardens. We usually found available parking place over there, and remember that during the weekends or national holidays is free, so make sure to go early to find a decent spot. All the Smithsonian Museums are over the major park that goes from the Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial. This park, to the surprise of many, is called National Mall. You will be able to find the Museum of Natural History, The National Museum of Air and Space, The National Museum of African Art and the Smithsonian Museum of American History. Others like the Holocaust Museum, the International Spy Museum (which Im not sure if it has something to do with the FBI or not but apparently is very good and fun), and other galleries are also worth checking out.

We took advantage of the free museum day and went to the Air and Space Museum (the closest thing I’ve been to NASA, since in Russia, the one I wanted to go was under renovation, and I really can’t complaint, here I had the chance to touch a piece of lunar surface for free!), my parents went to the Museum of Natural History while I went to the Newseum.

What a great, fantastic place that unfortunately will be closed soon due to funding, Hopefully it will be relocated soon, but the current location by Pennsylvania Avenue is already a major win since it’s an architectural witness of Washington and the United States heritage and legacy. After a major immersion, where one have the opportunity to re-live and understand the past 500 years through news headlines and mankind milestones that woven American and World’s History, specially in the West, one needs to recover after such an intense yet deep bombing of information and, specially for a communicator like me, it’s an invitation for self reflection. I wrote this down the day I visited it: Today, I remembered the joy of being a communicator. It is a damn privilege. Living abroad, or “outside” forces you to think and rethink the “inside” and the others sides. It makes you grow, it makes you stronger. And this is the combo of the communicator who travels. No conflict, celebration nor news is longer a distant one. All of them now have a name, a face, a scent, a place...Telling, creating, broadcasting, believing, defending stories and wor(l)ds. That’s what we do. From the computer’s keyboard, with an ad, a photo or a podcast, that’s the art of sharing, that’s the art of communicating. Cheers, my friends!

See more about the museum here. Apologies for my professional hiatus.

After some greatly memorable museums visit, you should continue walking down the massive and beautiful green esplanade called National Mall. You will be facing the striking Obelisk, which is actually the Memorial of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and will be tempted to make a quick stop, either to chillax by the grass if its summer time, or to grab and put on some calories if its winter by the compulsory food-tracks stop. Kebabs, hot dogs and sandwiches are there to satisfy your crave and give you energy to continue the extenuated walk down Washington DC.

If you stop wisely and look carefully, on the right side of the Obelisk more security than green starts to clutter the view, and this’s because, in the distance, there’s the most famous political venue in the world: The White House. From there, you will be only able to see it from its back, where the actual Global Office is. But, if you dare to go outside the National Mall, by Lafayette Park, you may be able to have a closer look of its front, usually covered by tourists and manifestations signs

On the other hand, if you decide to continue your walk instead of the detour, you should continue walking towards the reflecting pool and the Abraham Lincoln Memorial. The pool is huge, and the effect of the reflecting Obelisk once you arrive to the Memorial is breathtaking. The whole walk is intense and impressive, even for someone who is not an American. One feels like Lisa Simpsons seeking for inspiration or advice, or even like Forrest Gump before giving the Anti-Vietnam speech in front of the Capitol. It’s majestic and the feeling intensifies while discovering the Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial with all the names of those who felt in battle.

After wandering around the beauties of the adjacent parks and the immense gooses that you’ll be able to meet, try to make a slight turn towards Arlington Cemetery, where, among other distinguished people, you will be able to find the Kennedy Family. It is a beautiful place regardless of it’s meaning. It’s gardened to detail and super well taken care of, the amount of crosses and sticks representing the buried people are endless: you look towards the horizon and little vertical white stripes decorate the view as if they were doves waiting on the grass. We arrived almost during its closing hours and we really wanted to be able to pay our honors to the Kennedy’s, so, walking on a very fast and fun pace, we made it, against all odds, guides and rain, to actually take a glimpse of the Memorial, took same pictures and created this fantastic memory before they kicked us out and before our car got stuck in the almost-already-closed parking lot.

On our way to the hotel, the Holliday Inn Airport, we could see the Pentagon and the 9/11 Pentagon Memorial. On the same way, there’s the Thomas Jefferson one, by the Basin and lake, with a beautiful view and pedal boats rental for you to enjoy when the weather allows it.

If there’s a compulsory visit aside from museums in Washington is to stroll around Downtown and the beautiful wharf and old architecture by Georgetown.

Our highlight was being together, and we kind of wing it without much previous research, so let’s Bites & Kms do it for you. Embrace your early morning brunch around Dupont Circle, heading to Sorellina’s for the best sandwiches in town. We had some fantastic scramble eggs, one legendary meatball sandwich (my dad’s first) and a delicious and memorable pastrami one. With St. Peregrino’s Arancinna and dark, strong coffee, this Italian spot with tons of old photos yet Nordic minimalistic look was one of the best Washington findings. Off the grid, no queue, great personalized service.

photo credits: Sorellina’s Website Head over to Georgetown. Discover the old construction and architecture, let your mind wonder as if you were in London and take a minute to compare th contrast between the big, massive avenues and highways versus the narrow, picturesque and cobblestone Georgetown streets. The beautiful painted doors, the merge of styles and the multiple stores and restaurants options make it a delightful walk. You can check out a place to grab a quick snack, like we did, in Luke’s, a chain yet delicious sea food and crab place. They made a fantastic lobster roll which, given the proximity to the sea, it’s freshly caught and delicious.

ater on, you can finish your stroll or dedicate another full day to be by the Potomac River or Washington Harbor Front. New venues such as hotels, restaurants and other services are being placed there, ridiculously expensive and luxurious housing options surround it’s walking area, which displays beautiful designs of modern art and National flags, and hosts a winter ring during the cold season, which I assume transforms into either a music venue or a cafe, like the Rockefeller Plaza does in NYC.

That area surrounding Georgetown has everything: from delicious restaurant, college bars, Georgetown University, which is the oldest Catholic University in the US, it’s harbor front and its theaters. Washington can be fun too, so dont hesitate to enjoy some drinks around: The Sovereign, Martin’s Tavern, El Centro DF were the ones we went to. The Sovereign is a beautiful, old style speakeasy, usually overcrowded and not superb service, but the drinks make up for it. Martin’s Tavern is a colleague bar for cheap drinks and finger food whereas El Centro could be a little bit more vivid and fun. There are also piano bars and jazz clubs which we didn't explore but are suppose to be worth the time. Instead, we did olive oil and vinegar tasting at Georgetown Olive Oil Co.

Seriously, one of the highlights for sure: countless oils and aceto options, with unique blends and flavors ready to be sampled and enjoyed. It was fantastic. They had little cups for you to tried and tiny tiny fresh croutons to go with them and help you change the flavor between one another.

To greet Washington goodbye, my family’s and my favorite craving is always Italian, so I found this beautiful gem which is open until late: a cafe, a store, a grocery, a winery and a restaurant all in one, managed and served by it’s owners. This amazing Italia wonderland is called Via Umbria, and according to my dad, you will be eating not only with your mouth but with your eyes too, since the view will be delightful. We had home-made pasta, a perfectly cooked chicken and a delicious creamy dessert. House wine never disappoints when it comes to these kind of traditional trattorias, so we went for some glasses of house red to marry it with the pasta. It was fantastic DC, you fulfilled my belly, my mind and my heart. Until next time!

#washington #dc #washingtondc #america #us #usa #travel #food #eastcoast

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christinasayswhatsnext · 5 years

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The first thing that strikes me about Kenya are the sounds.

From landing in Nairobi at the airport, to the village we stayed in, it’s the sounds the pop up in my mind: brightly-colored, bustling matatus honk as their exhausts loudly blare and swerve through streets; men dressed in bright pink shirts play trumpets on a truck bed as they drive down the street. Even the language— rich, velvety accents that transformed European English into something beautiful and unique— reminds you that this place is musical and special. Kenya is an audiophiles dream.

I don’t mean to say Kenya is “loud.” First off, it’s a big country that I saw a very small part of. Even then, my experience wasn’t that it was “noisy,” with all the negative connotations that espouses. Instead, it is a space where sound resonates deeply. In the city, it’s urban rhythms of street vendors and throngs of people moving around. In the village, the days and nights are equally alive— cows moo, sheeps bleat, people call out in greeting as you pass by. At every community we visited, there is a welcome of song and dance, voices and footsteps creating a beat that moves through you as you enter a new space.

It’s different than New York or Los Angeles, places where sound seems to beat at or on you– both prepositions implying a cacophony of noise thrown at you very much against your will, your best hope to shield yourself from the hailstorm. Kenya’s sounds, in comparison, feel much more like the first time you hear the rhythm of a song you think you once knew, and that you want to learn again.

It makes sense, since Africa itself is the original heartbeat of our world. It’s where our origin story starts. Kenya’s sounds weave through our very DNA, and being there triggered a connection that was both powerful and jarring. It was powerful how deeply the rhythm of Kenya can speak to the soul, and it was also jarring, because it’s effect was both unexpected and, in some ways, uncomfortable. How can I try and capture that, given who I am? How can I begin to tell you about my time in Africa? How can my short experience in any way encapsulate this place?

We’re told in the West that Africa is “foreign” and “dangerous.” It’s also a place that still very much grapples with the oppressive and colonial history foisted on it. My privilege and lack of understanding was evident from the moment we drove through the city. Who am I to make any connection to a place I clearly do not know enough, if anything, about?

Now, though, I see just how wrong I was. I see that Africa itself holds the origin of so many things, a great cradle for the beginning of earth and life itself.

There was a part of me that honestly thought I wouldn’t be able to write about Kenya. It was too hard. It wasn’t my story. There was too much to try and convey: the bare-walled and dirt-floored classrooms, with wooden benches filled with some of the widest smiles you’d ever see. The smell of the sewer, open in the streets, that we walked over to see where students at the Bethany school in the Kawangware slum live, because the director wanted us to understand what his students overcome to get to school. The way it felt when, despite challenge we think we know about living in a slum, the women in every home we visited said, “Karibu,” and welcomed us in so lovingly so we could hear their story. The powder blue shirts and brightly patterned hair-wraps of the Kithito Kya Kyeengai women’s group as they danced and shuffled over red dirt up the hill to the commune they rented to work and share music and song. The quiet, stoic pride of a nineteen-year-old named Tony, gallant in coveralls and rubber boots, as he told us, “I am not a proud man, but I wanted to have something of prestige for my family and my town.”

It felt (and still feels, frankly) like too much to try and write down. Each experience was so personal yet so removed from my everyday life, and I don’t always know how to marry the two feelings together. I initially decided wouldn’t bother trying. I’d squirrel away the memories for myself instead, privately ruminating over them like worry beads in the hand of an anxious thinker.

Then, on our last night with our hosts at Kenya Connect, the staff threw us a going away party in their bright yellow and green buildings. There was food and song, as there had been in so many places, and the staff was kind enough to present us with our own Kenyan Animal Connections– the animals they thought best embodied our personalities. We laughed and became teary-eyed as we were connected to elephants, giraffes, gazelles, and impalas.

“Finally, Mwikali,” said James, one of the organizations Executive Directors. Lean, elegant, and quietly funny, James had called me up but my Kikamba name, given to me by a group of Kamba children at the first school we visited, meaning “the one who stays.” He invited Sharon, the other ED of Kenya connect, to present me with my animal. I nervously rose up, wondering what their impression of me was.

“These creatures are known for looking out over the Savannah and observing that everything is safe. They’re named for the feathers on their head, which looks like a quill behind their ear, and we know how proud you are to be a writer.”

Then, she handed me a beautiful wooden carving of a long-legged, heavily-crested bird. It was the Secretarybird, a crane-like, fierce looking creature. I was in love.

James nodded as I looked at the beautiful plaque presented to me. “We hope you write good stories about us. We hope you share what you have learned here.” He smiled at me as I sat down.

And I knew what I had to do.

As much as I‘m still trying to figure out my relationship with Kenya, I know that I should still try and tell this story. I know it’s not my voice that matters most, but perhaps sharing what I saw can help center us all on the voices that do need to be at the forefront of talking about this beautiful place.

The next morning, I went on an early morning run as I had done every day that week. The red dirt and rolling hills along the country highway were filled with scrubby brush and trees, and Kenya’s winter made for perfect running weather. The road was occasionally populated by matatus, or people riding their bikes. Men, women, and children passed by in brightly colored outfits headed to some of the shops or boda boda stands that lined the road. At the beginning of my trip, I had smiled at people, but generally kept to myself— I was a woman alone, after all, and I take precautions to try and ensure I don’t invite unwanted attention in ways that might jeopardize my safety.

After a few days, though, I began to see familiar faces and feel more comfortable out on the road. By the last day, I was smiling and greeting people as I past by, and was met with loving, animated responses and cheers as I ran.

As I crested a hill at the half point of my run, I looked up to see a bright, beautiful red sunrise on the horizon, a ball of flame that completely enveloped the sky around it. It stopped me my in my tracks, my heart squeezing at the powerful, ethereal thing I was witnessing, the sun blazing over the rim of the Kenyan horizon. It was the stuff of movies, and the sheer spectacle of color overwhelmed me as I watched.

I took a moment to marvel, and then take some photos before turning around, and saw that the moon was also high above the horizon on the other side as well. A complete 180° of the cosmos enveloped the village, arcing over to hold that moment and everything in it– me, the village, the brush, the people, the sky– in a perfect embrace.

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I stopped, eager to appreciate just how blessed I was– I was a girl who had traveled halfway across the world and found myself cradled between the heavens. I had come to the place where our earliest ancestors were founded, a place where music, history, art and civilization had so many of its origins, and a place that had overcome and thrived in a world that often denied its brilliance– and been gifted the feeling of belonging in that beautiful place. Africa did not ask me if I was worthy of that experience– I was not– but simply asked that I exist in kinship with it.

I closed my eyes and heard the steady thumping of my own heart, a song that I admittedly rarely take the time to listen to. And in this moment, I finally understood how powerful Africa is and my time in Kenya. In a few short weeks, being here had taken two juxtaposed ideas in my mind– connection and the unknown– and melded them together. It showed me that the rhythm beating throughout Kenya was linked to the beating of my heart, an ethereal rhythm of the heavens much bigger and grander than I thought possible. It existed in every child’s dance step, in the voices raised high in welcome, in the hands working to thrive each day.

My trip had shown me that the actual human experience is so much deeper and more nuanced than the dichotomy I had created. Instead, it revealed that there are songs and singers more powerful than the lines I have used to try and define the world. They are there, as they have been for millennia; I need only I take the time to see and, more importantly, listen to them.

The Rhythm of the Heavens The first thing that strikes me about Kenya are the sounds. From landing in Nairobi at the airport, to the village we stayed in, it’s the sounds the pop up in my mind: brightly-colored, bustling…

#Africa #Kenya #travel #traveling

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hashtagsmitty · 6 years

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Smitty's Thailand Adventure - Day 4

This time on DragonBall Z - Josh picks up random street pussy, hours of wrecking little kids, another long ass wait, and a 10k hike.

I fell asleep last night as soon as I hit the pillow so I wrote yesterday's thing this morning. I was angry while I wrote it and even angrier when I went to get breakfast. I'm on the other side of the world in a city that smells terrible, I'm lonely, I spent yesterday watching Josh and his GF make kissy faces at each other...

People travel to experience new things and broaden their horizons. I assume. I'm travelling to spend time with my best friend - there's not much about Thailand that really appeals to me. I'm not an adventurous eater and I've never liked sauces on my food, so a lot of cuisine is out. I don't care about buying cheap stuff at markets, so that's out. The biggest thing I've realised of the culture is that it's (generously described as) laissez-faire - they don't care very much. Minimum effort required.

I realise all this sounds negative - I'm in a much better mood after the day I had today, but I wanted to capture how I was feeling this morning. Having such a good day put all this in perspective, and one moment of negativity isn't going to ruin this trip - I won't let it.

I went to get breakfast and ate it in the room while I listened to a podcast and played a game on my phone. Josh texted me at 9 to say we were meeting up at 1:30 for laser tag. I had time to kill. I decided that I was going to see the Statue of the Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho. The pictures I found online don't do it justice - I really just wanted to see a longboi Buddha because I thought it would be cool.

So. Wat Pho is 13kms from my hotel. The skytrain got me halfway there. The options for the rest of the trip were:

Bus. The buses in Bangkok look terrifying - thick black clouds of smoke, no glass in the windows. Plus, the traffic is crazy and I'm genuinely convinced I'll see someone die before I leave. I don't want it to be me, so the bus was out.

Taxi or TukTuk. We used tuktuks heaps last time we were here, because they were so damn cheap. For many of the same reasons as above, mostly that I don't want to die in Thailand, tuktuks were out. The taxis we took yesterday were insane - they are good drivers, in the sense that they don't crash, but they're unsafe and terrifying drivers, in the sense that they don't stick in their lanes, don't indicate, and have very little concern for road rules. Plus, April and I had a scary incident with a taxi last time we were in Asia, so I wanted no part of being alone in a taxi. So this option is out.

Walk.

I walked from Siam Station (think Crown Casino crossed with Flinders Street Station) all the way to the longboi Buddha. Each way took an hour.

I used this as an opportunity to practice my photography. I'm working on a series called "Decay BK", a set of vignettes capturing small elements of how busted up parts of this city are. Here are some samples:

Like something out of Fallout, especially that first one of the railway lines. I saw heaps of other things that I didn't take a picture of, but mostly I just saw people living. Normal people in a weird and different situation to mine, making do or even thriving. We said that Cambodia had a harsh juxtaposition between the rich and poor - we saw small mansions literally next to garbage dumps - but in Thailand it's worse. The poverty isn't quite as bad, at least from what I've seen, but the wealth and opulence and excess is so much higher here.

Long story short I walked for an hour in the sun. An army dude stopped me and warned me about pickpockets. I thanked him and kept walking. Eventually I made it to the temple.

The statue is huge. Seriously. Go look at pictures:

The pictures don't do it justice - the thing is like two stories tall. It looks like solid gold, but I think it might be hollow and gold plated. Still, it's gorgeous. I had to take my shoes off and put them in a bag to enter the temple. I got to walk around it and dodge the huge throng of people in the temple. The army guy said today was the last day of the holiday so it was going to be packed. When I told Josh that he said that there's no holiday and the army guy was probably trying to pickpocket me himself.

I put my shoes back on, grabbed my complimentary water, and started the long walk back. I was hot. I was sweating like a pig. My feet hurt. I kept tripping on exposed parts of the concrete, only making my vindictive, fake "posr-collapse" photography all the sweeter. But I felt good - I navigated this city like a boss, seeing a beautiful side of the city I likely wouldn't have otherwise, and getting a much clearer picture of the people and the culture and what the non-tourist parts of Bangkok look like.

That's actually something that Josh does really well - both here and in Cambodia, we didn't stay in areas full of tourists. I think we got a much better picture of the countries we were in.

Though, apparently Cambodia was and is still owned by the Khmer Rouge, and we had no idea, so make of that what you will.

I got to the White Ethnostate and Aryan Purity Family Mart a little before when I said I'd meet Josh there. The laser tag place was just around the corner from there. I got some water and waited.

And waited.

He texted me at 2, when we agreed to meet (I had to push it back by 30 minutes because some moron decided to walk across the city for 2 hours) to say that he was running late and that he'd explain when he got there.

He got there at 2:30. We grabbed some food - the same thing I've been having for breakfast, chicken and rice - and caught up. He needed to spend time with Espy, he said. I nodded. I know how that is. We headed off to laser tag. On the way we discussed his girlfriend being a bit overly affectionate yesterday, and he told me that it made him a bit uncomfortable. "There's a time and place for that sort of thing", he said. I was glad to hear that - his other girlfriends have done the same thing when I've been around, and I find it frustrating, so to hear him acknowledge it meant a lot.

The laser tag place was full when we got there at 3, so we paid for a day pass and agreed to come back at 4. We went to that park near the station with the bird poo all over the steps, and walked around a while. We found some stray cats and Josh played with them for a while.

We sat on a bench and shot the shit for a while. Josh had a fresh coconut while we watched a stray cat stare down a squirrel in a tree. Josh told me that his friends from the other night had said that they thought I was really cool and easy to talk to - "a natural", one of them said. I was pleased to hear that, because being social never came easily to me and it's something I've been trying to work on. We talked about who hooked up with who and who was being clingy or wasting their time. It was nice.

We went back to laser tag. There was a large group of Singaporean medical students. We played a couple rounds with them - scored in the top 5 each time, out of around 30 people. We took a group photo for the Singaporeans, then they left and a bunch of kids came in. Not one to reject a challenge, Josh suggested that we play 2v5 against them. They respectfully declined and we played free-for-all instead. No prize for guessing who came first and second.

We got hungry, so we went to the Emporium, the shopping center attached to the skytrain station near my house.

Dinner was the same chicken franchise we got from the airport, but a much nicer version. The female, Thai Ben from the other night texted Josh. Apparently he made sure she got home safe that night we were hanging out in District W. She said she bumped into someone called Andrew who swore up and down that he knew me. I can't think of any Andrews I know. Josh assumed that it was a pretense to text him, and he told Ben this. No idea how that ended up.

We finished the meal and went back to laser tag. A couple of new groups rotated in and we played 3 more games, for a total of 8. I won the last 2 games, and ended up with a final K:D ratio of 5:2. I achieved this miraculous score by abusing the power-up mechanics heavily, and enlisting the small children on my team as my strike squad. They might not have understood English, but once I showed them how to get the powerups, we were wrecking everyone, and my two minions came 3rd and 5th. Josh was 2nd and some old Indian dude who stood at the entrance and sniped people came 4th. It was fun!

Josh and I walked back to the Alt-White Political Disempowerment Family Mart. We agreed to meet up again tomorrow, after his girlfriend was done with classes. I walked down my street, straight past two "massage girls" who didn't so much as whistle at me. I'm beginning to think that I'm invisible. Or I smelled from all the walking and running around, hard to say.

I went straight to the shower once I got in. I saw the sun today, and even a patch of blue sky! Today ended much better than it started, and I'm feeling excited and positive about tomorrow.

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evelynsmusings · 5 years

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#TravellrStories: Edwin & Fiona's Long Awaited European Honeymoon

It’s not uncommon for the honeymoon to fall by the wayside for busy couples, especially in the case of Edwin & Fiona – after their big wedding day, event after event amassed on their schedules and they couldn’t find the time to plan out a trip. It’s not rocket science; but you’ve got to choose the destinations, make travel reservations, research the area to plan your excursions, read thousands of reviews – after all, making itinerary plans wasn’t their thing.

For all the masses of information they had available, the couple still wanted guidance from a trusted source. Looking through most travel packages, they couldn’t find anything with concrete reviews within their budget and were starting to lose hope on ever embarking on their belated honeymoon – until they stumbled upon Anywhr. Traveling is hard work, they knew, despite being glamorized on social media by friends and family. Labouring over detailed itineraries, figuring out transport and schedules – what a hassle to juggle both work deadlines and planning a trip!

We took that load off their shoulders.

Raring to go, the two decided to go with their gut and let our team plan their trip. It turned out to be a journey across four unique European cities, discovering majestic landscapes and enjoying the best cuisine. The fond memories from their trip still had a lasting impact on them and they seemed more than excited to reminisce about their trip when they sat down with us to have a chat, a couple of weeks later.

A Bespoke Itinerary

The couple wanted a good balance of having their itinerary planned for them and making spur-of-the-moment decisions. There is a common myth that to travel extemporaneously means you simply pack a bag, choose a destination, and leave for that locale within a few hours.

However, it might not be the best idea to abandon all reason simply because you simply want to do something unplanned. In fact, it’s important to note the difference between planning and research when traveling spontaneously! You can forgo planning, but successful execution of an impromptu trip occurs when you do thorough research and ensure logistics (like troublesome transfers) are done well.

That’s where Anywhr comes in. All the couple needed to do was to sit back, relax and let us do the pillars of preparation for their trip so that they can feel confident deviating from any plans when the opportunity presents itself.

The process began with them; through a quick quiz we found how what kind of travellers they were, what they were looking to experience. We crafted a journey that lined up with their preference and budget, filtering through thousands of potential options and finally landing on a perfect spot for the two!

The modern-day Time Traveller looking for their next stop in history, both Edwin & Fiona wanted to experience traditions that stood the test of time with magnificent beauty and grace. They wanted to understand that cultures, both new and old. They were looking for a destination with a remarkable past, ancient traditions, striking art and delicious gastronomy.

Within days, they received an email from our team with packing tips and weather details. Warm winter clothes? Thermal wear and waterproof boots? Edwin and Fiona knew they needed to get their supplies before their Travelogue envelope had arrived with their itinerary.

From their personality quizzes, Anywhr found out that Edwin was they were both fashionable travellers and as vougish travellers, they were also both elated to hear that the email from us provided vital information so they could plan for their daily wear alongside their winter clothes. Edwin was ecstatic! A cold country was what he was hoping for and was over the moon to find that the trip was indeed customised in their favour.

It was not long before their Anywhr envelope reaches Edwin’s hands. Inside were the destination and itinerary for their honeymoon trip, waiting to be inspected.

“When we have to go for holidays, and we have to book hotels or Airbnb, I have to open a few tabs and look through all the photos, shortlist them – then present it to him, all the hotels I’ve shortlisted” Fiona teases.

They were jubilant that they didn’t need to spend a lot of time and frustration planning their trip – they left the flight bookings, hotel and transportation reservations and details in our hands. All they had to do was to pack, remember to bring their vital travel documents and get to the airport on time!

Anywhr also takes your remarks into consideration; be it places you don’t want to go or small little detailed things like pet peeves with your hotel room. For Edwin, he was fastidious when choosing for lodging and was overjoyed when he realised that Anywhr took his notes into consideration, choosing hotels that would fit his description.

“I was really happy when I got the accommodations, they (Anywhr) took my notes seriously.” Edwin remarked.

IT’S THE LITTLE THINGS

For the couple, the small little bespoke details they had on that trip were the highlights of their entire adventure. They were spoiled for choices because of Europe’s excellent rail network made any spur-of-the-moment decisions easier. From city to city, the couple were greeted with stunning medieval grace and beautiful countryside views. Both Edwin & Fiona had no idea their interesting destinations existed in the world until they finally made their way there. Rich with culture and history, the cities were perfect for our history nerds. They found out that they were recommended sites which were in-line with what they wanted; nature and culture – Fiona got the best of both worlds and everything in between, exactly what she wanted!

With their hectic work schedules back at home, it was truly a blessing in disguise when they touched down to the small town with only a handful of people. The slow pace of life helped them unwind from their daily routines as they giggled about how different it was to not see fellow Asians around! They were met with many curious tourists and locals, exchanging conversations and surprising some when they regaled about how their trip was planned!

We took note of finding less “touristy spots” for the couple so that they could spend more time together, a blissful honeymoon with everything curated for them! Away from the crowds and noise, it was exactly what they wanted.

MEMORIES MADE

If you were to ask the couple what the most memorable takeaways from the entire trip was, it would be the chance to spend the precious time together through an epicurean experience. From the long bread to the solid and scrumptious pretzels they have tasted, the couple both agreed that the gelato there was something worth raving and craving for.

Besides the delicious spread offered before them, Edwin mentioned that he was truly inspired by the artworks and the magnificent scenery around him but what truly touched the couple’s heartstrings were the locals’ patience in sharing with them a piece of their history, widening their horizons as they spent precious bonding moments that time will never forget.

Anywhr’s emphasis is on flexibility and personalisation across a range of authentic experiences, for the couple’s honeymoon, it was all about spending quality time together exploring the great outdoors and pigging out!

“He’s okay with whatever I am fine with, he’s fine with the places you guys (Anywhr) recommended. As long as there’s good food – a lot of food!” Fiona teases.

THE PERFECT PERSONALIZED HONEYMOON

Serendipity and a willingness to embrace the exquisite can add up to the best of travels.The lovebirds both complemented each other on the trip, both enjoying each other’s eagerness to try out the rich cultural experiences that destination X had to offer. Initially curious on how Anywhr can balance between personalization and planning the perfect trip, their minds were put to ease when they realised that the trip was curated to perfection, hopping between countries and sights they have never seen before with each other.

After their Anywhr honeymoon, it was apparent that both Edwin & Fiona were over the moon with their crafted honeymoon itinerary, big on imagination and catered around both of their individual's interests. They knew that they’d never be able to plan something without overstressing about the itinerary and preparation. They agreed it felt like a magnificent history lesson, learning new things about the place and themselves.

Just like Edwin & Fiona, couples today want a once-in-a-lifetime experience for their honeymoon and are willing to go the distance for something memorable. Gone are the days when honeymooners were content to stay in their hotel, stretch out on the sand and spend a few lazy days in the sun.

As for us, it has been an absolute pleasure to be able to craft this special itinerary for Edwin and Fiona. We are also delighted that they had a good time exploring these exotic places we had recommended for them because a honeymoon is a significant experience, where the two celebrated the wanderlust and their love for each other as one.

No matter whether you are getting off the beaten path or visiting time-tried classic, staying in a hostel or a world-class hotel, taking a simple city tour or jumping out of a plane, Anywhr creates your personalized travel to create a unique trip and life-long memories.

Your boundless travel story begins now! Start building your own Anywhr trip here today!

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matthewschueller · 5 years

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Introducing: MICHAEL AND MATT PRESETS (The Travel Pack)

ALL NEW TRAVEL PRESETS!

Perfect Presets for Instagram, Travel Influencers, and Travel Photography

Feeling PROUD... of myself, of us, just all around a feeling of gratitude is what I’m experiencing this morning. We just released our FIRST EVER Lightroom preset pack for photo editing (available now on our blog & insta-stories) and I have A LOT of emotions about it.

My editing style is something I’ve guarded with iron fists over the years. My edits felt like this top-secret recipe I couldn’t share, they are like my babies. I’m realizing now this sounds silly, but wow, if you’re into photography—maybe you can relate!? I’ve been so hesitant to share how I edit photos because I believed it was the only thing that really set me apart and made me unique as a photographer (it’s hard to stand out in a supersaturated field!).... I understand how this was really due to a lack of confidence in myself and in my work, and working in the industry I’ve given this a lot of mental energy thinking it though.

OUR STRENGTH AND VALUE IS DERIVED FROM WHAT WE SHARE, not from what we keep secret and in the dark. “How do you edit?” is one of the most frequent questions we’ve gotten—and I’m just really happy that now I have a clear and truly helpful response.

I hope that these presets challenge you in your photography learning process. I hope that they help you see light in a different way, and I hope they take your photography to the next level!! All of our success is community based, so us as a community succeeding is something to celebrate. I’m really excited to share more and more of how I approach travel and portrait photography—and I’m particularly excited for our group Thailand trip in December, where we’ll be teaching hands-on photography and editing in one of the most beautiful places on earth.

The pack includes 10 Presets:

1. Bay Side 2. Cobblestone 3. Canopy 4. Head in the Clouds 5. Mediterranean 6. Isla 7. On the Rocks 8. Splash 9. Horizon 10. Retrograde

The Michael & Matt Travel Pack contains all of our favorite presets we’ve used to edit our Instagram pictures. Through traveling together over the last 5 years, we’ve developed these presets as our “go-to’s” no matter where in the world we may be. We designed these presets to help take your photography to the next level with stunning edits in just a few simple clicks.

Inside the pack you will find 1 ZIP file complete with 10 Lightroom desktop preset files. PLEASE NOTE - This pack is for desktop/laptop only and will not work on Lightroom mobile. Presets work for both RAW and JPEG images.

These presets greatly enhance contrast and color while conserving essential natural tones, giving a less-edited authentic feel while exhibiting deep shadows and striking highlights. We particularly love how they work with blues, oranges and greens. Photos taken in full-sun, ambient light and shade work well with these presets, but backlit and golden-hour shots are our favorite. Whether rain or shine, these presets will make your photos truly stand out with a vibrant and crisp touch.

Scroll to see the BEFORE & AFTER with the Michael & Matt Travel Pack —

Get the Michael & Matt Travel Pack HERE!

#presets #lightroom #travel presets #gay travel

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eddiejpoplar · 7 years

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Grand Touring Across California in a 2018 Lexus LC 500

CAMBRIA, California — It was probably around the third visit to the Lexus stand when I realized I was staring at one of the most striking, captivating cars I’ve ever seen. This in 2016, at a frigid, snowbound Detroit auto show, when Lexus trotted the stunning LC 500 out for its world debut. I distinctly remember returning to the Lexus show stand multiple times, trying to drink as much of the LC 500 as I could. Fast forward over a year, and I’ve nabbed the keys to a Liquid Platinum 2018 Lexus LC 500 for the weekend. With an evening and two full days cleared out, I’m set to explore what happens when Japan plants its flag in European-held territory.

For the record, I never said the LC 500 is beautiful, and after hours of oogling, I’m not sure it is. It’s alluring, engrossing, and unbelievably unique, but I remain unconvinced it’s objectively a beautiful car. In place of conventional good looks we get something incredibly original, and that’s worth the nearly six-figure price of entry alone. Aside from perhaps a handful of canopy lines, the LC is a wild, origami moonshot away from the established design consiglieri at Aston, Ferrari, Mercedes, and Jaguar.

The whole shape is awash with contradiction–that massive grille really, really shouldn’t work as well as it does. We paid for the Predator-aping Spindle Grill with the tax of time, dealing with different iterations until Lexus finally made it work. On the older RX models, it’s garish and gaping. On the LC, it’s arguably the most significant portion of the design, yanking the taut curves and angles from the front half of the body forward.

If you see one in person, spend some time walking around the 187.4-inch-long coupe. This isn’t an easily digestible shape—save for the BMW i8, this is the closest we’ve gotten to a concept car that snuck into production. From the insane, thick wheel design to the abruptness of the flat side, you could spend hours and not fully understand why the design “works.”

Inside, it’s not quite as shocking as the outside wrapper. It’s still very much sculptural, with gently rising curves and flat surfaces that create an environment much more special than more pedestrian Lexus offerings. Most of the buttons were heavy and comprised of metal, and the leather was some of the richest I’ve seen from the brand. On the door, sweeping lines ascended up the suede insert, interrupted by a floating door handle that’s as elegant as anything I’ve seen on much, much more expensive cars.

Things only get better once you find the metal start button behind the steering wheel, nudging the 5.0-liter naturally aspirated V-8 to life. Sound familiar? It should be—this is the same 2UR-GSE V-8 we’ve enjoyed since its debut in the 2008 IS-F. 471 hp and 398 lb-ft of torque are on tap, routed to the rear wheels through Lexus’ 10-speed automatic transmission.

It’s an older heart and you’ve got to punt the needle to the top to extricate the power, but that only means you can drink in the sensational soundtrack. The 5.0 is shared with the GS F and RC F, but it never sounded better (or louder) than it does in the LC. Much like the styling, the sound is wholly unique – not European, not American. There’s a touch of euro about it, but brings in a pure mechanical thrash accompanied by a gutsy intake resonance that I haven’t heard anywhere else.

At 4,280 pounds, it’s not light, but GTs by definition are weighty, substantial vehicles. Weight-shaving ascetisisim is the antithesis of grand touring—there’s always insulation, big engines, cushy seats, and complicated sound systems to keep occupants cosseted. Thanks to the V-8, performance is more than adequate, with 0-60 mph arriving in a claimed 4.4 seconds, and a top speed limited to 168 mph.

GTs are dual-purpose vehicles, offering the capability to dance around a slippery highland pass when the coastal path is too clogged with tour buses. For handling, I checked into the canyon roads weaving above Malibu, hitting all my regular paths. These tight, technical roads proved too claustrophobic for the LC’s sizeable hips and too bumpy for the over-active traction control system that cut power completely on more than one occasion.

Quickly, I charged through LA freeways to Angeles Crest, a canyon pass more sympathetic to wider, faster cars. Here, the LC was at home, holding sharply to the Crest’s myriad sweepers. As a bonus, there’s a tunnel near the top for bouncing the V-8 off the top of the tach.

Dynamically, it drives as well as you would expect it to, with medium-weight steering and easy, powerful brakes. Don’t expect much for tight, small corners, but long, gradual curves are the LC’s forte. As before, peak power arrives toward the top of the range, requiring a heavy foot to hustle, which is slightly off-key for GTs. You want consistent power delivery down low, with an unfussy transmission. The 10-speed was quick, but too often it would get confused and hold a gear too long, or upshift far too quickly.

After returning home that night, I wasn’t convinced I’d done any real GT-ing in the stop-and-go LA traffic. Sunday was fast approaching, so I laid out a course up north to Cambria, California for the next morning.

Located roughly 250 miles northeast of my home in the South Bay, the village of Cambria is a picturesque seaside hideout in-between Los Angeles and San Francisco. Aside from Hearst Castle and the nearby pine forest, there isn’t much to see here, but it makes for a perfect endpoint to a scenic coastal sprint.

In the morning, I’m out the door before the sun fully breaches the horizon. The Rioja Red leather-and-suede seats are a touch chilly, so both the seat and the steering wheel heaters are clicked on. It’s a 20 minute stroll through empty beachside streets to the highway, enjoying the LC’s comfortable ride and excellent sound system before I reach the 101.

For a brief stretch before Santa Barbara, the 101 touches the coast, providing spectacular vistas that fall right in line with the elegance of the LC 500. Out on the straight and smooth tarmac, it’s quiet and refined, showing very little of the raucous V-8 character found up on the Crest. Passengers in other cars crane their necks as I pass, likely taken aback at the Lexus badge on the rear bumper.

The Lexus’ 21.7-gallon fuel tank means I don’t have to stop for fuel until my destination, giving me peace of mind. In Cambria, I cruise around the wooded hills in search of photo spots before giving up and returning to downtown for some lunch. It was barely mid-day, and I still had some travel legs under me, so I set my sights on wine country.

A quick loop around Cambria puts me back on the 101, before shortly turning off onto highway 46. This meanders through straw-colored hills for 30-odd miles before washing into Paso Robles, one of the many wine-centric areas of California. I’m not the biggest oenophile, so I was here for the scenery – and to open the taps on the LC a little more. Exploration concluded with a cruise through wineries and farmlands, stopping on the side of a secluded backroad for another chance to oogle the LC.

It was only mid-afternoon, but I had a six hour drive ahead of me, and I had already been in the seat most of the day. I pointed the Lexus’ spindle grille toward home and fired, winding back down the coast and through increasingly clogged highways. I arrived long after the sunset, but was not much worse for the wear. Through the roughly 600-mile round trip, the Lexus proved to be as comfortable, approachable, and entrancing as its much more expensive and finicky European counterparts.

Job well done? I think so. The LC could almost get by on its stunning looks alone, and didn’t have to feel as satisfying to drive as it did. The LC 500 and LC 500h are the first of the breed, and considering this is a clear shot across the bow of the established GT players, watch this space for higher-performance variants to arrive in the future.

So, the next time your Cambria calls, give the 2018 Lexus LC 500 a try – it just might be better than you expect.

2018 Lexus LC 500 Specifications

ON SALE Now PRICE $92,995 (base) ENGINE 5.0L DOHC 32-valve V-8/471 hp @ 7,100 rpm, 398 lb-ft @ 4,800 rpm TRANSMISSION 10-speed automatic LAYOUT 2-door, 4-passenger, front-engine, RWD coupe EPA MILEAGE 16/26 mpg (city/hwy) L x W x H 187.4 x 75.6 x 53.0 in WHEELBASE 113.0 in WEIGHT 4,435 lb 0-60 MPH 4.4 sec TOP SPEED 168 mph

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fadingfartconnoisseur · 8 years

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17 Unforgettable Trips to Take in 2017

I always feel a bit nostalgic after the new year. Thinking back over 2016, I’ve had some extraordinary adventures. It was an incredible year that took me from South America to South Africa and beyond.

Searching for some 2017 travel inspiration? Check out some of my favorite trips of all time and a few destinations I can’t wait to check off my bucket list.

Here are 17 unforgettable trips to take in 2017!

Visit the USA National Parks

The national parks of the United States are underrated. From Alaska to Maine, the US is full of must-see natural attractions. One of my favorite National Parks is Yosemite in California.

Other greats include the Hawai’i Volcanoes, Hawaii; Olympic, Washington; Zion, Utah; and Yellowstone, Wyoming. Even if you can’t see them all, why not try to see one new national park every year?