Adventures of Anette

Friday, February 12, 2016

[Hotel Review] Nagano: Aburaya Tousen Ryokan (Yudanaka) - あぶらや燈千

Anette 1:00:00 AM

Room with private onsen bath

During my recent trip to see the bathing Snow Monkeys in Jigokudani I had the pleasure of spending a night at the renowned ryokan (traditional Japanese style hotel) Aburaya Tousen (あぶらや燈千) with a group of friends. The ryokan was located only 5 minutes away from Yudanaka Station by foot, but when we arrived at the station a representative of the hotel was already there to pick us up.

Thursday, February 11, 2016

Nagano

Monkey see, monkey do: Visiting Jigokudani's Bathing Snow Monkeys

Anette 2:56:00 PM

As the old saying goes; monkey see, monkey do! In Jigokudani - literarily Hell's Valley - the monkeys have learned to enjoy bathing in the hot spring, and if you visit the valley you can see both young and elder monkeys monkeying around or just soaking in the hot water. Although these monkeys belong to a very common Japanese species called macaque, the monkeys living in the snowy areas of the country are more often referred to just as that - “snow monkeys” (スノーモンキー). You can find macaque monkeys all over Japan, but it is only the snow monkeys in Nagano's Jigokudani that are known to take hot spring-baths, a peculiar sight that attracts visitors from all over the world.

Sunday, February 7, 2016

Osaka

商売繁盛で笹持ってこい！Behind the scene of the Toka Ebisu Festival 2016

Anette 5:01:00 PM

The Toka Ebisu festival (十日戎) is one of the largest festivals in Osaka, with a history stretching all the way back to the Edo period (17th-19th Century).
Every year more than a million people visit the 3-day long festival in order to pray for good fortune in the new year, especially in relation to business.
The festival is held in the honour of the Japanese god Ebisu, locally known as Ebbessan, and the whole shrine area are filled with items that has his face printed on it (A face that might be quite familiar for those of you who enjoy Ebisu beer).

Sunday, January 31, 2016

Maldives

The Maldives: Staying at Himmafushi Island's Just Surf and Dive Villa

Anette 7:37:00 PM

During our recent trip to the Maldives Yuma & I spent some days at a local Maldivian island Himmafushi. As I wrote about in my post about Himmafushi the government of the Maldives opened up for the possibility of having guests staying at the local islands in 2009. Although the experience is far from what you can expect staying at one of the luxurious island resorts in the Maldives it will give you a glimpse into the real life of the local people residing in this beautiful country.

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Maldives

The Maldives on a budget: Going local at Himmafushi Island

Anette 11:01:00 PM

A typical street on Himmafushi island. The island is not that big so everything is within walking distance, but many of the locals use motorbikes to get around

Local Islands - An Introduction
The history of tourism in the Maldives is rather short; while the first Maldivian resort opened in 1972 it was only as recent as 2009 that the government opened up for the possibility of having guests staying at the local islands. Tourism has grown to become the largest economic industry in the country, and the increasing number of foreign tourists come as a big opportunity for economical revitalisation of the local communities.
The majority of foreign visitors chose to stay at the luxurious island resorts, far from an authentic experience of the real Maldives. My darling Yuma and I very much enjoyed our resort stay in Ellaidhoo, but at the same time we wouldn't have gotten the same unique experience as we did if it weren't for our short stay in Himmafushi at the local guest house Just Surf Villa & Lodge.

Friday, January 15, 2016

Travel

Sightseeing in the Maldives: The Maldives & Alcoholic Drinks

Anette 12:00:00 PM

Drink from our Maldivian hotel Ellaidhoo by Cinnamon

The Maldives is known as a country with strict rules enforced when it comes to things that goes against Islamic teachings. For islands mainly inhabited by locals alcohol is totally prohibited, and you’re not allowed to bring any alcoholic beverages here.
Although there are many resort islands where alcoholic beverages are served you should note that if you bring alcohol with you when you travel to the Maldives there is a certain risk that your beverages will be taken away from you when you arrive at the airport.

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Maldives

Maldives Island Resorts: Ellaidhoo by Cinnamon Superior Room

Anette 11:03:00 PM

During our stay at Ellaidhoo by Cinnamon we had the chance to try out two types of guest rooms; the Water Bungalow (which I have written about here) and the Superior Room. Ellaidhoo has a total of 112 guest rooms, and 28 of these rooms are Superior Rooms. The Superior Rooms are situated on the south east side of the island a short walk away from Madi Restaurant and the Tree Bar. The rooms can host 2-4 people, so it is an ideal alternative for families, small groups travelling together or simply couples who prefer to have a room with a lot of space.

Monday, January 11, 2016

Maldives

Ellaidhoo by Cinnamon - Dream Vacation in a Maldivian Water Bungalow

Anette 11:22:00 AM

View from the bungalow

Sunset

During our stay at Ellaidhoo by Cinnamon we had the chance to try out two types of guest rooms; the Water Bungalow and the Superior Room. Ellaidhoo has a total of 112 guest rooms, and 24 of these rooms are Water Bungalows rooms.The water bungalows are situated on the northwest side of the island right by the Malamathi restaurant and pool.

Friday, January 8, 2016

Snorkling

Luxury Resort Life in the Maldives: Chaaya Reef & Ellaidhoo by Cinnamon

Anette 8:42:00 PM

Arriving at Ellaidho

After having spent one day sightseeing in Male it was time to experience the real luxury life of a Maldivian resort island. Our choice had fallen upon the four-star resort Ellaidho by Cinnamon situated at the Chaaya Reef, and we were looking forward to trying out one of their eminent Maldivian water bungalows.

Sunday, January 3, 2016

Travel

Sightseeing in the Maldives: One day in Male

Anette 11:26:00 PM

Most tourist traveling to the Maldives tend to aim directly for one of the many resort islands where one can experience heavenly comfort and luxury and forget the hassle of daily life (for instance with a stay at a romantic water bungalow). However, if you have the chance to visit the Maldives and want to get a glimpse into how the daily life of the local people is then your best shot would be to spend a day to visiting the capital Male.