Dakine Kira Travel Shorts

Taipei Exploration

Once you arrive in the heart of Taipei, go and quickly enjoy its iconic landmarks as well as its busy night markets and colorful culture! With that, I’ll be listing the top attractions in the city; however, it would be impossible to thoroughly visit EVERYTHING (unless you swiftly go through every location).

That’s why, depending on your interests, pick the best places that you’d like to see within the day for your Taiwan itinerary based on the descriptions that I’ll be providing below (my top favorites are marked with a star ★); and then, you can visit the rest during your other free time or during your other trip days if you’re staying longer than 3 days in Taiwan.

◘◘ ★ Taipei 101

Formerly known as the Taipei World Financial Center, Taipei 101 was once called the world’s tallest building in 2004 — until Burj Khalifa in Dubai was completed in 2010.

Either way, nowadays, it holds the highest award as the tallest and largest green building in the world according to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). By now, I’m sure you’ve heard of this building before; after all, it serves as an icon of modern Taiwan (though it was initially built as a symbol of the evolution of technology and Asian tradition); as such, it is a must to include this on your Taiwan itinerary.

Towering at 101 stories, the base of the building houses several shops and restaurants (such as the famous Din Tai Fung chain) but what most visitors aim to do is to access the observatory. To list out the highlights of the building:

• 5F Taipei 101 Mall: The floor where you can purchase tickets and take the Guinness World Record high-speed elevator to the observatory on the 89th floor (it travels at 1,010 meters/min or 60.6kph, taking only 37 seconds total). However, it’s best to purchase online to get a discounted price — I will discuss this in the detail in the ‘admission‘ section below.
• 89F Indoor Observatory: Offers unobstructed views of Taipei. It also has a museum where you can learn about the construction of Taipei 101.
• 88F Beauty of Taiwan Multimedia Corridor, Super Big Wind Damper, Treasure Sky: The highlight of this floor is at 5.5m (in diameter) and there’s a 660-ton wind damper that’s built in the core of the tower. Apparently, this amazing technology helps keep the building from swaying and helps keep it stand upright. Meanwhile, Treasure Sky is a place where you can find jewel crafts.
• 91F Outdoor Observatory: This is accessible via the stairs from the 89th floor, but since the winds can get quite strong, this floor is only open on days when the weather is favorable. Anyhow, inside, you will find a small theatre that features films about the annual New Years’ fireworks display set off from Taipei 101.

ADMISSION: General ticket is NT$600 (students are charged NT$540 and children under 115cm are

Guide to the ethical and sustainable yoga pants brands, including organic and recycled yoga pants and sustainable leggings with pockets

Yoga is the best way to reconnect with yourself and feeling comfortable while doing it is extremely significant.

Choosing the right sustainable yoga clothes is the first step toward making your yoga journey blissful. 

Sustainable yoga pants have proven to be a game-changer in the field of activewear as it lets you feel good from the inside out as you contribute to a better future for the planet.

In terms of comfort, it is exemplary as brands have come up with many high-quality sustainable fabrics.

You can now find sustainable yoga pants made from RPET, organic cotton, bamboo, and more. 

I prefer my pants to be soft and stretchable to easily practice different yoga poses.

Luckily, sustainable yoga pants have exceeded all my expectations. 

Here is a list of the best sustainable yoga pants that you must own:

Thanks to affiliate links, I pay my bills. If you make a purchase through them, I may receive a small commission at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. All opinions are always mine. Merci!

Overview: The Top 5 Sustainable Yoga Pants

Wolven makes sustainable clothing a trendy affair with its range of stunning yoga pants for women. 

Their team of artists, activists and designers shares a passion for protecting the planet and its people.

Everyone at Wolven works together to responsibly create masterpieces that’ll make you look good and feel extraordinary.

The carbon-neutral sustainable yoga pants from Wolven are made from OEKO-Tex Certified Recycled P.E.T fabric.

Their fun and colorful prints like chakra, aqua and more will inspire you to love the planet and yoga even more. 

All of the pants from Wolven are soft, quick-drying and odor resistant which makes them excellent for everything from yoga to hiking.

They feature and innovative 4-way stretch technology that will make your movement easy and comfortable.

Wolven is also one of the best sustainable swimwear brands and make versatile reversible bikinis.

The Eco-friendly yoga pants by prAna offer a flattering fit and extraordinary comfort.

Their leggings with ample stretch allow freedom of movement to take up any challenging yoga pose.

Whether you prefer outdoor yoga, studio yoga, hot yoga or high-intensity workout, prAna have plenty of styles to choose from.

Within their collection, can find high-waisted, mid-rise, capris, plus size, and boot-cut yoga pants.

They also have sustainable leggings with pockets to keep your essentials safe with you while you workout.

prAna follows an ethical way of manufacturing, assembling, packaging and shipping its products.

All their yoga pants are made with sustainable materials like organic cotton, recycled polyester knits and Lycra® elastane. 

The sun protection and moisture-wicking features on prAna yoga pants makes these pants a

Felt like a VIP in Belad Bont Resort in Salalah! This is why you should stay here when you’re in the city.

Can I just say that I definitely had one of my best middle east trips in Oman? After going on a trip to Muscat, the desert, and exploring Sur, we went straight to Salalah.

There’s so much to see in Oman that my stay in Salalah was obviously not enough. My tour was made complete with the hospitality of the Omani people and amazing customer service of Belad Bont Resort, my home for 3 days and 2 nights in Salalah. More of my stay in Belad Bont Resort is below!

Things To Do in Salalah, Oman

1. Sultan Qaboos Mosque

The second-largest mosque in Oman and this one should be seen. The Sultan Qaboos Mosque is beautiful and breathtaking to behold! The prayer hall is decorated with marble and covered with a huge Persian carpet. The mosque can be visited by non-Muslims every morning (except Fridays). Remember that appropriate clothing must be worn. Hair must be covered for ladies, no short dresses, and shoulders must also be covered. Definitely worth a visit! 

2. Beach Hopping!

There are a few beaches in Salalah that you must see! If you have plenty of time, you can even spend a day at the beach for refreshments after exploring some popular attractions. Here are the beaches you should visit.

• Al Mughsail Beach – You simply have to see this dreamlike beach, an infinitely long white beach about 6 km, with water like in the Caribbean. A very good reason to come back to Salalah.
• Al Fizayah Beach – Another Caribbean feeling in the Orient. Magnificent nature and clean water that changes into blue and turquoise! To get there, you will have to drive down a cliff and find yourself in a pristine and deserted paradise. Highly recommended!
• Marneef Cave – One of the most visited tourist places in the vicinity of Salalah. The entrance to this attraction is already impressive. The cliffs and grotto are at the western end of Al Mughsail Beach.

3. Sumhuram Old City

Sumhuram Old City is manageable but definitely worth seeing. One can imagine the strategic importance in ancient times with a bit of imagination. All in all a spectacular excavation with a great view of the former port. The adjoining museum should also be visited. 

4. Museum of the Frankincense Land

Between the old and new Salalah lies the Frankincense Museum and the archaeological sites. The museum is small but informative and interesting. The excavations are very extensive and not on hot days or preferably in the morning. Here you not only learn something about the incense but also a lot about the history of Oman which is brought closer through changing exhibitions.

5. See Other Popular Spots in Salalah

One day is really not enough in Salalah as there are plenty of beautiful places to explore. Here are the other

Last updated:June 1, 2022

Looking for the newest gear, perhaps even a high quality waterproof musical instrument or the latest in outdoor clothing? I’ve had numerous companies reach out to me with a selection of their re-imagined outdoor clothing along with gear for outside use in the last few months. Here’s a sampling of what I’ve really liked so far in 2022.

What I’d like to also point out is all the clothing I’m featuring in the 2022 outdoor lovers spring product guide are pieces that you can use for years and not months – slow fashion versus fast fashion! There is a massive problem with clothing waste – and these pieces are ones you’ll get tired of, long before they die. And they are all made ethically and sustainably. 

This post includes some affiliate links. If you make a qualifying purchase through one of these links, I will receive a small percentage of the sale at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support.

LifeStraw Peak Collection Water Filters

I tried two of the latest products from the new LifeStraw Peak Collection. One was the 650 ml LifeStraw Peak Series Collapsible Squeeze Bottle Filter and the other the 3 litre LifeStraw Peak Series Gravity Filter System.

The LifeStraw Peak Series Collapsible Squeeze Bottle Filter comes in two sizes – 650 ml and 1 L. It’s lightweight – 3.6 ounces or 102 grams (for the 560 ml size) when empty and incredibly fast and easy to use. Simply dip in water screw in the filter, then the lid, and start drinking. With a pore size of 0.2 microns, it is able to remove 99.999% of E. Coli bacteria, parasites like Giardia and Cryptosporidium, and microplastics. It’s made of a durable material; its leak proof and it comes with a backwash syringe.

My favourite features are the flow rate and the fact it collapses into a very small volume. Interestingly the filter can be used as a straw – though I didn’t try that.

You can purchase it through MEC here or via Amazon.

I am late to the party when it comes to the gravity filtration systems. On every backpacking trip I do, I see more and more people using some version of the system. My friend Ted and I tried out the 3 L LifeStraw Peak Series Gravity Filter System – and found it to be incredibly fast and easy to use. It’ weighs in at only 8.1 ounces or 228 grams. It shares the same specs for filter size and what it removes with the squeeze bottle system.

All you must do is fill the container with water from a stream, river or lake. Attach the filter to a tree branch or have someone simply hold it. The water flows quickly but there is a

The German cash is a bustling metropolis that is familiar with exactly what tourists want. Here you can locate hotels that fit all kinds and budgets. Whether or not you want to continue to be near the metropolis centre or away from the busiest tourist spots – Berlin’s obtained you included.

With a broad range of accommodation forms, browsing Berlin on a spending plan does not have to be difficult. A lot of minimal-expense motels give a relaxed, protected stay, eye-catching decor, and spacious rooms.

If you’re questioning which low-cost resorts in Berlin are really worth your time and money, acquire a seem at our list down below!

Come across The 6 Finest Hostels in Berlin, Germany

5 Greatest Price range Lodges In Berlin

Adina Apartment Hotel Berlin Hackescher Markt

Picture Credit score: Adina Apartment Lodge Berlin Hackescher Markt

Are you looking for a cozy keep in the coronary heart of Berlin that helps make you experience at home? Centrally positioned in the Mitte, one of the city’s most popular neighborhoods, Adina Condominium Lodge delivers a listing of enjoyable items. Shut to the resort, there is a vast collection of one of a kind retailers, mouth-watering eateries, theatres, and the grand Hackesche Höfe.

The inspiration for the hotel’s style and design was the notion of a modern traveler. The 145 spacious units are included in modern day European decor with a kitchen, separate living home, and no cost wifi. You’ll be delighted to hear, that this lodge offers access to a spa with two very hot tubs and a health space. For those people looking for extra comfort, there are two-bed room flats with massive home windows obtainable too.

To relish Australian specialties and other delicious dishes, pay a visit to the hotel’s Alto cafe with a terrace. Amazing cocktail creations are served at the Adina bar. Certainly a single of the most effective budget inns in Berlin!

Deal with: An der Spandauer Brücke 11, Mitte, 10178 Berlin, Germany

Prime Facilities: Washing device, personal loos, spa, kitchen, terrace, totally free wifi

Nearby Attractions: Berlin Cathedral, East Side Gallery, Alexanderplatz, Berlin Mitte district

Suggested Go through The Supreme Mitte Space Guidebook — Berlin

Classik Lodge Alexander Plaza

Photo Credit history: Classik Lodge Alexander Plaza

The Classik Lodge Alexander Plaza seamlessly blends the previous and the new, substantially like the revolutionary Berlin. Established in a former factory building from the 19th century, it offers visitors a unique architectural practical experience that mixes modern layout with preserved vintage and modern furnishings.

The rooms feature trendy interiors with hardwood or parquet floors, crimson and gray colors, floor-to-ceiling windows, flat-display screen Tv, and a mini bar. Thanks to its outstanding locale, the lodge presents rooms with 3 distinctive views: landmark views, city sights, and an inner courtyard view.

Visitors can also purchase a massage or relax at the hotel’s sauna embellished with eye-relaxing earth shades. The breakfast buffet served in the light and ethereal place provides organic and truthful trade delicacies and local specialties. To

Will rising airfare prices and inflation keep American travelers grounded this summer? Or will travelers keep their eyes on the prize—for many, their bucket-list trips—no matter the cost? 

We asked more than 1,800 U.S.-based TripIt users about their upcoming travel plans, and while rising costs and COVID-19 concern them, more than 95% of survey respondents still plan to travel in the year ahead. And some are willing to spend (tens of) thousands more to do so. 

Nearly half of American travelers planning once-in-a-lifetime trips

According to our survey data, nearly two-thirds (64%) of respondents plan to travel as much—or more—in the next year versus before COVID-19. Just over a third (36%) plan to travel less. 

What do their travel plans entail? Our data shows two-thirds (66%) are planning to travel for a summer vacation; 64% plan to visit family or friends; 47% are planning a fall vacation; 45% are traveling for business; 31% are planning a winter vacation; 22% are planning a bleisure trip; 19% are planning to travel solo; and 14% are planning a camping trip. 

For almost half (41%) of American travelers, one of their trips in the year ahead will check the box on a bucket-list trip. One-third (33%) of respondents planning to travel solo said their trip would also be a bucket-list trip. In addition, 29% said their fall vacation (we see you, shoulder-season travelers!) would be a bucket-list trip; 27% said their summer vacation would be one. 

So, what about the cost of those trips? Of those planning a bucket-list trip, the majority (62%) said their bucket-list trips will be more expensive than a normal trip—for most (47%) in the range of $1,000 to $5,000 more. 

Travelers to cut back on dining to free up budget for trips

Do all upcoming trips (bucket-list or otherwise) mean spending more money? For nearly a third (32%) of respondents, the answer is yes. Our data shows more than a quarter (26%) of those who will be spending more will spend an additional $3,000 to $5,000 on travel this year. Ten percent said they’d spend more than $10,000 extra.

Americans spending more money than usual on travel attributed it to:

• Rising airfare prices (51%)
• Overall inflation (49%)
• Rising gas prices (34%)
• Planning more extravagant trips (34%)

For many, planning a trip means prioritizing their income accordingly. Almost a third (29%) of respondents have adjusted or plan to adjust their overall spending to accommodate the cost of travel. Our data also shows that 81% of respondents cutting (or planning to cut) their budget will reduce spending on eating out, 64% will cut back on events or concerts, and 58% will reduce spending on clothing to afford travel. 

As for those who say their planned budgets will be less than usual (just 15% of respondents), 79% said it’s because they have fewer trips planned, 19% are planning less extravagant trips, and 18% are planning to visit more budget-friendly destinations. 

And while some plan to spend the same, if