The Pastel Colors of Procida, Italy

I feel holiday the moment I get off the boat. "Il tempo è così bello", the weather is so beautiful and the surreal pastel-colored houses on the waterfront reflect my mood. The cobbled streets are calm and the locals live their lives at their own pace. I suppose we are the busiest people on the island, busy taking pictures. Welcome to Procida island, the little pastel world.

Procida is the smallest island in the Gulf of Naples and it is also one of the most underrated destinations in Italy. Although the island is only less than an hour ferry ride from the city of Naples, many tourists choose to visit the other neighbouring islands like Ischia and Capri. In other words, you can laid-back and explore this less travelled island without having to battle the crowds; soak up the local atmosphere with an authentic Italian experience and immerse yourself in the true culture of Procida.

30 Things to Do in Cebu, Philippines

The Philippines is an archipelago that is made up of more than 7000 islands located in the Southeast Asia; one of the countries with the most island in the world. This is our very first time visiting the Philippines; with so many islands to choose from, we have randomly chosen Cebu to be our first destination in the Philippines. My first impression of the Philippines was rather surprised as I could see many churches; maybe because I have been traveling around the other Southeast Asian countries and mostly what I saw was the Buddhist culture and temples. Also, unlike her neighbouring countries, the Philippines is strongly influenced by the western culture due to the long history with the Spaniards and the Americans.

Cebu is a long and narrow island located in the Central Visayas region of the Philippines, and the largest city on this island is the Cebu City, also known as the Queen City of the South. Cebu city is a booming metropolis, if you desire a break from the hustle and bustle of the city life, you should simply travel out of the city. It is not difficult to find a good place to relax in Cebu as there are plenty of beautiful beaches and untouched nature surrounding this lovely Filipino island.

The Henry Cebu: A Hotel For The Art Lovers (Philippines)

When I was researching for our accommodation in Cebu city, I came across quite a number of beautiful hotels, but The Henry is the only hotel that leaves me a very deep impression. Why? The Henry is unlike any other hotel in Cebu, because it doesn't look like a hotel, it looks more like an art museum to me. With that, we decided to stay at The Henry Cebu for one night.

The Henry Cebu (formally known as The House of Cebu) is a boutique art hotel located in the city centre of Cebu offering 38 spacious rooms with unique furnishings, stunning murals and quirky decor. Every room is unique, featuring a different mural artwork by the Cebuano artist Mark Luzon, and that makes the stay here more special and unforgettable.

Comino Island: The Paradise In The Blue Mediterranean Sea, Malta

Set in the idyllic Mediterranean Sea, surrounded by azure colored water, the island of Comino away from everything is another paradise that we have found after we discovered the Balos Lagoon a couple of years back.

Comino is the smallest inhabited island in the Maltese Archipelago with an area of only 3.5 square kilometers and a population of only four residents. In Comino, there's no traffic, no hustle, no bustle; only unspoilt nature, the sound of the wind and the smell of the sea. The island's tranquillity and isolation, making it an ideal place to escape everyday life.

Today, Comino island is a bird sanctuary and nature preserve, also a little piece of heaven for the day-trippers who love swimming, snorkeling, walking and diving.

8 Authentic Local Restaurants In Fukuoka City, Japan

Most of the people who visit Japan for the first time would probably skip Fukuoka for Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka or even Hokkaido, and it's no surprise that I'm one of them! However, ever since I first set my foot on the soil of Fukuoka, I totally fell in love with this amazing city, especially their delicious local delicacies.

Fukuoka is the capital city of Fukuoka Prefecture and the largest city on the Kyushu island. Fukuoka is famous for its local specialty Tonkotsu (豚骨) Ramen, a noodle dish with rich and creamy pork-bone broth. Besides Ramen, Fukuoka is also well known for its Yatai (屋台), the mobile food stalls that provide an atmospheric outdoor dining experience in the evening throughout the night.

Lewin Terrace: Dining In The Lush Greenery, Singapore

"By the way, welcome back", one of the waiters whispered to us after taking down our order. Not frequently, perhaps once a year and we were back in the Lewin Terrace again for our second wedding anniversary celebration. And every time, I feel so blissful to step into Lewin Terrace; escape from the bustling city for a couple of hours, indulge in the fine dining experience, unwind in a relaxed atmosphere and also to see the familiar faces of the L.T. Team.          

Perched on a peaceful location at Fort Canning Hill, Lewin Terrace is a destination restaurant serving Japanese-French fusion fine dining cuisine with an excellent Japanese hospitality. One thing I'm amazed by Lewin Terrace is they always deliver unexpected, fresh and innovative menu regularly; and during our visit, they had rolled out the Ichigo Delight Strawberry Dessert Buffet, featuring a wide range of desserts made from the tasty premium Chitose strawberries.

Tamaseseri: A Traditional New Year Festival In Fukuoka, Japan

Attending a festival is the best way to get close to the local community and learn more about their culture and tradition. If you are planning to visit Kyushu for your upcoming new year celebrations, consider sparing yourself half a day to watch a group of men who brave themselves in the cold to celebrate the Tamaseseri, a traditional new year festival in Fukuoka.

Tamaseseri or Ball-Catching Festival is a traditional event that is held in the Hakozaki Shrine every year on the third of January. This festival is considered one of the major festivals of Kyushu and it has been around for more than 500 years since the Muromachi period. In a cold winter weather, the half-naked men in Shimekomi (loincloths) compete for an 8-kg wooden ball while getting showered with cold water. This purified wooden ball is believed that it can bring good luck and success to the person who can grab the ball and lift it high above his head.

Here are the highlights of the Tamaseseri festival 2017 that might interest you: