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Choosing The Correct Shapewear To Achieve Your Desired Body

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Looking perfect in an outfit is the desire of every woman. But the truth is that not everyone has the perfect body and most women dread wearing their favorite outfits simply because their bodies don’t make it easy for them. But whether you are dealing with weight gain or you are not just as confident with your belly or thighs, shapewear can fetch you that perfect look in an instant.

Shapewear offers a sleeker figure instantly. As long as you have selected the right piece for you, you will look much slimmer without a need to lose pounds. They garments also smooth your body out ensuring that the fats are distributed perfectly contouring you in an attractive manner. You do not need to worry about bumps and lumps when wearing the correct body shaper. Other benefits that come with body slimmer also include fighting cellulite and resolving panty line issues especially with figure hugging clothing. But to enjoy all the benefits, you must get the best shapewear for you.

Get the right style. Shapewears come in different styles and it is important that you choose according to the problems you want to correct. A bodysuit will for instance handle your butt, love handles and the tummy whereas a camisole will shape your tummy and love handles. You can also go for mid-thigh shaper if you wish to streamline your tummy, butt and thighs whereas tummy tuckers are for the tummy, waist and love handles. Corsets are some of the most popular shapewears but shorts and panties are also very popular in achieving the desired silhouette.

Get the right size. Apart from ensuring you get the right style, you should ensure that the size is just right. The wrong size can interfere with your body posture, digestive system and leave you very uncomfortable too. A smaller size will only lead to fat spills, bulges and the discomfort whereas a larger size than the actual size will not help in any way to achieve your purpose of selecting a body slimmer in the first place. Start by knowing your size and then choose accordingly. If you are plus size, you will find a plus size corset or plus size lingerie to work the magic for you.

Try before buying. If possible always try on the shapewear before going ahead with the purchase. You should always do a sit test to determine just how comfortable your wear is especially if you intend to wear it for long periods of time. If you feel uneasy and stiff when sitting, then the size is wrong. When buying online, make sure you have all the measurements correct and make use of the size chart. If you are not sure, be bold enough to ask for assistance to make the right choice. You also want to find out what the return policy is so that you know you are covered just in case something goes wrong with your selection.

Boho Chic Bollywood Fashionista

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Bohemian tunic tops and caftans are effortlessly chic and can dress up your casual wardrobe giving you a Bollywood fashionable style statement. Tunics and caftans can be figure flattering if you choose the right styles and wear with the correct accessories.

Figure Flattering Tunic Tops like our cotton chikankari embroidered tunics are crisp and tailored looking. This particular style is a classic base for any spring or early summer look. Pair with distressed denim jeans, flats, and copper bracelets for a Boho Chic style. Wear on the beach as a cover up or for that beach wedding looking surreal against the pink sunset and the turquoise blue ocean.

The square, crisper shaped tunic with a little shaping on the side seams, takes care of the belly bulge. The bright colors of Indian tunics with side slits and shaped right above the ribcage gives you a relaxed fit and are figure flattering.

Trapeze style embroidered tunic tops, or caftan tunics that are relaxed and easy to pull on, can be worn with fitted pants or leggings, bringing all the focus to the hips and thighs. Show off your long legs and curves with kaftan tunics and sheer tops. Wear as a coverup over a bikini or bathing suit the colorful iridescent digital prints give an added touch of class.

Long tunics with side slits can be worn as caftans or house dresses. Loose and flowing the tunic dresses are relaxed and easy to wear. Belt at the waist if you want to accent your figure or just wear it loose for a casual bohemian fashionista.

Kashmiri artisan embroidered silk caftans in beautiful lustrous fabric and cotton crepe are so exotic and chic, kimono sleeves and side slits give them easy style. Dress up in the caftans for the holiday dinners and getaways or lounge in your cabin with a hot cup of cocoa. Bollywood inspired caftans are stunning fashion statements and great quality gifts too. Beautiful handcrafted kimonos, caftans, resort wear and bohemian clothing inspired by Bollywood fashion, make these holidays special. Bring in the holiday magic and the inner fun and frolic of a gypsy soul. Free spirited, casual chic and made by hand all the caftans are designer styled.

Beach weddings or festivals, the colorful, printed, jeweled caftan tunics jazz up your wardrobe. Sexy and sheer they accent your silhouette or if you would rather wear them as dresses go with a lacy bralette and leggings. Holiday gifting was never so easy. Embroidered caftans for Mom make her feel special and loved, so many colors and styles to choose from. Fall in love with the Boho Chic Bollywood style fashionista!

Skull Pendants and Rings

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There are various ways of accessorizing ourselves and based on our preferences, both men and women find some conventional means of achieving their desired look. Among the multiple accessories wears we have; necklaces, pendants, bracelets, rings, earrings and many others. These ornamental wears can have branded or inscribed with images that add versatility to the accessory. Pendants and rings can have images such as skulls, which is a popular fixture, engraved on them to give a fashion statement or add an appealing touch to the outfit.

The use of skulls on fashion wear has been embraced since the medieval times as a symbol of bravery, life, and death. The trend has spread to the recent times where social icons and celebrities are rocking in all manner of designer outfits bearing the skull symbol. The symbol is such an eye catcher wherever it is placed on, be it T-shirt imprints or on rings, making it one of the uniquely great motifs.

Types of Skull Pendants

There are different types of these skull pendants, and one difference is based on their make, such as the metal they are made of, we have, silver, diamond, gold and simple metallic pendants. The most widely available are the silver pendants, preferred for their durability and shininess making them glimpse catching pieces.

The other difference is based on the gender preference where women prefer slightly smaller pieces while men go for bigger and boldly showing pieces. This, however, can be alternated based on personal demands.

Skulls have been matched together with crossbones; therefore, a pendant can have a clear skull engraving or have both the skull and the crossbones.

The price difference also is a factor to consider; it is primarily dictated by the material made of the piece and the design touch given to it. The more expensive, the more sophisticated it is.

Conclusion

To make a grand fashion statement, go for bolder outfits that bear more significant meaning and are uniquely designed for that particular purpose. Skulls and crossbones symbol offers this and is widely recognized. Thus, it is advisable to wear such accessories that radiate with your intended gestures rightly where they can do so in a perfect way. For example wearing a skull ring on the dominant hand or wearing a pendant with a dress that allows it to be visible.

To enjoy best of this ornamental jewelry, purchase them from recognized dealers and go for quality rather than appealing prices.

How to Tell If Your Diamonds Are Cracked

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The precious gemstones that we buy hold a great deal of importance in our lives. If you did some research prior to purchasing your diamond, it’s likely you have read about the items people do to be able to safeguard their diamond jewelry from chips, breaks, cracks etc. sometimes, however, despite all the protection, your diamonds do get cracked, or seem to get cracked.

In that case, you are most likely on the search for ways to find out if your jewel really is cracked and what could you do to repair it. Like the majority of people, you almost certainly freaked out just a little when you accidentally hit your diamond clad hand hard against the wall. For a short while, you would have been searching for marks or cracks just like the most of us.

Let me assure you by first telling that it is relatively hard for a gemstone to be seriously broken at such an insult. What you may see as a blemish may have nothing in similarity to a crack. Here we will attempt to answer some of the common questions people have about broken diamonds. I’ll also demonstrate how a damaged gemstone actually appears like in order to set all your irrational worries at rest.

Daily Deterioration: Breaks Are Unlikely, While Blemishes Are common

After purchasing their first precious stone rings part and putting on it for a couple weeks, there are a lot of people who get paranoid and start to worry if they had broken their diamond. Have you experienced anything similar as well? from what I have learned from my relationships with viewers and other customers, most people only start realizing details they never found before because that they now have the time to scrutinize over their jewelry. The actual fact that almost all of us don’t examine their jewelry in depth when actually deciding to purchase it, perplexes me.

This is why we often end up finding faults that were originally there at the time of purchase. Naturally, you are far more likely to notice the details when you look at something with leisure. The questions only arise after they viewed their jewelry for an extended time period. Plus they start noticing things like girdle reflections or feather inclusions that have been there all along. Don’t think it’s a tiny bit too late to understand those issues now?

Having said that, more often than not, it’s Only a Cleanliness Issue. People often fault a diamonds to be damaged when they see a whitish looking line running right through the stone. Instead of an actual crack. This is because of the unavoidable issue of having a dirty diamond. The truth is, throughout the span of your day, a gemstone diamond ring worn on your palm will inevitably get in touch with a number of things including, soap, water, your fingertips, dirt and actual mud. Initially, this coating of grime may direct resulting superficial blemishes that appear like a covering of clouds or greasy stains. Over time, some of this grime can become so thick that it actually starts to look like solid white lines. If you see this kind of dirt or grime on any stone, you are sure to mistake it for actual cracks or blemishes.

“Repairing the Splits” – Cleaning the Diamond

Also, as the diamond’s surface becomes dirtier, the natural stone will start looking uninteresting and lifeless. Subsequently, a few of the inclusions which were masked by the stone’s brilliance and sparkle would now be observed easily. This may lead to you thinking that new defects have developed, when in fact, they had been there all along. By cleaning your diamonds and removing a great deal of the grim, you will easily regain the natural stone to its original condition. More often than not, a soft tooth brush plus some detergent solution would be sufficient to complete the job. If your engagement ring has sides that happen to be difficult to access with a brush, you might like to consider using an ultrasonic cleaning device or take it back again to the jeweler for professional vapor cleaning.

You Get What You Paid For: How It Might Really Be Broken

In truth, gemstones are somewhat hard to break. To be able to really cause a crack in the natural stone, you have to use the right amount of power at the right position along its cleavage line to see results. The ability to crack represents a direct relationship between the quality of the precious stone and its own “break-ability”. A diamond with low-quality grade and an unhealthy cut class (crowns that are too shallow or with an extremely slender girdle width) could be more susceptible to ruin when put through external forces.

From the view of the crystalline framework, excessively mixed diamond jewelry have weaker material integrity because of the existence of problems and foreign materials. That is why you always want to check the diamonds carefully prior to making any purchase. Generally speaking, the word “you get what you paid for” applies strongly to the precious stone industry. By paying more for quality, you indirectly buy many years of sturdiness and satisfaction for yourself. This is why many diamond experts recommend buying from renowned diamond retailers and professional dealers.

Earlie Beach and The Golden Plover

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Earlie Beach is a little town with about 1.300 people, in Queensland, Australia, along the Whitsunday Coast. It’s the gateway to the unparalleled Whitsunday Islands and the Great Barrier Reef.

It’s very popular with backpackers… and I was one of them! After arriving in the famous locality, I spent a couple of days relaxing and having a look around, trying to find out what could interest me in the area.

I simply loved the feeling of being careless free, fortunate to be in this superb part of the world.

One day, I do not remember if I was in a backpacker or in a pub, I saw an advertisement on the wall that unchained my imagination. The image of wonderful tall ship with all its sails unfurled appeared in front of me. A comment said that being on it would have been an adventure of a life time experience.

It was about a week cruise around the Whitsundays, a collection of 74 continental islands in the North-East Coast of Queensland.

I was hooked. I knew that I needed to go.

The ad also published: “Backpackers willing to help out with serving food and cleaning up will get a huge discount.” Without hesitation, I went to a travel agency and I bought a ticket immediately. I was very lucky; the ship was nearly booked out for the next weeks and they only had a few places left.

I was very excited about the trip and the ship as well. I started to gather information about my new mean of transport, which was a brigantine.

What is a brigantine? I am sorry about the technical wording but there is no other way to get around it…

It was, they do not exist anymore nowadays, a two-masted sailing vessel with an entirely square rigged foremast and at least two sails on the main mast: a square top sail and a gaff sail mainsail (behind the mast). The main mast is the second and taller of the two masts.

The ship was built in 1910 by the Ports and the Harbours of Victoria, in Australia. At that time, she was called “Plover”.

For its construction, they used the best materials: the New Zealand Kauri, a gigantic native tree, and copper fastenings.

This astonishing 30-meter vessel was one of the last tall ship on planet earth.

It is hard to describe the feeling of being on it.

Its story is fascinating. It started as a steam powered ship in Melbourne and worked at diverse jobs as fishing ketch, ferry, scallop boat and finally as a striking cruise ship.

Unfortunately, in 1986 it caught fire. Luckily nobody died while the fire was raging but the deck was destroyed. Even its superstructure was completely wrecked. The ship then was abandoned in the mud for 2 years in the Marybyrnong River. A disaster!

Providentially 4 guys from Germany and a professional rigger of Geelong, called George Herbery, had the vision of seeing the huge potential of the discredited ship.

The brothers, called Helmut, Günther and Gert Jacoby and an engineer called Ed Roleff, were ship lovers. Within 4 years and 6 months they turned the derelict into a classy and elegant sailing vessel.

It was so picturesque, eye-catching and unique that it was regularly used in movies. One was the notorious softcore “The Blue Lagoon”…

Nevertheless, the day I was impatiently waiting for to start my new journey arrived…

The ship was blue with immaculate sails. What a wonderful sight when I saw it for the first time! What a feeling to embark on this masterwork!

My imagination ran wild… The Golden Plover reminded me of pirates, black and white flags with the skull, symbol of piracy par excellence… of deadly naval battles and hidden treasures…

Not only I was on a magnificent vessel… I was going to cruise along the legendary, stunning Whitsunday Islands.

Shiny white sand beaches and turquoise waters were waiting for me…

What’s next? Just follow me… And I will show you the world.

Solo Travel – 10 Ways to Save on Single Supplements

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In your school days, you may have found, as I did, that economics really is the “dismal science”. However, I did learn one key fact. Supply and demand drive prices. For solo travel, the surcharge or “single supplement” does vary partly in keeping with this tried and true rule. The good news? If you prowl through the Internet, you can find ways to save on solo travel when demand is down. The bad news? Reduced or no single supplement offerings are limited in number and go fast.

Here are 10 ways to save.

1. Don’t ask for one room. Ask for a “room for one’. In Europe, lodging is often sold with solo pricing. Be sure to see if it is a solo price for a standard room or a small single room. Look at the size offered for single occupants. Then consider the amount of time you will spend in your room. I often take 10-12 hour day trips abroad with almost no time spent in my hotel room except to catch some sleep before heading out again.

2. Get there first. Book even one year ahead since few slots are reduced for solos. This is really important if you go in-season. Holiday resorts and hot spots in summer may have return visitors book the next year when they check out.

3. Head to the airport when everyone else is heading home. Off-season travel is the best way to get immediate 50% off reductions. In the south of France, rates go down as fast as Sept 9. Ski resorts, like the fabled Sun Valley Lodge, have specials just before Christmas. In winter and spring, European discounts can be half-price as well.

4. Get excited about rainy weather or extreme heat and cold. You will have to think how far you want to take this. I had a thrilling short term work trip one Jan. in Siberia. I also went on tour in India during the monsoons. In some cases, the negative pronouncements may not impact your trip. A good example? The risk of hurricanes each fall is less likely to touch the ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao) making for better pricing. In Africa, for example, safari rates are lower during the rainy or “green” season if you can get away, and don’t mind the possibility of short, heavy rains.

5. Look for new travel providers. Hotels that are just opening or reopening after renovations have specials to gain or regain market share. The Hotel Castille in Paris, for example, had short-term deep discounts when it reopened just steps from fashionable boutiques. Thereafter, the rates increased in keeping with other high-end small hotels

6. Be a contrarian. Don’t pay a premium for what’s currently trending. Prowl the Internet for undervalued regions. If it is all the rage, prices will soar. In the 1980’s, I somehow found a Montenegro resort right off the Albanian border. Since then, Sveti Stefan, where I stayed, has been updated as reflected in its 5 star pricing. The moral of the story is get there before the crowds discover a destination.

7. If you can’t pronounce it or spell it, you’ll love the prices! Substitute the road less traveled. If you have a dream to see the Parthenon you must go to Greece. (That is unless you live in North America and would like to see a perfect replica in Nashville, Tenn.!) Regional air carriers are a good way to find out great largely undiscovered places at low prices. One example: I dreamed of Tahiti in my early post-graduate days. When rates were high there, Air New Zealand suggested alternatives: Rarotonga and Aitutaki. I took them up on it and had the trip of a life time dining out on the stories for years.

8. Scour the Internet for national and regional programs offered by tourist boards. Check ahead as they may only be available abroad. One of the best deals I found in the 1990’s was with then “Lan Chile”. From the US, I purchased three stand-by tickets for a total of $200 to go anywhere in the country. At that price, I made my way to Antarctica Chile, at the end of the world!

9. Use flexible dates to grab week-day deals. Hotels and airline rates often go up and down together. Why is that? That takes us back to supply and demand. When planes and hotels have low load factors, prices are softer.

10. Share to save. Look for tours that have no single supplements by agreeing to share. The benefit to this approach? It is a way to save if your travel dates are not flexible, and no to low single supplement deals are not available.

In any case, before you give up on fitting solo travel into your budget, look at these options.

Durga Puja: The Queen of All Festivals

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India is a land of festivals. Being a secular country, there is no dearth of things to celebrate in this land of wonders. From Christmas to Eid ul Zoha, Independence Day to the Cricket World Cup, there is hardly anything that Indians do not like celebrating. Simply point us towards an occasion and we are all for it. But hidden amongst this long list of celebrations is a gem in the form of Durga Puja, something celebrated in its full glory in the Bengali community.

So, what exactly IS the Durga Puja?

Well, for the sake of clarity, Puja refers to a religious festival. However, for us Bengalis, Durga Puja is less of a ‘Puja’ and more of the embodiment of the spirit of festiveness. What exactly does that mean? Well, let us go back a few millenniums to answer that question.

The tradition of invoking the goddess Durga (or the mother, known as ‘Ma’) is first considered to have been done by Lord Ram before he went forth to battle Ravana, as documented in the epic Ramayana. However, the tradition lay dormant till about the late 1500s, when the landlords in Bengal took it up. It was finally given its final form in the 18th century as Baroyaari (or 12 friends’) puja, a term which finally came to refer to community sponsored Durga Pujas held in Kolkata.

Essentially, all parts of India celebrates this period, but in the form of Navratri. It constitutes of 9 days’ worth of fasting, which ends with Dussehra, a day where an effigy of Ravana is burned as a way to show that evils are always championed by good as Lord Ram had championed above Ravana.

In Bengal, however, the meaning of these 10 days are quite different.

My earliest memories of Durga Puja are that of waking up in the middle of the night to listen to Mahalaya on the radio. It is a programme that has been airing on the first day of the Bengali month Ashwin for more than 7 decades and 4 generations of Bengalis, forcing them to wake up at 4 am, something I still do religiously every year on that particular day. Although the magic of the scent, the half awoken self and knowing Ma is coming has somewhat diminished with the years, the idea of something so collectively powerful that it makes a whole community look forward to it still holds a great deal of charm nonetheless.

We treat Ma Durga as something more than just the goddess. While it is true that she embodies the raw power (or Shakti) that overcame evil by slaying the evil demon Mahisasur (hence the term Mahisasur-mardini), she is much MUCH more than just that. The ten days that start with Mahalaya signify her annual visit to her paternal home in Bengal with 4 of her children. As such Ma is, at the same time, a mother, a wife, a goddess, and most importantly, a member of our family. We pamper her, we respect her, we love her and we adore her. She is more than just a divinity.

To us Bengalis, she embodies our truest nature. No matter where a Bengali might be, come Durga Puja, he/she feels a connection to his/her family.

THIS is what it means to celebrate Pujo (a colloquial term for Durga Puja).

Frankly, it cannot be compared to anything else in the world. But, remember the togetherness one gets when visiting the family, or the warmth during Christmas, or the feeling you get when you visit your family after a year away? That is what Pujo means to a Bengali. It is more than celebrating a religious festival. The idea of Pujo is bringing everyone together. And what better way can there be than a mother facilitating all that? We eat, we cry, we talk, be happy and celebrate something that is practically unheard of anywhere else in the world. It does not matter what you religion is. Whether a Muslim, a Hindu, Christian, Sikh, Jain or anything in between (including atheists), if you are a Bengali at heart, Durga Puja is for you. From visiting the tens of thousands of makeshift podiums (or pandals) for hoisting Ma Durga to having a cup of tea in the middle of the night (under a tree in the local shop because it seems to inevitably rain during Puja nights these days, especially if you are out at 2 am) to dancing during the idol immersion ceremony (called Bhashan), Durga Puja is something that you have to experience at least once in your life.

Oh, and did I mention scrumptious luchi and khichudi as lunch during Ashtami and the gorgeous ladies who grace the pandals? Pujo is worth it… believe you me.

And once Pujo is done, while we are all sad, we pray for Ma to return safely to her heavenly abode atop the Himalayas. Thus begins the wait for the next Puja. Another year to spend before our dear mother comes back. Because Pujo never ends, it simply gets shifted by another year. After all, Ma is like the mother who wants you to be happy even when she is gone.

Come, be a part of this wonderful festival of togetherness.

Ayers Rock in The Kata Tjuta National Park – The Long Climb and an Even Longer Descent

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I admit that sometimes I act without thinking too much about the consequences. This caused me already several problems in my life.

As you know I spent already a few days in Uluru. One morning, after considering the pros and cons I decided to climb the Rock.

I suggest that you seriously think about it before doing it.

Ayers Rock is massive, majestic. It commands respect. It’s 348 metres high; like a 95 story building. The track to the top is more or less 1.6 km long. It’s perilous and treacherous. If you are in top physical conditions it will take more or less 3 hours to complete the “expedition”. The first part has got a chain. You can hang on to it and this will help you immensely. It is a tiresome climb and you need to be prepared. If you do not feel 100% you should give up and be happy with your decision: people died here.

About 34 people lost their lives, mainly because of heart attacks. A few people got hurt.

Do not forget the heat.

Another hazardous factor is caused by the wind.

I got there early in the morning. I did not want to accomplish my mission in the middle of the day because of the rising temperatures. I had a pair of good trainers, and a bottle of water and a wind-breaker in my little backpack, just in case.There were not too many people around.

I looked at the sky. It was blue, not too windy either. I started climbing. It was not as easy as I thought. I used the chain all the time trying not to look down.

Sometimes I had to stop to catch my breath.

I remembered clearly that I had to avoid grabbing something in case it fell. It could be fatal.

The ascent is hard, steep and, at times, scary. I used also my hands to climb when the help of the chain was not available anymore. Sometimes I stopped to look around. In the distance I could see the Olgas or Kata Tjua, which means literally ‘many heads’ in Aboriginal.

It is a group of large, domed rock formations not too far from The Rock.

I was nearly there. I could see some little pools of waters all around. Obviously it had rained recently. I noticed a few clouds in the sky. The temperature dropped a little bit.

I finally reached the top. The scenery was amazing. Awesome! I walked around, there was a huge distance of red soil all around me. I could see the round shape of planet earth. I had the feeling that I was alone in the world. It was a very intense. The immensity and the loneliness of the environment made my heart sink.

I spent half an hour on the top. It was time to descend. There were very few people around me. The weather suddenly changed. The sky was grey and it became colder.

I thought: “I hope that it is not going to rain because in this case I could be in trouble.”

I started to move downwards. It was not too difficult but sometimes I had to sit and go down like that… on my bum…

I managed to reach the chain, finally. At that stage it started to rain. The rock underneath my feet became slippery. I got scared. I had good trainers but not good enough with such a weather. I looked down. Fear: that was what I experienced. It kept on raining. Now my feet could no longer hold on to the ground. I stopped. I looked down again. There very few people.

I saw a man waiving at me. He started to climb. He must have noticed that I was facing some difficulties. After a while he reached me. Yes, he saw that I was having serious problems. He told me that he belongs to a rescue group in his hometown, he was just on holiday at the moment and he came up to help me. Lucky!

He had very good climbing and tracking boots. He was very strong and very tall. He was behind me. He told me to put my feet in front of his, because he could hold on to the ground without slipping.

We both hold on to the chain. Being robust my weight did not create him problems.

At that time it was seriously raining. What a tragedy to be there by myself I thought…

I do not remember how long it took us to reach the ground underneath us, but finally we got there. I was very happy that it was all over… He told me that I should have considered the ascent seriously before starting the climb, that I should have been more careful.

I learned a lesson I am afraid… and I was very lucky… I was very grateful to him.

There is another reason why people should not go up Ayers Rock and not only because it is dangerous. Uluro is a sacred site and the Aboriginal owners ask to respect their law and not to climb it.

The climbing route is a sacred path of spiritual significance that is only taken by few Aboriginal men on special occasions. At that time I was not aware of it. I should have been more informed and more respectful.

Homestay In Goa – What To Expect

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Goa is indeed one of the best places I have chosen to be my holiday destination. There is just so much to enjoy and see here, from the rich history of the culture and fun activities. The beaches like Querim Beach, Arambol Beach, Mandrem Beach, Morjim Beach, Chapora Beach in North Goa are definitely a must visit while here because I am a big fan of sun and sand. This is one destination that has never let me down as far as having a time of my life during the holidays goes.

Accommodation in Goa is not a problem; the options are numerous. Homestays are some of my favorites because of the many benefits they come with and with so many fairy spread across the region, I always have an easy time finding my ideal homestay in the area to make my holiday as memorable and convenient as I wish for it to be. But what exactly makes homestay in Goa so attractive? If you are thinking of homestay for the first time, here is what you can expect from the properties here.

  • Lots of homestay options. If there is one thing I love about Goa is that it does not limit me to a few options when it comes to homestay. There are just so many you can choose from with some of the most popular properties being Riviera Hermitage, Royal Land Scape, Castelinhos and Parth Holiday home among many others. I advise that you check out what each has to offer so you can select a property you are bound to enjoy to the fullest throughout your stay in Goa. It has always been easy for me to select based on property type, themes I am interested in, locality and the landmarks. This way, I have always landed a property that is convenient for me in every sense.
  • Tranquil atmosphere. One of the things I have noticed about the majority of the Homestays here is that they all have beautiful relaxing surroundings. I just love how serene the atmosphere is in the properties, making it possible for me to forget all my worries and stresses. If you are looking for pure relaxation and rejuvenation like I am always seeking, then the homestays are the way to go. I enjoy coming home to my homestay after a crazy crowded day full of activities and sitting on a calm beach like Anjuna Beach, Baga Beach, Calangute Beach and Candolim Beach.
  • Comfortable rooms. Every item in the homestays here seems carefully selected to give you nothing but comfort. I also love how well equipped these rooms are and the modern to ensure I miss nothing at all during my stay. The properties all come with modern facilities to make the perfect home away from home!
  • Perfect locations. Apart from the amazing tranquil atmosphere, Goa Homestays are located strategically to make it possible for travelers to easily stumble on what they find most attractive during the holidays here. You can visit the local tourist places like Reis Magos Fort, Museum of Goa, Shantadurga Temple, Mangeshi Temple, Deltin Royale Casino etc. Whether it is the history I am interested in or the local culture and cuisine, or the beaches, there is always a perfect choice of property to keep me closer to what I love the most.

15 Things Not to Do in Japan

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If you have plans to visit Japan, there are some things you need to know. Familiarizing yourself with some basic Japanese cultural practices will go a long way in making your trip there enjoyable. Also, you are not likely to get into trouble. Here are things you should not do based on Japan culture.

1. Don’t enter a house wearing your shoes

Are you used to walking around in your house in your shoes? Well, you might get yourself in trouble if you do that in Japan. There is a special place where you should keep your shoes before entering the house. Also, there are slippers for guests when entering a room.

2. Don’t shout on the train

Trains are very common in Japan. However, people don’t make noise while in trains. They are always silent. If you have to speak to someone, do it in a low tone. Use your earphones if you have to listen to some music.

3. Don’t use your phone on trains

As indicated earlier, Japanese don’t like any noise in the trains. You will rarely find someone using his phone to make a call in the train. If you have to use your phone, send a message or talk in a low tone so as not to distract other people.

4. Don’t eat on trains

Japanese do not eat when traveling on commuter trains. Drinking is okay unless the train is too crowded. However, in long distance trains, eating and drinking are allowed. Food and beverages are also sold in such trains.

5. Don’t forget to remove toilet slippers

Once you get to Japan, you will notice that there are slippers only used when going to the toilet. These slippers are easily noticeable since they have particular words or pictures. Always remember to remove them when entering your house or walking on the streets.

6. Don’t tip anyone

While it is common to tip anyone after an excellent service in many cultures, Japan is an exception. No matter how satisfied you are with their service, they never accept tips. In fact, someone will come running after you, returning the tip!

7. Don’t ignore someone you are speaking with

If you are talking with a Japanese person, always stay calm and attentive. You may sound impolite and rude by just failing to show that you have understood a point. Whenever speaking, show your attentiveness by talking back.

8. Don’t photograph everything

Despite Japan being a beautiful country, you are not allowed to take photos everywhere. It is advisable to always ask someone before taking photos. You must be granted permission to take pictures in museums, temples, and shrines.

9. Don’t hug anyone you meet

Hugging is common in western countries. However, in Japan, it is not. You don’t hug someone you come across in Tokyo streets. Most of the older folks don’t like the habit. If you want to hug someone, then it’s best to know their age group and whether they are comfortable with it.

10. Don’t eat or drink when walking

It is uncommon to find Japanese eating or drinking while they are walking. Even on the streets with food stalls they always find a place to sit. Now you know how to behave when you are on Japanese streets so you don’t look foreign.

11. Don’t receive a present with one hand

Whenever receiving a gift or a visiting card from a Japanese, use your two hands and bow. Then tell him thank you. On receipt of a gift, don’t open it until the person who has given it to you has left.

12. Don’t throw away trash haphazardly

Another thing you might find hard to get used to is how to handle your trash. In most cities around the world, there are a lot of trash cans however, Japanese cities are different. People are encouraged to carry their trash until they find a place to dispose of it.

13. Don’t fail to say “thank you”

The verb “thank you” is highly valued in Japan. Learn to say it after being served in a hotel or store. Familiarize yourself with how bowing is done in Japan. You must always bow and say thank you when you meet with elders.

14. Don’t write down a person’s name in red ink

In Japan, it is OK to write “goodbye” in red ink but not a person’s name. The Japanese consider it to be disobedient. Therefore, if you have to write down your Japanese friend’s name, you know which color to avoid.

15. Don’t be shy

It is common for tourists to ask for help from locals. When you get to Japan, don’t be shy or afraid of asking for anything. They are very friendly and helpful. Even when you accidentally forget something somewhere, go back as no one is going to take it away.