Cruise Disappointments – 5 Common Issues and Ways to Deal with Them

Posted by Editor in Travel Guide on Jun 18th, 2015 | 0 comments

Vacations are usually memorable and full of great memories. However, it doesn’t always get off to a good start. And when you’re aboard a cruise, and stuck in it for the whole duration of your trip, you might think that there’s nothing you can do but just wait for it to be over. To be better prepared, read these five common cruise issues and the best ways on how you can handle each of them.

1. Bland Meals: This is probably one of the most common issues faced when travelling in a cruise. A good way to turn this disappointment around is to dine in one of the ship’s specialty restaurants instead of dining at the same place again. While they will charge extra, at least you’re sure that these diners use better ingredients in their food like artisanal chesses, prime beef and organic produce.

2. Noisy Cabins: Booked a stateroom that’s too close to the cruise’s nightclub? You really won’t get a good night’s sleep if that’s the case. Deal with this issue by explaining your problem with the guest relations manager and ask if there are any available cabins in the quieter areas of the ship. If there are still some rooms available, expect that the guest relations manager to approve your immediate transference.

3. Feeling Bored: If you ever find yourself bored while on the cruise, then seek out the cruise director and explain your problem. It would also help if you share some of your interests so that the director could suggest some activities that you might enjoy. Most cruises have activities like cooking demos, early-morning yoga classes and even tours on the ship’s engine room and bridge.

4. Wrong Itinerary: Didn’t get a chance to do enough research of your ship’s itinerary? Don’t worry since the excursion manager will always give information about the next day’s port of call. He’ll give you an idea about the ethos of the port, the popular tours in the area, as well as other activities that you can do on your own. Most excursion managers also have desk hours, making it more convenient for you to ask for their advice.

5. Seasickness: It’s normal to feel seasick when you’re in a cruise. There are some preventive measures that you can take to avoid seasickness, or reduce its symptoms at the very least. First is to take an over-the-counter medicine like meclizine. If you start feeling off, eat some crackers, bread or pretzel then wash it down with a ginger ale. You can also chew on some peppermint gum or candied ginger to make you feel better.

The aforementioned issues are common in cruise ships, so you have to do how to turn things around so that you can still fully enjoy your cruise vacation.

Safety Tips for Solo Female Backpackers

Posted by Editor in Travel Guide on Jun 16th, 2015 | 0 comments

Travelling as a solo female traveller is often seen as a daunting and dangerous activity, when it actually doesn’t have to be. By simply following these expert travel tips, you can already reduce all the potential risks and get the most out of your solo backpacking trips.

1. Exude Confidence. Being confident is just a natural weapon against those who may want to harm or take advantage of you. Appearing weak and lost will only make you an easy target for these predators, so set off that “don’t mess with me” vibe by acting like you know where you are and what you’re doing early on your trip.

2. Use Your Common Sense. Going on solo trips can actually be safe if you just put your common sense to good use, such not walking in a dark alley in the middle of the night and not accepting a car lift from three guys that you just met. Yes, it may be easy to lower your guard down you’re travelling and having fun, but it also pays to use and follow your common sense to keep yourself safe most of the time.

3. Stay Alert. Being aware of your surroundings is another way to ensure that your trip is going to be safe. Be aware and cautious of the people approaching you, as well as the common scams and diversion tactics that most pickpockets use. Of course, you shouldn’t take your awareness to the point of being overly paranoid over everything. Keep in mind that you should still be friendly, but cautious enough to keep you safe.

4. Keep a Low Profile. If you really want to keep yourself safe, then the best way to do it is to lower your profile. Blend with the crowd, especially with the locals. A good way to do this is to simply follow the culture and norms of your destination. That way, you won’t be drawing any unwanted attention to yourself, making you less likely to be singled out as a target for some trouble.

5. Socialize with Other Solo Backpackers. Perhaps the best part about travelling solo is that you’re actually not travelling solo. Since you’re travelling alone, you constantly get a chance to meet new travel buddies as well as swap some travel tips with your fellow backpackers.

Travelling to various places independently can be a very empowering experience. Just make sure that you keep yourself safe by following the aforementioned tips.

6 Sunscreen Application Tips to Prevent Sunscreen Mistakes

Posted by Editor in Beauty Tips on Jun 5th, 2015 | 0 comments

When the beach is just right there waiting for you to dive and plunge in, it’s quite easy to forget to apply some sunscreen. Luckily, this mistake can be avoided by following these sunscreen application reminders that will help keep your skin thoroughly protected.

1. Apply It Before Putting Your Bikinis On. The best way to evenly apply your sunscreen all over your body is applying while you’re still on your birthday suit and not after putting your bikinis on. UV rays are capable of penetrating through your clothes, so it’s best to apply them on areas that will still be covered.

2. Rub It In Before Diving Into the Beach. What makes sunscreens ineffective is applying them when you’re about to dive into the beach. To get the most out of your sunscreen, apply it 15 to 20 minutes before you start basking under the sun. Through this, your skin will already have enough time to absorb the product and give you the degree of protection that it promises.

3. Use a Generous Amount of Sunscreen. Going to the beach isn’t the time to scrimp on your sunscreen application. To have your entire body covered, apply about a shot glass-full of sunscreen, while a teaspoon-full of sunblock is needed to keep your ears, face and neck protected from the sun’s harmful UV rays.

4. Reapply It After Every Two Hours. If you’re really serious about protecting your skin from the sun’s rays, then don’t be lazy in reapplying your sunblock. If you’re planning on diving into the beach, you’ll need to slather another layer of sunblock but if you’re not going to take a dip, you’ll have to reapply your sunscreen every after two hours.

5. Go for Broad-Spectrum Sunscreens. While SPF is good in protecting your skin against UVB rays, which causes your skin feel burnt, going for broad-spectrum sunscreens is still more ideal. When choosing your sunscreen, read its label and ensure that you’re purchasing one that has the PA symbol to keep you protected from the UVA and UVB rays.

6. Remove it Using Makeup Remover. Most people usually experience acne breakouts after using sunscreen is because they only use water and soap to wash it off. Unless your sunscreen is water-based, dermatologists suggest using a makeup remover to ensure that all pore-clogging residues is removed.

While it may seem too taxing to do, spending a minute or two on applying some sunscreen is essential especially now that it’s summer time. Not only will this protect you from the harmful UV rays of the sun, it will also ensure that you’ll still get that same fair complexion you had before hitting the beach.

5 Money Beliefs That Are Keeping You Broke

Posted by Editor in Finance on Jun 1st, 2015 | 0 comments

Most of us grew up believing certain things about money. It can be things that was taught to you, or things that we observed and learned to accept as you grew up. However, living by some of these beliefs could also be keeping you from getting bigger bucks. If you want to be richer and live a rather comfortable life, then it’s time to get some of the following negative beliefs off your system.

1. “Money is the root of all evil”. We’re all familiar with this old cliché. Most people often think that wealth is what hinders spirituality, and wanting more money automatically turns you into a greedy person. However, money isn’t inherently good or evil. It is simply a tool and a means to an end. What matters is how you use the money you have, whether you use it for good purposes or for criminal intents.

2. “Saving money is impossible if you don’t earn enough”. Most of us think that savings or emergency funds only work for people with fat pay checks. After all, saving any money is quite impossible with our bills and daily expenses. Still, this isn’t a valid excuse to skip on saving. Regardless of how much you earn each month, learn to allocate a portion of it in your savings. Do this consistently and see how it grows into something significant, even if you don’t receive fat pay checks.

3. “Debts are part of life”. Your colleagues have it, your friend has one and even your parents have it, which is why it’s perfectly alright to have a debt, right? Wrong. Living a life without owing money to anyone is actually possible, but most people still get unnecessary debts due to their uncontrollable spending habits. A good remedy to this is learning how to manage your money so that you’ll never get into debt, unless you really need to.

4. “Money won’t buy you happiness”. While it’s true that you can’t literally buy happiness, money is still capable of getting you things and experiences that leads to that happiness. It can fund the kind of hobby that you’re into, it can buy the stuff that you like, and it can even help you chase your passions and dreams. Money aids in satisfying your pressing needs and deepest wants, and in providing you a better and happier life.

5. “Romance and Money Don’t Mix Well”. Know what’s less romantic than discussions about money? A divorce caused by chronic debt, money-related arguments and endless financial anxiety. Luckily, all of this can be avoided by having frank and honest money talks. Learn to understand where you and your partner stand in terms of money, spending and debt to help you determine whether or not you’re a good long-term match. Being on the same page on your finances will aid in protecting your affair, building a happy domestic life and accomplishing your goals as a couple.

While money isn’t everything in the world, it’s still important that you learn to properly budget your finances. By doing so and forgetting about the faulty belief that were taught to you, you’ll surely be able to manage your money and live a financially-independent life.

5 Fun and Exciting Things to Do With Your BFF

Posted by Editor in Lifestyle, Love and Relationships on May 9th, 2015 | 0 comments

 

Adventures are made extra special with best friends, especially if you’re up for once-in-a-lifetime experiences. If you want to level up the bonding moments and experience new things together, here are some fun suggestions that’ll make your friendship stronger.

1. Conquer Your Fears

Enjoy the upcoming summer season by conquering your fears together. She may be afraid of heights, while you may despise spicy food. Help your bestie conquer her fear by challenging her to go cliff diving or zip line adventure. Let her prepare chilli crabs for you or dine out somewhere and enjoy hot and spicy dishes together. Facing your fears will be fun and much easier when you have each other’s back.

2. Have an Unplanned Trip

Skip the planning process and just say yes to instant travels. Grab the next flight or hop on the next bus. The experience is totally wild and unexpected, but you know you’re with the right company to do something that’s totally off the bat.

3. Have a Cook Off Challenge

If you have nowhere else to go or just prefer to stay indoors, show off your cooking skills by having a cook off challenge. Prepare a dish for each other and see who cooks best. If your cooking skills are just unfortunate, ditch it and call for delivery instead. At least you can both say you tried.

4. Dine in a New Restaurant

Whether it’s the new Mongolian restaurant in the city or that new hawker stall on the next street, give it a shot. You could also go try foods together that you have never tried before. This is one adventure that you don’t have to go too far away. It could break diets, but it will surely be fun and memorable for the both of you.

5. Get a Bit Crazy

Colour your hair in bright-coloured dye or go get a tattoo. A bit of wild won’t hurt and guarantee to make memories that will last forever. Remember that crazy nights and experiences are best shared with friends.

Doing new things together with your best friend nurtures your friendship. Aside from gaining new adventures and experiences, doing fun things with your BFF makes life more exciting and memorable.

5 Qualities Every Alpha Male Should Look For in a Woman

Posted by Editor in Love and Relationships on May 7th, 2015 | 0 comments

 

Alpha men and women are the people behind our ever-evolving world. They are successful, intellectual, trendsetters, and good leaders. While being an alpha male is great in many ways, it’s also depressing in some others, including finding a partner—someone who can run the world with us.

If you’re an alpha male (or not), it’s important to find an ideal girlfriend who can live up to your kind of world. These traits should be among the qualities that you must look for in a woman.

1. Intelligence: Alpha males are alpha males because they are incredibly intellectual. However, they often fall into the trap of finding superficial women over intellectual ones. Unfortunately, this never works; the man gets bored, realizes that everything is a mistake, and calls it quits. The more intelligent you are, the more intelligent your partner should be.

2. Loyalty: Nothing is more important to an alpha male than pure loyalty, since they lead packs of people and expect these people to be loyal to them. Of course, an alpha male’s girlfriend isn’t just part of a pack, but a queen sitting next to him. Unwavering loyalty and understanding is what he expects from her.

3. Control: Alpha males want to get in control of everything, that’s why we need a partner who can control hew own reality and life. While these men lead and control their own pack, their partner isn’t a part of that pack but a part of him. Hopefully, she’s also able to take some control over him too—sometimes we need a bit of that.

4. Patience: We’re not the nicest and easiest people to be with. Most of the time, we’re fighting for our kingdom and the rest we’re battling within ourselves. This can be very difficult to handle for an alpha male girlfriend. However, if we can see your loyalty and patience, it will all be worth it. We’ll fight for you and for our relationship with more fervour than anything else.

5. A Hint of Stubbornness: Because alpha males love competition, we want our partners to be able to challenge and compete with us. Like any relationship, a balance between fight and peace is important to keep the relationship interesting. A woman who can speak her mind, hold her ground, and do things her way gives a sense of challenge that makes her interesting for us.

These traits are just a few of the qualities that men should look for in a woman. These don’t only apply to alpha males alone, but to any man in general.