The Valley of Flowers – magic land of peace of mind

Valley of Flowers is extremely beautiful valley located high in the Western Himalayas, India. Described by climbers and botanists for over a century, this extremely diverse terrain is home to over 500 many rare and endangered species, including Himalayan brown bear, snow leopard, baralat (Himalayan blue ram) and more.

The national park stretches over an expanse of 87 km² the reserve and it is situated at an altitude of 3500 – 4000 m. Almost inaccessible to tourists due to the high altitude, the park is still considered one of the most beautiful places in the world. Getting to the Valley of Flowers requires a trek of about 17 km (Grade : Moderate) – a dream for all explorers. The park is in the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves since 1988.

The park is home to huge variety of fauna and flora including musk deer, red fox, Himalayan Golden Eagle, Snow Pigeon etc. and a huge variety of butterflies. The flowers include mostly orchids, marigold, daisies and anemones but 31 species are recognized as endangered species, while 45 others are medicinal plants, applied daily by local residents, including Dactylorhiza hatagirea, Picrorhiza kurrooa, Aconitum violaceum, Polygonatum multiflorum, Fritillaria roylei and Podophyllum hexandrum.

Haji Lane, Singapore

Haji Lane is a small-scale shopping in Singapore‘s hidden retail destination. Singapore has enormous, glittering shopping malls in and around Orchard Street which are wall-to-wall major-brand retailers, the stuff of a shopaholic’s dream. Anyway for those seeking something more intimate, the indie boutiques on Haji Lane are far from the roaming mall rats. Beautiful boutiques showcase rising Singaporean designers, as well as other designers from Asia and beyond, lining a narrow, backstreet of the tranquil Kampong Glam area – also known as the Arab district.

Don’t miss stores on the second floors of the charming shophouses; look out for mysterious flights of stairs through doorways at street level because you might just find find a new little world at the top of them. United Label is a wonderful shop, a womenswear brand by a Thai designer living in Singapore, as well as a selection of adorable stationery culled from around Asia. Near the entryway a staircase leads to a floor stocked with clothes from different labels. There are a few racks of items that have been majorly discounted, while others are dedicated to items like delicate, screen-printed tees.

At one end of Haji Lane is Soon Lee (no. 73), which stocks a mix of chic womenswear, accessories and lifestyle items from Hong Kong, Korea and even the Philippines. The boutique’s size (basically two shophouses combined into one) gives way to a large selection for browsing. Balancing out the shopping element, a few cafes and rest stops provide a place for breaks. A Thousand Tales (no. 55) is an all-in-one art gallery, cafe, bar, restaurant and furniture complex. While the menu next door at Bar Stories (no. 57A) sells drinks like mojitos and caipirinhas, visitors are invited to ask the bartender to make something special for them. The Scandinavian-inspired furniture is used as seating for patrons, who can buy it right there if they like it enough.

Pluck (no. 31/33) focuses more on housewares, but the cafe inside offers a revolving selection of homemade ice cream in a variety of flavors. The standouts are the Asian-inspired flavors, such as green tea with red beans or cashew-infused yogurt. There are also flavors made with alcohol, like the refreshing lychee martini.

A sanctuary from everyday reality

Located in Petitenget close to the border of Seminyak – a bustling residential area in the heart of Bali, Paya-Paya Villa is a stylish three-bedroom holiday retreat that makes a dramatic statement in contemporary design. Built by Aboday Architects, Paya-Paya Villa is an exotic haven of infinite comfort that does not compromise personal space or privacy.

Luxury, personal space, state of the art technology and zestful and stylized contemporary design does not escape anyone staying at this Bali villa. The two-storey building is arranged around courtyards and surrounded by water of varying depth, which creates a shallow pond at the entrance, Jacuzzi and large swimming pool. Guestrooms contain Refrigerator and Jacuzzi for your comfort. The three impressive air-conditioned rooms are stocked with 4-star quality amenities such as TVs with Satellite and a home entertainment system an IDD telephone, and high speed Broadband Internet. When it is time to relax, this Bali hotel offers Swimming pool and Spa services on site. Rates for entire villa: US$ 295(low season), US$330 (High) and US$ 350 peak season.

Beautifully appointed hotel

The Pier House Resort is Key Wests most elaborate waterfront resort. Further attractions close this idiom hotel countenance Ernest Hemingway Interior and Museum and Southernmost Quantity. If you’re sensing for something a bit much friend than the Get Employ , Platform Asylum is an saint prime. Photos by: http://www.mywedding.com/

If inviting tropical views are more your style. Available with either one king or two queen beds and a patio or balcony surrounded by native tropical flora. Non-smoking rooms. Flat-panel televisions come with cable channels. Guestrooms also feature refrigerators, complimentary wireless Internet access, and premium bedding.

Hotel Facilities: 3 restaurants; 3 bars; babysitting; bike/moped rental; concierge; full-service fitness center and spa; 2 Jacuzzis; heated pool; limited room service; sauna; watersports equipment/rentals. The resort’s award-winning restaurant, One Duval Restaurant and Bar is renowned for its excellent cuisine, highlighted by an unforgettable waterfront setting and a new cuisine style that blends flavourful ingredients of the Caribbean and Florida. This luxurious property is suited for guests of all types.

Wanderlust Hotel, Singapore

Wanderlust is a left-field and totally experimental boutique hotel set to draw madcap voyagers and curious travellers to its doorstep. Located in Little India district in Singapore, where a bustling cultural enclave where Indian immigrants once settled, and the building was originally an old school built it 1920s. With four thematic levels of 29 rooms by award winning Singapore design agencies, each group was given full creative freedom.

The first level is the Lobby Level – Industrial Glam by Asylum A juxtaposition of the surrounding’s setting and contemporary design. Level 2 is Eccentricity by :phunk Studio. Colours everything from the walls to the neon lights and the rainbow corridor leads to a outdoor deck with a customised mosaic-tiled jacuzzi. Level 3 – Is it just Black and White by DP Architects. Walk across the black corridor and enter into the contrasting white rooms to discover Origami and Pop-Art works. Level 4 – Creature Comforts by fFurious. Get cosy with friendly monsters in each room that presents a different vibe and be assured of a fantasy-filled experience.

The lobby and restaurant Cocotte were done up in a distinctive industrial flair, which provide the perfect setting for the mismatch of furniture from Tom Dixon to Frank Gehry. Cocotte serves up a French menu and has large tables for communal dining, a small detail that very much meshes with the interactive element of traveling. Encouraging social interaction and communal dining, dishes at Cocotte come in sharing portions so guests can enjoy a unique dining experience and sample a variety of scrumptious creations by the chefs. Rooms, which also come with Kiehl’s toiletries and iPod docks, run from $300 to $650 Singaporean dollars.