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The World’s 7 Most Amazing Underwater Hotels

The world is brimming with astonishing works and experiments of humans. Time and again, scientists and doctors have introduced various innovative things to the world and without a doubt, it has certainly made our lives better. We will still see some more ground-breaking inventions in the time to come.

The Top 5 Sydney Bars

Likewise, marine life is quite interesting, irrespective of the way you choose to explore it. But, I am sure the idea of living right inside will surely thrill you. Both the advanced technology and human mind has made it possible to spend some time in underwater hotels.

So, if you find this whole concept interesting, then make sure you check out the following list of some of the best underwater hotels.

Underwater Hotels: The Poseidon Underwater Resort, Fiji

This hotel in Fiji tops the list is a technological marvel. Various reports and surveys have proved that this is the king of underwater hotels. This striking 5-star underwater hotel has been built on a remote island of Fiji and the best part is that this hotel is surrounded by a beautiful 5,000-acre lagoon. Another impressive feature of this hotel is it’s 70% acrylic glass giving you the opportunity to spend some quality time in a giant aquarium, offering you a view of multi-coloured marine life.

You will be picked up by the company’s official aircraft to fly to Fiji. The package will comprise of a 4-night stay at the beachfront room and two nights in an underwater room, you also have access to gourmet meals, wine tasting, and other water sports.

Water Discus Hotel, Dubai

Designed by a Polish Company DOT (Deep Ocean Technology), this is one of the most attractive underwater hotels in the world. Since it has a modular design, the company says that it can also be expanded or moved to a new location.

The main thing that makes this hotel interesting is its innovative design, it is half underwater and half above the water. The underwater portion of the hotel has a total of 21 luxurious rooms, a beautiful lobby, pools, restaurants, conference rooms, a bar, a spa, and there is a training pool for the scuba diving.

The underwater airlock can be easily accessed via the diving centre; it will straightway take you to the ocean. The hotel has a decompression chamber; this is made especially for training purposes. With all lit up, at night, this hotel looks futuristic and straight from the outer world.

The Apeiron Island Hotel, Dubai

Apeiron Hotel is located 300 m from the coast. Supporting a futuristic design, without a second thought, this hotel will surely attract you to spend few days here. This 7-star hotel is designed by Sybarite Architects and the hotel features an underwater restaurant, a spa, 28 floors, more than 400 rooms, cinemas, luxury boutiques, parking area for guest’s boats, a raised helipad, and an art gallery.

Making an extravagant entrance, the hotel is accessible both by boat or helicopter. The top two floors of the hotel have a butterfly jungle with tropical species and it is temperature-controlled. The underwater restaurant will be surrounded by the breathtaking underwater life. You can enjoy the coral life and beautiful fishes anytime as it has an underwater lagoon.

Jules’ Undersea Lodge, Florida

This is the only American underwater hotel situated in Key Largo, Florida. Interestingly, you have to scuba dive 21 feet beneath the sea in order to enter the hotel. The moment you reach the hotel you can’t help feeling like you have discovered a secret underwater clubhouse. Initially, it was called La Chalupa, a research laboratory and it was a technologically advanced habitat during 1970s.

As the hotel is filled with compressed air, it easily remains intact and it also prevents it from filling with water ensuring your comfortable stay. There is a wet room for scuba gear, a living space (totally air-conditioned), and moon pool entrance. Catering to your environment, there are two private bedrooms and a common room with a telephone and DVD players. The hotel has a tie-up with a local pizza company and they provide you food, you can also book a chef who will dive down and prepare dinner for you.

The Manta Resort, Pemba Island, Zanzibar

This hotel is 13ft deep in the sea and its spacious rooms offer you the best of luxury. You get to enjoy the exotic experience of viewing the lovely sea creatures from the comfort of your bedroom. There are 17 stylish rooms with soothing interiors and one pair of rooms comes with an interconnecting door, making it an ideal choice for the families and larger groups.

The top deck is surrounded by the water and it offers a great opportunity for enjoying private sunbathing and stargazing during the night. The water deck is ideal for lounging and dining with your friends or loved ones. Moreover, you are also offered the opportunities of diving and snorkeling. You will find an extensive variety of endemic bird species, monkeys, and flying fox offering you a chance to test your photography skills.

Shimao Wonderland, China

Designed by British-based company Atkins, you will find this award-winning hotel in a water-filled quarry in China. This five-star hotel has two submerged floors with over 300 rooms. Its long list of features comprises of a green roof, geothermal & solar energy utilisation, a spa, guest rooms, conference facilities, sports & leisure centres, underwater public areas, restaurant, and a swimming pool.

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The lowest level of the hotel has a leisure complex with a swimming pool and you also get to enjoy water-based sports. If you want to indulge in extreme sports, you can participate in bungee jumping and rock climbing. The hotel’s key architectural feature is its transparent glass waterfall and it is ideally located in the centre of the building.

Resort World, Sentosa, Singapore

Concealed on one side of the largest aquarium in the world, you get to enjoy five-star comfort and a personalised butler service while you enjoy the spectacular view of the underwater sanctuary. It’s 11 luxurious suites are designed in a way that it gives a look of two story townhouse, letting you enjoy both of land and the sea. The upper level has an open area with an outdoor patio and the lower level offers a splendid view of marine fishes and other colourful sea creatures.

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Double Arch, Arches National Park, Utah

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Visit Australia On A Budget: Accommodation Options

Travelling helps you meet new people, get to know various new countries and even learn something new about your own homeland.

However, sometimes the costs of transportation, accommodation, and other necessities tend to be high and prevent you from exploring the world.

If you’re travelling on a budget, you’ll be happy to know that now you can save plenty of money on accommodation due to a myriad of affordable hostels, homes and other comfortable places to stay.

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Visit Australia on a budget: Hostels

While many travellers think of hostels as the accommodation suitable only for young people, the truth is quite the opposite.

People of all ages tend to stay in hostels, and they were all very pleased with the nights they’ve spent there. Hostels are known for their dormitory style where you share all the facilities with other guests. However, many hostels will provide you with small rooms, as well as singles and doubles. Therefore, whether you travel alone or as a couple, you can have a comfortable room with some privacy.

Budget travellers find hostels most affordable and convenient. This is also a great option for those who travel in groups because you can stay in one of the dorms only with the people you know. Additionally, some hostels set age limits, while others accept people of all age.

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Therefore, don’t be surprised if you encounter small children, their parents, and seniors all at the same time. Hostels are not just for young people anymore.

House sitting

When you’re travelling on a budget, you will look for every opportunity to save as much money as you can on transportation or accommodation because they’re the biggest expense.

House sitting is one of the options that can save you a lot of money since the accommodation will be free. Therefore, when you decide to travel to the east coast of Australia, be sure to apply for house sitting in Sydney and explore this beautiful city while taking care of someone else’s home.

You could spend a couple of weeks in a cute house, taking care of the pets, plants and keeping the burglars away, while their owners are on vacation.

Couchsurfing

Couchsurfing is another free accommodation that will give you the opportunity to interact with various kinds of people, and see how they spend their time while you’re living with them.

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People from all over the world offer their homes to travellers who’re looking for an affordable accommodation and give them the opportunity to stay over while they’re travelling through the country. While some hosts may offer you just a couch to sleep on, there are also those who are kind enough to place you in a proper bedroom.

The benefit of this type of accommodation is that you’ll run into a plethora of different people, engage in a myriad of various conversations and be introduced into so many cultures and customs first hand.

Home exchange

When you’re looking for an affordable accommodation, house exchange can be a great option.

Swapping homes with another family sounds risky at first, but don’t forget that both of you are trusting each other with your homes. Therefore, if you’re an older traveller and not so fond of hotels, or you just want to feel at home and live abroad for free, be sure to look for other families who’re interested in a home exchange.

What’s more, you may end up forming a great friendship with the other family, and continue to visit each other every year.

Final thoughts

Travelling helps you grow, broadens your horizons and gives you an opportunity to learn new things about the world.

Now, when you decide to start exploring new countries, be sure to consider some of the accommodation options mentioned above and you won’t have to break the bank for another adventure.

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The UK’s 6 Best Irish Bars

It’s no secret that Irish bars are some of the best in the world and in the UK we’re lucky enough to have plenty of them in which to eat, drink, and be merry.

But with so many Irish bars around, it can be difficult to work out which ones are the real deal.

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So, to help you out we’ve brought you our quick round-up of the UK’s best Irish bars. 

The Auld Shillelagh, London

Open since 1991, The Auld Shillelagh has one main goal: to serve the best Guinness in London. It can be neither confirmed or denied if they have achieved their goal, but there’s no doubt that this Irish bar is one of the best you’ll find in the UK.

Although it looks small from the outside, The Auld Shillelagh has tripled in length since it opened, and now boasts enough room to host live music every week and every major sporting event across an array of big screens.

This bar’s best asset, however, has to be it’s beer garden which faces the sun for most of the day. Inside or outside, this classic Irish bar has the ultimate Celtic charm.

Where: 105 Stoke Newington Church Street, London, N16 0UD

McSorley’s Irish Bar, Edinburgh

Not only is McSorley’s Irish Bar wholly traditional, but it also brings its customers to top notch entertainment. Sporting four HD televisions and two projector screens, and live music every night from Irish bands and local artists, this Irish bar is known for its lively vibe.

McSorley’s is also home to the weekly Ceildhr Mor where, for £6 entry including a whisky, Iron Bru, or pint of best, you can enjoy the traditional Irish singing, dancing, and merriment.

Where: 14 Forrest Road, Edinburgh, EH1 2QN

Shenanigans, Liverpool

Shenanigans embodies the classic Irish bar with its atmosphere, live music, and live sports, but offers a unique twist as it specialises in innovative original cocktails, such as the Dancing Leprechaun, the Shamrock Shake, and the Pot of Gold.  

As well as its extensive drinks list, Shenanigans also offers a range of classic pub grub so that you can line your stomach before you indulge in your Guinness.

Where: 77 Tithebarn Street, Liverpool, L2 2EN

Waxy O’Connor’s, Manchester

This large Irish bar serves classic Celtic dishes, offering you a choice of the Bar Menu, Sligo Menu, Galway Menu, Tipperary Buffet, and the Donegal Buffet.

Although its high-quality food and drinks selection has been satisfying its customers since opening, Waxy O’Connor’s is perhaps best known for its interior. The venue has four floors and three bars, passages and staircases, and an indoor tree which is situated on the one side of the building, adding to the quirky look.

If you’re looking for sophistication, Waxy O’Connor’s is the Irish Bar for you.

Where: The Printworks, Corporation Street, Manchester, M4 2BS

Lanigans Irish Bar, Liverpool

Claiming to serve the best Guinness in North West England, Lanigans Irish Bar is all about having fun. With live music everyday of the week, DJs that play until 2 am, and the largest LCD video wall that Liverpool has to offer, entertainment is this bar’s strong point.

Striking the perfect balance between large and cosy, Lanigan’s is a welcoming establishment which prides itself on bringing its customers the best of Ireland, with Irish folklore pictures enhancing the walls.

Where: 33-35 Ranelagh Street, Liverpool, L1 1JP

Patrick’s Bar, Bangor

The unmissable Patrick’s Bar has a bright green exterior, which sums up its vibe: this Irish bar has made it into our roundup because it dares to be different.

With 50p vodka shots, a Jägermeister machine, karaoke nights, a jukebox, and a 24-hour barcam live stream, Patrick’s Bar gives you countless reasons to attend. Situated in the university town of Bangor, this bar is definitely more catered towards students, with cheap drinks and great entertainment.

Where: 55-57 Holyhead Road, Bangor, LL57 2HE

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Taipei - Taiwan (by Chao-Wei Juan) 

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Backpacker Beauty: How to Stay Looking Good When You’re Living Out of a Rucksack

A gap year is a rite of passage for anyone but looks never seems to make the cut of “important things”. Here are our top tips for becoming a backpacking beauty.

18 hour coach journeys may be cheap but they don’t keep your hair grease-free and they certainly challenge your (supposedly) 24-hour long antiperspirants. This, however, doesn’t mean beauty is it out of the question. Here are some of my favourite advice for staying glamorous whilst travelling.

DIY Products

Even when I am not travelling, I still love to make my own beauty products. One of my favourite treatments involves just two ingredients: milk and lemon.

First of all, collect your ingredients: half a cup of milk (to be boiled for one minute by your trusty microwave (or cooker)) and a large squeeze of lemon juice to pour into it. Then give it a quick stir and a cooling. Once the treatment is cool, apply the mixture to your face and let it dry for around 10-15 minutes. A good idea would be to brew some hot water and lemon – this drink works wonders for your digestive system and can pass the time whilst your face is drying. Once the facemask has dried, in circular motions, wash your face with warm water. This treatment will result in a new, fresh, glowing skin which, believe me, feels wonderful after a long trek.

Another of my other favourite treatments is a hair revitalising mask.

First gather one ripe avocado, half a cup of coconut milk and three teaspoons of olive oil. In a bowl, mash the avocado, adding the coconut milk and the olive oil, and stir. Then, warm up your mask on a stove for a couple of minutes. Once the mask is warm, apply the mixture from your roots to the ends, massaging it into the scalp. Leave on for at least half an hour then rinse your hair. This mask should result in renewing your tresses to its natural gorgeous self!

Alternative Products

Unfortunately, in Phang Nga Bay or East Timor, very few showers are available, leaving your hair (and body) crying out for nourishment. Nevertheless, there are a wide range of products accessible for alternative methods of “cleaning” or exfoliating.

When I can’t get to a shower I resort to dry shampoo or baby powder. Batiste is my favourite dry shampoo brand but there are many other brands available. I prefer the “fresh” product but on a holiday, “oriental” or “topical” can work too with fragrances of coconut and flora. I also use Johnson’s baby powder as it soaks up oil and grease in your hair, leaving your hair more ‘fresh’. Serums or salt sprays can keep the fizz at bay, and hairbands or hair-clips are lifesavers when you’re having a bad hair day.

For solid cosmetics, I personally go for Lush products. They’re light, small and environmentally friendly. Whether you need a solid shampoo that doubles as body soap or a solid perfume that doubles as washing detergent, Lush has hundreds of products ranging from £5 – £20 lasting for around 4-6 weeks. One of my favourite products is Angels on Bare Skin. For only £6.35, you get 100g worth of an almond-fragrant facemask that reduces redness and evens out skin tone.

Durable Products

Whether you’re on holiday for three months or three years, “durable” products are essential.

Invest in make-up sponges when applying 24-hour foundation. They are incredibly light, easy to clean and easy to apply. The best make-up rule I have is “less is more”. The less foundation you have on your face, the less foundation there is to slide off it.

To protect your lips from the heat, use a clear or light-tint lip gloss such as blistex or carmex. They’re high-moistured and help keep your lips smooth and polished.

If you must wear mascara, always make sure it’s water-proof. Again the “less is more” rule can be applied here. To look fresh, always carry baby wipes around with you before you go to bed to avoid “panda eyes”. And only wear eye liner at night time when you’re going to a party. You don’t NEED to wear liner when shopping for fruit and vegetables.

Overall, there are hundreds of rules and hundreds of products to use when travelling. It’s up to you to choose what your preferences are but always pack as little and as durable as you can.

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The Top 5 Sydney Bars

Melbourne might reign supreme when it comes to Australian bars, cafes and restaurants, but Sydney is putting up a damn good fight, and the bars on offer get better by the year. I’m here to share some of my personal favourites with you.

Once you’ve touched down in Sydney, there’s so much to see and do both during the day and at night that you’ll need your energy, so don’t let being tired from the flight hold you back. Take a comfortable neck pillow for that long trip with you so you can stay fresh throughout and hit the ground running when you land.

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One of the great things about Sydney is that it is, being a beach city and found in Australia, a country famed for its laid back attitude and living in flip flops, ultra-casual, so you don’t need to dress up as much as you would to go out in other major cities.

Of course, there are plenty of places where you can suit up if you so desire, but there are also plenty of spots with a more relaxed and informal vibe, more focused on having fun than how you look while doing so.

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There are a multitude of things to explore in Australia. Options are aplenty when it comes to bars too, and it wasn’t easy to narrow my selection down to just five, but in the end, I whittled it down to the five gems you’ll find below, all extremely different from one another.

Pexels / Pixabay

The Opera Bar

If we’re talking Sydney, there’s no way we could leave this one out.

The experience of having a drink or a bite to eat in such an iconic location is one you’ll never forget and is a perfect selfie opportunity. There’s an enormous amount of outdoor space here, although it does fill up early, especially on weekends.

If you decide to eat rather than just enjoy a glass of something, you can sit inside in the air conditioning and watch those out on the terrace melt in the heat, which they tend to do in the summer months. However, in the winter a table outside is the perfect spot for a little winter sun.

Arcadia Liquors

A cracking spot for those of you on a budget looking for somewhere cheap and remarkably cheerful.

The prices here will delight anyone trying to keep an eye on what they’re spending, as many of Sydney’s bars can tend to be a bit on the pricey side.

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The prices do their job well and this place is always packed, but you should be able to find somewhere to perch by the bar or in the brick courtyard. You’ll find this diamond in the rough in Redfern Jamtown

Jamtown

You’ll find this Jamaican joint on Manly’s Belgrave Street, and it fully lives up to all expectations.

You’ll probably be staying in the central city, so you get to adventure over here on the ferry. You might want to come over to Manly earlier in the day to enjoy the beach and make this a pit stop on your way back.

The drinks menu is quintessentially Jamaican, with Red Stripe playing a leading role, and the cocktails all go relatively heavy on the rum, with plenty of tropical flavours. The music’s great, and make sure you come with an appetite because the menu is to-die-for, with classic Jamaican flavours.

A particular highlight is the limbo pole next to the bar. Make it under it and you’ll get a 10% discount on your meal. Challenge accepted!

Neighbourhood

You’ll be hitting Bondi Beach at some point, so why not treat yourself to a drink and a snack at another of Sydney’s best bars while you’re there, and really soak up the atmosphere. It’s got a laid-back vibe, but the drinks are incredibly sophisticated.

If you’re hungry after all that beaching, try the mac and cheese. They recommend a wine that goes beautifully with every dish.

If you’re around on a Sunday, a DJ is playing to entertain those getting stuck into a Sunday session and they serve up a killer roast.

tpsdave / Pixabay

Big Poppa’s

Sydney is known for shutting down relatively early, but Big Poppa’s is a relatively new offering that’s serving full meals till 3 am every night of the week. This place has been opened by some big names in Sydney’s bar world, and you’ll find the bar in the basement.

The cocktails are cracking, and the wines aren’t bad either. Just be warned that this place does fill up early, and they don’t take bookings, so get there nice and early or show up in the wee hours, especially if you’re in search of a good feed having filled your boots elsewhere.

There’s more to Sydney than its bars

Those are my five favourite bars in Sydney, but with so much on offer don’t stop there.

From classy hotel bars to karaoke joints to distilleries producing their own spirits on the premises, there’s a huge amount to discover barwise city-wide. Just make sure you stay organised packing wise during your travels so that you can grab your partywear & hit the ground running.

Start your night (or even day) off at one of these spots, then embrace the Aussie spirit and see where the wind takes you.

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Essentials For Digital Nomads

Being a digital nomad means frequent trips to other countries, constant packing and unpacking, and moving around a lot. Although digital nomads spend only a couple of weeks or a month in one place, packing tons of stuff is probably not the wisest decision. It’s better to bring only the essentials on these travels.

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Some freelancers are used to this lifestyle and already have pre-made lists of items and accessories to bring on their journey. This makes things less complicated. Some of the items on the list are necessary for everyday living, while other accessories may come in handy in certain situations.  For instance, having a good laptop with a good battery life is a must.

Let’s take a look at some of the essentials that every digital nomad should have while traveling.

Essentials for digital nomads

Cash, Cards, and Passport

You probably know that traveling without these three items is just impossible, but let’s focus on where to store them. Having a portable safe for valuable belongings has become very popular among digital nomads recently, and it’s certainly good to have one while going to new places.

You can also store your valuables in a safe if you are staying in a hotel with reliable security.

E-book

Dealing with flight layovers, hotel check-ins, and constant waiting in lines are just some of the things that every traveler has to deal with. Of course, you would do anything to kill some time, so why not read a book or two while waiting.

Bringing a whole library on these little travels is not that convenient, but having an E-book will save a lot of space in your suitcase. The good news is that you can store hundreds of books in one E-book.

Comfy Sneakers

It is important to have a comfy pair of sneakers while traveling to new places. Avoid heavy shoes that can give you blisters, and get yourself some comfortable sneakers that will save you from the misery of swollen feet.

Toothbrush and Mouthwash

Digital nomads usually don’t stay in 5-star hotels, and some of the budget-friendly places don’t always include a complimentary toothbrush or toothpaste. If you are staying in the city for the first time, finding a shop where you can purchase these items may be difficult. Therefore, it’s best to bring your own bathroom accessory set.

Also, besides being good for you, mouthwash comes in handy when there is no place to brush your teeth.

Medication

Sometimes it is impossible to find the medication you are looking for in some countries. There is also a chance that you will be asked for a prescription at the local drugstore. To avoid these complications, it is best to carry all of the pills you might need with you.

jarmoluk / Pixabay

A Good Phone

People who travel and work at the same time simply need to have a good phone. Sometimes you won’t have access to your laptop, or it will be inconvenient to use one in certain situations, so why not conduct your business over a phone.

You can use Google maps for locations, check out Foursquare for restaurant/bar recommendations, and store some of your documents on the phone. It is also a lot easier to take pictures with a phone than to drag a giant Nixon camera with you.