Slack.

Sorry I've been real slack in updating my blog lately, but I have been caught up in some work-related stuff that needed my immediate attention. I did a quick trip to Phuket last week (business-related, so no photos there) and now am pretty much occupied 80% of the time with an IATA course which I'm currently studying for.

But on a more travel-related note, no big plans are in store for the rest of the year (holy cow just one more month til Christmas and then 2010 comes shortly after that!?). Except for a quiet year-end celebration with Martian (Boracay Island again, if all things go well), I think I may be saying goodbye to traveling for the time being. There are more... important and pressing matters for now.

I still owe you trip reports from October and I will try to post that up soon-ish.

Til then.

Best locations in the world to go wild.

From full moon parties in Thailand to adrenaline-filled activities in Africa, the best locations in the world to go wild in have been revealed.

A range of activities sure to please all types of thrill-seekers feature in a list compiled by travel company Expedia.com.au.

IBIZA, SPAIN

Ibiza is one of four of the Balaeric Islands of Spain and provides a postcard-like setting with picturesque beaches and high, towering cliffs. It has now become more widely known as one of the party capitals of the world and attracts travellers from across the globe to party along with some of the world's best known DJs in some of the most sought after night clubs.

Top nightspots include Privilege, arguably one of the largest nightclubs in the world, Es Paradis, known for its pool parties, and Amnesia, which is known for its foam parties. The party season usually begins with opening parties at Space and DC10 in June and finishes on the first weekend of October.

QUEENSTOWN, NEW ZEALAND

Queenstown is often referred to as the adventure capital of the world and for good reason. For adrenaline junkies you cannot go past the renowned "Awesome Foursome". This action-packed day combines a helicopter flight, white water rafting down the Shotover River, a high-speed jet boat ride and a 134 metre bungy jump from the Nevis Highwire, all of which are sure to leave you on a high.

LAS VEGAS, USA

Known as the place for the quintessential boy's weekend, Las Vegas offers an abundance of opportunities to misbehave. It is hard to go past "the strip", which is littered with hotels and casinos offering all types of table games and slots, and open to all hours of the night.

But if you are looking to cool down, pool parties are all the rage in the hot climate of Las Vegas and the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino stages one of the more well known ones called Rehab, where world class DJs perform. If you are suffering gambling withdrawals, there is even swim-up poker so you can gamble without having to miss out on the party. Las Vegas is also home to some of the biggest and best performers and sporting events attracting thousands of visitors.

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

Cape Town is hard to ignore if looking for fun and adventure. For the adrenaline junkies there is the world's highest bungee jump at 216 meters, skydiving over Robben Island and the whole Cape Peninsula or abseiling off the famous Table Mountain. You can even dive with Great White Sharks.

If water is your thing, there are also great surf beaches and deep sea fishing adventures. And, if you want to walk on the wild side there is also the opportunity to go on safaris in the area and hopefully spot the Big Five.

KO PHA NGAN, THAILAND

Known for its wild full moon parties, Ko Pha Ngan becomes a haven for many travellers who plan their holidays in line with the lunar cycle. The all-night parties have become known as one of the biggest beach parties in the world.

The exact date of when the first party was held varies, but it has grown from a mere 20-30 partygoers in the mid 1980s to global notoriety, amassing close to 30,000 partygoers each full moon during the high season. December and January are a great time of year to visit and to enjoy one of the biggest and best beach parties on offer.

NEW ORLEANS, USA

Home to the famous Mardi Gras, New Orleans brings out the best and worst in people as they party the night away. Hundreds of thousands of travellers converge on New Orleans, predominantly on Bourbon Street in the French Quarter, to witness the annual event where people can drink on the street and enjoy the festivities.

The party has grown into an iconic world event with the Carnival season starting on January 6 with a masked ball event. The best time to visit for Mardi Gras is Fat Monday and Fat Tuesday but also the weekend before as some of the biggest parades occur on those days. Remember to dress for the occasion.

MYKONOS, GREECE

Mykonos is the place to party on the Greek Islands. Often referred to as the world's adult playground, Mykonos offers some of the best bars and nightclubs of anywhere in the world. It's unabashed and unapologetic, but travellers will remember it as a holiday of a lifetime.

The Tropicana beach bar is the place to be and it will be hard to say no when the bar staff come requesting your presence to party all night. To recover after a big night out, you can enjoy some of the best snorkelling or scuba diving on offer in the Aegean Sea or you can simply enjoy the warm sun whilst relaxing on the beautiful Paradise beach.

MONTE CARLO, MONACO

Full of high fashion, fast cars and incredible scenery, Monte Carlo is a popular choice for a luxurious European holiday. It's also home to the rich and famous and provides travellers with the opportunity to rub shoulders with the elite while trying to pull off your best James Bond impression at the famous Monte Carlo Casino.

If you're feeling lucky you can always try your hand at one of the games in one of the most famous casinos in the world.

CANCUN, MEXICO

Cancun is the infamous party town for American college students for Spring break, which brings in close to 4 million visitors each year. There are plenty of activities on offer, which are all designed for those looking to misbehave.

There is plenty of excitement to be had, whether it's taking part in a Caribbean Carnival Cruise with plenty of on board competitions, music and drinks, or driving your own boat on a jungle cruise through the lagoon mangrove jungles. There is no shortage of nightlife and for those wanting to experience a local activity you can watch the toreadors take part in bullfighting - one of the oldest traditions in Mexico.

DUBLIN, IRELAND

There is no better place to be for St Patrick's Day than in the capital of the "emerald isle", Dublin. Instead of a one day event in a number of places around the world, in Ireland it is a six day event starting on the 12th of March and ending on the 17th.

The festival includes street theatre, Irish music, dance, street spectacles and of course as much Guinness as you can handle. The highlight of the festival is the St Patrick's Day parade, which each year provides onlookers with a dazzling display of entertainment and attracts thousands of visitors each year to embrace their Irish heritage.

Source: www.news.com.au

Paris.

Side tracking

A little off topic, but guess who I'm rooting for tomorrow?



:-)

In a conversation with Martian earlier:

Me: Who are you cheering for tomorrow?
Martian: What sort of a question is that? Man U of course! No one in their sane mind would support Liverpool!

He only says that to avoid being smacked (by me). Go Liverpool :-)

Photos photos photos (England Pt 1)

Warning: Lots of people photos (especially, uhm, me). Anyone expecting photos of London herself wont appreciate this album at all.


I feel like Thelma from Scooby Doo :\


Big Ben


Tower Bridge


We had Llamas for pets at the English cottage we stayed @ Cheltenham


Goofing around with my sister in one of the souvenir shops in London. I ended up buying the shutter shades :\


Driving to Central London


I heart blue skies so much! (Taken from park @ Ealing Broadway Zone 3)


Red apples at a park in Oxford


View of London from the London Eye


Mi familia in front of Buckingham Palace


We had so much fun :-)


Tourism Malaysia near Leicester Square. I will always call Malaysia home :-)


Traf Square


Ripley's Believe It Or Not, Piccadilly Circus, London


Buckingham Palace again :\


London Eye


A ride lasts 30 minutes in a capsule that fits up to 25 people


:-)

Give me a little bit more time to settle back into reality before I can do a proper trip report.

Photos photos photos

Will be uploading photos from my recent Europe trip in stages.

Here's the first batch of photos from Ibiza earlier this month.

In random order, cos I'm lazy like that.


Cala d Hort beach, one of the more famous beaches. Come here to have a spectacular view of Es Vedra.


Riomar Beach, just a 3 minute walk from Martian's apartment


Yup, Ibiza definitely rocks :-)


Driving through St Eulalia town


I think this was at Portinax, way up north Ibiza. Amazing views of the Mediterranean Sea.


Duck pond near where Martian lives


Straight to Ibiza!


Martian :-)


Having the most amazing paella @ Cala d Hort. I spent so much time under the sun look how tanned I have become. Also had a major breakout in Spain due to the hot/cool weather :\


Soooooooo yummy.


Sunset on the way to Cafe Del Mar @ San Antonio


Sunrise from Riomar Beach


The sun rises at 0745 hrs this time of the year


Pool @ Martian's terrace where nights were mostly spent chilling out with awesome chill-out beats


St Eulalia beach


The infamous Cafe Del Mar @ Ibiza. It's overrated, really.

Roadtrippin'

My favourite part of the trip down to Cala d'Hort Beach, in San Jose.


Cruisin' from St Eulalia to Es Vedra