Bangladesh is not a major tourist destination (thank God), therefore finding good accommodation can be an issue. Keep in mind that all the prices mentioned below are the “Ramadan prices“. During this time of the year, people stay with their families and don’t go on vacation. Prices are up to 50% cheaper than regularly.

Dhaka.

Hotel 71.

Out starting point was the capital city, Dhaka. We arrived at around 2pm, so this still a good time to look for a hotel. Yet we recommend to always pre-book the first night just to have a bit of a breather.

We booked ourselves into “Hotel 71” (Address: Kaizuddin Tower, 176, Shaheed Syed Nazrul Islam Sarani, Dhaka). The hotel is not far from the Grand Mosque, with great infrastructure in the area. The rooms are clean, spacious and have excellent Wi-Fi connection (very important for a travel photographer). The reception guys speak good English and help out with any kind of information you need.During our trip, we stayed there three times in total and were happy with our rooms.

Costs per night per room: Approx. 30,00 US$ (with A/C)

Fars Hotels & Resorts Limited.

Nearby, we spotted another nice place called “Fars Hotels & Resorts Limited” (Address: 212, Shahid Syed Nazrul Islam Sharani, Purana Paltan, S S. Nazrul Islam Sharani, Dhaka). We went to check it out for our next visit and it looked really nice as well. Biggest bonus: This place even has a rooftop swimming pool, which can honestly be a life savour at 45° Celsius in the summer!

Both two places are budget friendly with Western standard and if you’re “lucky”, you might even come across another fellow traveller in the lobby…

Costs per night per room: Approx. 50,00 US$ (with A/C)

Chittagong.

Ambassador Residency.

There is the stretch of hotels right near the train station, but we opted for something more quiet called “Ambassador Residency” (Address: Road No 2, Chittagong). Also because out fellow Bangladeshi friend recommended it. This hotel offers clean & spacious rooms with big bathrooms and very reliable Wi-Fi connection. Overall, we were happy with this place. Don’t expect to meet any other travellers here though, because it’s a bit out of the way.

Costs per night per room: Approx. 50,00 US$ (with A/C)

Ambassador Residency in Chittaong, Bangladesh.

Cox’s Bazar.

Nilima Resort Hotel.

Cox’s Barar war the next place we visited. we checked ourselves into the “Nilima Resort Hotel” (Address: Sughanda Point Rd, Cox’s Bazar). Arriving at Cox’s Bazar was a bit of a disappointment at first, since most of the hotels are not located right on the beach. Only after we drive along the beach for a while, we came across this place. It’s as good as it gets here. There are some others along the beach as well, but the majority of hotels are further inland. But from Nilima Resort Hotel you can start exploring the area and get your evening beach stroll without having to go far. The rooms have small balconies and decent Wi-Fi connection. The owner is very helpful and the price is negotiable. It’s clearly not the poshest place to stay at, but pretty cheap and we didn’t spend much time in the the room anyway.

Costs per night per room: Approx. 20,00 US$ (with A/C)

Nilima Resort Hotel in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh

Mermaid Eco Resort.

30km further out of the city is a lovely place with bungalow accommodation called “Mermaid Eco Resort” (Address: Marine Drive, Pechardwip, Cox’s Bazar). It’s a nice spot if you want get away from it all, there is no Wi-Fi and you depend on them with everything. We will consider this place for our next visit to Cox’s Bazaar and then we’ll come prepared.

Costs per night per room: Approx. 50,00 US$ (with A/C)

Sreemangal.

Nishorgo Lichibari Ecoresort.

Sreemangal lies in the East of Bangladesh, located near the Indian border. The area is well-known for its tea plantations. We stayed in a little hotel called “Nishorgo Lichibari Ecoresort” (Address: House 13/B, Road 54, Gulshan 1212). It’s a bit outside of Sreemangal, near the tea gardens and in a small village where you can either walk around or rent a bicycle from the hotel. Overall this is a good place to stay at, with bungalow accommodation or rooms (with Wi-Fi) in the main house, an English-speaking owner who will pick you up from the train station when you call him, as well as great food (only available with pre-ordering).

Costs per night per room: Between 15,00 US$ and 30,00 US$

Nishorgo Lichibari Ecoresort in Sreemangal, Bangladesh.

Sylhet.

Hiltown Hotel.

From the train station we headed straight to “Hiltown Hotel” (Address: VIP Road, Telihaor, Sylhet). As we had only one day in Sylhet and didn’t stay overnight, we had our lunch here and were really impressed. We came across a modern, cool and air-conditioned restaurant with amazing food, good Wi-Fi and very friendly staff. We almost felt under-dressed because we simply didn’t expect such a restaurant in Sylhet. Afterwards we had a look at the newly refurbished rooms. Definitely a fantastic place to spend the night, which we unfortunately were not able to due to our overnight train to Dhaka.

Costs per night per room: Approx. 50,00 US$

Turns out, I was wrong. My thought on Dubai have definitely changed. Among other things because of my stay at the XVA Art Hotel.

Finding a good hotel in Dubai is easy, but finding a charming hotel and not wanting to spend hundreds of dollars for one night can be a bit of a challenge.

Location.

Rating: 5 out of 5

The XVA Art hotel lies in the stunningly beautiful Al Fahidi Neighborhood (formerly Bastakiya), next to Dubai Creek. When visiting for the first time, you might find it tricky to find it, simply because cars can’t drive right in front of it. My taxi driver wasn’t sure where the hotel was located, but a phone call solved the problem. After getting out of the taxi, you just have to walk through some small alleys of the old town (for about 90 seconds) before reaching the entrance. When booking the hotel, you’ll receive a detailed paper with directions for the taxi driver which is helpful.

The area great for explorers and the next metro stop is just a few minutes away, so getting around is easy. But there are no glamorous shops on this side of Dubai, so don’t stay here is you’re after this type of experience.

• Address: Al Fahidi Neighborhood, Bur Dubai, United Arab Emirates (opposite Al Musalla Post Office, Near Al Faheidi Roundabout)
• Telephone Number: +97 14 353 538 3
• Website: xvahotel.com

Comfort Level.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Definitely a hotel with great atmosphere – like an oasis. I loved the rooms which are small but very charming with lots of character. They’re situated around a beautiful courtyard in a converted Dubai mansion. I was upgrades free of charge, so my room was slightly bigger than the regular ones with A/C, great facilities, as well as some books and guides to read. If you have a lot of luggage, a room on the ground floor is advisable.

The entire setting of the XVA Art Hotel reminded me of an old fort and I really felt like home.

Big Plus:

• XVA also offers an art gallery with interesting pieces.

Food & Drinks.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Since the hotel is also a café and restaurant for visitors, the food is really delicious. Breakfast in the courtyard in the mornings was excellent and filling. It was a delicious combination of breads, hummus, fruits and eggs. Fresh juice and coffee/tea as well of course. Exploring the yummy Pakistani restaurants in the area is definitely something I’d recommend, but if you’re lazy, don’t feel bad because the food at the XVA Art Hotel is very authentic and delightful.

Service & Hospitality.

Rating: 5 out of 5

The staff was very nice and accommodating. Nothing more to add to this. Free and reliable Wi-Fi as well as a good literature selection are the reason for the full 5 points.

Price Range.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Dubai has hundred of great hotel, but most their prices are out of this world. At the XVA Art Hotel, you can expect approx. 150-250 US$ per night. I’s a very fair price. Food & drinks are also affordable and not overpriced.

Overall Feedback & Impression.

Rating: 4.8 out of 5

This is probably the best place to stay in Dubai if you’re looking for an area off the beaten path and actually stay somewhere that’ll show you the more curious side of this city. There is a reason why it’s often listed as a ‘not to miss’ place in Dubai. Thumbs up!

The courtyard of XVA Art Hotel in Dubai is really lovely.

Art pieces in the courtyard of XVA Art Hotel in Dubai.

The XVA Art Hotel in Dubai offers beautiful and authentic food

The XVA Art hotel lies in the stunningly beautiful Al Fahidi Neighborhood (formerly named Bastakiya) of Dubai.

Location.

Rating: 4 out of 5

I have to admit that the location of the Soho House Berlin is not the most ideal (in my opinion). It’s a bit of a walk to the next metro line, which will take you to all the top sights in Berlin… But on the contrary you have the Hackescher Markt nearby, which makes up for a lot. Personally I think that this is one of the best shopping areas of Berlin. Lots of cute shops and cafés to hang out at.

• Address: Torstraße 1, 10119 Berlin, Germany
• Tel.: +49 30 40 50 440
• Website: sohohouseberlin.de

Comfort Level.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Oh my God, what can I say? The Soho House Berlin has it all:

Lobby: The lobby is very appealing with two counters (check-in on the right & the club members counter to the left) and a nice lounge area in the centre. Computers in the back as well as a garden.

Rooms: The rooms are absolutely amazing! 65 bedrooms are situated over 6 floors and come in six different categories: Tiny, Small, Medium, Big, Large and Extra Large. I booked myself into a “Big Room” and was not disappointed: 75 m2, King size bed, free standing bathtub, oversize armchairs, huge flat-screen TV, steam bath, floor heating, a traditional vintage record player, Bose iPod docking station  and selection of custom vinyl LP’s and an amazing view of the Alexanderplatz. All rooms are equipped with Cowshed therapeutic products – with which I’m completely in love!

Club/Restaurant: The stunning central bar immediately stands out on the Club Floor. The House Kitchen is located on one end of the room, while the seating area is on the other end, featured with a mixture of oversized sofas, banquette seating and comfortable chairs. Two fireplaces sit on either side of the bar, while the rest of the room is decorated with warm chandelier lighting.

Above the Club Floor you’ll come across the Rooftop, which is especially stunning in the warmer months. Still you could go for a dip in the heated pool, tiled with green stone and surrounded by timber decking.

Big Plus:

• All hotel guests have access to free Wi-Fi and Wireless printing facilities.

A little downer:

• There’s no real parking area in front of the hotel, so you have to walk towards the street to catch a cab. And there is no door man.

Food & Drinks.

Rating: 5 out of 5

The breakfast, lunches and dinners are delicious and I really enjoyed the easygoing, homelike atmosphere of the Club Floor. The music & mood changes according to the time of the day. And they do it in such a great way, that you really feel like it’s a different location.

Tip:

• Try the Hugo – it’s so delicious!

Service & Hospitality.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Super friendly staff that is courteous, open, casual and well informed about the cities activities and sights. No matter what time of the day, someone will be there for you to make you feel like a million dollars.

Only one minor issue: I was woken up in the middle of the night because a staff member wanted to bring me a water bottle. Even though I told the guy that he got the wrong room, it happened again the next night. And then they wanted to charge me for the water when checking-out, but immediately apologized for it…

Price Range.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Yes, the Soho House Berlin is expensive, yes. But it’s very much worth it and you truly get what you pay for. And it also depends which room category you prefer.

Here’s a quick overview of the most important prices:

Sleeping.

• 1 night per room (depending on room type & day): 170,00 – 650,00 €

Food & Drinks.

• Breakfast Buffet (includes pastries, cereal, jam, honey, butter, yoghurt, fruits, berries, cured meats & cheese): 12,00 €
• Café Latte: 3,00 €
• Smoothie: 5,00 €
• Cocktails: 9.00 €
• Cheeseburger: 15,00 €

Overall Feedback & Impression.

Rating: 4.6 out of 5

This exclusive hotel in Berlin is the address for globe-trotting coolhunters who want to combine power-brunching with decadent downtime; it combines casual luxury with Berlin’s raw glamour. Definitely my hotel of choice in the German capital.

… sorry for the photo quality, but since taking photos is not allowed (sucks bad time!), I could only take very few shots with my iPhone (except the ones from my room).

Soho House Berlin | Outside view of the hotel located on Taborstrasse.

Soho House Berlin | “Big Room” | King size bed, large TV screen, sound system, free-standing bath tub and much more…

Soho House Berlin | “Big Room” | King size bed, large TV screen, sound system, free-standing bath tub and much more…

Soho House Berlin | View out of my room to the Berlin TV Tower.

Soho House Berlin | Breakfast Area | Super cozy with lounge chairs, warm lights and a great variety of yummy food.

Soho House Berlin | Dining Area | Bar, lounge furniture & fireplace.

Location.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Imagine the series ‘Lost’; white sandy beaches, crystal clear water, dozens of palm trees, jungle forest, (almost) no people, wild animals (monkeys, boars, lizards) and the feeling of being lost. All that’s missing at Cubadak Resort is a crazy white bald dude like Lock and black smoke…

Cubadak is the only resort on the island, sharing it only with one little fishing village on the other side.

• Address: Pulau Cubadak, Padang, Indonesia
• Website: cubadak-paradisovillage

Comfort Level.

Rating: 5 out of 5

If I could, I’d give 10 points when it comes to the comfort level at Cubadak Resort! The bungalows are so roomy and comfortable, it’s hard to top that. A great balcony with comfy chairs, a spacious and western bathroom, a cute little working & living room area, plus a queen size bed on the second floor make up the perfect setting. A+!

Big Plus:

• Cubadak Resort only has 15 bungalows (plus one family bungalow and one above the water). This means, that you’ll never have more that approx. 40 people on the islands and with three different beaches, that’s pretty good.

Negative:

• Plastic bags on the beach. The beach is amazing, really. Yet at the far end of it (which was right in front of our bungalow), quite a lot of plastic bags & bottles lied around – not enough to ask them why they don’t clean up but enough for us to notice. They’re not from the resort (everything is very clean there) but the ocean just washes up all sorts of stuff from time to time. It looked like someone hadn’t cleaned up in a while…

My recommendation would be to have one staff member run up and down the beach once a day to collect all the rubbish that the ocean washes up. This shouldn’t take longer that one hour per day (at the maximum) and would make a big difference.

Food & Drinks.

Rating: 5 out of 5

It’s better not to come here if you’re on a diet. You won’t last a day without tasting the delicious food at Cubadak Resort.

This is really the part where Western influence kicks-in. The know-how of combining traditional Indonesian cuisine with Western style dishes is mastered to perfection. You’ll always get a great variety of vegetables, meat & fish, as well as some amazing desert like fresh lemon tart or home-made banana ice cream (dinner only). Yummy! Some of the best food I’ve had in Indonesia!

Tip:

• Try the home-made Sambal sauce – it’s so delicious!

Service & Hospitality.

Rating: 2 out of 5

If you stay at Cubadak Resort for more than 3 nights, a free pick-up service from Padang airport is included. This is definitely a good choice, since the drive to the dock takes about 2 hours, followed by a 15-minute boat ride to the island.

At first, you’re treated like a king/queen and the owners are very welcoming and open; yet day after day, you’ll realise that the vibes on the island aren’t all that good. Especially if you’re not one of those clients who buy alcoholic drinks or spend extra money on something.

Big Plus:

• Scuba Diving Possibility (1 dive US$ 45 / equipment for one day US$ 27) – Try the night dive, it’s definitely the most exciting diving in the area.

Price Range.

Rating: 2 out of 5

Cubadak Resort is expensive … far too expensive for my taste.

The biggest benefit is the fact that Cubadak Resort has the island to itself. This is clearly the only reason why I’d pay such an amount of money anyway, because everything else (nice bungalows, fantastic food, etc.) can be found elsewhere too. Don’t get me wrong, everything was perfect and in general I can’t complain, yet the impression of greed running through the resort – from the owners only – makes up 1 out of 5 points.

Negative Examples:

• For US$ 110 per person, per night, I’d really think that at least a couple of soft drinks would be included. Nope. Definitely a big downer, because cravings for an ice cold Coke from time to time really do arise. If you do intent to spoil yourself a little, be aware that with 195ml you won’t get far (price list below).

My recommendation would be to have the mini bar filled with 1 Coke and 1 other soft drink and have these drinks free of charge for every day. This would make a great difference in the impression guest get.

• WiFi is not for free. Ok, so I definitely agree that it’s not a bad thing to have a couple of days without the internet. Nothing can be so important that it can’t wait. But when you’re staying 10 days or longer, one might start thinking that a quick e-mail check wouldn’t be a bad thing. We were told that there is an internet line, yet it’s very slow and expensive. Fair enough, I understand this 100%, yet (again) for US$ 110 per person per night; I’d expect to at least have some sort of access for free (also because the owners are on the internet pretty much all the time…).

My recommendation would be to have one hour of internet connection per bungalow per day for free. This way, no one can complain and the owners don’t have to worry about rapidly increasing costs.

• We know our way around Indonesia & Sumatra especially. We’ve been here many times and therefore also know some locals in the area around Padang. We got in touch with our friend Niki to arrange a boat trip (one entire day), since we also wanted to see a little bit of the area. Seems like the owners of Cubadak Resort were not amused about this. Right after arriving back at the resort, they came up to us and asked us what we did, where we were and how we liked it … fair enough, but then they started chatting in Bahasa Indonesia with Niki and of course we couldn’t understand a word. They immediately wanted to know what he had charged us. He told them (1.2 million Ruppees = approx. 100.00 US$) and they asked how he was able to make a business like this – no wonder, have a look at the prices of Cubadak’s boat excursions below – and he told them that this was only because we were friends.

My recommendation would be to get over yourselves! Just because there are other resorts in the area, doesn’t mean that they’re going to steal your customers. We didn’t check into a prison when arriving at Cubadak, and in all my years of travelling, I have never experiences a place where friends are not welcome and you’re not ‘allowed’ to step outside the premises!

Fact: Only about 1 hour away from Cubadak Resort you’ll find places on deserted islands for less that US$ 30 per night – yet the comfort level can’t be compared and you’ll feel more like Robinson Cruiso (also because you need to bring your own food). Still, alternatives around the area can be found…

Here’s a quick overview of the most important prices:

Sleeping.

• 1 night per person (including breakfast, lunch & dinner but without drinks – except coffee and tea): US$ 110.00

Food & Drinks.

• Soft Drink – 195ml (Coke, etc.): US$ 4.00
• Beer: US$ 4.00
• Coffee: US$ 2.50
• Cocktail: US$ 11.00

Internet.

• Per Hour: US$ 4.00

Boat Trip (I’d suggest you sit down now).

• Per Hour: US$ 80.00
• Half Day: US$ 350.00

Overall Feedback & Impression.

Rating: 3.8 out of 5

Cubadak Resort is a great spot on a paradise island without having to travel for a week to get there. The bungalows, food and the location are really perfect – not one thing I could say about this. For short-term visitors, my rating would probably be higher, but since we stayed here long-term, I need to be honest. It’s the little things that count, and at Cubadak, a lot of little things are not up to the standard they should. The owners clearly try to keep their guest from getting in contact with any locals who don’t live on the island (at least this is the impression I got over those 10 days). Why? I’d say business reasons only! (Unfortunately) It’s all about money. Well, all in all lots of small things turn to big ones, therefore I can only give 3.8 out of 5 points.

Cubadak Paradiso Village Beach Resort in West Sumatra, Indonesia. With a maximum of 15 bungalows, Cubadak is a great spot to rest and refill your batteries.

Cubadak Paradiso Village Beach Resort in West Sumatra, Indonesia. This is the view of the dock up from the mountain.

Cubadak Paradiso Village Beach Resort in West Sumatra, Indonesia. Again the view from the mountain – this is the “Family Villa” which can also be used as a “Honeymoon Villa” a bit away from the other bungalows.

Cubadak Paradiso Village Beach Resort in West Sumatra, Indonesia. The view up from the mountain is pretty stunning. Here you can see the mainland of West Sumatra.

Cubadak Paradiso Village Beach Resort in West Sumatra, Indonesia. The hike up the mountain is a real highlight, because you’ll feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere.

Cubadak Paradiso Village Beach Resort in West Sumatra, Indonesia. This is the view from the dock … paradise ahoi!

Cubadak Paradiso Village Beach Resort in West Sumatra, Indonesia. Another view form the dock; sea turtles can be seen all around the resort.

Cubadak Paradiso Village Beach Resort in West Sumatra, Indonesia. We organised our own boat trip and the owners were not amused about that…

Cubadak Paradiso Village Beach Resort in West Sumatra, Indonesia. If someone asked me where paradise is, my answer would be simple: West Sumatra!

Cubadak Paradiso Village Beach Resort in West Sumatra, Indonesia. This is the nicest rainbow I have ever seen … especially with this paradise as a surrounding.

Location.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Siem Reap is by far not a large town, yet you’ll find hotels located all over the place; many of them out of reach from the city centre (at least by foot), which doesn’t make them attractive for us (5 stars back and forth).

The Golden Banana hotel is located perfectly – not right in the centre, but still in walking distance. This will give you peace & quiet during the night, yet freedom to roam the streets of Siem Reap without having to rely on tuk-tuk drivers or hotel chauffeurs.

• Address: Golden Banana Lane, Phum Wat Damnak, Kum Sala Komreuk, Krom 10, Siem Reap, Cambodia
• Telephone Number: +855 (0)12 654 638
• Website: rambutans.info

Comfort Level.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Arriving in the small alley that leads to the hotel, wouldn’t make you think that any minute now you’re stepping into a little city oasis. But that’s exactly what happens.

The Golden Banana has four different hotels, all located next to each other. Depending on the room you booked, you’ll be living in one of these. We were at the Golden Banana Boutique Hotel – the smallest place out of the four – with about 7 double-decker villas, a lovely pool, as well as a dining/cocktail area.

Greeted with a friendly smile by one of the staff members, we took a seat while writing down our details and zipping fresh lime juice. Afterwards, we were lead to our apartment for the next 3 days.

Just to be clear, I did have some expectations of the way the hotel & its rooms looked, since we already stayed there 6 years ago (even though back then there was only one Golden Banana Hotel) & I was the one who booked the hotel. So I knew what it should look like … but you know how it is with hotel photos found on the internet … photoshop ahoy! This time our expectations where definitely exceeded; lots of space, lovely furniture and decorations, great balcony and amazing bed & bathroom – all set on two floors. It couldn’t get any better than this.

Big Plus:

• Guests can use all 4 facilities. You can sleep in one hotel, dine in the other and go swimming in the next – and all of this within approx. 50 metres!
• The hotel is located in a side street, so you won’t be bothered by loud noises during your sleep.
• Very gay friendly.

Food & Drinks.

Rating: 5 out of 5

We never understood why anyone would dine in their hotel when travelling. That is until we stayed at the Golden Banana hotel in Siem Reap.

After an exhausting day of 6-8 hours temple running at Angkor Wat, we weren’t able to walk another metre when returning to the hotel, so we decided to give the house kitchen a try … and we were (again) not disappointed. The food was delicious. The Cambodian cuisine like Fish Amok or Cambodian Curry was exquisite and we decided to eat here every night. After stuffing our bellies, we always treated ourselves to a couple of nice & refreshing cocktails – amazing cocktails that it! Best Mai Tai ever!

Service & Hospitality.

Rating: 5 out of 5

A lot of times when someone is really friendly to you, they want something; whether it’s money or something else – a hidden agenda is very common. Not at the Golden Banana Hotel. The staff is trained very well and you can see & feel the Western influence behind it. No one will try to rip you off and you will always get a fair price.
Example: we asked for a private taxi down to Phnom Penh and staff didn’t even charge any commission or tried to add a couple of dollars for themselves.

Big Plus:

• Free & working Wi-Fi

Price Range.

Rating: 5 out of 5

One would think that with all the amazing services mentioned above, the price must be the big downer. Think again! The Golden Banana Hotel offers a great & very fair overall package.

Here’s a quick overview of the most important:

Sleeping.

• 1 night per villa (including breakfast & free Wi-Fi): Starting at US$ 52

Food & Drinks.

• Dish: US$ 2.50 – 6.50
• Soft Drink: US$ 1.50 – 2.50
• Cocktail: US$ 4.00

Overall Feedback & Impression.

Rating: 5 out of 5 – well deserved!

Everything was perfect and there’s not a single thing we could complain about. It’s the best place to stay at in Siem Reap. Thanks for a lovely time! Also, there’s a new hotel in Phnom Penh, the Rambutan Resort, which we need to check out next time for sure!

The Golden Banana Hotel in Siem Reap, Cambodia – Pool Area.

The Golden Banana Hotel in Siem Reap, Cambodia – Pool View from Room.

The Golden Banana Hotel in Siem Reap, Cambodia – Room View.

The Golden Banana Hotel in Siem Reap, Cambodia – Bathroom.

The Golden Banana Hotel in Siem Reap, Cambodia – Balcony.

The Golden Banana Hotel in Siem Reap, Cambodia – Breakfast.

In no other arrondissement but the Marais can you find art galleries, trendy boutiques, designer hotels, funky cafés and bars off the tourist track. Plus it’s also the hub of Paris’s gay community (radiating out from Rue Vieille du Temple, along the Rue St-Croix de la Bretonnerie to Rue du Temple); and – though fading – the Jewish life. You could easily spend your entire visit to Paris in this neighbourhood, because there is that much to do, see and feel…

Restaurant tip.

• Minh Chau (10, Rue de la Verrerie, 75006 Paris): Cute little Vietnamese restaurant with specialities for a good price – also for a take-away. Be sure to save your seat, because numbers are limited!
• Le Dindon en Laisse (18 Rue Beautreillis, 75004 Paris): Reasonable prices lovely restaurant in the centre of Marais with the best duck breast in honey sauce!

Sights.

• The famous Centre Pompidou: The city’s leading modern art museum with an awesome book store where one can get lost for hours.
• Musée Picasso: A must-stop for fans, because Picasso painted some of his best work in Paris.
• Hôtel de Ville: An impressive building, housing the city’s local administration, which is especially breathtaking at night.
  
• Notre Dame: This cathedral is among the largest and most well-known churches in the world. It’s a highlight for each tourist and should be visited both during the day and at night.
  

Hotel Tip.

• Unless you’re staying in an apartment (which we did this time), Hôtel Duo (1 Rue du Temple, 75004 Paris) is a great little designer hotel right in the centre of Marais, where we stayed during our first visit to Paris.

So now go ahead and lose yourself in this neighbourhood. Explore the tiny streets, grab a falafel sandwich or simply just people-watch in a café…

One of the many vintage bar in Le Marais, Paris.

Cathedral Notre Dame is one of the most famous sights in Paris.

Cathedral Notre Dame is even more impressive during night.

Side street in Le Marais, Paris.

The façade of the Centre Pompidou in Paris is very iconic.

Hôtel de Ville at night in Paris.

For a lazy couch-potato it might be the right thing to browse through some “let’s flyaway” websites, on which the right destination will be found soon for sure; of course all inclusive, paid via the internet, with the invoice printed in the same moment. Now you only have to wait until the departure day arrives, pack up a few things and that’s it. There’s nothing more to do. Once you’re at the airport, you can start scanning your fellow travel buddies at the departure gate and start choosing some possible holiday flings as well.

That can’t be all, can it?!

But luckily there are other ways to start a vacation as a travel photographer: Scanning the atlas is a good start, because after all, there are many places yet to be discovered. For example the Austral Islands. We came across these tiny islands somewhere South of French Polynesia. But actually getting there took more than a few evenings of checking relevant websites (all in French, so we could prove our high school French skills at the same time). No sooner said than done, we started our 48 hour journey to French Polynesia…. And only one day after arriving in Papeete, we continued to the Austral islands. Since we were up for an adventure, instead of waiting for the next passenger ferry, we hopped onto the cargo ship, which provides these islands with all the goods the people need every couple of weeks. It was a smooth trip but turns out, we were quite lucky. Just a couple of days earlier, the ship had to conquer giant monster waves that crushed its hull. Must have been one hell of a trip…

Something like this would definitely never ever happen on a package tour. These “normal” tours are on the safe side most of the times … unless of course you’re captain thinks he’s a big shot and wants to impress some cute blonde waitress for example – then you’re relaxing honeymoon vacation can turn into a real nightmare. Still, in most cases, the greatest excitement comes along when you find a cockroach in the shower, and then the booking company can fasten their seatbelts, because heavy complaining will come up… Come to think of it, are package tours any fun at all?

We’ve had our share of horrible package tours.

A really strange (and that’s actually a nice word here) experience that we encounter was during a booked trip to the Great Wall of China from Beijing. We stayed in one of these hotel chains and due to limited time, we thought it might be better to book a tour, instead of getting there ourselves (plus it was also our first visit to China). Big mistake, as we already found out an hour later when the bus turned into a huge shopping centre full of Jade shops. It was an unwanted stop for half an hour, yet still most people actually bought something?! The guy in charge wanted us to go inside as well, but Jade simply doesn’t do it for us…

So after about 30 minutes, the bus continued to the Great Wall and just as we arrived, we were told to be back in one hour because lunch was provided somewhere else. No idea why but we didn’t want to make a big deal out of it. So after walking around a little bit, we returned to the bus as the last ones of course, which didn’t help in bonding with our fellow travellers. Anyway, the drive only took about 10 minutes until we turned into a gigantic (it really was gigantic) complex. We got out and were led into a waiting room, not the slightest idea what was going to happen next…

Well, turns out that before we could have lunch, we got a doctor’s consultation. 3 men in white robes entered the room with an interpreter explaining that we can get a medical check now and further more, get a prescription for Chinese medicine. Wft?! The doctors stated asking people if they had any bone aching, stomach problems, high blood, diabetes, sleeplessness or any other general sicknesses. And, believe it or not, most of the tourist admitted some problems and were happy that these doctors had solutions for everything. Heck, if I would have told these “Gods in White” that I had a brain tumour, I’m sure they would have given me some magical snake slime mixed with horse hair to make things better. So anyway, they started selling all kind of herbs and this was the time when we escaped again, with the excuse (we didn’t want to offend anyone) that we were healthy as a child … but instead of being happy for us, the tour leader gave us a grim look.

Anyway, the food was a bit dreadful as well. We sat at round tables and a huge pot was placed in the middle, which caught our attention. We opened the lid and an entire boiled rooster stuck out … that must have been the Chinese version of chicken soup, It might not have been so bad, but we mostly stuck to rice.

After arriving back in our hotel, we said never ever again … yet we did come across another package tour in Vietnam once (Ha Long Bay), but that’s another horror story I want to spare you of.

What about you? Any experiences with package tours?

Arriving “In Style”.

We arrived in Sadarghat Port “in style”: first class travel on the Rocket Steamer “Ostrich”, which is the flagship of the Bangladesh inland water transport authority. If you intend to travel by ferry in Bangladesh, this is a good and reliable source, though there are other companies as well.

Anyway, after leaving the ship, our “first class” travel was over for now. Rain had turned the road into a pool of mud and we were dirty faster than we could walk. An avid Rickshaw driver immediately tried to seduce us into his vehicle, even though he had no idea where we wanted to go and didn’t speak a single word of English – as all the others around him did. Still, thanks to the genius idea of the taking a photo of Dhaka with our iPhone, we were able to specify the direction of our hotel. With some stops and crowd gatherings, the poor Rickshaw puller finally knew our destination: “Hotel Pacific” in Mothijel, a suburb not too far from the harbour.

Hotel & Train Tickets.

The hotel was not an eye catcher at all. It was somehow in a renovating process, but good enough for the time being, with working A/C and running water in the bathroom. Our first night in Dhaka was secured. Phweew. Immediately after checking in, we started to roam the city. Our first destination was to the train station to get our tickets to Chittagong, because we were eager to see the Ship Breaking Yard. As it turned out, this was not an easy task, because upcoming Eid brought many people into the travelling mood to visit their loved ones at home.

But, that didn’t keep us from getting our tickets … plus, the train station was an interesting place to visit anyway. We always like these hubs, where people come and go, because, there’s action happening. And we even had a surreal encounter… While standing in line for the tickets, a local Bangladeshi all over sudden shouted to us “Hello, where you come from?” … We told him that we were from Austria and then he enthusiastic answered: “Ahhh, ich bin auch aus Österreich!” (which means “I’m also from Austria” in German) … We’re fellow countrymen! Where are you from in Austria?” … The conversation went on for about 10 minutes and it turned out, that he worked just around the corner from my office in Vienna. The world can truly be a tiny place! It was sort of funny, because this man was the only “foreigner” we saw during our 4 week journey through Bangladesh.

Exploring the Area & Sadarghat Port.

After we got our train tickets, we looked out for a Rickshaw driver to drive us around a little bit. All of them wanted us as customers but nobody got where we wanted to go … finally one was smart enough to realize that we just wanted to cycle around to explore the area and that we’d give him directions as we go. We spent the entire afternoon with him. We bought him lunch & tea and he was obviously very happy to cycle us around. In Sadarghat we got out for a tour of the harbour with one of the many rowing boats. Luckily we found an English speaking porter who managed to explain to the boatman that we just wanted row up and down the river for an hour or so. This porter hopped on our sightseeing trip as well, as did two other people … We didn’t mind, since the boat was large enough to hold us all. This was definitely a highlight during our entire Bangladesh trip!

Back on land, our Rickshaw driver waited and brought us back to our hotel, from where we continued to find a restaurant. During Ramadan, this can definitely keep you busy for a while because people only start eating after dark. We found some nice looking food stalls near the big mosque covered with curtains so that nobody could see inside. We bought some great food we’ve never eaten before: A grapefruit salad mixed with onions, cumin powder and coriander – one of the most refreshing salads for such a hot climate. It was sooo delicious and we returned there every evening while our stay in Dhaka.

On our stroll back to our hotel we passed Hotel Purbani, which looked a lot better than ours. We had a look at the rooms and immediately made a reservation for the next day. 33 US $ per room with working Wi-Fi convinced us to change places.

With this new hotel, we spend another couple of days in Dhaka…after all, there was much more to be explored!

Some Impressions.

A Rikschaw driver in Old Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Loading a launch at Sadarghat port in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Sadarghat harbour in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Sadarghat harbour in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Sadarghat harbour in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Sadarghat harbour in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Train station in Chittagong, Bangladesh.

A tropical paradise off the coast of Sumatra.

The Aftermath Of The Earthquake In 2009.

Padang is not really comparable with other cities in Indonesia; it’s a lot more orderly, clean and organized. Wide roads cross the city and a lot of buildings are quite new. The reason for this is the complete rebuilding of Padang after a strong earthquake hit the capital of West Sumatra on September 30th, 2009. A lot of buildings are still badly damaged and it’s will take a while until all the traces are gone. Especially the market area was pretty badly hit and the damage still can be seen around this part of Padang. But the government is working on it and construction is under way.

The aftermath of an earthquake in the center of Padang. Around 135.000 houses were severely damaged, 65.000 houses were moderately damaged and 79.000 houses were slightly damaged.

Some parts of Padang are still destroyed. An estimated 1.250.000 people have been affected by the earthquake.

Arriving In Padang. Where To Stay?

We came from Kuala Lumpur with Air Asia. Though the airport is 30 km outside the city, an airport bus is always available when a flight arrives. If you are a foreigner and your hotel is not too far from their route, they will drop you off there, this was the first nice impression. We stayed at “Golden Homestay” on Jalan Ipah Nr.1. It’s a pleasant place with huge rooms and a very helpful crew! Opposite you find “Spice Homestay”, also very nice but there you better book in advance since it’s often full.

Also South of Padang (about 20 km) is Pantai Bungus with a few guest-houses like “Losmen Carlos” or “Losmen Tin Tin”. They can arrange trips to an uninhabited island as well. Bring food and water if you want the real “Robinson” feeling. On the island you rather can either take a bungalow or set up tent … or sleep in the hammock like we did :)

The Local Cuisine.

One thing that should not be missed is the local cuisine. “Padang kitchen” is one of the best! Chicken curry or Sayur Nagkar (a curry dish made from jack fruit) as well as other different meals are served in little plates. It’s so damn good, that I’m getting hungry just thinking about it…

Padang Kitchen is the best cuisine in the world. You’re served several different dishes on small plates. Only what you eat has to be paid.

Transportation.

We immediately noticed the new hype about lowering and chipping the local taxis or bemos. The drivers seem to be very proud of their vehicles and it’s definitely nothing you get to see very often :)

Bemos are the local taxi’s all over Indonesia with Padang as a major hub.

The Local Market.

The market is, as always a real meeting point and a lot of action going on. Around the corner is a huge western style supermarket as well – good enough to buy provision “western style”, like butter, yoghurt or cheese, if one plans to spend some time on an island.

Fresh fish is always available at the market in Padang.

Not only fresh fish is sold at the market in Padang. The meat section is definitely nothing for the faint-hearted.

Off To A Tropical Island.

Padang is the stepping off point to all the Mentawais. A bit South of Padang in Teluk Gayur, ferries are anchored which set off mostly in the evening for an overnight trip to the islands. You will not believe what kind of beach paradise awaits you there!

High Class Island Hotel Tip: Cubadak Paradiso Village Resort.

Robinson Crusoe feeling in West Sumatra.

Hotel tip.

• The Times Hotel – not the cheapest place (also not the most expensive) but a really lovely little design hotel. The neighborhood is fantastic (see the first photo below) & the staff is very friendly and helpful. We were upgraded to a canal-view room which was designed in the “old vs. new” style (wooden beams, crooked walls, flat screen TV, huge ceiling – we were right up in the tower -, trendy decoration & very modern bathroom). It was really cosy & homey and I can only recommend it.

Shopping tip.

• There are so many cute little shops in Amsterdam but one really stood out: “Het Grote Avontuur” is an amazing vintage shop. Walking into the store almost felt like being beamed back in time straight into the 50’s. You’ll find furniture, posters, magazines, textiles, interior decoration, kitchen gadgets and heaps of other stuff.
• If you’re looking for flower seeds, bird houses or herbs & spices, the flower market is the right spot for finding these. Even if you’re not a gardener it’s a great sight worth seeing.

Food tip.

• Few words are enough for this one: Find an Indonesian restaurant! Yummy ;)

The Begijnhof is one of the oldest inner courts in the city of Amsterdam. A group of historic buildings, mostly private dwellings, centre on it.

Cycling is a fun, efficient and easy way of getting around Amsterdam – just like the locals do.

Walking along the canals in Amsterdam is especially cool in the morning. Then you’ll get the chance to see the beautiful reflections.

Be it at breakfast, on sandwiches, cut in cubes and served with mustard, or even fried in a croquette, you can find an excuse to eat cheese any time of day.

Flowers – tulips in particular – in Amsterdam can be found in different forms; here you see tulips made out of wood.

And my camera was with me all the time.

Did you know?

You’ll find it on almost every house – whether it’s 400 or 4 years old – in Amsterdam: hooks – or as they are called in Holland “hijsbalk”. Beams stick out of the façade usually above the roof window. They are no historic artefacts; these hooks are still used today. The stairs in the houses of Amsterdam are extremely small and steep, therefore you (most likely) won’t be able to carry bulky things up the stairs. Instead you borrow a cable winch, fix it onto the hook and heave cupboards, pianos, etc. up through the window into the apartment. To prevent that these items hit the façade, the houses used to be built a little bit bent-forward.

Hooks can be found on pretty much all the buildings in Amsterdam.