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One of the hottest backpacking destinations in the summer, by far, is Southeast Asia. Not only is it insanely fun and unseasonably warm, but the whole experience costs just a fraction of price compared to other big regional destinations (here’s looking at you, Western Europe).

With that said, if you’re going to maximize your pleasure and minimize your discomfort, there are definitely points to take into consideration before going. In this post, let’s look at a few of the things you should know before you book anything, including the best destinations, the must-do activities, how to pack and what shots to get.

Where to Go

There are so many amazing spots in Southeast Asia, more than any one blog could begin to name. But, in the interest of brevity, let’s list four destinations that correspond to different types of travelers. Which one are you?

• • For the foodie: If you love eating, then follow the amazing aromas all the way to Penang or Singapore. Those two cities are noted foodie heavens, but, really, you can’t go wrong anywhere in SE Asia.
  • For the bold adventurer: If you want adventure, head to the jungles of Borneo or Sumatra and take in the wildlife. Cities like Pontianakor Medan (respectively) make for good starting points into the jungle, where you might even see an orangutan or two!

• For the all night partier: For a debauched, wild and unforgettable time, head to Phuket, in Thailand, or Boracay in the Philippines.

What to Do

Southeast Asia is famous for four main things: sunshine, food, parties and scenery. To that end, if you’re going to SE Asia this summer, seek out a beach, go check out a few dance parties, eat as much as you possibly can and check out some of the cultural sights, like Angkor Wat in Cambodia, Halong Bay in Vietnam or the Royal Palace of Luang Prabang in Laos.

What to Pack

When packing for Southeast Asia, the most important thing is to stay light and cool. That means packing a light suitcase full of breathable, odour-resistant clothing, like merino wool shirts and underwear, loose swim trunks, flip-flops and a sun protective hat. As far as the nitty gritty of your packing is concerned, consult these tips for those who love to travel – there are some really great resources in that blog.

What Shots to Get

First off, make sure all your routine vaccinations are taken care of and up-to-date (things like measles, tetanus, polio, etc.). Vaccinations will vary according to where you’re going, and what sort of activities you’ll be doing (i.e. if you plan on jungle trekking or just hanging out in big cities).

Most doctors will recommend Typhoid and Hep A, but they might also vaccinate for Japanese Encephalitis, rabies and meningitis. Malaria pills are a contentious issue, and probablyone you should decide upon with your doctor, instead of an internet article!

You’re about to discover what many people before you have discovered: that this unique region is one of the most exhilarating places on earth. Just make sure to be prepared, and don’t forget to pack sunscreen!

There are “date dates” and then there are “friend dates”. The former comes along with all sorts of pressure – pressure to please, pressure to impress, pressure not to blurt out the wrong thing and then spend the next hour apologizing from outside the bathroom door. It can be so much pressure, in fact, that you forget to actually have a good time.

The latter, however – the friend date – is unique in that it contains all the fun of a regular date, without any of the stress of having to perform and satisfy. It’s just you and your best friend, chatting about whatever you want while you try something new. If that sounds like a small slice of heaven, then read on to find out the seven best date ideas.

Throw Some Axes

Let your inner Viking out an axe throwing facility. This ancient game isn’t that hard to learn, and once you do it’s incredibly addictive – pretty much, all you have to do is throw an axe at a wooden bull’s eye. If you already know how to axe throw, you can teach a friend to throw an axe but if you don’t, no worries. The best axe throwing facilities always have axe throwing experts on hand to show you the ropes. Be sure to snap a photo while you’re there, since nothing looks for badass than wielding a giant axe.

Follow Along With a YouTube Cooking Video

Friends who cook together, stay together. That’s just the truth. To that end, rather than rifling around the internet for a written recipe, just go to YouTube and follow along with one of the recipe videos there. Some great channels to get you started are: Food Wishes, Binging With Babish, Bon Apetit and Adam Liaw.

Hit Up a Bowling Alley

For a little bit of retro flair, throw on your coolest concert tee, head to the bowling alley, rent yourself some of those dichromatic shoes and compete with your best friend. Bowling alleys are a dying breed, but you can still find at least one in most big cities. Whereas it’s a wise idea to call ahead for something like axe throwing, the bowling alley will likely be pretty clear. If not, you can always do the next best thing: rent a Wii or head to an arcade for some virtual ten-pin.

Play Some New Board Games

There’s nothing wrong with playing board games, but why not shake things up with some new games. Great board games are being invented all the time, and, although you may to specially order them online, they’re fairly easy to find. The best new game of last year, according to Vulture, was Everdell, a German-style game that builds up fast and takes only a half hour, roughly.

Hit the Gym Together

No one’s saying that every friend date has to be entertaining. Sometimes, it’s enough to just get out of the house with a best friend and do something productive. Pick a weekday night that you’re both free, and meet at the gym.

Not only will it make the experience less boring, but also, having another person around is a proven way to push yourself harder during exercise. You can hold each other accountable to goals, and provide encouragement. If you’re really intense, and you and your friend are both competitive, you can even download a fitness challenge app with them.

Find a Trivia Night

You may not win the whole thing with just two people, but trivia is a fun way of spending the night out. Rather than just sit and drink, you get to flex your brain muscles. More and more theme trivia nights have been popping up, especially in bigger cities, like “Simpsons Trivia”, “Sports Trivia”, “Spongebob Trivia” and even “Buffy the Vampire Slayer Trivia”. Are you and your friend experts in any niche topics?

Have a “Whisky Appreciation Night”

When you call it “drinking whisky at home with your friend”, it sounds kind of pathetic. Gussy it up, however, with a name like “Whisky Appreciation Night”, and you’ve got yourself a dignified pastime. Share tasting notes, compare thoughts, or, you know, just have a couple drinks and laugh about your life. Of course, if you don’t like whisky, just sub it out for any other drink, like wine or beer.

For a fun night out (or in) with your best friend, try one of these amazing friend date ideas. You might not be going out… but that shouldn’t stop you from going out.

Give your mom the gift of skin-care this year for Mother’s Day! It’s about time that your mother takes the time to care for herself.

All your mom needs are the resources and right products to really invest some time and effort into self-care— and you can give that to her!

When your skin is unhealthy, you feel it physically and emotionally. Your mom deserves quality products that will either restore or maintain her natural glow. If you want to give her the gift of skin-care this year, your best option is selecting the perfect gift set of various products to suit her different needs.

These sets allow you to gift multiple smaller products to help your mom identify the products that work best for her. They provide selection and are the perfect beginner introduction to skin-care practices.

A set of products will also give you a bang for your buck! A lot of the time, the price of a skin-care gift set is less than the combined value of the products that comprise it.

Your mom will love these well-rounded sets of quality products that are packed with nutrients and organic ingredients:

SK-II Pitera™ Essence Set: There is no denying that SK-II skincare is absolutely amazing when it comes to their age-defying products. There’s a lot to love about this set of products made from SK-II’s signature anti-ageing ingredient Pitera.

The value set includes three classic SK-II products; its facial treatment essence, facial treatment mask and facial treatment clear lotion. Together, these products will hydrate and sooth your mom’s skin — because she deserves it.

TOCCA’s Ten Days of Tocca – Limited Edition: From hand creams to perfumes, this set of 10 travel sized items has it all! Your mom will get a little bit of everything.

NUFACE’s Infusion Serums Trio Pack: Does your mom love serums? Opt for this NUFACE gift set ofanti-ageing infusion serums Including a nourisher, smoother and lift. These products protect, firm and lift skin to help restore a youthful glow!

SUNDAY RILEY’s Bright Young Thing Visible Skin Brightening Kit: Your mom will love this set comprised of a variety of quality products. You can’t go wrong with products that smooth and clear your skin.

The expansive set comes with an acid treatment, cream and serum. Together, these items boastincredible value and can be used in tandem to achieve hydrated skin. These three products are the perfect addition to your mother’s skin-care routine.

PETER THOMAS ROTH’s Mask Frenzy:You can never go wrong with masks. They are low maintenance and are the perfect option for a treat-yourself night at home. The PETER THOMAS ROTH Mask Frenzy set contains six different nourishing masks to suit your mom’s unique needs.

Your mom will have a mask for every day of the week —a black mask, heat mask, lift and firm mask, hydrator, gel mask and dermal resurfacer. Whatever mood your mom’s skin may be in, this set will offer a mask to rectify the situation.

SUNDAY RILEY’s C.E.O. Vitamin C Kit: There are so many benefits to Vitamin C and SUNDAY RILEY’s C.E.O. Vitamin C Kit is full of it! The set has incredible value and will help restore natural brightness to skin.

The set is comprised of a cleansing oil, brightening serum, and repair moisturizer – honestly, it has it all! Your mom will love using these products together to enhance her natural glow.

Father’s Day is just around the corner, and you can’t think about what to get for a present. You’ve made the mistake of asking him what he’d like, and you’ve received the equivalent of a shrug. Now, you’re more confused than ever. You don’t want to show up to the house on the holiday empty-handed.

If you’re unsure of what to do, look through these ideas for Father’s Day gifts. You could find the perfect pick for your dad:

For The Dad Who Loves His iPhone A Little Too Much

Your dad loves his iPhone so much it might as well have a spot in the family portrait. A budget-friendly present that you can get him is a cool iPhone skin. You can find designs like black camo, red dragon scale, mahogany, titanium or green carbon fiber. Get him a few skins that will match with his personal style.

A simple application will protect his digital child from any cosmetic damage like micro scratches and scuffmarks. You should click here to learn more about how the protective accessory will keep his precious device looking good as new until he decides to get a shiny upgrade.

For The Dad Who Likes A Stiff Drink

If you’re in a timecrunch and you really can’t think of what to get him for Father’s Day, you could always pick up a bottle of his favorite liquor and slap on a nice bow. But, if you want to impress him, you should get him a present that boosts his bartending skills.

Check to see if bars in your area offer bartending lessons that you can take together. Or get him a book like The Art of the Bar to teach him a long list of boozy recipes that he can whip up during any occasion. He’ll be acting like Tom Cruise in Cocktail and tossing bottles in the air in no time.

For The Dad That’s Getting Lost Behind A Beard

Your dad’s beard is out of control. It’s starting to look like he’s been lost on a desert island and befriending volleyballs for several years. Encourage him to tame the tangle with a bottle of beard oil. It will make the scraggly and dry hair look smoother, shinier and healthier than ever before. Choose a rich scent like sandalwood, vanilla or grapefruit.

If the situation looks too rough for beard oil to handle, you should get him an amazing shaving set to tempt him to get rid of the scruff. To go above and beyond, get something like the Arlington Shaving Kit from D R Harris complete with a sleek new razor, badger hair brush, soap and aftershave milk. When he sees that luxurious kit, he’ll want to run to the bathroom and give himself a long-awaited makeover.  

The Dad That’s An Uncertified Foodie

Your dad likes going out to new restaurants to explore different menus. Whenever he watches television, he’s glued in front of a cooking program salivating at the dishes or critiquing the presentation. Of course, your present to him has to be edible.  

You can take him out to a trendy brunch spot to see how he likes their special twist on a standard stack of pancakes. Offer to drive him thereso that he can enjoy a few Mimosas or Bloody Mary cocktails over the meal.

Or you can save your money and make him a homemade spread. For something on the simple side, choose a dish like a mushroom frittata with a side of toasted baguette and mixed greens. For something more challenging, try to make a Dutch pancake covered in a mound of sliced fruit and freshly-made whipped cream. He’ll definitely say thank you after he’s done his second plate.

When it comes to finding the right present for your dad, think of his interests, hobbies and needs and go from there. If you still come up blank when the holiday draws closer, plan a day to spend some time together. Even a chat and a coffee will make him happy.

You’ve just received a job promotion on the East Coast and you’re trying to figure out if you should move to the heart of New York City in an apartment like the ones at this website https://www.thecolenyc.com/. Or you may want to mix things up a bit and might even rent waterfront apartments in Norwalk, CT since it’s only about an hour outside the city.

This is a tough decision, to say the least. Living in NYC will put you close to the action and very close to your job as well. But living outside of the city in Connecticut definitely has its perks too.

To help you decide which option is the best, we’d like to share some fun facts about living in NYC as opposed to living in Norwalk CT. So pay attention to the information we share below and use it to choose your new place to live.

The Financial District in NYC

Anyone who lands a job on Wall Street would definitely love to live in the heart of New York City. It’s an amazing opportunity to live close to work, and when you work on Wall Street you put in serious hours so being close to home instead of commuting is definitely a big plus.

The financial district is also exciting to be around because of the great restaurants, the bar scene, the New York Stock Exchange, the bull statue, and the whole nine yards. You’ll feel right at home in this exciting place.

Diversity Is the Name of the Game in NYC

Another wonderful thing about living in the city is the ethnic diversity. You’ll love meeting and talking to people from various cultures from all over the world. And believe it or not, it’s estimated that more than 800 languages are spoken in NYC which is really incredible because it’s all in one place!

If you have diverse tastes and like to venture outside of the typical American food choices, you’ll also love New York City because of the exceedingly diverse restaurants on offer. You’ll fall head over heels in love with this place because the food is amazing, it’s ethnically diverse in all the right ways, and you’ll please your taste buds every time you try something new.

The Amazing Beaches in Norwalk CT

Choosing to live in the perfect luxury apartment in Norwalk CT is a no-brainer if you happen to enjoy beaches because they are plentiful in the area. In fact, there are a number of exciting spots to visit on days off or on the weekends when you want to catch some fun in the sun and sand. Calf Pasture Beach and Rowayton Beach are both great beaches with wonderful crowds and lots of excitement during the warm spring and summer months.

The Nightlife in Norwalk CT Is Second to None

If you are a young professional just making their way in the world, you’ll love living in Norwalk because they really know how to party after dark. And even better, the food and alcohol are relatively inexpensive here when compared to New York City so you’ll save a bundle, still have an amazing time, and actually be able to afford to live your dream life.

In Norwalk, Black Bear is such an exciting place. On Tuesdays, they have two dollar tequila and tacos which can’t be beaten! Or if you like Burger Bar because it’s more your speed, you’ll really appreciate the inexpensive food and cheap beer currently on tap.

Final Thoughts

Whether you decide to move to NYC or Norwalk CT is up to you. Just know that both places are great to live in for a wide variety of reasons. So think about it and choose the destination that seems most likely to meet your needs.

Every home needs a makeover from time to time, but sprucing up your living space can quickly turn into a costly endeavor. There are dozens of benefits to remodeling parts of your home, however, most homeowners are looking to save cost wherever they can. Before you go draining your savings, check out these five simple home renovation ideas.

1. A Greener Lawn

While you may be focused on the interior of your home, the first thing any guest or visitor notices is the exterior. New roofing or siding can be insanely expensive, but bringing out the natural beauty of your home is as simple as sprucing up your yard.

With an automatic lawn sprinkler system, you can have your grass looking greener than ever before. By sprucing up the appearance of your yard, you’re helping the color and materials of your home pop from a street view.

2. Rethink the Kitchen

From cabinets to countertops, giving your kitchen a makeover is one of the most expensive renovations out there. Instead of spending all your hard-earned cash, there are two simple solutions that will leave you with enough leftover dough for a vacation.

Start by painting your cabinets a neutral color if they aren’t already. From there, paint the kitchen island an eye-catching color. This contrast works wonders on any home and saves a ton of cost thanks to the cheaper price of paint.

If you want to take things one step further, add tall wall skirting to the tops of your cabinets. The effect is glamorous, and you can make this an easy DIY weekend project. It’s easier than most homeowners think.

3. Faux Hardwood

Adding the sleek look of wood floors gives your home a timeless yet modern appeal. Wood flooring, of course, is often an expensive purchase. Instead of shelling out money on the real thing, check out your local hardware stores wood-look offerings.

While you’re replacing the floors, this is an excellent time to bring an exterminator into the home for a once-over to ensure your home is pest free. With a quick online search, you can find companies offering termite treatment in San Bruno and beyond.

Another trick to consider is running your flooring at a different angle. Horizontal is often played out, which is why many homeowners are running their flooring at an angle. This offers a unique look that can help other accents in your home pop.

4. Different Tiles

If your bathroom needs a facelift, there are dozens of options. Before you invest in a decadent shower or new counters, though, you should consider using different tiles in different spaces. Choosing one option for your floors and another for the tub or shower surrounds creates an appealing contrast.

5.  Adding Space

Another simple yet highly effective remodel is adding additional space to your home. All it takes to create this effect is multi-layered shelving in your storage spaces. Aside from the aesthetic benefit, organizing your belongings is ten times easier. Of course, pouring a concrete pad out back is also technically considered adding space. Just don’t forget concrete sealer for driveways

Everyone wants to have that perfect smile. An ideal smile means bright, straight teeth. Some people have luck when they are born. Their teeth can be impeccable. Others have to visit dentists often to fix multiple problems with them. This is how things naturally go.

Going to the dentist is not something that anyone should be afraid of. They are medically trained professionals who are eager to give you the best smile there is. Whatever problem you have with your teeth they can fix it. Patients are the number one concern for every dentist. They can quickly locate the problem with your tooth and offer a solution to fix it. It is essential that you let them do their job so that afterward you won’t have any problems.

Moreover, it is essential that you visit a dentist as often as you can because you can never know what is wrong with your teeth. You might not have any symptoms whatsoever, but that doesn’t mean that the problem is not there. The dentist can give you some pointers on what to pay attention to, to avoid a much bigger issue in the future. Here’s why visiting a dentist is absolutely necessary. Click the link for more https://www.wsj.com/articles/simple-dental-treatments-may-reverse-decay-1460407763

They relieve pain from teeth

Greenbelt dentists and many others are professionals that want to help their patients in any way they can. Whenever you feel like you can’t eat or drink properly because of a pain in your mouth then immediately schedule an appointment with a dentist. You could be facing a severe problem without even knowing. Teeth usually start to rot and decompose. Many times because of a cavity they can cause pain.

Moreover, if you’re in this type of situation, then it is best to contact an expert to relieve you from the pain. A tooth with cavity left unattended can cause other teeth to start rotting as well. The quicker you deal with the issue, the faster you would be able to eat and drink anything you want. Make sure that the dentist explains you everything that is wrong with the tooth so that you know the root of the problem.

They clear cavities

Teeth that have cavities tend to lead to bad breath. It can be quite embarrassing to open your mouth and the smell of a rotten tooth to reach the nose of others. Instead of facing an awkward situation make sure that you visit a dentist as soon as possible to clean the tooth. Dentists use fillings to fix the tooth, and you can say goodbye to bad breath and pain in the mouth.

To avoid cavities in the future, make sure that you brush your teeth twice a day. Once before going to bed and once in the morning. However, this doesn’t prevent the tooth from becoming rotten, but at least it slows down the process of gaining a cavity. If you’re looking to find an excellent dentist make sure to check John Powers, DMD for more information on the subject. A good dentist will take care of the problem so that later in life you won’t have to face this nuisance once again.

They can fix your smile

Dentists don’t always fix cavities. Let’s say that you’ve broken your front teeth. This could ruin your beautiful smile in a second. You would be embarrassed to smile. But not to worry. Dentists are here to return that smile back. All you have to do is explain the problem and leave the rest to the doctor.

Dentists do implants to fill the empty spaces in the mouth and attach porcelain teeth to already broken ones. Everything depends on your decision. Implants are usually recommendable to older people. Older people tend to lose their teeth more frequently than younger ones. You can even have the choice to have your teeth brightened. Teeth whitening is also another procedure that they do so that you can show off your bright smile to the world. With time our teeth get discolored from food, drinks, and cigarettes. Sometimes not even a brush can help us whiten them. But a dentist can. Click here to find out more. That’s why if you have the desire to have a bright smile once more, schedule an appointment with a dentist.