A shirtless David greets me with a wide smile. Muscles ripped, tattooed arm and long hair, I mentally placed him at 30 years old. He’s actually in his 40s. He too had completed the Camino de Santiago six years ago.

“[It’s] an incredible experience that changed my life forever”, he explained. Shortly after he quit his job, left his house and decided to help pilgrims along the way between Santibañez de Valdeiglesias and San Justo de la Vega by selling organic food and drinks. The pilgrim pays whatever he thinks it’s worth, also known as “donativo”. This place is what he’s called home for the past four years. With no electricity nor running water David is all about sharing, either lending his guitar for lonely chords to find meaning on the air, or by talking about life itself. “The problem with society today is greed. Humans always want more and more. I decided to give and give.”

All the money he makes at his little “food truck” is used to buy more organic groceries delivered by a truck every week to provide food for the next pilgrims. He does not miss electricity, let alone cellphones or laptops. Water comes from the rain or a river two kilometers away. A mattress on a makeshift bed is his bedroom. I wave goodbye at him with the traditional “Buen Camino” pilgrims greet each other. “Feliz Camino” he replied. I find good friends also sharing David’s food among themselves and knew that those 15 minutes with David would stay with me forever.

But what is the “Camino” and why can it change people so drastically?

Camino de Santiago, or The Way of St. James, is a pilgrimage journey across Spain and one of the main ones for Christians, alongside Jerusalem and Rome. Santiago was one of the Apostles of Jesus and his remains are believed to be enshrined in the Cathedral of Santiago, in Spain. Traditionally the pilgrim would leave his or her own house and start walking towards the cathedral, which is what David did in Barcelona.

My name is Robert Born, I am 28 years old, born and raised in Brazil, so it was physically impossible to walk across the Atlantic Ocean to reach the Cathedral of Santiago in Spain. Therefore I took one of the traditional routes, the most famous one: Camino Francés, or the French way. Starting from Saint Jean Pied de Port, a French town near the Spanish border, I had to cross the Pyrenees into the Peninsula through Roncesvalles and before reaching Santiago I would also go through some big Spanish cities such as Pamplona, Logroño, Burgos, León, Astorga and Sarria. I started on June 10th until July 10th, plus another three days hiking until the end of the world in Finisterre, completing 862 kilometers.

One can easily describe the core of the Camino in a few sentences. Wake up at 5 a.m. Eat an apple or banana. Choose between 3 sets of clothes to wear. Put on smelly shoes. Carry a heavy backpack. Start walking for two hours non-stop before the first real breakfast. Keep walking for another three or four hours. Find accommodation. Take a shower. Eat dinner. Sleep. Repeat for the next 30 days. But to reach Santiago de Compostela is not the goal. The way and its teachings are the goal and believe me when I say that a pilgrim will change after the Camino.

Nameless

At the beginning no one has a name. You actually do, but since you are meeting around 15 new people every day it is hard to keep track of people`s names. Therefore your name blends with the place you come from. Evidently I was Brazil and I started remembering people as Justin Holland or Daniel Taiwan. Before you notice you start introducing yourself first by the country you’re from, followed by your actual name.

Along with being nameless a pilgrim gets a blank field for his personality as well. You can be anyone in the Camino. Mary Canada struck me as a talkative person; she found it easy to make new friends and make people feel comfortable around her with her jovial and funny attitude. A short brunette, it was hard to resist the urge to hug and throw her in the air after one of her impressions. She confessed being a shy person back in Canada. That surprised me. I myself find it hard to initiate conversation with strangers, although it felt natural during the Camino.

The first week is mainly physical pain. Legs, ankles, back will feel sore in spots you did not know you had muscles. Talking about the condition of your feet becomes the introductory conversation to new faces. The counting of blisters was my personal highlight, as I ended up with 26 – getting a silver medal on a secret championship, behind Amanda from United States who stopped counting after blister number 30 during the third week.

The physical pain gives space to physical happiness. After conquering steep mountains, plain fields and dense forests I started feeling the joy of overcoming what I thought was my physical limit. I was carrying an 18 kilo backpack with me – something every guide advises against, unless I weighed 180 kilos, which is double my actual weight – I walked around 25 kilometers every day and I only ate a proper meal once a day.

In the words of Magnus Denmark: “I’ve still got a long way to go, but I look back and realize everything I already conquered and I’m proud of it”. He mentioned that the day I met him while he was struggling with pain on his right foot. Unfortunately he had a bone injury and had to go back home earlier than expected. “But I will come back and continue from where I stopped”, he swore before entering a taxi to the next city.

To have a new personality does not mean you need to pretend to be strong. Both physically and mentally. Physically everyone can help you. During the first few days while walking alone I was always asked by people if I was ok or if I needed any help when I was just taking a water break. I once saw a group of 8 people, strangers to each other, who stopped to help Rachel from United States with a blister on her right foot. This is Camino!

Even though you might spend a few hours with total strangers, only a few minutes are needed to create a bond. Your fellow pilgrim is going through the same physical problems as you are. Psychologically can be different, which opens up deep conversations. I had conversations with people I’d known for roughly three hours that I never had with my closest friends back in Brazil. One day in the Camino feels like a month socially speaking.

“Ask and the Camino provides”

This quote was from Mary Canada somewhere along the way, but it was true from the beginning. On my first hostel, before the walking started, I met Sweden Michael, a tall strong bearded blonde in his 40s. During the first day of walking, I met Danish Daniel, a smiley blonde and very white Scandinavian guy in his mid-20s. When I reached the first albergue (pilgrim’s hostel) I wished to see Daniel and Michael again, and lo and behold, Daniel was right in front of me when I checked in the hostel in Roncesvalles, while Michael was coming down the stairs. Ask and the Camino provides.

But there is a “truer” quote that says “The Camino provides what you need, not always what you ask for.” This became clear to me on the fourth day when, after walking and meeting Michael and Daniel along the way, I was in so much pain that I could not reach the same city they were planning to stop at. Me and a new friend, German Naomi, stayed one city back, around 5 kilometers, only to push the limit the following day and try to find them. One day difference in the Camino feels like being in an entire new generation of pilgrims. If you stay back one day, or if you push your limit and go ahead a bit more, you will find a complete set of new people.

According to every person on the Camino, including those who worked at albergues, all accommodations in Pamplona were closed due to San Fermin – the street bull racing tradition – so people were advised to stay one city before or after Pamplona. Naomi pulled out her German guide book and pointed at a German albergue in the outskirts of Pamplona city center. Luckily it was open and it still had three beds available. Danke schön Deutschland. I never saw Michael or Daniel again, but I did meet Rachel from United States in the albergue. Her first words to me that day: “You’re here. Now everyone who is cool is here”, she shouted to the next bedroom. I barely knew her, although I knew she was from Houston, Texas and I shared a joke with her when, having to stop along the way to pop a blister, I said “Houston we have a problem.” I couldn’t resist.

Still from Camino de Santiago, movie (2015)

Rachel was in fact shouting to Sanne from Holland, but I called her Dutchie, Marie from Norway, Julia from Germany, Rachel’s friends also from the United States Katie and Mike, Tomi from Italy and Mary Canada. That group, with some temporary additions and some goodbyes were now my group along the way until the end of my journey.

To have a group went against everything I believed the Camino was about. This pilgrimage was supposed to be a silent walk, a journey to find your true self and not to keep walking in the pace of other people. That can be true if you want to, but I found out there was nothing more rewarding than seeing friendly faces when you take a break or when you check into an albergue. After all, happiness is only real when shared. “I meet a lot of people, but I don’t have the time to create a strong bond with them”, said a sad pilgrim who was doing the Camino in reverse. No wonder I do not recall his name.

Life in the Camino is simple. A swimming pool is the greatest remedy after walking five hours under a punitive hot sun. Smaller luxuries can also mean the world, such as a kitchen to cook proper food; blackberries, grapes, apples and figs for free on the trail; hot showers and a bed instead of a bunker; a mini market with more than three option of fruits; a guitar for the pilgrims.

The group did well without a guitar also. Norway Marie would sing acapella followed by the rest of the group who did not have the same lung experience as she did. If it wasn’t her, Sanne Dutchie would spin around with her walking sticks playing air guitar and screaming loud and clear making everyone laugh.

In the spirit of meeting more people, I disconnected from the group only to meet a couple of Danish and German pilgrims along with Tina from Slovenia – a psychologist and enigmatic person who would get stories out of you…but rarely share some of her own. She, like myself, did not want to tag with any group and was constantly walking faster or slower to meet new people. We ended up walking together all the way to the end of the world, with occasional mismatches. She ended up mingling with a group who later merged with mine. “I am so happy I am part of a group”, she confessed on the final week of the Camino. The Camino provides what you need, not always what you ask for.

Along the way you meet incredible people with which I could write a book about it, even though I spent a day or two with them, sometimes a few minutes. Albán is a guy we nicknamed Jerusalem although he is from France. He walked from his doorstep to Jerusalem and then started walking from there to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. The day I was entering the city he was leaving. “Walking back home now, another two months on the road”, he explained.

Jeróme from France was practically living inside a movie script doing the Camino. He was also spreading his mom’s ashes on the way. He told me his mother never expressed the desire and his two siblings were against it. “I’m doing it for myself. Not for her or for anyone else actually. I discovered that I’m doing it because I’m selfish and I’m not proud of it anymore.”

Gregori from Belgium is finishing his studies, but felt a “call” to do the Camino this year. Very religious, he would always have something deep to talk about and often found meaning in ordinary moments. Although he said he does not have many friends back home, he was always around people who loved him in the Camino. His life is a puzzle to many, as he shares only enough and at the right time, making people comfortable with his kindness.

During the walking: you are nameless; you can have the personality you want; you do not have a boss to tell you what to do and how; you do not have to walk 30 kilometers if you don’t want to; you can stop whenever you want and people will still see you as a winner, not a quitter. This is the personal universe of the Camino.

Combine that with social factors which are essentially nice and interesting people all around you, everywhere you go, and it’s hard not to understand why people embrace this lifestyle with such passion. Maybe for the first time you are 100% in control of your life. The ultimate freedom in this contemporary world.

Earlier I told you that the Camino will change you. I lied. The Camino does not change people. It is you, who changes you. To quote Tina Slovenia: “The Camino only makes you think. It makes your brain work and forces you to think about stuff that matters to you the most. After thinking, you decide what needs to change, but you can only do it yourself.” So what comes after the journey ends? I leave you with a personal metaphor I developed along the Camino:

The Camino feels like a different universe. But more detailed. It is like a dark room in our own universe. As soon as you enter it, somehow you are gifted with a candlelight, although it is not lit. In the beginning you walk, stumble across something or even someone, but you keep walking. Once in a while someone from the outside will come into the dark room but with an internal light of their own – those people for me were Belgium Gregori and Mary Canada, both willing to help anyone anyway possible. They stumbled across me and, kind souls as they are, they lit up my candle. I felt blessed and started sharing my light with more people I came to know. In no time, the room is filled with light. The Camino is no longer a strange dark place. You can see the end, and the last door you will open inside this parallel universe. And once you are out, what happens? Do you dump your candle in the nearest garbage bin and go back to your old life? Or is the wind of the ‘real universe’ too strong to blow off your flame?

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After the high-profile killing of the lion known colloquially as “Cecil” in Zimbabwe, a light has been shone on the industry of licensed animal hunting known as trophy hunting. Figures have circulated about the scale of the industry which has proven popular among tourists, particularly American tourists, visiting Africa.

But it is not just Africa affected by trophy hunting; hunters have cast their net far and wide to find other havens for hunting and for many they have found it in Iran.

Despite the difficulty in obtaining a visa to visit Iran as a tourist from the US, for the right price Americans have been able to hunt the rare and often stunning breeds of animal from the Persian country.Iran’s wildlife is extremely dynamic and diverse from exotic sheep breeds to bears and even cheetahs. Concerns have been raised about the impact on Iran’s wildlife should the relationship between the two nations improve.

Transcaspian Urial

Hunting in Iran is big business

Visitors to Iran can pay up to $20,000 for the chance to hunt a rare sheep, the Laristan Mouflon, or $15,000 for the Transcaspian Urial, a majestic horned ram.

The amount of ammunition per machine is as follows: 20 rounds of ammunition are allowed per rifle, 100 shots per gun. This gives hunters a relatively high chance of catching their prized animal.

These events have taken place for more than a decade, when the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control made it legal for US agencies to book hunting tours to Iran.

These legal hunts were made possible when Iran’s Environment Protection Agency issued approximately 500 licenses to foreign visitors to hunt rare and protected breeds.

An average 120 Iranian breeds of animals are on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s Red List of threatened species. The Red list is a list in which displays the animals most in danger of distinction. With only 50 Iranian Cheetahs left they are at the top of the Red List.

Will the Iranian government continue with trophy-hunting?

President Hassan Rouhani has made the environment one of his main priorities. With a person of influence showing such an interest in wildlife conservation, the public have followed his passion. However, his power may not be enough to completely eliminate the current rights that hunters have paid to acquire.

Iran, like many other countries, believe that trophy hunting is an important part of conservation, despite sanctioning the killing of rare animals. The industry claims to in-fact prevent large-scale killings of animals by monitoring and managing hunting opportunities, although many have pointed to the flaws in the system and the problems with a culture that encourages the killing of animals for sport.

Since the killing of Cecil, social media has become a key component in raising the debate around trophy hunting as an industry. It could be that tastes for the sport may change, or that public pressure will force government’s to revisit how the industry works.

via BBC

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The government of Rajasthan has brought in efficient measures to ensure the safety of tigers, and retain the national park’s unique and captivating charm.The flourishing of the tiger population is testament to their efforts. The numbers of tigers over the past three years and been increasing by leaps and bounds. The 2014 census of tigers in Ranthambhore showed that their number had more than doubled in only two years, shooting up from 25 to 62.  But what made it a success?

[via Ranthambore National Park]

In 2003 and 2004, when a shocking census confirmed the existence of only 26 tigers in Ranthambhore, the government leapt into action. Constructing a committed plan with high powered committees, they sought to save the tiger from extinction in their state. The use of awareness campaigns to help protect the tigers undoubtedly played a crucial role in helping their numbers soar. Campaigns like ‘Save the Tiger’ and numerous documentaries appealed to the very human feelings of sympathy, in an attempt to boost the local involvement in the conservation programme.

The profound dedication of wildlife conservationists such as Fateh Singh Rathore, known for his contribution in Indian Wildlife, proved to be a practical solution to curb the poaching incidents, decimating the tiger population. Tiger Watch, a brainchild of Rathore, has been instrumental in stopping over 70 poachers around Ranthambore. The majority of these poachers are from the Moghia tribe, a group famed for their hunting skills. Through redirecting the individuals into handicrafts and forest guarding, Tiger Watch was able to dramatically reduce poaching activity. This programme was driven by the Dhonk organisation. The benefits of this programme are two-fold. Not only will it protect tigers, it also helps to provide a livelihood for the Moghia tribe, creating an entrepreneurial tradition that will stand the test of time.

“We have over 30 dedicated tribeswomen involved with us to learn the skills of handicraft production. Now that they have a reliable job, they do not depend on forest wood for a living” – Divya Khandal, Manager of Dhonk.

The forest is home to the oldest tigress alive in the wild, T-16, commonly known as Machli. Machli is famous as the star of countless documentaries made in Ranthambore. Known as one of the few tigers to have bested a crocodile in combat, Machli remains a firm favourite of tiger-lovers. Machli surveys the forest from Ranthambore Palace, situated in  the heart of the sanctuary, overlooking the lakes that have earned her the title ‘Queen of the Lakes’.

Tigers are not the only creatures in Ranthabore National Park. The sanctuary home to numerous animals, including leopards, wild boars, and various reptiles. The park is also the proud home of the largest banyan trees in India.The forest is briefly closed from July to September, and reopens for safaris which run in mornings and evenings. “Each year sees an increase of 20-25 per cent in the number of tourist visiting the place,” said Tanmay from TourMyIndia.

With excellent opportunities for birdwatchers to find exclusive birds, they are recommended to grab their binoculars during their visit. Ranthambore is only a three-hour drive from the capital city of Rajasthan, Jaipur. With the enduring summer, there could be no better time to spot a tiger ambling, or basking majestically under the heat of the sun.

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Maldives has always been one of the most desired destinations on the planet for relaxing holidays and honeymoons. If someone tells you that after experiencing the once in a lifetime beauty and softness of white sand and turquoise water, you won’t be able to find it somewhere else – trust them. No matter which island you go to, a wonderful time in Maldives is guaranteed.

Consisting of 1,192 coral islands spread over 90 000 square kilometres, The Republic of Maldives can still surprise you not only with stunning beaches and lovely local people, but with its undersea restaurant – the first in the world when it was built.

This year Ithaa at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island celebrates it’s 10th Anniversary. The stunning venue can seat a maximum of 14 people making it one of the most exclusive restaurants in the world.  In the language of the Maldives (Dhivehi) Ithaa means “pearl” which is why, like a wild pearl, this restaurant is hidden 5 metres under the water, attracting new visitors daily. Being the first aquarium-style undersea restaurant Ithaa offers opportunity to enjoy inspirational fine dining, an exclusive wine collection with more than 1,400 labels and up to 20,000 bottles on the island, (including one of most expensive wines in the world, a bottle of 1787 Chateau Margaux, which was sold for $225,000 ) and the unforgettable experience of being surrounded by stunning lagoons, reefs and tropical fish.

The cheapest tickets for two to Conrad Maldives Rangali are around £7000. Do you remember the myth about Maldives sinking? Well, it’s true. Maldives is the lowest country in the world (the highest point above sea level is a mere 2.4metres) meaning that by 2100 Maldives will disappear from the map completely. Our generations’s grandchildren will know about it only from books and video archives. Perhaps we all should start saving to experience the dying breathtaking beauty of Maldives – this time it really is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

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Historically, the strategically designed town served as an important route for trade with the Middle Eastern countries, and now it has emerged as the most visited tourist destination in Rajasthan.

The best time to visit Jaisalmer is during the winter, from mid-November to February, when temperatures sit around a moderate temperature of 24 C, falling to 7 C during the night.

As one enters the town located 375 kilometers west of the state capital, Jaipur, the city welcomes visitors with open arms in the form of vibrant colors, a golden reflection, traditional architecture and its historical aura.

The best way to reach Jaisalmer is to do it the way the royals do – by the Palace on Wheels train. When visiting Jaisalmer you simply must experience the prestige the state is known for. From the dress sense to the hospitality rendered by the locals, it’s nothing short of a wonderful dream.

The beauty of the tranquil desert is enhanced at night when the Swiss tents are spread across the sand, beaming colourful lights through musical nights. Speaking of the musical nights, this is when Jaisalmer is at its best. The music tells the regional folk tales with graceful dance performances to complete the night.

The Serai Desert Camp, Jaisalmer

Dance forms an influential part of any celebration in Rajasthan, following its legacy the desert nights of Jaisalmer are decorated with prominent dancers and musicians performing during the famous Jaisalmer Desert Festival.

For a remote view of the city, nothing is better than the camel safaris. The safaris are designed for a peaceful and detailed view of the desert; while the safari continues the camel guide talks about the history of the place. The sunset and sunrise options are spectacular.

Jaisalmer Fort

Jaisalmer Fort sings the legacy of the past and attracts almost everyone who visits the city. Constructed back in 1156, the fort is one of the largest in the country. The fort is famous for the strength it portrays with its established construction. The fort is best visited early morning before the sunrise with a cold breeze. The sunrise from the top of the fort is breathtaking. Among the main attractions inside the fort are the Raj Mahal and the four huge gateways.

Gadisar Tank, a manmade lake was constructed in 1400 and still sustains its beauty, with migratory birds visiting the lake in winters. The lake is situated outside the city and was the water source for the city of Jaisalmer in earlier times.

Gadisar Tank

Amidst the Rajputana architecture, there lies Tazia Tower in Jaisalmer, which is in the shape of mausoleum. Jaisalmer being a home of many religions fortunately still witnesses the aesthetic traces of various prominent cultures from differing religions throughout time.

Tazia Tower

Of course, the rich culture is best complemented with the rich food the city serves. Known for the cuisine, Jaisalmer leaves no stone unturned to give a delicious treat to its visitors. From the spicy Kersangari to heavily stuffed Dal Bati, the smell alone is enough for the tastebuds to dance. With the best boneless chicken for miles, it is never a disappointment for non-vegetarians.

The night life of Jaisalmer is not a conventional one. With pubs and bars in almost all the major hotels, wine and alcohol is served in the traditional ways.

The havelis (private mansions) in Jaisalmer tell the tales of the fusion of Rajputana culture and Islamic infrastructure. Among the famous ones is the Salim ji ki Haweli. The edges and the upper end of the haveli imitate dancing peacocks. Another one, Nathumal Ji Ki Haveli, is again famous for its irregular shape which still manages to stand on its grandeur.  Don’t forget to pack your bags with is the traditional Rajput Poshak which can make anyone look beautiful.

Salim Ji Ki Haveli

The Jaisalmer market is also famous for its antique collection with miniature versions of medieval weaponry. Stone-worked showpieces and mirror-worked blankets form the best souvenirs for the relatives and friends from Jaisalmer.

There is no reason one should not put this World Heritage City in the list of the travel ambitions, but above all else remember one thing: do not forget your DSLR.

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This huge Russian lake is a killer. Don’t go too close because in less that an hour you can receive a lethal dose of radiation (600 roentgens).

Lake Karachay, located in the southern Ural mountains in eastern Russia, is the most dangerous lake in the world. Back in 1940’s Mayak (Russia’s secret nuclear weapons factory that was built  for the creation of plutonium for the Soviet atomic bomb project), was hidden by the Russian government and only after signed decree by Russian president Boris Yeltsin 50 years later, Karachay became an open area. The discovery was immediately declared by the Western scientists who gained access to the area as terrifying, commenting that this postcard looking lake was the most polluted place in the entire planet. And still is!

Image via Daily Mail

Being a dumping ground for radioactive waste, this toxic lake disfigured not only the surrounding locations, air and water, but workers and residents living around that area: there has been a 21% increase in cancer cases, a 25% increase in birth defects and a 41% increase in leukemia.

So if you decide to go to Russia for a vacation best to keep away from this beautifully dangerous Karachay lake. And unfortunately, this toxic story is not the only one…

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Only 70 km from Kochi, Athirapilly Falls is born from the Chalakudy river near Thrissur, another small and beautiful city in Kerala. As one enters the vicinity of the thick forest hiding many species of animals, you can expect the first and the most mesmerizing glimpse of the waterfalls. Spare a minute there and watch the beauty of white mist falling down an 80 feet long cliff.

Following the riverside path, you can begin to understand the huge density of water falling down the cliff with the thick voice of pouring water reaching your ears. With the forest surrounds, you might capture short glimpses of the river as you walk towards the destination.

As the noise of the water gets clearer, you know you have reached the place; from this place you are assured goosebumps and nervous butterflies in your stomach.

It is amazing to see a calm river flowing, only to pave its path into a gigantic waterfall. You can sit by the calm riverside and spend time listening to the chirps of the birds decorating the skies above the river. It will be a feast for your camera to capture the silhouette of the mountain range; the mountains, in between which the river finds itself, seem to be guarding it from the mortal world.

For the sustainability of this beautiful spot, measures have been put in place to ensure the area is a plastic free zone. Efforts on the part of the administration to ensure this plastic-free area are noticeable; indeed guards are on-hand to check visitors are abiding by the rules.

The zone is also tobacco and alcohol free. With tourism police surveying the area, penalties cannot be avoided if guests are found drinking or smoking.

“It is important for the area to be plastic-free as there are various elephant crossing points which are near the human habitation. For their survival, health and maintaining the beauty of the falls, it is important to bring cleanliness to this auspicious place” said Joy Mathew, a local.

If you are an explorer, don’t miss the forest which comes under the Sholyapur ahead of both the waterfalls. Here, sightings of wild animals (such as leopards) are common. According to the locals, the forest contains in itself a rich wildlife of elephants, tigers, bison and more. The dense forest has it all: beauty, secrets and risk. You only need a wild heart and a traveler’s vision to experience it. The area is the only location blessed with all four South Indian species of hornbills.

Indian Hornbill

Indian leopard

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The first take-off will be in February and it will be the company’s first flight to Central America. The Panama City-Dubai flight will be made ​​with a Boeing 777-200LR designed in three classes: first class, with eight seats, 42 in business and 216 in economy. Panama is a strategic point because it serves as a connection to destinations in Central America, the Caribbean and northern South America.

Image via Vizual-Statistix

Among the current longer flights are Dallas to Sydney (16 hours and 55 minutes), Johannesburg to Atlanta (16 hours and 40 minutes) and Dubai to LA (16 hours and 35 minutes). In 2013, for profitability reasons, the longest flight of all ceased to operate between Singapore and New York, run by Singapore Airlines (18 hours and 50 minutes).  The Emirates, in full expansion, has a fleet of 235 aircraft and covers 147 destinations worldwide.

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2am:dessertbar

This dessert bar is said to be a favourite among locals. It’s an established food and drink spot in Holland Village, and has been cited as a cerebral experience that pushes the boundaries between sweet and savoury with bleeding-edge concoctions. The establishment is headed by Janice Wong, who holds a Bachelors in Economics and has cooked alongside some of the best chefs in the world including Thomas Keller, Grant Archatz, Oriol Balaguer and Pierre Hermé. Wong was recently awarded Asia’s Best Pastry Chef award at  San Pellegrino Asia Top 50 2013. One of the most notable creations on the menu is called Wong’s Chocolate H2O; a combination of sinful dark chocolate, salted caramel and yuzu sorbet. The prettiest dessert on the menu, called “Guava Plum,” is pictured below.

i Scream

This place is notable because it serves cocktail-infused ice cream, and because of its ingenious new item called ‘Beer Floats’, which are fruity beers complete with their own perfect ice cream pairings – said to be a first in Singapore. Specialties include the ‘Candyfloss’ sundae, which is wild-berry flavoured gelato infused with cassis liquor and topped with cotton candy.

Merely Ice Cream

This brand maintains that its ironic name leaves a lasting impression on its customers, especially after tasting the ice cream. We believe them. Merely Ice Cream avoids artificial flavouring, colouring, or pre-mixes. The staff creates all the toppings themselves, saying: “we’d rather toil long hours in the kitchen processing our own ingredients so that our customers get to taste the ice cream closest to [its]natural flavours”. Indeed, they make “French-style” ice cream using egg yolks as natural emulsifier, and whimsically label their flavours as “experiments”. For example, experiment no. 23 is called “Salted Butterscotch” (pictured below). The only ingredients used, apart from eggs and milk, are butter, dark brown sugar, sea salt, balsamic vinegar, and digestive biscuits.

Island Creamery 

Famous for being one of the first home-made ice cream joints in Singapore, this establishment was founded by Stanley Kwok in 2004. The flavours are proudly locally-inspired, but also incorporate tastes from different cultures. Isfahan, for example, is a combined rose and lychee flavour that is said to be inspired by Pierre Hermé’s macarons. Another delicious flavour, Black Sesame Oreo, is pictured below.

Ice Queen

This ice-cream parlour appears to be the most popular one that makes its ice cream with liquid nitrogen in the country. The brand’s popularity is probably due to how aesthetically pleasing the ice creams are  – they could practically be considered works of art. Notable flavours include Gula Melaka and Mango Sticky Rice. The Chendol ice cream, pictured below, has been cited as a “die-hard favourite” amongst the locals.

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Essentially, wealthy expats who were profiting from Dubai’s prosperous oil and property economies  started buying the latest Ferraris, Porsches, BMWs and Mercedes sports cars, but once Dubai entered its current financial crisis, these expats began to face enormous debts and started fleeing the country. Dubai’s once thriving car culture seems to have disappeared as well.

The simple reason that people are abandoning their cars is the consequence of breaking Sharia law: unpaid debt and even bounced cheques count as criminal offences in Dubai, and committing these offences result in harsh jail terms.  It seems that these expats would drive the luxury sports cars to the airport at top speeds, hastily leave them at the car park, and take the next flight home.

Residents of Dubai have been complaining about the dust-layered vehicles taking up airport parking spaces and essentially just wrecking the scene. We don’t blame them, but at least it’s slightly better than city streets filled with rubbish.

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