Posts in Travel
Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary in Bali, Indonesia

Mandala Wisata Wenara Wana or Ubud Monkey Forest or Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary in Bali, is a place where nature meets civilization. There is a sort of mysticism here where the wild and the religious collide. Home to the Balinese long-tailed monkey or long-tailed macaques, this place is a true sanctuary for them. Set on nearly 30 acres of land, the sanctuary is home to anywhere from five hundred to one thousand monkeys.

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Bebek Bengil Crispy Duck Nusa Dua in Bali, Indonesia

An icon in Bali, Bebek Bengil Crispy Duck has many locations throughout Indonesia; we visited the Nusa Dua location. Bebek Bengil (Dirty Duck Diner) thankfully does not live up to its namesake. The seating is wide and open, and far from dirty.

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Warung Pondok Madu in Bali, Indonesia

My first introduction to Balinese cuisine should have been at Warung Pondok Madu instead of an airport cafe version of Nasi Goreng (Indonesian fried rice). Touted as the best bbq local pork ribs in Ubud, it certainly does not disappoint. The pork is well balanced with savory and sweet and smokiness, marinated with great care and falling apart from the bone. The way I gush about this pork is sincere, given that barbecue meat is not a favorite meal of mine.

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Castelo dos Mouros in Sintra, Portugal

Castelo dos Mouros or Castle of the Moors is a medieval castle located atop a hill in Sintra, Portugal. Built in the 10th century after the conquest of the Iberian Peninsula by the Moors, the two rings of wall trace the granite boulders and cliffs. Then, it served as a watchtower for enemies and protested Lisbon and beyond.

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Park and National Palace of Pena in Sintra, Portugal

The Park and National Palace of Pena in Sintra, Portugal is a national treasure. King Ferdinand II contributed to erecting this grand palace and incorporated styles of 19th-century romanticism and has Manueline and Moorish styles of architecture that is evident in the archways, towers, and domes.

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Chalet and Garden of the Countess of Edla in Sintra, Portugal

Part of the Park and National Palace of Pena, stumbling upon the Chalet and Garden of the Countess of Edla is like stumbling upon a dream. This yellow cottage in the woods is surrounded by trees and beautiful blooming flowers. It is designated a Property of Public Interest as of 1993 and is a UNESCO World Heritage site as of 1995. Nearby there are gardens and a horse stables.

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Walk in Seville, Spain

A stroll through Seville’s winding streets, with narrow walkways and high walls makes the average tourist feel like a rat stuck in a maze. Every turn leads to a new plaza and new visual delights and sometimes dead ends with gorgeous entryways. Like most older European cities, the streets are narrow but pedestrians can access most anywhere.

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