Best Countries for a Spa Day!

Who doesn’t love an amazing day at the spa? Spending time at the spa is the epitome of rest and relaxation. Some countries are better than others at upgrading this tranquil experience. Wondering where you should be headed for the best spa day of your life? No need to worry, I’ve done all the research and refreshing for you. See my recommendations below on the best countries to travel to for your incredible spa day.

Thailand– Known for its namesake, Thai massage, and affordability. Thailand offers plenty of bountiful spas for a good price and unforgettable experience. I know first hand that you can spend all day at the spa in Thailand for less than $50 USD. 

Bali, Indonesia – Bali is home to natural aesthetics, tranquility and kindness the perfect combination and backdrop for a great spa. Bali is filled with delicate flower baths, body scrubs and lushness. (See my Bali Travel Guide for more info. & recommendations). 

Turkey– The Turks have been credited as the inventors of the modern-day spa. Istanbul offers plenty of thermal baths influenced by Turkish hammams (traditional Turkish baths), which can be found all over the city. From Istanbul to Cappadocia, the country offers a wide variety of options for locals and tourists to enjoy.

Hungary–  Budapest is rightly called the ‘Spa Capital of the World’, Budapest is home to a large number of thermal springs. Budapest has more thermal and medicinal water springs than any other city in the world, which makes this country an incredible place for a spa day. 

India– The Indian state of Kerala is known for its palm-lined beaches and backwaters, a network of canals. Kerala is also known for its wide variety of spas available. Most spas in Kerala and India offer Ayurveda “knowledge of life”, a natural system of medicine that originated in India more than 3,000 years ago as well as yoga sessions during your treatment. What else could you ask for? 

Costa Rica– Known for its lush rainforest and naturally mineralized volcanic soil are hundreds of hot springs and some excellent spa resorts. Costa Rica offers volcanic mineral mud massages to temazcal, which is a Mayan wellness steam bath ritual, led by a shaman, with chanting, meditation and aromatherapy.

Japan– Japan is known for harmony, balance and its peaceful natural beauty. Japan also has over 3,000 Onsens (natural hot springs) and is also known for its Yuzu hot baths, full of beneficial minerals and other health benefits. This country is the perfect surrounding for amazing spas and rituals to enjoy. 

How I Prepare for Extended Travel 

Extended Holiday Travel

Clean place– No one wants to leave and come home to a dirty place. I try and make sure my home is spotless and welcoming when I return from a long trip away. 

Water plants– I properly water my plants before I leave so I can make sure they’re still alive when I get back. An easy way to keep my plants watered on an extended trip are watering globes. I fill them up and place them in my plant pots to keep them accurately watered the whole trip. 

Plan outfits– You know how I am about my travel fashion. My outfits are in no way spontaneously put together. I try and coordinate everything from head to toe and pack all the essentials in my suitcase. That includes clothing, shoes, accessories and jewelry. 

Fill up on kitty snacks– When I’m away from an extended period of time, I have a pet sitter take care of my precious cat, Butterscotch. I still keep a close watch on her and my home with my Petcube. I appreciate this pet monitor because it connect with my phone, so I can talk to Butters live and still spoil her overseas with on demand kitty snacks. 

Alert credit card companies– It’s essential to notify my travel credit card companies where and when I will be vacationing. This keeps the companies up to date to prevent any fraudulent activity and makes my card accessible at ATMs without security inconveniences. 

My Solo Travel Photography Essentials

I am known to get around, the world that is. Most, if not all, of my recent travel experiences have been by myself. I truly enjoy solo travel, but sometimes if can be helpful to have someone accompany you. When it comes to capturing moments while on a journey, an extra set of hands and eyes can be very helpful. Traveling by myself truly doesn’t stop me from living in the moment and photographing the best occasions.

I have compiled a list below of all the essential tools I use for my solo travel photography.

Solo Travel Photography Essentials

Solo Travel Photography Essentials

Cellphone: I am team iPhone. I’m not here to put down Android phones, but when it comes to photography and ease of use, iPhones just do it for me. Most of the pictures that I take are from my iPhone. Your phone doesn’t have to be the latest phone either. I recently upgraded my phone 2 months ago, but I still capture most of my moments on my iPhone 8. Spend some time on social media watching tutorials on how to get the most out of your phone and its photography features. 

Drone: I own an DJI Mavic Mini. I love this compact drone because its lightweight and easy to use. Since it weighs less than 15 pounds I am able to travel and use it without a permit. My Mavic Mini easily connects to my phone for controls and downloading my photos and videos. Before traveling with my drone I always check a country’s drone laws and make sure use is allowed. 

DSLR Camera: My Nixon D7000 is my tried and true camera that I use for capturing those crisp, professional pictures. I’ve had my digital camera for over 10 years and the photography quality remains top notch. I recommend investing in a basic photography class and learn how to use your DSLR camera on Manual mode to get the best lighting and settings. 

Pocket Action Camera: I originally owned a DJI Osmo Pocket 1, which I purchased after seeing it in action on my previous trip to Singapore. I recently upgraded to the latest version DJI Osmo Pocket 3 last month and I’m very glad I did. This tiny little camera is jammed packed with features. Some of the best feature is the stabilizer/ gimbal, the face tracking, and the 360 mobility of the lens. This camera also has the ability to switch from Reel to video format with a flip of the touchscreen. 

Selfie Stick/ Tripod: I take my tripod stick almost everywhere. I love my tripod/ selfie stick because it’s so easy to set up for solo pictures and videos. I love that it comes with an embedded bluetooth shutter. I also appreciate the extension rod and the stability of the tripod stand. I separately purchased a phone adapter for the top, but I can easily screw my DSLR or pocket camera on top. 

Tracking device: Before my recent purchase of my DJI Pocket, which comes with its own tracking features, I used my PIVO. If you want a smaller investment in tracking investments, I highly recommend this for all your action videos and shots. The PIVO comes with its own bluetooth shutter and compact carrying case. 

Mobile/ Selfie Light: No matter what camera you’re using to capture your moments an extra light is essential. Natural lighting is best, but that’s not guaranteed. I always make sure to bring a mobile light with me. The best things about these lights is they’re super compact, come with different light settings and easy to recharge. 

You can purchase my solo travel photography essentials here.

Ways to Treat Motion Sickness

As an experienced traveler, I have been on plenty of planes, trains and automobiles. If you could believe it, I have also suffered from motion sickness since I was a child. I don’t let my ailment stop me from exploring the world.

Motion sickness is an inner ear problem that is associated with an imbalance of what your body feels and the actual outward motion. When I was a kid, I got motion sick on long car rides. As an adult, I thought I outgrew my symptoms but unfortunately I have not. I may not get as motion sick in vehicles as I used to, but traveling by water is another hurdle to overcome.

I still remember during my trip in Fiji I had a terrible experience while visiting Cast Away island. I literally threw up breakfast on arrival to the island and lunch on return. I definitely didn’t let that uncomfortable time stop me from other water excursions and adventures. I have learned from my past experiences how to tackle motion sickness and I decided to pass on my recommendations.

Please see my tips for dealing with motion sickness below. As always, please consult your physician or healthcare professional before taking medications or over the counter supplements.

Light meals: If I know I’m going to travel on the water, I keep my meals light.  I try not to eat heavy meals the night before. I try to stick to fresh fruit and vegetables for my meals. I also try to drink less alcohol before and during my water travels. No official booze cruises for me. 

Hydration: I make sure I drink plenty of water before and during my travels which helps with motion sickness. I also sip on carbonated beverages if needed to help with nausea. The effervescence and bubbles tend to help settle my stomach at times. I cut down on caffeine, which can make motion sickness worse. 

Direction: When traveling on the water, it can help sitting in the direction of the boat to ease motion sickness. Also keeping my eye focused on the horizon helps balance (pun intended) out the inner ear and body’s balance center. 

Dramamine: This antihistamine has been known to help with vertigo and motion sickness. I try to take it at least 30 minutes before departure. This medication can also cause drowsiness so I try to go for the less drowsy version to take. 

Scopolamine: This antiemetic/ anticholinergic medication comes in a patch form. I place the patch behind my ear, close to the balance center of the body. It can be applied up to 4 hours prior to departure of any water excursion and last up to 3 days in the body.

Eco-friendly Ways to Travel

I have always been conscious of this planet and try to do my part to protect it. That doesn’t stop when I travel either.

Traveling doesn’t mean you care any less about this planet. Do your part to keep this planet alive so everyone can see the beauty first hand. 

I have listed below some simple ways you can try and do your part as well when you travel to protect Mother Earth.

Ride share/ Public rides– Ride share and public transit means less vehicles on the road and less green house gas. Save your time and sanity and try using ride share to/from the airport. While traveling, many countries don’t have the same access to private vehicles and rely mainly on public transportation. Buses and trains came sometimes be the most economically and offer the best views when you travel. 

Less emission flights– Thanks to website like Google Flights you can now see which flight routes offer more or less emissions during transit. If I can, I try to book flights with less emissions if the timing and price allows. Remember, every little bit of less pollution helps. 

Eat locally sourced food- Eating local produce and other goodies from the many places you visit in the world means more freshness! Besides more freshness, local food means less packing and less fossil fuels needed to transport foods. Fresh is always best! 

Reusable H20 bottle– I drink a gallon of water daily, so having my own water bottle is essential. Bringing your own bottle when you travel means less plastic in landfills. It also helps cut down on chemical processing used to make all those sugary drinks. Water is most important and best for your health. Bring your own bottle and drink up! 

Reusable shopping tote– I have learned throughout my many travels to always bring a packable bag/ tote. You never know when you’ll be out and about on an adventure and need to pack something up or carry something along the way. Some places I have traveled to, charge for bags in the store or may not have them available. A reusable tote means less plastic and paper waste. 

Eco-friendly stores– Many stores whether serving food, clothing or other merchandise are taking initiatives to be better to the planet. That may be by using eco friendly products, charging for single serve plastic or cutting waste. Research establishments during your travels that are trying to make a difference and give them your business. 

Sustainable hotels– Thanks to websites like Booking.com you can see which stays are doing their part to help Mother Earth. There are many ways hotels and other bookings can make a change for sustainability. That may include water efficiency, eco-conscious linens, non single use plastics, energy efficient electricity and locally sourced food at their restaurants.

Festive Afternoon Tea

I have been in a really festive mood as of lately. I’m not sure what it is about this year, but my halls have been fully decked. Living here in Los Angeles, I can guarantee that the winter season is not what sparks the festive atmosphere. This year has been unseasonable warm for winter, thanks to climate change. I didn’t let that stop my enlightened mood.

One afternoon I happened to be pursuing on Open Table app looking for possible brunch spots when I came across something that caught my eye, a Festive Afternoon Tea hosted at the Terrance at the luxurious Maybourne Beverly Hills hotel. That was all I needed to know and I was absolutely sold. I forwarded the information to some of my girlfriends, who I knew would be down to attend. Unfortunately, their schedules were jammed packed, being so close to Christmas. I was on my own for this endeavor, which I didn’t mind at all. I purchased my ticket and got to planning my perfect afternoon tea fashion ensemble.

This past weekend, I had the upmost pleasure in experiencing the Festive Afternoon Tea. The Maybourne Beverly Hills Hotel and the entire experience was what I hoping for and more. The atmosphere was just right with classy holiday decorations, the best ambience with live jazz music. The tea flavors, food and accoutrements were fabulous. I had a wonderful time during my tea and time in Beverly Hills.

Hurry the experience ends on December 24th. Please see my highlights below.

The Best Places to Travel from Kwanzaa to BHM

Kwanzaa, which is an annual African American celebration of history and culture, begins on December 26th. Kwanzaa is built on seven Swahili principles and culminates on January 1st.

Black History Month (BHM)– is a month long celebration in February of Blackness! 

These two cultural celebrations are the perfect opportunities to not only soak up some history, but also to TRAVEL!

Here are my recommendations of where to go in the world to get the best of both worlds (pun intended). 

Antigua- This beautiful Caribbean island is land to 365 beaches. Antigua is also land to Devil’s Bridge. Devil’s Bridge is located in the Willikies area of Antigua. This limestone arch is a gorgeous overlook of the Atlantic Ocean. It has the unfortunate history of being the place where enslaved Africans would commit suicide to prevent continuing life in the sugarcane fields. 

See more in my Antigua Travel Guide

Colombia– South America, more specifically Colombia, is full of African history. The city of Palenque, Colombia is a must visit stop for rich African history. Palenque is a city in Colombia that was the first founded by freed enslaved Africans. Palenque is considered the first free town of slavery in America. 

*Alternate country to visit: Brazil 

See more in my Colombia Travel Guide.

Zanzibar– This gorgeous archipelago is full of white sand beaches with clear turquoise waters. This East African country is also full of Middle Passage history. Zanzibar is a Swahili speaking country, which parallels the seven principles of Kwanzaa. 

See more in my East Africa Travel Guide.

Egypt– This should be self explanatory. Egypt is the originator of civilization and a foundation of Black History. This African country encompasses so much rich history and culture. Egypt is well known for its African monuments and statues, involuntarily minus some prominent African features.  I recommend starting in south Egypt in the city of Aswan. Aswan is full of beautiful Nubian people, the original people of Egypt. Aswan also host the Nubian Museum. 

See more in my Egypt Travel Guide.

Kenya– This country is known for its animals and safaris, but there is also a ginormous amount of history in this East African country. Kenya is home to 2 million old fossils of hominids, pre-originators of humans. Kenya was also a large part in the Swahili trade, which expanded culture and language throughout the world. Kenya is also full of history celebrating independence, including the must see Maasai. 

See more in my East Africa Travel Guide.

Belize– The only English speaking country in Central America has plenty of African history. Southern Belize and the town of Dangriga are a must visit. Belizeans of African descent are descendants from the Garífuna. The Garifuna are descendants of a shipwrecked slave ship, who intermarried with the Arawak Indians of the island of St. Vincent, in the Caribbean. In the 1700s, St. Vincent served as a refuge for escaped African slaves who had been brought to the Caribbean by Europeans. African drums are still a prominent part of Garífuna culture. 

See more in my Belize Travel Guide.

Barbados– This gorgeous island is full of beautiful beaches, beautiful African-Barbadians and history. It is estimated that between 1627 and 1807, approximately 387,000 enslaved Africans were sent to Barbados. Bridgetown, the capital of Barbados, also served as a redirecting station for enslaved Africans to the US, other Caribbean islands and Venezuela. 

See more in my Barbados Travel Guide.

Ghana– This Gold Coast country is known for its history in the slave trade and Middle Passage, but Ghana’s history expands much more than that. Ghana, was the first black African country south of the Sahara to achieve independence from colonial rule. Ghana has served as a place where Blacks can go to escape the racism that is experience in the US. Ghana  is also the official hosting site of Afrofuture (previously known as Afrochella) a widely known celebration of Black music, art, food, and culture across the Diaspora.

*Alternate country to visit: Nigeria 

Which country do you plan to visit? 

How I’m Preparing to Travel in 2024

PTO check– Even though my PTO balance may be down to zero by the end of 2023, I always check and verify my final balance to see how much I’m working with for the next year. This way, I may plan my travel dates and times accordingly. 

Passport check– I have my passport expiration date memorized after filling out so many passport documents and visas. It’s still good to check and make sure my passport is good for the upcoming year. I also check my passport to make sure I’m not running out of pages (travel goals btw). I also use this time to check the expiration date of my Trusted Traveler/ Global Entry card, which I keep with my passport.  

Pay off credit cards– I try and start the year off fresh. Not only with a zero balance of PTO, but also a 0 balance on my travel credit cards. No need in bringing the baggage of interest fees into 2024. 

Calendar coordination– Before the start of the new year, I update my travel planner calendar goals. I also use this time to review my holiday schedule at my place of employment, so I can maximize my PTO and travel days. 
(Travel calendar from Bando)