For The Weekenders: Rhodes to Greece, Absinthe Gummy Bears, Vinho Fuelled Polo in Argentina…

March 22, 2018 by Rego

Hope everyone recovered fully from last week’s St. Patrick’s Day.

You’ll need to if you really want to be in top form for the things suggested in this week’s For The Weekenders.

Let’s start.

For The Weekenders: Rhodes to Greece, Absinthe Gummy Bears, Vinho Fuelled Polo in Argentina…

There’s so many things to do in this life it’s a wonder why people ever say they’re bored.

Even though the weather’s been pretty crappy and cold in a lot of different areas, there’s always a sun behind the clouds and warmth beyond the cold.

Like in Greece.

Ahh, Greece…despite what the EU may say about it financially, it’s one of those places that you just have to love.

Which begs the question – who’s more rich – the country with the most financial stability, or the country who’s environment nourishes your heart and soul?

I’d say both.

Why can’t we just have both in one place?

Or more accurately…can’t, or won’t?

Whichever way you want to answer that question, in the end all roads lead to Greece – Rhodes, Greece, that is (see what I did there?).

So here’s what you’ll do. Say you’re taking a personal day…which is really a week, and charter a flight to Rhodes Airport. Don’t worry about packing too much here – just comfy clothes (linen? Maybe a nice light chambray weave?), and other bare essentials.

Check-in to Casa Cook Rhodes, and be escorted to your suite with private pool and terrace that you booked prior to arrival.

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I seriously hope you brought someone along with you.

Complete with outdoor rain shower, premium quality mattresses (*wink*), a minibar, and an indoor whirlpool, you’ll find it easy to melt the jet lag away so you can enjoy your stay to the fullest extent humanly possible.

I recommend having a hot shower then going for a quick soak, before refuelling after a (not really at all that gruelling) flight over.

If you can get your play date to join you then hey, the more the merrier.

You’ll probably want to rest up for what lies in store – there’s a lot to do in Rhodes.

Or, if you’re feeling adventurous and athletic, play the night away – just remember to be ready in the morning.

“For what“, you ask?

A full day of sailing…duh.

Well, technically sailing…but mostly lounging, for you.

You’ll have a wonderful little skipper who’ll steer you through various bays and springs, while you lounge on the deck absorbing some seriously glorious sun waves, sipping something cool and refreshing, before convincing your play date to go for a swim, as naturally, while staying dry is great and all, things are much more fun in the water.

After an exhausting day of…relaxing, treat yourself to some locally sourced dinner.

I’m thinking maybe Feta Lagoridani with a salad to start, a mixed grill platter to share for 2, and some Kataifi for dessert…naturally, polished off with an Espresso Highball.

You’ll need a couple of hours to digest all that food you stuffed your smug face with, so feel free to lounge on your terrace, before slipping into the pool for a late night swim with someone sexy.

I recommend sharing a carafe of Pathos, consisting of Metaxa Greek Spirit, Greek dry red wine, some seasonal fruit and traditional botanicals.

A private pool is important.

You want it private.

Why? (Are you really that dense?)

Without sugar coating it…so you can have some private time, of course – without some old retired lady exclaiming, praying for you, then proceeding to throw holy water at you and your special someone.

Nobody likes holy water thrown at them.

Besides being mildly cold (the temperature, not the act), it’s also just like…really inconvenient.

Plus, it kills the buzz from those absinthe gummy bears you made with the silicon mold and absinthe you brought along, in addition to all those “essential items” you stepped out to go shopping for when you touched down.

Wait – you didn’t do that?

You’ve never HAD those?

Jesus Christ…where have you been living? The great depression?

(the 1920’s one – not the 2008 one.)

Well, let’s fix that…for starters, you don’t have to buy them anywhere – plus, they’re not really that easy to buy.

So here’s how to make your own.

You’re welcome.

Absinthe Gummy Bears

Absinthe isn’t something that just has to be enjoyed via a cocktail.

If childhood favorites, and adult indulgences had a baby, it would be this exact gummy bear treat.

You’ll need a few things, but nothing that’s too much of a hassle to acquire:

1 Cup of Water
.5 Cup of Absinthe
- A quality one.
.25 Cup of Sugar
1 Vitamin B2 Tab
Food Coloring (Green)
Silicon mold to make all this stuff into actual gummy bears

Take your water and pour it into a saucepan with no heat under it.

Now dust your gelatin into there.

You’ll have to be a little patient, allowing for your gelatin to bloom for about 10 minutes. Only after that, do you want to put some medium heat under it.

While you’re waiting for that to reach a boil, now would be a good time to take that Vitamin B2 tab I told you about and crush it into a powder.

Once you’re done with that, grab your sugar and food coloring, and dust them slowly into the mixture in your saucepan, letting it simmer until the sugar dissolves completely.

Take your saucepan off the heat, then go ahead and add your powdered B2 and absinthe. Stir everything up until it’s all mixed well and the B2 has dissolved completely.

Now for the fun part.

Take your silicon molds and get everything in there. Toss them in the fridge and be patient – considering the sheer amount of gelatin you used, they won’t take long to set.

Fair warning – these gummy bears may provide a hallucinogenic affect.

Just a tad.

(Unless that is, you’re that much of an asshole one actually flips you the bird.)

So don’t go overboard with them, and definitely don’t eat the whole batch. Everything in moderation.

Nonetheless, they’re a great treat to share with your play date when you’re outside lounging in the pool and listening to some choice music.

…and by choice music I mean this.

Not Katy Perry. Not for this mood (sorry, Katy).

If you’re tired of lounging and are up for getting into something a little more adventurous, it’s probably time to kiss Greece goodbye and head Southwest.

As in, Argentina.

If you’re more of the athletic type, then naturally you’ll want a full day of Polo in Argentina.

Not as adventurous as elephant Polo in India, but still just as fun.

Still athletic but never played polo?

No problem – Argentina Polo Day has intensive Polo lessons for you that’ll bring you up to speed in no time.

First thing’s first. Charter a flight to Buenos Aires Ezeiza International Airport, then get the guys at Argentina Polo Day to arrange transport to get you to this Polo paradise.

It’d probably be a good idea to bring some friends or family along with you, as Polo’s a team sport.

You’ll have some pretty cushy accommodation waiting, in addition to other activities in case you don’t just feel like playing Polo during your entire stay.

You should be flinching – the future is now old man, step aside.

Like watching the pros play the game for you. At night.

Or maybe some tango lessons to impress that person you’ve been seeing for a while now.

If you really feel like spreading your wings a little and taking in the sights, I’d opt for a bird’s eye view with a heli-tour.

Whatever you want to do these guys will do their best to accommodate (just don’t go overboard – they won’t be your therapist for that divorce you’re going through).

You may be a little nervous the first time around. Maybe you’re the shy type, and feel a little awkward when trying something new.

Especially if you’ve got someone you (feel you) have to impress.

Don’t sweat it – Argentina is known for serving up some great liquid courage, so a little vinho (that’s wine), might help before the official match.

I cannot, however, guarantee what the effects of said wine will be like during your match, though.

Either way, that counts as an energy drink, right?

Just…wing it whichever way you see fit – you get the idea.

When you’ve had your fill of polo, shower up and hit the pool.

Best way to soothe those achy muscles you (probably) haven’t used in years after such a rugged sport.

That and absinthe gummy bears.

Gummy bears for everyone.

Finding ways to enjoy yourself doesn’t have to be boring.

Work clever, play hard.

As always…

Stay cool,

– Rego

Improve Your Lifestyle. Improve Yourself. This is Life. This is Rego’s Life.™

For The Weekenders: Rhodes to Greece, Absinthe Gummy Bears, Vinho Fuelled Polo in Argentina… is a post from and appeared first on Rego’s Life

For The Weekenders: Luxury Swiss Manors, Underwater Dining, Royalty for a Weekend…

June 29, 2017 by Rego

With summer fun still pressing on, I figure why not continue the trend of travel. With 7.5 billion people and a world that’s meant to be explored, planes were designed for a reason. So don’t even think about touching that TV remote, put down the junk food, get out from under your rock, and get to exploring – humans were made to travel. Let’s go.

For The Weekenders: Luxury Swiss Manors, Underwater Dining, Royalty for a Weekend…

Museums. Remember those? You might have been to a museum in your life at least once – maybe part of a grade school trip, maybe as an adult, or maybe you pulled a Ferris Bueller at some point. I like to think of museums as a collection of snapshots in time – because well, that’s what they are. Obviously.

But what’s better than your standard museum?

Luxury Swiss Manors turned into museums. Or in this case, Charlie Chaplin‘s Manor turned museum, in Switzerland.

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I could roll around on that lawn for hours.

Ever so affectionately called Chaplin’s World, this little gem gives you a warm tour of Charlie Chaplin’s life. So if you’re a producer, director, screenplay writer, or even just a film enthusiast, you’ll feel right at home, while you’re guided through, well, Chaplin’s old home (not so fun fact: in the 40’s Chaplin was, unfortunately forced to leave the United States and settle in Switzerland).

“They just don’t understand art, Oona.”

So here’s how to get this trip done right. You’ll book a few nights at the Modern Times Hotel, where you’ll stay in possibly a regular (read: Superior) room, or preferably a Junior suite (all mattresses have cashmere wool so you can sleep like an oversized baby).

True to their word, the floors are swathed in white oak and stone, and you can get fresh water from their spring in Les Pléiades with bubbles (bubbles optional).

You can also grab some breakfast before heading to the museum, to be sure your energy reserves are fully topped up before venturing on to the museum.

Alright so this is where the magic begins. Things get a bit intimate here as you’ll be learning about Chaplin’s personal life; his childhood, his sense of style, taste, his family man side, so to speak…and let me tell you, the man had style.

Having a look over his personal belongings (intended to sound waaay less creepy than it did) you can see it was a classic style nonetheless, timeless, but relatable; it’ll feel like you’re visiting an old friend, rather than a manor turned museum.

Except this…unless running into Uncle Einstein making silly faces at himself in the mirror is your thing and reminds you of home, then that’s great too.

You’ll also get a chance to see his work…and by work I mean a taste of what it was like to work in film back in his era. From a replication of movie sets to a behind-the-scenes look into how brilliant movies are made, this is your chance to step back in time and experience it all.

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And hey, if you’re really feeling nostalgic, bring your grandma along…I mean, you know, if she’s that old.

….great grandma maybe?

If she’s alive.

Just…you get what I mean – bring someone old along if you want.

Alright so by this point you’re probably hungry – well there’s a magnificent little cafe restaurant at the centre of the park (yes, there’s a park – I’ll get to that in a minute, be patient) called “The Tramp“.

You can grab something light at the cafe (maybe a nice hot chocolate), or something a bit more filling from the restaurant menu (I recommend the Macaronis Alpine Style – mostly because I’m 5 at heart most days and really like macaroni).

Aside from the food I’d really recommend you just take the time to soak up the decor – the old style cameras and large wooden beams make the place feel like a blast from the past.

Once you’re done chewing, and sipping, and lounging, it might be a good idea to stretch those legs in Chaplin’s estate – in simpleton terms, the park.

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With impressive views of Lake Geneva and the mountains, it’s a perfect opportunity to indulge in some nature and forget the craziness (read: unnecessary busyness) of civilisation.

Or, you could choose the less adulting type option and run through the whole thing singing like you’re in the film “The Sound of Music”.

Your choice.

One more thing – take some time to check out the Montreux Riviera region as well. You won’t be disappointed.

If you’re not into museums, that’s fine. Maybe you have the outlook of “hey, it’s summer…and dammit, I want beaches. And sand. Sandy beaches. And underwater dining. Wait…”

Yeah. That’s a real thing. I’m gonna take you back to the maldives (but not the same place, so chill out). If you liked what Mexico had to offer last week, and Thanda Island the week before, then you’ll love what’s in store at Hurawalhi Maldives.

Attractive travel partner not included.

First, you’ll want to charter a flight to Male’ International Airport. Then, from that airport, you’ll charter another flight (via seaplane) to Hurawalhi Maldives – scenic doesn’t even begin to describe the 40-45 minutes flight over. Hopefully you’ve picked which villa you want – there are a plethora of them to choose from.

You want a beach? Beach with sunset and pool? Ocean? Ocean with sunset? Ocean with pool? Ocean with a sunset and a pool? Am I confusing you?

Don’t worry – the main thing is you’ve got options – just like in Pitbull’s song – except, different options in this case…or maybe both – which reminds me, this is an adults only getaway, no kids, sorry.

This also means you’ve got to grab someone to tag along – start looking through that little black book.

I recommend the Ocean Sunset Villa. Swimming in the ocean is like, way better.

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But you’re not here to just sleep – you’re here to enjoy yourself. With loads of activities to do, there’s no excuse to be bored.

If for the first day or two you wanna recover from jet lag, and keep things chill, they’ve got a sports ground, games room (Pacman anyone?), and fitness centre, all neatly within reach.

You will never beat my high score in pinball. Ever.

When you fee like you’re ready to delve into some adventure, grab that perfect 10 you’re with and go ahead and show off your sporting skills with things like wakeboarding, jet skiing, speed boating, or maybe just reuniting with Flipper.

Reunited and it feeels so goood.

If you’re not that into adrenaline there’s more low key things to do, like parasailing, playing hide and seek with manta rays, or just snorkeling.

Holy crap…is that Nemo?

Naturally, after that, you’ll probably want some protein and or carbohydrates – meaning food…but you may not want to get out of the water just yet.

Queue 5.8 Undersea Restaurant – a place where you can sit back, watch Nemo and his little school friends swim by, sip on your favourite wine, and enjoy some quality fuel before your next adventure.

All while they look on in horror as you devour their math teacher, Mr. Shrimp (I’m KIDDING. Geez…it’s just his cousin).

Think of being in a big aquarium, except you’re the fish and everyone’s checking you out.

Hiiii friend…would you care to talk about Jesus today?

They’ve got a great lunch menu, and options for vegetarians and vegans as well, if you’re into that; and if you’re looking to impress that special someone you brought along with you, there’s a fabulous little romantic dinner all planned out too.

If eating underwater isn’t your thing, you can always check out the Aquarium Restaurant and Bar, featuring a Teppenyaki grill for those of us who want a slice of Japan while already having a slice of the Maldives. The menu is sustainable, meaning tree huggers can have their cake and eat it too – all while enjoying a fantastic ocean view.

After a full day of living life the way it’s supposed to be lived, there’s always the option to retire to your villa and relax with some good music, a nice wine, and maybe even go for a late night swim so you can show off that summer body you keep maintained all year round.

Just don’t swim right after you eat…cramping up like a senior citizen can really kill the mood.

Let’s say you wanna do it up bigger though.

“Bigger?” You ask.

Yes, bigger.

Ever wanted to live like royalty?

Well now you can – at Castel Porrona, in Italy.

This is far from an overstatement – you can actually book the entire castle if you’ve got a good bit of people you fancy entertaining. With a plethora of suites and living areas to choose from, everyone can have their own space.

There’s also a wonderful little private butler to bring you bubbly, while you’re in a bubbly bath.

So if you’ve got a family reunion you’ve been made the head of to organise, and really don’t like Uncle Carl and Aunt Sue, you can just put them in the servants quarters.

Or, to avoid being cut out of anyone’s will, you can book them a luxury suite/room in The Relais – the surrounding village – that will impress – without giving the impression that you’re not too fond of them.

…I feel like I’m in Assassin’s Creed II.

The castle itself comes with a large kitchen, and private chef to whip up whatever your heart desires, a private butler to answer your (almost) every request, and endless panoramic views offered up by taking a short trip up to the towers.

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The rooms and suites outside of the castle and throughout the village are pretty decked out as well, with ridiculously supple bed linen, jacuzzis, and enough fine furniture to satisfy even the pickiest family member.

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If you feel like treating yourself to some pampering (or down time away from everyone), there’s an abundance of wellness options to choose from at Agua Spa at The Relais. You can enjoy a taste of Morocco while discovering their sauna, heated salt water pools, steam baths, and so much more.

So if you decide to bring that special someone along, and want to escape the maddening 21 questions about marriage your family keeps throwing at you, you guys can always head for a Signature Agua Spa Couple treatment – where after indulging in a few bottles of wine and food bathed in olive oil during your stay, you can then bask and be massaged in said wine and olive oil…just in like, a way more scientific, homeopathic way.

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If there’s ever a perfect opportunity to excuse indulging, this is it.

Fit for a king (or queen).

As always…

Stay awesome.

– Rego

Improve Your Lifestyle. Improve Yourself. This is Life. This is Rego’s Life.™

For The Weekenders: Luxury Swiss Manors, Underwater Dining, Royalty for a Weekend… is a post from and appeared first on Rego’s Life

For The Weekenders: Upscale Italian Road Trips, Sexy Beach Front Bungalows, Rugged Alaskan Heli-Fishing

June 22, 2017 by Rego

It’s the weekend again and it’s time to think about things outside of work. It’s also been pretty hot lately – so when I think of summer and lounging and relaxing…the first things that come to mind are ice cool, refreshing drinks (mojito maybe? Or a nice lemongrass tea?), long summer drives, shady spots to relax in under the clear blue sky, and fishing – so much fishing (I like boats – so what).

Which is precisely why I’ve tailored this For The Weekenders for such things. You read last week’s For The Weekenders post – and if you liked that one then well, it’s time to take another step into my ridiculously epic outlook on enjoying life this week as well. Enjoy.

For The Weekenders: Upscale Italian Road Trips, Sexy Beach Front Bungalows, Rugged Alaskan Heli-Fishing

So it’s summer – the perfect time for holidays and travel (though personally, I think anytime is the perfect time for either). While you could do the next few things I’m about to suggest by yourself, I’m gonna say that a) they’re so much fun words wouldn’t be able to describe the experience and b) think of these as perfect opportunities to treat someone to something special.

Or just treat yourself. And make it look like you’re treating someone (hey it beats looking like a lonely rich bastard/bitch – or does it?). Either way, if you plan on treating anyone, you’ve gotta make some proper effort – so let’s start racking up those frequent flyer miles shall we?

Depending on what you’re into, you’ve got a few of options – so it’s first stop Italy.

As in, touring Italy in a stupidly high-priced Ferrari. Now wait – I know, I’ve mentioned before I’m usually not into luxury sports vehicles, more of a custom made or classics fan, but I’ve also mentioned in the past that there are some things that are just too good to pass up – this being one of them.

So here’s how it’s gonna happen – you’ll grab your sexy someone, and book a 3 day, Italia in Ferrari self-drive tour with the guys over at Red Travel…but don’t worry about getting on a regular airline, with regular, sweaty, depressed people, or fat, bald, miserable businessmen in first-class.

No instead, you’re taken care of with a private jet at your disposal to come pick you up – in either Paris, London, Frankfurt, or Moscow – and drop you off to Florence International Airport.

So all you have to do is sit back, sip [name your favourite drink here], and listen to the sounds of Lounge Fantasia, while staring out the window at white, fluffy clouds, before joining the mile high club (and if you’ve already joined then hey, good for you, slugger).

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Fuck these peasants.

That’s not the only thing the tour includes though – with a 5 star hotel suite for accommodation, private car for checking out the area/transfer service from/to the airport, being able to pick and choose your Ferrari for the tour, and the ability to tailor your trip even further to your liking – well, it’s a bit like Christmas arriving early in a tiny, red little box.

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So you’ll touch down in Florence – then what? Well after being driven to your hotel, it’s the perfect time to shower, power nap, and hit the gym – before hitting Florence for some sight-seeing via private car.

Starfishing optional.

Towards the end of the night I’d recommend you avoid having too big of a sexy party – you’ll need the sleep for the tour tomorrow and hey, no one likes someone who drives like a baby drunk off Benadryl.

Alright, you managed to fend off the bartender offering you another drink and your weekend accessory pawing at you, good job. Now’s the moment you’ve been waiting for: picking your very own Ferrari to drive around like the boss you are. *Drum roll*….

I feel like the host of Let’s Make a Deal. Or was it the Price is Right? Just…I feel like a game show host, for the millennials who don’t get it.

So you’ll take your pick – the Ferrari 488 Spider, California T, 458 Speciale, or 458 Spider. Any one of them will be a thrill to ride, backed by a 100% guarantee you’ll have a massive sexy party that same night.

Her: I’m gonna marry hiiiiim. Him: I’m getting laaaaiiiid…also married…probably….maybe….*shrugs* meh, who knows.

From there, it’s hitting the road and touring around San Gimignano, Siena, and other sexy sounding Italian places you might not have heard of before, with route plans that have more S-curves, hair pins, and sharp corners than you can shake a stick at (because driving in a straight line is just boring).

“Love your curves and all your edges.”

After a full day of driving you can either let the fun end there (why would you though?) – or if you wanted things to be more interesting – take advantage of the tailoring options you picked including (but certainly not limited to) yachting, hot air-ballooning, and more. There are literally loads of tours to choose from so don’t be a boring bastard, live a little – that money isn’t going to spend itself (but the tax man will if you don’t).

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But maybe all that’s too stuffy for you – maybe you just want something chill, low key, somewhere where you can’t be found (angry exes can just be the absolute bane of existence sometimes), somewhere to go alone (or not).

So you’ll opt for a nice little secluded island on the on the Sian Ka’an biosphere coastline (read: Mexico) where you’ll book a wonderful little beach front bungalow with KanXuk Blue Maya Resort, complete with a porch to sit out on and sip mojitos while watching that model you chatted up at Cancun International Airport emerge from the water Baywatch-style.

I recommend Nojol (complete with private garden)…but Lak’in does a pretty good job too.

They’ve got some pretty epic activities available, including whale shark tours – or swimming with sea turtles, for those of you that are frightened by the word “shark”.

If you just feel like a chill stay though there’s a spa and fully stocked bar, so you can sit and enjoy a nice cold one while looking out at the sunset and having the backdrop song “I Think I’m Gonna Like it Here” to Elvis Presley’s Fun in Acapulco play in your head.

But just…just don’t start humming the tune while that perfect 10 you have sits next you.

There’s also a cigar bar at your disposal if you’re into smoking….for those moments when you feel like Al Pacino in Scarface.

The rooms are outfitted to the nine and have fantastic architecture, supple bed sheets and some pretty large sliding doors so you can quite literally wake up staring at the ocean.

And a magical little concierge to fulfill your every request.

Last but not least there’s always the rooftop where you can catch an even better view while having a soak and sipping on your beverage of choice while you look up at the sky and think to yourself that whoever said money can’t buy happiness is an absolute lying bastard.

Similar to White Desert in the last For The Weekenders post, and considering there are only 18 villas and beach front bungalows combined, it’s still pretty nice and quiet with minimal worries about unpleasant human contact…meaning plenty of privacy for when you want to get away from it all.

But maybe private jets, Ferraris, and beaches still aren’t your thing (you picky S.O.B.)…and maybe you’re the more…outdoorsy type. So this last one’s for the rugged, adventurous, but sensitive soul type – the ones that can wrestle and catch a fish with their bare hands, but secretly listen to Whitney Houston’s “I’m Every Woman” in their bathroom with the air vent on at full blast to drown out you singing along in the shower every morning (you know who you are).

Then I suggest you prepare yourself for mountains, wildlife, and a bit of classic heli-fishing at Tsaina Lodge.

…the heli-fishing bit kind of threw you, didn’t it? Well to answer your question no, I have not been drinking nor am I tripping balls – heli-fishing is a real thing, and no lodge does it better than Tsaina Lodge in Alaska (though I am enjoying some lovely coconut water at the moment…*sips*).

*whips fishing rod back in an attempt to perfectly place near group of fish…hooks pilot’s eye by mistake instead…*

Along with heli-fishing there’s also heli-hiking – but if you’re not interested in anything with the word “heli” in it, that’s fine too – though both are heli-cool (get it? Heli-cool? HELLA cool? no? really? god you’re slow…keep up).

They’ve got regular fly fishing for when you want to be a normal, boring person….wildlife viewing where you can potentially snap a picture of a grizzly bear and insult his grizzly wife (if you’ve had one too many melon balls) at a safe distance then brag to your friends who stayed behind at the lodge about it later…

Dude, I can’t believe you called that bear’s wife a hairy bitch…so not cool man. Never going nature watching with you again.

…or for the more sensible among us, you can just opt for mountain biking. There are a plethora of activities going on at Tsaina, all of which you can explore yourself.

Once you’re done exploring you can shoot some pool at the bar, before being tricked by your newfound Alaskan friend to ring the naval bell near said bar….which basically means you’ve gotta buy a round for everyone in the place (an Alaskan tradition, no less).

Or if you’re clever enough to avoid being fooled, you could always grab some sushi, Tsaina style.

Platter? Pfft…fuck platters.

Once you’re done fighting over that last piece of tuna sushi, you’ll probably end up heading back to your room (with or without that *special* company you brought along for the trip) – complete with a Tempur-pedic mattress and soft, cosy bath robes.

Sleeping is optional.

As always…

Stay awesome.

– Rego

Improve Your Lifestyle. Improve Yourself. This is Life. This is Rego’s Life.™

For The Weekenders: Upscale Italian Road Trips, Sexy Beach Front Bungalows, Rugged Alaskan Heli-Fishing is a post from and appeared first on Rego’s Life

For The Weekenders: High Flying in Dubai, Secret Tanzanian Getaways, Tucked Away Antarctic Luxury…

June 15, 2017 by Rego

Well it’s Thursday, the kind of wind down point in the week where people focus less on work and more on enjoying themselves. I hope everyone is having a great week and are in a traveling kind of mood – because that’s what this For The Weekenders is all about. So while it’s time for me to dust off my keyboard and flex the old writing muscles, sit back and prepare yourselves for what’s in store. Enjoy…

For The Weekenders: High Flying in Dubai, Secret Tanzanian Getaways, Tucked Away Antarctic Luxury…

There’s a point some people reach in their lives where they feel a need to connect with themselves on a higher level…which usually comes with a requirement to “get away from it all.”

On the other hand, in a world where a “Culture of Busyness” has emerged (where “busy,” but not necessarily productive, is becoming a status quo), there seems to be an increasing trend where some tend to view being busy as a bragging right.

I just call it being dumb.

So for the more sensible among us, fear not – amidst this delusional madness, sanity still exists. Yes, you can escape from it all after a smart day’s work, in the most discreet and ninja-like fashion, and fortunately there are places like Dubai that catch my drift and understand exactly how to get away in style.

You know those movies you see where some ridiculously well dressed person of influence saunters onto a helipad and flies away at his or her whim? Well, if you don’t feel like going through the process of buying your own helicopter (pfft. lame.), don’t worry, Dubai RTA (Roads & Transportation Agency) has got you covered – at least in the summer they will (be patient).

Imagine finishing up that last bit of work and wanting to slip away incognito, and at the touch of a button having your own mini chopper show up minutes later. Oh and by chopper, I mean drone – as in drone taxi.

The elusive promises we once saw in Back to The Future Part II are nearly here, compadres. With room for a small suitcase and a travel range of up to 50km it’s the perfect way to go from work to holiday mode, while avoiding that awkward guy at work who always wants to carpool in a taxi with you.

Though if you intend on having that special someone tag along (or, you know, temporary someone) think again – it only seats one, so they’ll have to take a taxi to a mutual meet point, like regular people. Sorry.

So you managed to escape your work day early, now what? Off to the airport, obviously.

But where?

Well that depends. Do you fancy somewhere cold? Somewhere warm? Do you even care? The point here is to get away from it all, right?

Either way, you’ve got options…but seeing as it’s never a good idea to subject yourself to radical temperature changes, let’s start with somewhere warm. For this one, I’d definitely recommend taking along that sexy someone you like having around.

Because, y’know, spending time all alone on a private island is just no fun (what? don’t act so surprised).

So here’s how it’s gonna go down – after packing your suitcase with some stylish travel essentials and ringing up your weekend accessory, you’ll charter a flight(s) to, let’s say Mafia Airport in Tanzania (it’s waaay less dodgy than it sounds). Feel free to look around Mafia island upon arrival while you’re at it.

You’ll then have to arrange either a boat or helicopter to take you to the nice, private luxury Thanda Island, where you’ll have booked (for a week or so) prior to arrival – well, the entire island.

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Richard Branson ain’t got nothing on you this week.

Complete with 5 En-suite Bedrooms & 2 Traditional Tanzanian Bandas, beautiful little ocean views, and beautiful little people to help you find your way back to your villa if you get lost (I seriously don’t see how this is possible but hey, things happen when you’ve had one too many mimosas).

The great part about this place is it has something for everyone, whatever your lifestyle is. From deep sea fishing to jet skiing, wakeboarding to just chilling at the spa, you can’t get bored here (how could you anyway?).

For the generation that knows no selfie-limits.

For the musicians they’ve got instruments where you can play your little heart out. For the fitness crowd that don’t skip workouts even if on holiday there’s a gym, and for the indulgent but sometimes lazy bastards in all of us there’s a pizza oven and outdoor BBQ for when hunger/hanger strikes.

I’ll take five.

After all the excitement if you’re really feeling fancy you can even wind down in a nice bath by the ocean.

Because standard Western baths suck. Live a little.

Post-bath you could have a nice bonfire, serenade that sexy someone you brought with you, and if you’re still hungry, enjoy a final meal in the ever so colourful and seductive dining area…before heading off to the bedroom for dessert.

Darn, they just keep giving us complimentary bottles of wine, honey….*stealth tips waiter, shoos away quickly*…

But maybe you don’t want to go to somewhere warm, especially if you live in some place like Dubai. Maybe you wanna check out somewhere cooler. Much cooler.

Ever had fantasies of shipping someone you don’t like off to the South Pole? Yeah stop doing that – there’s a luxury getaway there now. You’d be doing them a favour. No literally.

Instead, opt for heading there yourself – or I should more accurately say the Antarctica, yourself. You said you wanted to get away from it all – and White Desert is the perfect place to do it. You might want to bundle down for this, and warm the blood with some strong spirit.

That is a damn small red carpet…wait what is this shit it’s not even red.

So what does it offer? Imagine if the adventure of the outdoors and luxury bumped into each other on the street one day, only to lock eyes and realise it was love at first sight. Well if the two had a baby, it would be White Desert. While not as exclusive as Thanda Island, the camp does have a very small maximum capacity limit for guests – meaning you can still wind down while being aware of the presence of other human beings around.

12 other human beings to be exact – including yourself.

So there’s a hybrid combination going on here – the adventurous spirit of the great outdoors, with the comfort and feel good tingliness of luxury, all bundled into one neat little package.

So tingly.

This one you can kind of go either way with – by flying solo and booking a spot for yourself, and yourself only – or again, bringing along your weekend accessory to help keep you warm at night.

Let’s just push these beds a little closer together. For obvious safety reasons. Which ones? Well I mean…I’m concerned about you…falling…between that little gap *points* right there…in the middle of the night.

There’s plenty of activities to do here for the brave among us, from rope walking, Nunatak climbing (a rock that sticks out of the ice – educate yourself), lake traversing (WOOO), ice climbing, and probably my favourite – ice tunnels (made from temperature changes and freezing oceans). Perfect opportunities to show off your rugged, fearless spirit.

I guess this is how Moses felt.

For the more faint of heart, there are activities which don’t require any great amount of strenuous effort – such as trekking and the like where you can focus more on conversation with that special someone (or, you know, other people) you brought along…just try to stay with the group and not get separated.

Hello??? Grace? Tom? …..Anybody?…..GRACE?!

If you don’t feel like doing anything (you lazy bastard), there’s always the lounge area to wind down in – complete with a library for the little bookworms in all of us…or a space to charge your electronics and catch up on social media (why would you though? Unless it’s to check this dope blog).

They’ve got wine, too.

If you’re hungry after all that adventuring…or for some, lazying around all day…the camp also serves up three course meals (by spirited, magical chefs) daily, so you can keep your caloric intake and expenditure on point…or just stuff your face.

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The South Pole is officially more than what’s it’s cracked up to be. You’re welcome.

As always…

Stay awesome.

– Rego

Improve Your Lifestyle. Improve Yourself. This is Life. This is Rego’s Life.™

For The Weekenders: High Flying in Dubai, Secret Tanzanian Getaways, Tucked Away Antarctic Luxury… is a post from and appeared first on Rego’s Life

For The Weekenders: Indian Oceans, Costa Rican Villas, Upscale Hippies

August 8, 2014 by Rego

There are times in life when humans need a complete wind down period – no noise, no everyday “static,” no distractions…in order to truly get back to finding – or discovering a new part of – themselves.

The dreamers and the entrepreneurs know this, but only the few strong and wise entrepreneurs that are dreamers and dream in their wake understand this. It’s why extravagant holiday getaways are made, catering to your every need. It’s why those dreamers take the time out to take such a large part, a large image of their own dreams, and then make it a reality for YOU to discover and want so much of a part of, you practically throw your money at them in sheer ecstasy of the thought….

….but let’s put aside ecstasy for a moment – this For The Weekenders is all about calming your nerves – and with this line up, there’s no way you won’t be able to. Enjoy.

For The Weekenders: Indian Oceans, Costa Rican Villas, Upscale Hippies

It’s the weekend. You’ve had a hard week at work. Being a business owner or supervisor of some sort is no easy task – so you deserve time to kick back and relax (unless you’re putting on weight – in that case, gym then holiday.) – so what’s the first thing you do?

Stop treating that laptop of yours like a work horse and give it a break – allow it to book a nice little getaway trip for you and [insert S.O.’s name or recently new found fling’s description here] that’ll help you unwind from your daily stresses.

Naturally, your first thought is Maldives.

Oh, it wasn’t?

Well it is now.

More specifically Maalifushi by Como – a sweet little getaway spot that helps you melt away all your worries with just a few days at one of their suites and villas.

This is one of those places for when you want top class spa treatment while being surrounded by copious amounts of too-good-to-be-true blue oceanfront scenery.

It’s one of those places where you go to get not just a run of the mill spa treatment, but unique, unforgettable, personalised service – service so personal they know that that little black mark just above your left bum cheek isn’t a birthmark, but in fact spawned from that one time you were almost going to get that tattoo you’d regret for the rest of your life.

….though that level of personal probably stemmed from one too many cocktails and a slip of the tongue.

But honestly, do you care?

Not really – because after awakening in your suite, you’ll be too busy receiving invigorating facials and Taksu massages.

Word of advice – take the villa. The Maalifushi Water Villa.

Why? Because…

Look at all this gorgeousness.

Seriously – with it’s own private pool and sundeck, and your very own butler on call (Alfred – let’s call him Alfred), there’s no reason not to.

The villa’s got plenty of light, luxurious bathroom features, baby-butt-soft-to-the-touch bed linen, and enough amenities to make you feel like royalty during your stay before being politely slapped back to reality that no, although your full name does sound rather sophisticated, there is no royal blood running through those veins.

Sorry about that.

But at least Maalifushi by Como made you feel like it.

Let’s say your definition of relaxing isn’t winding down with massages you’ve never heard of, or secluded over water villas, though – let’s say you like a bit of adventure to blow off steam after a good amount of hard work.

That’s cool – I hear you…as does Villa Manzu, cozily tucked away in Costa Rica.

While Villa Manzu also prides itself in it’s secluded 30,000 sq. ft. getaway, they don’t skimp when it comes to staying active and manage to implement the best of both worlds at their 8 suite estate.

….and I’m not kidding when I say estate.

The place is massive with loads of places to unwind – and wind up – and the activities offered are more than you can shake a stick at or count on two hands.

So whenever you fancy a bit of rock climbing after lounging in a hammock for the better half of the morning, or feel the need to sober up from all the choice wine offered by doing a bit of waterfall exploration, they’ve got it all waiting and ready for you at the snap of your fingers.

….just don’t actually snap your fingers at anyone. That could really piss a few people off.

In terms of which suite to pick, check out The Madera Suite:

Though fairly obvious, it’s gorgeous, with an ideal location due to the fact it’s tucked away in its own little corner. Pair that with the fact each and every suite comes with its own little butler (double win), each bathroom is decked out in marble, cigars and wine are always on the ready, and the villas chef will make you whatever it is you desire – whether it’s steak for breakfast or crepes for dinner – and you’ve got yourself a valid excuse to take “business” trips more often for the “greater good” of the company.

You know.

International Business R&D…all that fun stuff.

Pay attention carefully to this next one, because it’s for all you hippies-at-heart out there who graduated from sandals and hemp clothing to linen and a more refined way of keeping things “natural.”

If you’re looking for a place that manages to integrate modern day luxury into the backdrops of nature, look no further – Botanique’s already on the ball and got you covered.

Botanique Hotel & Spa is somewhat of an anomaly – the kind of thing that once you find you want to share and brag about, yet keep exclusive and hold onto forever.

Smack in the heart of Bairro dos Mellos, this is the place to go for those nature lovers out there, who want hiking in the afternoons, and a nice hot shower in the evenings plus decent rest with the zero percent possibility of being attacked by a bear because “dammit Jake, you left that leftover lox and bagels out instead of burying it, you lazy son of a bitch.”

It’s the kind of place you go to when you don’t want the sound of traffic or the annoying pitch of car horns, but instead the calming effects of sweet melodies from surrounding rivers.

I’m not kidding.

There are no motorized vehicles allowed here.

To top it off, the architecture is so unique in the sense that the place has been built off of its own natural resources – right down to the food with farm to plate dining, spa treatments with tropical rain saunas, and pretty epic wooden beams aged 100+ years old.

Oh – and did I mention for a mild head trip the floating chamber they’ve got with underwater sounds and image projections?

Yeah.

One of a kind.

With Botanique, that little hippie flame inside you has no chance of dying out.

Shine on, friend.

As always…

Stay awesome.

– Rego

Improve Your Lifestyle. Improve Yourself. This is Life. This is Rego’s Life.™

For The Weekenders: Indian Oceans, Costa Rican Villas, Upscale Hippies is a post from and appeared first on Rego’s Life

For The Weekenders: Strange Beds, Artistic Camping, Sustainable Surf…

June 5, 2014 by Rego

Hmm…haven’t done a For The Weekenders like this in a while. Every now and then it’s always a good thing to get some travel under your belt. Cool thing about travel is you get to check out a lot of unique and fun places, making more memories and moments of “remember that time when…”

So let’s start globetrotting.

For The Weekenders: Strange Beds, Artistic Camping, Sustainable Surf…

Summer’s like…here. And if there’s one thing I know about summer, it’s better when you make the best of it. Few factors involved in order to do that though…good people, good places, good food.

But most importantly, a good night’s sleep is imperative on a trip….to be fair though, that can get pretty boring.

Where you sleep and what kind of place you lodge at should be equally as interesting as the place you’ll be exploring. The guys over at The Manta Resort in Tanzania understand this – and have gone above and beyond the call of duty in delivering.

Seriously. Next time instead of telling your friends about how comfortable the beds were at the hotel, now you can tell them that “oh, yeah the beds were comfortable and all, but was REALLY cool was seeing fish swim past us while we slept.”

Yeah. It’s that kind of resort.

The kind of resort that offers a two level “room” all to yourself/you and your S.O. – it’s the kind of place you go when you get tired of the typical resort style places – you know the type – A/C, sterile hallways, marble floors, concrete, doors….all the boring “man made” constructed stuff.

Not saying that your accommodation isn’t man made – but it’s all about the way it’s made. The resort calls it a “private floating island” and really, it is. Set out in the ocean with no one (too) near by, it’s a perfect, private little spot when you want to experience more than just swiping a key card and heading into your room while awkwardly greeting your next door neighbors…or hearing their awkward, horrible sex.

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…and this guy’s just here for the photos. For the resort that is. Obviously. Duh.

Besides the pretty epic lodging, The Manta Resort also has some pretty cool (and of course the usual conventional) activities…like diving (or learning how to dive if you don’t know how to), and unique excursions, including hanging with the locals at Spice Island, checking out birds (not the human kind) in the Ngezi rain forest, or just sitting back, sailing, and chilling out with local fisherman.

What you do is up to you with an absolute plethora of choices…there’s really no way you’ll ever have time to be bored.

But let’s say you have some irrational fear of water, or maybe you can’t swim…or maybe you’re just more of a different kind of outdoorsy person. Maybe you just want something way more exciting and less laid back.

Like camping.

Hey – don’t give me that face. While I usually treat camping with great disdain, a little place in Amsterdam’s got me thinking about it in a completely different light.

Like…completely. Forget the canvas tents and stakes, classic camping just got a call from Urban Campsite Amsterdam – and was just informed it’s time to step up its game.

This is for those of us who always like the thought of camping – great outdoors, fresh air, fishing – but just couldn’t get used to the concept of sleeping on the ground.

No, instead these guys focus on integrating modern art into nature – while minimizing disturbing nature as much as possible. Think of it like an art gallery in the woods.

Yeah…way cooler.

Basically, a group of of architects and designers get together, brainstorm, and come up with some pretty awesome stuff to show off with the surroundings of mother nature – things so cool you can’t help but fill half a 2 gig SD card and make prints out of those captured moments.

So the next time your friends say “let’s go camping,” instead of ruining a cool chance at hanging out with even cooler friends, suggest hopping a plane over to The Netherlands instead. 😉

But let’s say instead of just co-existing with mother nature, you really wanna become one with her. Well, not to get right back around to sun and sand, but for anyone wanting to really connect, this next place is a must go to spot for any surfer.

The best part is, its main focus is sustainability – but go before it’s too late.

While a resort is being built in the Maldives, a pretty epic sustainable surfing project has been launched, where you have access to your own private yacht, and clean, uncrowded surf. Now I know what you’re thinking – “why on earth would I want to support a place where they’re taking land away from the locals to build a resort for a bunch or rude tourists to flock to?”

That’s the cool bit – even after the resort is built, the locals still have access to their own land – so the surf can be enjoyed by more than just whoever has the most money.

By keeping the surf uncrowded, that means less abuse to the beach and a better surfing experience…so you can actually enjoy your holiday compared to dealing with the same kind of crowded waves you could catch back home.

The lodging is ideal and ultra welcoming, with earth based tones and fantastic decor. A person can really feel like they’re taken care of in a place where an entirely new concept of the tourism industry is being born.

It’s the perfect spot for when you wanna get away from it all, enjoy a bit of luxury, yet still meet and hang with the locals. If every corporate resort company thought this way, there’d be a lot more business, and a lot more happy people…so good job Thanburudhoo Resort – keep up the good work.

As always…

Stay awesome. 😉

– Rego

Improve Your Lifestyle. Improve Yourself. This is Life. This is Rego’s Life.™

For The Weekenders: Strange Beds, Artistic Camping, Sustainable Surf… is a post from Rego’s Life

For The Weekenders: The Casual Travel Bar 101…

February 20, 2014 by Rego

Alright so finally following up from “For The Weekenders: The Classic Travel Bar 101,” here’s another list of some pretty epic (and discreet) travel bar essentials I like to have handy when I’m looking for a more casual feel. These are great for when you’re at the beach, on a plane, backpacking, or road trips across [insert preferred country here]. Discreet and compact enough to be carried anywhere with you, and unique enough to be the perfect conversation starter, these are must haves for anyone who has a love for all things awesome. Enjoy.

1. Let’s start things off simple. Let’s mix a little bit of casual with classic.

So let’s say you’re out and about at some place in the states. As is the rule of thumb for many places that serve alcohol in America, taking your alcohol outside (even if it’s on the side exit of the building) is strictly prohibited. Public drinking in general really, is pretty taboo out there, while in other countries the laws are a little more loose.

Or let’s just say the cops know how to turn a blind eye. Your choice.

So what do you do when you feel like a quick swig? You pack a flask, naturally.

But let’s be honest – the average size flask isn’t very discreet, and unless you plan on getting sloshed during your transition from one bar, lounge, or club to the next, it doesn’t really make sense to carry out that much liquor anyway. Regular sized flask can be bulky. Obvious. And when you think about it, they were originally intended for inner coat pockets – back when drinking in public was a little more…acceptable.

So here’s something a touch more discreet.

Yeah. You’re welcome. The Izola Private Reserve 3oz Flask is the epitome of discreet. Izola’s flasks in general come in 3 or 5 oz. sizes, but what I like about this one is its aesthetic appeal. “Private Reserve” is just one of the engravings offered on this little 3 oz. flask, so each one can be a unique conversation starter.

It fits in your pocket perfectly without any bulge and if you’re ever throwing back your head in public for a swig nobody will really notice what the hell you’re doing as it fits easily in the palm of your hand. *Shrugs* if anything, people may think you’re taking meds. Take meds and no one bats an eye. Drink in public and (sometimes) all hell may just break loose.

2. Sandals – More Awesome Than You Think. Seriously. Years back I used to be sandals averse…until I saw the light. What is this light I speak of, you ask? Well. First there was the sandal that was drinking ninja level 99 – the Reef Dram. That was tragically discontinued…and from there I pledged that I wouldn’t put on another open toe piece of footwear until I found another sandal that met my thirsty needs.

Then shortly after I found the Reef Fanning and a new era was born. An era where I proudly strutted around public in sandals, outside of my “slumming it” days. Yes, it was a time where polos, walker shorts, and sandals were very much the order of the day.

Why? Because when you need a bottle opener at a party, you NEED a bottle opener. Sure, you can use the old “hang on watch this” trick and risk either chipping your tooth every time or chiseling a piece of someone’s kitchen counter top off, and maybe even using that disposable lighter as a bottle opener is a nice party trick. Key chain bottle openers work too.

But let’s say you don’t wanna chip your tooth. Or someone’s kitchen counter. Or maybe you prefer refillable lighters instead of disposable. Or maybe you don’t feel like something so bulky on your key ring. What do you do then? Let’s put it in a different scenario…

Someone to your liking just so happens to grab a beer or cider from a nearby cooler but oh no – no bottle opener. Your next move? Ever so casually grab that girl’s/guy’s bottle (they’re made for both men and women – the sandal, that is) from them without uttering a word. Pop off the cap in silence. Then turn around and begin to walk off casually. In 3…2…1, prepare to hear a “hey! Wait! That’s so cool – how’d you do that?”

Turn around slowly and smile, while you shuffle back casually saying, “Well…”

Congratulations. You’ve just learned a new party trick.

3. Save The Best For Last. What’s bulky, holds all your money, and something that goes everywhere with you?

Hopefully not your wife.

Hopefully not your husband either. (Because ladies, if your guy has man boobs. He is not a man. Get him a bra. Or a gym membership. Guys – start looking like Daniel Craig. Like, NOW).

But I’m not here to talk about marital issues. Nope. Hopefully most of you answered “wallet” to that question. If you’re wondering how on earth wallets correlate with discreet travel bar essentials (besides buying them, of course), honestly – they have everything to do with them. This one’s purely for the most organized, forward thinking, and discreet among us.

The Credit Card Size Bottle Opener is the PERFECT gift for avid party goers and globe trekkers. Because you need something to open your beer when it’s -4 celsius. Not all weather is fair for sandals. I love this bottle opener because it’s very easy for me to travel with. If there’s one thing you learn after traveling enough it’s the key ring rule – only take whatever keys are vital to you on a trip (House. Car. Gun cabinet. You know, the usual.).

You don’t want to be somewhere in Europe/Asia tagging all your keys with you everywhere – and getting them out to open a bottle is pretty dumb – that’s like getting out your passport to use it as a coaster. Nope, you want something simple, easy to carry, and if anything so thin it slides into your pocket with you not even realizing it’s there. At only 1.5 mm thick making it easy to fit in your wallet (or by itself), and pure stainless steel, this is one accessory I think everyone should have.

Jack Threads has one that’s even cooler than the one above, but hurry, because the sale ends soon.

Sometimes, it’s the little things in life that count. 😉

As always…

Stay awesome.

– Rego

For The Weekenders: The Casual Travel Bar 101… is a post from and first appeared on Rego’s Life

For The Weekenders: Travel Essentials…

October 17, 2013 by Rego

If you’ve been on an airplane at least thrice, you know it can be a little frustrating – especially with all the “security measures” they have nowadays.

airport security meme tsa

The flights that really test your limits and aren’t for the faint of heart are the long haul ones – you know, the ones that are 24-28 hours including layover times.

So I thought I’d compile and share a list of things with you all that help me get through the enjoyable but slightly repetitive process of airport travel. Enjoy.

Travel Essential 1 – A Decent Bag Makes All The Difference

I’m usually – well, no, let’s be honest completely against checked baggage. For numerous reasons, the big 3 being:

I have nice things. I prefer people don’t rummage through my nice things.
I have nice things. I prefer said nice things don’t go missing.
I have nice things. I prefer to…sit with my nice things.

…and in all honesty I always travel with a DSLR camera. That and I’m a minimalist – so the thought of more than one bag sounds horrific. Quick side note – I prefer leather bags over fabric or hard case now as I’ve had bad experiences with both – be it the fabric somehow tearing or the when-advertised “impermeable” (and pricey) hard case cracking…making me wonder if some luggage handlers bring sledge hammers to work for fun. Besides after a long flight all I want to do is relax – not stand around waiting for my bag.

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I have an affinity for weekend bags – even if I’m travelling over 5000 miles, I still travel with a weekend bag. So when I feel like changing them up for the sake of variety, I always make sure my favorites are cleaned, shined, and in tip top shape…but if I had to choose, I would say the one I like most is…

Weekend Discovery Duffel by First & Company

What makes it so great? Well, for one, the look of it alone is enough to admire. The nitty gritty though I’d have to say is because it’s handmade, from Whiskey Batido Leather. It reminds me of something my elders would have back in their day – I don’t like to use this word often but I’m going to – it’s got, dare I say, a “Vintage” look and feel to it…

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…and the fact that it’s lined in micro-fiber suede instead of the other cheap stuff they use for lining nowadays makes it all the more smart and quality purchase. The bag overall is unique so it stands out – meaning when you see it, you know it’s yours.

Travel Essential 2 – Relax…

The next part of flying that can be a nuisance but stress-free if handled correctly – is when you’re…you know, actually on the plane.

I’m not at all the type to develop motion sickness – but instead an annoying “insomnia” – as in, no matter what I do, I can’t fall asleep on a flight if I tried – I’ll go through 4 movies in flight before I fall asleep. Rockstar Energy drinks have always been good uppers for me, though I use them sparsely…what I like more though are their (unfortunately) discontinued Rockstar Relax drinks…

rockstar relax drink, rockstar relax, travel essentials, rego's life

….a lot of my friends always said this drink didn’t do anything for them – but I’m sensitive to this type of stuff – so it does loads for me. Melatonin is not my friend – one little pill and I’m knocked out. So I go for this instead. Comprised of rooibos tea extract, passionflower, and chamomile, it’s just enough to relax instead of render unconscious. The new alternative I’d recommend is Marley’s Mellow Mood, if you wanna stick to the less extreme alternatives such as sleeping pills for long flights.

Travel Essential 3 – When in Rome…Roam.

Layovers can get pretty boring – but are an art. Usually, you want a layover that’s minimum 3 hours and maximum 5.

Reason I say minimum 3 is because some douche bag pilot could wind up flying you around in the air on a connecting flight for double the time it takes then announce over the P.A. he’s been riding on fumes scaring the crap out of surrounding passengers only to say he’s a professional who’s been doing this for 17 years and inevitably make you miss your flight because he has to land in bum fuck nowhere (True story. *nods*)…

douche bag pilot, travel essentials, rockstar relax

…but that’s another story – for another time. Bottom line is, when you’ve got 5 hours to kill in an airport, you wanna be entertained – or at least check the place out. It’s just no fun sitting at the gate all that time. The cure? One little magic app I use called Point Inside Shopping & Travel. It’s like your own little tour guide, showing you the best places to eat, drink, grab a decent diver’s watch, and maybe check out that cigar bar no one knows about but you’ve heard through whispers and paranoid speech. Oh that and it helps you find parking *nods*…good ‘ol parking…

point inside shopping & travel app, point inside, android travel apps, rego's life

It’s practically a GTA/Sleeping Dogs map on your mobile…

So if you’re ever in Incheon International Airport and you find it to be too magnificently large to navigate through, you simply whip out your smart phone and go wild. The app’s available for both iPhone and Android users, so both can enjoy it’s nifty features.

Travel should always be made easier.

Stay Awesome.

– Rego

For The Weekenders: Travel Essentials… is a post from and appeared first on Rego’s Life

The Trouble with Traveling (pushpinsonmaps.wordpress.com)
5 Must Have International Air Travel Accessories (epicatravel.com)
App turns airport waits into a mini holiday (springwise.com)

“Not all those…

September 18, 2013 by Rego

Musings: Quote Wednesdays…

“Not all those who wander are lost.” – J. R. R. Tolkien

Sometimes wandering is the best thing to do…it’s how you find yourself. I did it for a good few years consistently – travelling from here to there, there to here – for almost 2 years I lived practically out of a suitcase just travelling and discovering new places. Now I still travel – but I’ve found a place I can so far call “home” 😉

Wandering is simply discovering. Uncovering….and gaining knowledge. It’s a subconscious desire to question everything, know new places, and unearth new things. Try “wandering” a few times a year, and see how awesome it is.

Stay cool. 😉

Rego

For The Weekenders: Dancing in Hong Kong, Vacations in Cuba, Helicopter Volcano Diving in Siberia

August 1, 2013 by Rego

….So I go to write my Episodic Musings for this Monday and realize somehow I set this post to private *facepalm*…sorry guys. I kicked off this one with a longer than usual intro place – but it’s well worth the read. Enjoy.

Last weekend at my friend’s birthday bash, I danced my ass off…and it got me thinking about my days in Asia – so I thought to myself, “what’s an ace place for a drink and shuffle?” – this is where Socialito came to mind.

As you all know by now I’m alllll about aesthetics – and this place tops the charts.

So picture the setting – you’ve gotten the travel bug itch and find yourself in Hong Kong – Wyndham Street in Central, to be more specific. After taking a walk around town, while both practicing and successfully putting into good work your study of Cantonese, you now find yourself walking with a good group of people you’ve managed to befriend at a bar in passing – along with a certain someone who’s caught your attention in more ways than one. (*wink*). You’re all wondering where to head to next – and suddenly you see it – Socialito, in all it’s magnificent glory with a queue to prove it’s reputation.

Socialito Line

Finally making it through the queue you step inside to a world of awesomeness – great food, numerous people enjoying themselves, and enough alcohol to go around an entire country. Looking over the menu, you and your group decide to sober up a bit before the next round of drinks – and order up scintillating dishes such as house made Chorizo Quesadillas and BBQ Wings – not a fan of poultry or red meat? That’s okay…they also have cod fritters.

Then you realize – with all that food, you’ve gotta have a chaser. Something smooth, but not too smooth – it has to have a kick, memorable enough to recall every time you pour a cold one from your own cocktail shaker back home. So you browse the drink menu, and come across the Mexican Campfire – no explanation needed. I’m a fan of drinks such as these myself – and like a friend of mine once asked in uni – “do you ever buy any drinks that aren’t on fire?” – the only response worth giving, is a smile and wink.

Don’t be fooled – from the front entrance Socialito may look like just a normal restaurant – but shuffle through the kitchen and you’ll discover a dance floor and DJ booth worthy of only the best, such as DJ Ruckus. Walk up to the bar and order a round of shots for your newly found acquaintances and your date for the night, as you casually say “it’s alright guys, this round’s one me.”

Make your way over to the dance floor, feel the beat of the bass from the bottom’s of your feet to the top of your head, and dive into the night – like any good venue, group dancing is acceptable and expected. So go ahead – shake a leg – you deserve it.

DJ Ruckus

Had enough dancing and ready to just lounge around in the sun, but with a bit of class? Well, there’s a fix for that….and believe it or not, it can happen in Cuba. That’s right my friend, Cuba. So for all you Americans, you can once again, thank the guys at Abercrombie & Kent for making it happen. How do they do it? Well, “on the record”, it’ll be like you’re going on a foreign exchange program.

You catch a flight from Miami, and arrive at Santa Clara Airport in Cuba. From there, you meet up with your tour guide – and I know, as anti-tour guide as I am, believe me it’s worth it this time – and take a scenic drive to Caibarién – a refreshing fishing village where the locals explain their daily routine.

You keep going until you check into your hotel, and prepare for the next 8-9 days – which will be involving fishing, taking in the fine arts, cigars, and numerous other things that’ll give you an excuse to bring three SD cards for your Digital SLR. You’ll engage in conversations with local fisherman, revealing how the industry has an impact on the community…which’ll be followed by a visit to the Sugar Museum, housed in the historically important Marcelo Salado Azucarera (sugar mill), that will educate you along similar lines.

After the history lesson your brain will probably be frying with the tremendous intake of info, so you’ll stop at El Curujey for an authentic Cuban farm lunch to refuel, before you head to Remedios for a spot of baseball with the locals at their local stadium. After all that food, resting for 90 minutes prior to jumping into the game is advised – stretching too.

Off the record you’ll be practicing your Spanish and befriending the locals with good food, good music, and better drinks. This doesn’t mean you can ditch the 10 day tour – no, Abercrombie & Kent went through great lengths for their clients to enjoy their stay in Cuba, so going through the ropes of the educational experience in mandatory – and advisable. Remember – the only real way you get to enjoy and come to know a country is by learning about both its history an culture, simultaneously. Do that, and the experience will be more memorable and closer to home than just going there to party your ass off. 😉

So push aside the hangover from the night prior, fast forward to Day 8 and push on with the tour as you take in the sights and smells of a botanical farm while talking to the owners who discuss their continuous efforts to educate today’s kids about organic farming. After all – who wants their kids growing up thinking that all groceries just come from the grocery store (W.T.F.). After, meet back at your hotel with a local physician as he gives you the 411 on Cuba’s public health care session followed by a Q&A. From there, take a load off and relax by the pool – you won’t wanna miss it.

Now that the hangover’s fully cleared and you’ve relaxed with a swim sesh and detox at the gym, it’s time to press on to Day 9 – you’ll check out the “yank tank,” while driving it to historic Hotel Nacional, a national monument built in 1930 and overlooking the Malecon (seaside promenade) and Havana Harbor.

From here, you’ll be enjoying a Buena Vista Social Club-style music and a traditional dance performance, sponsored by the Cuban Institute of Music. After the show you’ll want to (and will be encouraged to) talk with the musicians, getting into deep conversation with them and unearthing what makes them “tick,” and what first got them into music in the first place. Take notes and numbers, learn plenty and befriend many – because Day 10 it’s back to the airport.

hotel-nacional-de-cuba-lounge

So you’ve touched down in Miami International Airport…but your travel bug hasn’t been satisfied just yet. “Well damn,” you think to yourself…”where to next?” Then it hits you – Siberia. Yes…after all that lounging, you want something adventurous, something rugged, something new – as if these past three weeks haven’t been new already. Well, get your steel toe boots ready, because it’s next stop: Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky Airport.

We’re not talking about visiting the hellishly cold Siberia you’ve seen in films and photos, naa…I wouldn’t be that cruel to you guys. Instead, we’re merely talking about volcanoes….and helicopters…maybe some whales – and a couple bears. Okay I lied – a few bears. Wait though – before you say “no thanks” and start off on your transfer flight to wherever, hear me out: helicopters – diving into volcanoes –

Did I mention they’re live volcanoes?

with helicopters.

helicopter

Before all this though, it’d be a good idea to get acquainted with your sleeping quarters – aka lair, if you wanna get fancy and feel a little like you’re in a Bond film. With accommodation where the sun rises up from the Pacific Ocean and greets the summits of smoking volcanoes – you can’t go wrong. Surrounded by epic landscape, we’re talking the epitome of luxury meshed with the ruggedness of the wilderness. They understand that a city slicker like you may be a little soft though – which is why they offer soothing spa treatments with the healing thermal waters of Kamchatka to compliment that insanely sick room of yours.

But enough pampered talk and back to the main subject at hand – volcanoes. Once you’ve seen enough fiery acid spewing at hundreds of feet, you’ll take a 6×6 (yes, not 4×4) tour of a second volcano – and then climb it….all that leg work and sitting on the edge of your seat is bound to work up an appetite – and the guys at 56th parallel have taken that into consideration. So you’ll be provided with a private chef who’ll be joining you on your fishing voyage – and then cooking said fishing voyage bounty right in front of you. Don’t feel bad – it’s not Nemo – just halibut.

No fresh meal is Siberia is complete without quality vodka – it’s Russia – you’re allowed to be a little cliché.

Just be sure to be sober enough to head into the wild with an armed-ranger, who’ll be teaching you to sneak up ninja style on near 1 ton bears and watch as they feast endlessly on salmon at and near Kurilskoye Lake. Having lox and bagels for breakfast is ill-advised and breath mints are encouraged.

bears

A little adventure is always a good way of staying young. 😉

– Rego

For The Weekenders: Dancing in Hong Kong, Vacations in Cuba, Helicopter Volcano Diving in Siberia is a post from and appeared first on Rego’s Life

Rego's Life

Episodic Musings of a Quintessential Entrepreneur

Tag Archives: Travel

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