Tag Archives: Tropical

Travel |

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Can’t Miss Sites in Singapore

An island city in South East Asia, Singapore has grown exponentially over the years, and with so much to see and do, there is no chance whatsoever that you could ever be bored here. From the spectacular beauty of the Botanic Gardens to the unforgettable flavors of the local street food, these are some of the sites that you definitely should not miss out on when in Singapore.

Singapore Botanic Gardens

Singapore Botanic Gardens
The Singapore Botanic Gardens was founded in 1859, making it almost 160 years old. It is the only tropical garden in the world to be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and showcases a wide range of tropical flora and fauna. The prized jewel of the Botanic Gardens is the National Orchid Garden, which boasts over 3000 different orchid and orchid hybrid species, and is always a spectacular sight to see, even for those who are not usually interested in flowers.

Hawker Centres
Singapore is known for being a gastronomic delight, and the hawker centers that can be found just about everywhere around the island, are the best places to sample true Singaporean cuisine. There are a number of local dishes that everybody should try, including Char Kway Teow, Hainanese Chicken Rice, and Chilli Crab.

Chinatown, Singapore

Chinatown
To truly immerse yourself in some of Singapore’s heritage, a visit to Chinatown is a must. While British colonization may have driven away some of the Chinese population that has lived here for over 700 years, the architecture still remains, giving you a fantastic insight into the city’s past and contrasting magnificently with the skyscrapers looming in the distance. From temples and mosques to night markets and roadside stalls, this is a vibrant part of the city that is always fun to explore. There are also a few museums here worth visiting, such as the Chinatown Heritage Centre, the Peranakan Museum and the Asian Civilizations Museum.

Orchard Road
Stretching out for over 2km, Orchard Road is the most famous shopping street in Asia, and with good reason. From luxury brands to local labels, this area really is a shopper’s paradise, and would take quite a few days to fully explore. If you are short on time, the two local department stores, Robinsons and TANGS, are likely to be able to provide everything that you need.

Sentosa

TK Kurikawa / Shutterstock.com

Sentosa
The island of Sentosa can provide as much entertainment, from beachside bars to rainforest walks to theme parks to sprawling casinos. The best way to get there is by cable car, as this gives you a gorgeous view, and, once there, the options seem almost endless. For those who want to see more than what they can fit into a day, there are a number of luxury hotels and resorts on the island where you can spend the night.

With over 15 million tourists visiting the island each year, Singapore can often seem quite crowded and busy, but this is where the city’s exciting energy comes from. A melting pot of influences from all over the world, Singapore is a one-of-a-kind destination, providing you with a vacation like no other.

Travel |

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Exploring “Rock City” Beaches

The tropical Caribbean island of St. Thomas, often referred to as Rock City, as it is made up of one big mountain, is the most developed of the US Virgin Islands, but still has a number of spectacular natural sights that are worth visiting. Among these are its beaches, with over 40 different stretches of sun-drenched sugary sand to choose from.

Magens Bay

Little Magens
Magens Bay is the most popular beach on St. Thomas, but it is also one of the busiest, which can often be frustrating for those seeking out some peace and tranquillity. Fortunately, along Magens Bay’s Peterborg Peninsula, there are a number of sandy coves to be found, with Little Magens being the largest of them all. With no road or parking available, Little Magens may be harder to access than Magens Bay, but the way in which it is so sparsely populated makes the effort worthwhile.

Vessup Bay
Vessup Bay is one of the island’s less developed stretches of coastline and features a long stretch of glimmering white sand, as well as calm waters that are ideal for swimming. Since this area is less developed, there is a great variety of local plants all along the shoreline, from cacti to sea grape trees, as well as plenty of sea grass that gets washed up onto the shore.

Bolongo Bay
A beautiful beach that is lined with coconut palm trees, Bolongo Bay is often quiet, meaning that you can enjoy a peaceful and relaxing day. Since there is a fantastic restaurant and bar located on the beach, it is quite easy to spend the whole day here, snacking away on local dishes and sipping on tropical cocktails. For those who want some more action, Bolongo Bay also has a watersports concession stand, where you can rent out water bikes, kayaks, and other equipment.

Brewer's Bay

Brewer’s Bay
Lying adjacent to the University of the Virgin Islands, Brewer’s Bay is an exceptionally clean beach, and this is largely down to the fact that it is regularly maintained by students of the university. The beach is filled with beautiful sea shells and other treasures, while the road in front of it is lined with food trucks that sell a range of local street snacks, from Johnny cakes to salted fish to burgers.

Secret Harbour
Secret Harbour is home to one of the best snorkeling spots on the island, with turquoise waters and a coral reef that are simply teeming with fish. There are palm trees scattered across the beach, giving it quite the tropical vibe, and a large floating raft anchored in the middle of the bay, which is perfect for soaking up the sun, and plenty of fun for children to play on. This is another beach that has a highly rated beach bar and restaurant, making it another popular spot for those who want to spend the day lounging on the pristine white sand.

The beaches around the Caribbean are known all over the world, and St. Thomas is home to several spectacular ones. From the intimacy of Little Magens to the tropical marine life in the Secret Harbour, these beaches are all worth exploring when visiting Rock City.

Lifestyle |

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Travel-Inspired Fashion Designers to Watch For – OROGOLD Reviews

Models walking down the ramp in a fashion show.

A travel experience can leave a long-lasting impact on a person, hugely influencing the way in which they see the world, as well as the work that they do. This is the case for many fashion designers, both up and coming as well as established, who find a constant stream of inspiration from traveling, creating fantasy-like collections that are not only desirable, but also extremely wearable.

Marchesa
Marchesa was founded by duo Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig, who came up with the idea for the brand whilst travelling in India. Since then, they have continued to travel extensively around the world, to places such as Peru and the Dominican Republic, and have used these travels as inspiration for collections. A recent collection showcased the duo’s take on a wardrobe that can easily be packed, and featured printed loose pants and peasant tops. They also recently launched the Marchesa Voyage Exclusive Collection, with garments inspired by their global travels. In addition to being inspired by travel, the duo are designing for other women who also love to travel, whether for business or for pleasure, with many collections being influenced by the excitement of visiting and exploring a new place.

Matthew Williamson
Matthew Williamson set up his label in 1997, after his love of travel inspired him to become a designer. Cornering the jet-set, bohemian market, Matthew Williamson gained a strong following for his use of bold colors and kaleidoscopic prints. He continues to travel at least once a month to seek out inspiration for new collections, with some of his favorite destinations being Marrakech, Mykonos and Beirut. Kerala, in India, is of particular inspiration to him, reminding him of a more beautiful version of Venice, and providing him with plenty of ideas for spring and summer collections that exude a relaxed and earthy way of life. The team at Matthew Williamson have recently announced a new website that will offer free global shipping and six smaller collections, rather than two larger ones, making his travel-inspired clothes more accessible.

Ulla Johnson
Ulla Johnson launched her line in 2000, shortly after graduating from university, and subsequently produced collection after collection inspired by her travels around the world. The garments are effortlessly chic, with a bohemian quality. In addition to using her travels to inspire the designs, Ulla Johnson also uses traditional techniques from around the world to construct her garments, such as knitwear that has been hand-loomed in Peru and Shibori prints that were hand-dyed in India. She has also recently launched some denim pieces and swimwear, all with the fine tailoring and custom embroidery that has become synonymous with her brand.

Travel, with the excitement of exploring a new destination and experiencing an adventure, will continue to influence fashion designers for seasons to come. Whether they use travel as inspiration for new ideas, or create new garments that are aimed to be travel-friendly, all designers seem to be united by the fact that they all share this exciting and never-ending source of inspiration.