8 CARRY ON ESSENTIALS FOR LONG HAUL FLIGHTS

I thought I would do a bit of a different post and just do some of my favourite long haul travel essentials for your carry on. Obviously this doesn't include things like toothpaste or deodorant because that should be a given... but these are 8 things I always have in my carry on so that I can feel as fresh as possible when stepping off the plane. They are all under the 100ml limit and can easily fit in a smaller makeup bag within your carry on but are also great no matter what climate you are travelling to and from. Let me know if any of you like this type of post and want me to do some more ! x

1. LIP BALM: 

Eve Lom Kiss Mix Lip Treatment, $30.00 Mecca Cosmetica

2. EYE CREAM: 

Origins Dr Weil Mega Bright Eye Cream, $55.00 Mecca Cosmetica

3. ROSEHIP OIL: 

(My favourite thing to use on planes, it is a small bottle with a dropper but completely gets rid of dry skin on flights! Sometimes I just mix a bit in with moisturiser if my skin isn't too dry).

Grown Alchemist Antioxidant Facial Oil, $24.95 David Jones

4. HAIR BRUSH: 

Tangle Teezer Compact in Feline, $34.95 Hairhouse Warehouse

5. FACE WIPES/MAKEUP REMOVER WIPES: 

Nivea Refreshing Cleansing Wipes (25), $7.50 Priceline

6. HAND CREAM: 

Crabtree & Evelyn Caribbean Island Hand Therapy (25g), $12.00 Crabtree & Evelyn

7. HYDRATING SPRAY: 

(This is the best thing when you are feeling dry or too hot on the plane, 1 spray makes you so refreshed and it smells really good).

Lush Breath of Fresh Air Toner Water, $9.95 Lush Cosmetics 

8. FRAGRANCE ATOMISER: 

(This basically allows you to put your own favourite perfume into this little tube so that you don't have to carry a glass bottle on a trip, but also is under the 100ml limit and is easy to put in a carry on or handbag). 

Travalo Excel in Silver, $20.00 Travalo 

** All prices are in AUD but majority of these things can be found online through international sites. 

AMARCORD IN SAKARUN, CROATIA

During our week sailing along the Dalmatian Coast in Croatia we stopped in so many bays on so many little islands it was hard to keep track (separate blog post on the week is coming). One of the bigger ones we stayed at is called Dugi Otok, with a dramatically different landscape compared to most other islands in the area. 

While most were hilly and rocky, Dugi Otok is particularly known for its white sand and complete lack of hills (thank god after all those damn hikes). We stayed in Sakarun, a little bay on the island which can easily be reached by ferry from the city of Zadar. Although there wasn’t too much on that side of the island, we went for a little explore and found an old man renting beach chairs out of his caravan and a cool restaurant bar just off the shore. Amarcord opened up in Sakarun 5 years ago, boasting that cool tropical vibe you would immediately expect from a little island. The white and blue wooden building sits perfectly amongst the trees while also showing off some of the best views of the clear blue water. At night, the handmade straw lights create even more of an atmosphere with the eclectic mix of music echoing throughout the shore of the island. If you ever find yourself on the Dalmatian coast, Sakarun and in particular Armarcord is definitely worth a visit, even if it is just for the amazing mojitos!

    https://www.facebook.com/amarcordinsakarun

FOOD IN BUDAPEST, HUNGARY

So as I have been in Budapest the last couple of days I thought I would do a little post on some of the food places I found or some suggestions if you’re lucky enough to be heading over there soon! This post is quite long so I will do a separate post soon on things to see or do during the day and the best parts of the city to see. 

As I was only there for a short time I wanted to try some authentic Hungarian food (it can be quite similar to Czech food too) and was recommended a couple of places from a friend of my dad’s. Regos Vendeglo Es Falatozo was by far my favourite, located in the 6^th District of Budapest (on the Pest side). The restaurant is below street level and is one of those places that is easiest to just give the taxi driver the address. The décor is typically European with amazing authentic food to match (the prices were also extremely cheap; a meal for 4 including a bottle of wine cost $45). If you do visit Regos Vendeglo you have to try the Pancakes "Hortobágy" Style, they were amazing and the best I could find in the city (trust me I had it at every meal in different places). 

The other typical Hungarian restaurant was AranyHordo, located in a beautiful spot in the castle district of Buda. The décor inside particularly in the underground part was also quite European, but the service was not very good (and I may or may not have had an argument with a waitor in broken English). The Castle area itself is scattered with restaurants so it is worth having a look around at a few places.

While we were there, the Czech Beer Festival was on in the city, with stalls held around a park filled with different types of alcohol and plenty of sausages. My favourite stall was Kolbice, which was basically bread cones filled with mini sausages and toppings like cheese and onions (so good). Kolbice does have stands throughout the city too, so I would 100% recommend scouting one of those out!

For something a bit fancier or if you feel like a nice dessert head to the New York Café. Yes I know it sounds strange going to a New York café in Budapest but if you try the Crunchy Hazelnut Cake or the Passionfruit Ganage you will understand why I’m suggesting it. The inside of the cafe is overly dramatic with chandeliers everywhere and old paintings on the roof (like who is going to look at that when there’s cake in front of them…?). They do serve lunch and dinner there also but if you are a student or on a budget it can be quite pricey.

Lastly, if you are in Budapest for a bit longer and get over the Hungarian food a great place to go is the Hummus Bar. They have cute outdoor seating on the street and serve large plates of salad with falafels or meat which can be a great break if you have been stocking up on all that heavy Eastern European food. Apart from the Hummus Bar the whole street (Október 6. U) is lined with great food places like a Pad Thai wok bar, a soup place and a cool wine bar called Innio.

Regos Vendeglo Es Falatozo

Budapest, Szófia u. 33, 1068 Hungary

http://www.regosvendeglo.hu

Aranyhordó Étterem

Budapest, Tárnok u. 16, 1014 Hungary

http://www.aranyhordovendeglo.hu

New York Café

Budapest, Erzsébet krt. 9-11, 1073 Hungary

http://www.newyorkcafe.hu

Kolbice

Budapest, 1054, Hold u. 13, 1054 Hungary

https://www.facebook.com/KOLBice

Hummus Bar Budapest

Budapest, Október 6. u. 19, 1051 Hungary

http://www.hummusbar.hu

Innio Wine Bar

Budapest, Október 6. u. 9, 1051 Hungary

http://www.innio.hu

OLOMOUC, CZECH REPUBLIC

Olomouc is one of the larger cities in the Czech Republic and is less than 2 and a half hours away from both Vienna and Prague (and about an hour and a half from the small village that my family is from). The best way to get there is by train as it is the quickest but also quite pretty to see the countryside, particularly in summer.

 As an old university town the buildings are a combination of beautiful traditional buildings and the more modernised structures from the communist era (i.e. big concrete blocks – not very pretty), which are all best explored by foot or by the local tram! Olomouc is the perfect day trip with lots to see and obviously lots of beer to drink (considering the average price for beer in the Czech Republic is around $1.70 AUD or as low as 50c in my family’s village). Apart from walking through the countless old side streets, the main things I would recommend to see are:

1. The Upper Square (sometimes hosting little food stalls with beer, sausages and cheese – classic Czech)
2. The Holy Trinity Column – also in the Upper Square: and old monument built as a thanksgiving for the end of the plague
3. The Town Hall - with astrological clocks, also in the Upper Square
4. The University Faculty of Philosophy Building and its surrounding grounds - (my cousin studies at the University and mentioned that the University library is also interesting to see)
5. Tvarůžková Cukrárna – a small Czech bakery based on the famous cheese

** Try the thick circular sticks that are basically chocolate wrapped in wafer (so good). They also sell the famous “smelly cheese” here (Tvarůžky) but if you’re not feeling as brave try the deep fried version at Hanácká Hospoda.

** Chocolate wafer roll from Czech bakery listed below

Tvarůžková Cukrárna

Denisova 13

779 00 Olomouc

http://www.tvaruzkovacukrarna.cz/en/index.php

Hanácká hospoda

Dolní nám. 27/38

779 00 Olomouc

5 HOURS IN SINGAPORE

A lot of people I know have been to Singapore before or even lived there for a little while but this was actually my first time visiting. The first thing that hit me quite literally when I stepped off the plane, was the heat and humidity. (Do not wear jeans outside you will 100% regret it). Although I was slightly disappointed I was only there for a short stop over, we tried to fit a few things in to the afternoon.

The most obvious sight to see is the Marina Bay Sands Hotel. With its strange boat like exterior and ridiculous views that give the Top of the Rock a run for its money, this is definitely not one to miss. There is an infinity pool for the guests and numerous bars up on the rooftop serving ridiculously priced alcohol but the trip up top is so amazing you almost forget you’re afraid of heights (almost).

The next thing we squeezed in was Clarke Quay, a historical and colourful village now home to hundreds of restaurants, shops and nightlife. Even if you’re not planning on grabbing food here, the walk along the quay is still fascinating. The buildings and architecture were nothing like I expected (I also didn’t expect to see a Hooters but there you go). 

Hopefully I will get back to Singapore sometime soon for a longer trip so if anyone has any recommendations I would love to hear them!

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO

If I'm being entirely honest, my interest in Cabo was really only brought on by watching The Hills when I was younger. It is the typical long weekend getaway for LA locals, as it’s only a short plane ride away. It is one of those places that is beautiful and relaxing by the beach in your hotel, and as long as you generally do not venture too far from there, it tends to stay beautiful and relaxing. 

When you Google Cabo San Lucas (like I did numerous times before visiting), you are quite literally swamped with the classic blue water and ‘pretty’ rocks photos, conveniently leaving out the seedy town itself. If you do decide to stay on the coastline or around your resort, a great thing to do is to kayak to the Arch of Cabo San Lucas; it really is picturesque. Definitely invest in a waterproof case for your phone for this one!

If however you are feeling a little brave and adventurous, skip the town of Cabo all together (don’t waste your time) and hop on a bus to San José del Cabo for a little day trip. This town is full of cobblestone streets with old buildings and cool restaurants. For what seems like ‘real Mexican food’ head to Mi Casa; i.e. the brightest blue building you can find in the area and try The El Choriburro. (It was the best burrito I have ever had in my life - sorry Chipotle). If you have the time I would also recommend checking out Galeria Corsica, as San José is a historical art district and this gallery has some of the most amazing works.

**The bus cost around $20 round trip from our hotel, but everywhere will be different depending on where you stay.

www.micasarestaurant.com/mx

Alvaro Obregon 19

Art District

San José del Cabo

www.galeriacorsica.com

Alvaro Obregon 15

Colonia Centro 23400

San José del Cabo