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The perfect boutique hotel for a quick stop in Manila

I’m not a fan of big cities. I try to avoid them and escape to the less crowded smaller towns. I imagined Manila as a congested and dark city. So I tried to exclude it from my stopover in the Philippines. But, I kind of had no choice. I had to stay overnight to catch my morning flight to Palawan islands. So, I looked for a hotel that was close enough to the airport but not the typical dull…

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#Manila #Philippines

What to do in Zanzibar

I visited Zanzibar back in 2013. In fact it was my first solo trip ever. Since then I’ve been wanting to go back and see more of Zanzibar. It really was one of the peaceful places I’ve been to. While this little island attracted a lot of tourism buzz from all over the world in the last few years. Ultimately many 5 star resorts have opened. I remember back in the days of prepping for my trip I…

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#Africa #stone town #Tanzania #Zanzibar

Why did I vacation in Mauritania?

I’ve always been curious about Mauritania for the past couple of years. I really wanted to visit it but I wanted to go when the time was right. I decided to visit Mauritania on the first opportunity I got in 2018. It was a real dream that came true and it was sweeter than I have ever imagined. I traveled solo as I usually do when exploring a new territory.

Why Mauritania?

It is one of the few…

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#Africa #Mauritania

Starting 2018 on top of Africa

Sometime in October at the mid of a photography assignment I received a call from a friend asking me if I want to climb Mount Kilimanjaro over New Years. Without thinking I immediately said yes!

I was in no physical shape fit to climb a mountain and I didn’t even know what sort of preparation is needed to climb a mountain. But, I knew I can do whatever it takes and I knew I wanted to do this.…

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#Africa #hiking #kilimanjaro #Tanzania

Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort glass igloo experience (video)

Lapland Finland wasn’t even on my radar and certainly Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort wasn’t on my wish list for the year. Lapland, Finland was the highlight of my Autumn Nordic Trip. You can read more about my trip here. To say it accurately the whole Nordic trip was organized and tailor-made after I was invited to stay at Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort.

Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort

Imagine…

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#Finland #Lapland #resort

Nordic trip - An unexpected detour

Nordic trip – An unexpected detour

Nordic trip was arranged with a blink of an eye. It was strange this time that I was so undecided where to go for Eid holidays. I kept jumping from one plan to the other. Ironically Iceland was part of that initial plan but I wasn’t in the mood for a cold place so I chose an island destination. I wanted to be one with nature and get away from the world. Little that I knew that the universe had…

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#Denmark #Finland #Nordic #Sweden

First time in Cuba Travel guide: Tips, Itinerary and Things to do

No doubt Cuba has been on my wish list for the longest time. My dream to visit Cuba started few years ago, ultimately I made it happen. In fact I wanted to see Cuba before it gets taken over by Starbucks, KFC and high-speed WiFi cafes. Of course Cuba have already changed but still the change is slow and the real Cuba is visible.

Havana, Cuba

Traveling to Cuba was like traveling through time.…

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#Cuba #Havana #Trinidad #Vinales

Santani Wellness Resort a real jewel in Kandy SriLanka

For few days I escaped from my busy life in Bahrain and went to absolute tranquility paradise. I wanted to detox mentally and physically so I started searching for a quick escape destination and I decided to go to Kandy in Sri Lanka. The moment I found Santani Wellness Resort’s page online I knew this was the perfect place for me and I was right!

Perfect outdoors area

4:00 am I arrived to…

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#resort #Sri Lanka

Analog Singapore travelling with 35mm film camera

I’m getting to love travelling with only an analog camera. There is always the pleasure of not having to return home carrying hundreds and maybe thousands of digital photos to go through. 35mm film camera and a number of rolls is all I had to worry about during my last trip to Singapore.

Singapore Street

I was in Singapore for a short trip but I managed to sneak out after my busy work schedule. I…

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#35 mm #Singapore

Japan 101 – My First solo backpacking trip in Sakura season

Japan had been on my mind for a long time. I always dreamed of travelling to Japan in Sakura “Cherry blossom” season. First and foremost without a doubt 2016 had been a remarkable travel year for me, the remarkable part definitely includes Japan.

Happy Sakura taxi

Within a month I decided to plan my Sakura trip and do it backpacking. I wasn’t sure if I will reach in time to see Sakura blooms but…

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#Asia #Backpacking #Japan #Sakura

2016 A year or Travel, Experience and Accomplishments

2016 has been a marvelous year, a year I will always remember for its accomplishments and getting over many implanted fears and phobias.

When I look back thinking what was the biggest achievement of the year and whether I reached my goals, I can’t think of a single event. I had my first solo exhibition, traveled to 50 countries which was my target (must think of a bigger goal now!),…

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#2016

Rooms hotel Tbilisi

There are many great hotels around the world but let’s be real if this hotel was good enough for Sophia Loren to stay then it should be very special!

It doesn’t take much to fall in love with Rooms hotel Tbilisi. “Rooms” is part of the international group Design Hotels. I fell in love with the hotel the moment I stepped foot in the building.

Moi at Rooms hotel Tbilisi

Visionary owner Temur…

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#Georgia #Hotels #Tbilisi

Tbilisi the city that loves you

As soon as I stepped foot in Tbilisi she (yes she’s a she) greeted me with her beautiful vibe and free WIFI public network “Tbilisi loves you”!

Old Tbilisi

I’ve heard many people rave about their love for Tbilisi. I tried hard to resist the love trap but I just couldn’t! I just fell for Tbilisi. What’s not to love I mean they have delicious food, friendly people and good vibe.

Even though the…

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#Caucasus #Georgia #Tbilisi

10 days Backpacking the Caucasus

I just returned from an amazing backpacking trip to the Caucasus. In 10 days I visited Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia. Even though I travelled with a backpack (I love my Tortuga backpack) I’m still not sure if I can call myself a backpacker? I mean I do stay in nice hotels and use taxis if they are within my budget.

Old Tbilisi

The trip was educational and entertaining at the same time. I…

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#Armenia #Azerbaijan #Caucasus #Georgia

Blessed Eid

With all the daily news of bloodshed spilt all over the world, one can only wish Peace for the world. Wishing peace and harmony and love to everyone. Have a blessed and happy Eid Mubarak.

I took this photo last year during Eid Al Fitr in Bali.

Balinese Muslim women congratulate each other for Eid

As usual I will be off for another adventure in Eid. You can stalk me on snapchat or Instagram…

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#Bali #Eid

A nostalgic trip to Andalusia

Like all Arabs I grew up hearing about the lost Islamic Kingdom of Al Andalus (Andalusia) we learned about those prosperous times and the events that followed. I always dreamed of visiting Andalusia I just wasn’t sure how, when or where to start.

Alhambra palace

Beside what I learned in school curriculum, I wanted to know more of what happened after the fall. I read a lot of books and novels…

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#Andalusia #Spain

From where I stand

I’m not sure when exactly I started taking “From where I stand” series. But I’m so glad I started documenting my travels this way. From beautiful beaches, wildflowers to Mediterranean tiles, this style has made appreciate the world bottom up. The best addition to my FWIS series were the customized Wanderlust Toms shoes I ordered from Etsy. These shoes became a travel essential and they do…

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#instagram

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