Paris - To Do 20Aug26 (La Maison d'Isabelle, Notre-Dame Cathedral, Petit Palais)

Paris - To Do
Paris - To Eat

Paris - To Do
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La Maison d'Isabelle
(Opens 6am)
The best croissant 2018
(A take-away place only)


*Coffee available next door and they were nice to allow own pastry whilst I had a cup of coffee with them. Pictured right, patrons who also bought to go.*

La Maison d’Isabelle is famous for winning 1st prize for Best Butter Croissant in Paris & Île-de-France in 2018. It's nice and kind of a by-the-way place to grab-and-go!

Click here for ABBA location of La Maison d'Isabelle

You maybe interested in some these notable Churches to visit which are located nearby.

The Church of Saint Etienne-du mont and Glise Saint-Sulpice located nearby.

*Early morning photography waiting for Notre-Dame Cathedral to open*

Notre-Dame Cathedral
(Opens 7:50am free to enter)
8am mass

*Taken at Dawn and upon exit*

A re-visit to Notre-Dame when a fire tore through the castle on 15April2019, taking about 5 1/2 years to restore. The construction took around 200years and their most famous relic would be having the crown of thorns on which laid on Jesus head during his crucifixion.

ABBATips:
- There's a separate queue for mass. 
- The Gift shop is only open at 930am.
- The Crown of Thorns is now only displayed every Friday from 3-6pm and on the first Friday of each month. 

*Pic bottom left, Bouquiniste Paris store with painting of Notre Dame. These classic green boxes are where second hand books, old print and postcards are sold. Its a thing all onto itself and great to check out when they open (click to find out more). Pic Right, Angel and gargoyle peeking from above.*

*Staff clothing coincidentally matching Mother Mary's ascension to heaven.*

Access to the murals, statues, relics and most famously the Crown of Thorns, which according to Christian tradition, Roman soldiers placed on Jesus' head during his crucifixion to mock him as “King of the Jews.”

*The story of Jesus Christ*

*Murals depicting the lift and resurrection of Jesus with John the Baptist on the left baptizing Jesus, and on the right St Thomas often known as Doubting Thomas.*

*Where the crown of thorns would be on display only on Fridays 3-6pm*

Click here for original posting of Notre-Dame cathedral before the fire and tour of the tower.

Petit Palais
(Opens from 10am)
Free to enter

*Looking like the pearly gates. Absolutely stunning entrance.*

The place was built for the (1900) World's fair, which the Eiffel tower (1889) was also constructed for. 

*There's a cafe and garden space where you can get a snack of meal.*

The Petit Palais houses a broad collection of French and European art from Antiquity to the early 20th century, with particular strengths in 19th-century painting, Impressionism, sculpture and decorative arts. Really nice to see more modern pieces included in to the mix of art works.

“Glory to the Vanquished.” A winged figure carrying a fallen Soldier.
It commemorates France's defeat in the Franco-Prussian War (1870–71)

*Pic corner right, a sculpture of two women in a brawl.*

*Giving off pop art feel like at Straat Museum AMS which is an amazing experience!*

*More modern depictions of Jesus.*

*Undeniably Monet. Fan of Monet, there is a large collection at Musee De L' orange.

*The Portrait of Sarah Bernhardt, the famous French actress at age 32 (1876) by Georges Clairin is one of the Petit Palais's star paintings.*

Really nice range house in beautiful architecture. Best of all its free to enter and arriving as the gates open was a spectacle onto itself. They've got water refills and lockers on-site if you'd like a more hands free movement. 

There are so many art museums each having their distinct ambience and pieces. Here are some of the notable ones that are amazing ones that are worth visiting.
CDG - Musee D'Orsay. Not only is the space interesting, they too have lots of famous pieces from various artist that are amazing. They have really powerful and impressive sculptures on display as well.
NYC - Moma. Surprisingly, loads of incredibly famous pieces from Warhol, Monet, Dali and more.

AMS - Straat Museum. A cool location in an abandoned factory warehouse, very industrial look and feel with street art. Something really different from the classics. Worth checking out. 

Click here for ABBA location of Petit Palais

San - Francisco 12Aug26 (Day Trip out to Angel Island State Park)

San Francisco - To Do
San Francisco - To Eat

SFO - To Do

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Day Trip out to Angel Island
Departs Ferry Building Gate B


*Catching the F-Tram. Only ones on the tram.*

*Plenty of options and small bites available at the Ferry Terminal*

ABBATip:
- Payment is simple. Contactless credit card or clipper it still charges the same at USD10/way for Adults.
- Ride is about 30mins long and there are toilets on board. 
- Bring a water bottle. There's only one shop at the start of the location, however there are toilets located sporadically at each of the rest spots.

* Another view point and option apart from Blue & Gold Ferry, 
and Red and White Cruise Ship Tour.*

Angle Island State Park
Click here for scheduled timing

Depart 0925am-0955am
Return 235pm-305pm

Apart from the views of the bay area, there are four main attractions. Ayla Cove (where you arrive), Angel Island Immigration Station, Fort McDowell, the summit and of course the views. 

Entry to the national park is free the enter and there are a couple of ways to enjoy the island. Tram, walking and cycling. 

*The guide was beautifully entertaining and engaging on the routes and gave great estimates. Discuss with him which would you be your best options.*

Getting Around:

Tram: USD18/pax

Tour trams takes an hour. An audio guide plays as you go along with short stops in between for photo takings. (Does not bring cover the summit of Mt Livermore)
You don't have to stay on the entire trip and can get off at any stop. It is not a hop-on hop-off option but you could walk the last leg to cover to the peak. 

Bicycle: USD16/hr for standard bikes or 26USD/hr for E-Bikes.

Great way to enjoy the island but there are certain attractions have no access and would require you to walk. 

Hiking (Free)

Free to do but prepared to walk. Its about 12km+++ or greater which covers most of the views on all sides and to make it up the summit. Trails are fairly easy to walk with some areas requiring some care to traverse. Good shoes, have a water bottle and there are toilets and water fountains at most of the main attractions. 

Ayla Cove

You're received at Angel's island. Toilets, cafes, tour and rentals all start from here. So is the gift shop which closes at 1430hrs. 

*Most of the routes are well paved and easy to naviage.*

*Some of the local wildlife that we spotted.*

Angel Island Immigration Station
(The most historically significant attraction on the island.)

*There's a free to enter museum to tell you more and you can ring this bell.*

Fort McDowell

Former military area with WWI and WWII-era buildings left in their original state which really gave of the feels and one could feel the weight of its history. The buildings aren't structurally safe and can't be entered.

Summit of Mt Livermore & Sunset Trail


Sunset Trail
(Most of the views seen below were seen along the Sunset Trail)

Beautiful elevated views of the bay area, the Golden Gate Bridge, Sausalito and more. Fantastic! The last leg is a long zigzag trail to descend, brining you back to Ayla Cove. 

*Sweeping views San Francisco – Oakland Bay Bridge*

*The Golden Gate Bridge.*
- Click here for an easy cycling along the bay to the Golden Gate Bridge for Sunrise

*Views of the Belvedere, a scenic, affluent residential enclave*

*Loads of photo spots along the way!*

Amazing day out where I'd say spending 4hrs of would be about just right. Not too rushed and can finish most of the attractions. A full day is possible but you'd either have to bring food along or purchase food, only available at Ayla Cove. Great if looking for some exercise and views to boot.

For a easy hike on the bay area side, one could consider an easy Lands End hike (click here for more) 

You maybe interested in these other island hopping day trips
- Alcatraz Island, SFO
- Governor's Island in NYC
- Roosevelt Island in NYC

- Singapore's Kusu Island

Male - To Do 22Jul26 (OBLU Xperience Ailafushi)

Male - To Stay
Male - To Do
Male - To Eat

Male - To Stay
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OBLU Xperience Ailafushi

*Remember to wear proper shoes for the gym!*

*Free to enjoy mocktails and cocktails depending on your package.

Night time the party gets going.*

ABBATip:
- Stick within the red buoys. The currents are strong.

- Bring sport shoes! You need proper shoes to workout in the gym! Else no entry. Only allowed static workouts.
- Underwater restaurant can only be viewed if dining in for a three course meal at USD120++/pax.
- Rooms have own life jackets to use. Bring your own snorkeling gear if you wanna save on rental at USD8+ for the works. Else you can hit the water any time!
- Not much marine life. Most of sea life accumulate around the rocks or corals and are generally beyond the breakwater.

Enjoying the space

*Plane watching.*

*The underwater restaurant which sits about 6m deep. Photo below taken from online.

Only can be viewed with dining at USD120/pax for 3 course meal. *

*The swimming pool and one of the beaches in front of the villas.*

*Some prices for activities to be done.*

*Other wing*

*Staff constantly moving.*

Sunrise

Mid Day

Sunset
(This small 30min window is where the glow is truly amazing.)

*Golden about 30mins before the sun sets.*

*Everyone getting their shots in.*

*Dusk*
Enjoy Spotting Wild Life

*Free Roaming everywhere.*

*There are black-tip reef sharks and are pretty small in size.*

*Like a beautiful piece of modern art.*

*Enjoying the little things.*

*Team crab all over the island rocks.*

The Food!

*Beautiful spaces to dine in.*

*Breakfast. Wonderful that they serve local Maldivian cuisine.*

*Lunch spread.*

*Dinner offers the best stuff. If you had to choose this is the best of the three to go for.*

The island I think has a decent size to do some exercises. The food's pretty decent and the facilities are also quite adequate. Not as much animals and sea life to enjoy as at Kurumba and it felt the currents here were a little stronger. The beaches were a little sparse and mostly dead corals.

The walk out onto the long bridge was very picturesque as was the dining spots and food variety offered. 

You maybe interested in another island, Kurumba (Male), click for full review.