Inspirations
IS IT WORTH VISITING ECOCUDA?
On November 16 and 17, my Orientana brand took part in the Ekocuda natural cosmetics fair in Warsaw for the umpteenth time. We have been associated with this concept from the very beginning – for seven years! I remember that the idea worked right away and there were crowds of visitors and buyers at the Jabłkowski Brothers House from the first edition. A few years ago, the natural cosmetics market was already on the rise and it was obvious that there was a great interest in cosmetics as well as a growing number of producers and importers. Today, there are even more of them! And this time, for two days, there were crowds of enthusiasts of natural cosmetics at the Centrum Praskie Koneser. This year's autumn edition was attended by about 200 companies and was visited by about 27,000 people. Most of the exhibitors are still small brands, for which it is a great place to present themselves. For customers, it is a great opportunity to test different natural cosmetics in one place. NATURAL SOAPS. BODY SCRUBS AND BODY BUTTERS The largest number of exhibiting companies offer natural bar soaps. Soap is the easiest cosmetic to make, although it is laborious. The offer of exhibiting companies was dominated by various types of soaps, with different scents and colors. There were also many body scrubs and balms. These types of cosmetics are relatively easy to make without major investments in production. They have simple recipes and practically anyone who has time and buys the right ingredients can make these natural cosmetics at home. Larger brands presented their new products. Orientana showed the latest natural Glow masks . MEETING WITH AN EXPERT For many customers, Ekocuda is a way to get to know the cosmetic brand but also to get professional cosmetic advice. Not to be unfounded - the best experts have been working at the Orientana stand for years. These are not random people but those who know everything about our cosmetics, have a cosmetic education and can find a solution to the most difficult problem. They will help you set up natural face, hair and body care. Did you know that all of our girls who are not blondes dye their hair with henna? From them you will learn how to use henna, what to pay attention to and how to choose colors. After all, practice makes perfect! We have had a permanent team for years and I can vouch for their knowledge with my hand on my heart. ECOLOGICAL ZERO WASTE SOLUTIONS Ekocuda is not only a fair of natural cosmetics but also a fair of ecological solutions and a natural lifestyle. For some time now, the Stojo company has been exhibiting at the fair, offering cups. This is a product that will allow us to be zero-waste. You will no longer need a plastic or paper cup, for example, for coffee. I have had my Stojo cup for about a year, I carry it in my purse because it folds to a height of about 2 cm. If I need it, I simply take it out, stretch it, put it under the coffee machine and close it. It is airtight and has allowed me to free myself from disposable cups. I recommend it! My attention at Ekocuda was caught by the Plantale brand, which makes pillows stuffed with plant ingredients. In the offer you will find pillows with buckwheat husk, spelt husk, emmer husk, and even cherry pits! These plant fillers come from certified crops and have health properties. First of all, they perfectly adapt to the shape of the body, fill the space under the neck and thanks to this, keep the spine in a straight position, relax tense muscles, help get rid of migraines and give better sleep. Sounds naturally ideal! In addition to typical pillows, they also have hot water bottles with cherry pits, which you heat up in the oven and put on (they are long) like a scarf around your neck. I tried such a pillow - it relaxes the muscles incredibly. It is a must-have for people suffering from back pain! I also recommend buying beeswax wraps on Ekocuda – they are a great alternative to aluminum foil and disposable bags. Easy to use, reusable and natural. I have been using mine for years. Ekocuda is a natural cosmetics fair that also takes place in other cities. You can also participate in them in Poznań and Gdańsk.
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COMMERCIAL BREAK
At the end of last year we took part in a fantastic photoshoot – of course with Orientana cosmetics in the lead role! Friendly and professional models Mayu and Magda, under the watchful eye of an experienced director, gave it their all! The session took place in a nice atmosphere and the models, who had previously had the opportunity to test our cosmetics, did not have to try too hard to evoke positive emotions on their faces, because they loved Orientana from the first use? It was also very interesting for us to observe the stylist at work, who perfectly selected the outfits for the girls, as well as the hairdresser and make-up artist. As you know, Orientana is natural cosmetics , but the camera and the camera have their own requirements and sometimes it is necessary to gently even out the skin tone or properly style the hair so that it looks perfect in the photos and film. The inventive scenography, great music and inspiring atmosphere made the session a real adventure for us. In addition to unique and original photos, advertising films were also created! You can judge for yourself the results of the work of the entire team involved in this amazing project. We invite you!
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OUR ECO EDUCATIONAL CAMPAIGN AMONG STUDENTS
In March, at the Edward Żółtowski Public Junior High School in Mochów and at the January Insurgents' Primary School in Ligów, an educational campaign took place under the slogan: "Cosmetics from Nature", in which we had our share! The middle school students carried out a project under the same title as part of the campaign. The task of the task teams was to develop answers to the following questions: What features should an ideal facial cosmetic have? What ingredients do conventional cosmetics contain and what do natural cosmetics contain? What do we pay attention to when buying body care cosmetics? The history of the development of cosmetology Chemical compounds used in the production of cosmetics and their effects Cosmetics from a natural pharmacy, or plants in modern cosmetology The students developed the answers in graphic, artistic and multimedia forms. ACTION GOAL The aim of the campaign was to familiarize students with the composition of conventional cosmetics and natural cosmetics for body, hair and face care. The presence of parabens, silicones, foaming agents: SLS, SLES, petroleum derivatives and their effect on the skin condition was indicated in drugstore cosmetics. It was noted that scientists are divided on the issue of their safety. Natural cosmetics are produced using plant-based ingredients obtained from controlled organic farming! ORIENTANA BRAND SHARE Orientana provided the school with materials that were helpful in conducting the campaign, such as catalogues, leaflets and testers. We are glad that we could play our part in this eco-education of these young people. It is great that we teach ecological awareness from the youngest age and explain the differences between natural products and those commonly available – chemical ones. We should explain to our children the negative impact of chemical and artificial ingredients and help them make choices in harmony with nature. Let them become ecologically aware consumers! Bravo to Ms. Ewelina for her great commitment to eco-education and great ideas!
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WHAT IS INDIAN CUISINE
Indian cuisine? It seems like we know it. But do we? I spent many hours with my Indian friends talking about the dishes typical of their region. I spent a lot of time in India exploring and learning about Indian cuisine. India is a diverse country - each region has its own language, culture and cuisine! Different culinary regions combine plants used in the kitchen such as chili pepper, mustard, cumin, turmeric, fenugreek, ginger, garlic, cardamom, cloves, coriander, cinnamon, nutmeg, saffron, rose petals, curry powder and asafoetida (a strong-smelling spice). These ingredients are used in different combinations in different regions. Most of them are also ingredients of Orientana cosmetics Indian cuisine is divided into 4 regions North Indian cuisine is probably the most widespread culinary style outside India. It reflects a strong Mughal influence and is characterised by the significant use of dairy products: milk, paneer (an Indian mild cheese), ghee (clarified butter) and yoghurt are all used regularly in the region's dishes. Samosas, fried dumplings stuffed with potatoes, are a characteristic northern snack. Also popular here are dishes from the clay oven, tandori, roasted meat or naan bread, which have a characteristic charcoal aroma. The cuisine of the West Indies is made up of three main regions: Maharashtra, Gujarat and Goa. Due to its location, fish and coconut milk dominate the cuisine of Maharashtra, while Gujarat cuisine is mainly vegetarian, and many dishes have a sweet flavor due to the influence of Chinese dishes. The region is well known for a dish called chutney. These are slightly spicy preserves made from fresh or pickled vegetables and fruits. They have a sweet, sour or quite hot flavor. Goa was once a Portuguese colony, but today it has a unique blend of Indian and Portuguese culinary elements. Due to its coastal location, fish is popular here. East Indian cuisine is the realm of desserts. Desserts from this region are often found in Indian restaurants outside India because of their wonderful taste. Rasgulla is very popular - a sweet delicacy made of porridge and cheese (chenna), cooked in a light sugar syrup. Mustard seeds, poppy seeds and mustard oil dominate in Eastern cuisine, giving dishes a slight spiciness. Rice and fish also play an important role here. South Indian cuisine is not usually found on Indian restaurant menus and is very different from other regions. Here, curry sauce has a different consistency – more solid than liquid. Sambar, rasam and kootus are three popular stew-like dishes, differing in their basic ingredients and degrees of liquidity. Sambar is a stew of peas and vegetables with a tamarind flavour. Rasam is more like a soup and consists mainly of tomatoes, tamarind and lots of spices. South Indian cuisine is famous for its delicious fried or steamed snacks. This is where Dosa comes from, which I love and which I have already written about on the blog. Utthapams are also popular here – similar to pancakes, but thicker and filled or topped with vegetables. In this region, we can eat very healthy idlis – steamed, as well as vadas, similar to doughnuts with a hole. I hope you are hungry now
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EKOTYKI - NATURAL COSMETICS FAIR
Last Saturday, September 30, we had the opportunity to visit the autumn edition of Ekotyki - Natural Cosmetics Fair. The event took place in a well-known place in Krakow - Forum Przestrzenie. Such events show how strongly and dynamically the natural cosmetics market is developing. On the Western market, the trend of natural cosmetics is no longer a niche, their sales and popularity are increasing twice every year. It is slowly becoming a mainstream trend in Poland, which we can see from the popularity of such fairs, among others. This trend is also starting to be clearly visible on drugstore shelves, where separate shelves are already being allocated for natural care. We are very happy that buyers are starting to attach such great importance not only to healthy food, but also to what they feed their skin. It is impossible not to notice how much awareness and knowledge of customers about the composition of cosmetics is growing, we no longer want to lubricate our skin with unnecessary chemicals, parabens, silicones, wash our hair with harmful surfactants. Each of us wants to know not only what we eat, but also what we use to care for our skin. That is why we read the ingredients with great care, attention and curiosity. Due to the great interest in the first edition of the Ekotyki Fair, which took place in March, it was decided to organize an autumn edition as well. A lot of you showed up in March, but this year the turnout was definitely even bigger. Our stand - the Orientana stand was very popular with you, there were a lot of questions, and we tried to tell each of you as much about our products and brand as possible. You came with your families, friends, neighbors, your significant others. It's wonderful to see that what we do makes sense! We create cosmetics addressed specifically to your needs, we want to help you take care of the beautiful, healthy appearance of your skin, we take great care of the quality of our products and we are extremely pleased with your positive reception! Thank you for such a large attendance and shopping at our oriental stand. And we hope to see you at the next edition of the Ekotyka Fair!
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TEN NOVELS WITH INDIA IN THE BACKGROUND WORTH READING
As it is still the holiday season, some of us have more time to read. Books have been my hobby since childhood and I got to know many countries by reading novels about them before I had the opportunity to visit them in person. As you know, I like to travel around Asia, I am fascinated by its culture and nature and I am very curious about people. I am not able to go everywhere, and books will take me to even the most undiscovered regions of the world. I come to you today with a list of books about India that I have read and that I recommend. CHITRA BANERJEE DIVAKARUNI "AT THE FEET OF THE GODDESS" An interesting family saga showing the fate of Indian women. The story of Grandma Sabitri, a baker's daughter living in an Indian village, her daughter Bela, who will leave in search of a better education and a better life in the United States, and her granddaughter, who has never seen her grandmother, but who writes her a letter from distant India when she learns that the girl wants to give up her education and quit her studies. Beautifully described fates of women. MACIEJ WESOŁOWSKI "VERTICAL SPLIT" A colourful and interesting report. The author takes us through India from Varansi where corpses are burned on gathas by the Ganges, to a visit to Rishikesh where in 1968 the Beatles sought eastern spirituality. A lot of interesting information for people who want to visit India and find interesting places there, not only those described by tourist guides. RANA DASGUPTA "DELHI. THE CAPITAL OF GOLD AND DREAM" The author, born in Great Britain, half Indian, half British, settled in Delhi to better understand the city and its people. A colourful reportage about contemporary India, explaining its culture and giving the reasons for many phenomena resulting from a difficult history, which in my opinion is very similar to the history of Poland. Did you know that Independence Day in India is celebrated on August 15? JOANNA IRZABEK "INDIA SPÓŁKA Z OL" A very compensated story that briefly touches on the most controversial topics related to India. You will find information here about how living in the slums you can start a business and become almost a millionaire but still not be accepted by society, how arranged marriages look like, how and why women are treated this way and not differently, and you will read about other most current problems of modern India. VIKAS SWARUP "SIX SUSPECTS" A very interesting crime novel by the author of the novel on which "Slumdog Millionaire" was based. A very complicated and interesting story about the six people in the title, who are suspects in the case of a murder that took place at a party. All the suspects had weapons with them. The road through India leads us to solving the mystery. GREGORY DAVID ROBERTS “SHANTARAM” A terribly thick book that you will either love or hate. This is the true story of an Australian heroin addict. His family life fell apart, he became a bank robber. Sentenced to 20 years in prison by a court, after a few years he escapes spectacularly and becomes one of the most wanted men in Australia. After reaching India, he hides in the slums, where he does a kind of penance for his previous life and tries to be a good person - he heals the poor, but in the process he gets involved with the Bombay mafia. WILLIAM DALRYMPLE "NINE LIVES. IN THE TRAIL OF SACREDNESS IN MODERN INDIA" One of the most interesting collections of reports describing the lives of nine different people through religious experiences. Here we have the opportunity to meet Jains (I really recommend it!), we learn the story of a follower of Jellamma obliged to provide sexual services, and a Buddhist monk who became a guerrilla fighting Chinese soldiers during the annexation of Tibet. WOJCIECH JAGIELSKI "EAST FROM WEST" A moving and interesting story of a Polish woman who left Warsaw taking one backpack with her. She rejected her previous life – studies, apartment, career and chose India to live in, where she seeks spiritual balance. The author also describes the story of a hippie “Saint” – who values free love, drugs and religious communes. They travel along the path of India, which fascinates many who choose it in order to find a different, better spiritual life. And what they find, you will learn from this book. ANNA JANOWSKA "MONSOOON COMES TWICE. A JOURNEY ON THE PEPPER TRAIL THROUGH KERALA, OMAN AND ZANZIBAR" Reportage not only about India, but I chose this book because the author beautifully describes Kerala - a state that I like very much and often visit because it is the capital of Ayurveda. You will read here how the cultivation of not only pepper but also other important spices and herbs has changed over the years. You will get to know the Kerala spa-sanatorium, completely different from what you can find in Thailand, for example. PIOTR KŁODKOWSKI "THE EMPIRE OF GOD HANUMAN. INDIA IN THREE VIEWS" This is a book written by a former Polish ambassador to India. We get to know India from the political perspective – we have the opportunity to meet statesmen, incredibly wealthy businessmen, influential journalists and Bollywood stars. We get to know the interesting history of India and its connection with the history of Poland – it is really interesting how much we have in common. The author also shows the fate of ordinary people: salespeople, taxi drivers, servants. Summary: My goal is not to summarize these items, but only to indicate what you can expect and encourage you to reach for these items. The order is very random, they are different and everyone will definitely find something for themselves
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ORIENTANA CHARITY - Magic STAR
On DECEMBER 9, we took part in a charity meeting "A Christmas Full of Magic" at the Radisson Blu Sobieski Hotel in Warsaw. It was a meeting organized for children from an orphanage. Orientana was a sponsor of the Christmas bauble painting workshops! The Christmas meeting was led by Paulina Koziejowska (journalist from Nowa TV) and Natalia Siwiec. WHO TOOK PART IN THE MEETING WITH CHILDREN On this beautiful day, we were joined by actress Anita Sokołowska and Nicole Bogdanowicz known from the series "Przyjaciółki", Paulina Chruściel (actress who played in the series "Singielka"), Monika Dryl (known from "Barwy szczęścia", "Klan", participant of the program "Twój Twarz Brzmi znajomo"), Marcelina Zawadzka (presenter of "Pytanie na Śniadanie", host of "Bake off - ale ciacho", Miss Polski 2011), Agnieszka Kaczorowska (dancer of "Dancing with the Stars"), Adrianna Pałka (athlete, personal trainer), Katarzyna Krupa (dancer, presenter) and Rafał Maślak (Mister Polski 2014). Our festive table was also joined by the finalists of the program "Masterchef" - Ola Nguyen, Laurentiu "Lorek" Zediu, Martyna Chomacka and "Masterchef Junior"! Congratulations to Oli Nguyen on winning the show! WHAT WERE THE ATTRACTIONS? Everyone, together with the children, created beautiful baubles, read books together, played games and cooked Christmas dishes. Delicious dishes and desserts were created, the participants of "Masterchef Junior" helped with cooking and gave valuable tips. It was a day full of fun, filled with love and joy! The children spent the day with celebrities and bloggers. There was no end to laughter, group photos and autographs! Our little ones also received lots of presents from Santa Claus! At the end of our Christmas meeting, when leaving, the children said that they felt "like in paradise". It is wonderful that we could bring a smile to their faces together. They will definitely remember this magical day for a long time! We are glad that Orientana could contribute to this happy day for them!
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SIKH - MEET PEOPLE FROM INDIA
Sikhs – we encounter them more and more often on Polish streets. Turbaned men look exotic and foreign, but there's nothing to fear. They're wonderful people. As you know, before I created the Orientana brand, I spent a lot of time in India, mainly learning the principles of Ayurveda, which I applied in my natural cosmetics. In this post, I'd like to tell you about the Sikhs. I found them a very interesting religious and social group, which I had the opportunity to meet in India. In Poland, we know little about them, and I've noticed that they are often confused with Muslims. So, if you ever see someone wearing a turban, be sure they're a Sikh. In India, they constitute a relatively small group, making up only about 2% of the population, but they are most recognizable for their turbans and thick mustaches and beards. I've met several Sikhs; they are educated people with open minds and hearts. It's a Sikh who is responsible for maintaining GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) and ISO standards for the production of natural cosmetics at the factory in India, where we produce only some of our cosmetics. I asked him to explain his religion and who the Sikhs are. WHO ARE THE SIKHS? WHO IS THE MAN IN THE TURBAN? Sikhs originate from Punjab, and in their language, Sikh means "disciple." Although the largest number of Sikhs live in India, they are not Hindus. Sikhism is the fifth largest religion, with 25 million followers worldwide. Sikhs believe in one God, equality, freedom of religion, and social service. They cover their hair, which they haven't cut since childhood, with a colorful turban. The turban represents a commitment to equality and justice. Sikhism emphasizes the equality of all men and women, which I really appreciate. Sikhs believe in three fundamental principles: meditating on the existence of God (prayer), earning a living honestly (industriousness), and sharing the fruits of their labor with others (charity). SIGH WILL HELP EVERYONE It was this charitable spirit that I so admired about the Sikhs. I saw it firsthand in India. While visiting their gurdwara in Delhi, I noticed a large group of people sitting at the side of the temple, as if waiting for something. It turned out they were pilgrims and the needy, waiting for a meal. The temple serves meals to the poor every day, and everyone is involved in this work. At each gurdwara, huge kitchens and areas are being built where people eat what volunteers have prepared for them. Anyone can enter the kitchen and observe the preparation of the free meals, but they can also get involved and selflessly help others. I observed people even bringing their children along, joining in the preparation of dough or rolling out huge quantities of roti. A meal will be provided to anyone who needs it, regardless of religion or background. Anyone can come to the gurdwara, and everyone will receive support. At the appropriate time, those waiting are admitted into the vast dining hall, wash their hands, sit cross-legged on the floor, and patiently wait for their food. A Sikh walks among the people with a giant pot and ladle, pouring lentil soup for everyone, while another distributes hot roti flatbreads. The community kitchen is a symbol of equality and brotherhood. Believe me, it's impressive. It sent shivers down my spine. FOR A SIKH ALL ARE EQUAL Equality is of paramount importance to Sikhs. Their religion rejects all distinctions based on caste, creed, gender, color, race, or national origin. All are equal and should be treated equally. For Sikhs, God is not found in isolation or through renunciation of the world, but is achieved as an active member of one's family and community. SIKHISM RECOGNIZES THE EQUALITY OF MEN AND WOMEN The Sikhs' treatment of women is interesting. The Sikh faith recognizes women as equal to men and defines God as gender-neutral. It is one of the few religions in the world to do so. In a gurdwara or within the Sikh community, there is no activity that is permissible for a man but not for a woman. There is no religious function that prevents women from engaging in it at any time. SIKHs work hard Sikhism is a practical religion, and Sikhs are pragmatic people. Their community emphasizes leading a hard-working, successful life, and the achievements and successes of others are highly valued. Thanks to their education and hard work, these people truly achieve a very successful life and high social status. However, they are constantly mindful of others, those in need, and support them in any way they can. Cooperation for peace and harmony in the world is also important. If you encounter a Sikh on the street (there are already 5,000 of them in Poland), remember this post and smile. Sikhs are a peaceful people who are very tolerant, honest, and kind. And if you want to learn more about the Orientana brand, which I created inspired by Asian nature, read About us .
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Holidays in Asia - little-known places
Holidays in Asia. Who doesn't dream of them? I recommend destinations for total peace and quiet that are worth visiting. EIGHT DESTINATIONS IN ASIA WORTH RECOMMENDING I receive requests from you to indicate interesting destinations in Asia. Many of you ask about places that will allow you to relax in peace, away from civilization, with few tourists, on deserted beaches, but at the same time you want them to be interesting places for tourists. There are many such places in Asia. Below is my subjective list. Asia for me is peace and quiet. Being close to nature, healthy food, walks and yoga. I quickly escape from big cities where the plane from Poland arrives. I like Bali but in Asia there are less popular places where you can spend beautiful moments. FLORES ISLANDS, INDONESIA These are a dozen or so smaller islands located close to each other and it is worth finding a place on one of them. It is close to interesting tourist places such as the Komodo or Rinca islands, where Komodo dragons live. I flew to Labuan Bajo from where I took a boat to the Seraja island where there was only one ecological hotel, no signal and basically no internet. I lived in a bungalow right by the sea and after swimming literally 20 meters a beautiful underwater reef full of turtles and colorful fish began. In moments free from diving you can go trekking around nearby mountainous islands from where beautiful views spread out, you can sail to the so-called pink beach and sail to bays full of rays. This really is a hidden paradise. GILI DEGE, INDONESIA A small and peaceful island with a few hotels. There are 26 Gili Islands in total, but this one is an oasis of peace and quiet, unlike Trawangan Gili where there are endless parties. You get here from Bali by boat. The island is called "secret" by the locals and is only 4 km long. Despite the fact that it is a small island and I had the impression that our hotel was the only one on the island, there were villages inhabited by very nice locals around. The island is surrounded by beautiful beaches with moraine bays where you can swim with young sharks. Indonesian villages are very interesting because everything happens outside. People sleep on terraces on stilts in front of their houses, farm animals walk peacefully next to them, and children play and look at tourists with interest. I had the impression that my family and I are a huge attraction for them. KERALA, INDIA It is worth visiting Kerala and sailing through the beautiful Karelian backwater channels. A plane from Poland will take us to Kochi, from where we can travel further to the very source of Ayurveda. It is worth finding an Ayurvedic center and staying there for two weeks. You can find more in my post "Ayurvedic treatments in Kerala" - where I describe in detail what a stay in such a center looks like. GAYA ISLAND, MALAYSIA It is a large Malaysian island near Kota Kinabalu, where I flew by plane and then sailed by water. It can be a boat provided by a hotel or a small public ferry. This time we chose a hotel consisting of houses on the water, so we could jump straight from the bedroom into the clear blue abyss. Gaya Island is located in a national park, so the hotel we stayed in was fully ecological. It had another big advantage - there was a marine educational center next to the hotel. The Marine Ecology Research Center is a scientific center where you can learn a lot about ocean life. You can also take a piece of coral reef under your care there and "plant" your own coral, and then receive photos and reports on how it grows until it is transplanted from the nursery to a real reef. Our family supported the reconstruction of the coral reef in Malaysia, and my children were very proud of it. GOA, INDIA A state of India known for its tourist attractions with beautiful, golden beaches and coconut palms. There are many small hotels offering tasty, healthy food, yoga courses and spa treatments. The Goa coast is green, full of lush vegetation. Banana and mango trees grow here, rice and spices are grown. Everywhere you can see white chapels from the times when the Portuguese ruled here and colorful Hindu temples. I recommend going to Calangute, where there are beautiful beaches and small charming hotels. We spent a few days in such a hotel after an exhausting visit to Delhi. SABAAH, BORNEO, MALAYSIA You can have a wonderful holiday in the middle of the jungle, but without beaches or swimming pools. This is a good place for guided hiking. It is quiet, wonderful and very close to nature. I recommend Borneo Rainforest Lodge in Danum Valley Conservation Area, a place carefully guarded by the Malaysian authorities. It is a national park, where you can only enter if you have a spot in the Rainforest Lodge. There are no such random people, the place is protected from poachers and noisy tourists. I watched with surprise as our documents were checked in front of a huge barrier blocking the entrance to the jungle. I spent two weeks in the middle of the rainforest, observing animals in the wild, walking on hanging bridges, which make it very easy to observe nature. It is full of charming places - bays and waterfalls with fish. You have to watch out for the omnipresent leeches, but this is real wildlife at your fingertips. KOH SAMUI, THAILAND I don't know about today, but a few years ago Koh Samui was a quiet, peaceful island full of spas, massage parlors and fantastic open-air bars serving the best Thai cuisine for pennies. We can relax here on beautiful beaches, but we can also do some sightseeing - it's worth visiting the Wat Phra Yai temple and the Big Buddha, as well as the complex of temples with the statue of the Chinese goddess of mercy Guanyin. We traveled around the island in search of the best beaches and interesting tourist spots, which took our breath away. However, everything is less intense and calmer than in Phuket and there are fewer tourists. PHU QUOC, VIETNAM A large island in the Gulf of Thailand, on the border with Cambodia but full of quiet, wild and peaceful places with access to your own beach. Here we dived, practiced yoga, meditated and ate delicious Vietnamese dishes. Peace and quiet with the possibility of visiting interesting places and sailing to smaller islands. Here you can really relax.
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