My blog

Just another WordPress site

Megan

7 Reasons Why Crash Dieting Is Not a Good Option

Everyone in the world wants to enjoy a model-like physique that makes weight management becomes so important.

Rigorous exercising, careful diet planning, and refraining to eat those oh-so-delicious, extra cheesy pizzas and burgers soon become a common part of our daily routine. However, the problem arises when we make our will to reduce weight an obsession.

Don’t get us wrong, maintaining a healthy weight is extremely important but, resorting to drastic measures that may have a negative impact on your body isn’t.

Hence, it is worth noting right away: do not go on a crash diet!

Crash dieting has several downsides that you would want to avoid. Many people are under the impression that crash dieting can help reduce a lot of weight within a significantly short period of time. The fact of the matter is that this is too good to be true.

Read on as we discuss why crash dieting is not a good option for your health and body.

It will make your blood sugar levels unstable

For proper functioning, a body needs its steady supply of fat, carbohydrates, protein, and fiber. Due to any circumstances, when this supply is disturbed, your blood sugar levels and insulin can become unstable. All those detox diets that you hear about? Well, it just makes you more prone to developing type II diabetes.

The fact that carbohydrates, insulin, and fat storage are interdependent can increase your hunger pangs while simultaneously dropping hypoglycemia or blood sugar levels. You could always opt for healthier alternatives for your breakfast instead of something that has too many calories. For example, buy a blender for smoothies to get your daily dose of nutrients without packing on extra calories.

It will make you very dehydrated, very quickly

The fact that our body is made out of 70% water might already be known by some of you. There is also no doubt that this is quite a huge percentage.

But, in going on a crash diet, you may feel like you’ve lost weight. However, in reality, this is not excess fat that you are losing – it’s water. Restricting your calorie intake forces your body to start burning glycogen to create energy. This glycogen is a carbohydrate form that is stored in our liver and muscles and has water molecules attached to it. Thus, crash dieting not only burns this glycogen but also lowers your water levels.

Dehydration is, again, really bad for your skin and body functioning. All in all, this is yet another reason for you to skip crash dieting.

It may cause a lot of random stretch marks to appear

The process of losing weight should be gentle and properly planned. If you lose too much weight in a relatively short span of time, you may develop side effects such as cardiac issues, sodium depletion, lower immunity, hair loss, lower blood pressure, and of course, stretch marks.

While there is nothing wrong with developing stretch marks, you most certainly wouldn’t want it to be because of your weight loss regime. If you decide to crash diet, you are basically putting the well-being of your skin at greater risk.

Your skin, for sure, faces the brunt of it all. It will lose its lustrous appeal and instead have a dull appearance.

While using a stretch mark cream might be an effective way to curb these markings, why not be a bit more cautious and opt for a realistic weight loss program? This would be a much safer alternative than the crash diet.

It will lower your fat and essential nutrient content

Your body needs foods that have high nutrient profiles to carry out the everyday functioning in the best possible manner. Crash diets strip your body supply of essential minerals, vitamins, and fats that may alter your metabolism. By starving yourself, you are depriving yourself of good nutrients, which can make you lethargic and gloomy. Yes, even mental health can suffer a lot.

Once you are on a crash diet, your body wants to start to restore its food supply. This, in turn, will make you eat an improper amount of food – good and bad – that will defeat the entire purpose of going on a diet.

It will lead to mental anguish

We’ve already mentioned how mental health can deteriorate when you crash diet. When you feel full by eating nutritious food, you automatically feel better and content. However, starving yourself for hours at a stretch will only make you more irritable.

Not only will your work productivity decrease, but even your home life will get hampered. Your body is a temple that needs to be worshipped. And eating the right thing at the right time is a part of this worship.

It will crash your metabolism

Crash dieting is equivalent to starving.

The problem with starving is that your metabolism will not be able to sustain itself in the absence of energy. Lower energy levels are exactly what will occur when you drastically reduce your calorie intake for a long period. In the end, your hunger will simply increase, which will end up sabotaging your weight loss regime.

Lethargy, weakness, and more lethargy

Without giving your body the required nutrition and food, you are bound to feel exhausted and tired all the time. At times, you may feel nauseated as well due to chronic fatigue syndrome which is a common side effect of crash dieting. Hence, please do not abuse your body and stick to eating healthy and reducing weight in the right manner.

The Hilton Garden Inn Saratoga Springs, NY

Stay right at the heart of Saratoga Springs when you book a room at the 3-star Hilton Garden Inn Saratoga Springs. Its location puts you steps from the local highlights, including the National Museum of Dance. You can make use of the modern amenities of the fitness center and feast on savory American dishes at the onsite restaurant. Withdraw to guestrooms offering complimentary wireless Internet access, flat-screen cable televisions, and refrigerators.

Reserve your hotel room at Hilton Garden Inn Saratoga Springs with Reservations.com

You Should Know:

  • Great American Grill, a casual restaurant serving American dishes and a children’s menu
  • Room service available during limited hours only
  • Cozy lounge bar serving snacks and light fare
  • Fitness center complete with cardio and strength facilities
  • Refreshing indoor swimming pool and a spa tub
  • Complimentary high-speed wireless internet access
  • Business-related amenities including meeting rooms and a 24-hour business center
  • Picnic area with barbecue grills

In and Around:

  • Explore the National Museum of Dance
  • Enjoy a fun night at Canfield Casino
  • Witness exhilarating races at the Saratoga Race Course
  • Stop by the Saratoga Performing Arts Center
  • Relax at the Saratoga Spa State Park
  • Have fun along Great Escape and Splashwater Kingdom
  • Simmer down at Congress Park

 

Veg Out at Fairfax Veg Fest 2020!

Veggie lovers, mark your calendars for April 19, 2020! The Fairfax Veg Fest, the only sustainability festival of Fairfax county, kicks-off and it’s sure to be a hit. It is all about living a healthy and sustainable lifestyle that is absolutely plant-based.

Hosted in Herndon, Virginia from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the event brings together expert speakers who are passionate about educating people on healthy living. There will also be cooking demos, restaurant booths, and a lot of games and fun-filled activities for kids.

Tray, Breakfast, Muesli, Fruit, Fruits, Bowls, Bio

Join the Cause: “For People, Animals & Our Planet”

If the world needs to be saved from water shortages, starvation, and the adverse effects of climate change, it is high time people start adopting a plant-based diet.

Although over 60 percent of the U.S. population believes that a plant-based diet is beneficial for health, only 6 percent has adopted veganism as their lifestyle.

However, 39 percent of people are trying their best to choose a healthy plant-based lifestyle. This event might be the best place for these, and many more, to get all their queries answered and find the support they need to achieve their goal.

The primary purpose of the event is to celebrate and showcase a healthy lifestyle for people, animals, and the rest of the planet. The products sold at the event are all cruelty-free and eco-friendly. The best part is that you don’t have to buy any tickets since the admission is free.

If you are part of Virginia’s vegetarian and vegan community, you won’t want to miss showing your support at this year’s Veg Fest.

Explore the Area After the Festival

The festival is not the only thing worth seeing in Fairfax. There are a lot of places you can explore to make your vacation memorable. A few of the local attractions include:

  • National Museum of African American History and Culture: Located on the National Mall, this museum could be a treat to your eyes, if you are into history and culture.
  • Eagle Bank Arena: Whether you want to enjoy your favorite band or cheer the Mason Patriots at a home game, Eagle Bank Arena is the place to be.
  • Jefferson District Golf Course: If you are into golf, you will love this 9-hole executive course with four ponds, a gently rolling playing surface, a par five hole, as well as a few demanding par fours that will make your game all the more challenging.

Check These Out If You’re Looking for a Meal Outside of the Festival

Fairfax Veg Fest 2020 provides a lot of Vegan meal options, but if you want to try out some of the local vegan options, here are a few places to explore:

  • Nazret Ethiopia Restaurant: Try this spot out for a sumptuous Ethiopian breakfast or brunch. They have some tasty and spicy Vegan dishes that are a must-try.
  • True Food Kitchen: A health-driven restaurant and bar, this place serves great tasting vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free dishes made from wholesome, seasonal ingredients that offer natural health benefits.
  • Dulce Crepes: Visit this restaurant for some amazing vegan, gluten-free, gourmet crepes, made out of fresh, locally-sourced ingredients.

Rest Up Before Heading Home

A vacation is really a vacation only if you feel well-rested. If you are not a resident of the Fairfax county, why not make a weekend out of the trip? Here are a few hotels that offer a comfortable stay with incredible amenities and facilities:

  • Hyatt House Falls Church, Merrifield, VA: It’s easy to find hotels near Merrifield, VA with places like the Hyatt. It offers a variety of accommodations, including suites with kitchens. Complete with a seasonal pool, 24-hour gym, a cocktail bar, and a 24-hour market for food, the hotel offers complimentary breakfast with made-to-order omelets, free parking, and free local shuttle.
  • Courtyard by Marriott: Located close to Fairfax Court Shopping Center, this hotel has a beautiful outdoor patio, a living room-style lobby, and an American restaurant that serves Starbucks coffee. With amenities like an indoor pool, an exercise room, and free parking, the hotel also has two meeting rooms and a business center equipped with workstations and printers.

Start Preparing for an “Eventful” Holiday

If you are passionate about adopting a vegan lifestyle, you will find all a helpful, positive community to support you at the Fairfax Veg Fest 2020. Book your tickets and your hotel room right away to grab the best deals available.

 

Which Diamonds Sparkle the Most: A Guide on Brilliance

Diamonds are among many women’s favorites because of their brilliance. Imagine wearing diamond jewelry and stealing the spotlight because of how your jewelry sparkles. There’s no surprise why the demand for the stone continues to rise.

But, how do diamonds get their sparkle? Which one is the most brilliant of them all?

A Diamond’s Brilliance

Diamonds sparkle when they reflect light.

Every cut can reflect light and sparkle in different light conditions. However, specific cuts tend to make the diamond more brilliant–and it could significantly affect its value. The more a diamond can reflect white light, the sparklier it gets.

The key to making your diamond sparkle more is to cut it into a specific shape with more facets. The more facets, the more surface white light can bounce from. That means it tends to be more brilliant than other cuts.

What Cut Provides the Best Brilliance?

The best way to cut a diamond is the classic, round brilliant cut. This type of cut is done to achieve 58 facets. And it’s not surprising that it’s the most brilliant diamond of all cuts since it was apparently engineered to have the strongest sparkle possible.

The brilliant cut was achieved in1919 by Marcel Tolkowsky. Now, it’s the most popular cut because of how sparkly a diamond becomes.

However, round diamond cuts also tend to be more expensive. You might want to consider that when you are looking for a diamond ring, and you’re on a budget.

But, you can always check out diamond engagement rings Vancouver BC has to offer. They have alternative cuts and settings that can bring out the beauty of diamonds despite your budget constraints.

Alternative Cuts

If you really can’t find a round cut diamond ring that works with your budget, you can try other cuts that provide almost the same level of brilliance but are cheaper. Some of these are the princess, radiant, and cushion cuts.

The princess cut provides a beautiful sparkle combined with a shape that is perfect for symbolizing elegance. It’s also a modern-looking cut, so it’s great for a modern bride-to-be.

Meanwhile, the radiant cut is a lot similar to the emerald cut but offers more shine like that of a round cut diamond.

Lastly, cushion cuts offer almost the same brilliance as round cuts, but at a lower price per carat, which is perfect if you’re entirely on a tight budget.

Conclusion

Diamond engagement rings are incredibly popular, and it’s no surprise that you’ll want nothing but the most brilliant stone for the love of your life. Remember, the cut can significantly affect the brilliance of a diamond. If you have more questions, you can always get the help of local jewelers in Vancouver.

4 Ways To Make Your Family More Comfortable Immediately

You probably recognize that it’s stressful if your family members are complaining about being uncomfortable. That is particularly true about the place that you live. If you have young children, cranky teenagers, irritable parents, or people who complain a lot anywhere in your home, then your only ideal situation is to try to make all of them as comfortable as possible in context.

There are several examples of ways that you can do this immediately. First of all, if it’s too hot, get your air conditioning going. Then, it’s essential that you know how to control moisture levels in your home. Recognize the importance of humidifiers and dehumidifiers. Third, a lot of comfort is hunger driven.

Make sure you keep the right snacks around. And fourth, you should figure out how to calm frayed nerves. Everyone gets uncomfortable if there is tension or toxicity in your household. You should recognize some de-escalation techniques.

Get Your Air Conditioning Going

Your family members are all going to be irritable if they’re too hot. That’s why you need your air conditioning going when the heat is too high. If your air conditioning is broken, you need to make it a priority to call an air conditioning service as soon as possible. If it’s a hot time of year, it may take a while for a maintenance specialist to get to your home, so it’s a much better idea to repair your air-conditioning and maintain it in the off-season rather than waiting until it breaks during a busy rush.

Know How To Control Moisture Levels In Your Home

Second, you need to control moisture levels in your home. If it’s too dry or too wet, people can complain about it affecting their comfort level. For this reason, you should buy a humidifier for specific rooms and a dehumidifier for others. With a few gentle adjustments to various settings, you can have a much more comfortable home environment very quickly.

Keep the Right Snacks Around

Another part of comfort when it comes to your family is if people are hungry or if they are lethargic from being too full off of the wrong foods. In other words, you should keep healthy snacks available so that your family members aren’t overdoing it with sugary and processed foods, but they have something handy if they’re irritable because they’re hungry. Avoid candy bars and potato chips — stock up on fruits and vegetables.

Figure Out How To Calm Frayed Nerves

The last thing that makes people uncomfortable in their household is personality conflict and tension. Because of this, you should be the one to take responsibility for de-escalating bad blood between family members. It is common for siblings to be at each other’s throats.

Parents and children can have issues and tension between them. You must know what the best techniques are to calm everybody down so you can go back to having a calm and relaxed atmosphere.

 

How Exercise Can Reduce Stress

Stress is said to be a silent killer, and in today’s world, one would have plenty of it. The hectic lifestyle, the constant work pressure gradually start building up stress. And, then there are demands of one’s personal life. So, what can one do? Either you live with it, or find some way out to cope up with the same. The second option seems better in every possible way, as living with stress every day is not a healthy way of living at all. Stress can not only affect one’s physical well-being, but it can be a lot more detrimental to one’s mental stability. Without a stable mind, one will not be able to work properly or make any positive choice and make the correct decisions in life.

So, what happens when you are stressed? When one is stressed, the muscles get tense, primarily in the neck area, and one usually experiences painful headaches. Stress is often the cause of heart problems. Experiencing a tightness in the chest, a pounding pulse, or muscle cramps are also common symptoms of stress. Physical discomfort like stomach aches, heartburn are also reasons for stress.

Now, you cannot live like that all your life. So, what can you do? You can choose to put all that stress away from your life by merely diverting all your thoughts onto something else like exercise. That is what is suggested by someone like Garry Y Itkin, who believes that nothing can be more beneficial than exercise to beat stress.

When you start yourself on a daily exercise routine, it helps your body to release endorphins in the brain. Endorphins help to relieve pain and stress in the body. The body and mind are linked to each other. When your body starts feeling great, so does your mind. This should, however, be a routine. You need to train your body regularly, push it beyond the limits, and make it face challenges every day. It is not going to be easy. The first few days will be painful, and you would like to give it up. But, don’t give up on yourself easily. Just follow the exercise routine every day or at least three times a week. This will help to release endorphins regularly and keep all that stress at bay.

Exercising also helps to lower your body’s stress hormones like Cortisol. The release of endorphins and the lowering of stress hormones is a great combination that helps to keep you calm and relaxed.

Not everyone is curved out for doing all kinds of exercises. You should understand your capability and endurance level to know how much you can handle. For some, swimming can be a good exercise, or for some Crossfit training might be a good option. Then there might be some who are happy with weight training and sweating it out in the gym.

If, however, you want something more relaxing, then Yoga is known to be great stress busters. There is nothing more calming than practicing Yoga. Apart from helping you to calm your mind, Yoga helps in improved blood circulation, better flexibility, and a strong core. Regular yoga classes also help those with high blood pressure and heart disease. The training or classes should be taken from reputed and trained practitioners. Yoga also helps in tackling anxiety issues and keeps you calm and composed.

You can also try your hands at cardio workouts as there is nothing more heart racing and blood pumping than that. HIIT or High-Intensity Interval Cardio is much in vogue nowadays. Exercises should be planned out as a combination of cardio and weight training. The more muscle you grow, the better will be your weight loss and improved metabolism.

When Should You Exercise?

The time you choose to carry out doing the exercises also matters. Though it is a common belief that getting started early in the morning is always good for your health, work constraints often make many to choose evening hours for working out.

Diet

Diet plays an essential role in fighting stress levels too. Food like Avocado and banana, tea, swiss chard, yogurt, fatty fish, carrots, milk, Brazilian nuts, chocolate can help deal with stress. When you are working out, it is crucial to have a balanced diet. You need to keep a check on your calorie count, too, for great results.

One needs to remember that exercise and diet go hand in hand. Be regular with your exercise routine and keep a check on what you are eating. Maintaining the balance will help you get the result that you want to achieve.

 

 

 

Attractive Interior Decorations of Wedding Venues

One of the things that you are going to have to think about when it comes to planning your wedding is the interior decorations that you are going to have. You don’t have to go for something simple, but instead you can opt for whatever you want and there are numerous options when you go with a known brand like FNP Gardens. Here are just some of the best interior decorations that you can enjoy for your wedding no matter where you book.

Attractive Interior Decorations

The decorations that you are going to use for your wedding are important and something that you are going to want to think about when it comes to how you want the space to look. You should think about how much space is going to be available to you for the area that you have booked and then start to make your plans. Some of the top options for decorating inside includes:

  • Flowers – You are going to want to make sure that you are picking the right flowers that would suit the inside of the hotel like Udman Hotel. Think about what the colours are going to be for the other décor so you can get the right coloured flowers and you can pick from a huge array of blooms.
  • Seating – There are also going to be numerous options that you would be able to pick for seating, including for the bride and groom. You should also think about the seating arrangements for the guests and how you are going to decorate the tables and even the chairs.
  • Lighting – There will also be plenty of options that you can pick for lighting and you can opt for fairy lights that go around pillars or lights that would highlight the seating area for the bride and groom based on what you want the space to look and feel like.
  • Stage – There is also going to be a stage that you can decorate and you should think about this when it comes to the venue, including the Opulent Hotel from FNP Gardens. Think about what this would be used for and what would need to be set up near it, especially if you are going to hire a band or if you want to use it for something else.

Go ahead and ensure that you are using these ideas to ensure that you are getting the right décor for your wedding space no matter where it might be held.

Ensure that you are dreaming about what you want your wedding and reception space to look like and that you are creating that in real life. Think about what flowers you are going to use and what colours you want to have showcased in the area. You are also going to want to think about what type of seating you are going to use as well as the lighting that would be placed around the entire space. The stage is also something to consider, especially if you want to use it for your reception or for another reason altogether.

 

How to Start Cleaning an Extremely Messy Home

There are a few reasons why a home becomes neglected enough to turn into an almost insurmountable mess. One reason is that the homeowner might not have the time to deal with maintenance due to a busy work schedule. Another reason is that the home might no longer be regularly used by its owners. No matter the case, it can be challenging to deal with cleaning an extremely messy home – and it can be tempting to give up and leave it be.

However, such a scenario will only lead to the home rotting further and causing problems down the line. Whether because of a busy schedule or general neglect, here are a few ways to start cleaning an extremely messy home.

Plan your approach, and take all the time you need

First and foremost, it would be a good idea to take stock of what you need to do. While it can feel like a hopeless case if you look at the big picture, you do not have to get everything done right away. Instead, you can focus on a single area and go at it one step at a time. A busy homeowner can spend an hour of their time each day cleaning a single area, and before you know, you will have completely cleaned the room. All that is left is to move on to the next one!

Considering how little effort you need to apply each day to clean, it is a surprisingly easy and effective tactic, even for homeowners who come home exhausted.

Do not be afraid to ask for help if you need it

One of the reasons why some homeowners refuse to clean their homes thoroughly is due to the amount of rusted junk that needs to be thrown away. Some would prefer to leave it rotting in the sun instead of doing something about it. Fortunately, you do not have to resign yourself to such a fate. You can get help from a junk removal Fort Myers company if you are having trouble dealing with the junk yourself, whether it is an assortment of rusted appliances or even a junk vehicle.

How to effectively deal with clutter

For the most part, those who end up cleaning most of their homes will have a collection of belongings they are willing to part with. Instead of just throwing away the clutter, it would be a better idea to try to make a profit out of it. When it comes to electronics, they tend to age more gracefully than other items. An old phone collecting dust in your home might very well be a rare piece prized by someone else. Learning about what you can sell – perhaps even hosting a garage sale – can be a happy ending for a cluttered beginning.

It is understandable for some homeowners to feel like their house is a hopeless cause. However, with the help of a few professionals and the correct mindset, you can organize your home!

Update Ideas For Your Outdated Kitchen

Your home’s kitchen is much more than just a room in the house. The kitchen is where many memorable moments are shared, and you visit the room several times every day.

When you plan to sell your home, the kitchen will have a significant impact on the resale value of your property. It’s always worth the investment to update your kitchen, and there are plenty of budget conscious ideas you can put into action.

Take a moment to consider these update ideas for your outdated kitchen, and get to work creating a more capable and comfortable space.

Update your kitchen counters

Your countertops add a significant boost to the aesthetic of your kitchen. They also have quite a functional use. Installing durable countertops will give your kitchen a boost in excellence.

Research the various material options for new countertops. Granite is a popular countertop choice for many homeowners looking to bring new life to their old kitchen. Choose a creative color mixture to add depth to this element of your kitchen design.

Renew the flooring in the kitchen

Your kitchen floors get a lot of action, and high traffic areas of your home need durable flooring materials. Updating the floors in your kitchen will boost your home’s equity, while simultaneously granting yourself and your family a great spot to rest your toes.

Install Energy Star appliances

Energy Star certified appliances will help your kitchen save you money over the next decade. Energy efficient appliances also qualify you for a tax credit, as the government is still rewarding homeowners for being energy conscious.

You’ll find the process of choosing a new refrigerator and range is actually rather exciting, as technology has brought about some pretty cool functions.

Add a fresh coat of paint

Old cabinets and window frames can get a second chance at life with a simple and fresh coat of paint. You’ll be amazed by how much a coat of paint can impact the aesthetic of your kitchen. Invest in quality paint, so your work will last for several years to come.

Add an island or bar space

If there is room in the floorplan, it’s always beneficial to add an island or bar area for extra storage, seating, and cook prep. An added island also means added equity in your home. If you ever plan to resale, this is an update worth updating.

Always consider lighting in the room

You can add a lot of warmth and depth to a room simply through the manipulation of the lighting. Add lighting underneath the cabinets for added ambiance. Hang low lights above the dining table for a warm meal space, and try recessed lighting over the cooking areas of the kitchen.

 

Where to Spend Time in Kuching: 5 Hidden Gems

Located at the northwestern coast of Borneo is the Malaysian state of Sarawak. Its capital city of Kuching is best known as the City of Unity for a very good reason. This populous city is home to Malays, Chinese, Indians, and other ethnic minorities. With all these ethnicities living together in harmony, the city is a wonderful example of openness and multiculturalism. Indeed, you can even experience being welcomed and greeted in multiple languages in certain places.

When visiting this part of Sarawak, an in-demand Kuching tour package usually includes a hotel near one of the city’s famous heritage sites, museums, mosques, and other cultural attractions. However, the usual spots may not be a hit for every tourist. If you’re the type who’s more interested in finding the city’s hidden gems, make sure to check out the following places:

MJC Night Market (Pasar Malam)

Whenever you visit a city and you want to taste authentic local food, chances are you can find them where the locals tend to enjoy them: at the market. In Kuching, MJC Pasar Malam is where the real street food and Sarawak cuisine can be found. This market comes alive every Thursday and Friday, when the sun begins to set at 2 PM.

If you come early, you’ll also get a chance to see different produce unique to the region such as longans (locally known as Mata Kuching), Sarawak apples, pea eggplants, stink beans, and more. But when the sun goes down, the food stalls begin to set up their wares. By this time, you’ll be able to sample different satay meats on sticks that are fried or grilled. It’s an ideal place to go for some authentic Kuching street food.

Siniawan Old Town Night Market

Open from Friday to Sundays, the Siniawan Night Market will satisfy your hunger and curiosity with its unique delicacies, starting with the Pitcher Plant Rice. But don’t worry; this pitcher plant is not the carnivorous kind, but a vegetarian variety that eats only fallen leaves.

The market is usually decorated with Chinese lanterns and has a small village vibe that results in a great laid-back atmosphere. It’s also not too crowded since it’s about 40 km from the city centre. Here, you can taste different samples of Malay, Chinese, and Dayak cuisine that are prepared fresh every day.

Bako National Park

Coming in at around 2,700 hectares, Bako National Park may be Sarawak’s smallest park, but it’s also the oldest. This park has a variety of different landscapes and is even highly biodiverse. The most interesting animal species in the park is the adorable but endangered proboscis monkey that is endemic to the island and can be found nowhere else in the world.

The forest is also home to other species of monkeys like long-tailed macaques and silvery lutungs or silvered-leaf monkeys. You can also spot bearded pigs and an assortment of tropical birds perched on centuries-old tree branches.

Visitors have the option to take a day’s worth of trekking or just a short trail that can be done in a few hours. And should you choose to stay for a night or two, the park also offers accommodations for visitors.

Kuching Waterfront

If you’re looking to take in a lovely view without having to go far, you can take a walk along Kuching’s newly renovated promenade. Though it had become an industrial area with unsightly warehouses, several projects have helped to transform the waterfront into a more scenic area. Today, it’s also known as a romantic and chill place to meet and hang out—especially at night when the lamplights are lit. And from across the river, you’ll have a wonderful view of the Astana as well as the Fort Margherita and the new iconic Kuching structure: the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly Building.

The Main Bazaar (Jalan Main Bazaar)

You can buy your souvenirs and other artefacts from the many shops that line the Main Bazaar, the oldest street in Kuching. These shops have been passed on from generations of the same Chinese families over a century, preserving traditional crafts such as tinsmithing, weaving, jewellery making, carpentry, and more.

Kuching is truly an amazing city to visit. However, it has something important beyond its historic buildings, impressive food, and verdant surroundings. Indeed, being the home of many people of all cultures, religions, and backgrounds has created an inviting and friendly vibe that makes this city such a great place for everyone.