Seafood

emerald colored sea and a view of the beach

What is a better depiction of paradise than a tropical island? And what are the top 10 tropical islands in the world? It’s a tough choice. Long stretches of white sandy beaches, the sun reflecting off the crystal blue sea, the soothing sound of waves crashing the shore and the smell of salty water combined with coconut scented body lotions. Can it possibly get any better than that? Tropical islands are dream destinations for many honeymooners, adventure seekers and world travelers hooked on the intoxicating thrill of visiting new places. If you are looking for some inspiration for your next holiday, you may be interested in the following destinations.

1. Ko Lipe

Thailand used to be a go-to place for those looking for seclusion. However, exploiting this mesmerizing destination for the film industry has attracted a deluge of humanity eager to experience this place’s wonders. Still, deserted beaches on nearby islands are reachable by longboats. On the way there, you might even spot a shark. The waters are full of life, so snorkeling here could be an experience of a lifetime. What makes this island interesting is that there are few roads, no cars and you can cover it on foot within an hour.

A boat on the calm water at sunset — Explore the islands near Ko Lipe by boat

2. The Maldives

This collection of no less than 1000 islands is located in the middle of the Indian Ocean. Barely above the sea level, it is terribly affected by the climate changes, so hurry up before it’s too late. Although these tropical islands are expensive, it is possible to travel on budget with meticulous planning. The best time to visit is from November to May to avoid the monsoon season. Here, you can indulge in various activities. Diving and snorkeling first come to mind, but whale and dolphin watching is an absolute must.

3. Seychelles

Situated off the east coast of Africa, this group of 115 islands is a paradise for avid lovers of secluded beaches, sun and diving. Since it’s quite expensive, this holiday destination attracts the more upscale crowd. However, it is not a commonly mentioned fact that Seychelles used to be a pirate hideout. So, if you are feeling lucky, venture on a quest to find the legendary hidden treasure.

4. Bali

Surfing, hiking, fantastic food, vibrant nightlife, breathtaking beaches and the friendliest locals – is there anything this place doesn’t have? You can go white water rafting, volcano climbing, scuba diving, or simply sunbathing on either black or white beaches. Yes, Bali has it all. Due to the volcanoes, there are black beaches as well. There are also temples to visit for a more culturally oriented holiday. And that’s not all! Gili island is nearby, so you can easily see them both.

5. Tahiti

The Queen of the Pacific is the ultimate honeymoon destination and the veritable paradise. This is where those stunning photos of luxurious bungalows in the water are taken. In fact, this is the birth home of these gorgeous structures. It is also pretty pricy, so if it is affluence you seek, this is the place to go. But it’s not just romance and luxury you’ll find here. You can enjoy watersports, go on various boat tours or visit historical sites.

A couple holding hands on the beach at sunset — Tahiti is the ultimate tropical island for honeymooners

6. Fiji

Out of over 320 islands, more than two-thirds are uninhabited. With such a selection, it is virtually impossible not to find the place you will like. The waters are teeming with life, so snorkeling is spectacular. You can go diving, sailing, whale watching. Similarly to Bali, this is also an option for those into more active vacations. Therefore, it is more popular with the younger population.

7. Bermuda

Bermuda is the shipwreck capital of the world. Yes, you’ve read well. This heaven for banks and tax-avoiding businesses was first inhabited after a shipwreck in the 17th century. But despite this less than glamorous fun fact, it is extortionately expensive, so should you decide to visit it, you’ll need a sizeable budget. This island is the home of magical pink-sand beaches, warm emerald waters and enchanting landscape. Due to the reefs that ring the island, Bermuda is among the world’s unrivaled diving destinations.

8. Curacao

The moment you arrive in the town, you will notice the recognizable Dutch style. This island country is located in the Caribbean sea, home of many more idyllic locations. It has stable weather throughout the year, which is something its owner, The Netherlands, can’t brag about. If you are looking for a lot of sunshine and picturesque beaches, this is the place for you. If it’s fun and parties you want, Curacao is one of the go-to tropical islands. And it is no wonder, given that it is famous for an orange-flavored liqueur by the same name.

Palm tree and sun lounges on a tropical beach — Enjoy the picturesque beaches of Curacao

9. The Galapagos Islands

Much like the Maldives, the Galapagos is drastically affected by climate change. It’s one of the lushest places in the world with incredible wildlife. This is the home of the endemic Galapagos penguin, and probably the only place where you can see penguins in the wild. The fact that 97% of the islands is a national park, definitely says something. Unfortunately, because the ecosystem is fragile, if you want to enjoy the unspoiled nature and serenity it offers, hurry up.

10. The Cook Islands

The Cook Islands are another lush destination, rich with life. The South Pacific group of islands is less visited by tourists and has few amenities, making it a perfect choice if you wish to escape the hectic modern life. It doesn’t get more remote than this. The deep jungle, coral reefs and pristine beaches add to a more rugged tropical landscape than the other destinations.

Few things can make you feel more rejuvenated than treating yourself with a vacation to one of the tropical islands. If you have an adventurous spirit, you may want to consider making one of these places your home. Just imagine waking up to the sound of the waves, salty smell tingling your nostrils while the tropical breeze gently caresses your skin. Moving to such a place is a dream come true and a fantastic opportunity to reconnect with nature and enjoy life to the fullest.

Sydney’s Culinary Trends

With so many food trends popping up every day, sometimes it’s hard to keep up with all the things to try and satisfy your hedonistic need. If you happen to be a fan of Sydney’s culinary trends in particular, you’ll be glad to see some of the foods that will take over. No matter if you’re a coffee junkie, vegetarian or lactose intolerant, you’ll find most of these food choices quite acceptable. Here are some of the most popular culinary choices that originated from Sydney.

The rise of mocktails

With the rising number of individuals who prefer gluten-free, low-cholesterol and other healthier products, there is a notable rise of non-alcoholic beverages in Sydney bars. The whole point of a cocktail is to mix the “kick” of alcohol and refreshing effect of juices to create the ultimate refreshing adult beverage. However, the whole game changes when the majority of tourists don’t want even the slightest pinch of alcohol in their drink. So, what’s a bartender to do? It’s simple, make them a mocktail – a non-alcoholic version of the cocktail. Mocktails have all the features of a cocktail – unique look, amazing garnish, and colors – but they contain 0 percent of alcohol. So, what’s not to love?

Whole fish meal

When it comes to food trends, there is one thing to keep in mind – they tend to change frequently. In most cases the lines are blurring between the conventional and unconventional method of preparing food. It’s time to accept that some of the dishes that will take over the culinary world in 2018 might be out of the ordinary.
Whole fish dining is quite familiar to those who fancy Japanese cuisine, but to us, it’s definitely something we’re not used to. At least not yet. By removing the entrails, and only that from a fish, the chef then seasons it while adding a couple of dressings and sauces to the mix of spices. Afterward, the fish is ready for the cooking process. Chefs from all around the world are serving some of the most expensive types of fish in their restaurants this way. And the customers love it! If you haven’t tried whole fish dining yet, you’ll have more than plenty of opportunities to do so, as this trend will stick in 2018.

The coffee culture

Starbucks coffee is great for one thing- to get your daily portion of caffeine when you don’t have the time for a real coffee break. Luckily for real coffee lovers, Australians aren’t too fond of Starbucks products.

Aussies love their coffee brewed every way possible, as long as it’s brewed right. There are a lot of quality coffee suppliers and one of the best is certainly Coffee Galleria with white label blends to suit every need. People in Sydney will never give up their cup of quality coffee. Many are familiar with different brewing methods from aeropress to Chemex, which are at home-friendly as well. This is what makes their coffee so popular.
And speaking of popular, did you know that you’ll be seeing more private coffee brands of premium quality in 2018? The trend of home brewing goes back to traditional methods of brewing coffee, and has inspired many coffee shops to change their menu. So, go ahead order your Macchiato, Mocha, Piccolo or the regular Flat White coffee and experience the real taste of coffee.

Seafood out of the ordinary

Seafood fans will love the fact that restaurants from all around the world will be adding fish to their menu. But why would they do that?
Because food trends dictate what we see in our favorite restaurant’s menu. With an increased demand for lobster, urchin and other seafood dishes in Sydney’s most prized restaurants, the rest of the world has no choice but to follow this trend. So, if you enjoy fish more than any other meat, you’ll be glad to hear that this trend of focusing on seafood dishes is yet to be popularized. Although not as rich in protein like beef or pork, fish is high in omega-3 fatty acids which are extremely beneficial to our health.

Every gourmet knows that food trends dictate what we see in the menu of popular restaurants in our vicinity. But we always have a choice to make and filter what we ingest to stay healthy. Luckily, this year has some promising food trends that will satisfy even the most demanding food lovers.