HAINAN ISLAND, CHINA'S FINEST ISLAND - SVEN JOURNAL

Hainan Island is a destination on the rise on the Asian destinations department. Situated on the southern coast of China, Hainan Island has been compared to the ever so famous Hawaii. With its splendid white sandy beaches and clear waters, beautiful landscapes and picture perfect mountains surrounding the beaches down the coast, Hainan Island has been a well kept secret, mainly known to Chinese and Russian travellers.

Hainan is a province on the south of China, China's southernmost province to be precise. It counts many islands, the biggest of which is indeed Hainan island, and the province is named after it. The island's capital is Haikou which makes it a true must visit.

Hainan Island, China's Finest Island

Hainan Island counts, besides the natural wonders, an ancient village which can be visited with the due respect, a marvelous Shaolin temple, and a volcano park. Oh and did i mention that you can witness the strange phenomenon of monkeys going around freely? Yes! That's a very peculiar thing that makes Hainan Island ever more special.

WHAT TO SEE:

• The Nanshan Temple, in Sanya, a city on Hainan Island, is a relatively new temple, because it was built in 1988 to commemorate 2000 years of Buddhism in China. The main focus of the temple is the three sided bronze statue of Guan Yin Buddha and, thanks to its 108 meters, it can be seen and admired even from a far or from a sailing boat.
• The Yanoda Rainforest, a true must see, to get a real feel of the island. It has an immense park area which can be visited, all in safety with local guides.
• The Temple of The Five Lords also knows as "The Temple of The Five Officials", has five temples and halls, built in honour of five officials of the Tang and Song dynasties. They were banished from the mainland to Hainan island for a time going from 11 days to 11 years, as a punishment for speaking against the wrong actions of the emperors.
• Yangpu Ancient Salt Field, a true archaeological site made of more than 1000 stones, cut flat on the top, used to collect the water coming from high tides; and during low tides, the water evaporates and leaves the salt behind, for the collectors to...well, collect. This site has been around since 800 AD and the few salt workers left, still use the method of so long ago.
• Monkey Island, is a natural reserve on the south of Hainan. Despite being called Island, it is actually part of the Hainan Island itself. Here you will find beautiful macaques walking around freely and, if they feel like it, the monkeys will interact and play with the visitors.
• Yalong Bay, also known as Yalong Wan or Crescent Dragon Bay, is a beautiful 7 km white beach is Sanya city. 

WHEN TO GO:

Hainan has a really humid tropical climate, therefore it's best to visit is during the colder months, between January and March, where temperatures are around 20 °C and the levels of humidity are best tolerable.

HOW TO GET THERE:

Hainan counts two international airports: the Haikou Meilan International Airport and the Sanya Phoenix International Airport. Or you can take the ferry connecting the mainland to the island and then proceed by taking the trains which will take everywhere you want on the island.

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Have you been to Hainan before? And if so, what do you think is a must see there?

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[ Photos Source: Pinterest ]

FIRST TIMERS: BUDAPEST - SVEN JOURNAL

Hello hello! My next trip is coming up very soon ( in less than 24 hours!) and it's going to be Budapest again. I rave about this city to all of my friends quite often ( some would say i never shut up about it, but hey! Budapest is that good!) and I'm excited to be coming back as i had promised my self the first time i visited. I'm going to spend there the week with one of my best friends, Giulia. She has never been to Budapest before so i really can't wait to show her around non-stop. I have a lot planned and i thought it would be a nice idea to list here the very must see attractions for the first timer in Budapest. It is a reminder to you as it is to me.

First Timers: Budapest!

The very must see attractions for First Timers in Budapest

1. Matyas Templom
2. Fisherman's Bastion
3. Castle Hill
4. The Hungarian National Gallery Museum
5. The Parliament
6. Chain's Bridge and the other bridges from the banks of the Danube River
7. Heroes' Square
8. Ruszwurm Cake Shop

Matyas Templom

Fisherman's Bastion

Castle Hill

(Creeping on my friend Giulia)

(A view from the other side of Castle Hill)

The Hungarian National Gallery Museum

The Parliament

Chain's Bridge

Heroes's Square

Ruszwurm Cake Shop

Of course i had to include the most amazing cake shop ever! As far as i am concerned your visit here is not complete without a trip to this little heaven on Earth.

Have you ever been to Budapest? Have you visited all of the places mentioned on the First Timers list?

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MAGICAL AIR BALLOON RIDES AROUND THE WORLD-SVEN JOURNAL

Magical Air Balloon Rides Around the World

Probably one of the things found at the very top of my bucket list is to go on an air balloon ride! Ever since i first found when i was little while browsing my father's old numbers of National Geographic Magazine. Of course, the one i was most drawn to was the ever famous ride in Cappadocia, Turkey. This mystical land i so desperately want to visit, a land which keeps on coming back in my mind whenever i think of where i want to go next. For now, I can't go because since Cappadocia is such a dream for me, it has to come true in the most fashionable way, not simply with the last minute ticket to Istanbul and a train ride and a cheap hotel. I want my visit to Turkey to be the realisation of my childhood dreams and therefore i will wait until I can have enough money, experience and equipment to document and fully enjoy it.

Today I have decided to list a few of the other air balloon experiences i have put on my bucket list, right below the Cappadocia experience.

Air Balloon Ride in Cappadocia, Turkey

Air Balloon Ride in Tuscany, Italy

Since moving to Milan, Tuscany is definitely close to me (actually i feel like everything beautiful that there is Italy is close to me now), therefore I think this experience is going to happen in the near future!

Air Balloon Ride in Bagan, Myanmar

Flying over a landscape filled with incredible Buddhist Temples and a beautiful vegetation seems a true dream come true! This land looks like it was taken right out of a fairytales book. The ride will take you over the Temples of the Bagan region and the nearby villages.

Air Balloon Ride in Yangshuo, Cina

Pictures really can't do justice to this wonderful passage over the Li River, coasted by stunning green mountains. The ride will take you over high mountains, water streams, farm lands and typical rural villages.

Air Balloon Ride in Magalies Valley, South Africa

This balloon round is in South Africa. I musy say I  have a special connection with this country therefore the fact it is in SA is reason enough. Ahah ok no seriously this place is so stunning and rich in sights, you will not want to miss out on it! It's also near Johannesburg so it is fairly easy to get here.

Air Balloon Ride in Wadi Rum, Jordan

It is situated in such a deserted area, it does not get much isolated than that but Jordan is one of the countries i want to visit the most in this world, therefore this air balloon ride had to be put on this list!

Air Balloon Ride in Monument Valley, Utah, Usa

In a landscape taken out of a western movie, with reminiscences of the times of the Gold Rush. A true must, just remember to bring a lot of water with you!

Have you visited any of these locations? Do you have other recommendations for me to add on my bucket list?

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