What is your favorite holiday? Why is it your favorite?
My favorite holidays arenât defined by one place or one trip. When I think about them, I think about my father, my Aba, and the way he made travel feel like so much more than just going somewhere new. He didnât just take us on vacations, he made us a part of something he truly loved. From sitting by the window on the Pacific Coast Amtrak train watching the ocean stretch endlessly beside us, to long drives from Los Angeles to Lake Tahoe filled with conversations and quiet moments, every journey felt complete simply because we were together.
Some memories still feel almost unreal, like climbing over a thousand steps to reach Mount Saint Michel in France, exhausted but happy, or traveling across Europe from Paris to Zurich and Amsterdam, experiencing new places while holding onto that same sense of closeness. Aba always said his trips would feel empty without us, and now I understand what he meant. It was never about the destination for him, it was about sharing those moments with family, about making sure we were there with him in everything he experienced.
Now when I look back, those memories mean everything to me, but they are also bittersweet. I sometimes think about going back to the same cafĂŠs and places just to feel close to him again, even though I know it wonât ever be the same. And maybe that is okay. What stays with me is not the places, but the feeling he created, the warmth, the togetherness, and the quiet happiness of being there as a family. I have already lived my favorite holidays and most of my wish list. I was 29 when I lost my father. He is a big part of me and will always be. I dream of him often and find comfort in that.
Do you have a favorite place you have visited? Where is it?
Los Angeles during December has a gentle magic to it. The city feels slower, softer, and calmer compared to the constant rush of New York City. The weather is cool but never harsh, and thereâs this bright winter light that makes even an ordinary day feel special. Everywhere you go, thereâs a quiet sense of warmth in the air, like the city itself is relaxing.
Some of my most peaceful moments were spent by the water. Laguna Beach and Malibu Beach quickly became two of my all-time favorites. No matter the time of day, they carried a calm that settled straight into your chest. Morning waves, golden afternoons, evenings when the sky turned soft, or late nights when the ocean was the only sound around youâeach moment felt healing in its own quiet way.
Glendale became the heart of my time in LA. During the holiday season, the whole city feels inviting. The lights, the music drifting through the streets, the cozy crowd at the Americana at Brand, and the decorated corners all around the city created a soft holiday atmosphere that made me feel at home. Glendale is also famous for its vibrant Persian community, and it shows everywhere you look. From the markets to the restaurants, itâs full of life, and the Persian cuisine there is some of the best Iâve ever had. Even simple routines felt comforting, like quick grocery trips to Target/Ralphs or wandering around the mall with Christmas songs playing in the background.
There were also the little details that made the experience unforgettable. The drives along Angeles Crest with mountains opening up around the road. Grabbing In-N-Out almost every day without ever getting tired of it. Stopping for Salt & Straw ice cream. And remembering the Godiva outlet that no longer exists, especially their rich dark chocolate ice cream that became a small tradition for me whenever I passed by.
Even the quiet evenings in Pasadena added to the feeling. Walking along Colorado Boulevard felt safe, lively, and full of gentle energy. The mix of nature, holiday lights, food, small routines, and late-night drives created a season that felt warm and deeply personal. Los Angeles in December became more than just a place to visit. It became a memory that settled in my heart, full of moments that still feel alive when I think about them.
All of this traveling and seeing these places was thanks to my amazing father. He literally showed us the world. He was a very involved, loving, and caring father who made every trip special. Glendale has a personal connection for our family too, because it is where my father went for his further studies in the 1980s. Today, it remains one of the safest neighborhoods in LA, and experiencing it with the memories of my father made it feel even more special. I will forever carry his memoryâhis favorite restaurant, his favorite cuisine, his recommendations. I just canât believe he is no longer here with me.
Guess who just chopped 3 inches off their golden locks? ME! I honestly donât know how to feel about it at the moment but well theyâll grow back pretty soon too. I was constantly bleaching my hair and getting different shades of balayage for years. I THANK MY PARENTS AND GRANDMOTHER FOR GIVING ME THE GOOD HAIR GENE. Literally I have made my hair go through A LOT, I still have them𤧠THANK GOD.
And plenty (Ma Sha Allah đ§ż) please say it. Emphasise on the word written inside the brackets.
Anyways, I decided to chop off my hair and get a fresh hair cut because I was sick of dealing with dry ends. I got long layers with some face framing. Usually I used to have a face framing with straight cut hair but well that changed. No matter what you do, you can never really hydrate a bleached strand or tips. I changed my shampoos and hair mask too, as well as my pre shampoo oiling routine.
Shampoo;
Resistance Bain Extentioniste Shampoo
This shampoo in particular promotes quicker hair growth, rebuilds hair fiber, makes your hair nourished and shiny. And this smells heavenly. Too good. I switched to Kerastase products after 2 years. Theyâre super mild yet super rich in amazing hair healthy ingredients like:
Creatine
an amino acid that penetrates deep to reinforce the internal structure of the hair fiber
Ceramide
provide surface recovery, assuring beautiful hair fiber as they smooth and soften
Taurine
an amino acid with a protective effect on the hair fiber to help ensure visibly healthy and stimulated scalp environment
Hair Mask;
Resistance Masque Therapiste Mask
This smells like heaven, and leaves your hair super healthy and soft as well. I usually use this twice a week after shampooing my hair. This particular hair mask needs to stay in your hair for 5-7 minutes and then you need to massage it in your scalp well before washing it off. Again smells too good đ đŹ
This again is rich in super amazing ingredients;
Gluco Peptide
Enters the deepest layers of the cuticule to strengthen existing hair and stimulate growth.
Wheat Protein Derivative
Repairs the flexibility and elasticity of damaged hair, restoring uniformity and smoothness.
Native Plant Cells
Ensure deep hydration, reducing the risk of weakened roots and leaving soft hair.
Note: Kerastase products are extremely mild and sulphate free. And a little goes a long way. If youâre someone who colors their hair, bleaches them or even uses hot tools on your hair you need to get a consultation and invest on their products. Secondly you need to switch to a microfibre towel for your hair. The normal towel can be extremely damaging for your hair and cause breakage and pulling. Microfibre towel however is extremely soft and gentle on your hair.
K18 hair mask
I usually use this after 2-3 months for 8 after washes and then I alternate itâs use and then slowly just stop using it. This is extremely amazing for you if you have bleached hair and need that extra boost of hydration. You can read the post I wrote about this particular mask;
These are the only oils I put on my hair for at least 2-3 hours before washing them. I use them at least twice a week. I add 4 Tablespoons of either olive oil or almond oil and add in 8 drops of rosemary oil, mix it all well and massage it on for about 5-7 minutes. I drench my hair (root to tip) in this amazing mixture. None of these oils have a bitter smell either and extremely bearable. I love how amazing the rosemary smells tbh, it just refreshes you and calms you down. Rosemary oil has tons of benefits, it helps give you shiny, long, strong and healthier hair.
Rosemary oil tip : seeing how much dengue cases are on the rise I usually add a few drops of Rosemary oil in my fragrance free lotion and rub it on my arms and ankles. Rosemary oil is far better than Mospil or any such lotions. All it has a is a minty scent. No mosquitoes will bite you and youâll be all goody good and safe.
Lastly; Avoid putting heat on your hair, specifically Hair Straighteners, they literally fry your hair; if youâre someone who tends to do a lot of styling either invest on a Dyson Airwrap or a GHD wet to dry styler. Thank me later!đđť
Tips:
– Donât ever comb your wet hair ever.
– Use a Microfibre towel to dry your hair, donât ever use a regular towel (I know i repeated it but please donât take this lightly).
– Use mild, sulphate free shampoo.
– Donât ever wash your hair with extremely hot water, itâs extremely drying.
– Take your vitamin D and Calcium supplements (at least an hour before or after caffeine, donât take these vitamins with coffee or tea)
– Oil your hair (Read that again) and massage it well on your scalp.
– Use a good heat protectant before using any hot tools on your hair.
– For the girlies, get a trim regularly after every 2-3 months.
– Invest on a Dyson Airwrap.
Good precautions and tips can help save you a lot of trouble later in life. A lot of people face hair thinning and hair fall because they donât have a good after care and they just are very rough with their hair. Be it a guy or a girl, we all need luscious, soft and smooth hair.
I really wanted to visit Paris ever since I was a kid specially because of Disneyland. I am so glad when the first time I went to Paris I was 22 and the memories I have are so clear. Kids donât remember anything!! The best age to travel is actually when you can remember what you did, where you went and all those amazing strolls down the aesthetically pleasing streets! You need to stay in a good neighbourhood so that you can actually walk and enjoy your trip. Shopping and cafe culture is something you cannot miss out on in Paris. You need to dress a bit formally in Paris; unlike Los Angeles. They have the biggest Sephora in Paris and you can literally find anything! There was even a cute little Sephora next to our hotel as well. I hate how convenient shopping is in Paris and you literally end up buying whatever catches your eye. Which means you end up buying things you donât need.
Amsterdam;
This is definitely the most safest city after Zurich. Literally everyone is so sweet and kind. I love the tram culture in Amsterdam, you can never get lost in this amazing dutch city. The canals, weather, food and super easy going lifestyle is what attracts people to visit this amazing place over and over again. You need to try seafood here, particularly the famous SeaFood bar. The weather is super pleasant and you might even need a jacket after sunset (that is if thereâs no heat wave). Avoid going to Amsterdam in June & July since chances are you might get caught in middle of a heat wave and it might just ruin your trip. Personally for me, I hate summers and I hate hot weathers. The best time to visit Amsterdam is definitely Autumn and spring.
Norway (Fjords);
I have never visited Norway but this is on my bucket list for the future. Not every trip has to start and end at Champs-ĂlysĂŠes or Rodeo, You need to experience naturally aesthetically pleasing sites too. Fjords are a slice of what heaven would look like. If you donât know what an amazing piece of land Norway is you need to start looking up (specifically their Fjords). I am grateful to my father to have told me about this amazing piece of land and one day I plan on going there with him and the rest of my family. Iâve always traveled with my entire family and I donât understand how people can just fly off themselves whilst leaving their families on one side of the world. My father always included us in his plans and I will forever be grateful to him.
Los Angeles;
Flights to LA can be hell tiring and the the jet lag takes at least a week to get over. But is it worth it? HELL YESS!! As soon as you get out of LAX the cool breeze can make you forget about the long flight and how tired you actually are. You just need someone who knows all the places. You need to stay in a safe neighbourhood. I absolutely loved Glendale. The apartment where we stayed was a 5-6 minutes walk from Americana The Brand. I used to walk by myself every single time. People are extremely warm and welcoming. Three things I loved the most was my salt & straw ice cream, In-n-out burgers and Boiling crab. You need to try these things if youâre in Los Angeles(or some other city). I prefer walking when Iâm travelling, I hate using any sort of transportation. Absolutely loved Laguna beach and Malibu Beach there, you just need to make sure you donât slip when a wave comes right at you, just hold your ground. I once had my back towards the ocean, a huge wave just came right at me and I had to make sure I didnât budge and stand perfectly still( iâm extremely bad at swimming); almost went into the pacific. Sharks are on of my major fears ever since growing up (probably because I watched ever single scary shark movie) I was the only one that close to the water. But oh well I was brave I guess. I just love walking on the beach, soaking my feet in the water and enjoy the sound of the waves. The skies in California are literally out of this world.
Iceland;
This place is yet again on my bucket list. Youâll see geothermal hot springs billowing with white smoke, moss-covered lava fields stretching into the distance, dazzling white glaciers slicked over mountainsides and if youâre lucky youâll see the Northern lights too.
Nothern lights – Iceland
Peak viewing season for the northern lights is always September through March when the nights are long, during winters darkness can extend for approximately 19 hours. Arrive about five days before a new moon, and you will have a very dark week ahead, perfect for seeing the lights. List of places in Iceland where you can witness Northern lights;
– Hella
– ReykjavĂk
– HĂśfn
– SkĂłgar
– Snaefellsnes
Next attraction is the Blue Lagoon. Itâs a a geothermal spa, located in a lava field near GrindavĂk and in front of Mount ĂorbjĂśrn.
Lake Tahoe, Nevade;
I went to Lake Tahoe last year, it was summer the season, the lake had all shades of blue and it was so pretty. South Lake Tahoe is a more touristy spot and but you can definitely spot some secluded places with minimal or no people for your photography. Emerald bay was a bit crowded but definitely worth the views. Tahoe has lakes, Greenery and snow capped mountains at the same time. If you plan on going to The States do add driving to Lake Tahoe, youâd love it.
Yosemite National Park, California;
If you truely want to be awed and experience mother natures true beauty you need to visit Yosemite National Park. It includes peaks, canyons, cliffs, domes, rivers, lakes, immense waterfalls, lush green meadows, wildlife, and forests. If youâre lucky (or unlucky) you can also spot a bear just strolling around you. Just donât feed them and donât walk off by yourself since the park is packed with wildlife. I saw the biggest squirrels at Yosemite. Literally huge and fat. Youâll see the worlds tallest sequoia trees here too. Youâll feel like you stepped into a fairytale.
Iâll be adding more places to this amazing list. Stay tuned for moreâ¨
Sehr đŠˇ
P.s if youâve ever been to any of these places donât forget to reach out and share your experience!
Hey gals! If youâre someone who loves investing on themselves then you should definitely read about these amazing products iâve discovered and ultimately added to my daily routine! I was new to some products and even some brands but it was an unexpected pleasant experience.
Olaplex NÂş.7 Bonding Oil;
The NÂş.7 Bond Building Oil, infused with patented OLAPLEX Bond Building Technology, is a weightless, reparative styling oil that dramatically increases shine, softness and color vibrancy while providing heat protection of up to 450Âş F (232Âş C). I prefer using this particular oil before and after iâm done styling my hair with my Dyson Airwrap. I love how it smooths away each strand while not weighing down my hair. This is perfect for someone with colored hair too, I have been using this product since a month now and absolutely love it.
Kerastase Serum Extentioniste Scalp & Hair Serum;
This can be used on wet or dry hair. Just section your hair and add in a few drops on the scalp and just slightly rub it in. Make sure you massage it into your roots properly and then you comb out your hair. This wont leave your hair greasy or oily and it has a very mild scent added as well. This serum helps supporting healthy hair length with key ingredients of Creatine R (which amino acid that reinforces the internal structure of the hair fiber) and Ceramides (enhances shine, elasticity and retains moisture in those locks).
Rare beauty Lip Oil;
This has to be my top favourite and my first ever purchase from Selena Gomezâs brand, Rare Beauty. This is so beautifully pigmented and I love how it can stay on for hours and doesnât require reapplying regardless of whatever you do. I got the shade Joy which is a peach or coral shade. I love how it has this cooling effect on my lips. You need to buy this in order to tell how amazing this is. Itâs a lip oil plus a long wear tint for your lips too. And super low maintenance. It contains Jojoba Seed Oil and Sunflower Seed Oil hence itâs highly hydrating and protects your lips from harsh environments. Itâs not sticky nor is it heavily scented. Iâve been using this amazing product since 3 weeks and I always go for this from my dresser.
Givenchy: ROSE PERFECTO PLUMPING LIP BALM 24H HYDRATION;
This is extremely hydrating and leaves a very natural tint even when it comes off. The shade Iâm using is Pink Irresistible. Itâs rich in Hyaluronic Acid and Shea Butter. Perfect for winters or when travelling. Itâs just super natural and just enhances your own natural lip color. I love the leather packing of this lip balm as well. This is extremely worth it and not that hyped up like The Dior Backstage Balm. Currently I am trying to get my hands on their new âBlackâ Lip balm which helps bring out your own natural lip color. Itâs sold out everywhere right now, so it might take a few weeks.
NYX Fat Oil Lip Drip Lip Gloss
I recently got this and I cannot stop putting this on my lips. I am a huge fan of lip balms and lip glosses (ever since I was a kid). The shade I got from this line is, âMissed callâ and I plan on getting, âFollow backâ next. This enhances your own natural lip color and doesnât really have much of a tint, itâs just glossy and hydrating. If youâre a fan of Lipglosses you need to buy this.
Bioderma Atoderm Ultra Nourishing Cream;
This is an amazing moisturiser for your face or even skin specifically if you have a dry and sensitive skin. This is fragrance free and wonât clog your pores either. I apply this at least thrice in a day for a extremely plumped up and hydrated look. Bioderma is an infamous french skin care brand and Iâve previously used their micellar water (which is a total winner too).
Cetaphil Gentle Oil-Free Makeup Remover;
Perfect for someone who has a sensitive skin and wants to get rid off that stubborn mascara or makeup more gently. All you need it to mix or shake the bottle, put some product on a cotton pad and gently glide it over your makeup (voila youâre done). Just to do a double cleanse I wash my face with a good facial cleanser.
Soap & Glory Facewash;
I absolutely love this facewash and Iâm on my 4th bottle already. This does not over-dry my face and is very gentle. Would definitely recommend this to everyone, regardless of how your skin may be this is perfect for everyone. If youâre living in Pakistan you should definitely get your stock for a year considering how imports are being made less available for customers.
Lastly the greatest investment iâve made this year was on my Dyson Air wrap;
Hey girls, I hope youâll had an amazing summer. Previously on my skincare blog post I wrote about a few glow recipe products I used religiously, well I recently added two more amazing products to the list. If youâve read my previous blog post regarding my skin care routine you can tell how much I love their Watermelon range, Particularly their Niacinamide. Well I was in Los Angeles and I literally stocked up on all my favourite products from them, and added two new amazing products to my routine from the same range.
Glow Recipe PHA+BHA Pore Tight Toner
This amazing toner hydrates and tightens your pores, while giving you an amazing and plumped up glow at the same time. I use it right after my cleanser, and before my Glow Recipe Dew drops (Niacinamide). It just makes everything absorb in so well. A little goes a long way, so this one full size bottle will be enough for 2 months or even more. I got the mini bottle (40ml) for 15 usd and iâm still using that bottle right now (for over a month now). Got the full sized one too, will use it once I get done with the mini.
Watermelon Glow Niancinamide Sunscreen SPF 50
I cannot tell you how much I love this product. I have been using this particular sunblock right after my glow recipe dew drops(in my morning routine) and my skin feels amazing (MashAllahđ§ż). When I went into sephora and asked for a sunscreen recommendation this is what everyone suggested and iâm so glad I listened to them. This is their new product in the watermelon range and is completely worth investing on. I got 3 extra bottles for myself, considering how much I love using my sunblock everyday regardless of my plans.
The thing I love the most about this particular brand, The Glow Recipe, is that they donât use harsh chemicals or artificial scents which makes them highly suitable for someone with a sensitive skin. Itâs all natural Korean beauty line manufactured in USA. Korean are known for their amazing skin care.
You should definitely read my updated skin care routine for 2022 featuring more of The Glow Recipe products;
Hey guys! I write this while I still fight my jet lag! My routine is still not on track. Anyways, we stayed in Pasadena, and were located in the heart of Pasadena about 5 minutes walk away from their famous Colorado Blvd. I opt for walking my way around places when on a vacation because we canât do that back in my country. LA is known for its weather, it was pleasant during the days and got super chilly right after sunset (Similar to what it was in December 2017).
Salt & Straw
I cannot put into words on how much I loved their chocolate gooey brownie ice cream. The ice cream had brownie chunks in it and was super yummy. I have always been a Haagen-dazs kinda person but this ice cream was just AMAZING. Definitely worth every calorie. I wasnât really calorie conscious on this trip. Also this is only Available in the States and was previously introduced in Portland, Oregon first.
In-n-Out burgers
This chain of burgers, fries and milkshakes is only available in the State of California. NO OTHER STATE or country. Iâve never really liked beef burgers but their burgers are an exception. The texture and theyâre very basic yet taste amazing. At the end it all comes down to quality maintenance, something theyâve managed to do so well. Due to covid and monkeypox we just got it via Drive Thru instead of going in the outlet. The line at the drive thru used to be crazy, easily took us 20 minutes or more each time. You definitely should try their Burgers. Fries arenât that good but the burger just melts into your mouth. So itâs definitely worth it.
Starbucks
Okay so starbucks is everywhere! But I have some favourite drinks which I would definitely recommend. Previously I had only tried their basic unflavoured latte but this time due to the summer and heatwave going on I opted for cooler drinks instead. I would definitely recommend strawberry creme frappe & cookie frappe. These two were my favourite. Plus I donât know about you but I hate flavoured coffee. Makes me sick. Coffee itself had such an amazing and strong taste, why would anyone want to change to into caramel or any other pathetic taste? Just blows my mind. So if you want a hot drink just stick to their basic latte. Also before you order any new drink from them just ask the person taking your order if they would recommend that particular drink to you, and just tell them what you actually want/ or like, if theyâre kind enough they will definitely recommend or suggest something. Atleast they were super sweet in Pasadena (Colorado blvd) Los Angeles. They even told me theyâd change my drink if I didnât like it. So shout out to them for being extra sweet.
85c cafe
They had an amazing collection of pastries, cakes and a huge variety of bread. The coffee was just average, but the hype regarding their bakery items was on point. This was a 3-4 minute walk from my hotel and a go to place due to the convenience. The funny part is that I actually went to this french crepe cafe near this bakery first (for breakfast) but their menu didnât really fascinate me so I left that cafe and stumbled upon this cute bakery.
The Boiling Crab
Let me tell you one thing. I never liked seafood just because I grew up watching Little Mermaid. And I always believed that if I eat fish iâm causing harm to the mermaids. Yes! That was me growing up. And guess what? I never bothered eating sea food until we traveled and the first time I ever had sea food and king crab was in Amsterdam. My entire idea has completely changed. Number one there are no mermaids (as of now) and number two you definitely need to try seafood when travelling because Pakistan has the most pathetic quality seafood ever. I loved Fried COD and King crab, but this time I actually ate shrimps for the very first time and I LOVED IT. We got fried shrimps, boiled shrimps & king crab, fried calamari, corn on the cob and cajun fries (absolutely loved these). You donât need anything except a crab shell cracker and your hands! This was definitely very unsophisticated but the taste was still worth the experience. Just make sure you wash your hands before and after the meal thoroughly. We went here twice. For the first time we ordered the spiciest sauce for our crabs and shrimps, I literally had tears in my eyes while I ate my meal. I couldnât even wipe them off because my hands were a mess!! They literally give you a bib so you dont ruin your shirt and they lay out a disposable sheet on the paper on which you actually eat your meal! If you are ever travelling to LA you definitely need to try this!
On our short trip we also visited 4 Indian restaurants 1 in LA, 1 in Minden (Nevada), 1 in South Lake Tahoe and 1 in Oakhurst. Ended up ordering the same thing; Yellow tarka dal, chicken tikka masala (extra spicy), Palak Paneer(spinach and cheese), garlic naan/ green chilli naan and Vegetable samosa. My top favourite one would be the one in Tahoe, the best food. I am big fan of Dal. I mean who isnât. Specially when youâre away from home and you want some good desi comfort food. We had also ordered barbecue but it was nothing like what you get in Pakistan, there was no taste just a red color added to the meat, so didnât really give that barbecue vibe. Just remember ordering the food extra spicy when youâre travelling in the west, otherwise your desi food will be more towards a dessert. Thank me later.
Urth Cafe
Okay apparently this was the first time I had cucumbers in my veggie cheese omelette and it was so weird. Literally wasted the entire thing! I only thing I loved was their coffee. The lady serving us complimented me and told me how pretty I looked, so it made me forget about the cucumbers in my omelette. The croissant however wasnât that fascinating either, Idk maybe my expectations were super high. The only thing I loved was the ambiance and how sweet their staff was. The breakfast was just okayish.
Portoâs Bakery And Cafe
This place had an amazing variety of breads & desserts. Personally I loved the Tres leches cake and their egg bread. The egg bread literally metled in your mouth, it was super soft and airy. While the Tres leches cake was just perfect. I absolutely love milk cakes and this was a good find.
Raffiâs Persian Food
I donât eat beef. I prefer having lamb kebabâs over beef. When I was here in 2017, they had Lamb Koobeâdeh which I loved but this time they only had beef koobeâdeh and it was so disappointing. I ended up ordering their chicken option instead. If youâre someone who doesnât mind having beef then this is definitely a place to go. This is a Persian restaurant and quite famous in Glendale.
Krispy KremeDoughnuts đŠ
Have you even lived your life if you havenât had Krispy Kreme doughnuts? Iâd been craving for these doughnuts since the past 4 years now (since my last trip to US). These arenât available anywhere in Europe, which was shocking. Personally I donât like doughnuts with fillings, I prefer the ones which are plain from the inside and loaded with flavour on top. My personal favourite will always be classic glazed, strawberry glazed with sprinkles and chocolate glazed with sprinkles. The strawberry glazed has a legit strawberry flavouring and would definitely recommend this to anyone who loves doughnuts. Theyâre always freshly made, super soft and flavourful.
Absolutely hated the Chinese food in Los Angeles. Though we went to one restaurant, Panda Inn (Glendale). It was overly priced and had no taste at all. The only thing I liked was Edamame wok fried. That is it. We had ordered vegetable chowmein, egg fried rice, sweet & sour chicken, orange beef and crispy garlic chicken. We ordered way too much food and it got wasted. I had high expectations for some reason. This is an old restaurant and was recommended by my father since it there since his college days. If youâre someone who wants to spend a lot on food which has almost no taste, you should definitely go there. Portions in America are huge so order accordingly.
Will be posting more from my trip! So stay tuned for more!â¨đ¤
I hope you all are having an amazing day. So today I’ll be writing about my trip to Portland. The first time I witnessed snowfall was last year, in Portland. And I just loved it.
So we stayed at Marriott Waterfront area and the views were amazing.
So we reached Portland on the Christmas Eve, hence all the restaurants and shopping places were closed down so we went to these food trucks selling the most amazing Persian food. The food was really good and the people were really very welcoming. Only thing you have to look out for are seagulls, so you had to keep your guard up the entire time.
I love good food, so we went to this Pizzeria, MOD Pizza. This is the subway version of pizzas, in other words. You decide whatever you want on your pizza and it was AMA-ZING.
We went to this Chinese restaurant which was right outside our hotel. The food was amazing but they were closing down the day we were leaving for San Francisco. So we went there as much as we could, the staff was really kind. We got a fortune cookie after every meal, which was kind a cute.
Coming to shopping, basically Portland is a tax-free area, you aren’t charged the 10% tax after every purchase. Personally I found America really expensive for shopping, a 10% tax equal to $100 for every $1000, and the worst part no tax refund. Portland was tax-free so I got most of my expensive things (Handbags and shoes) from Portland. The Sephora in Portland had no variety, so I did my Sephora shopping from Los Angeles.
I hope you all are having an amazing day. Today I’ll be sharing my experience with Amtrak. This journey is going to leave you breathless. Starting from the Pacific to a forest filled with snow. It was just too beautiful. I don’t have the words to describe this amazing experience. We were traveling from Los Angeles (CA) to Portland (OR). It was a 22 hour journey, was completely worth it.
Amtrak has a sitting area and a library with windows which go up to the roof. So can enjoy the amazing views, while waiting for your destination. So they have 2 restaurants on board.
My favorite meal was the breakfast. And I absolutely loved their beef and veggie burgers served during lunch and dinner hours. The salmon was amazing too.
I’m going to share some videos. Enjoy!
So you guys will get no network for about 5-6 hours, because you’ll be in middle of a beautiful forest. Just enjoy the view and forget about your phone for a while.Amtrak has you covered with free WiFi for the rest of your journey.
The staff was really sweet. The lady serving me lunch was kind enough to get me a cup of hot chocolate, even though it was not part of the menu. You even get a personal assistant who helps you with almost everything.
I hope you all are having an amazing day. Today’s blog will be about one of my interests, traveling.
So I love traveling, specially discovering new places. Though I have traveled little within Pakistan but I’ve been to the Northern Areas (Naran) twice or maybe thrice, I think. It breaks my heart seeing man destroy everything. Maybe its human nature? Cutting down trees and polluting everything. We should educate the people of this country of how important it is for them to stop throwing trash wherever it’s convenient for them.
Moving on to the places I’ve traveled outside of Pakistan. And the places I would definitely recommend anyone reading this. So I’ve been to Malaysia ( Kuala lumpur and Langkawi), Middle East (Dubai), England, Europe (Spain, France and Netherlands) and recently went to the United States (California).
I find Dubai highly overrated, I mean it has nothing but malls and a bad weather. Who would want to end up there, that to when you’re on a vacation. Dubai may seem fine at first but trust me, when you see Europe or America, Dubai doesn’t stand a chance. Whenever you go to Europe, you should definitely go to Paris and Amsterdam. The weather is amazing . And the best time to travel to Europe is in the summers. I was actually shocked when I went to Barcelona, it was in July and the weather was really good, there wasn’t any humidity. All I heard about Spain was that people go there for a good tan in the summers but well the weather was just too good.
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Moving to my trip to the States, I traveled Via Qatar Airways. The service and the flight was amazing. It didn’t seem like a really long journey maybe because I was asleep half of the time. I would definitely recommend Qatar Airways to people traveling to the States. I traveled within America on Amtrak, and boy the views were breathtaking. So you have your own personal room on Amtrak and then there is a dinning area which is just like the train version of The Titanic (Just Saying). Would recommend it to anyone traveling within the United States.
