Spunky Conquers Hollywood, Anaheim and Las Vegas!

Spunky is back from Cali-Cali-California and it was one heck of a thrill ride!!

Spunky did not find Spella (perhaps she was attending a casting call for the latest Jonas Brothers series, Jonas L.A.!), but Spunky did have a lot of fun!

Not only did Spunky spend time in LA (Hollywood, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Downtown LA, Anaheim), Spunky also had the opportunity to spend a night in Vegas!

Never had Spunky encountered such cool, icy weather, it made my tail tingle! I know, I'm such a lousy excuse for a seal, right? -.- anyway, Spunky was probably the only seal in California wearing a pair of gloves when it was not even winter.

Being Spunky's first time travelling out of South East Asia with Spunky's mystery friend (let's call him Ozzy), it was truly eye-opening!

Who is Ozzy you say? Well, he's Spunky's bestest friend and is really into photography! If you liked any of the photos that you'll see later in this entry, credits go to Ozzy as well!

Back to the USA story!

Rather than boringly attempt to list down in chronological order everything Spunky did, Spunky will give you a list of 4 things in LA and Las Vegas you're bound to experience. Here goes:

1) artery-clogging food.
2) incrrrredible service.
3) thugs, yo.
4) reel life to real life.

Boredom no more!

Having bored-titis on your 18-hour flight to the USA? Dreading taking public transport to work because you've simply got nothing to do on the bus or train?

Ladies and gentlemen, all those long journeys you always dread are an opportune time for you to reflect on life! Reflect on your career aspirations, on the people who have impacted you, and the experiences that you have gained!

You can even start planning the next phase of your life, something you might not get the chance to do once you get caught in the rat race again.

Once you start penning down those thoughts, you'll realise that you can't stop!

Here's some scenarios and sassy suggestions for you to consider:

Bored on that long flight back home from your dream holiday destination? Reflect on that incredible holiday you just had! Bored in the train on the way to work? Try typing out your latest business plan or write a blog entry! Just like what I'm doing now (peak periods are time killers no more ;) )

Reflect and take action on your life today! An attitude of gratitude - knowing that at least you were given the time on those long journeys to be grateful for what you have and find your purpose in life - I'm sure that will switch your perception of life's most dull moments!

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Cheerios,

The Two Nomads

Spunky's in Search of Spella in El Lay!

Hey there fellas!

After having travelled South East Asia, Spunky's ready for a different cup of tea altogether!

Next stop: Los Angeles!

Spunky heard from a little bird that Spella's in El Lay because she's auditioning for a role in the next Twilight movie! I don't know how true it is but Spunky hopes she's not waitressing at tables whilst waiting for her next big break! My dear Spella is too talented for that!

Meanwhile, Spunky's gonna be doing other things in El Lay on top of searching for Spella:

1. Visit Hollywood of course! Spunky's a HUGE fan of movies and TV shows.

2, Maybe catch a glimpse of my baby Leo??

You were my 'Romeo', before you were even Incepted.

3. Universal Studios! Of course! A seal must work hard AND play hard too!

3. Heard there's a SIFE WORLD CUP happening in Anaheim! Wonder what all the fuss is about but their tagline really intrigues me! "A head for business, a heart for the world." Hrm...

Watch out for my next travel escapade!

Results of The Spunky Traveller "Post-It" Photo Competition!!

Hello Travel Maniacs!

It's been long awaited.. But here's announcing the winners of our POST-IT photography competition! *DRUM ROLLS*

FIRST PLACE-

Royston Loo with his photo taken in Cambodia of two little friends wins for his excellent timing in taking the shot and his short but heartwarming caption:

"I see the most precious possession in them: friendship."

Next in SECOND PLACE is Wendy Cheong with another opportune shot of a message in the sky whilst in Melbourne, Australia.

Coincidence, or a sign from the heavens?

"It seems like there will always be reasons for you to be home sick, just like this reminder in Melbourne. So far yet so near. "

In THIRD PLACE, we have an entry from Nurhidayah, whose picture truly encapsulates the fun she had on her trip!

"It is my favourite picture because it depicted the awesome fun we had! The view was amazing, the food was scrumptious, there was an indoor pool which all of us enjoyed, the serenity of the whole place was simply... indescribable..

But the main thing that had won me over, was the company, the love and joy that we all shared, and that beat everything else. The travel experience was most memorable because of it. "

Royston wins a Sab Baay Laptop Sleeve, Wendy wins a hand-woven Rugged Rug, whilst Nurhidayah wins a colourful Accessories Bracelet.

Thanks everyone for your entries!

Remember that you can STILL post more photo entries and other travel-related stuff that you'd like to share with our facebook fans on our Facebook Page!

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Cheerios,

The Two Nomads

Fly to Batam on A Magic Carpet (No, Rug) Ride

The story of our Rugged rugs!

Fly to Batam On A Magic Carpet (No, Rug) Ride

SPUNKY THE SEAL NARRATES:

Batam is an island and city in Riau Islands Province of Indonesia.

Spunky was there for a short holiday at Nongsa Point beach resort!

Weather was too hot for any sea sports, so Spunky just spent a lot of time looking at the GORGEOUS view of the sea with his friend.

Samantha Brown visits Singapore!

You guys ever watched the Discovery Travel and Living Channel on cable?

Ever seen Samantha Brown's show and got jealous at her jet-setting lifestyle, reviewing various unique, off-beaten vacations around the world and having 10 years of travel experience under her belt to show off?

Well, Samantha's just been to sunny Singapore!

Read her blog as she braves our scorching heat, tries a plate of chicken rice in a humble foodcourt and attempts the infamous Singapore Sling!

Biography:

Samantha Elizabeth Brown (born March 31, 1969) is an American television host, notable for her work as the host of several Travel Channel shows including Girl Meets Hawaii, Great Hotels, Passport to Europe, Passport to Latin America, Great Weekends, Passport to China, and Samantha Brown's Asia. (Source: Wikipedia)

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Cheerios,

The Two Nomads

To Vietnam With Love (and a whole bag of Bracelets)

The Story of our Accessories Bracelets...

Read on to find out!

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To Vietnam With Love by Spunky the Seal

SPUNKY THE SEAL NARRATES:

Recently, I was on my way to Cambodia where I had heard that Spella was scaling the heights of Ang Kor Wat , I made a pitstop at Vietnam.

Not intending to stay long, of course. C'mon, it's Vietnam!

What can possibly interest a seal in Vietnam? It isn't the shopping heaven that is Bangkok. It doesn't have world famous monuments like those in Cambodia.

Boy, was I surprised.

My first stop was in Hoi An, a city in the South Central Coast of Vietnam.

The city was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for being a well- preserved example of a Southeast Asian trading port of the 15th to 19th centuries, with buildings that display a unique blend of local and foreign influences.

When I first stepped in Hoi An, I thought I was in Chinatown!

Quaint, well-preserved yellow shophouses with a distince Chinese style lined the streets.

A tourist hotspot for the awesome night cafe-shopping experience! Hoi An is simply beautiful at night!

I settled in a cafe to write a postcard for Mama Seal, and met a young German lady who was on her graduation trip - alone! She loved Hoi An, said it was one of the best parts of her South East Asian trip yet!

She promptly scoffed at me when she found out that I was the only staying there for 2 days... "There is so much to see in Hoi An!", she says.

Elif Shafak: The politics of fiction | Video on TED.com

Stories can indeed bind people together, transcending cultures and politics as we are taken on a journey across lands and seas. That is what The Spunky Traveller aims to do as well with our stories.

Have fun watching the video!

Elif Shafak: The politics of fiction | Video on TED.com

"In the end, stories move like whirling dervishes, drawing circles beyond circles. They connect all humanity, regardless of identity politics. ...

Come let us be friends for once; let us make life easy on us; let us be lovers and loved ones; the earth shall be left to no one."

Biography:

Elif Şafak (also spelled Elif Shafak; born 25 October 1971) is a Turkish writer and the best-selling female author in Turkey. She has published novels written in Turkish as well as English.

Şafak has been characterized by critics as continuously and creatively blending Western and Eastern traditions of storytelling to generate a fiction that is both local and universal. Her writing has been defiant of bigotry and xenophobia, deeply involved in feminism, Sufism and Ottoman culture, with "a particular genius for depicting backstreet Istanbul" (Source: Wikipedia)

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Cheerios,
The Two Nomads

Hear Ye, Hear Ye!

Dear readers,

Travelling is tiring for Spunky! It is a lot of work, packing and repacking.

Whilst he ison hiatus as he travels from place to place, we welcome your wonderful stories of travel!

Write to us at thespunkytraveller@gmail.com .

The best travel stories get published!

Don't forget to include:

1) Your full name

2) The country/place you are writing about

3) The date of travel

4) 3 top tips for the place of travel

5) A few photos from your travel!

Gracias, amigos!

*Note: The Two Nomads reserve the right to select the entries they wish to publish.*

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Cheerios,

The Two Nomads

Welcome!

Welcome to The Spunky Traveller!

My name is Spunky the Seal, and welcome to my blog!

This is where I detail all my escapades. I do love to travel, and taste all the different ways of cooking my favourite snack, FISH!

Well, to tell you the truth, I am looking for my one true love, Spella the Seal.

To be honest, Spella cast a spell on me. We met by a weird twist of fate whilst she was backpacking in Singapore! (We grabbed the same sushi on the conveyor belt). That was when she thrilled me with all her stories of travel. I was fascinated by this beautiful beast, but she'd left the shores of the island without so much as a goodbye!

Once upon a time, I, Spunky, was no traveller, simply satisfied with all the conveniences in Singapore. But having travelled far and wide, looking for my one true love, I proudly declare that I am addicted to travelling!

Spella was right, there is beauty to be found everywhere. Even in the least travelled of places.

So now I, Spunky, am going to embark on a quest to find Spella across the world!

Do join me on this journey :)

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Love,

Spunky