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In the western part of Hong Kong’s Kowloon Peninsula lies the bustling Mongkok city. Renown for being one of the busiest cities in the world, the Kowloon city Flower Market offers a relaxing haven for those trying to escape the routine of daily life. Situated on Prince Edward West Road, the Kowloon Flower Market is a colourful oasis of flowers and is a favourite haunt among the locals. A short distance from Dorsett Mongkok Hong Kong, the Flower Market has fed the city’s love for gardening for many years.

Open throughout the week from 7 a.m until late evening, Kowloon Flower Market has over 50 stalls that sell the best of the season’s locally grown and imported plants. Here, graceful orchids, colourful bouganvillias and bright sunflowers sit beside artistic bonsai trees that are ready to be taken home by the city’s enthusiastic gardeners. One of the most enjoyable ways to spend an afternoon in the city, the Kowloon Flower Market is the ideal venue to make all your gardening purchases with many shops selling seeds, fertiliser and flower pots to decorate your garden alongside other garden equipment. It is also the best place to buy a beautiful flower bouquet to surprise a loved one and collect items needed to recreate your dream garden that will rival the beautiful gardens seen in many a Hotel in Kowloon.

Kowloon’s Flower Market enthusiastically joins the season’s festivities with the Chinese New Year welcoming shoppers to purchase ‘Lucky Bamboo’ arrangements and other auspicious plants while the Christmas season sees the Market sell Christmas decorations alongside seasonal Christmas trees, hyacinth buds, poinsettia and ivy. Visitors can spend hours walking past the numerous flower shops and relax with a cup of organic tea at ‘Hay Fever’ while admiring the shop’s own assortment of flowers and plants. While in Kowloon’s Flower Market, visit the famous Yuen Po Bird Garden situated at the end of Flower Market Road where you can gaze at beautiful birds found in the Market’s 70 stalls and listen to their sweet chattering.

Shehera Fioni is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Catalina Forbes. Her content is based on many thrilling escapades offered to travellers across the world.

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The Maldives, a group of islands speckling the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, almost seems to have been created as a romantic getaway destination. Where you would usually call a cab, in the Maldives you would order a seaplane or take a boat. High heels have no place here, everybody on holiday should kick back in a pair of comfortable flip flops. Whatever qualifies as beachwear, including plenty of sunscreen, is all you really need out here.

If it is your honeymoon, start by selecting the perfect Maldives resort for you. Many luxury hotels cater specially to newlyweds, with honeymoon packages tailored to deliver lifelong memories. Anantara Veli, Maldives boasts a cluster of over water bungalows, which provide an intimate ambience that is perfect for honeymooners. Whether you choose to spend your special vacation with your feet up, sipping a drink or creating your very own island adventure; speak to the hotel’s concierge who is there to help you get the most out of your stay.

The best time to visit the Maldives is between the months of December and April, when the best of the tropical weather rolls in. A breath taking sunset makes an ideal backdrop for a barefooted stroll along the beach followed by a moonlit dinner under a canopy of stars; is bound to delight any couple embarking on their new life together. Those with a more adventurous side, will not be disappointed either: coral reefs, exotic fish and other underwater delights lie in wait for those who wish to take a boating or diving excursion. If you gather up enough courage, you may even want to pencil in a day to go swimming with sharks! If you are looking to stretch your legs, see the sights, soak up some culture and even do some shopping; visit some of the other islands, the local fish market promises a unique experience.

Shehera Fioni is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Catalina Forbes. Her content is based on many thrilling escapades offered to travellers across the world. Google+