We Were the Lucky Ones: A Novel

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

Inspired by the incredible true story of one Jewish family separated at the start of World War II, determined to survive—and to reunite—We Were the Lucky Ones is a tribute to the triumph of hope and love against all odds
 
“Love in the face of global adversity? It couldn't be more timely.” —Glamour
 
It is the spring of 1939 and three generations of the Kurc family are doing their best to live normal lives, even as the shadow of war grows closer. The talk around the family Seder table is of new babies and budding romance, not of the increasing hardships threatening Jews in their hometown of Radom, Poland. But soon the horrors overtaking Europe will become inescapable and the Kurcs will be flung to the far corners of the world, each desperately trying to navigate his or her own path to safety. 
 
As one sibling is forced into exile, another attempts to flee the continent, while others struggle to escape certain death, either by working grueling hours on empty stomachs in the factories of the ghetto or by hiding as gentiles in plain sight. Driven by an unwavering will to survive and by the fear that they may never see one another again, the Kurcs must rely on hope, ingenuity, and inner strength to persevere. 
 
An extraordinary, propulsive novel, We Were the Lucky Ones demonstrates how in the face of the twentieth century’s darkest moment, the human spirit can endure and even thrive.

Click here

Best Things to do in Thailand This Year

Thailand is the number one tourist location in South East Asia, and it is easy to see why. Best known for its breath-taking beaches, its stunning temples and the modern urban sprawl that is Bangkok, it is a country where getting bored is just not an option.

From the moment you step of the plane to the time you leave you will be surrounded by some of the friendliest, down to earth and genuine people that you could want to meet. It’s easy to see why Thailand is often called the ‘Land of Smiles’.

The problem for any visitor to Thailand is narrowing down your list of things to do, there are countless attractions and hot spots I could put on this list but I narrowed it down to the top 5 things to do in Thailand.

1-Visit the Grand Palace

Set in the heart of Bangkok this is probably the most famous attraction there is. For 150 years the palace was home to the king, his court, and the entire government of Thailand as well as the Royal Mint. With an area of 218,400 sq. meters there is so much to see and do, you will not be disappointed. In 1782 huge walls were built around the palace and offices to make it the attraction it is today, please note that a strict dress code is in place at the palace so you will need to dress in appropriate clothing or entry will be refused.

2-Visit the Floating Markets.

There are several floating markets in Thailand but this one is the biggest and most famous, it is huge! There are boats everywhere going up and down the canals selling all sorts of foods and fruits. A visit to this market will give you a real insight into how things were many years ago. For those who love to take photos the narrow canals and small wooden stilt houses are sure to give you countless opportunities.
The market is situated about 100km outside of Bangkok but it is well worth the traveling time.

3-Spend an Evening in Nana Plaza (Soi 4)

No trip to Bangkok could be complete without taking a trip to Nana, the main road that runs through Bangkok is called Sukhumvit road and when you get to Soi 4 you have arrived at a place you do not want to miss. Nana Plaza is rumored to be the largest sex complex in the world, full of gogo bars and seductive girls you are guaranteed to have an interesting night.

Take a seat at any of various bars in the Plaza and just sit back and watch the girls apply their trade to many visiting tourists.

4-Eat Street Food

Thailand is home to many different kinds of street food and every street in every city will have various different stalls selling their wares. From Pad Thai to Som Tam (papaya salad) to grilled meats it is all available at any time of the day. Thai’s rarely cook at homeas the cost of eating out is so low compared to cooking at home, when looking for a food stall to eat at a good choice is to follow the locals to see where they are eating.

5-Visit Khao Yai National Park

Khao Yai National Park was the first national park to be established in Thailand and is the third largest in the country. Covering an area of 2,168 square kilometers it is a huge site to visit. The park comprises of rain forests as well as grasslands which all adds up to the large number of animals you can see. There are an estimated 300 species of birds in the park as well as bears, elephants, deer’s, gibbons and macaques. There are a couple of waterfalls in the park which are well worth a visit as well and are easily accessible by car.Capture the moments with Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H300 20.1 MP

FOR TRAVEL IN CROATIA

Do and Dont's

Croatia was one of the most difficult places we've travelled to. My first draft of this post was a bit less forgiving, but then we went to Korcula and the people became friendlier, the weather cooler and the beaches more inviting. I realized that for as many unfriendly, unhelpful people as there are working in the service industry, there are just as many kind, welcoming and hard-working people who are ready to show you a good time. Chatting with our friendly taxi driver in Zagreb, we caught a different perspective. "People in Croatia don't like to work," he said. "Sometimes the wages are so low that you don't have the will for a smile."

I don't know what to say to that. When I'm travelling in a country I take notice of the socioeconomic conditions. I've travelled to poor regions before, none poorer than Bolivia. And everyone there had a genuine smile on his or her face. Thailand was also full of friendly people, despite the fact that many of them live in substandard housing and I saw a few bathing in the Chao Phraya River.

Economically Croatia is nowhere near as poor as these two examples. Perhaps they feel so because of their proximity to the Schengen area countries? Is this a good excuse for such consistently rude, unwelcoming behaviour to visitors? I'd love to hear from other readers on this issue.

Those who keep up with us on Facebook and Twitter may know that we cut our time there short by two weeks. Croatia is a very beautiful country and we didn't even get to some of the most attractive cities and areas. It isn't cheap, however, and we're celebrating our one-year wedding anniversary this month. We don't want to deal with unfriendly people and a lot of nonsense. But I want to be helpful and for visitors to have the knowledge to make the most of their time. Here are my do's and don'ts for exploring and preparing for your Croatian adventure so that you can have hopefully have a better time than we did.

DO Bring the right gear

Croatia's beaches are not the sandy affair you might be used to. While sand beaches do exist, most of them have pebbles or sharp rocks, so purchase some reef shoes. Don't um and ah about it: it will make the difference between skipping happily into the water or wincing as you tiptoe for fifteen minutes out to the deep part. You'll also probably want some snorkel gear and a beach towel as even the more expensive hotel we stayed at in Supetar didn't provide these. Hats and sunscreen are a must.

DON'T Visit in August

This was probably our biggest mistake. It's stinking hot, teeming with German and Italian tourists (which is fine but you might get tired of constantly being addressed in German when you're speaking Croatian or English) and many locals are absolutely sick and tired of foreigners. I suspect this was our biggest foible but, unfortunately, this was the only time we had this year to visit. Everything is more expensive, more crowded and more aggravating.

DO Bring cash

Even if the door of the establishment has the Mastercard and Visa logos on the door and even if you see the credit card machine sitting there on the counter, don't assume that your card will be accepted. We came across more 'cash only' businesses in Croatia than anywhere in South America. And bring plenty of money in general. The only bargains are beer and transportation.

DO Enjoy the nice local food

We didn't have a bad meal in Croatia. From delicious grilled meats to fresh seafood to excellent Italian dishes, you can't go wrong with restaurants. For those with a sweet tooth, you'll find a gelato shop every 50 metres and bakeries have excellent pastries and desserts. In general, 'caffes' serve coffees, ice cream and specialty drinks while restaurants and takeaway shops have the food. Diversity is not common - restaurants of a similar type will offer pretty much the same menu and we didn't find much in the way of international cuisine. Be sure to try cevapcici and the delicious fish such as Sea Devil, which is like monkfish.

Top 5 Must See Attractions in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia is one of the most visited cities in the world with tens of millions of tourists visiting the city every year. It is a melting pot of Malaysia’s three races - Malays, Chinese and Indians, creating a truly cultural experience.

As a result of its rapid expansion of Malaysia’s economy, it has developed a Western look-and-feel that is very unique in Southeast Asia. So we have compiled a list of five main attractions that you simply cannot miss when you visit the great city of Kuala Lumpur.

1-Petronas Twin Towers
These towers were declared the tallest buildings in the world when they were completed in 1998, becoming a symbol of the Kuala Lumpur. Visitors have the opportunity to walk between the towers at the 41st and 42nd floors called Sky Bridge, measuring 175 meters above street level! The towers serve as a complex of office buildings, conference halls, shopping malls and a 50-acre park. Make sure to arrive early because of the towers’ popularity among tourists.

2-Bazaars During Ramadan
If you visit during the month of Ramadan, Kuala Lumpur will offer endless amounts of joy. This month of fasting is one of the best times of the year because of the food that is offered to break the fast. Discover the best bazaars in TTDI, Kampung Baru and Subang’s SS18. Pay attention to which stall has the most people. Also, each bazaar has their own popular dish so make sure that you try them all! Try to visit in the late afternoon so that you can eat the food as it is being made. This is also a great opportunity to meet the locals and learn about their culture.

3-Batu Caves
Located 10 kilometers north of Kuala Lumpur, this famous Hindu temple and shrine is a must-see. It is best known for its giant golden statue, which you can reach if you are willing to climb the 272 steps to the top. However, the view from the top is worth the trip. Not to mention, there will be monkeys jumping around, following you the whole way. Batu Caves can easily be reached by trains of buses located in the center of Kuala Lumpur. If you visit during the Thaipusam festival, just know that it will be extremely busy since nearly one million pilgrims visit the site for religious purposes.

4-Dip N Dip
If you are a chocolate lover, then Kuala Lumpur is the city for you. When you are on vacation, you are entitled to treat yourself to something special. Dip N Dip is a dessert restaurant that will serve you chocolate in more flavors and ways than you can imagine. Order waffles with ice cream, topped with fresh berries and much, much more. Use Dip N Dip as your reward for making the hike up to the Batu Caves!

5-Bird Park and Butterfly Park
Luckily, these parks are right next to each other so you can visit both in one day. Relax and walk through the parks - practice your photography skills or watch your children try to catch the butterflies in amazement. You can even buy some bird food in the bird park so the birds will come sit on your shoulder for a picture. There is no doubt that these parks will offer a memorable experience for you and your family.

When you visit Kuala Lumpur, you are guaranteed to have a magical experience. Between the diverse cultures, natural beauty and spectacular architecture, you will never forget this vacation. If you’ve ever been to this amazing city, tell us which attraction that was your favorite!

Travelling to Malaysia Tips and Tricks

Kuala Lumpur is my most visited city outside the Philippines.  

I can’t recall how many times I’ve visited this sprawling metropolis.  

Thus, this Kuala Lumpur Travel Guide with itinerary and budget is long overdue.  

Kuala Lumpur has grown into a modern and affluent metropolis from an erstwhile tin mining village. 

 What I like about Kuala Lumpur is despite its success, it remains a culturally diverse city.  

It is a melting pot of ethnic Malays,  Indian migrants, British colonials and Chinese. 

Everywhere you go, you can see how the city managed to preserved its age-old heritage buildings, 

temples and mosques that blend beautifully with towering buildings and opulent shopping malls.

Kuala Lumpur self-sufficient experience is you can find soft goods at Lot 10 that sell genuine clothes at cheap prices. Also, you can also search in Chinatown. This is one of the cheaper areas in the city and especially it is close to many attractions.

For transportation in the city, you can choose a bus, train or taxi. If traveling to Kuala Lumpur alone, you should take the bus or train because the price of each trip is only about 1 – 10 dollars in each location. While traveling with a large group, renting a taxi will help your team move more freely and comfortably. The only note is that you have to pay the price firmly with the driver before boarding.