A GIRL getaway is no longer one woman’s future after more than one accident occurred during her latest adventure with some friends.

She would much rather see the world solo.

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Kaleah Denise (@lyah.luxe) wishes she had listened to her feelings and stayed At home.

Instead, she decided to celebrate the birthday of a good friend who was planning a party trip to Cabo.

Since her best friend invited some other friends, Kaleah decided to take her husband along on the trip.

But now that she’s learned her lesson, she’ll only stay with members of her own team next time, especially after what happened before they even went on their trip.

The night before they were to leave, she attended her friend’s birthday dinner and paid the bill – but one girl in particular didn’t pay her back her full share.

Things only got more shocking when she showed her that she only had $135 in her bank account.

She couldn’t believe that the girl was planning to travel the next day when she had so little money.

She gave her the $135 and promised to pay her the remaining $46 she owed.

She gave the ‘friend’ the benefit of the doubt, thinking she was waiting for a paycheck, but the ‘bread’ never came.

Not wanting to embarrass her, she even waited two days into the trip to give her other friend an overview of the situation.

Kaleah thought she would never see the remainder of what she owed and was determined not to let this get in the way of her escape.

She decided she would wait to discuss the matter when they got home.

Meanwhile, the birthday girl was having a little too much fun not long after they arrived, and she devoted her time to caring for her.

The other ‘friend’ who was also in the room didn’t seem to be doing much except texting her husband.

Kaleah only had one question: why didn’t he send her some money?

And she only started getting more questions when she found out the girl had spent the night with someone while they were in Mexico and he had given her $100.

She especially didn’t appreciate that while she and her boyfriend were helping their friend feel better while holding her hair in the bathroom, this girl started undressing.

And this time she couldn’t just blame it on the alcohol.

The girl even took her phone charger and key card with her, which she ended up losing, prompting a refund.

She could deny it all she wanted, but Kaleah knew who the perpetrator was.

It was safe to say that her gut turned out to be right – and her fans were just as shocked.

“One hundred and thirty five dollars to Cabo? Insane, that’s literally one night out,” said one follower.

“I don’t go on holiday with strangers for this reason,” said another viewer.

“If you don’t have everything, don’t go!” a third spectator commented.

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Who knows what Jennifer Lopez made of the Quality Street bowl in her hotel room.

The star reportedly earned £3.9million for singing and staying at the grand opening of One&Only One Za’abeel last month.

But when I arrived four days later – one of the first paying guests to visit the new ultra-luxury resort in Dubai – I was surprised to find complimentary Orange Cremes, Green Triangles and Purple Ones among the champagnes and single malts in my minibar.

The West Yorkshire-made sweets aren’t the strangest extra on offer.

While its sister property, Atlantis The Royal, has gold-plated toothbrushes for guests, One&Only One Za’abeel goes one step further.

Some suites have soundproof walls and recording facilities; others give guests a ‘free Longevity Scan Index’ upon arrival (no, me neither); one, for £22,500 a night, even includes a ‘man cave’ for guests.

My favorite would probably be the one with a free cocktail party for eight people – if only I had remembered to bring seven friends.

As it is, I stay in just one ‘room’ – even though it’s still ridiculously luxurious, with a walk-through closet, a sofa with so many thick cushions I have to remove eight of them to sit, a toilet with seventeen buttons to to control the ‘intimate cleaning’ functions, and a bath large enough for three people.

It’s best not to speculate about which of these luxury items was the big draw for Naomi Campbell, Idris Elba, David Gandy or Emma Radacanu, who attended the hotel’s opening weekend with J-Lo.

That pool, overlooking Dubai’s glittering sci-fi skyline, is a 53-story pinnacle.

The hotel is housed in one of two 300-foot towers, meaning guests can look down on ant-sized cars speeding along the 12-lane highway below.

But it also means I spend a lot of time in elevators. (Safety measures mean you’ll have to change elevators to get from your room to restaurants and bars.)

And while One &Only One Za’abeel is more convenient to Dubai’s business district than the beach, don’t leave your swimwear at home.

On the 4th floor is a palm-lined swimming pool with hot and cold running waiters. It’s a beautiful place – and the private area is where Campbell/Gandy types can relax, hidden by thick palm fronds and a fence for about a hundred pounds extra.

Better yet is the spectacular infinity pool on the hotel’s 27th floor, 200 meters long and 100 meters high in the air, atop the longest cantilever bridge in the world. It has cabanas, swim-up bars and a clubby Japanese-Peruvian bar/restaurant.

There are 11 restaurants. Granted, there is some silliness: Thai-style fortune telling at DuangDy; waiters in straitjackets at avant-garde StreetXO; and a late-night ‘snacks’ menu at Sphere, with a £2,500 portion of caviar.

After a few days I’m half a stone heavier, 100 percent happier, and my hand luggage consists mostly of stolen Quality Street.

I bet if you checked J-Lo’s, hers would be too.

The world’s best value for money destinations for Brits have been revealed, with Vietnam topping the list for the first time.

Second in the Post Office Travel Holiday Money Report rankings is South Africa, another long-haul hotspot, with Kenya in third.

The most expensive destination in the world is Tamarindo in Costa Rica, which languishes in 40th place. Next is New York, which ranks second from the bottom. There, beer costs an average of £5.82 per bottle.

The findings are from the 18th Post Office Travel Money Worldwide Holiday Cost Barometerand are based on the costs of eight ‘tourist items’ in forty resorts and towns, making comparisons between the costs of a beer, a three-course meal, insect repellent and sunscreen.

In Vietnam’s Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this basket of goods totals £51.18. Meanwhile, at the other end of the scale, holidaymakers planning a trip to Tamarindo won’t get change on £158.04 if they buy the same items.

Second-place Cape Town has been knocked off the top spot for 2023 thanks to a five percent price increase, taking the basket to £54.35.

Kenya, loved for its combination of safaris and beach holidays, comes in at number three thanks to a basket total of £54.93.

Many of the destinations have seen local price increases, but once prices are converted to sterling, holidaymakers at 19 long-haul destinations, including six in Europe, will still pay less than a year ago.

Tokyo has risen in the rankings to move into fourth place after costs fell by 16.2 per cent to £59.05.

The Algarve in Portugal, where prices fell by 1.2 per cent, came in at number five (£59.69), overtaking Turkey (ninth, £66.07) and Bulgaria (seventh, £62.49). Traditionally Bulgaria offers great value for money, but prices have risen by 6.4 percent, resulting in a sharp increase to £62.49.

Sunny Cyprus is the fourth European destination in the top 10, while Paphos sneaks into 10th place at £73.32.

Tropical Bali is eighth overall, while Sharm el-Sheikh is sixth at £61.37, thanks to the devaluation of the Egyptian pound.

Cancun, Mexico, has seen a dramatic decline, topping itself from a place in the top 10 to 33rd, as a result of a 16.7 percent price increase. The goods now stand at £127.10 thanks to the strong Mexican peso.

Holiday concerns and intentions

Two-thirds of Britons planning a trip abroad admit that the strength or weakness of the pound will be a factor in their decision-making.

Another concern is prices. Eighty-four percent of people, rising to 89 percent of family travelers, are concerned about the cost of meals and drinks.

Budgeting is also a top priority, with 90 percent worried about crushing their budgets and the cost of flights and ferries.

The holiday pay will largely come from savings, with 40 percent admitting that the money will come from existing income. Many are thinking about how they can save even more: 32 percent of holidaymakers choose to travel during the cheaper intermediate periods, when costs are lower.

Currencies

In other results, the Post Office Travel Holiday Money Report shows that the euro is by far the best-selling currency, with an eight percent increase in sales and a strong indicator of where people will travel in 2024.

This is followed by the US dollar and in third place the Australian dollar.

When it comes to the fastest growing currencies, the Egyptian pound has shown the biggest growth this year at 656 percent. Closely followed by the Chinese yuan with 589 percent, followed by the Japanese yen with 266 percent.

The best deal will be found in Turkey due to the collapse of the Turkish lira. In 2024, visitors can expect to receive 81 percent more liras than a year ago. However, prices in restaurants and bars in Marmaris have more than doubled in the last twelve months, so if you’ve been there before, expect a big increase.

Egypt is also a good choice for 2024. With a drop of over 71 percent, visitors can now earn an extra £208 on a £500 purchase.

If you consider Japan or Kenya, the pound sterling has appreciated by more than 16 percent against both the Japanese yen and the Kenyan shilling over the past twelve months.

Vietnam, Prague and Thailand are also showing strong share price gains and if you go Down Under to visit relatives, the British will earn seven percent more to spend on their holiday allowance.

Top rated holiday destinations

When it comes to the highest-rated holiday destinations, perennial British favorite Spain still takes top spot with 86 percent, despite falling to 14th on the Barometer after recording a price increase of 9.3, with goods came in at £81.45.

It is closely followed by Portugal and Greece, both of which receive an 82 percent rating from holidaymakers.

Not far behind are the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands, as well as Cyprus, Croatia, Malta and Turkey, all of which have impressive viewing figures of between 75 and 79 percent.

Bulgaria, in tenth place, has a 73 percent good value rating, while Croatia is only three points lower.

Thailand tops the list for the highest approval ratings of the 16 long-haul hotspots, with 71 percent considering it good value, ahead of Mexico, Egypt, the US and the Caribbean.

Commenting on this year’s results, Laura Plunkett, head of Post Office Travel Money, said: ‘The barometer results highlight how important it will be this year to consider how the strength of the pound has affected individual destinations.

‘Holidaymakers looking to travel long distances can expect to get better value for their money as the pound has gained ground in most destinations.

‘By comparison, sterling’s gains against the euro have been more modest, so it’s worth comparing destinations across the eurozone to see which offer the cheapest prices. Portugal and Cyprus seem to be the best choices for bargain hunters.’

• Alicia Gilby regularly shows off her daily life as a size 4X influencer online
• The Canadian content creator has detailed the reality of plus-size travel
• She said she had to “swing” down the aisle and couldn’t use her tray

By Kelsi Karruli for Dailymail.Com

Published: 4:31 PM EDT, March 21, 2024 | Updated: 4:54 PM EDT, March 21, 2024

Kanye West is being urged to spend time with his wife Bianca Censori’s father in Australia, according to sources, who claim the architect is ‘hesitant’ to face her father’s wrath over her near-nude outfits and controversial relationship with the rapper.

DailyMail.com previously reported that Bianca’s father Leo was keen to confront his son-in-law – who married the Australian designer in December 2022 – just a month after finalizing his divorce from ex-wife Kim Kardashian.

Now Leo has reportedly requested that Kanye fly to Australia to meet him after his wife expressed fears about his “intimidating” attitude during her visit earlier this month.

“Kanye has been invited to go to Australia and Bianca is hesitant to make it happen because she knows how her father will react,” a source told DailyMail.com exclusively.

“Her father still plans to talk to Kanye, and Leo will not be intimidated by Kanye’s power or control. No one expects this to be all rainbows and family portraits.”

The demand comes after Bianca’s mother Alexandra flew to the US with the intention of ‘saving’ her child, but apparently failed to reach the couple.

“Bianca’s father wasn’t necessarily happy about his wife’s visit to see their daughter because he feels like she has enabled Bianca to keep doing what she does,” the insider continued.

“Yes, Bianca dressed provocatively while her mother was there, but that was nothing compared to some of the outfits she wore before and after the visit.”

Since her mother’s departure, Bianca has made headlines with her striking fashion choices.

Earlier this week, she showed off her bare bottom in a metallic silver micro mini skirt and thong, which she teamed with a triangle bikini top.

In another explicit outfit, she wore sheer, neon green tights, which she paired with a skimpy beige tube top.

The outfit became even more X-rated when her husband pulled down her pantyhose to reveal the top of her bum.

Bianca’s father is said to be disappointed by Alexandra’s inability to help her daughter see through Kanye’s influence, with the source adding: “Alexandra wanted to do this on her own and her father was under the impression that she was going to talk to her about how she introduces himself.

“She was so caught up in the attention and fame of it all that she became somewhat intimidated by Kanye’s influence.”

Earlier this month, Alexandra reportedly flew out “to see for herself” if her daughter is in control of her life.

“Bianca’s mother had to see it for herself after Bianca told her family she had this under control,” a source told DailyMail.com. ‘This was a great opportunity for Alexandra to spend time with Bianca and assess the situation for herself.’

The insider continued, “Alexandra was calm, believing she was coming to save her daughter. But this is not the case. Since the release of Vultures, Kanye has started to turn things around in the sense that he isn’t going on as many unhinged rants.

‘He also knows how to sweet talk a mother. This was a really good experience, and everyone is so relieved to see her with Alexandra.”

Alexandra’s visit came days after sources told DailyMail.com that Bianca had insisted to her loved ones that she was not being coerced by her husband as many feared.

“Bianca has spoken to her family and she has been telling her friends the same thing since she was last home, which is that she knows what she is doing and she has this under control,” they said.

The architectural designer does indeed seem to have a goal in mind when it comes to what she will do with her new level of fame, and she is said to be making smart investments in her marriage.

While many believe the rising fashion star has simply become the Grammy winner’s “trophy wife,” Bianca has long been someone who worked with Kanye to build his empire.

In addition to leading the architecture for Kanye’s Yeezy brand, Bianca is listed as joint officer and manager of Oxpaha LLC, which Kanye founded in October 2023, as of November 2020.

“She has invested a lot in her marriage to Kanye and her plan is starting to become clear,” the source continued.

“She owns his clothing line, his music — she’s the only model in his latest video and on the cover of Vultures — his real estate investments, and more,” the insider added.

‘She’s a very smart woman and it seems she’s as involved in her outrageous outfits as he is.

“She’s always been daring, but she knows this is her minute and her minute won’t last forever.”

Kanye and Bianca have made significant moves through Oxpaha, with all of Kanye’s recent trademark applications – including garments used for his album release – filed under the company.

A 7,000-square-foot commercial building on Melrose Avenue in West Hollywood, which he is believed to use as a multi-use unit for his Yeezy fashion and music businesses, was also purchased last year under Oxpaha.

Bianca was given special power of attorney for the real estate deal, highlighting her importance within the rapper’s business activities.

She was also listed as a business partner in the VZW Acquisition Group for years before she first came into contact with Kanye.

In December, Leo and Alexandra were said to have worried that their daughter was simply a rebound in the wake of Kanye’s divorce from Kim Kardashian – which was finalized in November 2022, less than a month before he married Bianca.

In the middle of a Canadian city lies an abandoned shopping center that serves as a time capsule for the ’90s, as a fascinating documentary reveals.

Filmmaker Jake Williams was granted access to the City Center Mall in Hamilton, Ontario, and he took a thorough walk around to examine its innards.

He was shocked to discover that the mall – which opened in 1990 after a CA$150 million investment and closed in 2022 – appeared frozen in time, with the interior “completely preserved and completely unchanged.”

In one scene, he enters a former office, where he finds clothes in a closet, photos lying around and a retro computer on the desk. As he turns the camera around, he says, “Oh my God, has anyone been here since 1990?”

“There are pictures of them building this room… and painting it. I think I accidentally entered the 1994 office. This is bizarre…the clothes are scattered everywhere,” he added.

In another scene, Jake ventures to the mall’s food court, where he finds the remains of several eateries, including a Persian restaurant and an Italian that sells a plate of pasta for CA$3.99.

Other items on the menu include 12 wings for CA$10.99 and a hot chicken sub for CA$5.49.

While looking around the dining room, Jakes tells viewers that “the whole place stinks like hell.”

Of the food court design, he says the aqua green “chairs and tables bring back so much nostalgia” and “even the hip cans are straight out of the 90s.”

As Jake walks through the mall, viewers get a sense of its scale, with the main atrium having a grand vaulted ceiling and a glass elevator providing access to two balcony levels.

When it was open, the City Center Mall offered more than 50,000 square feet of commercial space, and hundreds of people worked in the sprawling building.

Jake reveals that the mall was originally called the Hamilton Eaton Center and has faced several hurdles over the years as footfall declined. After the name change and sale to a new owner, it finally closed its doors on December 26, 2022.

In Jake’s film, it appears that after closing most of the contents are left behind.

A Dollar Store in the mall still has “closing sale” stickers taped to the outside, along with other signs informing shoppers that a 70 percent discount applies to all merchandise.

At the discount store, Jake discovers that many unsold items have been thrown away, while he also notices a ‘wall of shame’ behind the cash registers with photos of unruly customers still taped up.

In another part of the building, Jake discovers an office space that was used as a call center, with cubicles still intact and decorated with headsets.

Meanwhile, another corner of the mall was converted into a gym to attract customers. However, no machine was left behind.

Regarding the condition of the building, Jake says that the “disrepair doesn’t look that bad, but when you look in certain corners it starts to show that this building has only just been here.”

He notes that there is water damage in some parts of the structure, with the “paint starting to peel.”

His images also show that some interiors, such as the elevator doors, have been vandalized with graffiti.

After the shopping center closed, there were ambitions to demolish it to make way for a $1 billion mixed-use residential and retail development, but plans are currently on hold.

The developer who bought the abandoned mall, IN8 Developments, said CBC in December 2023 that it had “halted the project and demolition until the real estate market improves.”

Company Chairman Darryl Firsten offered hope to the city’s residents, adding, “In the meantime, we will continue to refine and improve our design.” It will be a great project.’

In the mood and market for a holiday romance?

Then pay close attention to the insights travel experts reveal here about how flirting differs around the world.

They reveal the best icebreaker in the US, the land where flirting is tangible and filled with winks and the place where lingering eye contact and buttery compliments are the order of the day on the courtship front.

Our love gurus also mention the countries where women can expect men to be openly persistent – and a place where men literally bark like dogs at the opposite sex.

Read on for some helpful global lessons in love…

UK – sharp humor hides simmering passion

Hannah Dorling, cruise travel expert and founder of I like cruise shipsis a Brit who has traveled the world and witnessed many a love affair on board.

She claims that humor is leading the way for chatting in Britain.

She tells MailOnline Travel: ‘British flirting succeeds more through banter and intellectual sparring than through overt displays… sharing private laughter helps intimacy grow.

‘For me the intrigue lies in the subtleties of British flirting. Mastering repartee, inside jokes and sensing the possibilities beneath… It may look subdued, but passions can still simmer beneath the surface.’

United States – direct and sincere

Noël Wolf is a culture expert and Babbel Live teacher for the language site Babble. He says: ‘Americans are known for being more to the point and sincere in their flirting than their compatriots in Britain.’

He notes that asking about someone’s career is the traditional American icebreaker, adding, “Americans tend to be less sarcastic than British people!”

South China – chopstick codes in rice balls

Clarissa Bloom is a relationship expert for ‘hen party experts’ www.thestagcompany.com. She notes a fun flirting tradition in southern China: ‘They celebrate the Sisters Meal Festival, their version of Valentine’s Day.

‘The women cook some glutinous rice in different colors, and when a man “takes the step” they hand him some rice in a handkerchief. If they unpack it and find two chopsticks, it means it worked.

“Only one chopstick means the girl isn’t interested, but since only the guy can see how many chopsticks are in it, it’s relatively subtle and less embarrassing if it’s a no.”

Spain – direct eye contact and lots of touching

Michele Massa is a Spanish travel expert and CEO of Ibiza summer villas. She talks about how Spaniards like to keep things tangible: ‘Spaniards are very expressive people and when flirting we tend to show this through direct eye contact and physical touch.’

Sara Rodriguez, founder of Madrid Travelagrees: ‘You don’t have to be shy with the ‘me gustas’ (I like you) – we strive to leave no uncertainty about romantic interest.

‘Women in particular are bold and lead with a smile and a wink… we think clarity is sexy – why dance around the chemistry when you can feel the fire?’

Canada – a subtle dance

Michael Donovan is a travel expert and co-founder of StayNewEngland.com.

He says: ‘Flirting in Canada tends to be quieter than in many parts of the world. Canadians have a reputation for being polite and respectful, and this translates into romantic pursuits.

‘Overtly sexual comments may be considered rude.

‘Although Canadian flirting has little impact, it runs deep. Canadians seek life partners, not conquests. It is a subtle dance, in which communication and egalitarian values ​​stimulate attraction.’

France – lingering eye contact and buttery compliments

Picking someone up is called ‘draguer’ in French, literally dredging.

Yet Fiona Spinks, travel expert and publisher of Fiona followedbelieves that the French have turned flirting into a high art: ‘AYou’ll have persistent eye contact, suggestive body language, and buttery compliments about your intelligence or irresistible je ne sais quoi.

“Leave it to the land of romance to take the simple chat-up line to a poetic level with romantic gestures like handwritten notes and intimate invitations.”

India – tradition runs deep

Travel expert Anjali Chawla, founder of Travel melodiesnotes that Indian romantic cues are subtle, with suitors relying on gestures, “gentle” compliments, and finding excuses to interact in social situations.

She says, “Being too direct or overt with advances is generally not appreciated.”

Tradition is the key. Anjali continues: ‘Since parental involvement often plays an important role in the matchmaking process, openly dating multiple potential partners is usually not an initially accepted option. Flirting occurs most often during family gatherings and other controlled environments in the early stages.

‘Long-standing power dynamics also favor lighter-skinned people over darker skin tones, although this is slowly becoming more prevalent in modern urban areas.’

Italy – persistent

Emily Mendez, psychotherapist and writer for Tom’s blog, notes: ‘Italy has a reputation for amorous, persistent men who ruthlessly pursue the objects of their desire. Serenades and poetic overtures are more common flirting tactics [there] than in many other countries.’

Brazil, Mexico and Costa Rica – fast and aggressive

In Mexico and South America, flirting can become quite aggressive, according to Clarissa Bloom.

She says that in Brazil they are “much faster at dating and flirting,” adding, “It’s common to be close, dance together and kiss on a first date in Brazil.”

In Mexico, on the other hand, “it is common to hear wolves whistling or shouting comments out loud,” and in Costa Rica “you may hear men making dogs bark at you, which is a strange way to show your attraction.”

Egypt – keep it modest

‘[In Egypt] Islamic values ​​play an important role in shaping social interactions, including flirting,” said Mona Gomaa Flash Pack’s True Egypt tour.

She adds: ‘Modesty and respect are highly valued, and public displays of affection or provocative behavior are generally frowned upon in public.

‘Unmarried men and women generally do not interact freely and do not openly express their interest in each other. Instead, they may seek the help of intermediaries, such as family members or friends.”

Australia – friendly banter

Like their Commonwealth cousins, Australians prefer playful banter, fueled by humor and confidence, to pick-up lines, says Rosalind Cuthbertson, travel expert and co-owner of Frequent traveler.

She adds: ‘They tease with funny jokes, often about cultural touchpoints, demonstrating their ability to charm while gently poking fun.’

Germany – in advance and punctual

Noel Wolf from Babbel says: ‘Germans are known for being direct, and that can also apply in the dating world. Showing off or cheap lines don’t tend to be the preferred style.

‘Honest communication is appreciated, even though the truth can sometimes be a bit painful, so people tend not to beat around the bush.

‘One thing you should keep in mind is the importance of punctuality; Being fashionably late doesn’t make a good first impression!’

Denmark – talk honestly

According to Nicolai Lonne, travel expert and founder of Dive in, the Danish flirting style is similar to their German cousins: ‘We have a very direct approach to flirting and dating here in Denmark. For example, we Danes don’t really like playing hard-to-get or cryptic hints. We value honesty and openness about our intentions.‘

At first there is only a fleeting glimpse as someone breaks cover.

A little later it is a whole family. And suddenly, with cries of delight from our children, we are in the middle of the great migration.

Kenya is known for the annual migration of wildebeest and zebras from the Serengeti to the lush grasses of the Masai Mara, avoiding lions and crocodiles altogether.

But we don’t watch that show. We are near a Kenyan beach and see an equally spectacular migration of humpback whales that travel from Antarctica to the Indian Ocean every summer.

Along the way they skirt the Kenyan coastline at Watamu – and are just one of the attractions in this enchanting seaside town.

For many, Kenya is all about going on a safari. Yet the Kenyan coast is much more beautiful, accessible – and affordable – than I thought. It is also ideal for summer holidays, because it is a quiet season here with wonderful temperatures.

So first look further south before paying peak prices in a European hotspot.

The East African country is more of a trek than Spain, but many of the eight-hour direct flights to the capital Nairobi take place at night, there’s no jet lag and there are plenty of connections to the coast at Malindi or Mombasa.

We chose a week in Watamu, where the days were sultry and the evenings wonderfully cool.

From sunrise to sunset we had the full tropical sandy beach experience, jumping from glass bottom boats over a coral reef and laying on the sand eating freshly cut coconut.

While the coastal town of Watamu, just 13 miles from Malindi airport, was far from empty, it was also far from full.

My wife and I, plus our three children (aged 16, 14 and 11) stayed in Hemingways – a beautiful, low-rise apartment with a huge pool above the beach.

It’s five-star luxury at a European four-star price.

Our ocean view apartment had two spacious bedrooms and a huge living room, both with views of the Indian Ocean and access to a balcony that ran the length of our suite.

Two large bathrooms and a large kitchen are located inland. Not that we were cooking.

Hemingways’ restaurant serves a full brunch-style breakfast every morning. Every evening we had the choice of a buffet or an a la carte menu.

Outside, chefs were busy preparing curries or tossing steaks, snapper and stir-fries over fire pits.

Often at lunch we would grab a few tuk tuks and head to the bazaars and restaurants of central Watamu.

This place is steeped in Swahili history with its Gede ruins. There are also Indian, Arabic and Italian influences. Browse the stalls to find a famous kikoy sarong.

Just before sunset, head to Mida Creek, which flows into a huge inland lagoon.

There you can sit in a bar on stilts above the water with a cocktail and watch the sun set over the dhows and mangroves.

An unexpected highlight was Watamu Snake Farm, a sanctuary for some of the world’s deadliest specimens, including puff adders and spitting cobras.

Be there at 11am when the venom is ‘milked’ into serum to treat bites that kill up to 1,000 Kenyans every year.

Another popular spot is the Watamu Turtle Watch Marine Information Center. The area is a breeding ground for endangered sea turtles and when fishermen catch one in nets, they bring it here.

Because Watamu is located in a UNESCO-protected marine reserve, it is not teeming with pedal boats, jet skis and disco boats.

You need a day ticket to enter the reserve in a licensed glass-bottom tourist boat. It costs £12 for a day ticket (£10 for a child) plus the boat ticket.

A skipper takes you to a coral reef. All boats have free snorkel sets and life jackets. You can sunbathe on board or jump in to view the marine life.

My fate followed a stingray – at a distance.

The highlight was the afternoon on a Hemingways sports boat, following the great whale migration. It costs £80 each for a four-hour journey (including drinks and food).

Soon we saw a cloud of mist coming from a whale’s blowhole. Then the humpback whales appeared, slapping the water with their tails.

Suddenly a mother with a calf came up, followed by three relatives, so close that we could hear them snorting.

On the way back, our skipper Alfred set out fishing lines. I reeled in as many as a sailfish as long as I had a three-foot spike on its bill. It took three of us to reel it in, hold it for a photo, and then remove the hook. Then we threw it back.

What a day. What a week.

Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden appeared in good spirits as she started the fourth day of her trip to Bangladesh with a business breakfast.

The royal, 46, chatted with representatives of multilateral banks and international financial institutions over breakfast at the InterContinental Hotel in Dhaka.

The mother-of-two looked typically chic and wore a blue suit with an elegant cream blouse for the occasion.

Later, Victoria visited the Swedish Embassy in Dhaka and its ambassador, Alexandra Berg von Linde. The royal family appeared pleased as she received a bright yellow bouquet at the embassy.

Victoria then swapped her heels for a casual pair of trainers and a floral dress as she enjoyed a ride on the back of a rickshaw.

With a beaming smile, the 46-year-old made herself comfortable as she sat in the cycle rickshaw.

The mother-of-two wore a pair of Nike Air Force 1 sneakers, but with added glamor thanks to the floral detailing on the side.

To match the theme of her sneakers, Victoria opted for a casual boho-chic dress with a floral and paisley print.

Today is the final day of Victoria’s trip to the South Asian continent, which she undertook as part of her role as Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

It comes after Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden beamed yesterday as she unveiled a portrait of herself during a visit to the Asian University for Women in Bangladesh.

The royal, 46, appeared in good spirits as she uncovered the large portrait with visible excitement on her face.

It was the second day of Victoria’s trip to Bangladesh, which she is carrying out as part of her role as UNDP Goodwill Ambassador.

The regal portrait will hang on the wall of the Asian University for Women in Chattogram – an independent institution that welcomes all students, regardless of their background.

During the visit, the heir to the Swedish throne also talked to the students and interacted with their work.

The 46-year-old also delivered a speech to staff and students of the institution, which is committed to promoting women’s education.

Elsewhere on the day, Victoria visited the UNDP rural climate change adaptation project in the Khulna district of eastern Bangladesh.

Victoria embraced the tradition and wore a floral headpiece for the project, which has received contributions from both Sweden and the UNDP.

Earlier that day, Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden appeared cheerful while holding a goat during a visit to a climate change project in Bangladesh.

The heir to the Swedish throne, 46, wore a red and white floral lei around her neck as she visited the women-led community project in Khulna district on Tuesday.

The royal looked bright and breezy in flared white trousers with a blue summer print, which she teamed with an oversized T-shirt and trainers.

Victoria went for natural makeup and her brunette locks were pulled back into a relaxed bun as she smiled for the cameras while holding a small goat, while in another move she held a fish.

The mother-of-two looked in good spirits as she was shown around the facility, which has received contributions from both Sweden and the UNDP.

She chose to wear a simple silver necklace along with earrings, a bracelet, a watch and rings.

Princess Victoria once again showed off her style credentials during her trip to Dhaka yesterday.

She wore a striking pleated swan print dress by Swedish designer Jennifer Blom as she visited the Foreign Service Academy to see how the country is using digital solutions.

Victoria put her best fashion foot forward for the visit, pairing her statement dress with a vibrant cherry red handbag.

Victoria first wore the colorful dress in 2017, when she celebrated 100 years of independence in Finland together with other members of the Swedish royal family.