Sunday, November 29, 2015

Tokyo, Japan

What to Expect in... Tokyo


15. Baseball
Baseball might be a bigger deal here than in America. 


14. Old people
Japan has the highest life expectancy in the world and has few kids and few immigrants. The population is actually shrinking. Sounds like an economic disaster waiting to happen.


13. Sushi, sashimi, tonkatsu, and ramen
In Japan, food is an art.
Tokyo is always near the top of the list of cities with the best restaurants.


12. The toilet of the future
Sit back and let John do all the work. Some of the seats are heated, to, which is really relaxing.


11. Hello Kitty + friends
This is her kingdom. Respect the Kitty.


10. Karaoke
A common weekend activity is renting a small karaoke room with friends, complete with drinks and snacks.


9. Fashion
Walking around the shopping districts is like walking down a runway. These people are way into their looks.


8. Vending machines
They'll vend anything. It's really convenient having machines on the streets too.


7. A closed society
The Japanese are very protective of their traditions and culture. 
You can't work your way into being Japanese - you have to be born Japanese. 


6. Geeking out
Tokyo is the Mecca for video games, anime, and manga.


5. Wandering through the maze of train stations
Every train/metro station is an adventure. Don't expect any quick transfers. My first station was Shinjuku and I was completely overwhelmed stepping off the train.
Side note - ride the incredibly fast maglev train. It floats on magnets!


4. Being overwhelmed
Tokyo is flashy and insane, yet somehow chill. People are very polite and orderly and are certainly less pushy than the Chinese.


3. No crime (almost)
Can you really see any of these guys mugging you in a dark alley?
These people are incredibly polite and kind.


2. Men at work
The city is run by men in suits. They work extreme hours and often fall asleep on trains. Where are all the women? I think society expects them to stay at home.
Side note - Japanese businessmen are honest and don't try to rip you off like they do everywhere else. Japan has a fascinating business culture.


1. Being that awesome
Tokyo is everything I dreamed. 
I can overlook the outdated metro and the crappy public wifi.



----- The EndClick on the archive at the top right to view more cities.

Seoul, South Korea

What to Expect in... Seoul


11. Spice, grease, and seafood
If you have acid reflux or don't like seafood, Seoul isn't for you.
Seoul isn't for me.


10. Shopping
Seoul has plenty of gigantic shopping malls and markets. The best part is that prices are relatively low in Korea. 
You won't be able to leave without 10 pairs of cute socks.


9. Paparazzi
The Koreans are fanatical about their K-pop and soap stars. They have some serious stalking issues.


8. The crazies next door
South Korea has a crazy dictator to the north who wants to take over the peninsula. You can take a quick trip to the border to see the standoff for yourself.


7. Cafes
I've never seen so many cafes in my life.


6. Not being lost in Asia for once
Not being lost in Asia is a huge deal. Getting around Seoul is cake because the transportation is incredible and everything is marked clearly. The public wifi is fast and easy to connect to, so you'll always have access to Google maps.
Side note - The trains are modern and the airport is a luxurious experience.


5. Nightlife
Seoul is notorious for its late-night parties. I recommend hanging around Hongdae at night to see the excitement.


4. Christianity 
Over a quarter of the population is Christian, which is a rarity in Asia.
They love their mega churches.


3. Fatigue
Koreans have among the longest work hours in the world. They're burnt out.


2. Out of this world, fashion
Really, their fashion needs to be kicked out of this world.
What the are they wearing and why are they wearing it?


1. The new Tokyo
Seoul is fighting with Tokyo to become Asia's capital of tech, fashion, music, and TV. Korea is a fairly recently developed country and has been the craze of Asian pop culture for some time now.



----- The EndClick on the archive at the top right to view more cities.

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Hot Travel Tips

My hot hot hot travel tips:



Prepare

  • Buy travel insurance - One day, you'll lose your suitcase and develop a weird rash on your arm. You'll be grateful you have travel insurance. If you're going to a wealthy country, you don't really need travel insurance, but it's always nice to have.
  • Buy a rail pass - This can save you tons of money if you plan on visiting multiple cities. This applies mostly to expensive countries, like Japan. Discounts are often given if you buy the rail pass from your home country.
  • Practice squatting - Many countries have squat toilets, so you'll need to practice squatting before traveling.
  • Learn key words - Words such as bathroom, water, how much, where, bus stop, and chicken can get you a long, long way. One common mistake is to begin learning a language with language-learning CDs and computer software. Don't do this if you're a beginner. Your top priority is getting what you need, not having a conversation about the weather. Instead, master the top 30 key words/short phrases that will get you around town.
  • Download a language phrase app - Even if you can't pronounce the phrase, you can play it out loud on the speakers.
  • Schedule your layover for at least 2 hours - Running through the airport terminals with your luggage to catch your connecting flight is no fun.
  • Remember location, location, location! - Your hotel/hostel should be close to some form of public transportation. This will save you time and money (for not having to hire a taxi each day.)
  • Arrive at the airport early.  - Arrive 2.5 hours early for international flights and 1.5 hours early for domestic flights. There are few things worse than booking it past all terminals with your heavy suitcases trying to board the plane before the doors close.
  • Always have a ticket proving that you are going to exit the country. Many countries require this from tourists upon entry. They want to be sure that you aren't going to overstay your travel visa.
  • Tell your credit/debit card companies you're leaving - If not, they might freeze your card.
  • Get a VISA and Mastercard and - these cards are the most accepted internationally. 
  • Bring at least one debit and one credit card. If you bring an extra card or 2, leave them in the hotel room instead of carrying them around with you everywhere.
  • Register with the State Department STEP online - Do this so the government knows you're traveling abroad and can reach you in case of emergency.
  • Get a Skype account - With Skype, you can call almost anywhere for cheap. Buy an unlimited plan if you need to make a lot of calls.
  • Download the MAPS.ME app. This is the best map app because you can download detailed maps for offline use.
  • Make your suitcase stand out - Use ribbons, stickers... anything to make your suitcase unique. This makes it faster to identify on the carousel and makes it less likely someone will take it by accident.
  • Run a mile before taking a longhaul flight. It will help your back and help you to sleep on the flight.
Save
  • Book Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday flights - They're often the cheapest days to fly.
  • Use Kayak to search for flights - It's a reliable site. Kayak Explore mode is cool. It shows you a map with the cheapest flight price to every major airport. I've heard SkyScanner is good too.
  • Sign up for a travel credit card - You can get tons of free miles and upgrades. I like flexible cards like Barclay's Arrival Plus World Elite because they don't limit you to a specific airline and don't have stupid rules like blackout dates and extra mile usage for international flights. Really, a lot of cards cheat you out of points and make the whole redemption process a headache.
  • Check your credit and debit card international conversion rates. If the rates are high and you travel a lot, get another card. Many debit cards charge both currency conversion fees and withdrawal fees. Shop around. Few countries use credit cards as heavily as Americans do though, so don't always expect to be able to use your card.
  • Sign up for a credit card with no foreign transaction fees.
  • Get a pre-charge card like Revolut (Revolut is currently unavailable for US citizens) or Fairfx. Google "travel prepaid card" because new cards pop up all the time. Prepaid cards allow you to take money out of ATMs with very low fees. They give you peace of mind because you don't have to walk around with so much cash in order to avoid paying ATM fees.
  • Take local transit - Be part of the culture AND save money.
  • Buy a transit card - Whether it be a tap on/tap off or a multi-day city pass, transit passes save you time and money in the city.
  • Always know what you should pay for a taxi ride!! - Ask the hotel receptionist for general taxi prices before leaving the hotel because taxi drivers love to rip off helpless tourists.
  • Drink water, not soda or beer - Carrying a bottle of water around everywhere can save you a ton of money. Water's also healthier and keeps you better hydrated.
  • Eat before going to the airport and bring extra food with you for the flight - Airport food is always a rip-off. I'll never forgive myself for paying $9 for a crappy, tiny bowl of "Italian" spaghetti in the Guangzhou airport.
  • Eat local food - It's always cheaper and local food is a big part of the traveling experience that you can't afford to miss.
  • Stay in hostels - They're cheap and can be really nice. I use Hostelworld.com and always make sure the hostel has a rating of 80% or above.
  • Use Airbnb.com - This site allows you to rent rooms from locals for a great price. With Airbnb, you can save money and have a more authentic travel experience.
  • Use Couchsurfing.com - Many travelers love couch surfing. To couchsurf, you just have to be very sociable and view it as an opportunity to meet people rather than a free place to sleep.
  • Always bargain - Just think that everyone is out to rip you off, because they probably are. Some people try to charge tourists 10 times the fair price. Be willing to walk away.
  • When buying souvenirs, know your willingness to pay - What you're willing to pay for the item is what the price should be.
  • Buy souvenirs on the last day - Compare prices throughout your trip and then make the purchases the last day. Another benefit is you won't have extra weight in your suitcase until the end of your trip.
  • Do a working holiday - There's tons of opportunities for things like teaching (popular in East Asia), agriculture (popular in Australia and New Zealand), and hotel maintenance. You can find jobs for as short as 6 months.
  • Don't splurge - People say, "Well, I'm only here once!" so they go ahead and do all the expensive touristy things the country has to offer. That's the wrong attitude—if you spend less per vacation, you can afford many more vacations. It's so easy to splurge when you're on vacation, but don't give in!
  • Avoid doing things you can do at home - Spend all your money on unique experiences that you will remember the rest of your life.
  • Don't be too cheap - You often end up paying more in the long run if you're extremely cheap. For example, in Southeast Asia, $2 more for your hostel can get you a good breakfast, fast wifi, a receptionist that speaks decent English, hot showers, free drinking water... you get the point. You get your money's worth on just the breakfast alone.
  • Travel with a friend - You can split the money for taxis, hotel rooms, and piles of new foods that you want to try. In some places, splitting a hotel room is cheaper than renting two beds at a hostel.
  • Buy a city pass - Many cities offer passes that get you into tourist attractions at a discounted price.
  • Go during low season - Prices will be cheaper, tickets will be easier to get, hotels won't sell out, and tourist places will be less crowded. The downside is that some places will be closed. It's worth it still.
  • Use locations services free - If you don't buy a data plan, your phone will still show you your location even if you're not connected to a wifi/data network. You only have to be in in range of a wifi network.
  • Buy a Lonely Planet guidebook - If you are on a long vacation, the tips in these books will save you money (and a lot of hassle.) For shorter trips, however, you can just get your information online/through the hotel for free.
  • Vacation in a cheaper country - Do the expensive countries when you're older and richer. If you go to an expensive place, limit your time there and spend more time in a cheaper place.
  • Don't forget that most budget airlines have separate fees for luggage, carry on, seat selection, and/or food. Don't just look at the sticker price.
Bring
  • Comfortable walking shoes - the reason is obvious, but not everybody does it.
  • Light pants instead of jeans - Jeans are heavy and take precious suitcase weight. Instead, bring light, quick-dry pants—the kinds you find at a sports/outdoors store. Some of them even have a zipper that converts them into shorts.
  • Jacket (even in hot climates) - It seems like the hotter the climate, the colder the night bus. It can get freezing cold on the bus!
  • Flip flops - They're great for taking showers in hostels and walking around town during monsoon season.
  • Light clothes - Bring light clothes and wear them as layers. This allows you to bring a higher quantity of clothes and gives you more dressing options.
  • Clothes that dry quickly - Some places don't have a clothes dryer, so bring quick-drying clothes that can dry overnight.
  • Disposable clothes - On the last week, throw those old t-shirts away and you'll have room for souvenirs!
  • Noise reducing/isolating headphones - One of the best investments you'll ever make. They'll help you sleep when the baby two rows ahead won't stop screaming.
  • Point and shoot camera (if you're not a photographer) - Carrying those huge, expensive cameras are a pain. They're so heavy you won't want to carry them everywhere.
  • Tablet - Perfect for reading, surfing the web, and playing games. It's also nice to use a tablet for these functions instead of using up your precious phone battery.
  • A MacBook Air - If you need to bring a computer, bring a light one. I like the Air because it never gives me problems.
  • Extra memory cards - Keep them in different bags. Everyone runs out of space on their card sometime. I've accidentally left my memory card in my computer a few times.
  • Audiobooks, podcasts, and movies - Perfect for long bus/train/plane rides.
  • Throat drops - The air gets really dry on planes, but you don't want to drink a lot of water because then you'll have to pee multiple times. Bring delicious Ricola.
  • Multivitamin tablets - They boost your immune system, defending you from all the germs you'll encounter.
  • Imodium and pepto bismol tablets for diarrhea - They always come in handy.
  • Tissues and baby wipes - Always nice to have.
  • Hand sanitizer - Many countries outside America don't believe in soap.
  • Blister cushions - They're lifesavers because travelers spend long hours on their feet.
  • A mini first-aid kit - At a minimum, carry a couple bandaids and alcohol pads. Better safe than sorry.
  • Microfiber towel - They're light, small and dry quickly.
  • Ear plugs - To help you sleep through loud snoring.
  • Inflatable travel pillow - They're small and light to carry around.
  • Travel journal - You WILL forget a lot of cool experiences if you don't write them down. Alternatively, you could make a blog that no one cares to reads.
  • Emergency cash - I keep a $20 bill in an old chapstick tube. Put the tube in a deep pocket of your bag so you don't lose it.
  • Lock - You'll need this to store your valuables in a hostel locker.
  • Student ID - Helps you get discounts.
  • Less stuff - Traveling with big, heavy suitcases is a big pain!
  • Pen and small notebook - Pens always come in handy. Paper can be nice when you need to leave someone a note or when your phone dies and you need to write directions.
  • A portable battery charger - This will give you extra juice for your phone when your phone battery goes dead.
  • A light rain poncho - They keep you warm and dry when it rains. Plus, they're cheap and disposable.
  • Bring extra passport-sized photos. Some countries require you to provide passport-sized photos in order to get a visa or special pass. For example, in order to go hiking in Nepal, you need a special permit with your picture on it.
Save Space
  • Wear your heaviest clothes to the airport - This saves weight/space in your suitcase.
  • Carry one change of clothes in your carry-on - If your luggage gets lost, you'll have clean clothes for at least a day.
  • Roll your clothes - It helps you to fit more in and reduces wrinkling.
  • Buy packing cubes - You'll be amazed how much you can fit into them. These help keep your suitcase organized and can double as a pillow when full of clothes.
  • Buy squeezable air compression bags - They help you fit more into your suitcase. They rip easily so be extremely gentle.
  • Stuff items in your extra pairs of shoes - Use every inch of space you got!
  • Buy travel-sized toiletries - You don't need an entire bottle of shampoo. Instead, buy a small bottle and put a little shampoo in it.
  • Put heavy things (like books) in your carry-on - This allows you extra weight in your check in.
Do
  • Double down on passport security - Keep your passport and most cash in a locker or, when in transit, in the deepest zipped pocket of your bag. You DON'T want to loose these. Also, always carry a copy of your passport in your wallet.
  • Buy a local SIM card for your smartphone for long vacations - Having GPS is invaluable. Also, you will be able to use your phone to reserve a room, buy tickets, look up phrases, consult a map, chat on WhatsApp... They're just so useful!
  • Make a packing list - A list will reduce the odds of forgetting something. You should also check it when returning home.
  • Drink bottled water - Tap water is unsafe in most countries. Always bring a little more water than you think you'll need. It sucks being thirsty and stuck in a place with no drinking water.
  • Have an open mind - You'll learn more about yourself and the world and you'll have a more enjoyable time.
  • Go off tourist path - You'll discover new and cool things that no one else will see. If you're just going to follow the tourist path the whole time, then you might as well watch a travel documentary instead.
  • Meet people - It's cool to get to know people from different backgrounds with different viewpoints.
  • Try new things - Make life more exciting!
  • Be an early bird - If you get up early enough, you can have the whole place to yourself. One rainy morning, I got up early to go to the Vatican and there was no one there. It was awesome.
  • Take pictures of names of places - Even though you can't speak (Chinese), you can show the name of your destination to someone and they can point you in the right direction.
  • Go to local markets and celebrations - These are the best places to see the culture.
  • Take a siesta - Traveling is really tiring and involves a lot of walking. Take a break during the heat of the day and maybe even take a nap to recover.
  • Always put your hotel on a map - Otherwise, you might have difficulty finding your way back at night.
  • Make sure your hostel is open if you plan on arriving in the middle of the night - If not, you will have to sit outside the door and wait for hours. I've done this a few times and it's not fun.
  • If you buy a cheap flight with a discount airline, the odds of cancellation and time changes are high. Always leave at least one day cushion in your schedule in case there's any changes.
Don't
  • Don't complain a lot - Just enjoy the journey—it's all part of the travel experience. Plus, whiners are annoying. 
  • Don't try to cram everything in - Sometimes, it's nice to choose a few locations and enjoy your time there. 
  • Don't count on being able to sleep on a night bus - Night buses can be great, just make sure it's a comfortable bus and make sure the ride is at least 10 hours (so you have enough time to fall asleep. You will most likely be woken up several times, so you'll need to fall asleep multiple times.) 
  • Don't feel obligated to go to museums - Just because there's a really famous artifact in the city doesn't mean you're obligated to see it. If, like me, you think museums are deathly boring, don't go! If you like museums, then go for it. 
  • Don't go to shady ATMs - You might get your identity stolen or you might not get all the money. Try to use ATMs in nicer, enclosed locations. 
  • Don't pay in your home currency if using a credit card. It will charge you extra for conversion. If they ask you, say you want to pay in the currency of the country you're in.
  • Don't be afraid to say NO - Salesmen will try to pressure you left and right. Be strong. 
  • Don't waste time looking for the best price - If you only have a couple days in a city, don't waste hours looking for the cheapest (fill in the blank.) The time to really save money is before vacation, not during vacation. Your vacation time is valuable and is meant to be enjoyed. 
  • Don't travel in large groups unless the people are well traveled or well organized - Large groups take FOREVER to decide on anything. 
  • Don't over-selfie - Don't be the Asian tourist that blocks everyone's view in order to take 10 selfies. How many pictures of yourself do you actually need? It's nice here and there, but your face doesn't have to be in front of every cathedral in Europe.
  • Don't exchange money at the airport. Most airport exchanges overcharge.






Friday, June 5, 2015

Bangkok, Thailand

What to expect in... Bangkok


15. Old white men and young local girls
If you're a single old white man, Thailand is the best place to pick up a wife 20 years younger than you.



14. Ka and Krap
If you're a female (or ladyboy), you say ka at the end of most sentences.
If male, you say krap (pronounced just like the English word crap!)
The language sounds really nasaly.



13. The bum gun
You have to spray your butt with a hose and flush with a bucket.
byoTP.

Don't expect all the bathrooms to be this nice

12. Tuk tuks
A cheaper and more fun way to get around.
These are old school, so you'll only find them in the tourist area nowadays.


11. Tourists
They're everywhere. It's estimated that 20% of the GDP is from tourism. Thailand really is a perfect place to vacation. I recommend it to everyone for their first time in Asia.


10. Massages
Even on the sidewalk. Pay as low as $6/hr for a full-body massage. The massage involves lots of stretches and feels really good if you tell them to go soft.


9. Traffic
When driving, you will always be in traffic.
Take one of the 3 metros (yes, it's confusing because they're run by different companies) or take the Saen Saeb canal, which is an authentic Bangkok experience!



8. 7-11
Even more 7-11s (pronounced "sewen" because they don't say the letter "v") than in Taipei! You will see 7-11's across the street from each other and I've even seen 2 next door to each other.
Funny observation - 7-11 has the same color scheme as the palaces.



7. Temples
Typical of Southeast Asia. They're awesome, but you'll get sick of them quickly.



6. Cheap stuff
Prices are crazy cheap and Bangkok offers endless shopping.
The street markets have cool and crazy clothes. T-shirts cost $3.


5. Smiles
Thai people are generally friendly and smiley.


4. Royals
Pictures of the Royal family are everywhere. People adore them.
I don't understand Thailand's political system. They have a military that takes over the democratically-elected government whenever it wants to and the country seems to be doing pretty well. Huh?

that kind of luxe just ain't for us

3. Eating all day
Not only cheap, but also delicious!
You can get a (very spicy!) plate for a $1.00 if you go to local places, $3+ in tourist places (where it's much less spicy.)
To eat: pad thai, all curries, mango sticky rice.



2. Lively streets
People practically live in the streets. It's very exciting! You'll find washing machines, water stations, lottery tickets, food stalls, and all sorts of stands. The streets especially come to life at night when it's a little cooler.



1. Red lights and parties
There's all sorts of wild stuff going on from dusk till dawn.









----- The End. Click on the archive to view more cities.







Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Yangon, Myanmar (Rangoon, Burma)

What to Expect in... Yangon, Myanmar



13. Monks with smartphones
Where they gettin all that money from?


12. Power outages
Can occur any time.


11. A wild ride
The roads are bumpy, the trains sway in all directions, and the drivers are insane.
It's actually really fun!


10. A bathroom odyssey
It's a stifling hot and miserable experience.


9. Perfect dollars 
Your dollars better look absolutely perfect or they won't take em. Actually, don't bring a $50.



8. Greasy food
The food's really greasy and fatty and you're certain to get an upset stomach.



7. Kiddie seats on the streets
Everyone comes out on the (relatively) cool evenings and sits on little kiddie seats by kiddie tables to eat and chat.


6. No American brands
It's hard to find American brands. The two exceptions are Visa and Coke, which somehow manage to get everywhere in the world.



5. Safety
The government is extremely harsh on crime against tourists, so criminals are afraid to bother them.


4. High(er) prices
Mass tourism just opened up in 2012, so there's a shortage of hotels and other tourist resources. Expect to fork out a few more pennies than you will in Southeast Asian countries. Rough.


3. Sandals and longyi
Everyone wears sandals and most people wear longyi - a cloth used instead of pants.


2. Thanaka
Most people wear this sunblock made from ground bark.


1. Pagodas
Myanmar is the king of pagodas.


And you HAVE to take a trip to the world's ultimate temple complex - Bagan


----- The End. Click on the archive to view more cities.