japan/china 2019
On my second visit to Asia, I got to visit two countries: Japan and China. Ben’s Grandpa still lives in China – Shaoxing to be exact. So when his family decided to visit, I tagged along. Any trip to anywhere in Asia from NYC warrants at least two weeks, since it’s such a long flight.…
10 foods you should say, “ni hao” to in china
I wish I got the chance to try a lot more food but unfortunately, we were only in China for about five days. As with any country, China has its regional cuisines (I highly recommend watching, “Flavorful Origins” on Netflix to learn more about Chaoshan and Yunnan cuisines). Being that China is one of the…
6 things i learned in the 5 days i spent in china
Credit cards (and cash) are not widely accepted. Not even McDonald’s in the Shanghai train station accepted credit cards. The main form of payment is via AliPay or WeChat app where it’s either linked to a credit card, or you pre-load money onto it and it works like a debit card. Weather at the end…
7 things you should know if you’re applying for a china visa
If you’re planning to visit China, you’ll need a Visa. There are different forms you can select from, depending on the reason for your visit and the length of your stay. Here are some things to keep in mind before you apply: Download and complete the correct form (typed, in caps) prior to your visit…
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hiking the easternmost point of o’ahu
Also known as Makapu’u Point, which means ‘bulging eye’. Perhaps because of the lighthouse the point overlooks at the end of the trail? Polar opposite of Ka’ena Point, the trail is located on the same side of the island as Hanauma Bay. We combined these two into one day but I would highly recommend going Read more
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a day at lanikai
Lanikai is my sister’s favorite beach and I can see why. It means ‘heavenly seas’, and the name definitely suits it. Soft sand, calm waves, and a great view of the Mokulua Islands. On a few occasions, we’ve combined a hike at the Lanikai Pillboxes and a day at Lanikai Beach for a nice little Read more
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snorkeling at hanauma bay
Since my sister, brother-in-law and niece live on Oahu, I’ve been fortunate enough to visit the island numerous times (and with free lodging)! I’ve been to Hanauma Bay a few times and didn’t realize until now that I had never blogged about it before. But this time was extra special to me because it was Read more
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flying alaska airlines
My airline of choice when flying to Hawaii is usually Hawaiian Airlines. It’s nonstop from JFK to HNL, prices are usually reasonable, and they serve food + a glass of wine on the flight. But I’ve recently discovered Alaska Airlines, which we flew on our last two trips to the island. It was because the Read more
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8 foods you should say, “bonjour” to in montreal
Poutine – fries with gravy and cheese curds. Need I say more? I don’t normally like soggy fries but somehow, this just works. Must be all the cheese. This dish originates from Quebec. Being that Montreal is IN Quebec, you won’t find a shortage of poutine places. I would think that it’s like finding a Read more
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6 things i learned in the 3 days i spent in montreal
It is a 6-hour drive from NYC to Montreal. Weather in August (temperature-wise) is pretty much similar as Augusts in NYC but less muggy/humid Banque Scotia is partners with Bank of America, so you should be able to waive the ATM fees should you need to withdraw money When you drive back to the US, Read more
how to be a traveler 