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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getting stung by jellyfish in the great barrier reef
Okay, it’s definitely not as serious as the title of this blog post suggests but I was definitely getting stung by really tiny (if not almost microscopic) jellyfish while I was snorkeling. Twice on my lips, and constantly on my arms and legs. It feels like a tiny electric shock. You can still feel the Read more
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what it’s like to hold a koala
They’re actually not as soft as they look. Don’t get me wrong, they’re soft but I guess just not what I was expecting. Their fur almost feels like the polyester stuffing from a pillow. They also do not smell minty from all the eucalyptus leaves they eat (like I had read). Here are a few Read more
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cairns cheat sheet
I don’t know about you but I couldn’t figure out how to pronounce Cairns. Carns? Cons? Canes? Turns out, the correct way to say it (with the Aussie accent) is, “Cans.” Pronunciation aside, let’s be real. There is not much to do in Cairns. Tourists only use it as a port to get to the Read more
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what it’s like to spend chinese new year in australia
Yes, I know the politically correct term would be Lunar New Year but I’m Chinese, therefore I am calling it Chinese New Year. Spending the holiday there actually wasn’t planned. My friends and I had booked our flights for February and later on found out that we would be there during that time. But I’m Read more
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walking underwater at sea life melbourne
Imagine this. You’re in a tunnel that’s made of glass. Behind that glass are all sorts of fish, manta rays, and sharks, all swimming above and around you. It almost feels as if you’re underwater with them. Like that manta ray’s fin will graze over your head at any second. Or the shark will take Read more
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there’s more to the great ocean road than the 12 apostles
If you like coastal drives, you’re going to want to check this one out. The Great Ocean Road was built by returned soldiers from 1919 to 1932 as a memorial to soldiers killed during World War I. It stretches for 151 miles, starting in the town of Angelsea in Victoria. Since I joined a day Read more
how to be a traveler 