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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12 foods to say, “hola” to in guatemala
1. Chocolate Guatemala is considered to be the birthplace of chocolate, as it was created by the Mayans back in the day. So eating some chocolate here is a no brainer! 2. Coffee Another popular thing to have while in Guatemala! After sugar, coffee is one of Guatemala’s main exports. The volcanic soil and low… Read more
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how to be a traveler in antigua (9 things to do)
Antigua, Guatemala means Old Guatemala, and was the capital of Guatemala until 1773. That was when a lot of the city was destroyed by an earthquake, and the new capital was relocated to Guatemala City. Today, that is where the closest airport is located, which is about an hour drive, without traffic (but there will… Read more
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how to be a traveler in charleston (7 things to do)
1. Shop for souvenirs at Charleston City Market Opened in 1841, the market spans four city blocks. You’ll find local artisans selling goods from jewelry, to sweetgrass baskets, which were originally used to separate rice grains. It’s a bit over-priced here so if you’re willing to shop around, you may find similar or even the… Read more
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12 quintessential charleston eats
When in Charleston, you’re going to hear the term, ‘Lowcountry’ a lot. This consists of South Carolina, Georgia, and parts of North Carolina and its low-lying geography, where there are lots of rivers and salt marshes that drain into the Atlantic Ocean. You may also hear, ‘Gullah’, or ‘Gullah-Geechee’, who are a group of people… Read more
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9 things i learned in the 5 days i spent in singapore
1. The weather is hot year round Make sure you have plenty of water on hand! 2. Instead of Uber, they use Grab You can use the app for ride share, and food delivery services 3. Use Chope to make restaurant reservations There is Yelp in Singapore, but it’s not widely used 4. Singapore has… Read more
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how to be a traveler in singapore (12 things to do)
1. Eat at the hawker stalls I think this is an obvious one but I thought I’d list it anyway. After all, one of the best ways to learn about a culture is through their food. And in Singapore, you won’t find a shortage of hawker stalls to expand your palette at 2. Marvel at… Read more
how to be a traveler 