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 on cinque terre
Imagine hiking along a muddy trail so narrow, that you have your back against the wall (or in this case, mountain), just fighting to make it to the next corner. One false step, and you could plummet to your death into the abyss of the Ligurian sea. Never to be seen again. Okay, maybe that Read more
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when you’re up before the sun
Piazzale di Michelangelo (Michelangelo’s Square) – to think we almost skipped this place. We only had one day in Florence (we had booked tours to other towns already for our other two days in Florence) and we couldn’t fit this at the end of our day. So on our last MORNING in Florence, we decided to Read more
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there’s more to florence than just the duomo
1. La Porta del Paradiso (Ghiberti’s Doors of Paradise) – at the time of my visit (September 2014), the museum was closed. However, they have one set of doors displayed outside. If you want to get anywhere near that door, go in the early evening to avoid the hoards of tourists. It’s not AS crowded…..keyword, “As”. Read more
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exploring mercato centrale
Mercato Centrale (Central Market) – I will never forget this place. This is where I had my first authentic Italian pasta experience. Linguine al pesto, adorned with bite-sized pieces of green beans and potatoes, showered lovingly (and generously) with parmesan (?) cheese. I’m talking about FRESH pasta – wait half an hour – made to order pasta. Read more
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strolling over the ponte vecchio
This is a bridge that crosses the Arno River. On each side, you’ll find the Ponte Santa Trinita and the Ponte alle Grazie. But Ponte Vecchio isn’t just any old ordinary bridge. It’s also home to some pretty old jewelry shops. So if you have some change to throw, you can check out what they Read more
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taking the train in florence
A 15-minute walk from the train station could easily turn into a 30-minute walk – if you’re dragging your luggage across what seems like miles and miles of cobblestone. But hey – “A penny saved, is a penny earned.” That money that you saved on cab fare could be spent in a better way. Like Read more
how to be a traveler 