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Kong Island
Hong Kong 10/10/2016 UpdatePlease check state department travel advisories due to the protest before you head out. Without further ado…. my story After a 6 hour delay and losing most of a day, I finally reach my destination, Hong Kong. A British colony since 1842 and returned to China in 1997, it’s always been an important international trading port and the backdrop of a ton of movies – from Bruce Lee films to Bond films and everything in between. I stayed in an area called SoHo – home to more expats and lively nightlife. After Korea, I was a bit drained and wanted something more ‘homely’? Definitely not the right word, there’s no…
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KYIV – Places to See
11/26/2019 This Kiev list is only based on where I went. I did see a lot of places in Kiev and no Chernobyl wasn’t one of them. Without further ado. Disclaimer: I will use Kiev and Kyiv interchangeably throughout this post 🙂 Going to Kyiv? Read this first. St Andrew’s Church and Andriyivsky Uzviz I will say this is my favorite church or cathedral in Kiev. I did not go inside as it was closed for renovations but just from the outside, this one is just simply beautiful as it is impressive. Just take a look. You can’t mention St. Andrews Church without mentioning Andriyivsky Descent. This cobbled line street snakes…
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Wallyard Concept Hotel
Berlin (A Review) 9/16/2015 The Wallyard Concept Hostel in Berlin is an excellent option for those looking for budget friendly hostels that are nicer than your average $7 college backpacker hostels. It’s a short bus ride or about a 20 minute walk from the Hauptbahnoff. Trendy, modern, clean and friendly atmosphere makes this place stand out; and you’ll notice when you enter and check-in. As with other hostels, you have options as far as your room goes, from a standard 6 bedroom dorm with a shared bathroom to a private room with a private bathroom and everything in between. You’re close enough to the Mitte district that you can hop on a…
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Kyiv
11/26/2019 I’ve never met anyone that’s gone to Kiev (Kyiv), and the only thing I know about Ukraine is whatever I’ve read on the travel forums and that Russia wants it back. I heard this place is cold (in terms of people), dangerous, sketchy, you have to watch out for yourself, etc… Here’s how the conversation typically went. Them: Where you off to?Me: Kyiv (Kiev)Them: Where’s that?Me: UkraineThem: Wow, wait [pause], isn’t that dangerous?Me: I guess we’ll find out soon 🙂Them: You’re crazy. Aren’t the women supposed to be hot?Me: We’ll find out soon 🙂 And for those that want to know the answer to the last question and stop…
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Bratislava Top 5
11/26/2019 Bratislava… what can I say about this capital city of Slovakia. I read enough about Bratislava and thought it might be cool to check out. I also met some people in Prague (who were expats from Bratislava) who said, I’d get bored after 2 days. They were right. However, I’m going to try to give you a top 5 of the city. Top 5 Old Town St. Michaels Tower The historic center of Bratislava. Everything is around Stare Mesto and definitely walking distance. This area is full of restaurants, pubs and souvenir shops. The cobblestone alleyways leads into various squares and at the center, km marker, 0 – St. Michael’s Tower.…
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The Land of the Morning Calm
Seoul, South Korea 1/18/2020 Japan might be the ‘Land of the Rising Sun’, South Korea is the Land of the Morning Calm. This name was given by an emperor from the Ming Dynasty in China – calling Korea ‘Chaohsien’ which means ‘Morning Freshness’; later dubbed as ‘Morning Calm’ However this is a lie in Seoul. Seoul is the complete opposite of calm; however Jeju or other smaller cities, I see it to be more accurate. In Seoul, morning calm really only seems to exist between the super early hours of the morning, I’m going to guess between 3-4am and if it rains. This city seems to 100% energized at all…
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Dubai – an uncultured city
7/18/2016 Like they typical girl you see in teenage movies – you know the one that wants to be the most popular girl, shows off her new designer handbag and jewelry, thinks and wants to be better than everyone else, but loses her true identity for the sake of her image, that’s exactly what Dubai is. Built on nothing but wanting to be the best, biggest, fastest, longest, highest at the time of construction, Dubai has a self identity complex. The city is fake. It’s cool to see the architecture which is nothing short of amazing, but culturally it’s lacking. Besides seeing local men in their white robes (dishdash and…
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Biking in Wachau Valley Video
Austria – 9/7/2016 A collection of random video taken while riding through Wachau Valley, just outside Vienna, Austria. Please excuse the shaky picture – I don’t have video stabilization on my Samsung Galaxy s6 (at least I don’t think I do). Thanks to Marco from Vienna Explorer for being our guide and letting us hit up 3 places to drink wine instead of 2. Enjoy 🙂
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Bali Breezed
Bali, Indonesia 1/18/2020 Yes, breezed. I’ve heard so many great things about Bali, I had to make a stop over. On my way to Singapore for work, I took a little weekend trip to Dubai (read about it here) then shot off to the little pre-dominantly Hindu island in an otherwise Muslim nation named Bali. I was there nearly a week and it felt like I needed more time. There’s are essentially 2 parts of Bali most tourists go to and rightfully so; the cultural side and the beachy more resort style. Let’s start off with the former. Ubud This is basically the epicenter of Bali tourism. Ask anyone who’s been to Bali…
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Bangkok
2/23/21 Krung Thep better known as Bangkok, which basic means ‘the place with lots of olive trees. This capital city of Thailand boasting a strong population of 10.5 million people and growing has yet another name. The official name is insanely long, ready? Ok try pronouncing this: “Krungthepmahanakhon Amonrattanakosin Mahinthara Yutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udom Ratchaniwet Mahasathan Amonphiman Awatansathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukamprasit” no joke. This roughly translates to something along the lines of:The city of angels, the great city, the residence of the Emerald Buddha, the impregnable city (of Ayutthaya) of God Indra, the grand capital of the world endowed with nine precious gems, the happy city, abounding in an enormous…
