Practical booking info for the Maldives

So when you follow my travels, you know I tend to vacation quite the opposite of most travelers. For me flying overseas (9000+ miles) to stay in one location? Well, that can be awesome but it can also annoy me to travel so far and only be able to scratch the surface of a particular…

The Maldives have long been know as a honeymoon destination. This trip to the Maldives describes my visit as a solo female traveler.

If you are seeking to experience the ultimate diving adventure, this is one of the more remote, beautiful places you can visit. Raja Ampat aqua waters Raja Ampat aqua waters Within the diving community, Raja Ampat is know as the global epicenter of marine biodiversity with some of the world’s richest reefs. Some 1320+ species of…

Sometimes the best laid trips get sidelined by delayed, cancelled or other technical air travel difficulties. When you have a long journey with many legs to it, the chances of problematic issues increase exponentially. Connections have to go just right for you to keep the entire trip intact. As a rule, transferring on one airline to…

My arrival from Seoul airport to city center

Having landed at so many various airports worldwide, I have gotten used to searching the web figuring out how best to use ground transport to get to my hotel or city center. For whatever reason flying into Seoul gave me pause. With the Korean language barrier, I landed wondering how difficult finding my way to the city center would…

Buy a T-Money card at the airport on arrival which is used for public transport as well as at some convenience stores and businesses. The plastic card is reloadable and any remaining balance left on the card is refundable.
Tipping is not a cultural thing in Korea and can even be offensive. Pay the amount owed only.
Save money by refilling your water bottle with tap water. It’s safe in Seoul. Check out this perfect collapsible water bottle I have started carrying on travel for carrying water: https://amzn.to/2LIHzf6
For such a clean city, there are simply not a lot of trash cans around. Keep a separate bag to carry your trash around if necessary and store it there until you can deposit it in a trash can… if you spot one.
If you are taking a cab, use the orange ones as they are the least expensive.
Have your hotel write down your address if using cabs as the cab drivers often do not speak English. This will ensure you will be okay to get home or to wherever you are going.
Don’t be surprised by dining tables which are placed low to the ground so you can sit on the floor to eat.
98% of Koreans own a cell phone. Don’t take offense to being the subject of the Korean selfie culture if locals ask you to pose with them. Go along with it and merely take it as your 15 minutes of fame instead of being put off by the request.
Street food is safe here. Don’t be afraid of street food. Always size up which booths are good based on their popularity and interest. Any stall with lines surrounding them, most especially if you can spot locals eating at a stand, that is a good indicator that their food is fresh and on point.
Underground shopping is a thing! Use the subway-like entrances to cross busy streets and you will find a whole world of shopping exists down there often with competitive pricing to their street level countrerparts.
Try the Kimchi. Kimchi is a popular vegetable dish made from fermented and/or pickled vegetables. It can be presented before the meal or most often as an accompanying side dish. There are hundreds of varieties of Kimchi so taste each one to try the varities.
There are bathrooms in the metro if you find yourself in need. They are free and usually clean.
You will usually not get the meal check placed on your table but will need to go to the counter to pay after eating. Don’t also be surprised if you are asked to pay before receiving your meal at some super casual spots.
Do not take offense when you are pushed or shoved while walking the streets or while on public transportation. It is a very common Asian way to get through a crowd and it should not be viewed as personal.
South Korea is highly ranked for having fast wifi. Seoul has free wifi hot spots in many places including in their taxi’s. As you move around, keep checking your device for free logon spots.

A visit to more traditional Vietnam via Hanoi

Hanoi is the second largest city in Vietnam yet so unlike Ho Chi Minh. Landing in Hanoi you are struck by the tall green mountains, lakes and farmland quite unlike landing in Ho Chi Minh (later referred to here as Saigon) to the south. [caption id="attachment_1259" align="alignnone" width="1536"] Landing in Hanoi[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1262" align="alignnone" width="1586"]…

I’ve heard a lot of great things about Vietnam recently. Visiting this country has been on my Asia bucket list for the last few years. I had heard of the stunning landscapes, cultural highlights and amazing cuisine. [caption id="attachment_1220" align="alignnone" width="750"] Locked and loaded for the flight to Vietnam[/caption] Let’s be real, I couldn’t wait…

Bali has always invited and welcomed travelers with smiling faces and open arms. Many travelers come to Bali having viewed it's vast colorful richness displayed from movies such as Eat, Pray, Love. [caption id="attachment_1133" align="alignnone" width="3516"] Balinese culture[/caption] Yoga, vistas, ocean, relaxation....yes, its all here to enjoy. When driving through the countryside, there's simply no…

A visit to the UNESCO Batad Rice Terraces in the Philippines

Most visitors to the Philippines are so fascinated with the 7000 or more stunning islands that they never think to see any other areas of the country. Visiting El Nido's turquoise lagoons was on my list of places to visit. Below is a glimpse of the stunning waters from that portion of the trip… [caption…