Category Archive for "Resources/Tips"

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…

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.

48 Hours of Foodie Heaven in Kauai

For some reason I have never visited the island of Kauai. This August I needed to be in Mexico City and was finding myself low on my year end qualifying air miles with American Airlines, so I decided to do a brief mileage run from Mexico to Hawaii. I had orginally planned to only go…

It's been several months since I have used my passport for travel and I am feeling the pent up frustration an ACL infection delivered requiring a mandatory sit still for 3 months! No one puts baby in the corner..... All in all, it's great to be packing my bag to be airborne again, out of the United States. [caption…

Location on a vacation can make or break your trip. However if you have never been to a particular city, how do you know where you should stay. How many times do I see specials to Washington DC that list in the fine print, a hotel in Arlington Virginia? But how would someone know that’s…

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…

The turbulences of not traveling…

It always feels really good to get home from a long trip and come home to a place of comfort and familiarity... [caption id="attachment_1083" align="alignnone" width="3024"] Home views[/caption] But what about when you have haven't been on a trip in a bit? Two months off of a flight during the summer is giving me heartburn.…