Home Articles Posted by Izy Berry (Page 70)
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Top party destinations around the globe!
If there’s one thing that I’ve learned from my travels around the world, it’s that you’re never too far away from a good party!
Whether it’s exploring the garish delights of Walking Street in Thailand’s Pattaya, or visiting the deluxe slots games in Monte Carlo, it seems that the love of partying is the one thing that unites all of us humans.
It’s at night-time where we all let our hair down and have a good time, and as New York’s got a reputation as being ‘the city that never sleeps’, it’s also cultivated a pretty impressive partying heritage too.
Exploring the gritty bar culture on the Lower East Side is definitely one of the more atmospheric ways to experience life in Manhattan – plus you’re never too far away from some pizza pie to soak up the booze!
But it’s still Las Vegas that manages to be the self-proclaimed ‘party capital of the world’ and a quick look at the neon lights of the Las Vegas Strip will instantly reveal just why. As well as all of the risqué entertainment and tacky cabaret shows, there’s also the fascinating 24-hour gambling culture that’s been permitted by an endless array of weird and wonderful casino resort hotels.
Of course, since the rise of the internet, you don’t have to visit Vegas to enjoy casino culture. This is because sites like Betway offer all of the traditional table games and their big jackpots can easily be enjoyed just about wherever you are in the world.
The great thing about being able to play a quick game of online slots remotely is that it leaves you free to explore the potential of other legendary party hotspots. And whilst Amsterdam may have some fairly restrictive gambling legislature, it’s definitely more open minded when it comes to other night-time activities that have helped its red-light district become something of a mecca for stag and hen parties.
But even if you want to break away from the hordes, Amsterdam has plenty of other partying attractions to enjoy. And who could resist cruising around Amsterdam’s canals on a hot summer night with a glass of champagne or two?
And just in case this all sounded a little too frenetic, then a quick trip to the French Riviera reveals how it’s become a partying hub for more refined tastes with the perfect mix of casinos, beachfront bars and chilled-out beats to enjoy under the summer skies!
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The Top 10 Group Outings to Take This Summer
Summer is a time of gatherings and picnics, of social outings that can be spent in one of a variety of parks or interesting locales. The following ideas should provide some inspiration for planning an outing for your friends, co-workers, organisation, or family.
#1 – Arrange a Hiking Trip
A lot of places in the UK are hiker-friendly. In fact, Great Britain is a walker’s or hiker’s paradise. Whether you wish to explore the Lake District or stroll through an urban area, you can arrange for a hiking or walking holiday in both the UK and other walker-friendly cities in Europe, such as Copenhagen, Paris, and Rome.
#2 – Follow a Band
If you are a fan of a musical band, then you may have the opportunity to follow it whilst it is on tour. Who knows? Your travels may even take you beyond the UK and into a number of European towns and cities.
#3 – Plan a Backpacking Adventure
If you love adventure, then get together with other backpackers and plan a European backpacking excursion. Backpack your way through the UK as well as such countries as Greece, Spain, Italy, France, or Germany.
#4 – Plan a Road Trip
Plan a road trip to a popular European destination in such countries as Switzerland, Germany, France, or Italy. This is the ideal trip to take for the budding travel writer or photographer. Plus, it’s easy to hire a coach to take you to your destination.
#5 – Visit Breweries in Germany
You might plan an adventure by visiting the different breweries in Germany. If you and your friends appreciate a well-crafted ale or beer, then you will definitely want to schedule this summer outing.
# 6 – Visit Sporting Events
What sport do you like? If you enjoy sporting events, then you might schedule an outing to visit several games away from home. You might also plan a journey to participate in a sport, such as horseback riding or boating.
#7 – Plan a Wine Tasting Outing
If you are a wine aficionado, then you no doubt will want to plan a trip to taste wines at various wineries. Some regions are famous for their wines. Therefore, you can save money and time by condensing your travel to one specific wine-growing area.
#8 – Immerse Yourself in a Language and Travel
Learn a language such as Spanish, and then visit places in Spain to test out your new skills. This type of ‘field trip’ lasts about seven days, and is an ideal goal for anyone who wants to either brush up on their language skills or use their language learning at a travel destination whilst on holiday.
#9 – Host a Family Picnic
Summer would not be summer without getting together for a cookout, barbeque, or picnic with the family. Use this time to catch up on current events as they pertain to your loved ones and relatives.
#10 – Visit a Museum
You cannot live in Europe and not take time to visit one of its many museums. If you have friends who are art lovers, then plan an outing to a museum – stay cool and enjoy the sculptures and painted works.
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Traveling Better With Points
Everyone knows an upgrade story, but how easy is it to get that elusive upgrade to Business or even First class?
I talked to my friends at Point Hacks who are crazy about frequent flyer points and getting the best value out of each point. Apparently that upgrade to business or even flying at the front of the plane really isn’t that elusive after all.
Here are the top 5 tips you need to know to maximise your points balance (wisely) and hack your way to the front of the pane.
1. Buying Points – Yes it really is that simple! Many airlines have frequent flyer programs that offer points for sale, from time to time they run sales which is the perfect opportunity for the savvy point hacker to snap up the points required for a redemption in Business or first class. Sometimes for around the price of economy.
The major ones to keep an a look out for are American Airlines (oneworld), United Airlines (Star Alliance) and LifeMiles (Star Alliance). If the exchange rate is right and the bonus promotion is high enough you can snag yourself some luxury travel for a bargain price. Go and have a read of our Point Hacking Guides section for tips and tricks.
2. Use the right Credit Cards – Credit cards are your friends… That is if you know how to manage them properly, for many it is seen as a tool to get some extra cash. Wrong; if that’s you, stop it! A smart point hacker will make his/her credit card work for them by earning points on your everyday spend.
Paying the balance at the end of the month is crucial here so before you get started you should really figure out your budget and track it. This way you can use credit more wisely, earn points and at the end of the statement period pay off the full balance in time to do it all over again when the next month rolls around.
So you might ask; what are the best credit cards to get started? The best kind are transferable points cards. These are cards where you accrue points into a central pool and then you can transfer to another of different partners.
You have a million options on how to redeem them.
With airline credit cards, you’re betting on that airline, and the airline could change the rules overnight which can devalue your miles substantially.
A great example of a flexible earn card is the American Express Platinum Edge (at the moment with no annual fee, a free air NZ domestic return flight and 5000 bonus points) this card allows you to earn points in the Membership Rewards program which than lets you transfer points to your preferred airline.
The list is pretty big so this gives you a great choice to redeem your preferred flight.
3. Consider credit card sign up bonuses – Many credit card providers will try lure you in with an enticing bonus point offer for signing up with them, sometimes one credit card can net you over 100,000 points in one go.
Typically there are some terms and conditions attached so make sure you read up on those, usually there is a minimum spend required before points are credited. But it always pays to keep an eye on the promotions and the best place to do that (of course) is Point Hacks NZ where we give reviews of all the best frequent flyer credit card deals on offer.
4. Flying – This is an obvious one, of course you should be singed up to a frequent flyer program which earns you a nice chunk of miles with each flight you take. On top of that airlines give status points on each flight which might get you Silver, Gold or even Platinum status one day with all the perks that come with it.
Choosing the right frequent flyer program to earn points on is key here. Most airlines are part of an “alliance” the major ones you need to keep an eye on are One World (Qantas, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, American Airlines etc) and the other one is Star Alliance (Air New Zealand, Singapore Airlines, Lufthansa, Thai Airways etc.).
Most Kiwi’s are very loyal Air New Zealand fans and I’m sure most of you will have an AirPoints account where you credit all those miles BUT is it really the best way to save up those points for a business class redemption? The fact is, Air New Zealand has some of the worst reward rates in the world, since each AirPoint is equivalent to one dollar you will find that reward tickets are equivalent to paying in cash – which is just crazy.
As a simple comparison let’s look at redeeming a flight from Auckland to London in both Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines. While you will only need 80,750 KrisFlyer miles (And NZ$424.35 in taxes) one way, Air New Zealand is asking a hefty price tag of $5,371 AirPoints. To put this in actual “required spend” perspective, you would need to spend whopping $313,308 with Air NZ or only $53,833 with Singapore Airlines (based on 3 Membership Rewards points per $ at the supermarket with that Platinum Edge card we mentioned before).
If we consider the rate at which we can earn these points by flying and using our credit card, it’s easy to see Singapore Airlines is giving you a much better return.
5. Use Online Malls – Boosting your points with credit card spend is great, but what if there was an other way to get an extra bonus for all your online shopping? Look no further! All of our favourite reward programs (Qantas Mall, Velocity eStore & Krisflyer Spree) have an online mall featuring some of the most well known retailers in the world (think ASOS, eBay, Net-A-Porter, Bonds and many more) so the golden rule here is to do a quick google search for the brand you’re looking for + “qantas/krisflyer/velocity” more often than not you will see that they are listed in one of the shopping malls. There is no extra cost to you and your homework gets rewarded with some nice bonus points each time you shop.
These are just some basic ideas to get you started, before you know it you will be hooked on the points game and jetting around in business and first for the price of economy.
With a little dedication and the right resources it can be done. If you’re a beginner to the points game in New Zealand Point Hacks is of course your go-to destination, for those in Australia there is an excellent (and free) email course to get you up to speed. You can check it out here.
That’s it, we hope you enjoyed this intro into the world of Point Hacks and look forward to seeing you on Facebook & Twitter.
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Why you Should Travel to the Maldives
The Maldives has long been a destination that seems just a little too “exotic” and out of the way for the average traveller. But now that Tiger Air has opened up flights from Asia, you can now get a return ticket for a steal- meaning that your excuse for not visiting this incredible destination is no longer valid.
Here you’ll find some of the best beaches on earth, and with almost 1200 islands in the country, they’re so perfect that if you had only been to The Maldives you would assume that every other beach in the world was the same. Expect to see whiter-than-white sand, glowing azul water, and incredible diving.
Accommodation is also far more reasonable than many people believe, and if you book in advance you can often find excellent deals. Check out Jumeirah Maldives for excellent deals or have a look online while you’re booking tickets to compare prices and rooms.
Many resorts also offer complimentary water activities, or you can just use your time to sign up with a company for some lessons. Try paddle boarding, jet skiing, kayaking and more.
This is a country of paradox, with some of the most luxurious hotels in the world, and locals who are still in the “old ways.”
Head down to the fish market to see where people buy their dinner, and chose between giant tuna, caught fresh that morning. And for something a little different, consider admiring the fish at the first underwater restaurant in the world- the Conrad Maldives. The glass dome seats 14 and is located five metres under the ocean, serving fish while you watch them swim past. There are also plenty more options for dinner, including Ufaa and Reethi Restaurant which are well-known.
Be sure to visit the shark park, since the Maldives has been a shark sanctuary since 2010 shark fishing is banned throughout. If you’re a fan of seeing the big sharks, you’re in luck, and if you prefer teeny sharks you can visit one of the many lagoons which double as shark nurseries where you can see baby sharks.
If you’re interested in marine life, the Maldives has some of the best snorkelling and scuba diving in the world. Think magnificent caves, incredible coral walls, and schools of bright tropical fish. In deeper waters you’ll find turtles, manta rays, sharks, and even whale shark, and if you’re someone who doesn’t like to be cold you’re in luck- the water is so warm you probably won’t even need a wetsuit.
Whether you’re traveling solo, in a group with friends, or on your honeymoon, the Maldives is no longer out of reach for the average person. In fact, you’ll be able to afford to fly to the Maldives, stay in a hotel, and do numerous activities for little more than you would for the same style in Southeast Asia. If you’ve always wanted to go to the Maldives, now’s your chance, before everyone else realises how affordable it really is.
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How to have a Secret London Escape Weekend
Whether you live in London or you’re going for a weekend escape, there are plenty of ways to entertain yourself without having to play tourist. If you’re looking for somewhere to stay then why not look at getting an apartment with some friends to make the most out of your weekend, some where like the Urban Retreat Apartments could bring your weekend together.
Here are some fun, secret things to do in London:
Go to a Hindu Temple
The Swaminarayan Temple was constructed in 1995, and at the time it was the largest of its kind outside of India. Built from Bulgarian Limestone and Indian Marble, you’ll find the temple in the middle of Neasden so take some time to wander through it and enjoy the gorgeous carved wood and beautiful domed ceilings.
Explore the eerie cemeteries!
Highgate Cemetery is eerie, interesting and a must-visit if you’re hoping to get off the beaten path in London. Spend some time wandering through the narrow trails in between the Victorian gravestones and look for some of the famous people who rest here, such as Jeremy Beadle, George Eliot, Douglas Adams and Karl Marx.
See an Underground Cave
The Chislehurst Caves are man-made, and this labyrinth was built by the Saxons, Romans and Druids. Recently the caves have been a mushroom farm, air raid shelter and a music venue where Pink Floyd, Jimi Hendrix and David Bowie all sang. Now you can take a guided tour for a unique experience.
Air your Grievances
At Hyde Park Corner you can hear democracy and maybe even get something off your own chest. The north-east corner of the park has been used since the 19th century, allowing people from all walks of life to say their piece. George Orwell and Vladimir Lenin have spoken here, so if you get inspired, feel free to vent.
Play Sherlock
Head to the Evans and Peel Detective Agency, which is a hidden cocktail bar located underground. If you can show the right credentials a “detective” will take you downstairs and show you the bar, where you can solve a few mysteries and enjoy a great selection of bar snacks and drinks.
Enjoy a bookshop Barge
Word on the water is a second-hand bookshop barge that moors at different locations along the canal bank. You can enjoy a large range of great books, poetry slams, a wood-burning stove and live music.
Join the Circus
Visit the National Centre for Circus Acts, where you can take a day to experience life in the circus, learning trapeze, juggling and tight wife.
Go Skating
Roller-skating has made a huge comeback, and if you feel like letting off some steam you can head to the London Rollergirls Club where women can play Roller Derby (think rugby on skates) or join in on the Sunday Stroll or London Friday Night Skate.
Go to the Movies
These aren’t just any movies, and the Hot Tub Cinema is exactly what it sounds like- the perfect place to relax and watch a movie outdoors (in an inflatable hot tub). In summer there are a bunch of London roofs where you can enjoy both modern and classic films.
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Ways to Fight Boredom this Weekend
We spend all week looking forward to the weekend, and then halfway through we realise that we’re complete and utterly bored. And in a world where we’re so connected and there’s so much for us to do, most of us don’t admit to being bored since it seems so inconceivable that we can find it hard to entertain ourselves.
Here are some ways to fight boredom this weekend:
Get Reading
Reading seems to be a lost art, and most of us spend more time watching our favourite TV shows or seeing that movie we were recommended that we forget to exercise our minds. Whether you’re a fan of fiction or you prefer to learn about the world with non-fiction books, there are so many incredible authors and books can be downloaded at the touch of a button, so there’s really no excuse.
If you find that you don’t have enough money to actually buy books, grab a library card, head down to your local library and load up. If you’re lucky enough to have an e-reader, you can often find releases by new authors for just 99 cents- a bargain!
Get Organised
Remember when you were little and you’d never tell your mum you were bored because you knew she’d immediately put you to work with some chores? If you’re feeling bored, take the time to do those chores you’ve been putting off for months or years. Clean out your closet and donate those clothes you never wear to charity. Wash the sheets and blankets in the spare room, fix that drawer that always gets stuck, or paint yourself a feature wall. You’ll feel accomplished and will also be more likely to get the week off to a great start if you know you were productive during your weekend.
Learn a language
As the world becomes smaller, you’ll find that you meet more and more people from different countries around the world. Learning a commonly spoken language like Chinese or Spanish can have huge implications for your career and also allow you to meet new people and learn new things. It’s never been easier to learn a language, and with so many resources like websites and apps, you can make it a fun challenge as well.
You can also find teachers in other countries who are willing to teach you their native language for just a few dollars per hour, so make the most of the free time you have in your weekend and get learning.
Earn some money
If you have a saving goal and want to earn some extra money, the weekend is the perfect time to do it. Visit Super Casino to see the many games that you can play while earning money, and you’ll no longer be bored and will instead be completely focused on beating your high score and maybe even making some money to add to your savings plan.
Still bored? Consider getting some exercise, meeting up with friends, or volunteering during the weekends.
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The Top Affordable Summer Holiday Destinations
The summer is just around the corner and that means many of us will be looking to get our holidays booked and ultimately give ourselves something to look forward to. If you’re worried though that your bank balance might not allow you to enjoy a much-deserved break than help is at hand in this post. There are plenty of options available for an affordable summer holiday and here you can find a few examples.
Algarve, Portugal
Boasting a long and sun-kissed coastline, the Algarve is a winner for those looking to hit the beach this summer. There’s plenty of towns along the stretch as well that are home to cheap resorts and package deals, plus the airport is just a short coach trip away.
Vietnam
You’d be hard-pressed to find anyone who has visited Vietnam that didn’t have an incredible time. You can experience a wealth of different cultures as well, from the small fishing villages to the delights of Hanoi. The best part of course is how cheap everything is, you can easily enjoy yourself on a relatively small budget.
North Yorkshire, UK
The UK has lots to offer, but away from the bright lights of London a few hundred miles north you can discover the incredible green and pleasant land of North Yorkshire. This is a great vacation for those who like to get outdoors with plenty of natural beauty spots and affordable B&Bs dotted about. Travel around the UK is pretty cheap too, so you also get the benefit of having the rest of this huge county on your doorstep if you’re after some nightlife.
Budapest, Hungary
If it’s a city break you’re keen on, then Budapest is just the ticket. Again, this is a cheap place to live so you can eat out and find accommodation for low prices, but Hungary’s capital is also host to historical sites, amazing buildings and plenty to do along the river Danube.
Argentina
If you were to think of South American travel spots, you’d probably think of Brazil or Columbia and their vibrant cultures. However, Argentina is another destination on this continent that is not only cheaper than these places but offers plenty to do. From mountain walks in the Andes, to incredible cuisine and buildings in Buenos Aires and much, much more.
So what are you waiting for? Consider some of the above options and soon you’ll be all set for a fantastic summer holiday without worrying about your finances.
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Top 10 packing tips for every traveller
With the holiday season approaching us, many people’s minds are turning towards jetting off to exotic lands, spending quality time with their loved ones, and enjoying some time away from the office. But before all of that, you unfortunately have to go through the often frustrating task of packing. However, it doesn’t always have to be an ordeal — here are our top 10 packing tips to make it as hassle-free as possible.
Don’t try and take your entire wardrobe away with you
There aren’t many people who return from holiday without unworn clothes at the bottom of their suitcase. All of these items are just dead weight you’re dragging round — the last thing you want when lugging a suitcase around with you.
As a rule of thumb, pack what you think you need and then reduce it by at least a third. This will help you pack light and hopefully avoid having any unworn items at the end of the trip. Take clothes which match with each other so you can mix-and-match and pack lighter.
Use the ‘ranger roll’
Fit more into your case by utilising the ‘ranger roll’, a technique used by the US army to pack T-shirts as small as possible. Check out this guide from Instructables to find out how to do it.
Make sure you’ve packed for different weather
Few places in the world offer guaranteed sunshine every day, so make sure you pack at least one pair of jeans and a raincoat so you can still enjoy your plans if the heavens open.
Use Ziploc bags to keep electronics and wires separated
To avoid a jumbled mess of cables in the bottom of your suitcase, keep all of your electronics organised in Ziploc bags. As they’re transparent, they’ll also allow you to find what you’re looking for without opening them.
Make sure to weigh your suitcase
To avoid being caught by surprise and finding out your suitcase is too heavy at the airport, invest in a set of suitcase scales so you can weigh up before you leave. Argos stocks a wide range of suitcase scales that are all small enough to be slipped into your suitcase, so you can weigh up again for the return journey.
Invest in a good-quality suitcase
If you’re a frequent traveller, invest in a high-quality case that is sure to stand up to the rigours of travel. Samsonite are the leading brand in durable luggage, and you can’t go wrong with one of their cases, which you can buy from their online store.
Make your suitcase identifiable
To make your luggage easy to spot on the airport carousel, tie colourful shoelaces or ribbons to its handles, or even mark it with spray-paint. Alternatively, buy a colourful luggage tag, such as these from Farewell, which you can also write your address on.
Know what you can take in your hand luggage
Nowadays, there are strict regulations about what you can and can’t take on an aeroplane in your hand luggage, so make sure you’re clued up before you start packing. You can find the Government’s full regulations here.
Consider storage if you’re planning on long-term travel
If you’re planning on enjoying some long-term travel, you may need to think about where you’re going to store your things in the meantime. This is usually true for students who are planning on spending their summer travelling, but as they’re between accommodation, they don’t have anywhere to store their things. A good alternative is renting a self-storage unit in the city where you’re studying, especially if you can rent a space with a friend or two to keep the costs down. Pickfords offers storage for students in locations across the UK, which can be a great option for any student planning on travelling during their summer.
Wear your heaviest items while you travel
Always wear your heaviest clothes while travelling to save space in your suitcase, as well as making it lighter. While this may not be ideal if you’re travelling on a hot day, it’s better than your things not fitting in your case.
Keep these tips in mind when you’re packing for your next holiday and the process is sure to be as hassle-free as possible.
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Romania: Europe’s hidden gem
Romania is the definition of a hidden gem. Western European holidaymakers rarely venture to this unappreciated part of the continent, which suffers from its image as a place with nothing much going on. In reality, Romania is filled with beautiful medieval cities, magnificent castles, and some of the most stunning scenery Europe has to offer. What’s more, you can experience this amazing country for the fraction of what you would pay in some of Europe’s more popular destinations.
Romania is a country steeped in myth, especially the region of Transylvania, famed setting of Bram Stoker’s classic vampire novel Dracula. However, to think that this is the most interesting thing the region has to offer would be doing it a grave disservice, as a visit here will not only reveal some of Europe’s most stunning mountain scenery, but also feel like taking a step back in time. To get the full Transylvanian experience, stay in the authentic heritage accommodation of Count Kálnoky’s estate, which has been restored with traditional furnishings with the help of funding from the Prince of Wales, who is frequent visitor to the region.
Romania’s capital is Bucharest, which earned the nickname ‘Little Paris’ in the 20th century due to its elegant architecture and the sophistication of its elite. As well as being Romania’s largest city, Bucharest is also its cultural, industrial, and financial centre, and no visit to the country is complete without a stop here. Be sure to check out the parliament building, which is the largest in the world, as well as the city’s very own Arc de Triumf, which was constructed in celebration of Romania gaining its independence in 1878.
Any keen motoring enthusiast should be sure to make the pilgrimage to the Transfăgărășan road, which BBC’s Top Gear described as “the best road in the world”. A journey along this epic 90km route will take you through the breathtaking Făgărăș Mountains, where you’ll reach an altitude of 2,042 metres, through a 900-metre long tunnel, and past Poenari Castle, the former residence of Vlad the Impaler. Along the way, you’ll be able to push your vehicle to its limits on winding roads knotted with steep hairpin turns, chicanes, and sharp descents. The road is only open when the snows have melted, which is usually between late June and early October, so plan a trip here in the summer. For more information about the Transfăgărășan road, check out this guide from the Romanian tourist board.
Romania is also one of the best places on earth to enjoy an adventure holiday, with amazing natural landscapes and spectacular wildlife. This wild and beautiful country has some of Europe’s most amazing trails and stunning panoramas, making it the perfect place for adventurous types to enjoy some biking, hiking, kayaking, or mountaineering. Take a look at the Guardian’s guide to adventure holidays in Romania for ideas.
With an eclectic mix of stunning scenery and bustling metropolises, one of the best ways to see the best of both sides of Romania is on a river cruise, which will wind you along the Danube and through the country’s heartland. The Danube to the Black Sea cruise from The River Cruise Line will reveal many of the enigmatic country’s most beautiful spots and exciting cities, as well as many other countries along the Danube, such as Hungary and Bratislava. This cruise will give you an excellent taste of what Eastern Europe has to offer and no doubt have you coming back for more.
When planning your next European adventure, be sure to keep Romania in mind, as it truly is one of the continent’s hidden gems.
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An Insider’s Guide to Living in Bangkok
I would like to thank Izy for publishing this article. Her site is a brilliant and inspiring resource for all aspiring travelers and a great place for anyone looking for truly helpful tips and tricks for living nomadically. After you’ve read this, be sure to check out her post on making money whilst traveling.
Living in Bangkok, especially when coming from the west like I did, is like moving to another world. However, like many who’ve experienced the magic and joy of this enchanting and vibrant city, once you’ve settled in, you find that the real culture shock occurs whenever you head back home.
On the surface, brimming with life and overflowing with people, this Thai capital can seem a bit overwhelming, but once you’ve actually had chance to open your eyes and have a real look around, Bangkok is a spectacular city and a fantastic place to live and has much more on offer than the typical tourist circuit would have you believe.
Noodles, Noodles and More Noodles!
One of my favorite things about living in Bangkok is by far the food; never before did I realize there were so many delicious ways to prepare noodles. After finally getting over the addiction for Pad Thai that I developed when I first landed, I realized there was a plethora of dishes that go largely under the radar. Try Tom Yam Goong, a rich, aromatic seafood soup, flavored with lemongrass and lime leaves. Or local favorite Moo Ping, which translates as grilled pork, from the Moo Ping Hea Owen stall, which has been around since 1983 and currently resides in Siam Paragon food court.
In terms of where to eat, finding the best places, instead of the ones that are guaranteed to give you food poisoning, is an art that you learn over time. However, after my first night eating in Chinatown—and the horrendous day that followed—I quickly set a few guidelines: always aim for busy restaurants or vendors (the more locals, the better) and places where you can watch them cook the food from fresh are always preferable to carts that have big portions of ready made dishes. After being in the city for a while however, I decided to take my diet into my own hands, attended a Thai cooking class and started cooking the majority of my food from home!
Getting Around
There’s definitely a scale of zero to tourist when it comes to public transport in Bangkok. The tuk-tuks, although a lot of fun, definitely rank on the tourist side of this scale as they are usually extremely overpriced and will take you extended routes to increase the cost of the journey. After my first ride in one, I decided that the novelty definitely wears of quickly and, thereafter, stuck with the cheaper, more practical ways of getting around. The next step down is regular taxis, they’re less exciting, but much more reasonably priced.
However, by far my favorite way to traverse the city—and also the most popular with the locals—is by river taxi. After being ripped off a few times by the express boat line, I quickly learned that the slower river taxis—which are recognized by their lack of any flag—are the best way to go! Incredibly cheap, the only real difference from the tourist-centered express line is that they stop at a few more places down the river. However, all this means is that you have more time to enjoy the beautiful banks of the Chao Phraya river and drift along this busy waterway that acts as one of the main transportation routes for the city.
Living Arrangements
Like most, when first arriving in Bangkok, I ended up staying in a hostel on the somewhat mesmerizing, somewhat terrifying, Koh San Road. Although this is a great place to throw yourself into the midst of Thai tourism culture head first, it’s definitely not somewhere you want to spend a long period of time, so I quickly started looking for more permanent accommodation elsewhere. After doing a quick bit of research, I discovered that most inner-city expats live in downtown Bangkok, primarily in Silom, Sathorn and Sukhumvit, which are all easily reachable by the Bangkok Sky Train.
Although all of these areas are rich with great restaurants, bars and things to do, I chose the former of the three. This was due to it’s proximity to the river, the Bang Khu Wiang floating market and one of my favorite restaurants in the whole of the city—and the place where I took the aforementioned cooking class—The Blue Elephant. The apartment was a good size for the price and equipped with all the necessities, such as running water and WiFi (essential for me as I work online). However, for anyone trying to access the internet when abroad, make sure you have a Virtual Private Network (VPN) installed as many sites block content when you’re overseas—as I learned the hard way!
Avoiding the Tourists
After spending long periods of time in this amazing city, following the same tourist circuits and being herded with crowds of foreigners becomes old news fast. Sure, there are a lot of culturally amazing things to see in Bangkok, and it’s definitely well worth checking out all the famous landmarks, temples and markets, but you only have to do the rounds of these things once or twice before you realize that the locals have a much better idea of how to have fun!
For nightlife, head away from Koh San Road and the cringe-worthy Ping-Pong shows and tourist bars and check out my favorite place to drink, Cheap Charlies, in Sukhimvit Soi 11. Cheap Charlies is an expat hotspot and a great place to meet others who are living full time in the city.
Similarly, Thor Lor is one of the most popular local bars and has live local music on regularly. If your looking for places to pick up food or clothes, avoid the tourist traps of Chinatown and Pratunam and instead aim for Klong Toey fresh food market and Saphan Phut, which is a night market that’s only really frequented by locals and a great place to absorb the best of Thai youth culture.
The Politics of It All….
You can’t live in Bangkok, or Thailand at all, without at least being somewhat aware of the political situation. When I first moved there, I was, as shameful as it is to say it, alarmingly ignorant. Aside from knowing that democracy wasn’t as secured over here as it is in the west, I had no idea the hardships that this country had gone through.
Over the years, there has been a constant power battle between democratically elected governments and military rule. This began in 1991 when a brief period of militarization overthrew the previously elected prime minister; however, by 1992, democracy had returned. Thai Rak Thai then ruled the country, with relative support from the people, until 2006 where allegations of corruptions led to another military coup. This was replaced by a civilian government in 2007 before being overthrown by the military yet again in 2014.
Since then democracy has not been restored, and as a result, protests and bombings have become somewhat regular occurrences, particularly in the capital. Although this political unrest is important to know about if you plan to settle here, never in the whole time I was an expat in Bangkok did I have any problems as a result, so it’s definitely not a major concern.
This was just my experience of living in this amazing capital, but I’m sure for every expat who lives there there are a million different pieces of advice they’d give you for how to make the most out of your time. If you’re currently or have ever been a resident of Bangkok, be sure to comment below with any advice or tips about your experience there!
