Home Articles Posted by Izy Berry (Page 91)
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Top Things to See Around London
London is home to many beauties of the modern, and not so modern, world. A cosmopolitan city where people from all over the world live, this is home to the Buckingham Palace, the London Bridge and numerous pubs at the same time. Beyond that though, London is amazing from so many points of view that a book would probably not be enough to describe it.
If you are planning to visit London soon, you should definitely make sure not to leave home without a list of must-see locations there. Otherwise, you will easily get lost among the million wonders this city has to offer and you may miss out on the best of the best ones. It can be a great idea to look into Heathrow airport car hire to ensure you can easily get around London and the surrounds at your pace. Stuck for things to see? To help out, I have put together a list of some of the very best London attractions to check out. Here it is:
The British Museum
It doesn’t matter if you’re not a HUGE museum lover, this museum will impress you. The British Museum has gathered items from all over the world and the oldest ones date as far back as…prehistoric times, which you will surely find fascinating. You’ll get to see the Egyptian mummies and the amazing Ancient Greek Pantheon sculptures, but a wide range of other things as well. Considering most of the exhibitions are free and that this is such an amazing place, you should definitely not miss out on the British Museum when you get to London.
Also, you can visit any of the other London museums because they are all amazing at what they do: the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Science Museum, the Royal Museums Greenwich, Tate Modern and so on.
Madame Tussauds
This is another museum as well – but it’s not like your regular history/science/art museum. The exhibitions here are consisted of real-life sized wax sculptures of the world’s most famous people. From Lady Gaga to Her Majesty the Queen, everybody is present here. And the best part about this is that these sculptures are just perfectly made – it will be nearly impossible to tell the difference between them and the real people!
The Kensington Palace and Gardens
While we can’t become royals overnight, we can still take a walk in the amazing Kensington Palace (the official residence of Prince Harry and Duchess Kate). Parts of the palace and garden are open for visitors at particular times, so you will definitely want to take this chance. Everything here feels just amazing: from the artificial lake to the beautiful plants offering you an escape from the buzz of the city as well. Definitely a must-see for anyone who steps foot in London!
Westminster Palace
UNESCO has classified this place as a world-heritage one – and not without any reason. Everything here is splendid and mesmerising at the same time. This is the kind of place that will amaze you with its stunning architecture and with the very “historical” aura surrounding it – an absolute must-see whatever your goals in London may be!
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Loss On the Road + Letting Go
I’ve had a lot of loss on the road, more than anyone might expect in a few years of traveling.
Just because you’re away, it doesn’t stop life from running its course.
In 2011 my aunty was killed in an earthquake that shattered my entire family.
A few months later, I was stabbed while traveling around Lombok in Indonesia.
And this month, my boyfriend and I split up during our travels. It wasn’t a good break up, not in any way amicable. In fact, it was very traumatic.
We broke up at around 3.30am in the morning and I packed my bags, booked flights to Bali and walked to the ferry terminal a few hours too early and I just sat there. He didn’t try to stop me from leaving.
I couldn’t believe it. This couldn’t be happening. The person I thought I was going to be spending the next few years adventuring with, and everything else we had planned, was now someone I had to leave behind.
He’d told me only the day before that he wanted to marry me. In a rap, that made me cry it was so wonderful.
I didn’t want to leave, but I knew I had to.
The ferry ride was hard… being left alone with my thoughts for a few hours after no sleep and a night filled with tears.
I had an interesting bus ride, where I made friends with four travellers who tried to cheer me up by sharing stories of their horrific food poisoning experiences.
And then I arrived at my hotel, alone.
I literally spent all day in bed, I forgot to eat, I hadn’t sleep. I just sat there. Sobbing.
You see, when something traumatic like this happens and you’re not around familiarity – friends, family and ‘home’ – it can be extremely isolating.
The following day was some 18 hours of transit, with a ridiculously long stop over in Singapore, where I just walked around like a zombie, lost in my own thoughts, fighting back my own tears.
Now I’m with a friend and things are becoming bearable.
Except for the mornings and the nights.
The mornings I find myself forgetting any of this has happened, rolling over next to me only to find he’s not there and then it all rushes back to me.
The nights I wonder why he didn’t talk to me, if we could repair this, flashing back through all the good times and the good memories. The way I felt in his arms. The way he looked me. The things he said.
It is an emotional roller coaster to say the least.
Whenever anything good happens in my days, I want to rush to call him.
Except I can’t.
Because the break up was so unexpected for me and traumatic, with no opportunity to talk things through or to work things out, there’s a lot of ache.
So I’m trying to fill up the ‘ache’ with good things. With nurturing things. I’ve been eating a lot of vegetarian food, shakes and smoothies. I’ve been going to yoga. I’ve been volunteering with kittens. I’ve been making new friends.
Today one of my new friends, Rosie, told me an interesting story. Basically about a friend of hers who had a short fling with an old flame. She spent so much of the time after it had ended worrying about why he hadn’t contacted her, why it hadn’t continued longer, and so on, that she didn’t stand back and appreciate those four days for what they were.
Her expectations ruined her reality.
Expectation is the root of most suffering. I expected us to last. I expected him to be honest with me. I expected him to talk to me when problems came up. I expected our travels to continue. I expected us to be able to work through any issues that came up. I expected us to be boarding a flight to Paris next week.
Right now I’m investing a lot of time in letting go of all those expectations. It is hard and every inch of my being is resisting it.
Because I cannot bare to continue with ‘our’ plans by myself – it would hurt too much- I’m going to shake things up. I’ve always wanted to go to South America.
I’m going to spend another two weeks here in Ubud, before hopefully flying to Thailand for three weeks to spend time with another friend. After that, I’ll fly to Buenos Aires where I’ll make my way up, stopping wherever I feel like.
This is not what I wanted from my trip. I wanted him. I wanted a phone filled with hilarious selfies and unforgettable memories. I wanted a future with him. Part of me wants to go to Bangkok in a week, board our flight together and pretend it never happened.
But sometimes that’s not what life has in store.
When I was a teenager, one of my friends told me to ‘go with the flow like a dead fish’.
So I’m trying to be a dead fish, floating all the way to South America.
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Top Things to do in Dubai
The great Asian tiger economy countries will never cease to amaze us. In between high technology and amazing development, but still anchored in part of their traditions and beliefs, these countries feel like the perfect destination for many of us.
Dubai is, undoubtedly, one of the great wonders of the past few years. With a rapid and stormy development, this country has left us all in awe with its architecture, with its luxury and with its amazing feeling as well. Dubai’s a city you would have to try very hard to get bored in but even so, which are the very best things to do there? Read on and find them out!
Taking a Look at Burj Khalifa
Of course, natural landscapes always leave us mesmerized, but when it comes to stunning man-made landscapes, the implications go far beyond that. Burj Khalifa is the kind of place that will teach you in the blink of an eye just how far humanity has managed to reach. As the tallest building in the world, this is the kind of sight that will stick to your retina for many years to come – and an image you will definitely want to tell your grand-children about! It’s possible to book a holiday to Dubai with LetsGo2 so start planning now!
Visiting and Shopping at the Dubai Mall
This is it: the epitome of everything Malls stand for. The Dubai Mall is just as impressive as the entire country itself and it will definitely be to the likes of just about anyone who wants to do some shopping. The options here feel limitless – just as they do in Dubai itself. You’ll have no less than 1,200 shops to choose from here so there is absolutely no way in the world you will not be able to find what you are searching for.
Relaxing in Front of the Dubai Fountain
Seeing this fountain will, again, teach you just how far we have come as humanity. The view is absolutely splendid and it will haunt you for a long time from now on. This is the world’s largest choreographed fountain and watching its beautiful choreography will be so great that you’ll most likely want to sit there for hours and hours.
Skiing in Dubai
Yes, you read that right. You can ski in Dubai! And yes, Dubai is still in the arid Middle East – they haven’t moved it anywhere else. Dubai is so amazing that it has its very own indoor ski resort and taking a break from the heat here will feel exhilarating and amazing at the same time. There are no less than 22,500 square meters of skiing area so you’ll have plenty of space to move around here.
Being a Kid
Dubai is not only for shoppers and admirers of modern architecture. It is for those who want to have some “pure” fun as well. Visiting the Zoo and the Dolphinarium here, as well as having fun at the Wild Wadi Water Park are extremely fun for children of all ages and they make for wonderful activities regardless of whether you came here alone, with a partner or with your family.
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Tips for being a Female Traveller
Being a woman is never easy – not in school, not at the job and not at home either. But when you are a female traveller, it always seems that more dangers lurk in the dark than in the case of male travellers. Indeed (and unfortunately), our world is not yet accustomed to the idea that women have the same status as men – and for this reason, too many of them are still insecure over their powers.
If you are a woman and if you want to travel the world, the last thing you should do is be scared. Seriously, accidents can happen at home too, if you think of it and although it is completely undesirable, there is absolutely nothing to guarantee you that you’ll never suffer any kind of incident in your home town.
With that being said, follow your dreams and see where they will take you. Even more, take the following tips with you and you’ll feel safer and happier with your choice at the same time!
Go on a Chic Retreat
There’s nothing more fun than visiting a boutique hotel and having a girl’s weekend away. Where you stay has a big impact on how your trip feels and boutique hotels are the perfect place for a little luxury, to relax and to enjoy yourself. Chic Retreats are the perfect place to stay and a great foundation for a wonderful holiday.
Be Informed
A confused traveller is a sure target – but a confused woman traveller is an even surer target anyway. To make sure you don’t make yourself a huge sparkling sign saying “rob me”, never leave home without checking out with a map (twice or three times), before making sure your phone is fully charged and before learning your route by heart. Avoid taking out maps in public, as they will show that you are not a local (and this could make you a target for the robbers and pickpockets out there) and, if you really need to ask someone about something, always mention that you have to meet a friend there (and always ask people who seem trustworthy).
Know the Culture
If you are visiting the Middle East, Asia or parts of the world that may have a culture completely different than the European-American one, make sure you get to know the cultural issues before you land on your destination. Make sure you know what not to do to get people here angry and make sure that you know very well what a woman’s status here is. For instance, visiting the Middle East most likely means that you won’t have to wear a veil, but dressing decently is probably something you may want to do here out of respect for the people who follow their traditions (and again, to make yourself a less sure target for the “bad guys”).
Follow Your Gut Instinct
Meeting a cute guy at a bar or at the hostel’s main room will probably feel like one of those movie romances, but you should still follow your gut instinct. Common sense goes a long, long way when it comes to keeping yourself safe and you should definitely follow it! Yes, that dubious hotel is probably not the best place for travellers (and even less for women travellers) and yes, walking alone at night on that dark street is not a good idea either. If it doesn’t feel safe and good, don’t do it because you will definitely not miss out on anything great!
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The Pros and Cons of Traveling By Lonely Planet
It’s been a while since I’ve bought a Lonely Planet book and to be honest, I miss it a little. At the beginning of this trip we were traveling in really nice hotels, which is fun, but there’s something special about staying somewhere a bit cheaper, where you’re more likely to meet young people your age. As I’m now planning to head to South America in 6-8 weeks, I’ll be buying a Lonely Planet and starting from the bottom in Buenos Aires and working my way up. If you’re interested in grabbing a Lonely Planet, check out the travel books from Bookworld
The Pros
Offline Access…
There’s nothing worse than desperately trying to use WIFI to figure out where you should go when you’re in a third world country and the connection sucks. The great thing about a Lonely Planet Guide is that you can use it anywhere, any time and it has all the details a taxi might need to get you there without too much hassle.You’ll Meet Other Travellers
You’ll meet other people who are reading the same Lonely Planet as you as they’ll turn up in the same places you do. Likewise with the accommodation suggestions, you’ll meet other people there too.
Offline Access…
There’s nothing worse than desperately trying to use WIFI to figure out where you should go when you’re in a third world country and the connection sucks. The great thing about a Lonely Planet Guide is that you can use it anywhere, any time and it has all the details a taxi might need to get you there without too much hassle.You’ll Meet Other Travellers
You’ll meet other people who are reading the same Lonely Planet as you as they’ll turn up in the same places you do. Likewise with the accommodation suggestions, you’ll meet other people there too.
Different Sections for Different Budgets
Each part of the Lonely Planet guidebook is broken down into different sections so that you can plan your trip according to your budget. It means that Lonely Planet Guides cater to all types of budgets (well, except maybe those who have no budget) and are something you can use when you revisit a place.
A Map
There’s nothing worse than arriving somewhere new with no map, no clue where you are and no address or phone number. The Lonely Planet Guides tend to have maps for the most popular areas, so you can see where the accommodation is, great restaurants and any other attractions they have recommended.
The Cons
Too Many People
Sometimes hidden gems become a lot less hidden because of the Lonely Planet. Too many people turn up and it might be too hard to book a room or to get a table. Sometimes this can be really annoying, but on the flipside it generally means the place they suggested is really good.
Too Dependent on the Guide
Sometimes it’s nice to arrive somewhere with no plans, no idea what you’re doing and just explore. I think sometimes people become too reliant on the Lonely Planet book and find themselves forgetting to explore.
All in all I have really enjoyed the Lonely Planet Guide books during my travels and am looking to becoming familiar with them again for my next adventure!
Do you use a guide book when you travel?
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Getting Around Burlingame Without a Car
Burlingame is perfect for enjoying Northern California’s beautiful weather and Bay views while avoiding the insane crowds and prices of San Francisco. It’s also a very good place to spend a night between flights, since it’s so close to the San Francisco International Airport (SFO). Burlingame hotels are affordable, there’s plenty to do in town, and you can make day trips into San Francisco on the CalTrain for $4. It’s possible to stay in Burlingame without renting a car, if you know the secrets.
Understand the Town
Image via Flickr by Koshyk
There are three areas that you may want to travel between in Burlingame: the Bayshore area, Broadway, and Burlingame Avenue.
The Bayshore area is where you’ll find the nice waterfront hotels, with views of the bay. Broadway is the older part of the town, where you’ll find that California Gold Rush feeling. Charming shops and Mom-and-Pop restaurants make this an interesting area to hang out. Burlingame Avenue is where you’ll find high-end shopping, and lots of great restaurants.
The Neighborhood Trolley
Image via Flickr by Chris D 2006
Within each of those three areas, you’ll have no problem getting around on foot. You can travel between them on the free Burlingame Trolley. The trolley runs every day, except for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years, from 11:30 a.m. until about 9:30 p.m. The trolley picks up at several Bayshore hotels and runs through both the Broadway and Burlingame Avenue areas.
Other Transport
There is a nice little CalTrain station on Burlingame Avenue, where you can catch the train into San Francisco. From the airport, if your hotel doesn’t offer shuttle service, you can take BART to Milbrae and then switch to the CalTrain (total cost $2). You can also catch a free shuttle from Milbrae into Burlingame. If you have a lot of luggage or arrive during off hours, expect to spend about $15 for a taxi.
In the evening, if you miss the last shuttle, you’ll find taxis wherever there are clusters of bars and restaurants. During the day, if you want a cab, you’ll need to call for one as they don’t typically roam the streets.
There’s a footbridge over the highway that connects the Bayshore area to Broadway if you prefer to walk.
Where to stay
Image via Flickr by Out.Of.Focus
If you choose a hotel along the trolley route, your time in Burlingame will be a breeze. Since the trolleys don’t run after 9:30 p.m., you’ll either be coming home early, hanging out at your hotel’s bar, or taking a cab home, so look for a hotel with an in-house bar and restaurant. The Hillton SFO is a good choice, with its lovely Windows on the Bay restaurant and Fire and Ice bar and grill. The Hyatt Regency is a typical airport hotel, but with a nice pool and a friendly bar. Both offer shuttle service to/from the airport. The shuttle also stops at the doors of the Crowne Plaza, SFO Mariott, Doubletree, and Embassy Suites.
Burlingame is so convenient to the SFO Airport, and so much more affordable than San Francisco, that you might want to base an entire trip there.
Author Bio:
In May 2013, Lauren sold everything she owned that didn’t fit in a backpack and took off to travel the world as a nomadic writer. She regularly produces articles for CBS and Time Warner, and is a writer for the Hipmunk City Love Project. She is also working on designing journals and study materials for dance and yoga students, among other projects.
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Sun Island Legian Review
From the moment I arrived at the Sun Island Legian I felt warmly welcomed. While I am aware smiling service is the standard in Bali, Sun Island Legian went a few steps above this. As we had arrived early, our room was not yet ready, so we were invited to lounge by the pool until it was.
Walking through the hotel grounds was a pleasure as I was consistently greeted by each and every staff member I saw. This made me feel very special and like I had come ‘home’ even though I was only here a few days.
Sun Island Legian Review
The Location:
Sun Island is located right in the midst in the busy Legian area, but as soon as you step inside the grand foyer, you escape all of the noise and the chaos from the road outside. It is a fantastic location because you can walk almost everywhere you might like to go: the beach, large malls, shopping streets, restaurants, spas and minimarts. I really like being in a centrally located area so long as my sleep isn’t compromised, and Sun Island was the perfect balance of centrality and retreat. If you want a luxurious hotel in the heart of Legian, Bali then this is it.
The Facilities:
First, let’s all just take a moment to appreciate how stunning that pool is!
Sun Island Legian has two pools and I spent time at both of them. The rooftop pool is quite shallow, but perfect for lounging around watching the sunset. There is also a very comfortable set of loungers and comfortable seating areas here, so it’s a wonderful place to bring a book or some friends to unwind. The other pool is more of an infinity pool overlooking the busy street below. It is really a gorgeous pool and a great place to cool down.
The spread for buffet breakfast is considerable and there’s more than enough options on offer to keep even the fussiest eaters happy. If you’re a fan of coffee, make sure you have some of their Bali coffee; it is divine.
The Room:
We had a suite room, which was so large we could have lived in it, indefinitely. I actually had to use the Pano mode on my phone to fit it all in. The bathroom had everything we needed from double basins (one of my favourite features in a room), a large bath and rain shower. There was a large TV, a luxurious sitting area and a desk, as well as ample space for our bags. There were tea and coffee making facilities in room, but we spent our time by the pool enjoying the delicious iced coffees.
Book this hotel if… you want a slice of luxury a stone’s thrown from everything you would want and need. The hotel is very new, immaculately clean and modern. It would suit a wide range of travellers as it has everything you need for any type of holiday.
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Alpe D’Huez: Perfect Pistes for Thrill-Seeking Skiers
For thrill-seeking skiers, there are few better resorts than Alpe D’Huez in France. Situated in the Massif des Grandes Rousses region of the country, this large and popular winter sports area sits at 1,869 metres above sea level and boasts some of the most daunting yet exhilarating skiing conditions around.
Often referred to as the Island of the Sun because of the south-facing position of many of its slopes, the resort was founded in 1936 and since then, it has developed an outstanding international reputation. Standing at a formidable 3,330 metres, the top station in Alpe d’Huez is Pic Blanc and offers magnificent views across the Alps.
A group of skiers getting ready to take on the Alpe d’ Huez slopes
Taking to the ski slopes for the first times
Don’t panic if you’re planning skiing holidays to this resort and you’re not confident on the slopes yet. Alpe d’Huez naturally divides into different zones that cater for varying abilities. There are plenty of green pistes located immediately above the ski resort centre that are ideal for beginners.
Meanwhile, in the west of the bowl, you’ll find a variety of straight red and blue runs that are intended for intermediate skiers. Good examples include Couloir, Vachettes and Chamois.
Adventurous skiing on the black runs
However, this French ski resort is best known for its black runs. Above the 2,300-metre and 2,700-metre stations located on the south facing slopes below the Pic Blanc top station, most of the pistes are categorised black. Due to their high altitude, these slopes can be subject to bad weather, adding an extra element of fear and danger.
The most revered of all the pistes is the Tunnel, which got its name because it passes through a tunnel before dropping steeply. Exactly how nerve-shredding this run is depends on the conditions at the time. In warmer weather and with soft powder on the slope, it can be fairly straightforward. However, when temperatures drop and things get icy, it takes a brave skier to attempt this run. The fact that falls can easily result in slides of 200 metres or more instils a further sense of drama.
As well as the Tunnel, Alpe d’Huez is home to Sarenne, which is the longest black run in Europe. Measuring 18.75 kilometres, this slope is certainly not for the fainthearted.
Whether you think the gentler slopes of this ski resort would be a big enough test of your nerve or you want to showcase your skills on its black runs, you’re guaranteed an action-packed holiday in this part of south-western France.
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Samabe Bali Suites and Villas Review
As someone who has stayed in many hotels before, it takes something special for me to start mentally planning when I’ll next visit. With my visit to Samabe Luxury Resort and Villas, I was already planning my next stay before I had even unpacked my bag.
The Samabe Experience
Every little details is taken care of at Samabe, from a 24 hour butler service to little buggies available at a moment’s notice to taxi you around the expansive property. With just over 70 rooms and villas set on over 8 acres, Samabe is an expansive property that offers guests enough space to find solitude. Your personal butler is there to help, from arranging a beautiful afternoon tea spread in your room, villa or by the pool to unpacking and packing your bags – if you so wish. Throughout the week there are a number of activities available, from a cooking course in the beautiful, open-air kitchen to Balinese fruit carving lessons.
Of course there is also the stunning infinity pool that is divided into two depths, ensuring that it is appropriate for competent swimmers as well as those, like me, who just like to cool down in the pool. From the moment you arrive it is obvious Samabe is a luxury resort in Bali that goes the extra mile to ensure a perfect holiday.
One of the features I really liked about Samabe was its lounge. Designed for those of us who have flights later than check-out time, it allows you to relax in the cinema, refresh yourself in the bathrooms and showers, or store your bag while you do some last minute shopping in nearby Nusa Dua. This is a really nice touch as you can continue to enjoy Samabe faciltiies after you’ve checked out, which saves you paying for an additional night.
Unlimited All Inclusive Option
I had never heard of an ‘unlimited’ all inclusive option prior to my visit to Samabe. Ben and I decided not to opt for it as we weren’t sure how much time we would spend on site and we don’t like to overcommit – what a mistake! We didn’t leave the resort for a moment during our entire stay. The unlimited all inclusive surcharge is about the same price as one meal for two people, plus a drink and dessert each – so it’s very worth it. On our next visit to Samabe we will certainly try all inclusive.
The Suite
There were two options when booking at Samabe, either a villa (1 or 2 bedroom options available) with a private pool, or a suite room. We ended up in a suite room and to be honest, I actually preferred it to the villas. While the villas are gorgeous and offer extra privacy, the suites have incredible sweeping views of the ocean. The majority of our time in our suite was spent on the deck, admiring the view.
One thing I really liked about our suite at Samabe was the obvious attention to creating numerous spaces for you to enjoy. From a sitting area by the main entrance, to the desk, couch in the main room, the seats on the deck, and of course the beautiful bath. The bathroom was decked out with numerous products to ensure comfort; a wide range of balt salts and bubbles, high quality shampoo, conditioner and lotion. As I have quite sensitive hair, I was very pleased to use a hotel shampoo and conditioner that didn’t aggrevate my hair.
The suite itself was very spacious, with a his and hers basin as well as a large dressing room. Ben and I tend to rarely unpack our bags when we travel, so we both really appreciated having a considerable space to leave our bags, out of the way of our living areas.
Our stay at Samabe was perfect – we had a very relaxing time, the food was consistently excellent, including the breakfast which was both buffet and a la carte. Fancy some sushi, vitamin shots, chocolate fondue or bacon that tastes like it should? Samabe has it all and more.
Stay here if… you want a slice of paradise. If you want to relax and unwind. It is the perfect place for those on their honeymoon, who want to mark a special occasion, or even those with children. Samabe had a comprehensive children’s activity schedule to allow parents to enjoy a little privacy.
Samabe also offers wedding facilities and it would be the perfect destination wedding setting in Bali. I tried to hint at my partner Ben, but I’m not sure he understood how serious I was!
Have you ever had a hotel you knew you would visit again?
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Things I Hate About South East Asia
I want to start this off by saying I really like Asia… especially South East Asia. It’s one of my favourite parts of the whole world and that’s why I keep coming back time and time again.
However, despite all the love I have for Asia, there are some things I seriously hate. If you’ve spent much time in SEA you might relate to these things, or if you’re planning to head here anytime soon, this list will help you prepare. Here are the things I hate about Asia:
Stagnant Water:
I don’t know what winds up in some of the streams of river here, but it smells and looks disgusting. The other day I was walking into a high-end shopping center and on ground level just outside the entrance, there was a massive area of stagnant water. It smelled so bad I literally gagged. Lots of the pools of water here are filled with rubbish and have a grey, glossy film to them. Ew.
Crappy Footpaths:
Many countries cater well to pedestrians; most places in SEA do not. If the sidewalks are even present, there’s a good chance they will have chunks of concrete missing out of them or be on crazy angles. It can be a real challenge walking around them at nighttime, in the dark, as they seem to have random holes in them without warning. Ankles beware.
Taxis Who Refuse the Meter:
I’m sure this doesn’t just happen in Asia, but it’s so annoying. I have had NUMEROUS taxis here in Bali refuse to use the meter with me, asking for 2-4 times what the fare should cost. I just tell them it’s too expensive and walk off, most of the time they’re suddenly eager to use the meter again.
To get a fair estimate of a fare, find out what the local rate per km is, then Google Map how far the distance of your journey is.
Tourist Prices:
Now, I should preface by saying that I don’t mind paying more than locals for attractions, especially religious sites that might otherwise be unaffordable to the people who actually live here. However, in most parts of South East Asia, there are two prices. The foreigner price and the local price and they can vary a lot. Even in stores where the ‘prices’ are marked on them, you can bet the locals are not paying anywhere near that much.
Spitting, Coughing etc
Today I had a foot and leg massage. Within 5 minutes I was almost falling asleep, feeling very relaxed as the knots in my legs were gently rubbed away. Meanwhile, a meter or so away from me, a lady was coughing up phlegm, loudly. In another massage the other day, the technician kept coughing while massaging me. The entire massage was spent in an awkward limbo of enjoying the physical sensation of the massage and being repulsed by a stranger coughing so close to my body.
Insane Aircon:
Outside it will be a nice 30 degrees and so you’ll dress appropriately, shorts and a tshirt perhaps. Whenever you go inside anywhere, whether a department store, restaurant, minimart or taxi the aircon will be so ridiculously powerful you’ll wish that you had brought a cardigan and jacket. And gloves. And a scarf.
Other than that, I love Asia and I am so happy to be here. Less than a month left in Asia and I am already feeling sad about leaving, but I wont miss any of these things.
Do you hate anything about Asia? Have these things annoyed you too? Let me know in the comments below!
