Category: City Tips
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Macau… The Biloxi of the East
For many visitors to Hong Kong, a day trip or a night or two spent in Macau is an interesting diversion. It’s nearly impossible to hear someone mention Macau and not use the phrase “The Las Vegas of the East.” Who wouldn’t be tempted by that? We’re only an hour away from Vegas? Of course…
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Eating Durian in Asia… Everything You Need to Know
Durian is largely unknown in the western world. Even if you’ve heard of it the common reaction is ‘Oh, they have this fruit that stinks? Interesting…’ and then forget all about it. People certainly aren’t eating durian in the US even in cities with a thriving food culture and a large Asian community. So if…
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How to Find the Rolex You Want Today… In Hong Kong
Hong Kong is the luxury watch capital of the world. Even more than Geneva watch dealers are everywhere and seeing people wearing Rolex and Patek on the streets and subways is very common. If you’re visiting Hong Kong a Rolex could make the perfect souvenir, if you’ve come prepared to buy. I found the Rolex…
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Singapore: Make It a Long Weekend Not a Lost Weekend
When booking hotels in Singapore sticker shock is common. Travelers often compare prices to other countries in the region. It’s not unusual to perceive better value in places like Bangkok or Phnom Penh. I believe thinking this way is a mistake. Visiting a rich country is a different experience than one that’s still developing. You…
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Is Bali’s Kuta Beach Really as bad as You’ve Heard?
If you’re searching hotels in Bali Kuta Beach is likely on your radar. Especially if you’re budget conscious, the sheer number of hotels there and proximity to the airport make it very appealing for a few quick days on the beach. But you may have also noticed in your searches that many of the top…
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Traveling to the Philippines? Don’t Make This Mistake
After spending twenty years going to sea I’ve heard a lot about the Philippines. Filipinos make up a large portion of the world’s maritime workforce and many sailors enjoy spending time there when they’re not working aboard a ship. One thing I hadn’t heard about in all those years was the Filipino customs observed during…
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My Favorite City in Asia: Hong Kong
I can’t say for sure that Hong Kong is the world’s coolest city. But I don’t know of any other place where you can buy a Patek Philippe and visit a brothel in the same building. What I can tell you is that the vibes are impeccable. Unique among cities, HK seems to exist outside…
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How to Survive A Weekend in Nashville
So you got yourself a hotel room downtown (check rates) and you’re ready to blaze into town and hit the honky tonks for a weekend in Nashville. Bless your heart. While a lot of other sites are going to offer you a “perfect” 3 day itinerary or claim to have knowledge “from a local” I’m…
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How to Deal With The Motorbikes in Saigon
If you’re planning a trip to Vietnam you may have seen posts elsewhere mentioning the preponderance of motorbikes in Saigon. I’m here to tell you that those posts don’t even come close to impressing upon a reader how many Ho Chi Minh motorcycles they are going to encounter in the city and how that experience…
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More Like No-Chi-Minh-City If You Ask Me…
I’ll be honest with you: I did not enjoy visiting Saigon. I don’t recommend anyone go there, unless they’re arriving or departing at the airport and traveling elsewhere in Vietnam. You can see enough to get a decent impression of Ho Chi Minh City by booking a hotel in District 1 and walking around for…