Tips


Tyler Dillon's Running List of Shanghai Recommendations


As for Shanghai: it is like NYC in the 80's, bumping and hot and full of excitement.  Here are some of my favorite things to do there.  

A brief history.....like many of the international cities in Asia, Shanghai was thought of as a rotten deal  done on purpose from the Chinese point of view.  It was a boggy marsh land that was inhabitable and the thought was we can sell it to the foreign devils at a price and take them for all they are worth.  With the opium business booming, the ol' UK wanted to corner the market and have a port on that side of China to send all their goodies back home.  Then came the Japanese and the Americans and the French.  With that you had the first city of its kind in Asia.  In the foreign concessions in the city each government had their own system of governing and even separate money.  After some time the foreigners thought it wise to set up an international area and were allowed by the Chinese to govern it how ever they wanted.  Thus the BUND was born, an extremely wonderful European oasis in the far east, tall buildings following the river side.  It was unlike any the world had seen.  Most of it was built by three Jewish families that had fled Iraq at the turn of the century (some of the same families that built Hong Kong).  The Chinese got aggravated with all the money going through the place and kicked them all out. The British didn't like this much and went to war and in the end were allowed to take a shitty piece of land in the southern coast of China, which became Hong Kong.  15 years ago the Chinese decided to invest heavily in the region and build up a new Shanghai in a section across the river from the Bund.  This is a very chinese thing to do, build it bigger and better in the face of the foreign built area to show power.  This area was called the PUDONG and has been built up at a rate faster than any city in the history of the globe.  So you have two distinct parts of town, the Bund and the Pudong.  

Bars:  This town is full of kick ass bars and cafes.  M on the Bund is a must as well as the roof top restaurant 3 on the Bund. The best thing you can do for food and for bars is pick up a little guide called LUXE guides, they have one for Shanghai and it is awesome, full of great places, one of which is the best little rest. for pork belly I have ever had, Can't recall the name.  Also there is a dumpling place called Mr Yin's.  Shanghai Dumplings are amazing.  Words for the wise, when you get the dumplings cut a little whole in the top and let it cool, if not it is like a napalm bomb going of in your face.   

There is a tunnel ride you can take from the Bund to Pudong, do it, it is wacky and strange and just like that scene in Charlie and the Chocolate factory, the old one, the good one.   

If you have a lot of time head out of the city and go to the Yellow mountains or Huangzhou, it is pretty awesome.  Where they filmed Crouching Tiger Hidden dragon.  





Tyler Dillon’s Running List of Hong Kong Recommendations

Took a while for me to really enjoy Hong Kong as it seemed more like a big mall to me than anything, but there are some really cool places to check out if you have time, and it is also a shopping mecca.  I have never been one for shopping, BUT in Hong Kong even I like to go shopping and get a few suits made.  Here you go, hope you have fun:


Thing to see
Star Ferry:  The novelty never really wears off.  This is the main ferry between Kowloon and Hong Kong and it really is the best view of the city, beats out Helecopter, plane, or private yacht, it really captures the spirit of Honkers.

Victoria Peak walk:  Head up in a morning to the peak via the peak tram and once you get to the top leave as quick as you get a view.  But don't go back the same way.  There is a walk from the top going back down to SoHo on the old Peak road.  This was the road that used to be the only way to the top and the big brass brits used to pay a few locals to carry them up on this road in Seddan chairs.  Think about that as you walk down, it is freakin steep.  There are a few parks on the way where folks practice Tai Chi, feel free to join in, most people don't mind.

Tiger Ladies: Underneath the Causeway Bay overpass there are three ladies who put curses on whatever you like for a fee.  Classic Hong Kong.  
Dude, she is amazing. A must see.  

Cheung Chau Island: Take a ferry here from Central.  It is a cool little island to explore that still is run by the fishing families that lived here way before the brits came.  You can rent a bike when you land and tour the whole island.  Also, there is a great fish market at the main terminal.

SoHo: cool neighborhood with a lot of art and antiques along with nice cafe's and bars.  Also boasts the worlds largest out door escalator.

Uncle Albert: If you have time and enjoy the outdoors Christina and I met this great guy who runs and outdoor ed. facility in the sticks on the Sai Kung Peninsula.  Really nice guy who can show you the in's and out's of medicinal plants.  Albert was an outward bound instructor for OB Hong Kong for 20 years or so before retiring in order to work with local university students showing the value of sustainable fishing communities through his center.  His son and daughter help in the business as well and are wonderful.  His English is very good and he is a very kind spirit with tons of knowledge.

Fish and Farm cultural village (Pak Lap Village)
tel:00852 3129 3055
mobile:00852 9687 9408  and 00852 9783 9654
www.yl.hk/pl

Places to eat
Street food and little places are great in Hong Kong but the best folks to show you are some friends that I worked with in China.  They now run a small tour of food places in Hong Kong.  Kathryn and Andrew are great and live out in Sai Kung.  "Katherine Pinckney" <kspinckney@gmail.com>,

Fancy
"Aqua": Best view in town.  If you want to go all out, reserve the corner table to your left and arrive at 7:50pm.  The Hong Kong Light show starts at 8 and you have just enough time to order a drink and watch the show before dinner.  They serve pacific rim fusion.

Not-so expensive
Get a french loaf and some nice cheese, a bottle of wine and some glasses and head to the Museum balcony on Kowloon south to watch the light show at 8pm.

Excelsior Champagne Brunch:  Sundays only, if you have a group of friends and a free sunday it is 500 hong kong dollars for the bulk of the day drinking and eating your way to pure over indulgence.  At the Excelsior Hotel, top floor, Causeway bay.  They have a chocolate fountain.  I repeat. A chocolate fountain and a gorgeous view of the harbor (although not as good as the small cafe behind the museum. That is the chill money spot.) 

Cool Bars

Felix's:  cream of the crop tip o the top of the Peninsula Hotel, designed by Philip Stark, hip, good view, pure johnny bling bling shoes.  Check out the Bathrooms, I know sound weird but they are pretty freakin cool.

Feather Boa Bar:  Staunton Road 38, Sheung Wan, Hongkong Phone: 00 852 2857 2586, This place is fun, no sign on the door, hard to find and serves up a great Chocolate Strawberry Daiquiri.  Look it up on google maps and then try and find it. They dip the rim of the glass into dark chocolate shards.  Whoa.  

M on the Fringe: Jazz club wine bar near Lang Kwi Fung.

The Infamous Vodka Freezer bar at the Russian bar in the corner of Lang Kwi Fung:  They have a fabulous selection of faux fur coats and hats that you put on then go in to enjoy a shot of an absurd collection of vodkas.  Many a good time were had and new random friend was made wearing faux fur in the vodka freezer... 

Tailors (depending on the price. If you are looking for the cheap anything on Nathan road south does the job and remember to haggle, for the real deal stuff here is a list of the fancy shmancy places.)

Peninsula Tailor: 5 Lock Road 1st or 2nd floor. Run by a Shanhainese guy called Robert.

Nelson in Far East Mansion (opp Sheraton Hotel): He's on the 1/F. You'll notice they're 2 stores with the same name, but its the one that is furtherest away from Akria.

Sam's tailor  (Sam does a lot of famous folks suits and is not shy to say so):
Ground Floor,  Burlington Arcade, 94 Nathan Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Tel (852) 2367-9423

Also...
Check out Shanghai Tang, it is a clothing store owned and designed by Micheal Tang.  He does a good job at bridging the gap between east and west, meaning he has things that look Asian but don't make you look like a westerner wearing Asian clothes....if that makes any sense.  G/F Pedder Bldg, Pedder Street, Central
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Off the Beaten Path in Kerala, India

By Rachel Mintz


I advocate taking the road a little less traveled – Kerala, a state in the Southwest region of India. It is more of a journey to get to Kerala… perhaps a long train ride or better yet a relatively inexpensive flight south from New Delhi or Mumbai. Why Kerala? Kerala has it all – amazing food, beautiful scenery, interesting history, and very friendly people.



Culture

Keralans are extremely proud of their 99% literacy rate, the highest in any state in India. Due to this high level of education, coupled with a deep pride in their native dialects, many in Kerala also speak English as an alternative to the nationalistic Hindi. As a result, it is extremely easy to navigate Kerala.

Tips
Acquire a driver, which can be arranged quite inexpensively if not booked through a middle man. Every hotel or travel agent adds hidden up charges onto the costs of booking a driver. Better to arrange directly with a taxi company or a trusted referral.

Please note in Cochin in particular, the shops around town tip the drivers for bringing tourists to their doors, so do not be surprised if guides are constantly pressuring you to shop. To avoid strife, and possibly to help your guides, you might agree to visit a shop for five minutes (that is all the drivers need to get paid) and then return to the sightseeing that you had hoped to do.

A specialty of Kerala is Ayurvedic massages and treatments; they are widely available and should not be missed. 

Sites
Kerala is rich in history since it was the center of the spice trade. Fort Cochin has a variety of historic buildings and sites, including Jew Town with a historic synagogue dating to the 1600s.

Trivandrum, the capital, is likewise fascinating with museums, temples and other sites.

You can hit some of the most beautiful beaches ever seen. Kovalum is a bit touristy, but Varkala is less frequented and therefore much more peaceful. The red cliffs edging the beach are just beautiful.

You can ride a house boat on the backwaters of Alleppey or elsewhere. I recommend a two-hour boat ride, early in the day if possible, since bedbugs and thefts are the common complaints about overnight boat trips.

You also should grab the chance to book a ticket to see some traditional Keralan Kathakali theater.

Three favorites from my trip to Kerala
Food. Indian food in general is absolutely delicious. As a vegetarian, the country was the perfect destination for me. However, the food in Southern India, with its vibrant spices, was very much to my liking. The puri, sambar, dosas, and the curries were amazing.
Munnar. Situated on the hills, Munnar was both cooler and topographically different than the rest of Kerala. With acres of tea plantations, Munnar is a beautiful destination for hikes, walks or just lounging and drinking lots of tea.
Elephant Orphanage. On the route to Munnar a group of tourists, myself included, worked with the elephant handlers to bathe baby elephants in the nearby river. It was an amazing experience to be near such large mammals that are so intelligent and docile.

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Tip: Getting the most out of solo-lady through the Middle East written by guest contributor Melina Tsui

What Up Women Wanderers!
Thinking about going to the Middle East but you have adventure-adverse friends that refuse to come with you? That's GREAT! Traveling by yourself can be the best experience of your life!
Here are some tips to help you get it all just right:


1.  Be Type B (within reason, obviously)

How do you plan for an epic solo adventure? Easy: buy a Lonely Planet Guidebook, buy your plane ticket to your first destination, buy a return ticket (you’ll need a viable reason—financial commitment usually does the trick—to force you to come home), and reserve a bed for the first night at the hostel of your choosing. Period. No more planning.



How many days do you want to spend in Turkey? Should you stay in Jerusalem for three nights or can you do it in just two? Overnight train or overnight bus? Is that hostel that got rated a 92% on hostelworld.com really that fun? You can’t know the answers to these questions or begin to plan for any of them until you actually get to the countries and start talking to other travelers. Once you hear what they have to say, then you can make informed decisions about each leg of your trip. Which leads me to tip number 2…

2.  Be social
Your biggest resource as a solo backpacker—even more important than your LP Bible— is other travelers.  Chances are, they’re going to the same places you are, or have just come from those places.  These people have the most accurate, candid, up-to-date information, and it’s all augmented by their personal experiences.  Lonely Planet won’t tell you how safe you’ll feel in a flee market in Cairo; but Jane, the friendly backpacker you met while climbing Mt. Sinai at four in the morning certainly will.  Make friends with other travelers wherever and whenever. Better yet, you can (and should) join forces with them if they have a similar route in mind. Since you don’t have a plan (re: tip #1), if it appeals to you, their plan can become yours! It can be just a day excursion—maybe you all had a visit to the Pyramids on your agenda—or it can be a few days; whatever you’re comfortable with.  And once you’re sick of their plan, you can break off, no commitment necessary—off to find some more interesting people to latch on to. 

3.  Guys are better (well, only for some things)
While I never felt unsafe in any of the countries I visited—Turkey, Israel, Jordan, Egypt—I did feel uncomfortable on occasion.  Men in any country, including the US, ogle and whistle at you, so when you’re already out of your element in a foreign country, it can be a little bit unnerving.  It’s nothing to worry about, but you can eliminate some of it if you travel with boys from time to time.    

4. Don’t be “that guy” (well, girl, technically) 
Unfortunately, all backpackers stick out like sore thumbs in foreign countries, but you can try to blend in.  That means packing some loose-fitting clothes that cover your knees and shoulders, as well as a shawl to wear over your head (attracts less attention, particularly if you’re blonde). Oh, and don’t wear your bling all over the place. Who isn’t attracted to shiny objects?

5.  Don’t be afraid to engage locals in conversation
The local people you will encounter are SUPER friendly!  While you should exercise caution and smart decision-making (i.e. when a kind Berber man with whom you’ve already had multiple conversations and tea invites you to a family dinner and wedding in the middle of the Jordanian desert, you politely decline), you don’t have to be scared of them! Your experience will be so much richer having chatted with them about their lives and their beliefs.

6.  Full hostels are never really full 
Let’s say you did your socializing and everyone convinced you that there is only one perfect hostel in Dahab, Egypt, and staying anywhere else would be an absolute travesty (really, that’s never the case, but let’s just pretend for now). And then let’s just say you go online the night before you head over to Dahab.  You navigate to Hostelworld.com and it says all beds are full at your dream hostel.  No worries, you’re Type B these days, so you don’t sweat it. You calmly navigate to hostels.com, but they too are completely booked! Is it time for a panic attack? No. Instead, this is what you do: You cough, and as you cough, you mumble under your breath, *bullshit*.  You write down the address of the hostel if it isn’t already in your LP, look it up on the LP map--- if it’s there, great, if it’s not, no worries, you can ask around when you get there—and continue with your merriment.  Why? Because you know that really, only a portion of available beds are listed for online booking, and really, when you get to your dream hostel the next day (as long as it’s not ridiculously late), they’ll have a bed for you just like you dreamed.

7.  Become best friends with the 10-second delay setting on your camera 
While it’s always useful to make friends while you’re traveling, don’t forget, you are technically supposed to be solo on this trip.  So, there will undoubtedly be instances where you are indeed sightseeing all by your lonesome.  By using the 10-second delay setting on your camera, you can still take pictures of the wildly beautiful waterfalls at Ein Gedi National Park in Israel, and still be in them!  It takes a few practice shots, but all you have to do is strategically place the camera, click, run over to the waterfall, and pose. Done and done.

8.  Sanitize your brains out 
Many travelers complain of getting sick in Egypt.  They blame it on the food, or the water, or the dirtiness… but you know what they forget? The money.  I ate everything under the sun in Egypt. I ate street meat, I drank water, I ate raw fruits.  I never once got sick. Instead, it’s the money that’ll do it to you. That stuff has been circulating around for years and years—just touch it and you’ll see how grimy it feels.  Make it a habit to sanitize your hands after every single time you touch money, and I’m willing to bet you won’t get sick.  Unless you drink Nile water by accident (which I did)… then you’ll definitely get sick (which I also did)… in which case it’s always nice to have a bottle of Cipro (which I had).  That’ll clean up the mess in less than 24 hours (it did).  

9.  Be a smart Wandering Woman
This is the requisite precautionary tip.  Don’t walk around late at night by yourself and try to book flights that arrive during daylight hours.  Also make sure to read the hazards and dangers portion of LP—sometimes they have sections specifically for women. Use a purse that closes completely, and actively hold it near your person in crowded spaces. If you can, leave your passport and other valuables locked in a safe at the hostel (always bring your own lock just in case one isn’t provided).  Don’t waste your space or back muscles carrying “go-out clothes,” heals, or hair drying/straightening tools with you. You’re in a 3rd world country, staying at cheap hostels—honestly, who cares if your hair is straight?
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From David Hatcher Childress
Some of my companions kept a keen eye on their luggage all night, but I was soon sleeping like a baby. I have had so many things stolen from me in my many years of travel that losing one more item wouldn't make much difference. While suddenly finding your entire backpack gone can be rather disconcerting, paranoia can spoil a trip. Balance is key: don't do things that are foolish, but don't spend your trip casting a distrustful eye on everyone you meet. I particularly like one Arab proverb in this regard:

Trust in God,
But tie up your camel at night

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Tip: Why Spend $300 a Night for a Hotel?
Published in Money Magazine
Written by Carolyn Bigda

Book a hotel in a popular destination and you know what to expect: a bed, a mini-fridge, and a big bill at checkout. In Europe's big cities, for example, you can easily spend anywhere from $150 to $300 a night (hotels in Florence average $205).

But why spend so much, when you can rent a place, swap houses, or arrange a home stay for a lot less? With these options, you'll also get more space, and the chance to live like a local. Hurry, there's still time to grab a deal before summer's end.

Rent a place
The deal: The soft real estate market has resulted in a flood of vacation rentals. But how much -- if anything -- you'll save over a hotel varies by location, so check prices.Generally, stays of at least seven nights yield the lowest rates. (In London, a typical hotel runs about $200, but we found a one-bedroom in a trendy area for $124 a night for a week.) You'll see bigger savings if you are traveling with a group and had planned to book multiple hotel rooms.

Where to look: HomeAway.com. It offers the largest inventory of rentals -- more than 215,000 -- and great tools for sorting through them. You're a procrastinator? VisitVacationRentals.com for last-minute deals.
Avoid problems: Ask the owner for references, and contact those folks before booking, says Sarah Schlichter of IndependentTraveler.com. Get terms spelled out in a contract. And aim for a rental that lets you pay by credit card or PayPal so you can dispute charges if the place isn't up to snuff.

Trade houses
The deal: Home exchanges, in which two families swap pads, are an increasingly popular option. No wonder, as both parties get free lodging. The catch: It can be tricky to find someone who wants to vacation in your town when you want to travel.
Where to look: HomeExchange.com ($48 for a three-month membership). This large (37,000 listings) site lets you search for swaps based on date and location. For best results, make arrangements a few months ahead.
Avoid problems: Look for homes that have been exchanged before, and ask for references. Chat by phone with swapmates, and iron out details in writing -- for example, is it okay for them to use your car?
Be a guest
The deal: Plenty of regular folks are opening spare bedrooms to travelers at rates well below those of hotels. Think B&B but on a smaller scale.
Where to look: AffordableTravel-Club.net ($65 to $80 a year) has members ages 40 and up in 49 states and 52 countries. Those who join do so not only for the savings but to meet people, so hosts charge just $20 to $30 a night to cover costs. There's no obligation to host, but you'll be listed in the directory.
For more selection without the club aspect, try Airbnb.com. Rates vary, and you'll pay a 6% to 12% fee, but a search in New York City turned up a private room and bath for $105 a night (vs. $231, on average, for a hotel).
Avoid problems: Interview the hosts ("Will we share a bath?" "Do you have kids?") in advance. The sites themselves offer some protections as well: With Affordable Travel Club, you don't pay until you arrive, so if you don't like what you see, you can back out. Airbnb will help you find another place if your room is not as described.
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Tip: Become First Choice for that First Class Upgrade
Provided by Carolyn Paddock, Founder and CEO of In-Flight Insider (http://inflightinsider.com/)
One of the most frequently asked questions I’m asked is, “How do I get an upgrade to First Class?" You tried every way you could think of, but First Class just wasn’t available when you booked your ticket. Maybe you didn’t want to splurge for the miles or the money for the ticket, so you decided to rough it in coach. Or perhaps you decided to pray for a miracle upgrade.
There is a magical window of opportunity at the last minute for upgrades. It could happen at the gate or on the airplane. For these spontaneous upgrades, there’s no way (for you to know) in advance when or why a ticket agent, gate agent, or flight attendant will need to upgrade a coach passenger to First Class. But trust me it happens.
There are many reasons, but most often, it’s because of a last minute overbooking in the coach section or a first class passenger has missed their connection. This of course creates an open seat on your flight.
Pay close attention and you can improve your chances of being selected for an upgrade. First things first, you need to make sure that you stand out from the crowd and make a positive impression.
1. DRESS FOR FIRST CLASS
Do not ever underestimate the power of being well dressed. Especially now that travel attire has become so casual, everyone notices and likes to see a particularly well-dressed man or woman.
On one occasion, when I was flying for a commercial carrier, we were boarding an oversold flight from New York to Milan. There were unsold seats in Business Class and the gate agent asked me to choose six (appropriately dressed) people in coach for the upgrade. I walked through the cabin and selected those who were the most polished and gracious upon boarding. I can promise you that if you’re wearing sweats and flip flops, you’ll never get the upgrade—and you’ll never even know that you’re being passed over.
2. BE EVER SO CHEERFUL AND POLITE TO AGENTS AND FLIGHT ATTENDANTS
Crew members have plenty of authority and should not be underestimated. Every day agents and flight attendants deal with hundreds of grumpy, rude and stressed individuals who can’t wait to dump their problems on any and every airline employee. If you make an effort to brighten their day, they’ll be much more likely to do what they can to brighten yours.
I know that when I was flying, I loved spoiling people I knew would appreciate my effort—and they were never the moaners and complainers. Frankly, going out of my way and doing nice things for nice people made my day and job much more fun.
3. DON’T ASK FOR THE UPGRADE
It’s annoying, and everyone does it. You might think that if you don’t ask you won’t get it. But every agent and flight attendant knows you want a complimentary upgrade—who wouldn’t? Do what you can to stand out by being friendly and well dressed, but asking will only get you a “no.” Why? Because so many people request, expect and even demand it.
You can ask if there are any seats available in First Class, which will give the agent or attendant the opportunity to upgrade you, but let this be his or her idea. You know how good it feels to do something nice for someone who didn’t ask for it. Well, that’s exactly the psychology that’s at work here.
4. IF YOU’RE FRIENDLY YOU’LL BE NOTICED
It’s absolutely true. Even if there isn’t room in First or Business Class and you didn’t get the upgrade you’d hoped for, being a fun and friendly passenger will get you noticed by the attendants on your flight. They “see” everything, and you may very well be given a complimentary glass of wine or beer or some other treat for being a stand-out passenger.
Bottom line: If you dress for success, smile and remember to be polite, chances are you’ll be rewarded and your flight will be more enjoyable.
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General Tips from Budget Travel 
1.           Skip a restaurant meal at least once a day
2.           Make the motel (or, hotel, for that matter) an offer
3.           Take the train
4.           Don't follow the crowd