Highlights of China
Fast Facts about China Travel • The currency is the Chinese Yuan and 1USD is about 6.67 CNY • Always carry toilet paper as you will not find it in most bathrooms in China. • The internet is a pain in
Category Archives: Asia
Tea tasting scams
Tea Tasting – Scam? I have heard of a lot of tea tasting scams happening in China. You should always search for scams in the area you are visiting. Basically, they offer you tea and conversation and then the bill
Cruising the Bund
Cruising the Bund in Shanghai is a must do for all visitors. Cruising the bund in Shanghai on the Huangpu River has become a must for most visitors to Shanghai. Cruise ships vary in size, decoration and amenities, with the
The Terracotta Army
A farmer who found the Terracotta Army in March 1974 when he was digging a well which is quite ironic as it is not recommended to drink the water in Xian because of the mercury content. It is from the
Great Wall of China
The Great Wall of China spans 13,170 miles from Hushan in the east to Gansu in the west. After Emperor Qin Shi Huang unified the whole nation, he had the different sections connected and since then, the wall served as
Hutongs of Beijing
Hutongs of Beijing In the modern city of Beijing lies a place where you can still see the authentic old Beijing. The place is known as Shichahai Area where most local residents still live in traditional courtyard-styled houses dotted along
Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City
Tiananmen Square One of the great things about our hotel location was that it was so close to Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. We were just one metro stop away and since its so cheap to take the metro
Summer Palace in Beijing
Summer Palace in Beijing As I mentioned in my arriving in China post, I had a hard time connecting to the Internet and getting my VPN to work. While I was out for the morning I stopped at a cafe
Pandas at the Beijing Zoo
Pandas at the Beijing Zoo One of the top things on my list for Beijing after the food was to go to see the pandas at the Beijing Zoo. As I still couldn’t get access to the wifi I had
Black Sesame Kitchen
Black Sesame Kitchen I was googling Chinese cooking classes in Beijing when I came across Black sesame Kitchen. Technically not a cooking school but more of a cooking experience in a Hutong where the host tells you about the dishes
Arriving in China
Arriving in China Back in March I made my first visit to China over the Easter break. I was looking for somewhere I could go for 10 days or so and direct flights from New Zealand. So I decided to
Kerala – the jewel of the south India
My time in the southern part of India was short and sweet but it definitely has a lot to offer. I was lucky enough to spend the day on the backwaters of Kerala near Alleppey. This is the main spot
Taj Mahal
When I first started planning my trip to India I knew stopping at the Taj Mahal would be a must for me. Known as the ‘crown of palaces’, the Taj Mahal is a white marble mausoleum built for Mughal emperor
Staying at the Amazing Noovilu Guesthouse
When you tell people you are going to the Maldives the images that first come to mind are white sand beaches, beautiful blue water, and pricey resorts with overwater bungalows. When I first booked my trip to Sri Lanka I
Swimming with Whale Sharks
Its hard to believe that four months ago I was swimming with whale sharks in the Maldives. It was a dream come true for me. I have to admit, I only found out about whale sharks a few years ago