Getting ready to actually start working here in Japan. Will provide a write-up when I get back but some quick thoughts: - sushi here is pretty good but does not blow away any and everything I've had in the states - if you travel here you better like fish because just about every single thing is made of or with fish (big item is doshi which is cooked with fish flakes) - I'm a big fan of sake - the only time I've felt remotely unsafe is when ive been surrounded by other tourists - I feel like a dick for not knowing at least one other language while most everyone here knows Japanese and English. - new plan for future travel is 4 days in each spot. Hit up Tokyo, Kyoto, and Kanazawa in 8 days and it was too much. - loved Kyoto. Then Kanazawa. Then Tokyo. And that's saying something bc Tokyo is pretty solid.
On the topic of chargers, I can't recommend this thing enough. I love it so much that I actually bought a smaller one that can plug into the wall directly. This bigger one will charge my iPhone from dead too 100% around 6 times or so; the smaller one gets 2-3 full charges. Could fit in a small purse if your lady is carrying one. I bought mine a while back when it dropped to under $30 but I haven't seen it that cheap since
Looking at doing a long weekend trip early next year and we're thinking San Diego. Neither of us have ever been but searching itt looks like there's several fans. Open to any general advice anyone can offer. Is there a certain area that's better to stay in? Do we need a rental car (this was key in LA earlier this year)? We won't be looking for nightlife or anything really; we like to see the big sights and hit up breweries/local eateries One Airbnb that jumped out quickly looks like it's in the Adams Avenue Park area per Google Maps
Looks like I will be traveling to Singapore for two weeks of work. Any suggestions on places/things to do/see/etc.?
If you have any free time (1-2 days), it's an easy train to Kuala Lumpur. Two of the best food cities in the world. They have a street food stand that earned a Michelin Star, I'll fight you if you don't go https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/singapore-cheapest-michelin-star-restaurant/index.html
Lau Pa Sat food market and Satay street are good for food. Gardens by the bay is cool to walk around. I wouldn't stay at the marina bay sands, but do go up to the bar for a drink. I think it was like $30 entrance and included two drinks. Drinks are very expensive in Singapore though so thats actually not bad. A singapore sling at Raffles hotel is like $33. Its insane.
Ho Chi Minh is absolutely crazy. There is literally no way to prepare for how difficult crossing the street is the first time. Now I just start walking and don’t even look to see if a bus is about to hit me. By far the cheapest place I’ve ever been. On a bus to mui ne now to sit at a pool and drink beers for the next few days.
if anyone cares they reimbursed me the $500 after changing the flights free of charge STEAK FOR DINNER TONIGHT
Super salty I missed out on this one.... $238 to Zagreb from Atlanta? Wow. https://www.secretflying.com/posts/...ta-to-zagreb-croatia-from-only-238-roundtrip/
Going to Lake Tahoe 12/27-1/2 GF gonna be working during most of the daytime when we’re there. 1- what does solo guy do? Probably ski one day solo and with her the day she’s free. Is there a sportsbook at the casinos? Or best places to watch bowl games and day drink? 2- any insight on the night life or good dinner/date spots? Gonna play NYE by ear but not into fancy parties so prob some low key fire work stuff. Any general suggestions welcome. Staying in a cabin on the Nw side around Olympic valley/alpine meadows
whats everyone preferred way to get foreign currency? seems like a debit card that has 0% foreign transaction fees + ATM fees (think this is only Charles Schwab?) and just use an atm in the country is the best
this is what i was leaning towards, I can't find any that charge 0% foreign transaction fee and unlimited ATM reimbursement like Schwab what do you end up doing with excess money since Schwab doesn't accept deposits via ATM or anything? can we all tell I haven't been to a country needing foreign currency in a decade
I use Schwab as well. Shouldn't really have a problem with excess money because just pull out what you think you may need at a minimum and with no fees its not a big deal if you have to pull out more in the future, even if its like $20 to get to the airport or something. I do always like to keep a little bit of currency though as a souvenir.
We are hitting central-ish Europe for 12 days in March. (Wife, both kids (ages 9 and 6)). We have roughly 4 days of unplanned adventure in the middle and are looking for must-dos in northern Switzerland/southwestern Germany. Any recs? (we are already skiing in Austria... so no additional skiing)
the question was regarding going to X and getting more money out than you spend while there I understand the best answer is "dont do that"
I just pulled out roughly what I thought I would need each place and got more if needed since with Schwab it costs nothing. Over nearly two weeks I only ended up having about $6 worth of Hungarian Forint I didn’t use.
It takes a ton of that shit to make up a dollar. I remember pulling out a 20,000 note haha. Bottles of wine will be priced like 400 and that's a couple bucks. I thought it was fun how they abbreviate it "ft" and you can read prices like "this costs 2000 feet"
i thought it might have been i'm going to have an aneurysm trying to calculate VND to $$ on the fly 1 USD = ~23k VND
When in Vietnam I remember 22 year old me negotiating with the girls selling stuff by saying “Listen. It’s my final offer. Do you want my dong or not?” I really got a kick out of that back then.
Vietnam was amazing, but was the most frustrating place I've ever been re: dealing with over-charging. EVERYONE tries to fuck you on EVERYTHING. I remember towards the end, I was hungover, just trying to get a bottle of water, and the lady wanted 200K dong (about $8). When you turn around to leave they get reasonable.
Or hell any of the treks in Nepal...is there a Salkanty equivalent assuming Everest is essentially the Inca?
Been to Nepal, but didn't do any trekking unfortunately. Talked to a bunch of people that did it, only heard incredible things. The 2nd most popular is the Annapurna trek, about the same amount of time (10-12 days). Kathmandu is one of my least favorite cities, though. A bunch of cool mountain towns nearby.
User TC off to a good start on our south america trip running 45 minutes late for our drive to the airport
Every time I've been to South America its always old piece of shit planes. Last time I was on a united plane that still had the pull down projection screen for everyone and a pixar movie on it. I guess its because there's no competition on those routes, so the airlines don't give a shit.
To Colombia was nice but that's a pretty popular route. I read an article a few months ago how American wants to ditch these last 767s they have and it should be happening soon
Yeah, my plane there was shit as well. But that was like 5 years ago. How's Uruguay so far? Don't forget to get a Chevito, and if you are going to Argentina after, get some American dollars from an ATM in Uruguay. The Unofficial exchange rate for USD in Argentina is way better than the official one. Only place I've ever exchanged USD because we got about 50% more than the regular rate for exchanging USD.
I'm just withdrawing from charles schwab. Do you think I should withdraw and exchange? Uruguay is cool. We just got to the hostel at like 11 so we've been walking the streets and having a beer. I really enjoy the feel of the city. Haven't been hungry yet but had to get down on a empanada but we will be feasting later this