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Picking a Restaurant – Top 10 Tips for Backpackers

Picking a Restaurant – Top 10 Tips for Backpackers

People eat some interesting things around the world. Guinea pigs, snails, frogs, spiders, insects, horses and goat heads. What is considered exotic in one part of the world is daily bread for someone else. We eat a lot of cray fish (small lobsters) in Sweden in August for instance, which some people find really strange (but not as strange as the fact that during these cray fish parties grown men wear strange coloured bibs and weird looking hats, drink vodka until they can’t stand upright any more, all this while singing hedonistic songs). Sampling the local cuisine is one of the highlights of travel. Here is some advice on how to pick a place to eat:

1. Choose a place which has plenty of guests, this makes sure that there is a good throughput in the kitchen and that the food will not be waiting for hours on the stove.

2. Go to places which are frequented by locals. Sure, it may not be as fancy schmancy as the touristy places but you get to experience the locals’ food.

3. Ask locals about restaurants. Your hotel can be a good choice for information but sometimes they get a commission and only recommend places because of this.

4. Do not pick restaurant when hunger is killing you. Bring small snacks with you (such as a sandwich, biscuits, an apple or bananas) to fight the hunger. Picking a place to eat when you are really hungry usually results in you picking the closest one.

5. Bring your dictionary to the restaurant in case there is no English menu.

6. If you are on a tour your tour guide will usually take you to an expensive place where he gets commission, eats for free or a place run by someone in his family. You do not have to eat at this place.

7. Check if the bathroom is clean. If it is really dirty then cleanliness doesn’t seem a priority which is probably true about the kitchen as well.

8. If you travel alone use the time while you wait for your food to write your diary or just look around and take in the atmosphere.

9. If you want to find cheap food go to food stalls, restaurants where the locals eat or food courts in shopping malls.

10. If you are on a caf? listen to the waiters orders to the kitchen when ordering coffee, use the same terminology and you may get a lower price since you show that you are not a tourist, e.g. a cafe au lait may be called “un cr?me”.

NYC: One Little Cultural Tester

NYC: One Little Cultural Tester

As you walk on the streets of New York City, you can look around and notice that New York really IS a cultural hub.  It is amazing the way so many cultures learn to coexist in a single city, and still manage to keep their individuality at the same time.

NYC can be seen as a cultural tester – you know… like those testers you see on every perfume store.  You go, you test, you like, you take… in this case, …you experience. Life in New York can be seen as the preamble to what your cultural experience might be when you travel abroad.  Of course, I’m not saying it is the same thing, but it’s a good start to prepare yourself for the cultural shock you might experience at your destination.

From my own experience, I used this tester approach for my trips to Thailand, Germany, South Korea, and Poland.  Out of those, I think the Korean tester was the best and most accurate.  The Korean District in Flushing, NY is an almost accurate reflection to what some areas of South Korea were really like.  The signs in Korean, the street chaos, the vendors speaking in Korean, the traditional food, the stores, and even the banks are all influenced by the Korean culture.

I experimented some of its food, listened to the language, and tried to understand the written signs (which I never truly understood).  This “experimentation” helped me appreciate and understand even more the actual culture that is seen day by day in South Korea.  I was prepared to experience some things as well as totally unprepared for others (like the public restrooms… ugh! And the barbershop look-a-like signs… which they are NOT barbershops!!).  But still, receiving these cultural inputs, understanding their difference, and experimenting them; will definitely make your travel experience so much more rewarding.

Even when you’re not in a multicultural city like New York, you can still achieve these types of cultural tests by other means.  They can be either by meeting foreign friends, your own city demographics, the internet, and even social networks.  I’ve also tried these other approaches and they’ve been very positive.

No matter what is your preference when it comes to travel, whether you like experiencing extreme cultural shocks or like being prepared for what might come, the important thing is to get to experience the real culture, live it, respect it, and cherish it.  In the end, that’s what traveling is all about!

Some tips on backpacking – By Best Hotel Rates

Some tips on backpacking – By Best Hotel Rates

Travelers around the world enjoy seeing the sights and wonders of different places with only a backpack for all the things they need. Because they only have a pack on their backs, the possibilities of new sightseeing and activity adventures are limitless.

But of course, before you head for a faraway hiking adventure with your backpack, you must make sure that you bring all the things you need to put in your backpack. Below is a checklist that will make your backpacking adventure a pleasant experience.

Hector Milla Editor of the “Best Hotel Deals” website — http://www.BestHotelDeals.biz — pointed out;

– Backpack

“…Of course, how can you go for a wild backpacking activity without a backpack! Pick one that is comfortable and fits well on you.  A properly fitted backpack is essential.  You are going hiking and the last thing you need is a backpack that is gouging into your shoulders.  Make sure your is fitted properly…”

– Quick Drying Towel

Widely available in many stores. You don’t want a heavy, damp towel on your backpack, do you?

– Walking Shoes

Pick comfortable shoes as you would learn soon enough that walking would be a major part in your backpacking adventure.

– Underwear and socks

These go without saying.

– Long Underwear

This depends on the season and place where you are traveling. You might also wear your long underwear when you stay in hotels that do not have adequate well-heating systems.

– Pillow Case

Pillow case is an essential thing to keep when you stay in backpacker hotels.

– Sleeping Bag

When you stay in backpacker hotels.  Select a lightweight sleeping bag.  Down is the best type of sleeping bag.  Yes, they do cost a bit more, but the prices is well worth it.  Feathers are very light and you can compress a down into a very small package.

– Passport

Don’t even think of leaving the country without it.

– Spy Wallet

So that you could be able to divide up the money that you have just in case.

– Day Pack

Most backpacks have a detachable daypack.

– Camera

A digicam may be better, but bulkier and heavier to carry.

– Journal

For the writer and chronicler in you.

– Flip Flops

Useful when you take a shower.

– Traveler’s Checks

You can never be too sure with your money.

– Wet Wipes

Always come in handy. Easy to carry too.

– Landry Detergent

It might prove handy.

– Space Savers

– Rain Coat

Especially if you travel on a rainy season or you’re going to tropical countries like those in Southeast Asia or South America.

– Lock

For the safety of your belongings.

– Band Aids

It’s better to be prepared than not at all.

– Travel Guide

Try picking a comprehensive yet easy-to-carry travel guide.

– Personal items such as toothpaste, deodorant, soap, and shampoo

For hygienic purposes.

– Clothing

“…A tip: The night before you leave, check all clothes that you need. Then take only the half. Clothing simply weighs too much. Take only what you can carry at ease…” added H. Milla.

Further information about the cheapest rates on hotels all around the world by visiting; http://www.BestHotelRates.me

Let’s check out the valuable benefits of business class airfare

Let’s check out the valuable benefits of business class airfare

If you are setting a plan to get your first available flight for business purposes then you shouldn’t miss to catch business class airfare. When you are in business class, you are in the world of having wonderful facilities, which you wouldn’t experience before. You might be first flier. If it is so then your first flight should be in business class so that you can have the comfortable flight ever. According to me, business people should always go on this flight because it’s better to take some peace and calm environment before entering into the tough scheduled meeting sessions.

Whether you are taking business class to Australia, Japan, Hong Kong or somewhere else, this flight will provide you amazing number of advantages. The very first advantage you get from business class airfare is comfort, which you will not obtain in economy class airfare. You know it very well that business class is not very common among families and babies so you can find out positive edge in it. You will not have to hear the noises of families and you won’t have to listen to the crying babies. Your whole traveling would be spent in a clam manner and you will surely enjoy it.

Out of so many business class flights, business class to Japan, Hong Kong or Australia is considered to be the most enjoyable flights. When you are in business class flight for business class to Japan, you should never worry about your sleep because you will find here soft and big seats, which are not available in economy class. You can easily adjust with the seats as majority of them are reclining too. You can change your position any time according to your need and requirement. Even you can lie on flat seat, which is also available in business class airfare so that you can take a fall asleep before going to do your tough work.

When it comes to choose the food in business class flights like business class to Hong Kong, Australia or Japan, you would have choice to order your favorite food. Whether you want to drink Champaign, cola or juice or you wish for eating seafood, all wishes would be come true very soon. Moreover, you will enjoy good audio and video music while having your superb business class flight. Laptop charger sockets are also available for you so that you can do your important work during the flight session. There is a good arrangement of Internet access in the business class flight. You can surf easily on your laptop and can get to know even the climate of that location where you’re going.

The most exciting thing about business class flight is you always obtain the special protocol. Mostly, celebrities, honeymoon couples and well reputed businessmen get this flight so you can get an idea that how much special arrangements would have been organized for them. When the flight takes off, you are the first one who gets out of the plane. Business class airfare has special way to go outside and they are first to get their bags and other luggage. So if you want to enjoy the flight perfectly then you shouldn’t miss business class flight.