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Josh Cohen

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South Korea Basic Tips – An Intro into Etiquette

November 14, 2014

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South Korea Basic Tips – An Intro into Etiquette

I was fortunate to have a very good friend, he’s American but teaching in Korea, give me some pointers on things to consider when visiting South Korea.

If you are planning a visit to South Korea, it is best to learn a few things about the culture and norms of the country not just to strengthen your relationship with your South Korean host but to win new friends as well.

Besides, there are numerous ways in which you can enjoy your trip and make it memorable for yourself as well as your host. Here is what you should do and what is expected of you to avoid when traveling to South Korea.

South Korea Basic Tips – Food and Dining

When traveling to South Korea, do try the local food. Though it may be argued that South Koreans are not as food driven as say, Italians, the street food on food stalls, makeshift restaurants or wagons, and carts can be commonly found by the side of many streets. These can be very tasty. And if you like Kimchi, I would definitely check out my article on the Kimchi Museum.

However, the formal food is usually served in dishes for guests to pick from each. It is impolite to turn down the offer of food or drink. You are expected to accept everything you are offered at the table especially by the elderly.

Koreans like to serve their guests well and would never leave your rice bowl or glass empty. If you are full or don’t want to eat or drink something, take a small bite or sip and leave the rest in your glass or bowl. Sometimes even a tiny bite means more than finishing everything on your plate.

South Korea Basic Tips – Meet New People

South Korea is a classic mixture of thoughts and beliefs. They reflect a unique blend of ancient traditions and modern ideals and values.

In addition, you would find Koreans quite kindhearted and friendly. They find pleasure in helping people learn about their food and customs. On the other hand, some may not like communicating in English, therefore learning a few basic sentences might help you get through.

South Koreans like discussing their economic conditions, international achievements, personal hobbies, health issues, and sports, while national matters like socialism, Korean War, and communism are not the right things to discuss when socializing.

However, from my own experience, if you feel that the situation is relaxed, ask if it is okay to talk about these matters. You may be pleasantly surprised that your host wants to talk about these topics as well.

South Korea Basic Tips – Visiting a Korean Friend

Being on time is considered a polite gesture among Koreans. It is good to present flowers, fruits, or chocolate to your host.

If you bring a gift, make sure that it is not too expensive, especially if your host cannot reciprocate it, as returning the favor is part of their culture. You should avoid gifts in the multiple of four as they are considered unlucky.

Additionally, your gift should be wrapped nicely in red, pink, or yellow paper. While green, black, and white make the worst choice when exchanging gifts. Conversely, if you are offered a gift by your Korean friend, you are expected to accept the gift. It’s nice to give something in return later.

Moreover, it is customary to bid farewell to everyone individually with a bow when leaving. It is good to send a thank you note to your host the following day.

These are just a few but South Korea basic tips, but they’re important. But feel free to ask your host what is okay to talk about. If you really can not eat something, let your host know. They are equally concerned about dishonoring you as well.

Enjoy!

New Year in Japan – Experiencing Oshogatsu in Style

November 13, 2014

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New Year in Japan – Experiencing Oshogatsu in Style

New Year is that time of the year when you want to indulge in excitement and thrill to begin your year with a blast. Until this year, my New Year celebrations usually revolve around getting to some cool place to watch the countdown and celebrate the New Year with fireworks and friends.

However, this year was very different. Indeed, Japan is the place to be if you want to celebrate your New Year’s Day in the most unusual and exciting way. It was one of the most memorable experiences I had in Japan.

I would never forget the exquisite style of celebrating the New Year (oshogatsu) the Japanese way. I got to witness the Japanese New Year traditions at my warmhearted Japanese friend’s home – meaningful, relaxing and surrounded with an air of kindness and love.

I learnt that oshogatsu is a very important holiday in all of Japan, in honor of new year celebrations, most business shut down for around two days, and families typically get together to celebrate it in union. My friend Mizuki told me that, in Japan, ‘bonenkai’ parties are held before the oshogatsu to bid farewell to last year’s troubles, which really fascinated me.

Celebrated with the same jubilance and fervor as Christmas, the New Year celebrations start a few days before the year ends and continue for almost a week. On the peaceful New Year Eve, me and my friend’s family ate ‘toshikoshi’ soba noodles, that symbolize long life and health, to welcome the New Year and cheered with Japanese sake.

As I witnessed the celebrations throughout the week, I realized that Japanese culture is full of rich traditions. Delicious and mouthwatering Oshogatsu meals are perhaps the most outstanding aspect of New Year festivities, as I got to eat various tantalizing dishes that were especially prepared for the occasion, and instilled with special and overwhelming meanings to bring fortune in the year ahead.

I learned that eating the ‘O-sechi ryori’ which is considered to bring good luck and was made of shrimp, chestnut, seaweed, pork, and eggs. The ‘O-zoni’ was another fantastic dish, made of sticky rice cake served in a yummy fish broth. I will definitely remember these meals forever.

Oshogatsu is also characterized by the extravagant decorations that enliven the localities with a mix of sparkling colors and meaningful undertones of prosperity. The Oshogatsu motif was an important part of the decorations that enlivened homes and storefronts.

I saw the ‘kadomatsu’, another New Year decoration, which was an arrangement of flowers, pine, and bamboo, placed outside many houses and Mizuki told me this was a sign of welcoming the gods for the New Year.

Mizuki also gifted me a calligraphy scroll wishing good fortune, which overwhelmed me, and in return I bought the Oshogatsu motif to gift to her.

Mizuki’s parents gave otoshidama to all their children and I was excited to get one as well; these were envelopes printed with Japanese characters containing money, I was greatly warmed by Mizuki’s family’s generosity.

Mizuki, also took me to the year’s first shrine visit to pray for good fortune for the year. The shrine was full of hundreds of people, and a sacred white horse was being given a lot of attention by them. After praying, we visited the myriad food stalls and ate broiled fish cakes, and salad picked in sweet vinegar, which were the more traditional Japanese New Year foods, and also saw a fireworks display nearby the shrine.

Every New Year brings back profound memories of the Japanese New Year Celebrations. The delectable dishes, the generosity, and the meaning imbued traditions, render so much charm to the Japanese celebrations that I miss them a lot.

One should definitely celebrate Oshogatsu with the Japanese once in their life – it’s a memorable and delightful experience.

Outer Hebrides – Cycling in the Isles of Wonder

November 13, 2014

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Outer Hebrides – Cycling in the Isles of Wonder

An ideal way to discover these incredible islands of Outer Hebrides, is by cycling.

Me (in front) cycling up a hill on the Isle of Harris Outer Hebrides Scotland

Cycling on the calm roads of the Outer Hebrides is an astounding way to observe the many wonders that these mind-blowing islands have to offer. The activity offers a chance to witness the exceptional distinctiveness of the area including the flora and fauna, spectacular panorama and the historical reserves that these amazing islands have.

The cycling routes are easily accessible for people of all age groups. There is minimal traffic on the roads which makes it easier to cycle and enjoy the scenic beauty at the same time. Cycling holidays can be leisurely or challenging according to how you would like them to be. You can choose from the easy rides of South Uist or Berneray to the more challenging and grueling ones of the Harris Hills.

The road trip that included cycling in the Outer Hebrides is one of the experiences that I’m going to cherish forever. The weather can be fickle here in England but the Gods smiled upon us during our trip to Barra; the sun was shining brightly and warmed us to our bones.

Barra is at the southern end of the archipelago. It is eight miles long and four miles wide. I took the only road towards the little town of Castlebury which boasts the medieval fortress, Kisimul Castle.

Kisimul Castle in Castlebay Island of Barra Scotland

After a little break to visit the Castle I cycled towards the Island of Vatersay. The sea was so blue and inviting that I had to stop yet again to paddle in the sea. Good weather and the sea shore are two things that I greatly adore. And this combination of both was like a dream come true. Leaving the tranquility of the island behind me, I then took a forty minute ferry to Eriskay.

Luskentyre Beach in Outer Hebrides, Isle of Harris; Scotland, UK

This moment here took me back in time to when I was a kid growing up in New York. We used to go out to Amagansett on Long Island during the summer and my dad and I would bike along Montauk Highway and stop along the entrance ways to go swimming. Another gorgeous pace.

Upon reaching Eriskay I started cycling again. Eriskay is animated with the spirit of the Outer Hebrides – and as such has provided much stimulation to the arts. The Atlantic coast that the island has is just one long stretch of sandy beach. I stopped for lunch at the Am Politician pub before mounting my bike again and cycling past the sign which warned me of ‘Otters Crossing.’

I rode to the Askernish where I saw the remains of several Bronze Age roundhouses dating from around 1200 BC . I cycled past Loch Bi to reach Benbecula. This is where the Catholic south of the Outer Hebrides merges into the Protestant north. After taking a fifty minute ferry to reach Leverburgh I stopped at Betty Bus for a cup of coffee and an Ecclefechan cake.

The smooth ride over the Golden road was a pleasure. I moved towards Stornoway via the magnificent lone standing stones at Callanish. Nothing could be said about the confirmed origins of these stones, but they are believed to be from around 2900 BC. These are thirteen stones arranged to form a Celtic cross.

Lastly I cycled across the austere, marshy landscape of the centre of Lewis. This has been divided into two by the Pentland Road. I cycled until I came to the big city of Stornoway that has a population of 12,000. I took my sore and numb limbs and aching shoulder blades into the Digby Chick Restaurant where after a couple of glasses of ten year old Malt, the pain ebbed away.

Adapting to Time Zone Changes in the Smart Way!

November 12, 2014

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Adapting to Time Zone Changes in the Smart Way!

Ever wake up in the middle of the night and think it’s day time, but to discover it’s the middle of the night? Or ever play that game Where in the World is Carman Sandiego? Well, changing time zones can certainly make you feel that way!

At some point in our lives we have all experienced jet lag. It stops us from enjoying and exploring a new place, and often times it leaves us feeling tired.

There are ways to make sure that the time zone never changes no matter where you are. Changing time zones is troubling for anyone.

It was particularly difficult for me when I first started flying back and forth between New York and China. I didn’t know should I keep myself up, read, watch movies, sleep? I’d land and be wide awake but exhausted at the same time.

There really are no time zones that you need to worry about, all you have to do is prepare your body in the right way and not let these time zones affect you in any way possible.

Here are a number of ways that I believe can help you adapt your body and get rid of jet lag:

Decrease The Consumption of Alcohol and Caffeine

I think that it is important to reduce the amount of liquor and caffeine you consume when you are travelling. This is because the caffeine and alcohol in the drinks messes with your body’s clock. Your biological clocks can suffer a great deal if you consume a lot of caffeinated drinks or alcohol.

Adjust Your Schedule

Try to help your body adjust to the role beforehand, so that there are minimal surprises and adjustments for your body. You can do that in many ways.

In my experience readjusting your bedtime every few days is effective as it helps your body adopt the time of the country you will be staying in. This way the transition will be smooth and easy because it will allow your body some time to get used to it.

If the transition is rocky and abrupt, your body will experience many unpleasant sensations, which will cause you to be, jet lagged and miserable for the first few days of the trip.

I also found taking night flights helped too. This way I’d be up all day, and after getting on the flight it would be time for sleep.

Make Sure You Have Layovers

This one is highly debatable, I agree. When I first traveled I enjoyed the layovers. I’d fly from NY to either Anchorage, Alaska then to Taiwan, and then into Hong Kong. Or, from NY to Seoul, Korea and then into HK. But later when I was used to the long flights I’d prefer to take the nonstop which was 16hrs.

Try to make a few stops when you are travelling to the other side of the world. Usually the stops are not taken as an advantage, but frequent stops give your body some time to adjust to the time zone.

If you speedily fly from one time zone to the other then there will be a few factors that your body will have to get used to. Our bodies are used to travelling on the road and in slow motion, but travelling in an airplane is a totally different experience, which is why time zones might end up disturbing you.

Get Exposure to The Sun

When you are in a different time zone, get at least half an hour of sun exposure whenever you wake up in the morning. This helps your body realize that it is morning and that it is indeed time to wake up and start the day.

In this way, the next few days when you do follow this ritual, your body will come back to the right time and you will be able to cope with this in an appropriate manner.

Engage Yourself in Different Activities

When we experience jet lag we are often times stay up at night and sleep in the morning. To avoid this try to extend your period of wakefulness and engage yourself in a number of activities.

So that when you are in your bed late at night, you become tired and your muscles will start to crave some sleep. In my opinion, this allows your lack of sleep to take a back seat, so that you can be prepared to seize the day when morning comes.

These tips helped me a lot over the years. And the more you fly, the easier it gets.

Enjoy!

Packing for Israel: A Basic Guide to Get You Going!

November 12, 2014

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Packing for Israel: A Basic Guide to Get You Going!

Some of my friends visiting Israel for the first time ask me for tips on packing. I tell them that there is nothing that they can’t buy over here, and so they should relax and get what they can carry with them when they are traveling.

Israel has such a diverse landscape it’s funny!

Did you know you can ski in the north during the winter and then drive down 6 hours and be on the hot beaches on Eilat?

Same day! Truly!

But some are insistent, and over a period of time, I have made an inventory which I put forward in such occasions.

Mount Hermon, Israel — Yes! You CAN ski in Israel: Mount Hermon

Packing for Israel: It’s your call, and also the weather’s

If it’s a summer visit, then it is a good idea to have light clothing, half sleeves, shorts, sandals, beach wear, and shades. It’s also necessary to have a couple of pieces of light winter wear or two as nights in the desert and the mountains are cooler. Water bottles or pouches are mandatory though, and it depends on you whether you want to carry one, or buy it from here.

It helps with the diverse weather patterns throughout the country. In the north it can be very hot and super humid. In the south it can be very hot during the day, cool in the evenings, and very dry. Jerusalem can be quite hot during the day but often cools off in the evenings cause it’s in the Judaean Hills.

Winter would make it necessary to have warm clothing, gloves, a raincoat, and an umbrella. Winters in Israel can get rainy, and it’s always better to be prepared.

Sunscreen, sun glasses, sun hat will be needed irrespective of the season!

Packing for Israel: Good shoes are very important

Be it the beaches, or the desert, you will need good shoes. In fact, your activities in Israel will most probably involve being outdoors most of the time–there are so many hiking opportunities. Even if you are not a bike enthusiast, you will be doing a lot of walking, especially in Jerusalem, and also in other cities.

It is important to have footwear that you are comfortable with. The ideal scenario is to bring those pairs in which you have done a lot of walking, and are really comfortable with. New pinch might really pinch, if you are doing a lot of walking all of a sudden.

Since there are so many beaches around, it is necessary to bring a pair which will still be comfortable when wet.

Packing for Israel: Some conservative (and modest) clothes

Don’t get me wrong, you can wear just about anything you like in most of Israel. But when you are visiting certain religious places, or visiting a local on Friday (Shabaat) evenings – it is expected that you follow certain dress codes.

Religious places require you to cover your shoulders and knees. So, a scarf and a long skirt will be required if you are fond of short dresses. You can wear those on your dress while visiting sacred places, and then pull them off, and everybody will be happy.

Similarly, on Shabaat you are expected to wear something which is a cut above your regular clothes. It does not have to be a tuxedo, or a gown, but something that you would wear on a special joyous occasion.

Packing for Israel: Light Luggage is less trouble and more fun

You will be hauling the luggage mostly yourself, so it is better to carry as less as possible. A large duffel bag with wheels and a middle-sized back-pack which can double as your carry bag on short tours is the ideal combination.

When packing for Israel, even when I lived there, I would always carry around a light backpack.

You just didn’t know when you needed to carry something. Most of the time, it was a bottle of water and a hat. But the country is small, too. So you can hop on a bus in Jerusalem and be at the beach in Tel Aviv in under an hour! So, pack your bathing suit, sunblock, and head out for the gorgeous beaches!

And remember when I said about skiing in Israel, be sure to check this out!

Enjoy!

Singapore Botanical Gardens – A Visit of Wondrous Nature

November 11, 2014

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Singapore Botanical Gardens – A Visit of Wondrous Nature

Singapore is famous for the many shopping venues and plazas it offers, as well as the numerous food places and hawker markets that are known for serving traditional and authentic Singaporean dishes. One other attraction that visitors flock to see there, are the Singapore Botanical Gardens, the only one in the world that opens from 5 am and closes at 12 midnight each and every day for visitors.

I was certainly happy to discover this, upon visiting the Gardens on a spur of the moment.

Originally established in 1822 by Sir Stamford Raffles, the gardens were re-located by the Horticultural Society in 1859. This incredibly green 74 hectare national park has still kept a subtle feeling of Victorian times and gentility about it, with its dazzling swan lake, symphony stage, and beautifully themed gardens which only enhances the entire experience. In 2012, the Botanical Gardens were listed under World Heritage sites by the UNESCO.

Beautiful statues are scattered around the gardens, the most notable being of Frederick Chopin and his wife near the Symphony Lake. There is a large, white building in the middle of the artificial lake which looks like a mushroom, but is really shaped like a turtle. This is the Shaw Foundation Symphony Stage, which on most events becomes the venue for concerts for which locals and tourists alike come in huge numbers.

Singapore Botanical Gardens: The Highlights

Apart from the National Orchid Garden which requires a small fee to see, entry to the Botanical gardens is absolutely free and a popular venue for practicing early morning tai chi, families out for a picnic, joggers and nature enthusiasts.

Admission to the Orchid Garden is free for children 12 years of age and below. For senior citizens and students, entry ticket is $1. However, students may need to show their student’s pass. For adults, the admission ticket is $5.

There are numerous other themed gardens, although the main attraction is the Orchid Garden which houses nearly 60,000 orchid plants, out of which there are more than 2000 hybrids and consisting of 400 different species found throughout the world.,

The other themed gardens within the Singapore Botanical Gardens include the Ginger Garden with different species of the ginger family, the Healing Garden, the Fragrant Garden, The Foliage Garden, and the Evolution Garden.

Singapore Botanical Gardens: The Halia Restaurant

One other attraction in the Ginger Garden is the restaurant which is named after it. The Halia Restaurant, due to its incredibly gorgeous setting is one of Singapore’s get-away places for a relaxing brunch or dinner surrounded by lush nature, and abundant birdlife.

The restaurant offers a selection of dishes, appetizers, and drinks that are sure to blow the mind away with the infusion of classic and traditional Singaporean flavors, in a modern touch.

Singapore has so much more to offer, other than the shopping and food. Just take a stroll in one of the many pathways of the Garden, and see for yourself. Here’s the official website for the Singapore Botanical Gardens.

Enjoy!

Vietnam Business Etiquette and Corporate Culture

November 11, 2014

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Vietnam Business Etiquette and Corporate Culture

Business owners planning to establish and expand their business in Vietnam can benefit greatly by following Vietnam business etiquette. Vietnamese people believe in developing strong relationships in personal as well as professional settings. Showing proficiency in Vietnamese business etiquettes can impress your business associate. It can also give you an advantage to develop a great working relationship with them.

Business center in Ho Chi Minh City , Vietnam.

Vietnam Business Etiquette & Corporate Culture The Vietnamese are quite punctual and expect foreigners to arrive on time. However, if a situation occurs that is beyond your control, they can be flexible and accommodating. Business cards are an essential part of Vietnamese business world.

They are exchanged at the start of the meeting and are considered as the first step to a long-term professional relationship. A bilingual business card shows that you value your client and are seriously interested in working with them. You need to receive and present the cards with both hands to show respect. You are expected to bring surplus business cards as you may meet more people than you expected. As a foreigner, you might need to deal with certain government officials to get permits.

This might be a long and stressful procedure. You might need to make several visits to get licenses and approvals from ministry officials.

Since the local chamber of commerce and the embassies have close ties, they can be a great source of information for business related queries and business procedures. They can also help in expediting your documentation process by facilitating effective networking. In Vietnam, decisions are usually made by committees.

As no one holds absolute power, you cannot rely on one person to safeguard your interest. You may need to meet and convince several individuals to close the deal. Additionally, Vietnamese businessmen anticipate high profits from business deals. They seek the best offer from you which may sometimes slow down their decisions making process.

Vietnam Business Etiquette Greeting: Personal respect has critical value in Vietnamese culture. Offering a hand shake with a slight bow is customary in Vietnamese business world. Additionally, it is expected that you address your colleague by Mr. or Miss. followed by the given name. The people of Vietnam are very sensitive about self-respect. Your Vietnamese colleague should never get a sense of lost status or dignity. A slight mistake on your part may make them feel disrespectful which may lead to immediate loss of contact.

Vietnamese Business Meetings Vietnamese businessmen prefer formal dressing at business meetings. Men usually wear suits while women wear dress or suits. During warm weather, it is acceptable not to wear jacket. Vietnamese businessmen are more comfortable in their native language than speaking in English.

Consider hiring an interpreter to facilitate communication. Learning a few Vietnamese words with correct pronunciation may also help to get admiration from your Vietnamese colleague.

In addition, this book, Vietnam Business Guide was absolutely amazingly helpful in giving critical background and business support for my trips and even more so for friends that moved there for work.

In addition to following these Vietnam Business Etiquettes protocols, you should be careful about choosing the businessman you are working with. Due to widespread corruption in the country, inappropriate business partners may cause inconvenience in several ways.

Many respectable companies are registered with the government and your local embassies can offer great assistance here. When I first moved to China back in 2003, it was still very uncommon to hear of people going to Vietnam for anything, to be honest.

I had the fortunate opportunity to meet a few Vietnamese during my travels and I found them to have a vibrant culture and great passion for learning and exploring. Many friends of mine ended up moving from Hong Kong to Vietnam in the late 2000’s as many banks were opening offices there.

And, if you’re looking to have a great time along the coast there, be sure to check out my article here: Vietnam Coastline.

Enjoy!

Venice – The Ultimate Tourist Guide

November 10, 2014

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Venice – The Ultimate Tourist Guide

Venice is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe and attracts visitors from all over the world. It has a reputation of being an incredibly romantic place, full of honeymooning couples taking a candlelit trip on a gondola along the canal and can deliver a beautiful setting for a romantic getaway.

It is an art-enthusiasts heaven, with picture-perfect views down every street and galleries to visit on every other block.

What to see and do

Grand Canal

Venice is famed the world over for its complex network of canal ways. The main waterway of the whole city is the Grand Canal and it really is quite something to see it for real. I studied the books and read up on the history of Venice before going there to visit, and I had seen photos and paintings of the iconic view of the Grand Canal dozens of times, but nothing compares to standing there and seeing it for yourself.

If you want the best photo opportunities then I would definitely recommend going there early in the morning, before all of the days’ crowds arrive and block your view. It can get very busy during the daytime.

St Mary of the Friars

Santa Maria dei Frari is an iconic Venetian church constructed during the mid-13^th century. The architecture is in itself a masterpiece but the church is also home to many important renaissance works of art. Titian’s “Pesaro Madonna” is perhaps the most well-known of these, and Titian himself is actually buried in the church as well.

Teatro La Fenice

The Teatro La Fenice is Venice’s Opera House and dates back to the year 1789. Since it was built it has burned down twice, but the restored theatre is definitely worth a visit today.

You can take a guided tour to find out all about the history of the building and the performances which take place there. If you like ballet, opera or classical music then you should have a look online to see if you can get tickets to see something while you are in Venice.

I can assure you that the overall experience will not disappoint.

Dorsoduro

The Dorsoduro is a neighborhood in Venice which is home to most of the city’s renowned art collections. It is a great place to stop for a drink to enjoy the view as there are usually a few less people wandering around this part of town.

The area is also home to the Peggy Guggenheim collection which is a must-see for any art enthusiasts as it houses works by Picasso, Mondrian, Pollock, Miró and Marini. As a keen photographer I easily spent a whole day walking through the beautiful and picturesque streets.

Where to stay

Venice is much less relaxing than I had expected. For a city with so much water and from all of the picturesque photos that I had seen, I actually found that it was quite a shock to arrive in such a busy and bustling city.

If you are looking for a relaxing, romantic getaway, it is probably a good idea to choose a hotel which is a bit further away from the manic city center.

Staying in the center

The Bauer II Palazzo is located right on the Grand Canal itself and offers luxury 5 star accommodation within walking distance of all of Venice’s main attractions. It has a roof terrace which offers breakfast with stunning views out over the city and the canal.

If you are looking for something a little less expensive, the Ca’pisani is another city center hotel and is decorated following the art-deco style of the first half of the 20^th Century. I absolutely loved the fact that every room is different, it felt much more special to feel that the room was in some way unique.

Staying away from the center

The Ca’dogaressa hotel is still on the canal front so the center of the city remains easily accessible, but the hotel itself is removed from the intensity of city center life. There is a canal side café where you can enjoy a cup of coffee ‘al fresco’ and definitely embodies the perfect compromise between the price you pay and the service you receive.

Getting around

Getting around the city of Venice can end up costing quite a bit of money. The cheapest and best way of seeing the city itself is to walk from site to site, and although Venice is quite a small city, this can get a bit tiring after a day or too.

The canals act as roads in Venice, and the easiest way of getting from place to place whilst resting your feet is by water bus. You can buy a ticket to let you travel for a single journey of up to 60 minutes, or a travelcard which will allow you to have unlimited travel around the city for a given number of days.

Unlimited travel over a 24 hour period will cost you 20 euros (about $25) and 48 hours will cost 30 euros (roughly $37).

If you have somewhere to be at an exact time, the fastest way of getting from A to B is via private water taxi. These are not cheap by any means, and will charge extra if you book them over the phone and for any journeys taken after 10pm or on Sundays, but they are quick and efficient.

Where to Eat

If you are in Venice for a special occasion, why not celebrate by eating at one of the best restaurants in the world. Antica Osteria Cera is a restaurant which has been awarded two Michelin stars and serves traditional dishes served to an exceptional standard. It has a particular reputation for being a fantastic place to eat fish and seafood.

Quadri is a restaurant with one Michelin star and is one of the places to eat in Venice. It is much more creative with the food it serves and the restaurant itself screams decadence and luxury.

Whatever you are looking for from your trip to Venice, just be aware that it is an extremely expensive city, and whatever you choose to do will probably end up costing you rather a lot of money (it doesn’t help that the value of the Euro is still high).

If you are at all worried about how much your trip will cost you, I would recommend choosing a hotel in the city center and walking to most of the attractions that you want to visit. This, honestly, is the best way to see the city.

When looking for places to eat, choose the restaurants on the side streets which are a bit further from the tourist hoards and you will see that the prices are often significantly lower. And if you’re looking to learn more enjoyable ways of using the water ways, check out my post here.

Enjoy!

A Visit to Kimchi Museum – The Staple Food of South Korea

November 10, 2014

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A Visit to Kimchi Museum – The Staple Food of South Korea

When I went to the Kimchi Museum, what I knew was that it is a place showcasing a Korean cuisine item. What I found out upon my visit was that Kimchi Museum is all about Kimchi, literally. Wondering what Kimchi is? Well, I was at a lost at first, too.

Kimchi is Korea’s national dish, and is one of the most traditional pieces of Korean cuisine.

It is a super spicy and sour, usually fermented Korean side dish. This much loved and honored side dish is composed of vegetables and a range of seasonings and the fun part is its resemblance with the nature of wine, the older it gets, the better it tastes, as it preserves the nutrients that are present in fresh vegetables.

The exhibitions at Kimchi Museum, all emphasized about Kimchi’s history, its importance in the Korean cuisine and its delicious varieties. The Museum had different activities for visitors like me; I witnessed a live Kimchi making process, and tasted spicy and sour Kimchi as well.

The Kimchi Museum is a fascinating place to visit, to see how the Koreans absolutely adore and revere their national fruit. The museum was divided into three sections; each one depicted different Kimchi related information.

The first section elaborated on Kimchi’s historical importance, and on display were several books and literature related to kimchi. Have you ever heard of a food trend? Well, the museum in “In the models of Kimchi in each period” illustrates the trends of kimchi that have evolved with Korean history. Trust me, Kimchi Museum was a good one to visit, its section even delved into stories about how hot peppers began to be added to kimchi. A timeline was there even, which detailed kimchi’s history.

Kimchi Museum’s second section displayed the process of Kimchi making, and anyone who has even a little bit of interest in culinary art would love to see it.

Shorts films were being played at regular intervals, thus I didn’t get bored for a second. Also there was this area which just amazed me, it displayed up to eighty varieties of kimchi. Yes, eighty! The walls were covered with graphic illustrations; some had recipes along with description and a picture too.

The third section was like a data room, which had dated records of kimchi, old and latest books on kimchi, and also on the other traditional foods of Korea. In short, this was like a kimchi library. There were kimchi related movies and articles. As I am not much into cook-books, I didn’t spend much time in this section.

Furthermore, there was a section, where I saw the environments that were created on the day of making kimchi. This also got interesting, as there were historic pottery molds on display, that were used a long time ago, for fermentation and storage of kimchi.

The visit to this one of this kind museum would have been incomplete without pictures. I took quite a few pictures. The best part was the tasting room where I got to taste two different varieties of Kimchi. Let me know what you think of Kimchi Museum, and if you have heard of any other food museums.

If you’re interesting about going to this really cool place, here’s the official website.

Enjoy!

Shinkansen – My Experience at Breakneck Speeds!

November 9, 2014

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Shinkansen – My Experience at Breakneck Speeds!

The experience of traveling by train is not new for me. However, traveling on Shinkansen was incomparable.

The super quiet and super speedy Shinkansen is example of high-tech modern traveling.

If you are visiting Japan, I would recommend buying a Japan Rail (JR) pass and get the experience that you would not be able to get anywhere else in the world.

JR pass is a great option for tourists to witness the wonderful sights of Japan along with getting the experience of using one of the best railway networks of the world. It is a luxury that many people dream of experiencing, and I was lucky enough to enjoy it. Of course, it was made possible by using the JR pass. The cost of a round trip on Shinkansen is close to the price of JR pass that gives us unlimited access to almost all railway networks across Japan.

When planning a visit to Japan, remember that you have to buy a JR pass before you head to Japan as trading JR passes within the country is prohibited while paying separately for each railway trip may be too costly for you. Anyone with a temporary visa can get these passes that offer heavy discounts for traveling across various cities and towns.

While we can get 7, 14 or, 21 day passes, I bought a 7 day pass to travel with comfort and speed across cities over the next few days. I could use the JR pass for most of the Shinkansen trains except for the Nozomi and Mizuho in the Sanyo, Tokaido, and Kyushu Shikansen lines.

I was too excited for the ride that I reached the station an hour before the departure time. I was bewildered by the unusual design of the train. On the outside, the train looked like a spaceship with a robot-duck beak on the front.

The inside of the train looked like an airplane. A friendly and professionally trained staff was there to help us. It was an immense pleasure seeing that the train was perfectly clean, spacious, smartly designed, and comfortable.

One of the best things about Shinkansen is that it leaves precisely on time.

As the journey starts, the incredible train would take you through cities, towns, industrial complexes and lush green countryside. As for us, the clacks and clanks of the train and tracks are usual but the Shinkansen is quiet to the level of surprise. Whether it is the lightning speed or the efficient network, they make no noise and at times you don’t even feel like you are in a moving train. I am such a huge fan of Shinkansen for its pace and efficiency.

To add to the incredible journey, the train had clean toilets, vending machines, and phones. Besides, a trolley cart is frequently wheeled from where you can buy food, drinks, snacks and alcohol.

These trains are so addictive that once you use them, you would not want to travel on any other train. I always preferred taking Shinkansen whenever it was possible throughout my stay in Japan.

I would say that Shinkansen ride is a must thing to do in Japan. But, get a JR pass before heading to Japan so that you may enjoy this ride at economical rates.

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