Travel Archives - Page 2 of 7

Why Nan Lian Garden & Chi Lin Nunnery Need to Be on Your Hong Kong Bucket List

November 12, 2024November 12, 2024Asia, Hong Kong, Travel BigBody Leave a Comment

If you read my recent post about eating at the popular Singaporean-originated Shanghainese chain ‘Paradise Dynasty’ in Kai Tak the other week with my Old Man, then you already know that it was one of my favorite Hong Kong days ever.

And that’s because it wasn’t just any typical lunch. It was one with purpose.

That’s right. It was time to go be a tourist in my own city and revisit an area that honestly, I hadn’t stepped foot in since several years prior when I was still playing baseball and probably 15 kgs lighter – enter the iconic Chi Lin Nunnery and Nan Lian Garden in Diamond Hill.

Here’s why the Nan Lian Garden and Chi Lin Nunnery need to be on your Hong Kong bucket list…as of YESTERDAY!

The Best Airport Lounge I’ve Ever Had the Pleasure of…Lounging At

November 9, 2024November 9, 2024Asia, Europe, Travel, Travel Tips, Tricks, & Resources BigBody Leave a Comment

This Big Body lives a relatively unglamorous lifestyle. As I currently pen this article, I’m wearing a faded t-shirt that I ordered on Amazon for $8, athletic shorts with several BBQ sauce stains, and a pair of tan boat shoes that have holes at the bottom, letting water seep through any time it rains.

It’s a life devoid of fancy watches and chains, Hi-So club memberships and debutante balls, and Beluga caviar and bottles of Dom. I also don’t even have curtains for my apartment, and I’ve been living there for over a year now. But it’s my life and I quite enjoy it.

But now and then, I get a thirst for how those on the other side live. I think it’s to make up for the fact that I never had a quinceañera. And because of my frugality at most points of the year, I’m able to occasionally splurge. Most recently, I kicked off my three-month stint in Europe with a flight from Hong Kong to Amsterdam via Turkish Airlines, with a six-hour-plus layover at the Istanbul Airport. Oh, and I did the same thing again for my return flight back to Hong Kong.

Normally, I’d spend this time sitting at my gate, staring at the board, slugging a handful of Coke Zeroes, going to the bathroom every 15 minutes because of the aforementioned Coke Zero slugging, contemplating paying for WiFi, talking myself out of paying for WiFi, and wishing I brought I book. Rinse and repeat.

But that wasn’t the case this time as I posted up in the Turkish Airlines International Business Lounge for the bulk of my layover, consuming more baba ganoush and nutty rectangles of baklava than any man should in a single sitting, mixing in several power naps to rest this weary traveling soul of mine, and tossing back countless double espressos in an attempt to counter the jetlag (which I’m pretty sure was ill-advised).

Note: If you are a tenant of the building across from me and have to see me looking like a naked Bigfoot every night, arms swinging in that distinct cryptozoological walk as I walk to the fridge for a late-night swig of water, then please feel free to shame me in the comments.

This post is not meant to be braggadocious or self-aggrandizing, it’s simply written to provide a little nugget of information that could (possibly) make your next layover in Istanbul a memorable and less painful one. Funnily enough, this trip was booked several months prior, in a state of pure ignorance (and bliss) of what was about to come – a financial reckoning due to losing my biggest client the month before departure to the Old Continent.

Here are 5 reasons why the Turkish Airlines International Business Lounge is hands down the best airport lounge I’ve ever had the pleasure of…lounging at.

Is There Uber in Vietnam? This Other Ride-Hailing App Puts Uber to Shame

November 6, 2024November 6, 2024Asia, Travel, Travel Tips, Tricks, & Resources, Vietnam BigBody Leave a Comment

Vietnam isn’t what I would consider to be a destination for first-time travelers. It can be chaotic, loud, raw, unpredictable, and in your face. But that’s also why it’s addictive and one of my absolute favorite places. Once you prepare yourself to mentally and physically feel vulnerable, step outside of your comfort zone, and keep an open mind, there’s undoubtedly an enchanting character, environment, and depth that can be found in every pocket of the country, making it surprisingly more sustainable and comfortable than you might have first imagined.

Having spent over one year living in Ho Chi Minh City (aka Saigon), Vietnam, with regular month-long stints mixed into my yearly travels in subsequent years, I was one of the biggest ride-hailing app proponents in the country. It’s part and parcel of everyday life in Vietnam, for both locals and foreigners and you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who hasn’t used the country’s most popular ride-hailing and delivery service at least once.

However, if you think I’m talking about Uber, you’d be completely wrong. Uber is not available in Vietnam. Instead, almost 50% of the Vietnamese population uses the Southeast Asia-based ride-hailing service ‘Grab’ to get from Point A to Point B. I assure you, it puts Uber to shame with how comprehensive, affordable, and convenient it is.

Since Uber’s exit from the Southeast Asian market in 2018, Grab has overwhelmingly snagged the top spot as the region’s top ride-hailing app and service. It is a ‘one-stop-shop’ for everything you could want – from convenient and affordable transport to food delivery services, insurance and financial services, and even the ability to send packages and documents. I refer to it as a ‘super app’. In fact, most of Southeast Asia uses this app, so if you’re planning on making a trip, this is a must-download on your phone.

Here is everything you need to know about using ride-hailing services in Vietnam, alternative transportation methods available, and key scams and safety considerations to keep in mind when navigating this incredible country.

Pale Ale Travel Note: Don’t forget to check out my entire archive of Vietnam content here.

Free Travel Inspiration & Guides Sent Right to Your Inbox

November 4, 2024November 5, 2024Travel, Travel Tips, Tricks, & Resources BigBody Leave a Comment

We are coming up on nearly 4 months of my (free) Pale Ale Travel newsletter going live. Side note: I’m not sure why I said ‘We’ when it’s just me…Big Body. And, I’m proud of it. I know when I first published this announcement about the newsletter, there wasn’t much to show for it.

So, I thought I would give you all some better insight into what it looks like and what you can expect 3-4 times per month (right to your inbox) – completely free.

My Second Month of Earnings on Mediavine Journey [October 2024]

November 4, 2024November 5, 2024Travel, Travel Tips, Tricks, & Resources BigBody Leave a Comment

I’ll aim to keep this one brief. My second month of earnings on Mediavine Journey just came in and increased by 40%…but still leaves quite a bit to be desired.

You can find my first (and previous) month’s write-up about getting started on Mediavine Journey and its earnings in this past article: ‘How Much My Travel Blog Made Its First Month on Mediavine Journey’. In that article, I explain some common terms that are important for understanding earnings and a little bit about the Mediavine Journey analytics dashboard.

In the interest of not repeating myself, I recommend checking that post out if anything below doesn’t make sense and/or you’re unsure what they mean.

Without further ado, here’s exactly how much my travel blog made my second month on Mediavine Journey.

When is the Best Time to Visit Hong Kong? Recommendations From a Man on the Ground

October 25, 2024January 7, 2025Hong Kong, Travel, Travel Tips, Tricks, & Resources BigBody Leave a Comment

As someone who has lived in Hong Kong for nearly 7 years now (and is still here), I can emphatically state that there are certain times of the year that I recommend traveling to Hong Kong and steering clear of the city altogether.

However, things aren’t always as straightforward as ‘X month’ or ‘X season good’, and ‘X month’ or ‘X season bad’. There’s nuance to it and if you ask me, every point of the year in Hong Kong has its advantages and disadvantages.

It all boils down to what you prefer. It also boils down to timing, feasibility, and affordability. Unfortunately, the holy triumvirate of harmonious circumstances is rarely on the table.

That said, I recommend visiting Hong Kong in either fall or winter, as the comfortable weather undoubtedly allows you to tick off the most items on a Hong Kong bucket list – specifically outdoor activities and exploring. However, if you’re on a budget and don’t mind unpredictable weather, spring is the time to go!

Below are the pros and cons of visiting Hong Kong during each season, including when I would plan my trip to Asia’s World City (if possible). I’ll also break down what you can generally expect in Hong Kong each season of the year, including weather, events, budget-wise.

Winter	Spring	Summer	Fall
Best for outdoor enthusiasts with extra $$$ who want want to take advantage of its incredible hikes, theme parks, and Chinese New Year festival!	Best for milder weather, blooming nature, fewer crowds, and festivals galore (like Rugby Sevens and the Qingming Festival) at a semi-affordable price.	Best for beach bums who want laid-back beach vibes, those seeking summer shopping sales, and festival lovers who want to experience Hong Kong at a heavily discounted price.	Best for cultural and musical festivals up the wazoo, cooler, drier weather, manageable crowds, and experiencing nearly everything Hong Kong has to offer.

My Hong Kong Packing List: 10 Items I Wouldn’t Touch Down in Asia’s World City Without

October 23, 2024January 7, 2025Asia, Hong Kong, Travel, Travel Tips, Tricks, & Resources BigBody Leave a Comment

You’re currently reading an article written by the king of traveling somewhere and realizing halfway through the flight that they forgot nearly every essential item to ensure the trip goes off without a hitch. How can someone spend so much time just trying to remember to bring their $25 Amazon seat cushion (aka my ‘butt pillow’) yet forget the undergarments that they wear every single day?

That’s me. Hi. I’m Big Body. Spelled with the same ‘B’ that you use to spell ‘Bozo’.

Having lived in Hong Kong for nearly seven years (I’m currently here), I’ve been around the block or two. Been there, done that. “Gotten” several T-shirts. Traveling to and from the city, packing and unpacking, making hectic and spur-of-the-moment runs back and forth between Japan Home Centre and wherever I’m staying. Rinse and repeat several times.

So, I know a thing or two about what you absolutely need to pack for your trip to Hong Kong and what you can feasibly pick up at one of the many electronic stores, beauty chains, or one-stop destination retail chains.

Luckily, nearly every item and amenity you (probably) need for your trip is easily accessible in “Asia’s World City.” However, just to be safe, there are several things I’d make sure to definitely include in my Hong Kong packing list.

Here they are…

Is There Uber in Thailand? Your Ride-Hailing Questions Answered & Practical Tips

October 22, 2024October 22, 2024Asia, Thailand, Travel BigBody Leave a Comment

Known for its pristine turquoise beaches, unparalleled and vibrant nightlife, world-class gastronomy, and bustling cities, it’s no surprise that Thailand isn’t just one of the most visited countries in Asia but the world – seeing an estimated 29 million international tourist arrivals in 2023 alone.

With millions of tourists arriving each year, many visitors use ride-hailing apps and services to navigate and traverse the “Land of a Thousand Smiles,” myself included. Globally, Uber has become synonymous with ride-hailing and sharing, and is typically the first app that pops into your mind when it comes to comfortably and conveniently “getting around.”

However, tourists traveling to Thailand, expecting to hail an Uber with the ease they do back home, may be surprised to learn that Uber is not available in Thailand.

While Uber did attempt to permeate the Thai market in 2014, garnering considerable momentum and popularity, its presence was ultimately short-lived due to cultural factors, regulatory barriers, and intense competition – primarily the more localized (and already established) Southeast Asian ride-hailing provider Grab.

Today, Grab is emphatically…I repeat…emphatically, the number one ride-hailing service and app both tourists and locals alike use to efficiently and affordably get around Thailand (and get food delivered).

Below, I’ll walk you through in greater detail everything you need to know about navigating Thailand, your transportation options available, some pitfalls to avoid while doing so, and a bit about my experiences using Grab in Thailand.

9 of the Best Hong Kong Hikes For Intrepid Explorers, Weekend Warriors, & First Timers

October 16, 2024November 18, 2024Asia, Hong Kong, Travel BigBody Leave a Comment

I don’t know about you but when it comes to hiking for this Big Body, I’m less of a Nirmal Purja and Tenzing Norgay, and much more of a Preston Blake. You know, that eccentric, pompous billionaire in the Adam Sandler classic Mr. Deeds, who freezes to death while climbing Mount Everest, sans the money, of course.

Here’s How Much My Travel Blog Made Its First Month on Mediavine Journey

October 5, 2024October 5, 2024Travel, Travel Tips, Tricks, & Resources BigBody Leave a Comment

September was a big month for Pale Ale Travel. Symbolically at least. I’ve held off monetizing the blog via a traditional ad network over the years as it wasn’t worth the pennies I’d be making.

However, in early 2024, Pale Ale Travel finally crossed a threshold traffic-wise (or at least we did) where it made sense to begin monetizing it. So I applied to Mediavine’s ‘Journey’ – an ad management solution for growing websites that didn’t quite qualify for their primary ad network solution (50,000 sessions).

Well..the first month’s earnings are in. Here’s a little bit about Mediavine Journey and its requirements and what my travel blog (Pale Ale Travel) earned in its first month.

Pale Ale Travel Tip: While waiting for approval from Mediavine Journey, I launched a newsletter that sends weekly travel destinations straight to your inbox. I also built out a secondary blog that tackles European destinations and blogging tips. You can find it here.

I Launched a Free Newsletter

July 19, 2024July 28, 2024Travel, Travel Tips, Tricks, & Resources BigBody Leave a Comment

If you know me in real life or could surmise from my regular patronizing of Polish milk bars over the last two months, the sharp vicissitudes of fortune have been cast over Big Body. Like Thackery Binx in the early-90s Halloween classic Hocus Pocus (love Bette Midler) when the Sanderson sisters cast a spell over him in 1693, turning him into an immortal black cat.

And like Binx, I’m also unsure if I’ll make it back to my previous form or remain destined to subsist only off of milk and tins of tuna fish (with the occasional watered-down lager or swig of street wine).

So, I’ve launched a free newsletter for Pale Ale Travel. Yes, free, $0. Just to clarify, I didn’t do this because I’m living my personal mid-thirties Dickensian dream (nightmare?). Simply put, Big Body has a lot of time on his hands and this is one of those rare opportunities in life where I can dive head first into something I’ve always wanted to do (and bet on myself) – and that’s create until I can’t create no mo’.

Is Arashiyama Bamboo Forest an Ethereal Bamboo Wonderland or Overcrowded Tourist Trap?

June 11, 2024July 16, 2024Asia, Japan, Travel BigBody Leave a Comment

Look, I get it. Travel is precious and you don’t want to spend your hard-earned dollars (and newly converted Japanese yen) or time at a destination, experience, or sight that has you feeling worse than that one guy who proposed right next to a cliff and fumbled the ring into the canyon adjacent. Or even worse, something that doesn’t make you feel anything at all.

So, in the interest of allowing you to make a more educated decision about one of Kyoto’s most popular attractions and sightseeing districts, here are my thoughts on social media’s favorite ‘Arashiyama Bamboo Grove’ and if it’s worth visiting or skipping altogether.

I’ll say it. Arashiyama Bamboo Grove didn’t do it for me. It was one of the only sights during my three months living in Japan that didn’t live up to the hype and left me wondering if my time could have been better spent elsewhere. That’s not to say that it was a complete waste as I still got to experience it with one of my best dawgz after several years and several continents apart.

However, if you go to Kyoto’s Arashiyama district and bamboo grove, I would adjust your expectations accordingly and make your bamboo pilgrimage with a plan.

So, is Arashiyama Bamboo Forest the ethereal bamboo wonderland you saw online or is it just another overcrowded tourist trap that can be skipped?