Travel Tips Archives - Page 2 of 3

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

November 6, 2024February 19, 2025Asia, Destinations, 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, 2024February 19, 2025Travel, Travel Tips, 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.

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

October 25, 2024February 19, 2025Destinations, Hong 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, 2024February 19, 2025Asia, Destinations, 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, 2024February 19, 2025Asia, Destinations, 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.

I Launched a Free Newsletter

July 19, 2024February 19, 2025Travel, Travel Tips, 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, 2024February 19, 2025Asia, Destinations, 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?

Is American Express Accepted in Hong Kong? Convenience, Tips, & Reality

May 21, 2024February 19, 2025Asia, Destinations, Hong Kong, Travel, Travel Tips, Tricks, & Resources BigBody Leave a Comment

As someone whose first credit card was an American Express, it has sat comfortably at the forefront of the inside of my wallet ever since. The fact that over 99% of merchants in the United States accept Amex, along with the unparalleled travel perks (and points), stellar customer service, and exclusive access to lounges and other experiences definitely contributed to this as well.

However, after moving back to Hong Kong in 2020, I learned that one of the most recognizable credit card brands in the world actually might need to take a back seat in my wallet due to the lack of acceptance at restaurants, cafes, shops, and other establishments.

While American Express has enjoyed a presence in Hong Kong for several decades now, even offering dedicated personal, corporate, and branded Amex cards tailored to Hong Kong residents, I estimate that less than 50% of all merchants in Hong Kong accept American Express.

While most major mid-range and fine-dining restaurants, hotels, department stores, shopping malls, and bars in Hong Kong accept American Express, it still hasn’t achieved credit card ubiquity amongst businesses like Visa and Mastercard.

Below, I’ll provide a breakdown of the common spots that accept American Express in Hong Kong along with where it definitely is not accepted.

Croatia’s Legal Drinking Age as Explained by a Karlovačko-Loving Guy

May 13, 2024February 19, 2025Croatia, Destinations, Europe, Travel BigBody Leave a Comment

Moving to Croatia for three months in the dead of winter was completely unexpected for this Big Body. I hadn’t thoroughly thought out my then year in Europe and was, of course, required to leave the Schengen Region after 90 days (this was before Croatia joined the Schengen Area in January 2023). Either way, in the middle of winter in Zagreb and Split, Croatia, one of the only things I could do was drink. And drink I did (Karlovačkos for the win).

From hole-in-the-wall pašticada (a popular braised beef dish) haunts where I’d inevitably get talked into shots of rakija with the bartender, to cozy Zagreb wine bars with the woman I was (then) dating, honey-infused craft beers with cevapis (an absolute must if you travel to Croatia), and shots of slivovitz with one of my best friends when he somehow found himself crashing on my couch, I was more than pleasantly surprised by Croatia’s drinking Rolodex and scene.

Note: Unfortunately, I’m not cool enough to pop champagne bottles on any of those yachts in the Adriatic but I’d be remiss not to mention that is another storied Croatian booze pastime.

With Croatia having become almost the de facto Balkan destination for travelers and a digital nomad’s dream (thanks to the introduction of the digital nomad residence permit launched in 2021), a question that might pop up if you’re planning on doing a gap year there, from a country like me (the U.S.) where the drinking age is still the dreaded ‘21’, or heading over with family, is ‘What is the legal drinking age in Croatia?’.

Here’s a bit about Croatia’s drinking age and culture and what I loved about my time living in Split, Croatia.

Is There Uber in Japan? What You Need to Know About Ride-Sharing in Japan [2025]

January 20, 2024February 19, 2025Asia, Destinations, Japan, Travel BigBody 2 Comments

Japan is a country of unparalleled convenience and affordability when it comes to travel. During my three months living in Japan, I can’t say there was a single moment when I panicked about trying to make my way across the city (I was based in Osaka) or travel from one city to another.

You’ll find bullet trains that can get you from one side of the country to the other in less than 12 hours (ex. You can do the 1600 km journey from Osaka to Sapporo in half a day), reliable and prompt city buses and shuttles that cover most major attractions and neighborhoods, local subway lines that weave through cities and towns that make my home state in the U.S. look like it’s living in the 1700s, and everything in between. In Japan, you’d be hard-pressed to find yourself without transportation options.

However, it’s always important to have a fallback, in case all else fails or public transportation is closed. Or if you have more luggage than is feasibly possible to transport without having a nervous breakdown. In most countries, I keep Uber in my back pocket as a failsafe. But it’s only available in just over 70 countries. What about Japan? Is there Uber in Japan? What about other ride-hailing apps?

Yes, there is Uber in Japan and it is generally an effective method of transportation. However, there are regulatory limits to Uber and its existence in Japan. Furthermore, it’s considerably more expensive than public transportation, and in my humble opinion, only worth using in a select few situations – as Japan’s public transportation network is one of the most affordable and efficient in the world.

13 Essential Travel Tools For Digital Nomads to Stay Connected, Productive, & Classy

December 29, 2023February 19, 2025Travel, Travel Tips, Travel Tips, Tricks, & Resources BigBody Leave a Comment

Everyone has experienced that moment after a long, arduous journey to whatever corner of the world they decided on when they reach into their suitcase to grab the one item needed to start their move and/or trip out without a hitch, only to find that it’s nowhere in sight. Been there, done that, and got the t-shirt multiple times over.

For digital nomads or freelancers who frequently change locations and battle an array of geographical, work-related, and visa issues, forgetting a crucial item for one’s trip is just part and parcel. And don’t even get me started on things breaking mid-trip.

If you haven’t experienced it, you probably will at some point. Consider it a right of passage. Or, you can learn from my mistakes and follow this list of must-have digital nomad travel items and cover your bases. Whether you’re a seasoned digital nomad or just starting out on your journey, here are 13 digital nomad must-haves for your next (or first) move or trip abroad – all of which are used by yours truly.

Is There Uber in Hong Kong? Guide to the World’s Most Popular Ride-Sharing App

October 25, 2023February 19, 2025Asia, Destinations, Hong Kong, Travel BigBody Leave a Comment

Reporting live on the ground from Hong Kong, this is Big Body with your evening news. Tonight’s story, “Is there Uber in Hong Kong?” This is a common question I’m asked by friends (and the occasional reader) traveling from the U.S. to Hong Kong.

If you’re like me, you don’t always carry cash on you and want to ensure that you have a backup means to get around in case you forget to stock up on some cold hard $HKD. Or maybe, you just prefer the solitude and cleanliness of a fully manicured Uber Black. Or maybe you’re a crypto evangelist who got demolished on 100x leverage DeFi moonshots, has turned to UBER call options, and is now trying to personally inject some pennies into the bottom line by Ubering to work so that your fiancé doesn’t leave you and take the dog with her. Been there, done that, got called a “loser” (actually worse) on r/WallStreetBets, and picked up the t-shirt along the way.

Whatever the case, it’s a reasonable question to ask.