Chinese Kids with Western Names
Ever wondered how your parents chose your name? Maybe you were named after a family member, or more likely your name was completely picked at random from a long potential list. Many people will even have a bit of resentment towards their parents for their names. Of all the millions of potential names they could…
Jiufen: Being Spirited Away
There are a couple of places out there that you’d want to visit JUST because they’re in a movie. Everyone wants to be Leonardo Di Caprio on the beach of Koh Phi Phi. In Taiwan, one place has been the ultimate destination for movie buffs, Jiufen. People believe this town inspired the critically acclaimed Japanese anime…
Package Tours: Pros & Cons
Most fresh-faced travellers find themselves with a very difficult question: should I book a package tour or not? Even seasoned travellers have to ask themselves this from time to time. Is it better if someone else is responsible for your trip? It really comes down to personal taste and your preferred style of travel. Package…
Travel Plan: The DMZ (Demilitarized Zone)
Every seasoned traveller wants that unique experience, something completely out of the ordinary. It’s not that easy, there’s always plenty of reasons not to go somewhere. Maybe there’s not much to see, or just too much effort to get there. Other places are avoided as they’re simply too dangerous…but these are often the most exciting!…
The Battle of the Pork: The Uproar in Taiwan
There are many ways tensions can be raised in countries. Political friction, presidential elections and government decisions over health concerns are just some of the things we’re experiencing right now in the West. Taiwan on the other hand has recently had one of the strangest causes of unrest between its citizens and has even ended…
Kyoto in 4 days
For many travellers and locals alike, Kyoto is considered the pinnacle Japanese city. For centuries the ancient capital played host to Japan’s elite rulers and aristocrats that forever imprinted themselves in the nation’s history. The undeniable spirituality and powerful cultural influence of the city have had a lasting effect on the greater nation. Kyoto also…
Being an ESL Teacher: Pros & Cons
Many people decide to pack their bags and escape the constraints of their lives back home to start afresh in a foreign country. For the most part, becoming an ex-pat isn’t necessarily that hard, except for one thing, you need to find a job. Without it, a new life in an exotic country wouldn’t be…
Top 20 Highlights – Shanghai
Shanghai is a city which has transcended its Chinese heritage and has in many ways become its own independent international city. Since the city’s humble beginnings it has been influenced by all manner of cultures which has had a lasting effect until this day. For many, it tops the list of Chinese cities and often…
Travel Plan: Seeing the Komodo Dragons
Many travellers are searching for that unique experience, something special, something unique. Sometimes everything is much more special when you’ve gone to great efforts to earn the right to experience it, going that extra mile to see something only a select few outsiders have. When it comes to Indonesia, Bali is the only island many…
Australia: Backpacking For Beginners
People have many reasons not to take their first steps on a backpacking adventure. How is it done? What if something goes wrong? How do you sort travel from AA to B? What if you can’t understand the language? How do you sort out accommodation? What if you get scammed? People are afraid of taking…