Country Guides
-
Internet in China: what works? What doesn’t work?
Spending a few days in China is also discovering the Chinese Internet.Indeed, China has the “Great Firewall of China” which prevents access to many services that Westerners like us use.This “great digital wall” serves as much to censor what the Chinese authorities do not like as to ensure economic protectionism.Indeed, the major services we use have their Chinese equivalent: Google / Facebook is replaced by Baidu WhatsApp is replaced by Wechat Amazon is replaced by Alibaba Uber is replaced by Didi … Small feedback on our 3 days in Beijing Access and speed Internet access is quite simple, our hotel had wifi which did not even require an access code.At…
-
Up to 6 days of transit in China? No need for a visa!
On our way back to France after 7 months in Asia, we organize our return to stay a few days in Beijing, China. For several years now, the French have not needed visas if they stay less than 72 hours, a principle that was doubled in December 2017. You can now stay up to 6 days (144 hours). Make sure you know the terms and conditions (not all Chinese airports offer this visa exemption and you must leave from the same airport as the one you arrived at). Here are a few tips for easy enjoyment. Prepare your documents: tickets and hotel reservations At the Chinese immigration, the officer will…
-
How to Rent a Car on Jeju Island (South Korea)?
Jeju Island is THE favorite tourist destination for Koreans Every day, many flights connect Seoul and Jeju and thousands of people disembark to visit the island As public transportation isn’t the ideal solution to explore the island, many decide to rent a car As a result, many rental companies compete with each other and renting a car is easy, fast and cheap Small return of experience of our hiring at Lotte Rent a car with whom we carried out two hirings How do I book my car? Everything is done online on the site of Lotte Rent a car. The site isn’t a model of ergonomics but has the merit…
-
10 Things to know before your First Trip to Vietnam
I think Vietnam is very different from the countries in Southeast Asia. Those who make the tour Thailand – Laos – Cambodia – Vietnam are perhaps a little shocked when they come to Vietnam, after having visited the 3 other countries, because Vietnam has NOTHING to do with these 3 countries indeed. Vietnam isn’t a Buddhist country! while the 3 other countries are Buddhist, hence the cultural difference. I am Vietnamese and objectively, after visiting the 4 countries, I can say that the most beautiful landscapes are in Vietnam. The landscapes are so varied, we have such a culinary richness that Vietnam is really a must see destination. To minimize…
-
Itinerary Vietnam: 3 weeks, Budget & Advice
Recommended itinerary I have already written an article about the beautiful landscapes of Vietnam here. Here is the itinerary that I recommend if you want to visit Vietnam in 3 weeks. The destinations are rather touristic, but I assure you, even the Vietnamese go there. Some new popular local destinations are Co To, Binh Lap, Binh Ba… but Vietnamese people rent a car to go there, or pay an agency to get there, there is no open bus for that yet. The links go back to my travel diaries.The links to the bus or train schedules refer to the site 12go.asia, a very famous Singaporean site.Although it is a very…
-
Travel Guide to Custom Clothing and Tailoring in Hoi An (Vietnam)
If you fell in love with custom-made clothes in Hoi An, know that you aren’t alone! Hoi An is very famous for its tailors. They are everywhere, you can’t miss them! The prices being very affordable, it is difficult to resist. It is also a great experience to have clothes specially designed for you. For JB, it was a first. The particularity of Hoi An is its express service: a custom-made garment in 24 hours, this allows us to answer the orders of tourists who stay only 2 or 3 days. Usually, in Ha Noi, I have to wait a month, if the dressmaker wants to take care of my…
-
Travel Guide of Phong Nha – Ke Bang: What to visit, prices, budget, transportation, scooter…
We have just spent 4 WONDERFUL days in Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park. As the information about this park isn’t up to date (even in the tourist guides), because of the inflation in Vietnam and the tourist services in this area, here is MY guide, updated in March 2018 I STRONGLY recommend you to go there, even if you have to skip Ninh Binh or Hue’. Honestly, even as a Vietnamese and having travelled my country from North to South several times, Phong Nha remains one of my top destinations in Vietnam, which I will not tire of (just like Sa Pa, Da Lat and Hoi An) How…
-
Chiang Mai (Thailand): What to visit, Travel Travel Guide, Addresses & Tips
Unlike the southern islands of Thailand, Chiang Mai offers mountain scenery and a cuisine slightly different from the southern islands. Here is the list of our favorites and what to visit in the region To know For me, Chiang Mai is a starting point to other cities in Northern Thailand. The city is a bit polluted, not very pedestrian friendly (except in the evening). If you come all the way from Bangkok just to spend 2 days in the North, I tell you sincerely: it’s not worth it! Come to Chiang Mai if you plan to go then to Luang Prabang, or spend a few days in the surrounding cities…
-
How to request an e-visa for Vietnam? Travel Guide, Official website, Cost, Tips, Advice
Good news! Since February 2017, French people can apply for an e-visa valid for 30 days to visit Vietnam. What is the official website where to apply for the Vietnamese e-visa? The official website is accessible here: https: //evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/home How much does it cost? 25 dollars What is the validity of the Vietnamese e-visa? 30 days and not one more When filling out the form, you entered the date you wish to enter Vietnam. For example, you plan to enter on January 1, 2018. Your e-visa is valid from January 1 to January 30, 2018. You enter when you want (January 1, 5 or 29), but your e-visa will still…
-
Cuba in 27 days: Itinerary, assessment, guide (budget, transportation, accommodation, Internet, practical advice)
We finished our world tour by Cuba. What a good decision! Cuba is one of our 5 countries, so authentic, beautiful, extraordinary. Discover our itinerary, budget and practical advice. Itinerary In 27 days, we could have pushed your trip to Santiago, but we prefer to stay in each city for a long time, being very tired after 11 months of moping. Healthy travelers will be able to do the same itinerary as us in 14-18 days. Here is our itinerary, but if we had to do it again, we would have done it in the following order (see the picture on the left) Havana => Matanzas (by train) => Varadero…
