• Asia,  TDM

    Money, education, superstition… the underside of Asia

    Plagued by wars, colonization, poverty, and double-digit annual inflation, Asia and Asians in general have a rather specific way of managing and making money. This article will reveal some truths that are little known to Europeans, but known to all Asians. Money During your various trips to Asia, you’ve surely noticed a difference between displayed prices and the country’s average salary. Fortunately, we don’t live solely on our salary! Foreigners have no idea of the wealth that can be tucked away in every closet. One of Vietnam’s most publicized billionaires is known for having, when he was little, burned $100 bills without batting an eye for fun. His nickname is…

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  • Europe,  France,  Paris,  Storytime,  TDM

    I went back to studying law with Agorassas: My Review

    Context : I’m writing this article right after taking my first law exams with Agorassas; my opinion may evolve in the coming months, and I’ll try to keep this article updated. Agorassas: what is it? Agorassas is the “digital campus” of Paris II Panthéon-Assas University. It allows you to pursue a law degree remotely. You can progress through the program without any geographical or scheduling constraints. You can study from anywhere, at any time. The curriculum and diploma are exactly the same as the on-campus program. Why did I dive into this? Here’s my personal background: I have a background in IT, I’m in my mid-30s, I’m self-employed, and I…

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  • Europe,  France,  Paris,  TDM

    My Hermès Collection: Carres, Gavroche, Small Leather Goods, Books, Cosmetics

    I’m not very sensitive to brands, especially luxury ones, because I feel they look fake on me as an Asian person, so I’m very surprised to now have a Hermès collection. It’s a series of events that sparked my curiosity about this luxury brand, which has managed to maintain its image and reputation, and is the one that fights the most against counterfeits. Since then, I’ve been a huge Hermès fan. I bought these two books about Hermès carrés (Amazon link) & Hermès bags (Amazon link), to learn more about the brand. In the book “Carrés d’art IV” (Amazon link), we get the complete list of all Hermès carrés, along…

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  • Europe,  France,  Paris,  TDM

    My Current Favorites [January 2022]: Suitcase, Leather Goods, Hermès, Clothing, Cosmetics

    After 6 months in Thailand where I had to take a speedboat to get to the only shopping mall on the island across to go shopping, I took advantage of a month in France to stock up on my favorite products, and change up my style a bit since I’m hiking less and less, I’m aiming for a more urban look. Warning, there are tons of purchases, and I paid for everything with my own money. If you’re a minimalist, look away. Samsonite Quadrix Spinner Suitcase Let’s start with my new suitcase. Before, I had a cabin suitcase, also from Samsonite. I love it, it’s super sturdy and has been…

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  • Before the World Tour,  TDM

    My Review of Action Visas

    As a French citizen, we are incredibly lucky to hold an exceptional passport that grants entry to many countries without needing to apply for a visa in advance. In over 5 years of constant travel, we’ve only had to apply for visas a handful of times (India , and Myanmar for instance). Each time, we handled the online procedures ourselves. As the spouse of a Vietnamese citizen, I’m eligible to apply for a 5-year visa exemption. To get it, you must visit the Vietnamese embassy in Paris in person. Since we’re pressed for time and Anh knows how tricky these procedures can be, we weren’t thrilled about doing it ourselves.…

  • TDM,  Tips

    [Test & Review] Apple AirTags for my Cat, my Bag & my Suitcases

    Everyone has heard of Apple AirTags. But many people think they’re only useful for finding keys or small objects – I did too – so for a long time, I wondered what they could really be used for. I bought them with my own money. This article is not NOT sponsored ! Until one day I asked a real user and he told me that the range of AirTags is impressive: someone sent a package from Europe to the United States and put an AirTag inside; they could track the AirTag in real time another person left their AirTag inside their suitcase and was able to pinpoint its location when…

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  • Beauty,  TDM

    My Facial Skincare Routine & Adult Acne FAQ

    As my article on acne is already long enough, I suggest you continue reading the FAQ here: Why not incorporate Vitamin C into the routine when you still have breakouts? Vitamin C can worsen acne, causing even more inflammation. Vitamin C should be used on healthy skin. Once your skin has cleared up, if the skin barrier is seriously damaged, you even need to use B5, copper peptides, or ceramides repairing the skin barrier before touching Vitamin C. Why not use exfoliation when you still have breakouts ? Many blogs keep telling us that we should exfoliate the skin and “bring” pimples to the surface so they go away faster.…

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  • Around the world,  Asia,  Country Guides,  During the World Tour,  TDM,  Tips,  Travel Journal

    [Guide] Expo2020 – The World Expo in Dubai – Accommodation, transport, what to see/visit, programme and suggested itinerary

    We hadn’t planned a long stopover in Dubai, but when we found out we’d be there during the World Expo, we didn’t hesitate for a second to plan a longer stay. That’s how we ended up spending 2 weeks in Dubai, which was initially supposed to be just a short stopover between Koh Phangan and Istanbul. Since we were working at the same time, only 2.5 days were dedicated to the World Expo. The World Expo takes place every 5 years. Due to Covid, Expo 2020 was postponed by a year, between October 2021 and March 2022.The next World Expo will be held in 2025 in Osaka (Japan). Practical Information…

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  • Asia,  TDM,  Travel Journal

    Inside Burj Al Arab: Touring a 7-Star Hotel in Dubai (United Arab Emirates)

    When I found out that the Burj Al Arab hotel offered paid guided tours, I didn’t hesitate for a second: I absolutely had to do it. The Burj Al Arab hotel is one of Dubai’s pride and joys. It sits on an artificial island (it took them 3 years to build the island), connected via a bridge with very selective access. Without a reservation at one of its many bars or restaurants, you’re not even allowed to set foot on the bridge. The privatized beaches around the hotel belong to the Jumeirah group. In short, there’s no way to get close to the hotel without paying. From afar, the hotel…

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  • Asia,  TDM,  Travel Journal

    4 Days in Dubai (United Arab Emirates): Splendor, Luxury, and Shopping

    We used to have a lot of prejudices about Dubai and were never interested in visiting. It was only after the unforgettable Ramadan experience in Doha (Qatar) a few years ago, not far away, that we thought “skyscrapers growing in the middle of the desert could be fun.” However, it wasn’t at the top of our list at all, wishlist but the opportunity arose: Our Thailand-Turkey flight has a layover in Dubai Whether we stay 2 hours or 2 weeks, the prices don’t change at all The World Expo (Expo 2020) is currently taking place in Dubai, until March 2022, so it’s a now-or-never chance to be part of it.…

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