Sing Tam Lee - Travel

Argostoli, Greece

12/29/2019

Visas: For travelers holding a valid US passport for 3 months after the scheduled return, no visa is required for tourist or business purposes up to 90 days.

Weather: November through February have high chances of precipitation. The months of May and October are the most comfortable for travelers, with temperatures ranging between 20 to 25 degrees Celsius (68-77 degrees Fahrenheit.)

Cost: euro (€)

Entrance fee for local sights: €12
Meal at taverna: €18
Cocktail: €12
Hotel room: €120

Tipping: Tipping is appreciated, thought not culturally expected in Greece. Hotel bellhops appreciate small gratuity amounts of €1 and for other venues the patron can round up to the next dollar.

Health: No addition vaccinations are required, apart from the routine vaccines. Bottled water is widely available, but it is always beneficial to inquire with the locals on whether the tap water is safe to consume.

Getting Around: Both motorcycles and cars are popular and readily available for hire. The car rental rate starts at €35 a day, including insurance and taxes. Motorcycle rates start from €20 a day with the insurance package, but excludes medical expenses. Helmets are mandatory by law and rental agencies are obligated to provide the equipment to all riders. Most rental companies will require a minimum deposit, unless credit card is the form of payment.

Below are some road information…
- Through continental Europe, one drives on the right and overtake on the left.
- It is illegal to utilize a mobile phone while operating a vehicle. This may result in a fine of €100 to €300 with 30 day license suspension.
- Seatbelts are to be worn in the front seats.
- Often island roads are not paved, so be cautious when following GPS navigation or online maps.

#love #argostoli #greece #singtamlee

Dubrovnik, Croatia

12/8/2019

Visas: A visa is not required for US passport holders for up to 90 days, with the purpose of business and tourism.

Weather: Croatia offers heated sunny days throughout the Summer, with celebrations during the Summer Festival. During the dry warm Autumn months, the beaches and streets experience less traffic.

Cost: Kuna (KN)

Museum admission: 130KN
Hotel room: 1500KN
Local restaurant dinner: 150KN

Tipping: Tipping are only common in restaurants, cafes, and bar settings, at the discretion of the patron.

Health: Dubrovnik is an industrialized city, with no special precautions relating to drinking water.

Recommended vaccinations
- Hepatitis A and B
- Rabies

Getting Around:

Bus: The city is well-designed for frequent bus service. The fare is set at a reasonable price point of 15KN.
Car: Hiring a car is an option, but the parking next to Old Town is expensive at around 40KN per hour. The Old Town landmark is pedestrian-focused, so resort to vehicle travel only when exploring areas further from the city.

#love #dubrovnik #croatia #singtamlee

Hong Kong, China

10/29/2019

Visas: Visas are not required for US citizens, Canadians, EU Citizens, Australians, Israelis, Japanese, and New Zealanders up to 90 days. For British citizens, visas are only required for stays past 180 days.

Weather: September is typhoon season, with June through August being hot and rainy. The months of October to December are the best for visitors.

Cost: Hong Kong Dollar HK$

Bus, tram, ferry ticket: HK$2.60-15
Food vendor meal: HK$60-150
Double-room hotel: HK$450-1100
Cantonese opera ticket: HK$200

Tipping:

Taxi - Small change tips are welcomed, but not expected.
Hotel room - HK$10-20 for luxury hotel porters.
Restaurant - Most eateries will impose a 10% to 20% service charge.
Bar & Cafe - A 10% tip will automatically added to the bill if table service was provided.

Health: The tap water in Hong Kong conforms to the World Health Organization standards and is considered safe to drink.

Getting Around:

Ferry services:
- The Cheng Chau Ferries run every half hour from Pier 5. Tickets for the fast ferry cost about HK$28, with one-way fares at half the price.
- The Discovery Bay Ferries departs every half hour from Pier 3 with 24 hour operation. The one-way trip takes 25 minutes at the cost of HK$46.
- The Lamma Ferries departs every half hour from Pier 4 to Lamma Island’s main town of Yung Shue Wan until 11:30pm. One way will cost travelers around HK$17.80.
- The Lantau and Peng Chau Ferries heads to both the Lantau village of Mui Wo and the small island of Peng Chau. Departing from Pier 6, the one way fare starts at HK$15.90.

Bus: The bus system is extensive in Hong Kong and will support travel to all territories. The MTR serve the northern side of Hong Kong and Kowloons well, so most visitors utilize the bus for exploration of the southern side of the Hong Kong Island, New Territories, and Lantau Island.
Car & Motorcycle: Traffic in Hong Kong is heavy and locating a parking spot is a challenge and expensive. The one-way streets and expressways have been compared to mazes. It is recommended to hire a driver in place of venturing alone into the fast-paced lanes.

#love #hongkong #china #singtamlee

Taipei, Taiwan Attractions

3/25/2019

Attractions

Taipei 101 Financial Center
- Located in Xinyi District, the landmark skyscraper received Platinum certification under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design LEED rating system. The building is currently the tallest green building in the world. The structure comprises of 5 basement levels and 101 floors above ground. The Observation Decks consists of several floors of 360-degree views of the city of Taipei. The Outdoor Observatory stands 1,285 ft (391.8 m) tall.
- Elephant Mountain (象山) is a 1.5 km hiking trail with a clear view of the Taipei 101 architecture. The elephant-shaped mountain climbs 183 meters high.
National Palace Museum
- The National Palace Museum holds a collection of eight thousand years of historical Chinese art. The permanent collection consists of nearly 700,000 pieces of ancient Chinese imperial artworks and artifacts.
Liberty Square
- Located in Zhongzheng District, the public plaza covers over 240,000 square meters and is a piece of history symbolic of Taiwan’s transition from one-party rule to modern democracy in the 1990s.
Confucius Temple
- The temple was constructed in 1665 in the West Central District of Tainan. The Confucius Temple accompanies the National Academy and Ming-Lun Hall (the Hall of Ethics) and serves as a location for lectures and cultivate intellectuals. The West Sanctuary Ta-Cheng Hall (the Hall of Great Achievement) houses the mortuary tablet of Confucius and his distinguished disciples.
Night Markets
- The famous night markets in Taiwan are marketplaces that occupy sidewalks adjacent to or entire streets. These markets operate daily in both urban and suburban areas with offerings of specialty drinks, xiaochi (small plates,) clothing, and consumer goods. The energetic atmosphere is generally surrounded by music playing over the speakers of vendors lining the streets.

#love #attractions #taiwan #singtamlee

Saigon, Vietnam

2/19/2019

Visas: The visa requirements for Vietnam are complicated and constantly changing, so it is highly advised to verify the latest regulations. The e-visa program was introduced in 2017 and can be obtained via the Vietnam Immigration Department. The e-visas are valid for non-extendable 30 days single entry at the cost of $25 USD, with the process taking three to five days.

Weather: February and March have low precipitation, with March with increasing humidity. December is cooler than all other months and comparatively dry.

Cost: Dong (d)

Hotel room: $45-55 USD
Local food vendor: $1-5 USD
One hour massage: $15-20 USD

Tipping:
Tipping is not customary in Vietnam, although it is appreciated.

Taxi - option to round the taxi fare change
Upscale restaurants - approximately 10% service charge included on the total bill
Bars - around 50,000 VND
Luxury spas - service charge of 5-10% may be included within the price

Health: Avoid drinking tap water and purchase bottled water for hydration. The locals will drink boiled or filtered water at home. Bottle water are offered a local restaurants and hotels.

Getting Around:

Bus: The local buses serve more than 130 routes around the city, which makes them readily available and cheap.
Motorbike: A 100cc motorbike can be rented for $10-15 USD per day, with helmet included. Be cautious of the traffic, as the city traffic can be quite unruly.
Taxi: Taxi service is estimated to be around 25,000 ($1 USD) per kilometer. It is advised to pay attention to the meter, as some are cheated to increase logging speed.

#love #saigon #vietnam #singtamlee

Siem Reap, Cambodia

1/9/2019

Visas: One passport-sized photo is required for the purchase of a one-month visa. Payment of $30 USD will be submitted upon arrival.

Weather: April and May are uncomfortably hot, with June through October delivering the wettest months. November through March are the best times to visit during the dry season.

Cost: Riel r with US Dollar $ universally accepted

Hotel room: $20-50
Cafe and street foods: $1-5
Restaurant meal with beverage: $10-15
Guided tour: $20-30

Tipping: Tipping is not customary in Cambodia, but is always welcomed. Temples and religious sites are the only exceptions to this, where a donation of a few thousand riels is polite when a monk blesses you.

Health: It is strongly recommended to consume bottled water while visiting Cambodia. The tap water is claimed to the safe, but the addition of chlorine is pervasive.

Getting Around:

Tuk Tuk: Also referred to as remork-motos, the tuk tuks are small motorcycles with carriages. Rides will cost you $2 USD around town.
Car: Most hotels and guesthouses offer car hires for the day. The rate averages $30 USD/day and above.
Bicycle: Some guesthouses and shops offer bicycle rentals at around $2 USD/day.

#love #siemreap #cambodia #singtamlee

Bangkok, Thailand

12/16/2018

Visas: A 30-day visa exemption is applicable for most nationalities upon arrival at the international airports. The Thai Consulates also offer 60-day tourist visas.

Weather: The weather is cool and dry from November through March, resulting in the best times to travel.

Cost: Thai Baht (B)

Street vendor meal: 150-300B
Public transportation: 20-100B
Hotel room: 800-1500B
Tourist attraction: 500-600B

Tipping: Tipping is not generally expected in Thailand. The only exception from this would be the service charge added to hotel and fine dining restaurants.

Health: Be aware of the air pollution, especially with exacerbation from heat. The heat requires physical acclimation and diligence on hydration. It is highly recommended to drink only bottled or filtered water.

Getting Around:
There is a wide selection of transportation options for the bustling city of Bangkok. Boats, bicycles, buses, taxis, tuk tuks, and the metros to name a few.

The BTS Skytrain and the MRT Metro are the most convenient methods of exploring the ‘new’ Bangkok.
Decline taxi drivers who refuse to utilize the meter
Women sitting next to and physical contact with monks are frowned upon

#love #bangkok #thailand #singtamlee

Catalina Island, California

10/6/2018

Weather: Catalina Island boasts warm year-round temperatures with mild subtropical climate. The average high temperature is 63 degrees during the winter months, with an average of high of 72 degrees in the summer.

Cost: Currency US Dollar $

Live music concert: $50
Hotel: $200
Dinner with wine: $40

Tipping:

Bartenders - Minimum of $1 per drink with 15% per round
Housekeeping staff - Under the card provided $2 to $5 daily
Concierge - Up to $20 for securing last-minute restaurant reservations or show tickets, with no tips required for simple information
Taxi drivers - 10% to 15% of the metered fare

Health: Tap water is safe to drink in Los Angeles. It was reported by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power in 2017, that the drinking water met or exceeded standards for health, cleanliness, and safety.

Getting Around:
Passenger cars are not permitted on the island, but both Avalon and Two Harbors can be explored on foot. Golf cart rentals are popular, starting at $45/hour. Rental bikes are also available at around $5/hour.

#love #catalinaisland #avalon #singtamlee

Marina del Rey, California

7/23/2018

Weather: March through May is the most ideal time to visit prior to the oppressive heat and summer crowds. September through November is another favorable time to visit region with less crowds and mild temperatures.

Cost: Currency US Dollar $

Boat tours: $40
Hotel: $200
Dinner with wine:: $40
Paddle board rental: $35
Live music concert: $50

Tipping:

Bartenders - Minimum $1 with 15% per round
Concierges - Maximum of $20 for securing sold-out show tickets and last-minute restaurant reservations
Taxi - 15% to 20% of metered fare
Housekeeping - $2 to $5 daily

Health: Tap water is safe to drink in Los Angeles. It was reported by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power in 2017, that the drinking water met or exceeded standards for health, cleanliness, and safety.

Getting Around:

Bicycle: Metro Bike Share Has more than 60 self-serve bike kiosks in the Downtown area, including Chinatown, Little Tokyo and the Arts District. Pay using your debit or credit card ($3.50 per 30 minutes). You can also pay using your TAP card, though you will first need to register it on the Metro Bike Share website. Download the Metro Bike Share smartphone app, which offers real-time bike and rack availability.
Car & Motorcycle: Unless time is no factor – or money is extremely tight – you’re going to want to spend some time behind the wheel, although this means contending with some of the worst traffic in the country. Avoid rush hour (7am to 9am and 3:30pm to 6pm).

#love #marinadelrey #california #singtamlee

Chicago, Illinois

6/28/2018

Weather: May, September, and October are good shoulder months with mild weather and reasonable prices. Expect freezing temperatures between November and March, but December offers holiday festivities. June through August is considered peak season with warm weather and events.

Cost: Currency US Dollar $

Transit day pass: $10
Hotel: $150-250
Casual restaurant dinner: $25-35
Architecture boat tour: $46
Cubs bleacher seat: $40-60

Tipping:

Bartenders - 15% per round
Restaurant servers - 15% to 20%, unless gratuity is already included.
Taxi - 10% to 15%
Parking valet - $2 to $5 upon return of keys

Health: Chicago’s tap water is safe to drink.

Getting Around:

Bicycle: Divvy has 5800 sky-blue bikes at 580 stations around Chicago and neighboring suburbs. Kiosks issue 24-hour passes ($10) on the spot. Insert a credit card, get your ride code, then unlock a bike. The first 30 minutes are free; after that, rates rise fast if you don't dock the bike.
Boat: Shoreline Water Taxi transports you on its Lake Taxi from Navy Pier (at the southwestern corner) to the South Loop’s Shedd Aquarium. The River Taxi connects Polk Bros Park (just west of Navy Pier) to Willis Tower (via the Adams St bridge’s southeast side). It also stops at Michigan Ave.
Chicago Water Taxi plies the river from the Michigan Ave bridge (northwest side, by the Wrigley Building) to Madison St (near the Metra Ogilvie Transportation Center), stopping at LaSalle/Clark en route. In summer it continues on to Chinatown.
Car & Motorcycle: Chicago traffic is quite dense, even the time slots between rush hours. For short distance in town, it is recommended to utilize public transportation.

#love #chicago #illinois #singtamlee

Chicago Attractions to be continued...