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| Travel Tips: What’s forbidden in the land of the Forbidden City? Posted: 01 Oct 2010 04:01 AM PDT Planning on visiting China this year? Perhaps you already have a short list of the places you want to see like the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, the world-famous Great Wall of China, and the Beijing Capital Museum. Well, before you head to the airport and fly to the land of the Forbidden City, here's a short list of what not to do while you're vacationing there. Learn the Language In some countries, either you speak their language or you back to where you came from. Now, they're not really being nosy or stuck-up. They just respect their language that much. English might be the universal language but in some places in China, don't expect them to adjust to your native tongue. It's the other way around. Traveling to another country who speaks a native language that's far off from English, it's obvious that you might want to study and memorize a few conversational phrases to help you. Apart from immersing yourself in another culture and language, it shows that you respect their language too. There's a wide variety of pocket manuals for some everyday Mandarin phrases that are made for travelers and having one of those is a practical investment. Lay off during the "Golden Weeks" In China, Golden Week refers to the two 7-day national holidays the Chinese celebrate every year. The first one is the Spring Festival Golden Week or the Chinese Lunar New Year which takes places either in January or February. The second is their National Day Golden Week that starts sometime during the first week of October. There used to be a third Golden Week, which is the Labour Day Golden Week during the 1st of May; however, it ceased to celebrate since 2007. The reason why travelers are advised to lay off during these Golden Weeks is because these are the times when the people are paid for a three-day holiday break. In 1999 alone, it was reported that around 28 million Chinese took a trip during the first week of the National Day celebration. In 2007, the figure increased to 120 million. However, if you're lucky enough to be in China during the Golden Weeks, you're still bound to have a great time; that is if you enjoy squeezing your way amidst the crowd and paying more that the average for the products and services. Nevertheless, feel free to book a trip to China any other time of the year. The country is so big that it has a celebration of some sort all year round. Go for the street food If the only Chinese food you know are the ones you order during Chinese Take-Out dinners at home, you might faint when you see what's on the menu for an authentic Chinese dinner. Chicken feet…hmm, okay, wow that tastes like chicken! Durian….chew, swallow, don't breathe. Dog meat…well, I hate dogs anyway. Horse…good bye, Black Beauty! Fish head…err. Stinky tofu…is it safe? "Chicken without Sex Life"…poor chap. "Goat Genitals Soup"…what?! See? There's more to Chinese food than just your beans sprouts! That's why you really need to learn a few conversational Mandarin phrases so you will know what you're eating because some of the foods in China are, well, undistinguishable. But don't worry, you won't go starving in China. For one, there are pot stickers in Shanghai and barbecues are abundant in some of the busiest streets. There's also noodles dishes that are made fresh everyday and fish balls by the carts. If you can't stomach authentic Chinese delicacies, head not for the hills, but for the streets. Give Baiju as shot. Every country has its trademark alcoholic beverage. The Mexicans have their tequila; the Japanese their sake; and the Chinese their baiju, which literally means "white liquor." And by white, we don't mean the milk-looking kind; rather, it looks similar to vodka in terms of clarity and similar to sake because it's often made from glutinous rice, wheat, and sometimes millet. But that's so unusual with bajiu is that it takes like bleach. Yes, you read that right. Moreover, the packaging looks like one too. Nevertheless, it's considered as one of trademark flavors of China and is quite popular with business functions and social gatherings and it goes without saying that everyone coincides to make the visitor toast as many baiju shot glass as possible. So, live a little more dangerously and have a taste of baiju. Don't laugh at the kid's open pants. In every city, you'll always find a young child peeing in a public area with the mother holding a Ziploc bag, a portable potty, or an empty water bottle. Well, kids will be kids and you really can't blame the parents. Blame the child's bladder. When you have to go, you have to go. In China, however, don't be surprised to see an open seam in a kid's pants. It's designed that way for comfort issues. So what if it's not fashionable or somewhat rude for your eyes? The kid doesn't care, the parents doesn't care, so you shouldn't care. But that doesn't mean you can't laugh. Just try to do it discreetly. Visit Hong Kong and Macau There's more to Hong Kong that just shopping. Seriously. While it's absolutely tempting to ditch your tour and head for the bazaars, there are a lot of things to see in Hong Kong. Jump on one of HK's double-decker city trams and head to the Causeway Bay, Shay Kei Wan, the Western Market, and the Happy Valley. It will let you see a different side of HK other than the central business district. There's also the Sai Wan Ho where the Museum of Coastal Defence and the Hong Kong Film Archive are located. Atrip to the Avenue of Stars, where a splendid show of laser and lights are being held, is also a must-do when passing through Hong Kong. When visiting former Portuguese territory, Macau, remember that there's more to do here than just stay inside the casinos. The block-after-block of Portuguese architecture is worth every shot in your digital camera as well as the fishing villages and the fort area.
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| Great American Keg Tour – Where to Go for Some Awesome Pints Posted: 01 Oct 2010 03:45 AM PDT A lot of lists can be made about beer. This time we give you the best places in the U.S. where you can enjoy this great drink: New Orleans Although it is somewhat apt, one can find Hurricanes in just about every bar in New Orleans. But if you want to go for some old fashioned brews go to Cooter Brown’s Tavern and get yourself some froth. Also you can go ahead to The Bulldog and drink to your heart’s content.
Portland When in Portland, Maine, seek out the Shipyard Brewing Company. They will have a mug waiting for you cold and frothy and a serving of lobster for bar chow. Another fare presents itself in Great Lost Bear which offers taster glasses. The Great Lost Bear also showcases the brews from microbreweries around Maine so if you want to taste what beers from the state taste like, this is the place to go. Seattle Seattle has a lot to offer when it comes to brews. Check out the Laughing Buddha Brewing Company. When you’re done with the Buddha, you might want to drink at the Stumbling Monk. New York New York has indeed got some attitude and the diversity to boot. If you want to go and see bars of every kind and appeal from gin joints to dive bars to classy hotel wine bars, New York has it. When you’re a little lost and you want to down some brews while eating your cake too, go to The Chocolate Room. It’s just in Park Slope. Boston If you’re in Beantown, you might get lucky and be able to down some Samuel Adams. Yes, you can actually shoot down a beer named after one of the founding fathers. Asides from drinking this all American brew, you can also get tipsy with some hardcore Red Sox afficionados at Boston Beer Works. Should you want to park your mug at another bar, you can go to Allston and scope out Sunset Grill and Tap. There are at least 112 fine brews on tap to wet your whistle. Chicago Go traveling around the world while seated in your bar stool. The Map Room conducts International Nights. Have fun talking about the great sport of soccer with several Irishmen in the Globe Pub. San Francisco Southern California may be vine country, but they also know how to work with barley, ale and hops. You might just be surprised with the oysterhead stout and the vanilla beer. Go for the 21st Amendment and the Magnolia Brewing Company or the Thirsty Bear. Asheville Small town, big flavor. That’s what this North Carolina town packs. Try going to the Blue Ridge Mountains and check out Shining Rock. After a challenging day, nothing can be as cooling as some Highland Oatmeal Porter at Barley’s Taproom. Philadelphia According to speculation, the founding fathers were hanging out in one of Philadelphia’s watering holes while writing the Declaration of Independence. It might sound crazy but if you’ve ever wanted to drink a pint for freedom, go to Philly and check out their pubs. Most of the residents love to hang out at Brownie’s Irish Pub. However, if you want something a little old go the Khyber and enjoy some music. The Khyber is Philly’s most senior when it comes to bars. Tampa Bay Tampa Bay bars stock up on some of the world’s best drinks. Go to World of Beer which boasts of 30 taps or order one of the 300 they have bottled. Get some great bar chow at the Dunedin Brewery and order their Et Tu Brewte salad. There’s also some fish and chips in the Four Green Fields for those who want a little English cuisine. Albuquerque Il Vicino offers some of the finest brews in New Mexico. Drive by Route 66 and get some finely crafted brews when you stop at Chama River Brewing Company. They also serve some realy hot chiles. The Triangle The horde of college students knows where the brew is good. Just scope out where they are trooping and you’ll likely land in Hi5 located in Raleigh. If the crowd is too young, go to Top of the Hill at Chapel Hill. Dallas-Fort Worth Drink some of the fine brews they are filling up their mugs with in The Ginger Man. However, if you’d like something that reminds you of your childhood days, try the Buttface which they concoct at Humperdink’s. Missoula Asides from the enchanting views of the Missoula area, the town itself has great beers to quaff. There are the German brews from Bayern Brewing. For a little more American try the Big Sky. Don’t think twice about ordering the Moose Drool. Atlanta Atlanta should have a lot of booze joints given its population of college students. Contrary to the expectation there aren’t much breweries nor watering holes in the city. But what trumps the lack of drinking places is the presence of the few they have. Take Five Seasons Brewing for example with its stock of drinks and food (organic mind you) will be enough to plant a banner for Georgia brews. Cleveland Get some Edmund Fitzgerald in your gullet when you drink at Great Lakes Brewing Company.. Go around where they ferment the stuff. Their brewery is just a lesson in best practices. Milwaukee Despite being the home of brewing giant Miller Brewing Company, Milwaukee still has a lot of other brews growing in the town. Try the Hinterland Restaurant and Brewery. If you want to argue about hops, you can go and talk to the Germans sitting in the Old German Beer Hall. Order some Hofbrauhaus Munchen. There is also The Safe House for shifty secret agent type wannabes. Portland Portland in Oregon also has beer drinking in their traditions. Share a few bottles with the locals in McMenamin’s. There’s also the Horse Brass for smokers. Denver Eager beer drinkers can be found aplenty in Denver which hosts seven brew supply stores which allow you to ferment your own mix. If you open up the newspaper, you’ll see a Mr. Beer. Come October they host the Great American Beer Festival. San Diego San Diego knows how to toast. Check out their interesting bars like the Stone Brewing Company or wait at the rooftop while downing a few bottles at the Pacific Beach Ale House.
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