1. It’s very safe there. You don’t have to worry about pick pockets or being cheated out of money anywhere.
2. You will be pushed on the train. Dont get angry…there are 13 million people in this city and everyone has places to be. Dont get angry laugh it off.
3. Make sure you buy a Suica card to avoid having to buy multiple train tickets. It cost 500 yen (about $5) and is rechargeable. When you leave you can return it and get your 500 yen. Don’t talk or eat on the train.
4. Most people know some English, but everyone is very shy and may not help. Learn a little of Japanese or have someone write some phrases for you.
5. Taxis are really expensive. Take the train.
6. No tipping. Everyone makes a decent salary so tipping isn’t allowed. I got chased down once for giving a 30 cent tip.
7. When you’re on a budget the convenient stores (7-11, Family Mart, Lawson) are your friends. The food is inexpensive and delicious. Oh and they are open 24 hours and EVERYWHERE!
8. Masks. You will see lots of people with masks. Dont be alarmed. When you’re sick in Japan you wear mask so that you don’t share your germs with people. They are very considerate.
9. No littering. There aren’t many garbage cans in public places. Most people carry their trash in their bags until they find a garbage can. Once you find one, there may be many slots…they recycle very differently here.
10. Paper towels rarely exist in public bathrooms. There are either hand dryers or you bring your own hand towel. They sell them everywhere. There’s such a hand towel market here that most high end designers have designed hand towels.

Live, Love, Travel!

LMJ

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 Tokyo is one of my favorite cities on earth. I lived there for a year and have visited several times since. The Metro system is beautiful, orderly (I'm not kidding they come exactly when they say they will---imagine that NYC MTA?), and can be very intimidating for tourists. Especially non English speaking tourist.

First things first, be sure to breathe. There are English names for every station (under the Japanese characters) on certain maps at EVERY station. If you're not seeing names you can read, move on to another map. There's an English option on all the vending machines as well. Again. Breathe. Each station also has an information booth. You can always show them where you want to go, on your phone, and they'll help you out, even if they can't speak English, although most do.

The maps are important, bc you have to read them to know how much money you need on your ticket. You read the name of the station you're heading to and there will be a monetary amount right next to it. You need to buy a ticket for that amount. In Japan you pay according to the distance. The further you're going the more you'll pay. If youre in a rush or just cant figure out the map, get the cheapest amount the ticket machine will allow for. Ride the train to your stop. When you go to exit it won't let you, your ticket wont have sufficient funds on it. There are fare adjustment machines before each exit. Put your ticket in and it will tell you how much more you need. On my recent trip, it denied me exit, because I had paid TOO MUCH! Imagine that?

You can get a paper ticket or you can get a Suica rechargeable card (Tokyo's equivalent to a metro card). I didn't get a suica card on my last visit, bc it was just a layover, but if you plan on staying for more than a couple of days it's worth it. A suica cost 500 Yen (about $5). With both the Suica and the card you have to tap/insert to get in and you have reinsert/tap out, so HOLD ON TO YOUR TICKETS.

Don't just jump on the train. In Japan, everyone waits in an orderly line to get on the train. Don't skip anyone. Everyone waits their turn and there's always space, dont you worry. It's very common to get pushed on or in the train during rush hour. Lateness is unacceptable in Japanese culture. Therefore everyone needs to get on their respective trains and if they have to push to make it they will. There are also professional crowd pushers designated to the busiest stations during rush hour. Don't get offended by it and DEFINITELY doing get angry. It's just the way things are done. The fun part is when you get to push them back. Have fun with it!

Trains in Japan are meant to be quiet. Most people don't talk AT ALL while on the train. They expect us foreigners to do as we do and make noise, but if you want to fit in, don't say a word. There's also no showtime, pan handling, eating, music playing, or anything crazy. They like their trains clean and quiet. Follow suit!

The red square indicates where you are and it legit shows you what the next stops are in ENGLISH and how many minutes between until you'll arrive at each stop. The train system is AMAZING!!! 

Each station as one of these as well. It tells you where you are and what the next and last stops are. Which we should totally do in NYC, but we don't. So you could totally be going in the wrong direction for several stops before you notice. 

Tips to ride the Tokyo Metro like a pro:

1.Maps and machines have an English options, don't freak out.

2.Get a Suica if you're going to be there longer than 3 days. You can purchase at the information booth at any station.

3. Purchase tickets for the amount you need to get to your stop. If you run out of your suica or got the wrong amount for your ticket you can readjust the price before you exit.

4.Hold on to your ticket, because you need it to exit the station.

5.Wait in line to get on the train.

6.Don't make noise on the train (no talking, eating, music playing, or show time).

7.Don't freak out or think Japanese people are rude if you're riding during rush hour and you get pushed.

8. Keep the trains and train station as clean as you found them.

9. The TRAIN IS NOT 24 HOURS! The last trains for each line are around midnight. If you see everyone running and it's in the direction of your train, run, bc you don't want to miss that train. If you do, life isn't over. You can spend the night at an internet cafe (also called a manga cafe. That's in Layover in Tokyo post. Check it out. 

If you found any of this info useful, please leave a comment below and share the link my blog post with your friends!

Live, Love, Travel!

LMJ

One of the most common questions I get asked is, "How can you afford to travel so much?" Well, the truth is I was born super wealthy and I have a trust in my name that allows me to take out as much money as I want every single day. LMAO. Ok, that cannot be further from the truth. I am NOT loaded and I don't have an endless supply of money. I started working for my dad when I was 12 years old.

On weekends he'd take me and my two brothers to distribute flyers in buildings on the Lower East Side.   We had to wake up SUPER early on Saturdays and spend hours distributing flyers, door by door, until we were done. The work wasn't exciting at all, but we made it a competition, which in turn made it fun. I remember the first time my dad paid us. We got real money for our work. The first thing I bought, I'm going to date myself with this one, was a Jansport back pack. It was royal blue and it had a tan suede bottom. I will never forget the feeling I got when I bought it with my own money. I felt like such a badass... such a BOSS.  Ive been working ever since. 

I don't make a ton of money, but I do pay attention where I spend every dollar. It sounds crazy to say a dollar, bc how much can someone really buy for a dollar? Well, here, not much, but $1 can get me a smoothie in Bali. Or a train ride in South Korea. People tend to dismiss dollars like they don't mean anything. A dollar here and a dollar there, definitely add up.

Here are 5 of my money saving tips:

1. Never ever get anything more than water when you eat out. Soft drinks and soda are ridiculously overpriced in restaurants. Trust me, I love lemonade just as much as the next person, but it's not worth it to me. Let's do some simple math. The average American goes out 4 to 5 times a week ( I may eat out more). Soft drinks are on average $2.50. $2.50 x 5 (days per week) = $12.50 per week = $50 per month, $600 per year. 
My recent trip to Asia started out with a round trip ticket to Asia for $424!!! Do you really want that coke now? Or that lemonade?

2. Never go into stores that have sales just because. I know this one sounds crazy, but 50% off of something you don't need is actually 100% more than you need to spend. I avoid stores with those largely advertised sale prices, bc I'm just like most Americans, when I think I'm getting a deal, I over buy. Getting something you need, that's on sale, is a win, but if you don't need it and you're buying it bc it's on sale... DON'T DO IT!!!

3. Don't split the bill evenly, bc you're afraid to speak up. I absolutely hate splitting the bill evenly when we didn't order evenly. If I ordered within my budget and got an appetizer and a small salad and someone at the table had 6 drinks and a steak, I will DEFINITELY not split the bill, the tax, or the tip evenly. Let people say what they want, but I stay within my means and I don't think it's fair to make me pay for some of your tab. Uh, no thank you. At first your friends may side eye you, but if you're honest and say I'm really on a tight budget and I can't afford to pay for anything more than what I ordered, they should understand. Which leads me to my next tip.

4. Say no to Birthday dinners and brunches. I avoid them a lot more now than I was able to in the past. Start sooner than I did and your pockets will thank you later. Huge group meals almost always carry price tags of $40 or more. An easy way to avoid them is to say you're busy during the dinner/brunch hour, but you can meet the group after. If you get there after they're done you can walk with them to the next place or simply wish the birthday person a happy birthday. Bring them a card or some flowers from Trader Joes! This is harder to avoid with families. I have a huge family and I'd never miss my siblings' birthdays. The only way I will attend a huge non family birthday/special event dinner is if it's a set menu or a milestone birthday. 

5. Never get the first round of drinks. LMAO. I don't drink that often, bc drinks are way too expensive and I'm not the biggest fan of alcohol, but if you're gonna drink and you're gonna go round for round... never go first. Someone in the group will more than likely never say, "I got this round," and others will get too drunk to remember their turn. If you're gonna drink, get to a happy hour. NYC has happy hour EVERY hour of the day. With proper planning you should never have to pay more than $6 for a drink.

My family and some friends, definitely make fun of me for what they call my cheap ways, but I'm just frugal when I need to be to keep my travels going and my money in check. 

Was this useful or nah? Comment below and let me know!

Live, Love, Travel, and Save!

LMJ

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​Honestly, I don't think I would have crashed my friend's Birthday trip, if he was just going to Thailand and Cambodia. I love Thailand, but I've been twice in the last 3 years and the thought of going back was not that enticing. What tipped the scale in favor of me going, was the last stop on the trip... VIET...F&^KING...NAM!  Vietnam has been on my MUST VISIT LIST for years. I just hadn't made the time to go. 

My desire to visit has roots in two place, 1) my love of Vietnamese food, and 2) all the rave reviews I've heard from my world travelling friends. 

In my mind, I wanted to see the little rice farmer villages and experience rural Vietnam. Of course I randomly selected Ho Chi Minh and, did ZERO research, and ended up in a HUGE city with millions of people and motorbikes!!! I was kinda sad at at first, bc that's not how I imagined experiencing Vietnam, but Ho Chi Minh City didn't not disappoint.

It is a big city, which allows for BIG adventure, lots of food options (and recommendations), and endless possibilities. My first impression was that it was an INTENSE city, bc I have never seen so many motorbikes in my life! That coupled with the fact that the city has very few traffic lights. Crossing the street the first time was TERRIFYING. Within a could of days we were pros. It looks a lot more intense than it actually is, bc once you get on one you realize they're not going as fast as it appears. 

The food was highly anticipated and recommended and it DID NOT DISAPPOINT. I ate it all and LOVED it! 

[What to Eat]

Bahn Mi (A Vietnamese sandwich). Best place to have a Bahn Mi (under $2) according to everyone we met was from a food cart. Bahn Mi 37 Nguyen Trai is well known and on google maps, so showing the address to your taxi or Uber driver will be easy.
Address: https://goo.gl/maps/ncXFkDi97uD2 

I grew up steps from Manhattan's Chinatown; therefore I have definitely had a bahn mi before. I can always taste the love someone puts into their food. This lady makes some incredible bahn mis. I can't believe she charges less than $2. Definitely worth visiting.

Pho is their traditional soup and we had it at lots of places. Everyone recommend we have it on the street on little stools, but we ran out of time to do that. We did have some delicious Pho near the Mekong Delta, but that's no where near Ho Chi Minh. My rule of thumb is to dine where there are lots of locals. Avoid empty restaurants and restaurants with lots of foreigners. I never trust those places.

Bahn Khot. Who knew such a joy existed in Vietnamese culture? These little rice flour and shrimp fried treats were amazing. They reminded me of my mom's bacalaitos... so supremely delicious. We made friends with a Vietnamese American on a tour and she recommended we try it. At the same restaurant, I tried this tastiness, we also tried ostrich, crocodile, and goat udder. Strange in name, but not in taste. It all tasted familiar even though it wasn't.

Lastly, I'd recommend trying some Vietnamese dessert. My favorite by far was their traditional Vietnamese shaved ice. I tried it after a 3 hour food tour. I was so full, but the moment I tried it, I couldn't stop eating it. It was so refreshing with so many varying textures and flavors; coconut milk and juice, ice, tapioca, red beans, coconut, oh my was it delectable. It reminded me of Filipino halo-halo, but it was slightly different, perhaps more coconuty. I had it 2 weeks ago and I'm still looking for it in NYC. I will find you amazing shaved ice... I WILL!!!

There's definitely a whole lot more to eat, but I never like giving 20 suggestions. Then you end up running all around the place trying to check things off a list. I say try a few staples and then explore on your own and make some of your own memories sampling and discovering new amazing food.

Live, Love, Eat, and Travel!

LMJ

The first time I visited Siem Ream, was 10 years ago. It was on a complete whim. I was back packing in Thailand and a girl at my hostel invited my bestfriend and me to go. We thought about it for 2 seconds and said, sure why not. We left the following morning and headed out over land. The journey to Cambodia, overland from Thailand, is long and bumpy. I wouldnt recommend it unless youre on a super tight budget. Which leads me to my first tip:

1. Fly to Siem Reap! Flights can be found for under $100; under a 45 minute flight from neighboring Thailand and Vietnam. You will need a visa, which you can get upon arrival. Or you can get an e-visa before you leave home. It was under $30.

2. Visiting the ancient temple of Angkor Wat, is a must. You'll take a tuk-tuk and every driver knows the drill. Tell them to take you to the Angkor Wat, they will ask you if you have a ticket, if you dont they will take you to get one ($37) and then to the temples. Bring water, sunblock, and a hat. It gets so hot and there's limited shade. Oh and dress conservatively. You can get some dope Instagram worthy shots! There are other temples to visit, and you should, just dont miss Angkor Wat.

3. Visit one of their night or day markets. US dollars are exceptes throughout the country. Your dollars will go a long way, but bargain, bc it is fun.

4. Pub Street. Yup, exactly as the name suggests is where you want to party it up. It's pretty western, but still dope. I love that some Cambodians party there too. Drinks are kinda weak, but cheap AF.

5. Get some "bud" crusted Happy Pizza. I dont partake in the herbal fun, but everyone raves about the pizza that makes everyone feel happy.

Live, Love, Travel!

​LMJ

​

Over the years, Ive provided tips to hundreds of people going all over the world. Many people over the years have asked specifically about Thailand. I've been to Thailand 4 times and I've travelled throughout the country. One of the most common questions I get is, "Should I go to Phuket?" It's crazy how many people have desires to go to Phuket. Personally, Phuket is my least favorite destination in Thailand. It's SUPER touristy, super busy, loaded with bars and ping pong shows and the beaches aren't that great.  It's possible to access some beautiful beaches, but getting to them requires renting a motorbike and heading up some  it's not the calm that is Railay. If you're in your 20s or 30s and love to party with foreigners... Phuket may be for you.
     When I go to Thailand, I want a little bit of Bangkok and a whole lot of beach time on not so crowded beaches, with some bomb ass back drops. For me the perfect chill getaway in Thailand, is always Railay. Railay is a 45 minute flight from Bangkok. One way tickets can be purchased for under $100. You have to fly into Krabi (KBV). When you make reservations with one of the hotels on Railay, you should definitely set up transportation, as the only way to get to Railay is by long boat.
        To get to Railay from the airport you have to take a cab to the dock, a long boat from the dock to the peninsula, and when it's low tide you have to take a tractor too. Sounds like a lot, but it's all worth it when you see the stunning limestone cliffs all over Railay. The beaches are EVERYTHING too.

       Railay is perfect for families, couples, friends, and much more. There are bars and restaurants all over and the scenic views are INCREDIBLE. I've been to Railay twice and I really can't wait to go back. It's also the perfect location to catch tours to neighboring islands. We paid $28 to go on a 3 island tour that included snorkeling and lunch. 

       I always stay at the Railay Princess Resort and Spa. It's a chill spot with nice rooms, good service, and great FREE breakfast spread - where there's something for everyone. Would I recommend staying there? Absolutely. We didn't book the island tour at the hotel, because we found it cheaper steps from the hotel at a tour office.  Check out pics from the Resort and the island tour.

I'm not knocking Phuket at all, but I do want to encourage people to see other parts of Thailand. I myself have yet to visit, Chang Mai, but I will next time around.

Tips for Railay, Thailand:

Purchase a flight that gets you to Railay in the day time. There's nothing like taking a long tail boat through that beautiful water and being able to see and enjoy it all.

Book your transportation with which ever hotel you choose to stay at. Our hotel charged us per car and not per person and was only 1500 Baht.

When you're leaving Railay, aim to take a flight that isn't super early in the morning. I've done the early morning commute TWICE, it's doable, but it's PITCH BLACK out there and you have to leave at like 3am. Not fun. Just aim to get a flight that leaves Railay around 12 noon and not sooner.

Definitely do the 4 island tour and go snorkeling, both times I've gone some people don't get out the boat. You're in Thailand... experience the water!

Walk around and admire the monkeys and limestone!

And definitely shop around for your tours. The prices fluctuate a lot. If you want to spend more time on the islands and less time on the boat, I'd recommend the faster boat.

Live, Love, Travel,

LMJ