Rangoon: Burmese Garlic Noodles

Located in Chelsea, Rangoon has a comfortable, inviting interior and sensational menu full of classic Burmese dishes, including crispy squash tempura, served alongside a garlicky tamarind sauce, and Burmese egg curry, where boiled eggs come swimming in a chunky tomato sauce. The real highlight on the menu, however, is the garlic noodles, called kyarsen si chet in Burmese. Made with light and fresh thin rice noodles, the dish is bursting with the flavor of garlic in every strand. Shards of stir-fried cabbage, a handful of chopped green onions, and a sprinkling of fried shallots bring color and texture to the dish, serving as just the right contrast to the silky noodles. Garlic lovers, this dish is calling your name.

Le Bernardin: French Truffle Pasta

The truffle pasta at Eric Ripert’s French Le Bernardin is nothing short of extraordinary. The house-made tagliatelle is infused with Perigord black truffle, cooked to perfection, and then swirled in the most sinfully creamy black truffle butter sauce. The noodles will literally melt in your mouth. Savor every single bite.

Soda Club: Italian Bucatini

Soda Club offers up a host of delicious pasta (insider tip: you can sample all of them if you do their six-course pasta tasting, which is $75 AND includes a bottle of wine!), but the most comforting of them all is their bucatini. The hollow noodles are smothered in a bold arrabbiata sauce and then topped with crispy breadcrumbs and shards of vegan parmesan cheese. It’s a classic comfort dish that never gets old.

Hao Noodle: Chinese Dan Dan Noodles

The sunlit, plant-filled dining room at Hao Noodle is the perfect spot for enjoying a bowl of dan dan noodles. The thin noodles are tossed in a gorgeous, heady sauce comprised of peanuts, sesame, chili oil, and scallions. Each bite is full of the nutty flavor of peanut and sesame, the spicy warmth of chili oil, and the chewy goodness of the noodles.

Suram: Japanese Impossible Tan Tan Ramen

There is nothing not to love about ramen, and the impossible ramen at Suram is particularly divine. The chewy, springy ramen noodles are soaked in a smooth miso broth and crowned with spicy impossible meat, meaty mushrooms, and crunchy bamboo shoots and scallions. It is so warm and flavorful that you will keep eating well beyond being full!

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Flying KLM Business Class:  I was fortunate enough to fly KLM business class from Washington-Dulles to Amsterdam Schiphol.  It all starts with the lounge before departure:  KLM and Air France share a lounge at Dulles.  I am used to the cramped space at the United Lounge at the same airport and must say this lounge was a breath of fresh air… literally.  The space was bright and neat with a wide selection of warm and cold snacks, a full premium bar (that at 6 1/2 months pregnant I couldn’t enjoy… boo), and most importantly it was not as crowded as the other domestic airline lounges at Dulles.

On board: The seating area is comfortable and the staff pays individual attention to each passenger in the business class cabin.  The food selection has its ups and downs:  the starter of the pumpkin soup and cheese for dessert were delicious but I wasn’t a big fan of the salmon main course. I enjoyed a nice breakfast service of quiche, fresh fruit, and pastries right before we landed, which was perfect. During this flight I did not have any alcoholic beverages but noticed that it was abundantly offered.  One of the bonuses of flying KLM business class are the unique amenities: a beautiful clutch by Dutch designer Jan Taminiau and their iconic Delft blue ceramic traditional houses filled with Dutch jenever.  The best detail came at the end of the trip when the staff noticed I was pregnant and gifted me a cute KLM bib wishing me the best for my pregnancy.

Flying KLM Economy:  So we’re not always lucky to get upgrades… on my way back home from Europe I flew KLM Economy from Amsterdam Schiphol to  Washington-Dulles.  Given that at that point I was over 7 months pregnant, I decided to purchase an upgrade to their “economy comfort”.  I am grateful I upgraded the night before for $67 as they were offering it in-flight for 110 Euros (around $123).  The service again was great, the food was good for economy, and the economy comfort was as comfortable as any other airline premium economy section.  The one thing I wish both transcontinental flights offered was Wi-Fi.  I get a lot of work done when I am up in the air.  I inquired about Wi-Fi in future KLM flights and was told that is a feature they are looking to include possibly next year.  Again, what makes flying KLM special is the service.  The crew on both these flights was friendly, kind, and patient.

Flying KLM Intra European:  During our European sejour, we flew KLM from Amsterdam to Palermo, Sicily.  This flight was a two segment flight:  Amsterdam -Rome via KLM and Rome – Palermo, operated by Alitalia but part of the overall KLM ticket. I also purchased an economy comfort seat on the Amsterdam – Rome flight for $14 which was great as the flight was full, unfortunately, I didn’t have the option to do the same on Alitalia on the KLM website.  The check-in process could have been more streamlined:  I had to check in luggage, so the flight agents at Amsterdam made me go to a different counter to pay for my luggage (15 EUR) and then return to another counter to drop off my bag.  However, I learned that purchasing your ticket via the KLM website gives you a discount when checking in a bag.

Thankfully, check-in was the only snafu.  I think flying KLM and Alitalia back to back really enhances why KLM is so much better:  the aircraft are aesthetically better taken care of,  KLM offers a complimentary sandwich and drinks to all of its passengers on short haul flights, a treat in regular fare airlines these days, and the overall service is much better. A two leg trip with two completely different airlines makes a point of comparison quite easy!

What Makes Flying KLM Special:  One of the things that makes flying KLM so unique is how well the brand etches Dutch culture into every part of the flight experience.  From the Delft blue miniature ceramic houses given to Business Class passengers, to the story behind the locally sourced Dutch cheese written on the sandwich wrapper in Economy, there’s a touch of Dutch pride everywhere you turn.  You don’t see that much these days when it comes to airlines. No wonder KLM is the oldest airline still in operation…

The Verdict:  I had a great flight experience in all of their service levels during my multiple trips. I am hoping that my next transcontinental flight will offer Wi-Fi and the connectivity with KLM partners on their website runs a bit more smoothly for future travels.  My biggest takeaway from these flight experiences was the great service I received at all levels of the trip: check-in, lounge, and on board.  Definitely Dutch hospitality at its best!

Disclaimer:  My Flying KLM experience from IAD-AMS round trip was sponsored by Visit Holland. My Palermo trip and economy comfort upgrade from AMS-IAD was at my own expense.  As always, opinions are my own… 

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Dining Traveler Tips: What to Pack for an Island Road Trip

PACK Gear:  Given the nature of our trip, I dusted off my huge backpack that I haven’t used since I don’t remember when.  I got a PACK Gear Organizing System which worked perfectly with my backpack. Also found that even large backpacks are a bit easier to load in a car than suitcases. Instead of digging into the bottom of my pack, it allows me to place everything into the pockets of the organizer.  All you have to do is pull out the organizer out of the backpack and hang it in the closet to grab your clothing items. What surprised me the most was that I was able to fit four weeks’ worth of clothing in the PACK Gear Organizing System.  If you want to give your backpack a second chance like I did, head to PACK Gear website and use the code Dining15 for a 15% discount on your order.  I’m taking mine to Okinawa next for my six week trip. Looking for a fashionable backpack? Check out this comprehensive leather backpack guide.

Snacks:  Sometimes we get so wrapped up on what to pack on an island road trip that we forget some of the most important things: snacks!!! As much as I love my frituras (fried Puerto Rican roadside food), I tried my best to be mindful about what we were munching on while we were on the road.  We stopped at a lot of fruit stands and stocked up on local bananas, papayas, and fresh coconut water. Dining Traveler Tip: pack zip lock bags to keep your fruits fresh after cutting (many roadside stands will cut the fruit for you).

Another option for healthy snacks are protein bars.  I recently tried Promax protein bars (The Original Promax Lemon Bar) and I must say – they were pretty yummy.  While other protein bars have a chalky aftertaste, these bars have a nice lemony flavor and fill you up until the next stop. None of Promax’s products have any artificial sweeteners, preservatives, high fructose corn syrup, maltitol, or gelatin, and they’re all gluten-free, kosher, and vegetarian. Given that you can check all of these boxes when it comes to Promax bars, they work well when you’re on a road trip with people who have different dietary needs.  When the desire to bite into a meaty empanada started to take over, these bars came to the rescue!

Phone Chargers:  As we all know, an active GPS sucks the life out of your cell phone.  I’ve had the worst luck with car chargers but my dual USB port charger from Insignia at Best Buy has worked out great. At first I was taken by the $24.99 price tag for something so small, but so far, it has worked out great (I’ve had it for almost a year).  I also like the fact that it has a dual USB since I am Android and my road companion had an iPhone.  Another item I found handy was the power bank that Italo brought. He can charge his phone up to 6 times!  He picked his up at a market in Hong Kong but I found a similar one on Amazon for $23.99.

Toiletries on the Go:  What to pack on an island road trip when one has to stay in 12 different places?  When Squeeze Pod sent me a sampler of their goodies, I was intrigued. I decided to pack them along to give them a try.  Given that our lodging consisted of staying with friends and AirBnB, it was great to have consistent toiletries on the road.  My favorite items are the moisturizing lotion (love the lemony smell) and the natural toilet odor eliminator.  My only wish is that the lotion pods were slightly bigger since I had to use two for my body.

Hello, Mosquito:  Upon arriving to Puerto Rico, we were delivered the news of the Zika virus. The thought that our big production can take a halt due to illness made us run to the drug store immediately and buy insect repellent. When figuring out what to pack for an island road trip, I highly recommend making insect repellent a main item on your list.  We were old school and went with regular OFF!, it worked pretty well for us.  However, I am curious about organic mosquito repellents. Does anyone have a suggestion?

Anti-bacterial gel:  I couldn’t help but to pet a wild horse that approached our car in Vieques.  I may have petted a few stray dogs as well… I highly recommend packing a small anti-bacterial gel to keep in your car.  Being on tropical island with lots of flora and fauna, it’s best to keep this handy.

Toilet Paper:  Nature may call when you are on the road and the last thing you need is a bathroom with no TP. I learned this from my Marine days in the field, one just never knows…. One of the first things I did was buy a roll and keep it in the car.  It came handy for a few coffee spills in the car….

Compact Beach Towel:  This is the last thing I would have thought of when thinking on what to pack for an island road trip.  I learned about this gem from my road partner. He had this super compact microfiber towel he carried on his backpack.  He said he had it for years and couldn’t remember where he got it from.  I did a little investigation on Amazon in order to get one and discovered turkish bath towels. They are just as compact as the microfiber but with beautiful colors and prints. Sold.

Reusable Water Bottle:  It’s amazing on how much money you can save by having a reusable water bottle. Not only are you saving money but helping the environment.  In Puerto Rico, tap water is suitable for drinking so we filled up before hitting the road and most casual restaurants allowed us to fill up when getting back on the road.  If you want to take an extra step of precaution, check out filtered water bottles like Bobble.  I forgot to bring mine to Puerto Rico but it works pretty well, also, I don’t see any change in the flavor of the water.

Dining Traveler Tips:  When considering what to pack for an island road trip, check out what’s the shopping situation at your destination.  For example, Puerto Rico being part of the US, access to products such as OFF! and anti-bacterial gels are quite easy, we didn’t have to deal with packing those items before arrival.  This comes in handy if traveling with a carry-on or limited space.

Do you love tropical road trips? What are you tips on what to pack for an island road trip?

Disclaimer: some of these items featured on “What to Pack for an Island Road Trip” were gifted to me (Promax, Squeeze Pod, and PACK Gear) by the brands, but as always, opinions are my own.  Dining Traveler makes a good guinea pig for products you may be interested in trying out! 

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Travel Fashion:  MALIBU’S MOST WANTED

THE MINDSET & LIFESTYLE OF A GLOBETROTTING STILETTO

You’re a stylish jet-setter who’s committed to travel. You go because you have to. You need to see, feel, taste, touch, immerse yourself in culture, scour the globe for inspiration, treasures that exist outside the confines of your everyday life. You’re not afraid to splurge, but prefer to save. When you do splurge it’s on experiences, seldom ‘things,’ experiences matter more. You get down and dirty and enjoy adventure but you also fancy the cosmopolitan lifestyle—martinis, boating, and the finest dining. You have a wish-list of all the places you want to see, things you want to do. You value time and live in the moment because you know tomorrow is not promised… You my friend, are a Globetrotting Stiletto.

Take a step out of the Hollywood lifestyle and experience the tranquility of Malibu. The name “Malibu” originally came from the Native American word “Humaliwo” meaning “the surf sounds loudly.”  And on this Southern California beach town, the surf undoubtedly roars. Pull your significant other away from his guys for a romantic weekend complete with candle-lit dinners, long strolls on the beach, sipping Malibu’s infamous fishbowl drinks, and dancing at their laid-back nightclubs (if you’re not too inebriated to get down). We know, it’s tough to see past the Baywatch image of the place, but trust us, the town’s free-spirited approach to life is something you want in on.

Dress: Oversized Denim T-Shirt DRESS | Shoes: Y.R.U. Daydream Studded Platform Heeled Multicolor SANDALS | Bag:Watercolor PURSE | Necklace: Utopia Statement NECKLACE | Sunglasses: Wildfox Couture Lolita Deluxe SUNGLASSES |Nail Polish: Lauren B. Beauty #ImJuicing NAIL POLISH | Lipstick: NARS Audacious Fanny LIPSTICK | Fly to MALIBU

For more travel fashion tips, head over to Globetrotting Stiletto!

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One:  Define your trip objective.  Is it your first time in New York City?  Is it your hundredth?  What do you see yourself doing the most?  Do you want to shop?  Do you want to eat? Do you want see a show?  As in any big city, New York City neighborhoods are clearly defined.  To save time, I recommend making reservations ahead of time at a hot restaurant or research which shows you want to see once in the city.  Dining Traveler Tip: Contact the hotel concierge in advance for restaurant or theater bookings.

Two:  Where to stay.  By defining your objective, it will be easier to figure out where to stay.  If you are headed to NYC for the first time, you will want to take in Times Square, Broadway, and of course shopping.  If you are traveling for a short period of time, it’s better to be in the middle of everything.  A great pick is The London NYC Hotel: an all-suite hotel, perfect for travel with a family or a small group of friends.

Three:  What to pack.  With baggage fees on the rise, you want to be more conscientious on what you pack.  There is plenty of walking in NYC.  If your agenda is hard-core sightseeing, I recommend comfy shoes such as stylish flats (my pick: Tod’s) or sneakers (but not running sneakers! Can you say “tourist?”).  Look at the weather. NYC can be extremely hot in the summer.  Pack loose, comfortable pieces.

Four:  What to eat.  Eating in NYC is an experience of its own!  Step away from chain restaurants.  More than likely you can find the Olive Garden at home. Head to Chinatown for dim sum, noodles, and delicious pork buns. Are you a carnivore?  Try a Korean BBQ in Koreatown.  Take a trip around the world with affordable eats at The Gansevoort Market.  With Colombian arepas to Thai Food stalls, there are plenty of indulgent choices.  My favorite part of NYC for great eats is Downtown. I enjoyed staying at Dream Downtown last fall with a plethora of choices surrounding the hotel, from Chelsea Market to the beautiful The Park NYC restaurant.

Five:  See the boroughs!  Many visitors see NYC as just Manhattan, however, there is plenty to see in the other four boroughs.  Catch a Yankees game in the Bronx or a Mets game in Queens.  If you can catch a “subway series” (Mets vs. Yankees!), it’s an added bonus. You will see New Yorkers in their full element.  Go for a stroll along the Brooklyn Heights Promenade for impressive views of Manhattan. Want to stay off the beaten path? Book a stay at The Ravel Hotel in Long Island City.  I stayed there seven years ago and still dream of the epic view of the New York City skyline from its rooftop!

Although I am a frequent traveler to New York City, I still have a long list of places to discover and places to eat.  On my list:  One World Trade Center, The Plaza Hotel Food Hall, and a Brooklyn Nets game.  Are you planning a trip to New York City? What are you looking forward to see or do or eat the most?

I enjoyed sharing my favorite New York City tips as part of the #HipmunkCityLove Project.

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I moved to Japan 2 years ago and vowed to see it all…and experience the vast culture within the land of zen, beauty, and tradition. With the help of low-cost carriers, it is possible to travel the nearly 2,000 miles from snowy Hokkaido in the north to beautiful sub-tropical Okinawa in the south relatively inexpensively. LCCs in Japan are safe, reliable, and operate fleets of new aircraft.

Guide to Japanese Low Cost Airlines

Jetstar Japan

Jetstar Japan flies to over 11 destinations within Japan using a fleet of 18 A-320s. I have traveled from Okinawa to Tokyo (Narita) as well as Osaka (KIX) on this airline.  Both flights were pleasant and comfortable with leather seats. Many snacks, including shrimp chips and curry buns (almost like a panko donut filled with curry – amazing!), are offered for sale on board, as well as soft drinks, cocktails, Jetstar keychains, and a plush Jetta Red Panda, the mascot.

Service is offered to several smaller airports in Kyushu, such as Oita, Kagoshima, and Kumamoto. Because they are owned by Qantas and Japan Airlines, they also offer international flights partnered with JetStar Group’s subsidiaries to Australia, New Zealand, Vietnam, Singapore, and Hong Kong (most of these international flights will require a stop in Tokyo).

Skymark

Skymark operates an all Boeing 737-800 fleet out of Haneda which is Tokyo’s city airport (Narita is 85 km away; Haneda only 25 km). Of the Japanese LCCs, Skymark has one of the largest fleets at 27 airplanes and has the largest route network.

They are the dominant carrier into Kobe (the world’s best beef!) and fly into other smaller airports including Kagoshima, Nagasaki, and Sendai. Sometimes it’s fun to just pick a cheap flight to a destination you didn’t even know you wanted to go! If you find a good price and have a sense of adventure, why not? The odds are that you’ll experience something fabulous.

A cool feature of booking flights with Skymark is that you can pay in cash or with credit at local konbini (convenience stores) such as Family Mart, 7-Eleven, and Lawson.

Vanilla Air

Vanilla Air is another great travel option. Owned by ANA, flights normally range from JPY 4990 (~$42 USD) to JPY 10,000 (~$83 USD) one way, depending on season and destination. They fly a small fleet of 8 A-320s to major destinations such as Tokyo and Sapporo but also internationally to Hong Kong, Taipei, and even Kaohsiung in southern Taiwan.

On-board they offer a variety of snacks and drinks. One tasty option is the Okinawan specialty, Goya Chanpuru – stir-fry consisting of vegetables with rice and goya (bitter melon). Oishii!

Solaseed

Solaseed flies in and out of Haneda mostly to the Kyushu region at the southern tip of mainland. For tourists classified as “temporary visitors” and non-Japanese passport holder, Solaseed offers a “VISIT JAPAN” fare for JPY 10,500 (~$88 USD) per flight for all routes. Fares and flights are available on a stand-by basis only. While not as convenient, it’s great for anyone who has the time to go wherever, whenever. More details about this fare can be found on Solaseed’s website.

Peach

Based out of Osaka with hubs in Okinawa and Tokyo as well, Peach is my favorite Japanese Low Cost Airline. They have a great schedule and offer 15 destinations on an all A-320 fleet throughout mainland Japan and internationally to South Korea, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Peach offers discount train tickets available for purchase in-flight for Osaka and Tokyo sightseeing.

My family (husband and 2 girls) has gone to Osaka, Ishigaki (service no longer offered), Fukuoka, and Taipei with Peach. All airfare costs per round-trip have been under $400 total for the four of us. They’re practically giving the tickets away. Peach’s pink, purple, and white color scheme is fun. They have also been known to be super generous and hand out stickers when certain children get rowdy!

Their on-board services are unique too, incorporating seasonal items. For summer, try the Sparkling Peach Rose or cool off with Peach Ice Milk. Cosmetics, fragrances, and Peach-themed accessories round out their offerings.

Most often, LCCs are subsidiaries of major airlines and are therefore able to provide air travel at a discounted price. LCCs may travel out of remote gates which require you to walk outside or take a shuttle to your flight. Also, you’ll likely end up paying for any extras such as checked luggage, snacks, and beverages. Pack light or prepay for luggage as it is much cheaper. Maybe shove a snack and drink in your carry-on before you board from any one of many konbini in the airport. Low fares make up for the lack of “extras” and leg room (if you’re over 6 feet tall like my husband) but absolutely do not compromise safety standards in getting you to your destination.

Whether you want to surf, snorkel, and relax on wild beaches in Okinawa; ski and hike in Sapporo; visit temples and experience old Japan in Kyoto; or hit up nightlife, high-end shopping, and the world’s best restaurants in Tokyo, LCCs have got you covered. Have you tried a Japanese Low Cost Airline? Which one? Tell us about your experience!

*(All Japanese LCCs fly in/out of Okinawa where I am based.)
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Day 1: I arrived late morning, checked into the Mandarin Oriental Taipei and had a long lunch at their Ya Ge restaurant.  As I lunched with the PR Manager, Luanne, I asked her for tips on what to see and where to eat. So many places to experience and savor during 72 hours in Taipei. These were my highlights:

Ever since I was a kid, I have always been fascinated with electronics. When I read there was a market exclusively dedicated to this, I made it my first stop.  When I entered the Guang Hua Digital Plaza, my inner six year old beamed with joy.  It was a Best Buy on steroids.  As you enter it is digital sensory overload with small shops lined with computers, cameras, mobile phones, and everything in-between.  This is a 5-story indoor market with every electronic piece and accessory imaginable.   I did not find the prices much cheaper than the US (expect 5-10% less for most items) however, what struck me was the variety.  I was not in the lookout for electronics, but I was taken with the selection of accessories.  Mobile phone cases, selfie sticks, camera cases/straps were made in creative designs from super kitsch to modern.  I walked away with a cute leather and fabric camera strap for $12.

All this shopping sparked my appetite so I headed to one of the most popular night markets, Raohe Night Market.  Entering the market was a sensory explosion too.  The scent of the stinky Tofu, the masses of people eating and shopping, music, vendors using their microphones hosting demonstrations, bright fruits lined up to be made smoothies, cooked chicken feet, and crab which had recently met its fate at the market.  I ended up going for the crab smothered in chili sauce and a papaya smoothie for desert. I ended my excursion with an hour foot massage for $10. By that time it was almost 1am!

Day 2:  Had a lazy morning with a champagne brunch at the hotel (tip: take a few minutes to do a cost analysis of paying for a club level room, you may break even with perks such as inclusive breakfast, afternoon tea, and evening cocktails). By noon, I was ready to explore.  At the recommendation of a few friends, I headed to Aquatic Addiction, an upscale fish food hall.  I walked there from the hotel through the residential neighborhoods and caught a glimpse of life in Taipei.  What I really appreciate about the city is how cosmopolitan it is without losing its culture.  When I arrived at Aquatic Addition it was very busy with mostly locals indulging in their Saturday lunch.  Picture a fish market, Whole Foods, William Sonoma, and a wine bar all rolled into one.  Most food stands were overly crowded, however, I was able to get a seat at a wine bar and enjoy some bites with a few glasses of wine.

I walked back to the hotel and indulged in another glass of champagne and planned my evening.  Although a tourist-heavy attraction, I really wanted to go to Taipei 101.  Now the 6^th largest building in the world, it is a must-see while in the city.  When I arrived around 8pm, I got my ticket (around $12USD) and waited around 30 minutes in line to catch the elevator to the top floor.  It was worth it!  The views are spectacular with the bright lights of the city.  I had one of the specialties at the top: a mango sorbet beer float.  The sweetness of the mango with the sour beer was a pleasant surprise.  Will definitely try this on a hot DC night.

After the Taipei 101 experience, I went for a walk at its adjoining mall, populated with luxury shops such as Dior, Ferragamo, and Louis Vuitton to cater to the 1% of Taiwan.  I entered few of the shops but the items were at an extreme markup. Tip: for European luxury goods, best bet is to buy a ticket to EU and use the VAT exchange, you get a trip, the goods, and the experience at almost the same price!  After the sticker shock, I went for a walk in the shopping area of vicinity. There are plenty of shops, restaurants, cafes, and bars to choose from.

Day 3:  Champagne breakfast… again! This time I changed it up with breakfast at the lounge with green tea pancakes and a crab egg white omelet.  Then I took a metro/bus journey to the National Palace Museum.  The metro and bus were impeccable in terms of time, price, and service.  There are plenty of people around who speak English available to help.  The National Palace Museum is another must-see.  Make sure to block at least five hours to experience it.  What makes this museum interesting is that it’s the largest collection of ancient Chinese art in the world.  During the cultural revolution of China, many ancient artifacts were destroyed.  Thankfully, many items made its way to Taiwan and are now showcased in the museum.  You can see a wide spectrum of art from calligraphy to sculptures, some as 1000 years old.

After experiencing the main museum, I discovered a hidden café which catered more to the employees of the adjoining government buildings.  There, I had a delicious beef noodle soup, (here’s a recipe if you’re interested in replicating at home) and took a little break before trying to get the most out of my last 24 hours in Taipei.  I spent a little too long taking photos in the beautiful garden, so I was running late to my tea reservation at the W Hotel Taipei (hotel high teas are quite popular throughout Asia).  Taxis are also very cheap and convenient to take in Taipei, 50% of my transportation that weekend was done via taxi.

At the W Hotel it was a lively festive mood on a Sunday afternoon.  I headed to their YEN Bar for afternoon tea and the first thing I noticed was the epic view of Taipei 101.  Although I did not have hot tea I did indulge in delicious tea-based cocktails (full review coming soon) such as jasmine tea mojito and a merge of western and Asian snacks placed on a tower resembling the iconic building which it faces.

Last activity of the trip:  the Shilin Night Market.  The Raohe night market was definitely more of a food market as Shilin felt more like a shopping experience.  Tons of clothing stores with electronics in the mix.  However, don’t worry, there’s still food!  The scent of the stinky tofu hijacks all the other food offerings at the market, however, there’s plenty to choose from.

The verdict: could I have done more with my 72 hours in Taipei? Yes, however, after an intense trip, I wanted to relax a little while taking in new a culture and cuisine. I did just that during the trip.  Most importantly, the trip planted a seed to return not only to the city but to discover the beaches and the mountains this beautiful island has to offer. Hopefully next time, I will spend more than 72 hours in Taipei.  Have you been? What should I add on my list for the next time?

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Globetrotting Stiletto on Travel Blogger Fashion

Before I dish on the happenings at the third annual NY TRAV FEST, I must recognize my Globetrotting Stilettos who came out to support GTS at our very first public event. Whether we’re invested social media homies or have a personal relationship, we appreciate you. Yes, YOU! Globetrotting Stiletto, the brand, is less about me and more about the community of stylish jet-setters we serve—fresh folk who are committed to travel. The ones who go because they have to. They need to see, feel, taste, touch, immerse themselves in culture, scour the globe for inspiration, treasures that exist outside the confines of their everyday lives. They’re not afraid to splurge but prefer to save. When they do splurge, it’s on experiences, seldom ‘things,’ experiences matter more. Now that that’s off my heart, here’s what went down..

My girlfriend observed that I tend to gravitate towards the color orange for travel events. Acute observation. In no way was this intentional. The rich hue looks great on my complexion, I have a closet full of bright orange attire. I wore a perforated sunkist Vince dress to the NYT TRAVEL SHOW and rocked ZARA’S sleeveless linen waistcoat to the 2015 Travel Fest. I paired the tangerine shell with a white tank, ARMANI boyfriend jeans, a STATEMENT NECKLACE and nude SO KATE pumps. I am my brand. There was no way I was showing up to speak before travel industry professionals on a branding panel without stilettos. No way. I survived in my 5-inch Christian Louboutins far longer that I thought I would, strutting throughout the exhibition space networking with other attendees, standing before the GTS x Sydne’s Sweets table handing out cupcakes during our tasting, my dogs supported my stiletto commitment. The Kate Spade Taxi flats that I live in were on deck but I didn’t change into those until the panel and tasting wrapped. I am my brand. You are your brand. Always remember that. Appropriate travel business attire is imperative when participating in these types of events, come correct when representing yourself, people tend to take you more seriously.

“Come correct when representing yourself, people tend to take you more seriously.”  I could not say it better!  My look is more button downs paired with patterns for meetings and I live in DVF wrap dresses for events. One of things I’ve learned is that your brand has to meet your niche, especially when you’re meeting with potential clients. What are your travel blogger fashion tips?  What is the look of your brand?

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Globetrotting In Style: Havana, Cuba 

Big up to Solange for  giving us the go ahead to unabashedly print clash. For my take on the popular summer trend, I styled a high-waist leaf-print pencil skirt with a complimentary croptop. As I was putting this ‘fit together, I felt a festive vibe so I pulled for my Panama hat, metallic Pierre Hardy sandals, and MAC’s fluorescent Morange lipstick. I have a slew of meetings around the City today and this look is sure to leave a lasting impression. I know I won’t survive in these heels for long so I’m walking with my highlighter yellow Matiko t-strap sandals (last seen HERE).

I accent my Havana-inspired look with a Panama hat, metallic Pierre Hardy sandals, a vintage chain purse, beaded bangles, gold hoops and MAC’s fluorescent Morange lipstick. 

TOPSHOP Printed Crop Top With Exposed BACK ZIP  TOPSHOP Bright Leaf Print PENCIL SKIRT   PIERRE HARDY METALLIC SANDALS (last seen HERE)   VINTAGE  Gold and Silver Leather Patchwork Tassel Chain Purse (last seen HERE)    PANAMA HAT Genuine Hand Woven STRAW HAT (last seen HERE)   MIXED Beaded Gold Bracelets   BY BOE Gold Plate Wave RING (last seenHERE)   BY BOE  Gold Plate Square HOOP EARRINGS (last seen HERE)   M.A.C. COSMETICS Lipstick in MORANGE

In honor of traveling to Havana (legally) finally being a possibility, I figured I give you some style incentive to book a ticket and go! Happy Travels!

For more fashion inspiration, follow Globetrotting Stiletto on Instagram!

Photos by BERNARD SMALLS exclusively for Globetrotting Stiletto Inc.

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Five Active Things to Do in Tulum:

Tulum Ruins: There are many Mayan Ruins along the Yucatan peninsula. Given that the Mayans are a big part of the cultural history of the Americas, we wanted to do cultural exploration.  Tulum was one of the last cities inhabited by the Mayans and you can get a snapshot of the settlement by touring the ruins. We got there at 8 in the morning (it can get very crowded there) and paid 38 Pesos each (little less than $3). You also have the option to pay for a guide but we took the time to tour the ruins on our own. Tip: make sure to bring lots of mosquito repellent!  The views from from the ruins are just spectacular and you can also bring your bathing suit to swim on the beach. We heard it can be quite busy in the afternoon, so we’re glad we went early.

Cenote Dos Ojos: This place was on our agenda before the trip thanks to the recommendation of friend and fellow blogger Mariella from Splendor Styling. We’re thankful again for renting a car for our trip because we were able to see plenty without paying extra for tour guides or taxis. We also brought our own snorkeling equipment so we only had to pay the $150 pesos (11 USD) for the entrance. We got to explore on our own Cenote Dos Ojos and the beauty of this unique natural phenomenon. Although there were not that many fish to see while snorkeling, it was great to delve into the underwater cave system and swim in fresh water. Tip: don’t forget to bring your underwater camera. We have a basic Fuji underwater camera but this trip made me put a GoPro on my Christmas list!

Akumal: At the recommendation of the staff at Hotel Amoreira, we took a 25-minute drive to Akumal beach where you can go snorkeling and see large sea turtles.  We first had lunch at the Turtle Bay Cafe, which was a really quaint and delicious place to have fish tacos and a beer. Then we headed to the beach where we went looking for turtles. Akumal beach is quite shallow so we had to swim out quite a bit to discover these lovely creatures. Got to see quite a few when we were snorkeling along with several schools of fish and even a stingray. We loved the quaint family vibe of Akumal. It was a fun afternoon and just a short ride from Tulum.

Kayaking: The hotel provided kayaks and we decided to go paddling along the coast of Tulum. It was fun to see the beach from that vantage point. During our four day stay, the ocean had periods of calmness and others of fury. We took advantage of a calm day to do this. We loved how crystal clear the water was and the lovely Mayan style hotels along the coast. It’s a great way to get your workout in while on holiday!

Bike: Another great active thing to do in Tulum is to bike around the town (great way to work off all the tacos and margaritas!).  If you stay in Carretera Tulum (main hotel road) during your whole stay, you are looking to overspend on food and shopping. Although there are some lovely places along the road, some disguise themselves as “boho-chic” but there’s nothing bohemian about the price tag! A great way to discover the town is by bike. There are some great restaurants in downtown Tulum that are much cheaper than on the hotel road. We had a great pizza at Sale e Pepe and taking a bike ride is the best way to to work those calories off! Our hotel had bikes but there are several shops in Carretera Tulum that rent bikes as well.

Verdict:  Our experience in Tulum was everything we expected and more. I love nature and having the opportunity to be so close to the earth was not only spectacular but very grounding as well after the intense days in Cancun. The main tips I recommend to make you trip to Tulum an amazing one is to: a. rent a car (very cheap from Cancun, avg $75 a week) b. explore beyond your hotel, Tulum is a really safe area c. talk to the locals and ask for restaurant recommendations. Have you been to Tulum? What is one of your favorite active things to do in Tulum?

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