China, Fujian, Xiamen

Just 15 Minutes by Ferry from Xiamen! A Day Trip to Stylish Gulangyu Island – Part 1: The Perfect Quick Getaway

Hello everyone. In my previous article, I shared the struggles foreign travelers face when purchasing tickets in China. I briefly mentioned an episode on Gulangyu Island, but this is actually a very charming spot that’s absolutely essential when visiting Xiamen. So today, I’d like to introduce you to how to get to Gulangyu Island (鼓浪嶼) […]

OTA & Cheap Flights

Booking.com “Important Notice: Termination of Partnership” Email Explained – What Travel Bloggers Need to Know

If you’re a travel blogger or content creator who works with Booking.com, you might have recently received an email with the alarming subject line “Important Notice: Termination of Partnership” that made your heart skip a beat. I know mine did. After years of steady affiliate income from Booking.com—an essential revenue stream that has helped fund

China, Fujian

Post-COVID China Travel #2: Why Foreigners Often Can’t Buy Tickets to Major Attractions On-Site – Hidden Pitfalls You Should Know

In my previous article, I shared the difficulties foreign travelers face when using transportation in China. In fact, beyond securing transportation, I also encountered unexpected barriers when purchasing entrance tickets to tourist attractions. What was particularly striking was how inconvenient the situation is for foreign travelers who cannot use the online ticketing systems. Today, I

China, Fujian

Post-COVID China Travel #1: Why Just Taking a Train or Ferry Can Be Surprisingly Challenging – Tips for Getting Around After Visa Restrictions Were Lifted

In winter 2024, I visited China after a long absence, embarking on a journey from Xiamen in Fujian Province to the Yongding Tulou Cluster and Gulangyu Island. Throughout this process, I acutely felt an unexpectedly large gap between China’s digitalized transportation system and myself as a foreign traveler. In this article, I’d like to share

United Kingdom

[Curious Name Origins?] Why So Many English Place Names End in “-sex” – The Surprising History Behind Sussex, Essex & More

Gentlemen who are preparing for study abroad or travel to the UK! Have you ever encountered place names on the map that made you do a double take? Yes, I’m talking about English place names like “Essex,” “Sussex,” and “Middlesex” that contain somewhat intriguing letter combinations. But please put aside those suggestive thoughts for a

Morocco

How to Deal with Overcharging Vendors Abroad – A Traveler’s Mindset for Smart Bargaining

When hearing the word “tourist scam,” many travelers might frown. Travel blogs and guidebooks worldwide almost invariably include warnings about local scams. Indeed, being subjected to unreasonably exorbitant prices or encountering fraudulent business practices should be avoided. However, pricing for tourists has itself become established as a kind of “culture” in tourist destinations around the

Uncategorized

The Travelers’ Wanderlust Instinct: Why Are We Drawn to Unknown Lands

Since ancient times, humans have embarked on journeys for various reasons. These might have been migrations for survival, explorations of the unknown, or simply expressions of curiosity. Even in modern society, many people travel to unfamiliar places during their vacations. Despite sometimes involving inconvenience and difficulties, why do we find travel so appealing? The answer

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