Skrevet: 9/24/20 | 24. september 2020

Som en historienerd elsker jeg å ta et dypt dykk inn i en destinasjons fortid. Jeg er en fast tro på at hvis du ikke forstår hvor folk har kommet fra, vil du aldri forstå hvor de er nå. Det er en stor grunn til at jeg elsker museer så mye.

Som en av de eldste byene i landet har New York City mye historie.

Først avgjort av nederlendere som “New Amsterdam”, overga den nederlandske byen til engelskmennene i 1664. Byen var et stort handelssenter som ligger ved munningen av Hudson River. Etter revolusjonen var New York knutepunktet for USAs makt og regjering, og ble offisielt landets hovedstad i 1789 da George Washington ble sverget inn. Mens det ikke lenger er landets hovedstad (den flyttet til Philadelphia året etter og deretter til Washington, DC I 1800) var NYC fremdeles det bankende hjertet i landet.

Siden jeg elsker å legge til “temaer” til mine reiser, er et flott tema for ditt besøk i New York kolonialhistorie – og mye av byens koloniale historie er fremdeles til stede i dag.

De fleste av severdighetene ligger i finansdistriktet (en av de mest undervurderte delene av NYC), så det er enkelt å besøke alt på en dag. Her er hva du skal se:

1. Batteriet (aka Battery Park)

Denne parken ligger på den sørlige ideen om Manhattan, og er der den nederlandske bygde Fort Amsterdam i 1625 for å forsvare bosetningen. Britene overtok området i 1664 og omdøpte det til slutt Fort George. Fortets kanonbatteri ble ikke brukt før i 1776 da amerikanske styrker overtok det etter å ha erklært uavhengighet. Mens fortet for det meste ble ødelagt under revolusjonen, ble batteriet utvidet etter krigens slutt.

I dag er det over 20 monumenter og plakk i parken, som dekker alt fra revolusjonskrigen og krigen i 1812 til innvandring og mye mer. Du kan vandre rundt i fortet og deretter rusle gjennom den omkringliggende parken og ta inn den vakre utsikten over havnen i havnen, Liberty Statue og Ellis Island.

2. Fraunces Tavern

Dette er den eldste baren i New York City, etter å ha blitt konvertert fra et hjem (bygget i 1719) til en taverna i 1762. Før revolusjonen ville Sons of Liberty (en hemmelig anti-britisk organisasjon grunnlagt av Samuel Adams) møte Her for å gå over planene og filosofiene.

Under krigen ble bygningen skadet da Alexander Hamilton stjal britisk artilleri, og provoserte en handling fra den britiske marinen enn sendt en kanonball gjennom taket. Etter krigen sa George Washington farvel med sine offiserer og tropper fra den kontinentale hæren her.

Da krigen var slutt, ble møter mellom britene og amerikanerne holdt her for å gå over slaveri. USA insisterte på at ingen slaver frigjort av britene kunne forlate oss jord (mange hadde allerede blitt sendt til frihet i det som nå er Canada). (Det var ikke et av våre fineste øyeblikk som land.)

I dag, i første etasje, er det en ganske respektabel restaurant (litt overpriset) og en bar med et stort utvalg av trekkøl. Tavernaen er også vertskap for historiske samtaler, så vel som arrangementer som trivia -netter. Det er også hjem til et lite museum i andre etasje, som inkluderer alle slags historiske artikler og gjenstander. For 300 -årsjubileet for bygningens bygging i 2019, ble en ny utstilling som kroniserer historien opprettet for å fremheve de essensielle hendelsene som fant sted her.

54 Pearl St, +1 (212) -425-1778, Frauncestavernmuseum.org. Åpent mandag-fredag ​​klokka 12 til 17 og lørdag-søndag fra 11 til 17.

3. Bowling Green

Denne offentlige parken er den eldste i NYC. I løpet av kolonitiden installerte britene en forgylt blystatue på 4000 pund av kong George III på hesteryggen. Det ble kontinuerlig vandalisert frem til krigen, og tvang britene til å bygge et gjerde rundt parken (den som fremdeles står i dag) og skape anti-vandalisme-lover.

Etter at uavhengighetserklæringen ble lest i 1776, ble statuen veltet og demontert. Hodet, angivelig, ble sendt til England. Kroppen, så historien går, ble smeltet ned i kuler for den kontinentale hæren.

I dag forblir området en park, og det er en plakett på gjerdet med en kort historisk oversikt.

4. Trinity Church

Den opprinnelige Trinity Church ble bygget i 1698, og var en liten sognekirke konstruert av Church of England. Da britene beslagla New York etter George Washingtons retrett, ble den brukt som en britisk base av operasjoner.

Den opprinnelige kirken ble ødelagt i den store brannen i 1776, en massiv brann som utslettet oppover 25% av byen (amerikanerne beskyldte britene for å starte brannen, mens britene beskyldte revolusjonærene). Den nye bygningen, mot Wall Street, ble innviet i 1790. George Washington og Alexander Hamilton tilbad regelmessig her. Kirken ble utvidet i 1839 til sin nåværende form.

Graveplassen stammer fra 1700 -tallet og har mange populære amerikanere der, inkludert Hamilton og hans WIFe Elizabeth, Francis Lewis (signatory on the declaration of Independence), John Alsop (Continental Congress delegate), Albert Gallatin (founder of NYU), Horatio Gates (Continental army general), John Morin Scott (general and first secretary of state of new York), and Lord Stirling (Continental army general).

75 Broadway, +1 212-602-0800, trinitywallstreet.org. excursions of the cemetery are available on request. There is also a self-guided excursion app you can download from the website.

5. federal Hall national Memorial

This national memorial has served as new York’s city hall and the united states custom-made House, as well as the site of the first Congress of the united states and George Washington’s presidential inauguration. It was also where the Continental Congress of 1765 met to go over the stamp Act, a tax imposed by the British crown.

The current structure, built in 1812, has a small museum that sheds light on the origins of America. part of the balcony and railing where Washington was inaugurated are still on display as well. It’s one of my favorite spots in new York — and one way too often overlooked by visitors!

26 wall St, +1 (212) 825-6990, nps.gov/feha/index.htm. open daily 9am–5pm. Admission is free. complimentary guided excursions are available several times per day (check the web site for hours).

6. St. Paul’s Chapel

Just up the street from Trinity Church (and officially part of its parish) is the oldest surviving church in Manhattan. built in 1766, the Hearts of Oak (a student militia from Kings College) used the church’s grounds for drill practice during the Revolutionary War. Alexander Hamilton was an officer in the unit. After George Washington became the first president of the us in 1789, he attended services here, making the chapel his home church.

Today, it’s a national historic Site, having survived the great fire of 1776, the Revolutionary War, and 9/11. The chapel is a basic hall decorated in pale colors. Glass chandeliers hang from the flat ceiling. It’s not particularly ornate, having a a lot more modern and minimalist design (they use moveable chairs instead of seats to allow for a lot more flexibility in what events can be held here).

209 Broadway, +1 212-602-0800, trinitywallstreet.org/about/stpaulschapel. excursions are used every Sunday at 11:15am after service. Admission is free. dress respectfully, as this is a place of worship.

7. City Hall Park

This park is where new Yorkers held rallies both before and during the Revolutionary War, including a rally against the stamp Act in 1765. When the Act was repealed the following year, a new flagpole was built here — known as the liberty pole — which waved a flag that said “Liberty.” people also gathered here to hear Washington read the declaration of independence in 1776; the spot is marked by a plaque from 1892 (another marks the location of the liberty Pole).

During the war, the British converted it into a prison to hold American prisoners of war, where over 250 Americans were executed. In 1783, when the war was won, Washington raised an American flag over the park.

Nowadays, it’s a pretty park with a fountain and benches to kick back on. You’ll see a lot of people here during lunch. (Well, at least you did pre-COVID.)

8. African Burial Ground national Monument

During the war of Independence, around 25% of the population of new York City was enslaved Africans or people of African descent. Over 40% of the population owned slaves, and the success and development of the city relied heavily on the work of enslaved men and women.

Once known as the “Negroes Burial Ground,” this is the largest colonial-era cemetery for both complimentary and enslaved Black Americans. Studies estimate that upwards of 15,000 people were buried here in the 17th and 18th centuries.

The site is a us national Monument as well as a national historic Landmark. A monument and a visitor’s center were built in 2007 to make sure that this crucial piece of history is not forgotten. inside the visitor’s center are several exhibitions, films, and dioramas highlighting the life of slaves in the city. visitors can learn how slaves were brought over by the Dutch, what their funerals were like, how they survived the extreme conditions in the city, and what archeologists learned when they exhumed the bodies from the area before building the monument.

290 Broadway, +1 (212) 238-4367, nps.gov/afbg/index.htm. open Tuesday-Saturday 10am–4pm. complimentary excursions are available from the visitor’s center. check the web site for dates and times.

9. Van Cortlandt house Museum

This is the oldest building in the Bronx and one of the oldest surviving buildings in the entire country. built in 1748 by African slaves, the property was used during the Revolutionary war by the Comte de Rochambeau, the Marquis de Lafayette, and George Washington (who had his headquarters here during the final years of the war).

It’s one of the oldest historic museum houses in the country (the fourth oldest to be precise), and much of the furniture and items on display are from the colonial era. Today, you can excursion the house to see what life was like during the war.

6036 Broadway, Van Cortlandt Park, +1 (718) 543-3344, vchm.org. open Tuesday-Friday 10am–4pm and weekends 11am–4pm. Admission is $5 USD.

Bonus Sites!

On Staten Island, you’ll find The conference House, where Ben Franklin led a peace delegation in 1776 (it failed). The house has been refurbished and does events throughout the year. It’s open now by private booking.

On the corner of Pearl and Broad, you’ll find the brick outline of Stadt Huys, the first city hall as well some glass portals that look down to remnants of the colonial city that were found in the 1970s.

You’ll also find bricks that show you where the old shoreline used to be during colonial days. (Everything from broad down is landfill created to expand the city as it became a bigger and bigger shipping hub.)

Omvisning

While it’s really easy to walk around and see these sites for yourself, a walking excursion can supply a lot a lot more historical context (you know I love a good walking tour!). here are some paid and self-guided options:

George Washington’s new York – download the app “GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities” for this complimentary self-guided tour. It’s a great companion to the above itinerary.

New York historical excursions – NY historical excursions runs a private two-hour “Alexander Hamilton and the Founding Fathers” excursion on the birth of America and the men who made it possible. At $249 USD, this is best split among a group.

Revolutionary excursions – This three-hour “Washington and Hamilton” excursion is a deep dive into colonial history. It’s informative and entertaining and will give you a much deeper appreciation for these two giants of history. It’s $35 USD per person. (Currently not running any excursions due to COVID.)

Patriot excursions – Patriot excursions uses both a Hamilton excursion as well as one on the Revolutionary war as a whole. They’re led by author and historian Karen Q and cost $40 USD per person. Karen also runs virtual excursions in case you want to travel from the comfort and safety of home during the pandemic.

***
New York City has a lot of history you shouldn’t miss. Whether you’re trying to find a complete historical excursion or just want to add some historical sights into your existing new York City itinerary, these suggestions will supply a look beyond the standard vacationer trail. considering that a lot of all these sites are close together (Van Cortlandt house is in the Bronx), you can visit them in a day.

S. – There’s also a number of parks around nyc that used to be the locations for forts (and the forts that are there date from the 1800s) but there’s nothing really there now to see so I’ve left them off this list.

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February 26, 2019: LAST UPDATED. This post consists of tips and other information about applying for a DSWD travel CLEARANCE including the list of requirements and the step-by-step application process. This applies to Filipino travelers only. A minor is defined as being below 18 years of age.

It’s always fun traveling with kids. Seeing the look on their faces when they experience something for the first time is always priceless. I had traveled with kids in the family twice: First, to Hong Kong for their much awaited Disneyland visit, and second, to Tokyo, to visit a close relative.

The problem is, I am not their father, just an uncle, so I had to secure a travel clearance for them.

Traveling with minors who aren’t your children adds a step in the whole trip preparation. You will need a get a DSWD travel Clearance before your trip. Failing to secure one will cause being offloaded by the immigration officials at the airport. It is a necessary document that they need to protect children from crimes including child trafficking.

WHAT’S covered IN THIS GUIDE?

WHO needs A DSWD CLEARANCE?
DSWD CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTSFIRST-TIME DSWD Clearance Requirements
DSWD Clearance renewal Requirements
Possible additional Requirements
Written Consent or Affidavit of Consent?

HOW TO get A DSWD CLEARANCE1. complete the requirements.
2. find the nearest DSWD field Office.
3. submit the requirements at the DSWD field office and wait for your clearance.

DSWD CLEARANCE frequently ASKED QUESTIONSIs it possible to apply for a DSWD Clearance online?
When should I apply for a DSWD Clearance?
How long does it take to get a DSWD Clearance?
Does the minor have to be with me when I apply?
Should the parent be the one to apply?
I found an error in the travel Clearance. Hva burde jeg gjøre?
How much should I pay for the DSWD Clearance?
I’m applying for a DSWD Clearance, a visa and a passport for the child. What should I work on first?
Do you have a sample Affidavit of Consent?
Where can I find more info about DSWD travel Clearance?

More tips on YouTube ⬇️⬇️⬇️Related Posts:

WHO needs A DSWD CLEARANCE?

Not all minors traveling to a foreign country need a DSWD Clearance. It is only required for the following:

a minor traveling alone

a minor accompanied by a person other than his/her parents

If the minor is traveling with either parent, no need for one. If the minor is traveling with the legal guardian, no need for one (but you must have all papers to prove that you are indeed the legal guardian).

If you’re not the mother or father or legal guardian, you need a DSWD clearance for each minor you’re traveling with. If that’s not clear enough: even if you are a brother, sister, aunt, uncle, grandmother, grandfather, or cousin of the minor, you need a clearance.

Note: When we say “legal guardian”, we mean legal guardian with legal documentation stating your guardianship by law. If you’re acting as a guardian but you don’t have the legal papers to show guardianship, you will still need a DSWD clearance to travel with the minor.

As of January 2014, this is what a DSWD Clearance looks like.

DSWD CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS

Below is a list of papers required to secure a DSWD travel Clearance. This covers minors traveling with someone who isn’t their parent or legal guardian. If the minor will be traveling alone, there is a separate list for that with additional requirements such as Unaccompanied minor Certificate from the Airlines.

There have been a lot of changes to the requirements. Now, there is a separate list of papers for those who are traveling for the first time and those who have traveled before with the non-parent companion.

VIKTIG! I have applied for my nephew and niece multiple times now, and THE requirements change EACH and EVERY TIME! It’s absolutely frustrating, to be honest, because I couldn’t predict what other papers they would need from me. and they don’t update their website accordingly. Hence, please call DSWD before your application to be absolutely sure.

FIRST-TIME DSWD Clearance Requirements

These are the requirements for minors traveling for the first TIME with a companion who is NOT their parent.

A duly accomplished application form. You can download it here.

A photocopy of the minor’s birth certificate (SECPA)

2 colored passport size photos of the minor taken within the past 6 months. Scanned photos are NOT accepted.

A photocopy of the passport of minor’s travel companion.

Notarized Affidavit of support and Consent to Travel. download a copy here.

Valid ID of parents with specimen signature

A photocopy of one of the following, whichever is appropriate:
– If minor has both parents: the parents’ marriage certificate (SECPA)
– If minor is under a legal guardian: the Certificate of legal Guardianship
– If minor is under a solo parent: solo parent identification card or certification from the Municipal DSWD Office; or if Muslim, Tallaq or Fasakh certification from any Muslim Barangay, the Shariah court or a religious leader
– If minor is illegitimate: a Certificate of No marriage from the local civil registrar
– If one of the parents is deceased: death certificate
– If minor is an immigrant, visa petition approval.
– If minor is traveling for medical purposes, medical certificate
– If minor is studying abroad, acceptance letter from school abroad
– If minor is attending a conference, a certification from the organizers

Authorization Letter from Parents/Legal Guardian. only if the person applying is not a parent or legal guardian of the minor. download sample here.

Waiver signed by parents. This should explicitly state releasing DSWD from any liability/responsibility in case of untoward incident during the travel of the minor.

DSWD Clearance renewal Requirements

These are the requirements for minors who have already traveled before with a companion who is not their parent.

A duly accomplished application form. You can download it here.

Original copy of previous DSWD travel clearances.

2 colored passport size photos of the minor taken within the past 6 months. Scanned photos are NOT accepted.

A photocopy of the passport of minor’s travel companion.

Notarized Affidavit of Consent to Travel. download a copy here.

Valid ID of parents with specimen signature

Authorization Letter from Parents/Legal Guardian. only if the person applying is not a parent or legal guardian of the minor. download sample here.

Waiver signed by parents. This should explicitly state releasing DSWD from any liability/responsibility in case of untoward incident during the travel of the minor.

Possible additional Requirements

DSWD may require additional papers aside from those listed above, so make sure you apply early and NOT too close to the travel dates so you have time to secure them.

Here are some other requirements that they might look for based on my experience and those of some of our readers.

Roundtrip ticket of the minor and companion. In my experience, sometimes they ask for it; sometimes, they don’t. If you’re already booked, best to bring a copy of the ticket. If your flights are not yet booked, it’s best to just call the office before your application to confirm.

Notarized Affidavit of support with Undertaking of sponsor (showing employment status and salary). Some sources say this is a requirement, and one of our readers was also asked to provide this. The official DSWD website’s FAQ page lists this as a requirement. but it’s hard to trust the website because it’s messy as eff.

Proof of financial capability of Sponsor. This can be Certificate of Employment, latest ITR, bank Statements, etc. of sponsor (parent, legal guardian or other person/agency shouldering the expenses). In my experience, I was never asked to submit this.I also always bring a copy of this, but they never asked to see it. maybe it’s a new requirement, maybe they ask applicants depending on the situation. call the office where you plan to submit to be 100% sure. just bring it with you to be on the safe side.

Invitation Letter, only if the purpose of travel is to visit a friend or relative, or the minor won’t be staying in a hotel.

Copy of parents’ passports. only if the parents are based abroad.

That’s about it.

VIKTIG! If we haven’t stressed this enough, let us say this again: call THE DSWD field office where you wish to apply for the updated list of requirements. THE requirements change EACH and every time so it’s hard to keep track!

Written Consent or Affidavit of Consent?

Update: October 2018.

A notarized Affidavit of Consent is now a requirement.

In my previous applications, I was never asked to submit an Affidavit of Consent. I would usually just present a simple non-notarized written consent signed by both parents and they accepted it. However, in my most recent application, they asked for a notarized Affidavit of Consent for the first time.

So to be on the safe side, I strongly recommend that you secure a Notarized Affidavit of Consent to travel for a couple of reasons. First, because a notarized affidavit can take the place of the simple written consent. Meaning, if DSWD asks for a simple consent letter, they will accept the affidavit because it’s a more binding legal document. On the other hand, if they require an affidavit and you don’t have it, the written consent may not suffice. It’s safer to have the affidavit.

The second reason: because you might also need it when passing through Immigration. Normally, the DSWD Clearance is enough to let you through, but having that affidavit can be more convincing, if the officer has doubts.

The affidavit I submitted had the following details.

Travel dates

Destination and origin

Minor’s passport number

Contact details of parents/legal guardian

Signature of the parents

In addition, if the minor is traveling with someone who isn’t his/her parent, it would be wise to include the details of thekompanjong:

Name of the companion

Relationship of the companion to the minor

Companion’s passport number

Don’t forget to have it signed by the parents.

You can find a sample here: sample AFFIDAVIT OF CONSENT.

HOW TO get A DSWD CLEARANCE

Getting a DSWD clearance is easy. It might take a few hours, but it is not as complicated as you probably have been picturing in your head. Here’s how I got mine.

1. complete the requirements.

See the list of requirements above.

2. find the nearest DSWD field Office.

Pay a visit to the DSWD field office that covers the permanent address of the minor. For example, my niece and nephew reside in Batangas. The region IV-A (Calabarzon) office is in Alabang. If the minor is based in Metro Manila, file for a clearance at the NCR office in Sampaloc, Manila.

Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8am-5pm.

Below is the complete list of DSWD field Offices.

DSWD national capital region (NCR)
389 San Rafael St. corner Legarda St.,
Sampaloc, Manila
Phone: +632 313-1435 local 210, +632 733-0010 to 14

DSWD field office I
Quezon Avenue, San Fernando, La Union
Phone: +6372 888-2505, +6372 888-2184

DSWD field office II
3 Dana Pagyaya, regional government Center
Carig Sur, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan
Phone: +63 78 846-7532, +63 78 846-7043

DSWD field office III
Government Center, Maimpis, San Fernando, Pampanga
Phone: +63 45 861-2413

DSWD field office IV-A (CALABARZON)
Alabang-Zapote Road, Muntinlupa City
Phone: +63 2 387-2632, +63 2 850-8380, +63 2 807-1518

DSWD field office IV-B (MIMAROPA)
1680 F.T. Benitez St. corner Gen. Malvar St., Malate, Manila
Phone: +63 2 336-8106 local 401, +63 2 336-8106 local 103

DSWD field office V
Magnolia St. PBN Buraguis, Legazpi City
Phone: +63 52 821-7920, +63 52 480-5346, +63 52 480-5754

DSWD field office VI
M.H. del Pilar Street, Molo, Iloilo City
Phone: +63 33 300-0526, +63 33 337-6221

DSWD field office VII
MJ Cuenco Avenue cor. Gen. Maxilom Ave., Cebu City
Phone: +63 32 233-8779

DSWD field office VIII
Magsaysay Boulevard, Tacloban City
Phone: +63 53 321-3090, +63 53 321-117, +63 53 321-1007

DSWD field office IX
General Vicente Alvarez St., Zamboanga City
Phone: +63 62 991-6030, +63 62 991-6056

DSWD field office X
Masterson Ave., upper Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City
Phone: +63 88 858-8892, +63 88 858-8959

DSWD field office XI
Suazo St., cor. Magsaysay Ave., Davao City
Phone: +63 82 226-2857, +63 82 227-8746

DSWD field office XII
9506 Purok Bumanoag, Brgy. zone 3, Koronadal City
Phone: +63 83 520-0572, +63 83 228-3180, +63 83 228-8637

DSWD field office CARAGA
R. Palma St. Butuan City
Phone: +63 85 346-0113, +63 85 815-9173

DSWD Cordillera Administrative region (CAR)
40 North Drive, Baguio City
Phone: +63 74 444-3209, +63 74 444-3262, +63 74 442-7917

You must apply at the DSWD field office that has jurisdiction over the minor. If the minor lives in region IV, apply in Alabang. If the minor resides in Metro Manila, apply in Sampaloc, Manila.

They started implementing this policy in January 2018. prior to this, applicants could apply at any field office, even if the minor doesn’t reside in their region. but that’s not the case anymore. You must apply at the designated DSWD field office now.

3. submit the requirements at the DSWD field office and wait for your clearance.

Here’s the step-by-step process that you will go through once you are at the DSWD office. The process below details my experience applying at the Alabang office, but according to the DSWD website, the process at all branches are almost the same.

Tell the security Guard that you’re there for travel Clearance. ask for a Sequence Number.

Register in the logbook while waiting for your number to be called.

When your number is called, submit all the requirements to the Social worker for the initial screening. He/she will check if the requirements are complete and authentic.

If all your papers are okay, the Social worker will interview you and

Last Updated: 8/31/20 | August 31st, 2020

I’ve been to Thailand a lot more times than I can count. I’ve resided in Bangkok twice, I’ve run excursions with the country, and, if I stay away for a lot more than a year, I feel as if a piece of me is missing.

I like Thailand.

It holds a special location in my heart.

People frequently ask me why I return to locations I’ve already checked out instead of checking out somewhere new. Well, that’s an simple answer: since I feel at house when I’m checking out them.

And Thailand is most likely the one location outside of the U.S. where I feel a lot of at home.

And why do I like Thailand so much?

Here are eleven reasons why Thailand is one of the very best countries – as well as what you can look ahead to when you travel there:

1. The tasty Food

When people state they like Thai food however haven’t been to Thailand, I can’t assist however think, “You’ve never truly experienced Thai food.” Thai food in Thailand is leagues much better than anywhere else in the world. The spices, the fragrances, the range of flavors. Your mouth dances with flavor when you eat here. There are dishes as well as styles in the country that you just can’t get anywhere else.

All over the streets of Thailand, outside stalls serve up the least expensive as well as finest meals you can find. You’ll be hunched over a bowl of noodles next to a bit kid, office worker, as well as bank president. street food in Thailand is the fantastic equalizer as well as essential to Thai culture. No matter what time of the day it is, there’s always food offered somewhere.

Moreover, Thailand has established world-class worldwide food (and a few Michelin starred restaurants) in recent years. a few of my preferred sushi restaurants are in Bangkok, as well as you can discover fantastic halal as well as Indian food in the downtown Sukhumvit area.

Thailand is a foodie’s dream.

2. The Weather

I like the sun (much to my mother’s as well as my dermatologist’s dismay). I believe after shoveling snow in Boston for the huge majority of my life, I gravitate to the sun because, in the tropics, there’s no snow. The truth that it’s always hot as well as damp in Thailand appeals to me. It’s never “jacket” weather condition here.

(OK, that’s not completely true. In January, I do wear a jacket. It gets quite close to 20° C here. You can always tell the expats from the tourists in Bangkok since they are the ones using sweatshirts as well as jackets in Januar.)

3. The friendly Locals

Thais are a few of the nicest people I have ever met. They’re always happy, always smiling, very polite, as well as always helpful. They’ll assist you out if you’re in difficulty as well as assist equate for you if you can’t speak Thai. They treat you well, as well as whenever I come back here, the regional shop owners whose stores I regular greet me with a warm smile as well as a huge hug. when a friend, always a friend.

I always feel risk-free in Thailand. Thailand is one of the few countries I feel comfortable leaving my laptop out while I go to the bathroom.

4. It’s the best travel Hub

Thailand is smack-dab in the middle of everything. It’s three hours to Hong Kong, two hours to Singapore, four hours to Bali, as well as half method between Australia as well as Europe.

You can get to a great deal of locations quickly from Thailand, which, for a traveler like myself, is truly appealing.

5. The Postcard-Perfect tropical Islands

I like the beach. I can sit on the sand as well as choose a swim for hours upon end. While Thailand has been established for many years as well as lots of of the very best beaches have been ruined with uncontrolled development, you can still discover some pristine, picture-perfect islands as well as beaches around the country.

I especially like Ko Chang, Ko Kood, Surin Island, Ko Adang, as well as Ko Lanta. the very best islands are down south near the Malaysian border. They all look like the above picture.

As long as you prevent the incredibly touristy as well as overdeveloped beaches (and there are many), you’ll discover the postcard-perfect beaches you’ve already dreamed of!

6. The rich Jungles

As much as I take pleasure in sitting on the beach, I likewise like to hike with jungles, as well as Thailand has a few of the most gorgeous as well as rich ones I’ve seen. From the jungles as well as elephants in Khao Yai national Park, to the famed lake of Khao Sok in the south, to the popular jungle as well as hill tribe treks near Chiang Mai, you can get your tropical jungle repair extremely quickly here.

They may not be the wild as well as untamed jungles of some locations in Borneo or the middle of Africa, however they still offer fantastic views, dense forests, waterfalls to awesome off in, as well as an fascinating range of wildlife.

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7. The worldwide Atmosphere

Thailand is a country where you can get as regional or foreign as you like. since of all the tourists as well as expats who online here, the country is extremely cosmopolitan as well as international. There are worldwide food chains, worldwide restaurants and stores, Starbucks, as well as Hollywood movies.

Thailand is a melting pot of people, as well as you’ll discover people from around the world. I’ve made buddies right here from France, Germany, Argentina, Australia, new Zealand, Japan, as well as Israel, just to name a few.

8. It’s Convenient

Thailand is convenient. hungry at 3:30am? There’s somebody around to offer you food. requirement to take a bus to Vietnam? That can be quickly arranged. requirement to go buying at some odd hour? There’s a store open. Pharmacy at 2am? got that too.

Thailand is just an simple location to online as well as step around in. as well as in Bangkok, you never have to wait on a taxi.

9. Bangkok

I hated Bangkok the very first few times I traveled there. It wasn’t up until I moved there that I fell in like with it.

Bangkok, it turns out, is an simple city to online in. There’s great deals to do, lots of events, fantastic bars, as well as fantastic food (see above), as well as it’s simple to get around (except during rush hour). I like cities where there’s always something to do. No matter what time of the day or day of the week, you can always discover something to perform in Bangkok.

I began to like Bangkok when I got to understand it beyond the temples as well as the vacationer trail. When I discovered hidden markets as well as fantastic street stalls frequented only by locals, ended up being buddies with residents, as well as comprehended exactly how it operated, I understood why people liked Bangkok so much.

Bangkok is not a city for tourists.

It’s for residents.

Take a long time right here as well as take pleasure in it.

10. It’s Cheap!

Thailand is inexpensive to go to as well as inexpensive to online in. Yesterday, I spent $4 USD for all of my food for the day, including some drinks as well as snacks. a lot of food from the street vendors costs $1. I can get a personal space for $10 USD per night or a bungalow in front of the beach for $15–20 USD. An apartment or condo in downtown Bangkok costs $300 USD a month, as well as it’s still bigger than what I need. Thailand just uses extraordinary value for your money.

A few years back, I was telling my buddy that after a month bouncing around the islands, I had spent around 40,000 baht ($1,400 USD). He was shocked! “How the hell might you spend so much money in one month!” he exclaimed.

If you’re traveling right here on a backpacker’s budget, you can get by for about $30 USD a day.

11. There’s Something for Everyone

Whether you’re a travel newbie of professional backpacker, Thailand will have something to keep you entertained. While the country is always my go-to recommendation for new travelers, I’ve been coming back for over a decade as well as have yet to be tired or disappointed. Whether you’re trying to find hiking or partying, greasy street food or a super-healthy detox retreat, you can discover it in Thailand.

Digital nomad? Head to Chiang Mai.

Looking for yoga? Head to Pai.

Want to getaway the chaotic cities? Go check out Isaan.

No matter what type of trip you’re looking for, you can discover it in Thailand!

***
When people ask me what my preferred country is, I always state Thailand. though I question exactly how you can pick a preferred country. Each one is fantastic in its own right. No country is truly much better than another, just different.

However, Thailand has a special location in my heart. We have a long history together. I’ll always return to this country.

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Book Your trip to Thailand: Logistical ideas aS i tillegg til triks
Bestill flyet ditt
Bruk Skyscanner eller Momondo for å oppdage en billig flytur. De er mine to foretrukne bla gjennom motorer siden de blar gjennom nettsteder, så vel som flyselskaper over hele kloden, slik at du alltid forstår at ingen stein er igjen. Begynn med Skyscanner veldig først, men siden de har størst rekkevidde!

Bestill innkvarteringen din
Du kan bestille vandrerhjemmet ditt med Hostelworld, ettersom de har den største aksjen så vel som fineste avtaler. Hvis du vil bo et annet sted enn et herberge, kan du bruke booking.com, da de konsekvent returnerer de billigste prisene for gjestehus så vel som billige hoteller. Mine foretrukne steder å bo er:

Bloom Cafe & Hostel (Ko Lipe)

Julie Guesthouse (Chiang Mai)

Mad Monkey Hostel (Bangkok)

Ikke klarer ikke å huske reiseforsikring
Reiseforsikringsdekning vil sikre deg mot sykdom, skade, tyveri, samt kanselleringer. Det er detaljert sikkerhet i situasjonen alt går galt. Jeg drar aldri på tur uten det, da jeg har måttet utnytte det mange ganger i det siste. Min foretrukne virksomhet som tilbyr den aller beste servicen og verdien er:

Sikkerhetsving (for alle under 70)

Forsikre turen min (for de over 70)

MedJet (for ekstra hjemsendelsesdekning)

Leter du etter den aller beste virksomheten å spare penger med?
Sjekk ut ressurssiden min for den aller beste virksomheten å bruke når du reiser. Jeg viser alle de jeg bruker for å spare penger når jeg er på vei. De vil spare deg for penger når du også reiser.

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Last Updated: 9/30/2020 | September 30th, 2020

I have a slight confession to make. I didn’t like Berlin the very first time I visited it.

Everyone raves about exactly how fantastic it is so going in I had high expectations. It was a “must-see” people said. however I don’t understand if it was the weather, the architecture, or the people however I didn’t see what all the fuss was about. While I had fun with people from the hostel, overall, I might do without Berlin.

When most people discover out about this, they are shocked. “How might you not like Berlin? It was so great,” they said.

“I dunno,” I reply. “It just didn’t do it for me.”

Not everybody is going to like the exact same place. There are many cities I don’t like. And, as anyone who has checked out my about me page knows, I didn’t enjoy my time in Vietnam.

We always hear about the “must see” destinations in the world — locations no sane person can miss. who would want to avoid Angkor Wat, Paris, the fantastic barrier Reef, the killing fields in Cambodia, or Auschwitz?

Well, me.

I skipped the killing fields as well as every concentration camp in Europe.

I’m just not interested. Why see a lot of old buildings as well as fields where great deals of people were murdered? For me, I’d rather go into a museum as well as checked out the story since that is what is truly fascinating to me.

Yes, these locations have photos as well as indications however to me, it’s not something I’m interested in. And, as a history student, I already understand a great deal about these locations as well as seeing the death machines isn’t going to make me recognize “wow, this is bad!” since I understand that already!

Years back when I very first started traveling, I chastised a guy in Cambodia for skipping Angkor Wat.

“How might you miss it? You requirement to at least see it even if only for a day,” I said. But, looking back, I see that he didn’t requirement to go.

Travel isn’t about inspecting off some listing of world sites — it is about checking out the world, discovering about yourself as well as other cultures, as well as seeing what interests you.

Yes, we should all move out of our comfort zone, push ourselves, as well as try new things. I have tried sea snails in France (they are truly good) as well as tried to (slightly) get over my fear of heights.

But take me to a concentration camp as well as I’m just going to be bored.

Take me to a Holocaust museum as well as I’ll be there for hours.

Take my buddy to a museum as well as he will autumn asleep where I can hours exploring.

Take my buddy on a walking tour as well as he’ll complain. Take me to a sporting event as well as I’ll be counting down up until it’s over.

We all have different interests.

Pushing yourself to do new things is one thing, seeing things since somebody told you it is a “must-see” is another. There are no must-see destinations in the world, only things everybody believes are must-see. I’m still guilty of telling people to “see this or that”.

I like Paris as well as am shocked when people don’t. “You have to provide Paris a chance,” I say.

But, when I take a moment to think, I see that I’m just forcing my opinions on them like people who tell me I requirement to see the killing fields do to me.

And what is “must-see” anyways?

A location so incredible that everybody should go to, right?

But all of us understand no two people see the exact same thing the exact same method as well as travel destinations don’t getaway this rule of life. When I saw Stonehenge, I was disappointed. It was just a lot of stones to me. The close-by town of Salisbury impressed me more.

Must see is only what we believe it to be. people around the world are always guilty of telling people what is a must-see. We can’t expect everybody to like what we like.

Sure, there are fantastic locations to see in the world however I don’t believe there is anything that is a must see.

I make great deals of suggestions however those are just my opinions. Doesn’t mean it is right — it is just right for me.

Will somebody else enjoy Berlin or Vietnam?

Of program however I can just talk about my experience.

But the next time anyone tells you that you are crazy for missing some “must-see” destination or attraction, ask them if they would go to something they didn’t like. possibilities are they will state no. then you can just tell them:

“Nøyaktig! That’s the exact same reason why I’m not going to location (insert name).”

Because there is no such thing as must-see!

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Bestill turen din: Logistiske tips så vel som triks
Bestill flyet ditt
Finn en billig flytur ved å bruke Skyscanner. Det er min foretrukne bla gjennom motoren siden den søker på nettsteder så vel som flyselskaper over hele kloden, slik at du alltid forstår at ingen stein er igjen.

Bestill innkvarteringen din
Du kan bestille vandrerhjemmet ditt med Hostelworld. Hvis du vil bo et annet sted enn et herberge, kan du bruke booking.com, da de konsekvent returnerer de billigste prisene for gjestehus så vel som hotell.

Ikke klarer ikke å huske reiseforsikring
Reiseforsikringsdekning vil beskytte deg mot sykdom, skade, tyveri, samt kanselleringer. Det er omfattende sikkerhet i situasjonen noe går galt. Jeg drar aldri på tur uten det, da jeg har måttet bruke den mange ganger i fortiden. Min foretrukne virksomhet som tilbyr den aller beste servicen og verdien er:

Safetywing (best for alle)

Forsikre turen min (for de over 70)

MedJet (for ekstra evakueringsdekning)

Klar til å bestille turen?
Sjekk ut ressurssiden min for den aller beste virksomheten å bruke når du reiser. Jeg viser alle de jeg bruker når jeg reiser. De er de aller beste i klassen, og du ikke kan gå galt ved å bruke dem på turen.

Hei alle sammen,

Jeg ønsket å dele en video til fra et nylig nomadisk nettverksarrangement. Dette handler om “pensjonisttilværelse på veien: Senior Solo Experience Travel.”

Pensjonering trenger ikke å være et spørsmål om å bare spille ut livets streng med hendelser.

Det er ikke et signal om å trege livet ditt, samt begynne en lang nedoverbakke.

Det er virkelig en sjanse til å begynne en ny, rikt givende, gratis og uavhengig livsstil som begynner på 60 -tallet!

Jeg ble raskt slitt ut av …

Hei! Beklager å avbryte, men ….

Du ser ut til å ha snublet over en bare abonnentartikkel!

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